Categories
Bell Pepper Eggplant Pasta Vegetables Vegetarian

Red Pesto and Vegetable Penne

1/4 cup olive oil
1 eggplant, cubed
1 red pepper, deseeded and chopped
1 orange bell pepper, deseeded and chopped
12 ounces dry penne pasta
3 tablespoons red pesto sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
fresh ground black pepper
8 ounces feta cheese
basil leaves (to garnish)

Heat the olive oil in a large pan, add the eggplant and peppers, and sauté over a moderate heat for 10 minutes until the eggplant is golden and the peppers softened and browned at the edges.
While the vegetables are sautéing, cook the penne in a large pan of boiling water for 8 minutes or until al dente. Drain, return to the pan and add the red pesto, stirring until the penne is coated. Add the rice vinegar to the eggplant and pepper mix, and season with black pepper. Spoon the penne on to warm plates and pile the vegetables on top. Crumble over the feta cheese and serve garnished with basil leaves.

4 Servings

Categories
Pasta Pierogies Sausage

Pierogies with Grilled Onions and Sausage

1/2 pound sausages, smoked – cut into 1/2″ slices
1 16 oz. package pierogies
2 onions, sliced

Saute above ingredients in 1 tablespoon oil for at least 8 minutes – until onions are browned and pierogies are tender.

4 Servings

Categories
Bacon Mushrooms Pasta Spinach

Pasta with Spinach, Mushrooms & Bacon

12 oz fettucine pasta

Sauce:

4 strips bacon, cut in 2-in. pieces
1 medium onion, cut in thin wedges
1 pkg (8 oz) presliced mushrooms
1 large clove garlic, cut in slivers
1 bag (10 oz) prewashed fresh baby spinach

Nice to add:

Diced tomato and grated Parmesan cheese
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook as package directs.
Meanwhile cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Place on a paper towel to drain. Remove all but 1 Tbsp fat from skillet.
Add onion and mushrooms to skillet. Sauté 4 minutes or until onion has browned. Reduce heat to medium, add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Add spinach; cook until wilted.
Scoop 1/2 cup cooking water from pasta pot; stir into spinach mixture. Drain pasta; return to pot. Add Sauce and bacon; toss to mix. Sprinkle with tomato and cheese.

4 Servings

Categories
Ham Italian Mushrooms Pasta Spinach

Pasta Florentine Olive Garden Recipe

1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
12 oz sliced mushrooms
1 1/2 cups frozen peas
3 cloves garlic
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 oz ham (Black Forest if possible), julienned
1/4 cup chopped parsley
8 oz pasta (your favorite shape), cooked according to package directions
Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped

Heat extra virgin olive oil and garlic in a sauté pan over medium-low heat. Once garlic starts to sizzle, add mushrooms. Sauté 2-3 minutes. Add heavy cream and chicken broth and bring to a boil. Allow to slightly reduce, for about 10 minutes. Add ham, peas and parsley and cook 4 minutes.
Return cooked, drained pasta to pot and add sauce. Cook until sauce simmers and coats the pasta.
Remove pot from heat and stir in grated Parmesan. Toss gently to combine.
Transfer to large serving platter. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve.

Chef’s Tip: Use a small amount of salt. The parmesan cheese naturally contains salt.

Categories
Ham Main Dish Pasta Peas

Ham Linguine

2 cups ham , shredded into medium-sized pieces
1 pound linguine
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic
1 cup peas, fresh or frozen, thawed
lemon zest, and juice of 2 lemons
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper, freshly ground
1/4 cup mint, chopped
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

Cook pasta according to pkg. directions.
While pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium high heat. When pan begins to smoke, saute garlic for one minute. Add the ham and continue to saute until ham begins to brown. Finally, add the peas; saute for one more minute.
While skillet is still hot, drain the pasta and add to the ham mixture. Add the lemon zest, juice, salt, pepper and 2 more tablespoons of olive oil. Saute for 1-2 minutes to let the flavors combine. Remove from heat and toss with herbs. Serve immediately.

6 Servings

Categories
Asian Noodles Pork

Ginger Stir-Fry Pork

2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon red pepper, flakes
2 tablespoons oil
1 pound pork, thinly sliced

Combine first 6 ingredients in a 10 inch skillet. Heat over med-high heat until bubbly. Add the pork; stir fry 3 minutes. Blend 1/4 cup water and 1 teaspoon cornstarch in a small bowl. Add to skillet, cook 2 minutes to thicken. Serve over noodles.

4 Servings

Categories
Cheese Pasta Vegetables

Creamy Veggies with Spaghetti

1/2 lb broccoli florets
1 cup sliced zucchini
1 cup sliced fresh mushroom
1 cup thinly sliced carrot
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 ounces spaghetti
1/4 cup chopped onion
3 cloves minced garlic
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
3 tablespoons chicken bouillon
1 teaspoon thyme
2 cups milk
1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

In lg skillet, saute broccoli, zucchini, mushrooms, and carrots in oil until crisp-tender.
Set aside. Cook spaghetti according to pkg directions.
In another saucepan, saute onion and garlic in butter for 30 seconds.
Stir in flour, bouillon and thyme.
Slowly add milk, bring to a boil.
Cook and stir for 2 minutes.
Reduce heat to low; stir in cheeses.
Add vegetables; heat through.
Drain spaghetti; toss with vegetable mixture.

Categories
Crabmeat Pasta Seafood

Crabmeat Alfredo

Ingredients

1/4 cup fresh parsley
1/4 cup roasted red peppers
6 ounces fettuccine (approx. 1/3 box)
2 tablespoons garlic butter
one 8-ounce tub fresh jumbo lump crab meat
1/4 cup white wine
1 cup heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup shredded Italian cheese blend
1 1/2 teaspoons Montreal steak seasoning

Steps

1. Fill saucepan 3/4 full of hot water, cover and place on high heat to boil for pasta.
2. Wash parsley. Remove and discard stems.
3. Using food chopper, chop parsley (enough for 1/4 cup). Set aside.
4. Dice roasted peppers into 1/2-inch pieces; set aside.
5. Check pasta water for boil. When boiling, add pasta and cook uncovered for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Measure remaining ingredients and place near stove.
7. Preheat sauté pan on high for 1-2 minutes.
8. Add garlic butter and swirl to coat. Add: roasted peppers, parsley, and crabmeat; cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
9. Add wine and cook for 1 minute.
10. Add whipping cream and cook for 1 minute.
11. Remove pasta from heat and drain in colander.
12. Add to crabmeat mixture: pasta, cheese and steak seasoning; cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve.

Categories
Chicken Mushrooms Noodles

Chicken Stroganoff

12 ounces broad egg noodles
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
8 ounces sliced mushrooms (any variety and/or combination)
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 cooked chicken breast halves, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons freshly chopped chives

Directions

Cook egg noodles according to package directions.

Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook 3 minutes until soft. Add mushrooms and cook 3 minutes, until mushrooms soften. Add thyme and cook 1 minute, until fragrant. Stir in chicken. Add wine and simmer 1 minute. In a small bowl, whisk together broth, cornstarch and Worcestershire sauce. Add mixture to pan and bring to a simmer. Simmer 2 minutes, until mixture thickens. Stir in cooked noodles and toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.

Transfer to a serving platter and top with chives.

Categories
Black Beans Chicken Breasts Pasta

Chicken Sonora

This is one of my favorite fast and easy recipes. Great to serve when you have company for dinner.

1 pound chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
1/2 package penne or ziti pasta, drained
1 12 oz. jar Alfredo sauce with sun-dried tomatoes
1 16 oz. can black beans
1 10 3/4 ounce can Rotel Tomatoes

Grill or broil chicken and cut into bite-sized pieces.
Boil pasta according to pkg. directions.
Drain Rotel Tomatoes and black beans – rinse beans.
Combine all in a pan and warm through.
Serve with garlic bread and a salad.