Spaghetti Bolognese

Try this classic Italian pasta recipe.... as always a great taste !

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 ounces bacon or pancetta, diced
• 1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onions
• 3/4 cup diced carrots
• 3/4 cup diced celery
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 pound ground beef or ground veal
• 1/2 pound pork sausage, removed from the casings, or ground pork
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup red wine
• 2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes and their juice
• 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 cup beef or chicken stock or broth
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
• 1 pound spaghetti
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan

INSTRUCTIONS
In a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring, until browned and the fat is rendered, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the onions, carrots and celery and cook, stirring, until soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic, salt, pepper, bay leaves, thyme, oregano, cinnamon, and nutmeg and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the beef and sausages, and cook, stirring, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the wine and cook, stirring, to deglaze the pan and remove any browned bits sticking to the bottom of the pan, and until half of the liquid is evaporated, about 2 minutes.

Add the tomatoes and their juices, the tomato sauce, beef broth, and sugar and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, to keep the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pan, until the sauce is thickened and flavorful, about 1 1/2 hours. Add the cream, butter, and parsley, stir well, and simmer for 2 minutes. Discard the bay leaves and adjust the seasoning, to taste. Remove from the heat and cover to keep warm
until ready to serve.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and return the water to a low boil. Cook, stirring occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking, until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain in a colander.Add the pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat. Add 1/2 cup of the cheese and toss to blend. Divide among pasta bowls and the Italian pasta recipe of spaghetti bolognese is ready to serve with the cheese passed tableside. ...great feasts ! Enjoy !

portobello-mushroom-lasagna.

Fettuccine Alfredo

Try this classic fettuccine Alfredo ...an amazing Italian pasta recipe...a great taste !

INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 cup vegetable broth or reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 4 large cloves garlic, peeled
• 4 ounces whole-wheat fettuccine
• 1 small zucchini, cut into matchsticks
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch, mixed with 1 tablespoon water
• 2 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream
• Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, or to taste
• 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

INSTRUCTIONS
Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Combine broth and garlic cloves in a small saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the garlic cloves are soft, about 15 minutes.
After the garlic has simmered about 10 minutes, cook fettuccine in the boiling water, stirring often, for 8 minutes. Drop in zucchini and cook until the fettuccine is just tender, about 1 minute more.
Meanwhile, transfer the garlic and broth to a blender. Process until the mixture is smooth, about 1 minute. Return the mixture to the pot and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add cornstarch mixture; whisk it until slightly thickened, about 15 seconds. Remove from the heat and whisk in sour cream, nutmeg and pepper. Return the pot to very low heat to keep the sauce warm. (Do not boil.)
Drain the pasta and place in a large bowl. Add the sauce and 1/2 cup Parmesan; toss to coat well. Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately, passing the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan separately.The Italian pasta recipe is ready to serve...hmm...mama mia...great Afredo's fettucine ! Nice taste ! Enjoy it !

cheese-tortellini-in-light-broth.

Turkey and Spinach Lasagna

Great tasting Italian pasta recipe of lasagna..with Turkey & Spinach ! Great one !

INGREDIENTS

• 12 whole-wheat lasagna noodles
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 chopped red pepper
• 1 pound ground turkey breast, white meat only
• 1/2 pound hot Italian turkey sausage
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 teaspoons chopped garlic
• 1 teaspoon Essence, recipe follows
• 3 1/2 cups prepared marinara sauce
• 3 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
• 2 cups part skim ricotta
• 2 cups thawed and drained chopped frozen spinach
• 1/4 cup grated Romano
• 2 egg whites
• 1/2 cup chopped basil leaves
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large pot, bring several quarts of salted water to a boil. Add noodles and cook until very al dente, 7 minutes. Remove from water and place on a towel lined baking sheet.
Place the olive oil, onion and red pepper in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Saute until the vegetables begin to sweat, about 5 minutes. Add ground turkey, turkey sausage, garlic and Essence, stirring to combine until turkey cooks through, about 10 minutes.
Add marinara sauce; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
In a large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups mozzarella and remaining ingredients and set aside.
Spray a 13 by 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spread 1 cup turkey mixture in bottom of the dish and arrange 4 noodles over turkey mixture; top with 1 1/2 cups turkey mixture. Spread half of cheese mixture over turkey mixture. Repeat layers, ending with the remaining turkey mixture.
Cover and bake for 45 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, and bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Let lasagna stand 10 to 15 minutes and the great Italian pasta recipe is ready to serve....hmmm...great taste of lasagna. Enjoy it !

minestrone-soup-with-pasta-beans

Portobello Mushroom Lasagna

Another amazing Italian pasta recipe to try....its recommended !

INGREDIENTS

• Kosher salt
• Good olive oil
• 3/4 pound dried lasagna noodles
• 4 cups whole milk
• 12 tablespoons (11/2 sticks) unsalted butter, divided
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 pounds portobello mushrooms
• 1 cup freshly ground Parmesan

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil with 1 tablespoon salt and a splash of oil. Add the lasagna noodles and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain and set aside.
For the white sauce, bring the milk to a simmer in a saucepan. Set aside. Melt 8 tablespoons (1 stick) of the butter in a large saucepan. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute over low heat,
stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Pour the hot milk into the butter-flour mixture all at once. Add 1 tablespoon salt, the pepper, and nutmeg, and cook over medium-low heat, stirring first with the wooden spoon and then with a whisk, for 3 to 5 minutes, until thick. Set aside off the heat.
Separate the mushroom stems from the caps and discard the stems. Slice the caps 1/4-inch thick. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large (12-inch) saute pan. When the butter melts, add half the mushrooms, sprinkle with salt, and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until the mushrooms are tender and they release some of their juices. If they become too dry, add a little more oil. Toss occasionally to make sure the mushrooms cook evenly. Repeat with the remaining mushrooms and set all the mushrooms aside.

To assemble the lasagna, spread some of the sauce in the bottom of an 8 by 12 by 2-inch baking dish. Arrange a layer of noodles on top, then more sauce, then 1/3 of the mushrooms, and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan. Repeat 2 more times, layering noodles, sauce, mushrooms, and Parmesan. Top with a final layer of noodles and sauce, and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan.
Bake the lasagna for 45 minutes, or until the top is browned the sauce is bubbly and hot. Allow to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes and the Italian pasta recipe of lasagne is ready to serve hot....Nice taste...mama mia ! enjoy it !

pasta-tuna-roasted-pepper-salad.

Cheese Tortellini in Light Broth

Another great Italian pasta recipe of soup to try....nice one !
INGREDIENTS

• 8 cups low-salt chicken broth
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 (9-ounce) packages refrigerated cheese tortellini
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves

INSTRUCTIONS
Pour the broth into a heavy large saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Season the broth with pepper, to taste. Add the tortellini. Simmer over medium heat until al dente, about 7
minutes.
Ladle the broth and tortellini into soup bowls. Top with parsley and Parmesan crisps and serve.

Parmesan Crisps:

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Pour a heaping tablespoon of Parmesan onto a silicone or parchment lined baking sheet and lightly pat down. A silicone baking sheet is highly recommended. Repeat with the remaining cheese, spacing the spoonfuls about a 1/2 inch apart.
Bake for 3 to 5 minutes or until golden and crisp. Cool...and the Italian pasta recipe of tortellini soup is ready for starters...Great taste ! Enjoy!

corkscrew-pasta-with-vegetables

Minestrone Soup with Pasta, Beans and Vegetables

Try this Italian pasta soup recipe.... a nice one for starters !

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups reduced-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (15-ounce) can white (cannellini or navy) beans, drained
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and ground black pepper
• 2 cups cooked ditalini pasta
• 1 medium zucchini, chopped
• 2 cups coarsely chopped fresh or frozen spinach, defrosted
• 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
• Basil sprigs, garnish, optional

INSTRUCTIONS
In a slow cooker, combine broth, tomatoes, beans, carrots, celery, onion, thyme, sage, bay leaves, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and black pepper. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.
Thirty minutes before the soup is done cooking, add ditalini, zucchini and spinach. Cover and cook 30 more minutes. Remove bay leaves and season, to taste, with salt and black pepper. Ladle soup into bowls and sprinkle parmesan cheese over top. Garnish with basil, if desired...and the amazing Italian pasta soup is ready for starters meal !. Enjoy it with families !

Pasta, Tuna & Roasted Pepper Salad

Try this Italian pasta recipe...a must try !
INGREDIENTS

• 1 6-ounce can chunk light tuna in water, drained
• 1 7-ounce jar roasted red peppers, rinsed and sliced (2/3 cup), divided
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion or scallions
• 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed, coarsely chopped if large
• 2 tablespoons nonfat plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 small clove garlic, crushed and peeled
• 1/8 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• Freshly ground pepper to taste
• 6 ounces whole-wheat penne or rigatoni (1 3/4 cups)

INSTRUCTIONS
Put a large pot of lightly salted water on to boil. Combine tuna, 1/3 cup red peppers, onion (or scallions) and capers in a large bowl.

Combine yogurt, basil, oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper and the remaining 1/3 cup red peppers in a blender or food processor. Puree until smooth.Cook pasta until just tender, 10 to 14 minutes or according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Add to the tuna mixture along with the red pepper sauce; toss to coat...and hmmm...mama mia..what a nice pasta ! Enjoy it !