More Italian Favorites

Almost Olive Garden Alfredo

This is probably the "richest" recipe I have. 

You can use skim milk if you desire but can't skimp on anything else

1 1/2 c half and half
2 cubes BUTTER
1 1/2 c shredded parmesan (the real stuff tastes the best)
sprinkle of garlic pepper or garlic salt
1 t dried parsley

Melt butter in saucepan.  Stir in half and half, then parmesan then seasonings.  Stir constantly until it starts to boil over medium heat.  The cheese will completely melt and mixture will start to thicken.

Pesto Spaghetti

1/4 c water
1 T dried basil
1/4 c margarine
1/4 t garlic powder
1 T lemon juice
1 T dried parsley
1/4 c grated Parmesan cheese
8 oz spaghetti noodles, cooked and drained.

Mix water and basil - let sit for 30 minutes.  Heat margarine and garlic until melted.  Remove from heat.  Whisk in basil mixture, lemon juice and parsley.  Toss with noodles and parmesan cheese and serve.

Creamy  Pork Tortellini

1 pkg frozen tortellini (1 lb)
1 pkg alfredo sauce (made according to package directions)
1 pkg frozen broccoli/cauliflower blend, thawed
2 c ham, cubed OR 1 lb sausage, browned
1/3 c grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 c grated mozzarella

Cook tortellini according to package directions and drain.  Combine sauce, veggies and pork.  Bring to a boil over medium heat and then cover and simmer for 15 minutes.  Stir in drained tortellini, mix in parmesan and cook for 5 minutes.  Top with mozzarella and allow cheese to melt before serving.

Spinach Cheese Roll-up

1 loaf frozen bread dough, thawed
1/2 bag fresh spinach
2 c shredded mozzarella
Parmesan cheese
1/4 c melted margarine
1/2 t garlic powder

Roll bread dough into a 10 x 14 inch rectangle.  Top with mozzarella then spinach, then sprinkle with Parmesan.  Roll up from one long side.  Place seam side down on a sprayed 10 x 15 pan. Bake at 400 for about 20 - 25 minutes or until golden brown.  Mix margarine and garlic powder and brush over roll when it comes out of the oven.  Slice to serve.

You can also make this into a roll-up pizza by placing pizza toppings inside (no sauce) baking, and then serve with pizza sauce for dipping on the side.

Mom's Breadsticks

1 loaf frozen bread dough, thawed
1/4 cup margarine or butter
grated parmesan cheese
garlic pepper seasoning

Roll bread into rectangle.  Melt margarine in a 9 x 13 pan in the oven.  Spread margarine evenly in pan and sprinkle with garlic pepper and parmesan.  Cut dough into inch-wide strips.  Slop in butter so both sides are covered and then place in pan.  Sprinkle with more parmesan cheese.  Let rise 30 to 60 minutes and then bake at 375 for about 15 - 20 minutes or until they start to turn golden brown.

Pizza - make them even better than the pros!

Easy Pizza Crust - makes a jelly roll (10 x 15) pan

4 1/4 c flour
2 T active dry yeast or 2 packets active dry yeast
1 t salt
1/4 c cooking oil
2 c very warm water

Combine 2 c flour, yeast, salt, oil and warm water in a large bowl.  Mix together with electric mixer.  Stir in remaining flour.  Knead on a floured surface for 2 minutes.  You may add more flour - dough should be very soft but not sticky.  Let rest 10 minutes.  Roll out and place in a sprayed pan.  Let rise 1/2 hour.  Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes.  Cover with toppings and bake for another 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza

Sauce: Ketchup (it is yummy I promise)
Cheese - I like to mix shredded cheddar and mozzarella
1 lb hamburger, browned
1 lb bacon browned
2 fresh tomatoes, diced
more cheese

After baking the secend time, top with shredded lettuce and serve

BBQ Chicken Pizza Hawaiian Style

Sauce - bbq sauce
Cheese - mozzarella
Cooked chunks of chicken
Drained pineapple tidbits
Slivered Almonds
Shredded sweetened coconut
more cheese

If you want  you can add sunflower seeds, fresh tomatoes, mushrooms and omit the pineapple, almonds and coconut for regular bbq chicken pizza.

Taco Pizza

Sauce - Salsa
1 lb hamburger, browned with taco seasoning
Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese
fresh tomatoes, sliced
sliced olives
1 can black beans, drained
more cheese
If you want, you could add jalapenos or diced green chilies

Before serving add shredded lettuce.

Lasagna Pizza

Sauce - spaghetti sauce
Mozzarella cheese
Cottage cheese, small curd and drained
Browned Hamburger if desired
more sauce
More mozzarella and parmesan

Stuffed Crust Pizza

Just cut string cheese in half lengthwise and put along edge of crust and fold crust over and tuck it under the cheese.  Then make as usual.

I love to "steal" ideas from real pizza places and make them at home!

Easy Italian Dishes that taste like they take HOURS to make!

I love Italian food - I really love easy, family friendly Italian food - here are a few of my absolute favorites!

Spaghetti Pie

12 oz spaghetti noodles, cooked and drained
3 T melted butter
3 beaten eggs
2 T dried basil
1/2 t garlic powder
3/4 c Parmesan cheese
16 oz carton cottage or ricotta cheese
1 jar spaghetti sauce
2 c shredded mozzarella cheese

Combine butter, eggs, 1/4 c parmesan and spices.  Toss with noodles to coat.  Pour mixture into a greased 9 x 13 pan.  Mix rest of parmesan with cottage cheese and spread over noodle "crust".  Cover with spaghetti sauce and top with shredded mozzarella.  Bake uncovered for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Sausage Tortellini Soup 

1 lb sausage ( I just use breakfast style but you could use spicy if desired)
2 – 3 (14 ½ oz) cans Italian Style Diced Tomatoes (I like the petite diced w/Garlic and Olive Oil)
1 – 2 c beef broth
½ of a 16 oz bag of frozen spinach
½ of a 42 oz bag of frozen cheese tortellini
1 can garbanzo and/or kidney beans, drained
1 T dried basil
2 T sugar

Brown sausage in large saucepan (larger than 5 qts). Pour in tomatoes and broth. Stir in remaining ingredients and simmer until tortellini is tender. You can top with grated mozzarella or parmesan if you desire. If you desire a more broth-y soup, just add additional beef broth.

This recipe fills my “big” crockpot and easily feeds my family with nummy leftovers to spare!

Jenn's Spinach Sausage Lasagna

12 lasagna noodles (regular kind but do not cook)

1 lb sausage
8 oz frozen spinach, thawed
2 cans petite diced with garlic and olive oil tomatoes (if not available used crushed tomatoes plus 1 T Italian seasoning + 1/2 t garlic powder)
1 can diced Italian style tomatoes
1 T dried basil
2 T sugar
24 oz container cottage cheese
1 egg. beaten
1/4 c parmesan cheese
1 lb shredded mozzarella cheese

Brown sausage. When browned, stir in spinach, petite tomatoes and basil. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
Mix cottage cheese, egg and parmesan cheese together.
Pour Italian style diced tomatoes on the bottom of a sprayed 9 x 13 pan. Place 4 noodles on top of tomatoes, then cover with 1/2 of sausage mixture and 1/2 of cheese. Then top with 4 more noodles. Then cover with all of cottage cheese mixture. Then cover that with 4 more noodles and the rest of the sausage mixture. Pour 1/2 cup of water over the lasagna. Then cover with rest of cheese.

Spray a large piece of foil with cooking spray and place it - sprayed side down - on the top of the lasagna and seal the edges. Bake at 375 for 60 - 70 minutes or until noodles are tender.

I usually end up having to put a cookie sheet under it in the oven so if it "overflows", it doesn't burn on my oven!