Tag: Italian

Chicken Tortellini Soup

Ingredients

  • 1 Rotisserie Chicken – Skin Removed and Chopped
  • 18 Oz Bag Cheese Tortellini
  • 3 Celery Stalks – Diced
  • 2 Medium Carrots – Peeled, Halved, and Sliced
  • 8 Cups Chicken Broth
  • 3 Garlic Cloves – Minced
  • 1 Tbs Fresh Basil – Chopped
  • 1 Tbs Italian Seasoning
  • 1/2 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 1/2 Tsp Onion Powder
  • 1 Tbs Olive Oil
  • 1 Lemon – Juiced

Directions

  1. In a large pot or dutch oven, heat 1 Tbs of olive oil.
  2. Add the carrots and celery. Season with a pinch of salt and ground black pepper and sauté for 6 to 8 minutes.
  3. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, black pepper, onion powder, and basil. Sauté for another 1 to 2 minutes or until the garlic is fragrant.
  4. Add in the chicken broth, lemon juice, and the chopped chicken. Bring to a boil.
  5. Once at a rolling boil, add the chopped chicken and tortellinis. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes or when the tortellinis are soft. Remove from heat.
  6. Serve in a bowl by itself or with some crispy garlic bread.

Cajun Fettuccine Alfredo

Ingredients

  • 1 Lb Fettuccine
  • 1 Lb Colossal Shrimp (13/15) – Peeled, Deveined, Tail Off
  • 1 Lb Andouille – Sliced
  • 3 Garlic Cloves – Minced
  • 2 1/2 Tsp Cajun Seasoning
  • 1 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 Pint Heavy Cream
  • 1 Tsp Dried Parsley
  • 1 Cup Parmesan – Grated
  • Kosher Salt

Directions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine according to package directions.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat 1 Tbs olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Add the shrimp and sausage and season with 2 Tsp Cajun seasoning and the ground black pepper. Sauté , stirring occasionally, until golden brown on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
  4. Add the dried parsley and heavy cream and bring to a simmer to reduce, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan to thicken. 
  5. Strain the fettuccine and reserve a cup of the pasta water. Add pasta to the large skillet. Stir to combine and coat the fettuccine. Add in the pasta water a spoonful at a time to get your sauce to your desired thickness.

Sloppy Gia

Ingredients

  • 1 Lb Ground Chicken
  • 1 1/2 Cup Marinara (or brand of your choice)
  • 1 Cup White Onion – Diced
  • 2 Tbs Tomato Paste
  • 1/4 Cup Parmesan – Grated
  • 1 Tbs Garlic – Minced
  • 1 Tbs Italian Seasoning
  • 2 Tbs Fresh Basil – Chopped
  • 1/2 Tsp Salt
  • 1/2 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 6 Brioche Buns
  • Garlic Butter
  • Mozzarella – Shredded

Directions

  1. Pre-heat your oven to high broil.
  2. In a medium sauté pan, heat 1 Tbs of oil over medium heat.
  3. Place the chicken in the sauté pan, add the italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  4. While the chicken is cooking, break it into small pieces, add the onions and garlic, and cook through, about 7 to 10 minutes.
  5. Add the tomato paste and mix, cooking for another 2 to 3 minutes.
  6. Stir in the marinara, fresh basil, and parmesan. Bring to a simmer for about 2 to 4 minutes.
  7. While the mixture simmers, top both sides of the brioche buns with a spread of garlic butter and place them butter side up on an aluminum foil lined baking pan.
  8. Place in the oven on broil about 6 inches below the broiler, around the second tallest oven rack and toast the buns, about 2 to 4 minutes.
  9. Keep an eye on the buns to ensure they do not burn.
  10. Assemble your Sloppy Gia (think sloppy joe chicken parmesan style) by placing the cooked chicken mixture on the bottom of the bun, top with shredded mozzarella, and enjoy!

Sloppy Giuseppe

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs Lean Ground Beef
  • 1 Medium Yellow Onion – diced
  • 1 Cup Pepperoni – diced
  • 2 Tsp Oregano – dried
  • 1 Tsp Salt
  • 1 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 Tsp Red Pepper Flakes
  • 24 oz Pizza Sauce (or your favorite brand)
  • 1 Cup Mozzarella
  • Garlic Butter Spread
  • 8 Brioche Buns

Directions

  1. Brown the ground beef in a large sauce pan over medium heat, breaking the beef into small pieces as it browns. Season the beef with the salt, ground black pepper, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes.
  2. When the beef is cooked through add the diced onions and pepperoni and cook over medium-low heat for 3 to 5 minutes, until the onions are cooked through (translucent).
  3. Pre-heat the oven to Hi-Broil.
  4. Add the pizza sauce and simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes.
  5. While the Sloppy Giuseppe simmers, spread garlic butter over the top and bottom buns. Place the buns on an aluminum foil lined baking pan and toast the buns on the top rack in the oven on hi-broil for 1 to 2 minutes. Ensure that you keep an eye on the buns so they do not burn. It may take more than one iteration to toast all of the buns.
  6. Then add 1/2 off the mozzarella to the Sloppy Giuseppe and melt to thicken.
  7. Place 1/4 Cup or as much of the Sloppy Giuseppe on the bun that you would like. Top with a sprinkle of mozzarella and enjoy.

Pepperoni Rangoon

Ingredients

  • 8oz Cream Cheese – room temperature
  • 1/2 Cup Pepperoni – chopped into small pieces
  • 1/4 Cup Mozzarella – shredded
  • 1 Tbs Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 Tsp Onion powder
  • 1 Package Wonton wrappers

Marinara

Directions

  1. Combine all of the ingredients, minus the wonton wrappers and Marinara, in a medium bowl. Stir to mix well.
  2. Lay out the wonton wrappers, the mix makes about 24 to 28 rangoons.
  3. Place about 1 Tbs of filling into the center of each wrapper.
  4. Fold each wrapper diagonally across to form a triangle and lightly pinch the ends together. Then, bring up the two opposite corners toward each other. Push out the air as you combine all four corners and pinch together tightly. Squeeze all four edges together.
  5. Spray the bottom of the air fryer with a light coating of oil. Load the rangoons into the air fryer and spray the tops lightly with oil. Cook at 370 degrees (F) for 9 to 10 minutes. Check at 8 minutes to ensure they are not burning.
  6. Remove from the air fryer and serve with marinara.

NOTE: If you want to use the oven, pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees (F) and line a baking pan with aluminum foil. Spray the foil with a light coating of oil, place the rangoon on the foil, and spray the tops lightly. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes.

Italian Style Meatloaf Parmesan

Ingredients

Meatloaf

  • 1 Lb Ground Beef (90/10)
  • 1 Lb Ground Pork
  • 1 Yellow Onion – Diced
  • 3 Garlic Cloves – Minced
  • 1 Tsp Crushed red pepper
  • 1 Cup Italian Bread Crumbs
  • 1/2 Cup Milk
  • 2 Eggs
  • 2 Tbs Lightly Dried Italian Herbs
  • 1 Tbs Worcestershire
  • 1 Tsp Salt
  • 1 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 1/2 Tsp Dried Oregano
  • 1/4 Tsp Cayenne
  • 2 Cups Mozzarella Cheese

Marinara

Directions

  1. Sauté the onions, crushed red pepper, and minced garlic in a pan with olive oil over medium heat until the onions are translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Set the mixture aside in a small bowl to cool.
  2. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
  3. Once the onion mixture has cooled to the touch, place the onion mixture and the remaining meatloaf ingredients except for the mozzarella cheese in a large bowl.
  4. With your hands, mix thoroughly to combine but be careful not to over mix.
  5. Form the meatloaf mixture into a football shape by hand on a baking pan lined with aluminum foil. You can also cook it in a meatloaf pan if you desire.
  6. Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour.
  7. While the meatloaf bakes, prepare the Marinara.
  8. Remove the meatloaf and let rest for 5 minutes. Set your oven to broil.
  9. Slice the meatloaf and place on a baking pan lined with aluminum foil. Top with a large spoonful of marinara sauce and a handful of mozzarella.
  10. Broil on the top rack until the cheese is melted while being careful not to burn the cheese.
  11. Top with fresh herbs, grated parmesan, and serve on top of your favorite pasta, by itself, between some slices of toasted garlic bread, whatever you crave!

Creamy Cheese Ravioli or Tortellini Soup

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Mild Italian Sausage
  • 1 Medium Yellow Onion – Diced
  • 4 Garlic cloves – Minced
  • 1/2 Tsp Crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 Tsp Salt
  • 1 Tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 Tsp Ground black pepper
  • 2 Tbs Tomato paste
  • 28 oz Crushed tomato
  • 1 qt Chicken stock
  • 1 Cup Heavy Cream
  • 10 oz Cheese tortellini or ravioli
  • Fresh basil – chopped

Directions

  1. In a large pot or dutch oven, brown the mild italian sausage in 1 TBS of olive oil over medium high heat.
  2. Add the diced onions and the garlic to the italian sausage and cook for 3 to 5 minutes over medium heat until the onions are translucent.
  3. Add the tomato paste, salt, crushed red pepper, italian seasoning, ground black pepper and cook for 2 to 3 minutes over medium heat.
  4. Add the chicken stock and remove any fond from the bottom of the pot or dutch oven. Add the crushed tomatoes and bring to a simmer.
  5. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
  6. Add the heavy cream and bring back to a simmer.
  7. Add your pasta and cook for 5 to 7 minutes.
  8. Serve in a bowl and top with fresh basil.

Classic Marinara

Ingredients

  • 28 Oz Crushed Tomatoes (Large Can)
  • 1/2 Yellow Onion – Diced
  • 2 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 3 Garlic Cloves – Minced
  • 1 Tbs Dried Oregano
  • 1 Tbs Dried Basil
  • 1 Tbs Dried Parsley
  • 2 Tsp Crushed Red Pepper
  • 1 Tsp Salt
  • 1 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 1/2 Tsp Granulated Sugar
  • 2 Bay Leaves

Directions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a small to medium sized pot on the stove over medium heat.
  2. Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes.
  3. Add the crushed tomatoes and stir to combine.
  4. Season the sauce with the remaining herbs and bring to a simmer for 30 minutes.
  5. Remove the bay leaves before using.

Tex-Mex Lasagna

Ingredients

Meat Filling

  • 1 Lb Ground Beef
  • 1 Packet Taco Seasoning
  • 1/3 Cup Water
  • 1 Can (11 Oz) Mexican Corn
  • 1 Can (10 Oz) Rotel – Serrano or Habanero for heat
  • 1 Can (4 Oz) Green Chilis – Chopped
  • 1 Can (2.5 Oz) Black Olives – Sliced
  • 1 Tsp Red Pepper Flakes
  • 1 Cup Sour Cream
  • 4 Cups Cheese – Shredded Mexican Cheese

Sauce

Noodles

  • 1 Lb Dry Lasagna Noodles

Toppings (Optional)

  • Lettuce
  • Cilantro
  • Crema

Directions

Meat Filling

  1. Cook the taco meat in accordance to the directions on the taco seasoning packet.
  2. Drain and add the corn, rotel, chilis, and black olives. Cook over low heat for 3-5 minutes and add the red pepper flakes. (see photo below)

Assembly

  1. In a 9 x 13 pan, spread out 5 Oz of enchilada sauce or hot sauce.
  2. Place a layer or lasagna noodles lengthways, about 4 noodles.
  3. Spoon half of your meat filling on top of the noodles and spread it out evenly.
  4. Spoon 1/2 Cup of the sour cream in equal amounts across the filling. Top with 1 Cup of shredded cheese. (see photo below)
  5. Repeat steps 2 thru 4 for another layer.
  6. Place the top layer of lasagna noodles lengthways, about 4 noodles. Spread the remaining 5 Oz of enchilada sauce or hot sauce.
  7. Top with the remaining 2 Cups of shredded cheese.

Cooking

  1. Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Bake the lasagna uncovered for 30 minutes. Finish on Broil-High for 3-5 minutes to brown the top layer of cheese.
  3. Let the lasagna rest for at least 15 minutes before cutting and serving.
  4. Serve with your favorite toppings: lettuce, cilantro, more sour cream or crema, whatever you want! Enjoy!

Chicken Parm Pizza (Gluten Free)

Ingredients

Crust

  • 1 Lb Ground Chicken
  • 1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese – shredded
  • 1/2 Cup Mozzarella Cheese – shredded
  • 1 Egg
  • 2 Tsp Italian Seasoning
  • 1 Tsp Italian Parsley – chopped
  • 1/2 Tsp Salt, Black Pepper
  • 1/8 Tsp Cayenne

Pizza Toppings

  • 1/2 Cup Marinara or Pizza Sauce (your favorite)
  • 1/2 to 3/4 Cup Mozzarella Cheese – shredded (your desired cheesiness)
  • NOTE: You can top the pizza with whatever toppings you prefer…. even pineapple, it’s ok.

Directions

Pizza Crust

  1. Mix all of the ingredients for the crust in a bowl until well combined. Cover the bowl and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to set.
  2. Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees.
  3. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and sprayed with cooking oil, spread out your crust mixture evenly into your preferred shape. The crust can be spread out to a 10 inch pie.

Cooking the Pizza

  1. Bake the pizza crust at 400 degrees for between 20 and 24 minutes.
  2. Remove the pizza from the oven and carefully place the crust on a pizza pan. You can leave the pizza on the parchment if you do not have a pizza pan available.
  3. Add the toppings of your choice to the pizza.
  4. Place the pizza back in the 400 degree oven and bake for an additional 6-8 minutes.
  5. Set your oven to broil and place the pizza on your top rack. Broil the pizza to finish the last 60-90 seconds.
  6. Remove the pizza and allow it to cool for at least 5 minutes before slicing the pizza.
  7. Place on a fancy paper plate, top with red pepper if desired, and enjoy!!!