The Best Way to Make Lasagne

 

Photo source:  Sip and Feast

There are so many ways I've seen people make lasagne.  I make mine the way my nana did, much like Jim of Sip and Feast does.  The differences are . . . I make little bite sized meatballs made with beef and pork, and I make italian sausage and cut it up in small bite size pieces . . . pure ricotta goes in by the spoonful in all layers and I use a lot since I love it.  And I love chunky lasagne.  

Click here to go to Jim's recipe page to print out or check out his video below.  Subscribe to his You Tube channel if you love italian food, he is one of the best I have seen!

Creamy Chicken Tortellini

 

Source:  Bake at Midnight

This is one of those recipes that you can substitute items to use what you have on hand.  Having said that, I will take the way Judith prepared it just as it is.

Click here to find this delicious and versatile recipe at BakeAtMidnight.com

Bobby's Goulash

Photo source:  Paula Deen

I've never had goulash, but this recipe reminds me of chili mac without the beans.  Love one pot meals!

The reviews of this recipe were mixed about the seasonings. Many said they would not use as much salt the next time they made it.  I suggest adding the seasonings a little at a time, tasting each time.

This recipe is from Paula Deen, one of many awesome recipes you have to check out on her website.  Southern recipes at their best!  Click here to go to the recipe page.

One Pot Chili Mac

 

Photo source: The Seasoned Mom

This Chili Mac recipe sounds fast, easy and delicious. 

Blair at The Seasoned Mom has great ideas on what to serve with the Chili Mac, along with lots of recipes to make it easy for you to plan the meal.

Click here to go to Blair's recipe page where she lists other chili recipes.

Spaghetti Aglio E Olio

Photo source: Food Network

My nana often made this meal for lunch with homemade garlic bread, salad (with oil and vinegar dressing and parmesan cheese) and iced tea with lemon.  It was such a treat for me and it still remains one of my favorite meals.

The photo and the following link to recipe and video comes from Ina Garten, but I make mine a different way . . . I think much easier!

My version starts off by getting my pasta water boiling and get the pasta cooking.

At the same time, I heat up a pan and melt about 1/2 stick of butter (depends on how much pasta you are making).  Add about 2 garlic cloves, making sure the garlic does not brown.

Angel hair pasta is what I prefer and the best thing is that it is ready in three minutes, so I have to work fast to put this all together.

As the garlic is sautéing in the butter, I start adding pasta water little by little.  (You'll need to experiment with how much pasta water you add.)  I love the way the pasta water slightly thickens the butter and also brings lots of flavor!  Right before the pasta is done, I throw in a handful of parsley.

Add drained pasta to the mixture, along with about 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese.  Mix together!  I always make sure that I have enough mixture to add to the pasta so that the pasta doesn't stick together.  I hate when that happens! Reserve some of the pasta water when draining in case you need more.

A note about my recipe . . . I prefer butter over olive oil because I really don't like the taste of olive oil.  You can use olive oil or a combination of both.  Whatever you prefer!  

All in all, I've got this recipe down to just five minutes from start to finish.  I've had lots of practice making it since I was a little girl!

To get to Ina Garten's recipe, click on the link listed below.  Along with her recipe, there is a how-to video great for learning the techniques no matter how you make it.

The Food Network
Recipe courtesy of Ina Garten

2010, Barefoot Contessa How Easy is That?, All Rights Reserved
SHOW: Barefoot Contessa
EPISODE: Off Duty

Red Lobster Crab Alfredo

Photo Source: Food.com

Red Lobster is my favorite restaurant!  I'm always happy to find their copycat recipes :)

I've never had this dish at Red Lobster, but it includes my favorites, pasta, alfredo sauce and crab . . . so it has got to be good.

Comments for this recipe recommended starting off with less parmesan cheese and add more a little at a time until desired thickness is achieved.

Click here to go to the recipe page.

Sandy's Tasty Pasta Meal

 

Looks like an awesome beginning to a delicious pasta meal!

Sandy is an old internet friend from back in the Entrecard days.  Anybody remember Entrecard?  Check out her fabulous blog where she shares her travel experiences, recipes and all kinds of interesting stuff.

Click here to go to the page with her instructions on how to make this delicious meal!

Macaroni and Cheese

 

Photo source: Paula Deen

Being married to country boys taught me how to appreciate comfort food. 

I love the Food Network and Ina, the Barefoot Contessa . . . one of my favorite FN shows. She made the most delicious looking macaroni and cheese that has a bit of a twist to it. So I thought I would share it.

I'm also including a macaroni and cheese recipe from Paula Deen . . . my other favorite.  I can't really say one is a favorite over the other. They share the style of comfort food . . . much like I do . . . I've also listed my basic technique for Macaroni and Cheese . . . sorry, you know I'm the type of cook who does not measure anything on my basic recipes.

Gina's Macaroni and Cheese

I make my macaroni and cheese from scratch, but I don't measure anything. It is a combination of what these other ladies do . . . I guess you could use their measurements as a guide.

I make a roux of flour and butter as a base . . . add half and half (I use fat free) or milk and whisk over heat until I get the desired consistency. Add salt and cayenne pepper to taste . . . add cheddar cheese (I use a medium sized package of shredded cheese) . . . stir until smooth.

Pour over cooked macaroni.

NOTE:

When my tomato plants yield lots of tomatoes and
I have an abundance of tomatoes, I also cut up
tomatoes into the mixture . . . yummy!!

Mac and Cheese
Barefoot Contessa . . . The Food Network

INGREDIENTS:

Kosher salt
Vegetable oil
1 pound elbow macaroni
1 quart milk
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
12 ounces Gruyere, grated (4 cups)
8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (2 cups)
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 pound fresh tomatoes (4 small)
1 1/2 cups fresh white bread crumbs (5 slices, crusts removed)

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.

Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large (4-quart) pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into a 3-quart baking dish.

Slice the tomatoes and arrange on top. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, combine them with the fresh bread crumbs, and sprinkle on the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.




Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
Paula Deen

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (4 cups cooked)
4 tablespoons (1/2 stuck) butter, cut into pieces
2 1/2 cups (about 10 ounces) grated sharp Cheddar cheese
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup sour cream
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed Cheddar cheese soup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

Boil the macaroni in a 2 quart saucepan in plenty of water until tender, about 7 minutes. Drain. In a medium saucepan, mix butter and cheese. Stir until the cheese melts. In a slow cooker, combine cheese/butter mixture and add the eggs, sour cream, soup, salt, milk, mustard and pepper and stir well. Then add drained macaroni and stir again. Set the slow cooker on low setting and cook for 3 hours, stirring occasionally.

Buffalo Chicken Alfredo Bake

 

Photo Source:  Back For Seconds - Recipes You Can't Resist

Quick and easy . . . looks delicious!

Another recipe using rotisserie chicken and great for freezing.

Check out Stephanie's blog for the recipe: 

Back For Seconds - Recipes You Can't Resist  

Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells

I never would have thought of this very clever combination of my favorites!

This seems like a quick and easy recipe!  The most difficult part is stuffing the pasta shells.  I was thinking that this recipe would also work with manicotti pasta shells.

The recipe comes from Pillsbury.

Ingredients

8 oz uncooked jumbo pasta shells (about 24 shells from 12-oz box)

1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef

1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix

1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted crushed tomatoes, undrained

1 package (8 oz) shredded Mexican cheese blend (2 cups) 

1 cup diced plum (Roma) tomatoes

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro




Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. 

Cook and drain pasta shells as directed on box.

While cooking pasta, cook beef  in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until thoroughly cooked; drain. 

Add taco seasoning mix, crushed tomatoes and 1 cup of the shredded cheese; stir well until cheese is melted.

Fill each pasta shell with about 1 tablespoon beef mixture; place in ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. Top filled shells with plum tomatoes and chopped cilantro; sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted. Serve warm.

Source:  Pillsbury.com

Blackened Shrimp Stroganoff

Oh my . . . guess what is for dinner tonight?

The combination of shrimp, fresh mushrooms and roasted red peppers is perfection.  Readers of my blog know how much I love shrimp pasta and always try new versions.  Something tells me this will be my favorite!

After drooling over this recipe, The Captain and I discussed what we would like to change in the recipe.  First off, no capers.  We will also opt to make shrimp stock and use white wine where the recipe calls for the second application of chicken stock.  To begin with, we will be marinading the shrimp for at least two hours to ensure maximum flavor.

Make this recipe uniquely yours by adding ingredients that your family loves, don't use the ones you don't love. Adjust the hot and spicy element of this dish by using a cajun seasoning that suits your taste.

Don't forget a loaf of hot crusty bread to complete this meal.  I will update this post after trying the recipe!



UPDATE

Our first try making this recipe was a comedy of errors.  First of all, we DO NOT RECOMMEND using white wine.  The first batch of making the gravy was ruined by the funky taste and also wasted the beautiful shrimp stock we made.  

We ended up using chicken stock in the second attempt at the gravy, which was delicious.

How do you forget one of the most attractive and delicious ingredients in this recipe?  We forgot the roasted red peppers!!!

All in all, it was still a delicious meal with all the errors and we will be making it again using shrimp stock and roasted red peppers.

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• 6 ounces fettuccini pasta
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3 cups fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tablespoon chopped shallots
• 2/3 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 (7 ounce) jar roasted red bell peppers
• 1 tablespoon drained capers

Directions

Combine peeled shrimp, oil, and Cajun seasoning and set aside in a medium bowl. 

Add pasta to a large pot of lightly salted boiling water, cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.

Melt butter over medium heat in a large frying pan.

Cook and stir mushrooms and shallot in butter until tender. Remove from pan. 

Cook shrimp until they turn pink (about 2 to 3 minutes . . . do not overcook). Remove from pan. 

Cook 2/3 cup chicken broth and bring to a boil. Cook uncovered, until reduced to 1/4 cup (2 to 3 minutes).

Stir together sour cream and cornstarch in a small bowl. 

Mix in 1 cup chicken broth. 

Stir mixture into reduced chicken broth in the frying pan. 

Cook and stir until thick and bubbly. 

Cook 1 minute more. 

Stir in shrimp, mushroom mixture, roasted red peppers, and capers. Heat through, and season to taste. 

Serve over pasta.



Footnotes

You can substitute shrimp broth or white wine for the chicken broth. To make shrimp broth, reserve shrimp shells, and simmer in 2 cups water for 15 minutes.



Photo and recipe source

Garth's Pasta Salad

Love the combination of the two pastas!

This recipe comes from the kitchen of Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood via The Food Network.

Reviewers of this recipe cited not enough dressing or seasoning, so I will use this recipe as a start of a pasta salad.    

With that in mind, I will be adding mayonnaise a spoonful at a time until desired consistency is reached, italian dressing or a vinegar and oil dressing. 

Depending on how it tastes seasoning-wise after adjusting salt and pepper, I may add onion powder and/or cayenne pepper (just a pinch of each). Otherwise, the only other thing I would add is some cubed chicken.

Add what your family loves and make this recipe uniquely yours!

Ingredients

• 12 ounces rotini pasta
• 12 ounces fresh spinach and cheese tortellini
• 2 dozen grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 10 ounces Cheddar, shredded
• 3 tablespoons olive oil

Directions


Add rotini to 4 quarts of boiling water (I always add some salt to boiling water), reduce to a low boil and cook to the desired doneness, about 10 minutes. 

Add the tortellini during the last 6 minutes of cooking. 

Drain and transfer to a large bowl.

Toss tomatoes with the salt and pepper in a small bowl.

Add the tomatoes, Cheddar and oil and toss to combine while the pasta is still warm. 

Serve warm.

Photo and recipe sources:

Adapted from "Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen" by Trisha Yearwood © Clarkson Potter 2008. Provided courtesy of Trisha Yearwood. All rights reserved.

Food Network Show: Trisha's Southern Kitchen
Episode: Feeding Hungry Boys

  

Easy Fajita Pasta Bake

Love these economical, quick and easy semi-homemade meals!

This is one of those recipes that will stretch your leftover chicken another day.  

How about using some of that leftover turkey?

This recipe comes from Pillsbury, so you know it has got to be good!

Ingredients

2 cups thinly sliced red and green bell peppers

1 small white onion, chopped

2 cups uncooked penne pasta (6 oz)

1 lb shredded cooked chicken breast 

1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix

1 cup whipping cream

1 cup shredded Colby-Monterey jack cheese blend (4 oz)

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F.

Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.

Spray 10- to 12-inch skillet with cooking spray. Heat over medium heat.

Add 2 cups thinly sliced red and green bell peppers and 1 chopped small white onion to skillet. cook and stir about 10 minutes or until tender.

Cook 2 cups uncooked penne pasta as directed. Drain

Toss together until combined . . . cooked pasta, bell peppers and onion, 1 lb shredded cooked chicken breast, 1 package Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix and 1 cup whipping cream.

Pour into baking dish.

Sprinkle 1 cup shredded Colby-Monterey jack cheese blend (4 oz) evenly over top.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until thoroughly heated and cheese is melted.


Source:  Pillsbury.com

Pasta with Tomatoes, Garlic and Basil

This recipe is very similar to a simple sauce that I make.  The difference is a tiny bit of brown sugar to cut the acidity of the tomatoes and a handful of parsley.

Make your own variation, adding ingredients you like.  Throw it together and let the stove do all the work!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. pasta
• 4 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
• 28 oz. can whole plum tomatoes, chopped (reserve juices)
• Handful of basil leaves, chopped
• ½ c. grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Heat one tablespoon of oil over medium heat in a saucepan large enough to hold the tomatoes. Add garlic and cook about 1 minute or until softened.

2. Add the rest of the oil to saucepan, then add tomatoes and the reserved liquid.

3. When sauce starts to simmer, lower heat to maintain a slow simmer for 45 minutes.

4. Cook pasta according to package directions.

5. Salt and pepper sauce to taste, toss in basil leaves, stir and pour over pasta. Top with grated cheese.



Source

Shrimp and Roasted Red Peppers Pasta

Another variation of one of my favorite meals . . . shrimp pasta.

I love the addition of roasted red peppers, whipping cream and white wine to make a different and delicious sauce.  Can't wait to try it!!

Although the recipe photo shows penne pasta, your favorite pasta would work as well and I think it would be awesome over garlicky white rice.

The recipe comes from the test kitchens of Better Homes and Gardens!

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds fresh peeled and deveined medium shrimp
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup finely chopped onion (1 small)
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 12 ounce jar roasted red sweet peppers, drained and chopped
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup snipped fresh basil
1 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese (4 ounces)
12 ounces dried pasta, cooked and drained

Directions

Rinse shrimp and dry with paper towels. Set aside. 

Heat butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until butter is melted. 

Add onion and garlic . . . cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes until onion is tender. 

Add shrimp and crushed red pepper . . . cook and stir for 2 minutes. 

Add roasted peppers and wine.

Bring to a boil and reduce heat. 

Simmer, uncovered, about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally (do not overcook shrimp!). 

Stir in cream. Return to boiling and reduce heat. 

Boil gently, uncovered, for 1 minute. Stir in basil.

Add shrimp mixture and cheese to cooked pasta, tossing gently to combine.

Nutrition Facts (Shrimp and Roasted Red Peppers)

Per serving:
598 kcal cal.,
26 g fat
(13 g sat. fat,
2 g polyunsaturated fat,
9 g monounsatured fat),
230 mg chol.,
461 mg sodium,
49 g carb.,
3 g fiber,
2 g sugar,
37 g pro.

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Three Cheese Pasta Bake

This pasta meal reminds me of a very fancy mac and cheese!

Love these kind of meals that are fast, easy and delicious.

Ingredients

• 1 (16-oz.) package ziti pasta
• 2 (10-oz.) containers Alfredo sauce
• 1 (8-oz.) container sour cream 
• 1 (15-oz.) container ricotta cheese
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese 

Preparation

Cook ziti according to package directions; drain and return to pot.

Stir together Alfredo sauce and sour cream; toss with ziti until evenly coated. 

Spoon half of ziti mixture into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish.

Stir together ricotta cheese and next 3 ingredients; spread evenly over pasta mixture. 

Spoon remaining pasta mixture evenly over ricotta cheese layer; sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.

Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until bubbly.

Note: 

Ziti pasta is shaped in long, thin tubes; penne or rigatoni pasta may be substituted. For testing purposes only, we used refrigerated Buitoni Alfredo Sauce.

Prepare up to 1 day ahead; cover and refrigerate. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes, and bake as directed.


Amy Faggart, Concord, NC, Southern Living APRIL 2006
Source

Mexican Chicken Alfredo

Love chicken alfredo and the addition of salsa and taco seasoning sounds awesome for a different twist on my regular recipe.

When I make chicken alfredo the fast way, it is similar to this recipe . . . except I add a combination of bell pepper and spicy hot peppers.  I also use green onions including green part instead of plain onions.  Of course I add garlic.  I like to use no fat half and half if I have it in the fridge.

This recipe comes from Taste of Home . . . one of my favorite recipe sources from the time was a young adult and have a collection of their yearly cookbooks.  If you love cookbooks, you need to check it out on their website.

Ingredients

• 1 package (16 ounces) gemelli or spiral pasta
• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 2 jars (15 ounces each) Alfredo sauce
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup medium salsa
• 1/4 cup 2% milk
• 2 teaspoons taco seasoning

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Cook pasta according to package directions.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, cook chicken, onion, salt and pepper in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Stir in Alfredo sauce; bring to a boil. Stir in cheese, salsa, milk and taco seasoning.

Drain pasta; toss with chicken mixture. 

Divide between two greased 8-in.-square baking dishes. 

Cover and bake 30-35 minutes or until bubbly.

Yield: 2 casseroles (4 servings each)

Recipe and Photo Source: Taste of Home

Originally published as Mexican Chicken Alfredo in Simple & Delicious

August/September 2011, p22 

Red Lobster Copycat Shrimp Pasta

Shrimp pasta is my favorite meal ever.  I must have a gazillion recipes posted for different variations.  Well, here is another one that is a copycat version of Red Lobster's Shrimp Pasta.

Although I make this dish often at home, I always order it when we go out for dinner.  What can I say?  I love shrimp pasta with a passion!

Photo and recipe source

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves (I added more!)
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled, deveined and tails removed
• 2/3 cup clam juice (or chicken broth)
• 1/3 cup white wine
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
• 8 ounces pasta, cooked and drained

Directions

Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic; reduce heat to low. Simmer until garlic is tender.

Add shrimp and cook over medium-low heat until opaque. Remove, reserve liquid in pan.

Add clam juice (or chicken broth) and bring to a boil.

Add wine; cook over medium high heat for three (3) minutes, stirring constantly.

Reduce heat to low; add cream, stirring constantly.

Add cheese, stirring until smooth. Cook until thickened.

Add shrimp back in to sauce. Heat thoroughly.

Add remaining ingredients except pasta.

Put pasta in a large bowl and pour sauce over pasta; toss gently to coat.

Serve with additional grated parmesan cheese.