Daniel and I love Italian food! It's so delicious and hearty.
There's nothing quite like a plate of pasta,and a great salad!
These recipes are super easy, and make you look
like you've been working all day to create them!
- Bon Appetito -
Italian Pizza Casserole-
3 cups uncooked ziti noodles
1 pound ground sausage
1 onion,chopped
1 green bell pepper,chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups quartered fresh mushrooms
1 can sliced black olives,drained
1 (14.5 -ounce) can diced tomatoes with
basil, garlic, and oregano
2(15 -ounce)cans tomato sauce
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups (8 ounce) shredded
mozzarella cheese,divided
Cook pasta to package directions
drain and set aside.
Preheat oven to 350'F.
Lightly grease a 13x9x2-inch baking dish.
In a large skillet,cook sausage,onion,bell pepper,and garlic
over medium heat until sausage is browned and crumbles;
drain well.Spoon sausage mixture into large bowl.
Stir in mushrooms and next 8 ingredients.Stir in 1 cup
mozzarella cheese.Add cooked ziti, tossing gently to combine.
Spoon mixture into prepared baking dish.
Top with remaining
1 cup mozzarella.Bake for 30-40 minutes,
or until casserole is hot and bubbly.
Chicken Florentine Pasta Bake
1/2 cup butter
1 package thinly sliced prosciutto,chopped
2 cloves garlic,minced
1/2 cup all purpose flour
3 cups chicken broth
3 cups whole milk
4 cups chopped cook chicken
2 cups shredded gruyere cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (9-ounce) package fresh baby spinach, stemmed
1 (16-ounce)package dumpling -style noodles,cooked according to the package
and kept warm.Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese.
Preheat oven to 350'.Lightly grease a 3-quart baking dish.
In a large Dutch oven,melt 1/2 cup butter over medium heat.
Add prosciutto and garlic,and cook,stirring frequently,for 3 to 4
minutes,or until prosciutto is crispy.Stir in flour , and cook for 2 minutes,stirring
constantly.Add broth and milk,stirring until smooth.Bring to a simmer,and cook
for 6 to 8 minutes, or until thickened.Stir in chicken,cheeses,salt,and pepper;
stirring until cheeses melt.Stir in spinach and noodles.
Spoon mixture into prepared baking dish.
Bake for 30-35 minutes,or until casserole
is hot and bubbly.Garnish with Parmesan,if
desired.Serve immediately.
*Note This recipe can be made 1 day ahead and refrigerated or frozen
for up to 1 month.If frozen,thaw completely in refrigerator before baking.
On A Lighter Side-
Basil Pesto-
2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
1 garlic clove
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper,plus more to taste
about 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
In a blender , pulse the basil, pine nuts, garlic,1/2 teaspoon of salt,and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper
until finely chopped.With the blender still running, gradually add enough oil to form
a smooth and thick consistency.Transfer the pesto to medium bowl and stir in the cheese.
Season pesto with more salt and pepper to taste.(The pesto can be made 2 days ahead.)Cover and refrigerate. I serve the pesto with grilled chicken breasts over a penne, bowtie, or fettuccini pasta.
All I Can Say Is Delish!
(Toasting Nuts-)
Preheat oven to 400'F
Place shelled nuts,such as walnuts,almonds,pine nuts,hazelnuts.
On a heavy baking sheet,toast nuts in the oven
until they are fragrant and golden brown on the outside
and pale golden throughout the inside.Stirring occasionally and watching closely
to ensure they brown evenly and don't burn.about 5-10 minutes..
To Serve With Any Of The Pasta Dishes-
Little Italy Salad -
6 cups torn green leaf lettuce
6 cups torn red lettuce
1 cup cherry tomatoes,halved
1 cucumber,Thinly sliced
1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives
Creamy Italian Dressing-
1 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 table spoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1 clove garlic, minced
In a small bowl,whisk together all ingredients.Cover and chill.
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