Ziti

This is a family favorite, and it’s easy on the cook. It makes a nice, big pan-full so you may have leftovers. A large, green salad alongside makes for a perfect meal and it won’t make you nuts with a ton of pots and pans.
16 oz. box uncooked ziti (I use Barilla)
2) […]

Fresh Tomatoes & Pasta

Easy, quick & delicious. Serve alongside anything or just have some crusty bread. Yum!
1 lb. cooked pasta - you pick
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 medium sized fresh tomatoes, chopped/diced
4 Tbsp. minced garlic - or more to taste
1/2 cup or more to taste grated Parmesan or Romano - you pick
1 cup loosely packed fresh […]

Pasta & Sausage Bake

I never tasted nor used chicken sausages until I tweaked a recipe I found, and came up with this marvelous creation. My family dug in and ate it at the blink of an eye! Although you will need to spread out and use several pots and pans, it’s well worth it.
1 lb. of rigatoni […]

Chinese Noodles

These noodles taste much better than the ones from a take-out, plus they’re easy to make - you can really add what you want - kind of a “clean out the fridge.” An added bonus is it improves with age so the next day it’s even better. I’ve actually taken the bowl out and just […]

Spice Rub Pasta Salad

What a delicious idea! Put together a spice rub, mix it into rinsed, cold pasta, then add whatever else you want such as green and/or black olives, diced ham or salami, drained artichoke hearts - you have endless possibilities here. Oh, then you add your choice of Italian dressing. You’re gonna love it.

Spice Rub […]

Pasta e Fagioli - II

Another version. The flavoring comes from the ham hock that’s left in to simmer with all the rest of the ingredients. Serve with some toasted bread slices and grated cheese on top.
1/2 cup dried white beans (I use Goya brand)
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 ham hock
1 diced onion
3 garlic cloves - or […]

Cavatelli & Baby Spinach

Just recently I became acquainted with that wonderful, frozen pasta - cavatelli! This is great stuff. You can find it at your grocery store in the frozen food section. Buy two bags for this.
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. minced garlic
4 links chicken sausage or turkey or even pork - crumbled
1/2-3/4 cup crushed tomatoes
Kosher […]

Kicked-Up Couscous

These are strange, tiny pasta dots. Either use the plain original couscous, or use a flavored one. Your couscous, your choice.

1 box of prepared couscous
1/2 small can chickpeas, drained
1 small jar roasted red peppers or pimentos, drained
1 small can black olives, drained
1/2 cup green olives, drained
1/2 cup of crumbled flavored feta - optional
1/4 cup extra […]

Pasta Salad Your Way

This recipe is so versatile. Add whatever veggies, cheese or meat you want - there are no set rules. Enjoy!

1 lb. pre-cooked pasta - corkscrew, tri-colored, etc.
1 bunch of cut-up fresh broccoli
1 chopped big tomato
1 small red onion - diced
1/2 small red pepper - chopped
1/2 small green pepper - chopped
1/2 small can black olives - […]

Pasta e Fagioli

Delicious, simple, easy to prepare; who wouldn’t want to make it? The ingredient list seems long, but it’s stuff you probably already have in your Kitchen, except maybe the V-8 juice. Kids also like it.

1 lb. ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 large carrot, diced small
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 minced garlic cloves
2 14-5 oz. cans diced tomatoes […]

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