Pasta
What kind of recipes would you like to see? Email me!
Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
I always try to keep a few packages of sun-dried tomatoes in the pantry because they pack so much flavor and can be added to all kinds of dishes to punch things up. (They create a whole new dimension of flavor when added to Basil Pesto pasta.) You can also dry...
read more
Old Fashioned Mac and Cheese
Sometimes there is nothing that can soothe your soul like a hot dish of homemade macaroni and cheese. It's not surprising that people have come up with thousands of variations on this popular dish. (Certainly, there is room for all kinds of delicious mac and cheese...
read more
Mom’s Spaghetti Sauce
This is a favorite weeknight meal at our house! If you already have Jim's Italian Sausage and Sicilian Tomato Sauce on hand, it is quite easy to put together and goes a long way (two nights for us). You can certainly get a very tasty result with your favorite sausage...
read more
Nonna’s Meatball Soup
This soup is the ultimate in comfort food! Similar recipes instruct you to cook the noodles in the soup, but we prefer to cook them ahead, setting them aside to add at serving time. This way, any extra soup doesn't end up with mushy noodles and extra starch in it....
read more
Curried Chicken and Rice
This is an original from our family! It's roots are in a side dish that had just wild rice and a wonderful curry sauce made with egg yolks and half and half. The result is a kind of custard surrounding the other ingredients. To evolve this into a main course dish we...
read more
Porcini Mushroom Pasta Sauce
Porcini mushrooms have a wonderful, rich and earthy flavor that turns this simple creamy sauce into something really special. Above it is pictured with cheese ravioli that came in the refrigerator case at the grocery store. This combination offers a quick and easy,...
read more
Cajun Chicken Pasta
We came up with this dish while trying to recreate a fantastic pasta that I had at a restaurant in New Orleans years ago. I think we came pretty close! For a long time the kiddo would not touch it. Perhaps it was too spicy. Recently, however, she has done a complete...
read more
Chicken Lasagna
This is one of our favorite make ahead meals. It heats great from frozen and the investment of one afternoon yields at least four meals. For our small family, it's more like 8. Sometimes, for Sunday dinner with Gogo and Papa, one 8" x 8" pan serves 4 adults and 1 kid...
read more
Smokey Chicken Parmesan
Chicken parmesan can be a little bit blah, but using Smokey Tomato Sauce really steps up the flavor, offering a unique twist on an old classic. If you have the sauce already on hand, this comes together fairly easily and, when frozen, is a super easy weeknight meal....
read more
Pierogi
These Polish dumplings are the ultimate in comfort food around our house! We always enjoy making them together, too. They freeze well, which gives us several easier future meals in the freezer. Sometimes we indulge in a carbohydrate overload and just eat them as a...
read more
Smokey Tomato Sauce
We make this sauce in August when we have more tomatoes than we know what to do with. We love the "hearty without meat" flavor it brings to a wide variety of dishes. Another plus: it maintains it's unique, smokey flavor through the canning process. In our version of...
read more
Basil Pesto
This pesto recipe is very versatile. It is pictured here with Cavatappi pasta, cherry tomatoes and some fresh mozzarella. We like to make lots of pesto in the summer when fresh basil is readily available and freeze it for use throughout the year. Having pesto on hand...
read more
Italian Sausage and Cheese (Not) Stuffed Manicotti
These "not stuffed" manicotti may be a little easier to make than the traditional filled pasta tubes we're used to, but this recipe still requires an investment of time. Luckily, once you are committed, you might as well make enough for the future. Recruit the family...
read more
Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese (with pulled pork)
Jim loves to spend a Saturday smoking a pork shoulder – and we love eating it. We usually have guests and my Sweet Honey BBQ Glaze has a competition with Jim's South Carolina Finishing sauce. Even so, we always have some leftovers. Lest these delicious leftovers go to...
read more
Tortellini with Tomato Cream Sauce
Using refrigerated or frozen tortellini and homemade sauce that was canned in the summer offers a quick option for a fresh tasting, healthy meal. In a pinch, use your favorite store-bought tomato sauce. Ingredients for Tortellini with Tomato Cream Sauce 1 clove...
read more
Sicilian Tomato Sauce
I'll put it to you straight: this is NOT a fast recipe. However, it is beyond worth the time to make and save for quick meals in the future. It is delicious, versatile and best of all, you know what's in it. (Many commercial tomato sauces have as much as 16 teaspoons...
read more
Pasta with Walnuts
Our whole family loves this recipe! The ingredients can be kept on hand for a night when you need a quick, satisfying homemade meal. Add a side of sautéed spinach or steamed broccoli (see Three Tasty and Simple Veggie Sides) for balance and nutrition.Ingredients for...
read more
Cream Sauce with Shallots and Thyme
This sauce is great with any meat. It holds up well in the slow cooker with meatballs, but is also delicious with pork scallopini or sautéed chicken breasts. Ingredients for Cream Sauce with Shallots and Thyme 3 T butter 3 T flour 1 shallot, finely chopped 1 1/4 C...
read more
Meatballs
These savory meatballs are fun to make together and delicious for dinner tonight or next week! Ingredients for Meatballs 3/4 lb Ground Beef 3/4 lb. Ground Pork 1/2 Cup Toasted Bread Crumbs 2/3 Cup Milk 1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt 1.5 Teaspoons Fresh Thyme, chopped 2 Egg...
read moreJoin our email list!
