Grilled Chicken Caprese Pasta

So yummy!

This recipe was adapted from Cooking Classy.

Ingredients:

2 boneless chicken breasts, cooked and sliced

9 ounces rigatoni or penne pasta

2 cups spaghetti sauce

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/3 cup Romano cheese, grated

1 clove of garlic, minced

red pepper flakes to taste

salt and pepper to taste

1 pint of grape tomatoes, slice in halves

12 ounces fresh mozzarella, grated

16 fresh basil leaves, minced

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375. Cook pasta to al dente. While pasta is boiling in a separate sauce pan heat spaghetti sauce, heavy cream, Romano, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Cook until cheese has melted. 

Drain pasta, return to pot. Add the chicken, grape tomatoes, half of the mozzarella and half of basil to pasta. Stir. Then add the spaghetti sauce to the pasta mixture. Mix well. Place in a casserole dish. Sprinkle rest of bail and mozzarella on top. Cook for 20-25 until cheese is golden. Serve warm. 

Summer Spaghetti

This dish was amazing! My husband went on and on about how much he loved it. He said he would order this in a restaurant. 
This is very savory. Yum!


Ingredients

1 box of spaghetti noodles cooked
1 pound chicken breast fillets (cut into 1 inch chunks)

For the chicken marinade:
2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped (if using dried, use half of the amount)
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of ½ a lemon
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon coarse salt (not table salt)
½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (to sauté the marinated chicken)

2 Tablespoons cornstarch

Recipe

- Add all the marinade ingredients into the chicken and marinade for at least 20 minutes or over night.
- Saute the marinated chicken in extra virgin olive oil until cooked (about 4-5 minutes) then set aside.

Ingredients

For the garlic gravy:
½ stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 large cloves garlic, finely minced
2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 ½ cups chicken stock
1 Tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
¼ cup parsley, chopped (to sprinkle/finish the pasta)
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
2 cups whole cherry tomatoes

Recipe

- Place sauté pan over medium heat and add butter and olive oil.
- Saute garlic until fragrant and soft.
- Add the flour and cook for a minute.
- Add chicken stock and simmer gravy until thickened then add the chopped basil. I added the cornstarch here to help thicken.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Add the sauteed chicken in the gravy then toss the cooked spaghetti into this sauce.
- Add the cherry tomatoes and finish the dish with the chopped parsley and grated parmesan cheese (serve extra on the side).

Spaghetti and Meatballs

This recipe was adapted from

 http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/04/spaghetti-and-meatballs/

We love this recipe. The meatballs are so good and flavorful. I did double this recipe. It made about 30 meatballs. I froze half of the meatballs for meatball subs. :)

Italian Meatballs:
1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 lb. Italian sausage
1/4 c. dry bread crumbs
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 Tbsp. dehydrated onion
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 Tbsp. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. parsley
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. salt

Combine all meatball ingredients and mix in a medium size bowl.  Shape meat into balls, I used a cookie scoop and then rolled them in my hands to form a nice ball. 

 Broil  the meatballs until they start to brown. 

Sauce
1 large onion, chopped
4-5 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
Olive oil
2 28-oz. cans crushed tomatoes
16 oz. tomato sauce
1-2 Tbsp. sugar (to taste)
2 tsp. basil
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
Pinch of red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
Pinch of baking soda (to help neutralize the acid)

In a large pot, heat olive oil in a large skillet. Saute onions and garlic.  Add remaining sauce ingredients and combine well. Bring to a simmer and add meatballs. Simmer on low, about 25-30 minutes. 

Serve over spaghetti. 

Olive Garden Pasta Alfredo

Made this last night and it was very good. However if you are wanting a low fat meal don't eat this!

This recipe was adapted from Budged Saavy Diva.

Ingredients:

Spaghetti or fettuccine noodles

butter, 1 stick

garlic, 2 cloves minced

heavy whipping cream, 1 pint

Parmesan cheese, 1 cup

cream cheese, 3-4 ounces

salt and pepper to taste

cooked broccoli florets, optional

Directions:

Cook pasta according to box instructions. 

In a sauce pan, melt butter. Once the butter is melted add the garlic. 

After a few minutes you can add the whipping cream and cream cheese. Cook until cream cheese is melted. Make sure you do not boil or it will burn. 

Add the Parmesan cheese. Stir until cheese is melted. Add salt and pepper to taste. 

Add the the broccoli.

Pour sauce over cooked noodles. Also you could sprinkle more Parmesan on top. Enjoy!!!!

Fettuccine With Prosciutto and Sage Cream (Publix Aprons)

Ingredients
4 slices prosciutto (about 2 oz), thinly sliced
10 sage leaves
2/3 cup roasted red peppers (or pimientos), finely chopped
8 oz fettuccine pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
12 oz fresh pre-sliced mushrooms
2 cups fully cooked chicken strips (9-12 oz)
1 3/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup Alfredo sauce
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan/Romano cheese blend 

Prep

• Bring water to a boil for pasta.
• Cut across prosciutto to form thin strips.
• Cut sage leaves into thin strips (3 tablespoons).
• Chop red peppers.

Steps

1. Cook pasta following package instructions.
2. Preheat large sauté pan on medium-high 2–3 minutes. Place oil in pan, then add mushrooms; cook 2–3 minutes or until browned. Add chopped red peppers and chicken strips; cook 1–2 minutes to heat.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in broth and Alfredo sauce; simmer 3–4 minutes or until mixture has thickened. Stir in pasta, prosciutto, sage, and pepper. Top with Parmesan cheese and serve.

Chicken Enchilada Pasta (Fake Ginger)

Ingredients:

• 1 pound penne (or other small pasta)
• 2-3 chicken breasts, cooked & shredded
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 2 (10-ounce) cans green chili enchilada sauce
• 2/3 cup red enchilada sauce
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar
• sour cream, tomatoes, avocado, green onions (optional, for serving)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside (if it’s finished before the sauce).
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add onions and cook until translucent. Add garlic, chili powder, and cumin; cook for only a minute, until fragrant. Stir in all of the enchilada sauce. Bring to a simmer; allow to cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese until melted.
3. Once the pasta is done, add it to the sauce and toss to combine. Serve with sour cream, tomatoes, avocado, green onions, or whatever toppings you’d like.

Super Stuffed Shells (Emerile Lagasse)

Our family loves this meal. When you look at this recipe seems time consuming but it is quick and easy. I don't make the sauce I substitute it with a jar of spaghetti sauce. This makes it a lot quicker. 

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 (12-ounce) box jumbo pasta shells (18 to 20 shells)
• 2 cups finely chopped onion
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 pound ground veal (I use ground beef)
• 1 (10-ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Essence, recipe follows ( I just substitute with Italian seasoning)
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Basic Red Sauce, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 2-quart casserole dish with 1 teaspoon of olive oil.

Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon of the salt and the pasta shells, and cook until al dente, 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally with a long-handled spoon to prevent the shells from sticking together. Drain and rinse under cold running water. Drain.

In a medium skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook, stirring, until very soft, 6 to 7 minutes. Add the ground veal and cook, stirring, until cooked and browned. Add the squeezed spinach and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper.

In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, eggs, Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Add the spinach mixture, the extra-virgin olive oil, Essence, remaining teaspoon of salt, the basil, oregano, and pepper, and stir to combine thoroughly. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the spinach-ricotta filling into each cooked pasta shell. Place the filled shells in the prepared dish.

Pour the Basic Red Sauce over the filled shells and top with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered, until bubbly, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Essence (Emeril's Creole Seasoning):

• 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.

Yield: about 2/3 cup

Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.

Basic Red Sauce:

I usually just substitute this with a jar of spaghetti sauce. It is much quicker and easier. :)

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 chopped yellow onion
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 16 ounces whole peeled tomatoes, broken into pieces, and their juices
• 16 ounces tomato sauce
• 4 teaspoons tomato paste
• 2/3 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar

In a medium pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, salt, basil, oregano, and pepper, and cook, stirring, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, and sugar and stir well. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until thickened and fragrant, 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove from the heat and keep warm until ready to use.

Yield: 3 cups

Three Cheese-Stuffed Shells with Meaty Tomato Sauce (The Pioneer Woman)

Ingredients

• 8 ounces, weight Jumbo Pasta Shells
• 30 ounces, weight Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
• 8 ounces, weight Parmesan Cheese, Grated, Divided
• ½ cups Grated Romano Cheese
• 1 whole Egg
• 12 leaves Basil, Chiffonade
• 2 Tablespoons Minced Parsley
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• ½ whole Medium Onion, Chopped
• 5 cloves Garlic, Minced
• ½ pounds Italian Sausage
• ½ cups Red Wine
• 1 whole 28 Ounce Can Crushed Tomatoes
• 1 whole 15-ounce Can Crushed Tomatoes
• 2 Tablespoons Sugar
• ½ teaspoons Salt
• 2 Tablespoons Minced Parsley

Instructions

Cook pasta shells for half the cooking time; make sure not to overcook. Drain and rinse in cool water. Set aside.

Heat olive oil in large skillet or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic and saute for a minute or two. Add Italian sausage and brown, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Pour in red wine and let it cook for a minute or two.

Pour in cans of crushed tomatoes and stir. Add sugar and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Check for seasonings; can add crushed red peppers if you like a little heat.

In a separate bowl, mix ricotta, half the Parmesan, Romano, egg, salt and pepper, basil, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Stir until combined.

To assemble, coat the bottom of a baking dish with sauce. Fill each half-cooked shell with the cheese mixture. Place face down on the sauce. Repeat with shells until cheese mixture is gone. Top shells with remaining sauce. Sprinkle on extra Parmesan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

Serve with crusty French bread.