Category: ITALIAN

MEAT LOVER’S PIZZA MAC & CHEESE

I found A recipe for Pepperoni Pizza Mac & Cheese in the recent issue of Cuisine at Home. It was NOT what we had hoped it would be (though it was good)  so we made a few changes to help it be the GREAT recipe we thought it was going to be originally.

MEAT LOVER’S PIZZA MAC & CHEESE
2 cups dry penne pasta
3 oz. package pepperoni
2 mild Italian Sausages, skins removed
1 cup rotisserie chicken pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small red pepper, diced
1/2 cup diced onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/3 cup Wondra flour
3 1/2 cups whole milk
3 cups grated Provolone cheese
2 cups grated EXTRA sharp white cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup of your favorite Marinara sauce

  • Preheat oven to 400˚.
  • Prepare pasta per package directions. Drain.
  • Set aside several pieces of pepperoni for the top. Mince the remaining pieces of pepperoni.
  • In a large deep oven proof skillet heat the oil over a medium high heat.
  • Brown the sausage and minced pepperoni. Remove meats to a paper towel lined plate to absorb the grease.
  • Reserve 1/4 cup of the drippings.
  • Sweat the bell pepper, garlic, onion, oregano and red pepper flakes in the drippings until softened.
  • Increase the heat and whisk in the flour until vegetables are well coated.
  • Whisk in milk, stirring until smooth. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and gradually add Provolone, Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses whisking until smooth.
  • Fold in Pepperoni, Sausage and Chicken pieces until well coated.
  • Fold in Pasta.
  • Top with reserved Pepperoni pieces and Mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake 20 minutes until bubbly.
  • Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

WHITE CHICKEN LASAGNA

WHITE CHICKEN LASAGNA
3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
14 ounces artichoke hearts, drained VERY well and chopped
16 ounces shredded Mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 box grape tomatoes, sliced in thirds
12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup heavy cream
4 cloves garlic, minced fine
salt and pepper, to taste
1 box Barilla oven ready lasagna noodles

  • Pre-heat oven to 350°.
  • In a large bowl combine chicken pieces, artichoke hearts, Parmesan, 4 ounces of the Mozzarella cheese and half of the tomatoes.
  • In another bowl beat together the cream cheese, heavy cream, garlic, salt and pepper until well blended.
  • Divide cream cheese mixture in half and add one half to the chicken mixture.
  • Using a 9×13 baking dish spread some of the non-chicken cream cheese mixture into the bottom.
  • Top with an even layer of lasagna noodles.
  • Top with one third of the chicken mixture.
  • Top with one third of remaining tomato pieces.
  • Repeat these layers two more times.
  • Spread remaining cream cheese mixture on last layer of noodles.
  • Top with remaining non-chicken Mozzarella cheese.
  • Tent with foil.
  • Bake covered 20 minutes.
  • Remove foil.
  • Bake another 10 minutes until noodles are cooked through.

OPTIONAL: If you prefer a more traditional flavoring, add 1-2 tablespoons of tomato paste to the cream cheese mixture.

Save

Save

RUSTIC CREAMY PARMESAN CHICKEN

I ALWAYS make a recipe as written the first time. You have to see what they were aiming for after all.  The next time through I make changes to appeal to my family’s taste as well as my ease and anything I feel will make the recipe MORE flavorful and/or MORE healthy.

I originally found this one on facebook and it was delicious, but hubby hated the bones so I now make it with boneless breasts. He also is NOT fond of wilted spinach so I cut back on the spinach and increased the parsley.  I also increased the garlic – A LOT!

RUSTIC CREAMY PARMESAN CHICKEN
4 chicken thighs, bone-in & skin-on  skinless, boneless chicken breasts
Wondra flour

2 teaspoons fresh ground Pink Himalayan sea salt
1 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
1 tablespoon oil
3 6 cloves garlic, chopped minced
1 LARGE shallot, diced
½ Vidalia onion, diced
1 tomato, diced
1 2 cups fresh spinach
2 cups heavy cream
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2/3 1/2 cup grated powdered Parmesan
1/2 cup 2 tablespoons FLAT LEAF parsley, chopped

  • Generously season chicken with the salt and pepper.
  • Dredge in Flour until VERY well coated.
  • Heat oil in a skillet over medium-low heat.
  • Sear chicken well on both sides. Move the chicken around from time to time to ensure it cooks evenly.
  • Remove chicken from the pan and keep warm.
  • Add garlic, shallot and onion, stirring until onions are translucent.
  • Add the heavy cream, salt, and pepper, bringing to a boil.
  • Stir in the tomatoes and spinach until the spinach is wilted.
  • Add the Parmesan cheese and parsley, stirring until the sauce has thickened slightly.
  • Place the chicken back in the pan, spooning the sauce on top of the chicken.
  • Serve with pasta!

CHEESY ITALIAN CHICKEN PASTA

I love this recipe because it is quick, simple and only uses a single pan!

CHEESY ITALIAN CHICKEN PASTA
8 ounces baby spinach leaves, divided
1-8 ounce jar Classico Sun-dried tomato pesto
1 medium large yellow onion, chopped
1 pound uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders, cut into bite size pieces
6 garlic cloves,minced
1 pound dry linguine**
2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning*
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
4 cups chicken stock
1 cup Chardonnay wine
5 ounces fresh Parmesan cheese, shredded

  • In a 5 quart large saute/stock pan arrange half the spinach, tomato pesto, garlic, onion, chicken and linguine on the bottom of te pan.
  • Sprinkle with the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and crushed red pepper.
  • Pour chicken stock and wine over top. Cover and bring to a boil over a medium high heat.
  • Cook 7-9 minutes until pasta is al dente.  Toss pasta with tongs occasionally to keep the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot. 
  • There will still be liquid in the pan when the pasta is done cooking and that’s perfect as it will be the base for the cheese sauce.
  • Turn off the heat and add the cheese to the pasta. 
  • Toss pasta with tongs until the cheese melts into the pasta. 
  • Toss in remaining spinach. 
  • Serve immediately and enjoy!

*If you don’t have any dried Italian Seasoning just make your own by combining 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon oregano and 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme.

**My pot is just a bit smaller than the length of linguine so I halve mine before putting it into the pot.

ITALIAN GARLIC SUPREME – NUMERO UNO / ROUND TABLE PIZZA COMBO

One of the things we miss most here is our favorite pizza. Round table Pizza has an Italian Garlic Supreme that is our ALL time favorite pizza.  When I was a kid though my favorite was NUMERO UNO, a southern California local favorite.  So I set out to try and recreate both of these and believe I have actually succeeded.

ITALIAN GARLIC SUPREME
1 cup warm water (110-115 degrees ONLY – If it is to hot, it will kill the yeast!

1 package or 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons whole milk
1tablespoon melted butter
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon avocado oil*
1 teaspoon sea salt

1 tablespoon corn meal
3 cups flour
TOPPINGS
1 tablespoon avocado oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup favorite pizza sauce
1/2 pound cooked and crumbled mild Italian sausage
Pepperoni slices
Mozzarella cheese
chopped green onions
chopped tomatoes

*I am probably the only person in the western hemisphere that does NOT like olive oil.  Feel free to substitute it for the avocado oil if you prefer.

  • Add water, sugars and yeast to a bowl and stir well. Let sit 5 minutes until creamy.
  • Add milk, butter, oil, salt and corn meal to yeast mixture and mix with wire-whisk until well blended.
  • Pour into mixer bowl.
  • Add 2 1/2 cups of flour and mix with paddle for 5 minutes on low.
  • Scrape the sides of the bowl and form dough into a ball. Pour remaining flour (1/2 cup) around the outsides. Use dough hook, and mix for 5 minutes on low.
  • Remove dough from mixer and place in a well greased glass bowl large enough to allow the dough to double in size.
  • Place damp towel on top of bowl, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until dough has doubled in size. (for best results, place bowl in a 180 degree oven – keep the towel damp)
    • Cut dough in half.
    • On a lightly floured surface, use a rolling pin and roll dough to your desired thickness and shape. If your using a metal pizza pan, or a cookie sheet, lightly grease the surface and sprinkle graciously with corn meal.
    • Place shaped dough on the pizza pan and let rise for 10 minutes.
    • Brush with garlic and oil mixture.
    • Add toppings.  (save green onions and tomatoes for the last 5 minutes)
  • Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
  • Place pizzas in preheated oven and cook for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 375 degrees, and cook for 5-10 minutes, or until the pizza looks done.

If you’re only making one pizza you can freeze the other one for up to 3 months. When you are ready to use it, thaw overnight in the refrigerator or for at least 12 hours. Bring the dough to room temperature about 30 minutes before stretching out the pizza.

LINKING TO: CELEBRATE YOUR STORY, CRAFTASTIC MONDAY, DISHING IT & DIGGING IT, NIFTY THRIFTY SUNDAY, SHOW & TELL, SUNDAYS AT HOME, SUNDAY’S BEST, THAT DIY PARTY, JCOOKING & CRAFTING WITH J&J, INPIRATION MONDAY , INSPIRE ME MONDAY , MADE BY YOU MONDAY, MAKE IT PRETTY MONDAY, MELT IN YOUR MOUTH MONDAY, MERRY MONDAY, MIX IT UP MONDAY, MOTIVATE ME MONDAY, PROJECT INSPIRED, SHOW AND SHARE, TUTORIALS & TIP, DIY TUESDAYS, LOU LOU GIRLS FABULOUS PARTY, THE SCOOP, TREASURE BOX TUESDAY, TUESDAYS AT OUR HOME, TUESDAYS WITH A TWIST, CREATIVE INSPIRATIONS, SHARE YOUR CUP , WINTER BLUES WEDNESDAY, WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY, SHOW ME WEDNESDAYS, WOW US WEDNESDAY , CREATIVE CIRCLE, DAGMAR’S PARTY, HOME SWEET HOME, FAVORITE THINGS, GRACE AT HOME, HOME MATTERS, PIN JUNKIE PIN PARTY, TALK OF THE TOWN, BLOGGER’S PIT STOP, HANDMADE HANGOUT, PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY, SHARE IT ONE MORE TIME, SWAY SHAREFEST, WHAT TO DO WEEKENDS PARTY, BOUQUET OF TALENT PARTY, INSPIRE-BE-INSPIRED, RAE GUN BLOCK PARTY, I’M LOVIN’ IT, THIS IS HOW WE ROLL THURSDAY, FULL PLATE THURSDAY, FOODIE FRIDAY, SOUPER SUNDAY, BETH FISH READS, SATURDAY SPARKS, AMAZE ME MONDAY, INSPIRE ME TUESDAY, SHARE YOUR STYLE, OVER THE MOON

MEATBALLS MARINARA

I cut this recipe from one of my aunt’s old magazines because it sounded SOOOO good – just simple enough to NOT take ALL day, but flavorful enough to make everyone’s palette stand up and take notice.

The recipe calls for great big meatballs served over pasta which are often better in theory than in practice and while they were tasty I will make twice as many next time at half the size – just personal preference for hubby and I.

Most meatball recipes call for equal amounts of pork and beef, but theirs uses much more beef than pork – a mixture that held its shape well, but allowed for very moist meatballs. I made just a few changes to use what I had on hand and hubby said it was some of the best I ever made.

MEATBALLS & MARINARA serves 8 easily
recipe CHANGES in red

ONION PORTION
1/4 cup olive avocado oil
2 3 onions, chopped fine
1 shallot, chopped fine
8 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon dried oregano
3/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

  • Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  • Cook onions and shallot until golden, 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Add garlic, oregano, and pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  • Transfer half of onion mixture to large bowl and set aside.

MARINARA PORTION
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
1 cup dry red wine
1 cup water
4 (28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh basil leaf
Salt
1 – 2 teaspoons sugar, as needed

  • Add tomato paste to remaining onion mixture in pot and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Add wine and cook until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
  • Stir in water and tomatoes, simmering over low heat until sauce is no longer watery, 45 to 60 minutes.
  • Stir in cheese and basil and adjust seasonings with salt and sugar.

MEATBALL PORTION
4 slices hearty white sandwich bread extra sour dough
3/4 cup milk
1/2 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
2 large eggs
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck (80 percent lean)

  • Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 475 degrees.
  • Mash bread and milk in bowl with reserved onion mixture until smooth.
  • Add remaining ingredients, except ground beef, to bowl and mash to combine.
  • Add beef and knead with hands until well combined.
  • Form mixture into 2 1/2-inch meatballs (you should have about 16 meatballs), place on rimmed baking sheet, and bake until well browned, about 20 minutes.
  • Transfer meatballs to pot with sauce.
  • Simmer for 15 minutes. Serve over pasta. (Meatballs and marinara can be frozen for up to 1 month.)

PIZZA CHICKEN

PIZZA CHICKEN
1 tablespoon avocado oil
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, flattened to even sizes
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
20 slices pepperoni
1 small red onion coarsely chopped
2-4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh chopped flat leaf parsley
2 tablespoons fresh chopped oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • In a small skillet heat oil to medium high and saute onion and garlic until fragrant and softened. Drain off oil and toss with lemon juice.
  • In a lightly greased baking dish arrange chicken pieces in a single layer.
  • Generously salt and pepper.
  • Cover and bake 15 minutes. 
  • Remove from oven, uncover and layer pepperoni in a single layer over chicken pieces.
  • Top with onion garlic mixture.
  • Top with mozzarella cheese and return to oven uncovered for another 15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
  • Top with Parmesan, oregano and parsley.
  • Serve over angel hair pasta.

STUFFED MEATBALLS & ROASTED VEGGIE SPAGHETTI BOLOGNESE 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°.
  • 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 sauce:
1 pound COSTCO organic ground beef
1/2 pound sweet Italian sausage
1 medium Vidalia onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1 6-ounce can tomato paste
1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes
5 large Roma tomatoes, slice thin
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon fennel seed
2 teaspoons chopped fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
Lasagna  Noodles, prepared or oven ready**

  •  Brown ground beef, Italian sausage, onions and garlic. Drain fat.
  • Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste and tomato sauce.
  • Stir in sugar, salt, pepper, basil, Italian seasoning and fennel, mixing well.
  • Lay tomato slices evenly on top. Cover.
  • Simmer for 2 hours over low heat. Stir in tomato slices until well blended.  At this time you can proceed to finish the lasagna or refrigerate the sauce until ready.

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 cheese
Align Center1/2 teaspoon fennel
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.

CHICKEN PICATTA ala SAVORY KITCHEN TABLE

Picatta, is possibly derived from an Italian word picchiare which means to pound, is a process, a method of preparing food, meat that is sliced, coated, sautéed and served in a sauce. though most people associate it specifically with capers, but it has more to do with the way the chicken is butterflied, flattened and the way it is seasoned and browned in butter or olive oil.  A sauce is made using the pan drippings, lemon juice and white wine which are cooked together until reduced. After reduction, butter is stirred in to finish the sauce. Shallots or garlic and/or capers can be added with slices of lemon. In the United States, it is usually served with a starch, such as pasta, polenta, or rice. Personally I HATE capers so I opt to leave them out ALWAYS, but you be the judge.  I also tend to avoid marjoram (just not a fan of that piney flavor in my food), but most picatta recipes call for it.  Both capers and marjoram are used A LOT in Mediterranean food, I guess it is a regional thing!

I normally make this with the Parmesan mashed potato recipe below, but the night I took the picture we had those cute Parmesan Potato Stackers that are all over the place right now.  They’ll be good for “company” dinners.

CHICKEN PICCATA
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup all purpose flour
Fresh ground salt and white pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons butter or avocado oil
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
1/4 teaspoon marjoram (optional)
capers (optional)

  • One at a time place each chicken breast between 2 pieces of saran or wax paper.  Work from the center gently pound each breast until flat, about 1/4 inch thick.
  • In a shallow bowl whisk together the flour, salt and pepper. Coat each chicken breast with the flour mixture.
  • Heat the butter or oil over medium high heat until hot.
  • Add chicken cooking 3-5 minutes perside until cooked through and golden brown.
  • Remove chicken to heated plate and keep warm.
  • Add chicken broth to the skillet along with Worcestershire sauce nd cook until hot and well blended.
  • Add in lemon juice and parsley, stirring to heat and combine.
  • Serve over chicken with Parmesan potatoes.

PARMESAN MASHED POTATOES
6 medium red potatoes, washed and cut into pieces
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4-1/2 cup Buttermilk

  • Bring potatoes to a boil until tender. Drain.
  • Combine potato ingredients and beat until smooth.
  • Enjoy

CROCKPOT LASAGNA

1 1/2 pounds hamburger
1 medium onion, chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
14.5 ounce can Hunt’s Diced Balsamic vinegar, Basil and olive oil tomatoes
13.5 ounce can Popeye chopped Spinach
15 ounce can Contadina Italian Herb tomato sauce
2 tablespoons Classico Sun Dried tomato pesto
1 tablespoon Pampered Chef Italian Herb mix or equivalent
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon white pepper
16 ounces ricotta cheese
8 Lasagna noodles, no boil bake
8 ounces mozzarella cheese
PURE

  • Brown hamburger with onion and garlic. Drain off fat.
  • Mix together the diced tomatoes and spinach, juice and all.
  • Whisk together the sauce,pesto and seasonings.
  • Pour the tomato and spinach mixture over the meat mixture and toss together. Allow to drain again.
  • Generously spray the crock pot liner with PURE.
  • Layer as follows & cook on low 3 hours
1/2 of the sauce
noodles broken to fit
meat mixture
noodles
ricotta cheese
meat mixture
noodles broken to fit
other 1/2 of sauce
mozzarella cheese

FIESTA CHICKEN LASAGNA

We have quite a few favorite recipes that I have never blogged about or added to my recipe file.  I’m trying to diligently add these as I make them again and get decent pictures of the finished products. This recipe is so easy and a great change up from traditional beef lasagna. 

FIESTA CHICKEN LASAGNA
1 box Barilla oven ready lasagna noodles
2 jars thick and chunky salsa, 1 jar drained well
1/2 pound chicken breast tenderloins, cut into bite sized pieces
2 cans seasoned black beans, drained REALLY well
2 bunches green onions, thinly sliced
3 cups shredded Jack cheese
1/4+ cup chopped fresh cilantro

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Spread a layer of the salsa on the bottom of the pan.
  • Top with a layer of the lasagna noodles.
  • Top with an even layer of chicken pieces, beans, salsa, cilantro, onions and cheese.
  • Repeat 2 more times, ending with cheese.
  • Cover and bake 20 minutes.
  • Uncover and bake another 15-20 minutes.
  • Recover and let stand 10 minutes before cutting. 

I love my lasagna pan almost as much as the oven ready Barilla lasagna noodles, but the two are not compatible.  The pan was designed for boiled noodles.  So, I carefully break the oven ready noodles into thirds to use and it works really well.

    BAKED CARBONARA TORTELLINI

    I love a good carbonara, but this recipe is the best of both worlds with adding the cheese tortellini instead of plain spaghetti for an oomph of extra flavor.

    BAKED CARBONARA TORTELLINI
    4 slices bacon, diced
    1 small red onion, diced
    4-5 cloves garlic, minced
    Fresh ground salt and black pepper
    1/2 + 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
    16-20 ounces cheese tortellini, prepared per package
    1 cup heavy cream
    1 cup whole milk
    2 tablespoons Wondra flour

    • Preheat oven to 450°.
    • Spray 2 quart casserole with non-stick spray.  Set aside.
    • Prepare tortellini per package directions and drain well.
    • Cook bacon until crisp. Remove with slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
    • Add onions and garlic to bacon grease and saute’ until fragrant.
    • Add flour, whisking until golden.
    • Add salt and pepper to taste.
    • Alternately slowly add the milk and heavy cream, constantly whisking.
    • Simmer 4-5 minutes until begins to thicken.
    • Add 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and stir until melted.
    • Pour into large mixing bowl.
    • Fold tortellini into sauce.
    • Pour into prepared casserole and top with remaining cheese.  Salt and pepper again if you’d like.
    • Bake 5 minutes or so until cheese is melted and turning golden.