Category: ITALIAN

ITALIAN BAKED POTATOES

ITALIAN BAKED POTATOES
3/4 pound ground chuck
4 Russet potatoes, scrubbed, buttered* and baked
1 small Vidalia onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Avocado oil
1 1/2 cups of your favorite marinara sauce (my recipe below)
1/2 cup Mascarpone cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

  • In a large skillet heat oil.
  • Add onion and garlic, sauteing until garlic is fragrant.
  • Add beef, cooking until browned and completely broken up.
  • Drain off all fat.
  • Return meat to pan. 
  • Add marinara sauce, blending well and heating through.
  • Add Mascarpone cheese and Parmesan cheese, blending well until creamy.
  • Serve over hot potatoes, salt and peppering to taste.

 *I rub butter on the outside of the skins to make them a little more flavorful.

MARINARA SAUCE
2 large cans Contadina crushed tomatoes
1 can Contadina tomato sauce
1 tablespoon Avocado oil
3 teaspoons crushed garlic
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon white pepper1 small white onion, chopped
1 can chicken consomme or 2 cups warm water + 2 teaspoons Wyler’s beef granules
2 carrots, cut into really small pieces
3 tablespoons Classico tomato pesto

  • Heat avocado oil in large saute’/small stock pan.
  • Add onions, carrots and garlic.
  • Mash carrots to a mush.
  • Add the salt and pepper.
  • Whisk in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato pesto, seasonings and consomme.
  • Bring to a simmer for several hours stirring frequently.
  • Pour over prepared pasta and toss well.
  • Store remaining sauce is quart size or gallon size ziploc bags depending on your family size. The bags will freeze in a flat shape so you can store more in the freezer.

PIZZA IN A POT

Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom recently ran her recipe for Pizza in a Pot.  It sounded SOOOOOOOO good and looked so unbelievably delicious that I wanted to make it right then and it was only 8AM.

My biggest problem is that with a major move coming I’ve been using what I already have in the freezer and cupboard for anything and everything I make so I had to adjust it a bit, but we loved the results. I also halved everything and we still will eat on it for 3 days. I can’t wait to make it again with her original ingredients.

Our favorite pizza is a pepperoni/sausage combo and ironically when hubby came in he asked if we were having pizza for dinner!

Sandra’s Recipe: (my changes in red)

Pizza in a Pot

1-1/2 pounds ground beef 3/4 pound mild Italian sausage (casings removed)
1 medium green pepper, chopped 1 cup carrot shreds
1 medium onion, chopped 1 small onion, chopped
15 ounces tomato sauce 8 ounce can tomato sauce
14 ounces pizza sauce 1/2 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons tomato paste 6 ounce can tomato paste
3 cups spiral pasta, cooked and drained 1 1/2 cups (dry) shells
2 packages (3-1/2 ounces each) sliced pepperoni 2 inches deli pepperoni cut into chunks
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese 1 cup Sargento shredded Italian cheese blend

  • In a large skillet, cook the Italian Sausage and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, drain well. 
  • Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste and broth.
  • In a 5-qt. slow cooker, layer the pasta, sausage mixture, pepperoni and cheese. 
  • Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours or until heated through.

Yield: 6-8 servings.

Sandra’s note: If you’d like, substitute 1/2 pound bulk Italian sausage for the pepperoni in Pizza in a Pot. Cook it along with the ground beef, green pepper and onion.

ITALIAN CHICKEN MEATBALLS

 

ITALIAN CHICKEN MEATBALLS
MEATBALLS
1 pound ground chicken
1 bunch green onions, minced
1 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, minced
3/4 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1 large egg
1 tablespoon ketchup
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon sea salt
parsley for garnish

    •  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

 

    • In a large bowl combine the above ingredients with your hands until well blended.

 

    • Form into golf ball size meat balls.

 

    • Arrange them on a parchment covered jelly roll pan about an inch apart.

 

  • Bake 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce.

SAUCE
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 small onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 teaspoons sea salt
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 cup parsley, chopped

    • In a large saucepan heat oil over medium heat.

 

    • Add onions and garlic, sauteing until soft.

 

    • Add tomatoes, salt and Italian seasoning.

 

  • Stir to combine and simmer uncovered until the sauce has thickened, about 10 minutes. 

ASSEMBLY
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup mild shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup parsley, chopped

    • Ladle a small amount of sauce into the bottom of the baking dish.

 

    • Arrange meatballs on top of sauce.

 

    • Pour remaining sauce evenly over meatballs.

 

    • Top with cheese.

 

    • Bake 5 more minutes or until cheese is completely melted.

 

  • Garnish with parsley.

Bacon, Meatball & Sun Dried Tomato Carbonara Lasagna

Where do you do your best thinking? For me I usually have my best ideas in the shower or the pool or while I’m driving or … – LOL it always seems to be someplace where paper and pen are NOT handy. I always tell myself I’ll remember, but then the errands and appointments take over and many times I forget for days on end if I remember at all.

Fortunately I remembered this one.  I will be making this one MANY times over! 

Note: A while back I started using Ronzoni oven ready lasagna noodles.  I love them. They turn out perfect EVERY time and you don’t have mess with noodles tearing or being hot and sticky!

BACON, MEATBALL & SUN DRIED TOMATO CARBONARA LASAGNA

MEATBALLS
1 pound ground chuck
1/2 sleeve saltine crackers
1 teaspoon Italian herbs
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1 JUMBO egg
4 green onions, minced
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

    • With your hands blend together all ingredients until well mixed.
    • Form 1/2 inch meatballs.
    • Brown meatballs over a medium heat until outsides are seared well.
  • Drain on paper towels.

FILLING
15 ounces whole milk Ricotta cheese
1 JUMBO egg
1 teaspoon Italian herbs

  • Whisk together and set aside.

SAUCE
1 batch Alfredo sauce (recipe below)
3 tablespoons Classico Sun Dried Tomato Pesto

    • Prepare Alfredo sauce per recipe below.

ASSEMBLY

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • Spread a nice layer of sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
    • Add a layer of lasagna noodles.
    • Add a layer of ricotta filling.
    • Add meatballs in a single layer.
    • Top with the remaining ricotta filling.
    • Sprinkle crumbled bacon on top.
    • Add another layer of lasagna noodles.
  • Spread remaining sauce on top of noodles.
    • Sprinkle a nice layer of mozzarella cheese on top about 2 cups finely grated, cover and bake 35 minutes.
    • Remove lid and bake 10 more minutes until top is golden .
  • Let rest 5-10 minutes before cutting into.

ALFREDO SAUCE
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon minced garlic, jar
1 egg yolk, beaten
1/2 teaspoon thyme
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

    • Melt butter in a saucepan.
    • Add garlic and saute until fragrant. 
    •  Gradually add heavy cream, stirring constantly. 
    • Stir in salt, pepper and grated Parmesan cheese and stir constantly until melted. 
  • Whisk in egg quickly and heat through.

 

BAKED SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS

BAKED SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS
6 cups cooked thin spaghetti noodles
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Alfredo sauce (recipe below)
Italian Meatballs (recipe below)
Roasted Vegetable Spaghetti Sauce or your favorite red pasta sauce

  • Prepare your meatballs.
  • Prepare your red sauce.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease the holes of a mini loaf pan.
  • Toss together the cooked spaghetti with the Alfredo sauce.
  • Fill each of the mini loaves with the pasta and press down on the top to pack in it, adding more as necessary.
  • Sprinkle the tops with shredded mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake for about 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees.
  • Put a little sauce in each bowl, add one of the baked spaghetti loaves, top with Italian meatballs and more marinara sauce.
  • Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan and parsley.

ALFREDO SAUCE
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons crumbled bacon
1 egg yolk, beaten
1/2 teaspoon thyme
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • Melt butter in a saucepan.
  • Add garlic and saute until fragrant. 
  •  Gradually add heavy cream, stirring constantly. 
  • Stir in salt, pepper and grated Parmesan cheese and stir constantly until melted. 
  • Whisk in egg quickly and heat through.
  • Toss and serve immediately.

MEATBALLS

1 pound hamburger
1 pound ground pork
2 bunches green onions, chopped
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup Panko crumbs or crushed saltines
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon white pepper
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Using your hands blend all the ingredients together.
  • Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  • Roll meatballs into golf ball size meatballs.
  • Bake for 30-45.
  • Bake how ever many you need today and freeze the others for future meals. Thaw in refrigerator before baking.

ITALIAN BAKED CHICKEN

ITALIAN BAKED CHICKEN serves 8

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut in halves)
salt and pepper to taste
provolone cheese slices
prosciutto slices
1 large bunch green onions, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 1 lemon
fresh basil
1 cup white wine (I used zinfandel)
3 tablespoons butter

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Generously salt and pepper each piece of chicken.
  • In a large skillet melt butter until frothy.
  • Add chicken pieces, searing each side quickly.  Drain on a paper towel. Do not discard butter.
  • Warp each piece of chicken in a slice of prosciutto and then lay a slice of provolone on top.  
  • Arrange chicken pieces in a baking dish.
  • In the skillet add the garlic and green onions, sauteing until soft and fragrant.
  • Add the wine and lemon juice, simmering until starts to thicken.
  • Pour sauce over and around chicken pieces.
  • Bake 30 minutes.
  • Garnish with fresh basil and serve.

NEAPOLITAN CHICKEN

NEAPOLITAN CHICKEN
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup Panko crumbs
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs, beaten
1/8 cup milk
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 egg, beaten
2 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
2 ounces shredded Parmesan cheese
4 slices sliced provolone
3-4 cups marinara sauce
salt and pepper to taste

  • Preheat oven to 350Ëš.
  • In a shallow bowl mix together the 2 beaten eggs and milk.
  • In a medium mixing bowl cream together the ricotta cheese, 1 beaten egg, Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese. Generously salt and pepper. Set aside.
  • Flatten chicken breasts to uniform size.
  • Bring butter to a melt over medium heat.
  • Coat chicken in flour.
  • Dip chicken in egg wash.
  • Coat in panko crumbs.
  • Brown chicken breasts on both sides.
  • Drain chicken breasts on paper towels.
  • Place half the marinara sauce in a baking dish.
  • Add the chicken breasts.
  • Top with a thin layer of marinara.
  • Spread a generous portion of the ricotta mixture on each chicken breast.
  • Top each breast with a provolone slice.
  • Bake for 20 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.
  • Serve with pasta.

STUFFED MEATBALLS & ROASTED VEGGIE SPAGHETTI SAUCE

  • I start with whatever vegetables I have in the vegetable bin. Today was Roma tomatoes, celery stalks, green onions and snap peas.
  • Then I drizzle olive oil and salt and pepper over it all and bake it for an hour at 400 degrees.
  • I started the sauce with a can of Contadina tomato paste, 1 teaspoon Better than Beef Bouillon paste, 2 cups orange juice and a V8. This truly was a clean out the fridge day.
  • When done roasting add the vegetables to the sauce and set to simmer all day. The vegetables will continue to cook down into a uniform consistency with the sauce. Salt & pepper taste.


For the meatballs:
1 pound hamburger
1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
3 large slices sourdough bread, crumbled
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheeseAlign Center
2 tablespoons fresh minced parsley
1 bunch green onions, finely minced
2 teaspoons minced garlic, jar
mozzarella cheese, about 4 ounces, cut into 1 inch cubes

  • Crumble bread into a large bowl.
  • Toss in Parmesan cheese, parsley, green onions and garlic.
  • Add meat and with your hands mix extremely well until you have a uniform mixture.
  • Roll meatballs around a Parmesan cheese cube.
  • Chill Meatballs until sauce is done.
  • Just before the sauce is finished, brown meatballs.**
  • Add the meatballs to the sauce and bring to a medium high simmer until meatballs are cooked though, about 20 minutes.
  • Prepare pasta and Parmesan Cheese Bread while meatballs are cooking.
  • Enjoy

**If you prefer you can add the meatballs directly to the sauce and SLOW simmer for a couple hours instead of browning.

Ricotta Herbed Manicotti with homemade Bolognese Sauce

One of our favorites is Herbed Ricotta Cheese Manicotti with Bolognese sauce. Anyone who knows me knows when I make Bolognese, that I make it by the vat full and then freeze it in easy to use sizes. That step makes this a super easy dish to make.


HERBED RICOTTA CHEESE MANICOTTI with BOLOGNESE SAUCE
16 ounces part skim Ricotta Cheese
4 ounces Manicotti shells (1 tray)
2 teaspoons Italian herb seasoning
2 servings of your favorite BOLOGNESE sauce or marinara sauce
4 ounces Italian blend* grated cheese

  • Prepare pasta according to directions. Rinse in cool water and set aside.
  • With a hand mixer whip the Ricotta Cheese and add seasoning until well blended.
  • Gently stuff the cooled shells and place in a baking dish.
  • Top with sauce and cheese.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Personally I like to bake these a day ahead of when I want to serve them and let the flavors meld together. I think they are better the next day.

Italian blend cheese ~ Mozzarella, Provolone, Romano, Asiago, Parmesan

BLANCO ROSA PASTA

BLANCO ROSA PASTA
 Â¾ pounds Penne pasta (I used linguini tonight)
1 pound chicken, cubed
3 Tablespoons Butter
3 Tablespoons Olive Oil 
1 small Vidalia Onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced  
½ cup White Zinfandel Wine*
1 8 ounce can Contadina tomato sauce
1 cup heavy whipping cream  
Fresh parsley, chopped
Fresh basil, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Asiago Parmesan cheese, grated

  • Cook the Penne pasta until al dente per package instructions.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon each of butter and olive oil in a skillet. 
  • Add the chicken and saute until just done. Do not overcook them. 
  • Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes.
  • In a large skillet heat the remaining butter and olive oil. Add the garlic and onion sauteing until translucent and fragrant, stirring occasionally. 
  • Add the wine. Let the wine evaporate for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the can of tomato sauce. Stir until well combined. 
  • Add heavy cream. Continue stirring until well blended. 
  • Lower heat to a simmer.
  • Add chicken pieces back in and heat through.
  • Toss with prepared pasta.
  • Top with basil, parsley and grate Parmesan cheese.

*Can substitute chicken broth if you prefer.

SPAGHETTI CARBONARA

1/2 pound bacon /Pancetta, cut into 1 inch pieces

4 egg yolks
2 tablespoons Classico sun dried tomato pesto
3/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small-medium onion, chopped fine
1 1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon sea salt, if necessary depending on bacon
1 teaspoon white pepper
3 tablespoons butter, melted
fresh parsley
1/2 pound spaghetti, linguine or pasta of your choice
  • Saute’ the bacon and brown until crisp.
  • At the same time bring the pasta water to a boil. Timing is crucial on this dish, the pasta must be ready when the rest of the ingredients are.
  • Chop the onion into small bits.
  • Using a slotted spoon remove the bacon from the grease and drain on paper towels.
  • Add the onions to the bacon grease and saute. Add the garlic.
  • Using a slotted spoon remove the onions and garlic and add to the bacon.
  • Pour off excess bacon grease.
  • Seriously scrape bottom of pan to loosen the stuck on bits – we NEED those for flavor. Make sure the pan cools slightly so as not to curdle the cream.
  • Add the sun dried tomato pesto and let heat to thin slightly.
  • Add the heavy cream, cooking until heated through and bubbling.
  • Add back in the bacon, onion and garlic. Lower heat. Simmer a few minutes to heat through and reduce liquid.
  • In a large serving bowl whisk the egg yolks together. Add the majority of the Parmesan cheese and Parsley, saving just enough for garnish. Mix it together well.
  • Add the drained HOT** pasta and mix well.
  • Add the butter, pepper and the bacon mixture. TOSS, TOSS and TOSS again until well mixed.
  • Garnish and Serve immediately.
**Pasta MUST be hot in order for this to coagulate well.

ITALIAN GARLIC SUPREME PIZZA

ITALIAN GARLIC SUPREME PIZZA
CRUST
1 cup of warm water (105F)
3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 teaspoons of honey
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of yeast
  • Put warm water into a bowl. Add salt, sugar and honey and mix well. Add the yeast, mix and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
  • Gradually add the flour and olive oil until well blended.
  • When the mixture gets too heavy to mix, start kneading the dough with your hands.
  • Knead the dough until you have a smooth ball. If the dough cracks it is too dry. Add water bit by bit until if forms a nice smooth ball. If you need to add water or flour, do it by small amounts.
  • Coat the dough with olive oil, place it in a large bowl and cover it with kitchen wrap and a flour sack towel. Let the dough rise for about an hour at room temperature, then push it down again so it deflates. Let it sit for about another hour. Either bake it or refrigerate for later use.
  • Put the dough on a lightly floured surface, put a bit of flour on top and make it into the shape of a pie by stretching it out from the center outwards. Use a rolling pin until the dough is about 1/4″ thick. Punch some holes in the dough with a fork to let the air escape while the pizza is in the oven.
  • Lightly oil a cookie sheet with olive oil and sprinkle with cornmeal.
  • Pre-Bake dough at 400 degrees for 5 minutes.
TOPPINGS 
1 package John Morrell pepperoni
3 Italian sausages, cooked and crumbled 
1 can Contadina tomato paste with basil and oregano
1/2 pound mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 large bunch green onions, thinly sliced including the majority of the tops
6 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 Roma tomato, diced small
2/3 cup grated mozzarella cheese
2/3 cup grated provolone cheese
2/3 cup grated Romano cheese
Extra light olive oil
  • Whisk together the tomato paste, garlic and 1 teaspoon olive oil to make the sauce.
  • Brush pre-baked dough with a small amount of olive oil and then an even layer of the sauce.
  • Evenly sprinkle the crumbled sausage over the sauce followed by half of the pepperoni.
  • Top with the mushrooms, green onions and tomatoes.
  • Evenly sprinkle the cheese over it all
  • Top with the remaining pepperoni.
  • Bake the pizza at 400-450° F for about 20-25 minutes until the crust is golden.