Lasagna Soup

Lasagna Soup

Ingredients:
2 teaspoons olive oil

1. 1 1/2 lbs Italian Sausage (I usually just use 16 oz, turkey sausage is good, too)
2. 3 cups chopped onions
3. 4 garlic cloves, minced
4. 2 teaspoons dried oregano
5. optional: 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
6. 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
7. 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, preferably fire roasted
8. 2 bay leaves
9. 6 cups chicken broth
10. 8 ounces fusilli or mafalda pasta (or other pasta of your choice) (I used bowtie, whole wheat works well)
11. 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil, or a heaping tablespoon dried basil (fresh is the best, but dried works, too)
12. salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
13. 8 ounces ricotta cheese (I usually just use the whole 15 oz with a full cup of shredded parm)
14. 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (Use the real stuff!)
15. 1/4 teaspoon salt
16. a few cracks of black pepper
17. optional: shredded mozzarella for sprinkling on top (we find it cheesy enough without this)

Directions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking up into bite sized pieces and cook until browned and cooked through. Add onions and cook until softened, about 6 minutes. Add garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. If you're using dried basil, add it at this point. Cook for about a minute. Add tomato paste and stir well to incorporate.
2. Add diced tomatoes, bay leaves, and chicken stock. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. You can add the dry pasta to the soup in the last 8-ish minutes of cooking, or do as I prefer, and cook the pasta separately and add to individual servings. Right before serving, stir in fresh basil if you're using fresh, and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
3. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
4. To serve, place a generous dollop of the ricotta mixture in each soup bowl, add pasta if you cooked it separately, and ladle the hot soup over the cheese. Let it sit for a minute for the cheese to get all melty, sprinkle mozzarella on top if desired and eat up

Comments:

I've made this a couple times but forgot how easy and filling and tasty it is! Tastes like lasagna in a bowl:)

Recipe and photo source: (My favorite): http://ourbestbites.com/2012/12/lasagna-soup/

Penne Rosa Pasta

Penne Rosa

Noodles & Co copycat recipe

1 lb Penne Noodles cooked

1 8oz can diced tomatoes

1 8oz can of tomato sauce

1-2 cups of heavy whipping cream

1 clove garlic

1 tsp of garlic salt

1 tsp Oregano

1 tsp Basil

Sliced mushrooms

2 cups of fresh spinach

2 Tbsp Fresh lemon juice

Feta Cheese (or parmesan if you would rather)

If you want a little spice, add some red pepper flakes. Combine tomatoes, tomato sauce, garlic and whipping cream.  Bring to a simmer.  Add garlic salt, oregano, basil and mushrooms. Once heated through, take off heat and add spinach and lemon juice.  Let spinach wilt a little (dont over-wilt). Add pasta to the sauce.  Dish up in bowls and sprinkle with feta cheese.  Yum!

Heather's Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• Box of colorful twisty pasta
• 1/2 block motzerella cheese
• jar or can of artichokes
• jar of hearts of palm
• can of olives
• cucumber
• bell pepper of your choice
• grape tomatoes
• can baby corn
• lemon
• salt and pepper
• olive oil
• balsamic vinigear
• Italian dressing

Directions:

Boil water with salt and cook the noodels.  While cooking, cube cheese, slice artichoces, hearts of palm, olives, cucumber, bell pepper, grape tomatoes, and baby corn.  Drain the noodels, and run under cool water.  Combine the cut ingredients to the noodels in a large bowl.  Topping should double the size of the amount in the bowl when added to noodels- you man not need full cans or need to cut the entire veggie.  Drizzle olive oil, and italian dressing over the pasta.  Add a dash of balsamic, but not too much or it will over power.  Add some of the juice of the artichokes from the can, and squeeze the lemon in too.  Salt and peper. 

Fills a medium large bowl, and takes about 10 to 15 minutes. 

Notes:

You can buy heart of palm at Walmart, or any grocery store really.  I like to add black beans too, or anything else I have that seems like it would go well.  

Zucchini Lasagna

Zucchini Lasagna

Ingredients:

• 1 lb 93% lean ground beef (I used ground turkey)
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/2 onion
• 1 tsp olive oil
• salt and pepper
• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil (I just used my entire package, probably double this)
• 3 medium zucchini, sliced 1/8" thick
• 15 oz part-skim ricotta
• 16 oz part-skin mozzarella cheese, shredded (Sargento)
• 1/4 cup Parmigiano Reggiano
• 1 large egg

Directions:
In a medium sauce pan, brown meat and season with salt. When cooked drain in colander to remove any fat. Add olive oil to the pan and saute garlic and onions about 2 minutes. Return the meat to the pan, add tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper. Simmer on low for at least 30-40 minutes, covered (I probably didn't simmer this long). Do not add extra water, the sauce should be thick.

Meanwhile, slice zucchini into 1/8" thick slices, add lightly salt and set aside or 10 minutes. Zucchini has a lot of water when cooked, salting it takes out a lot of moisture. After 10 minutes, blot excess moisture with a paper towel.

On a gas grill or grill pan, grill zucchini on each side, until cooked, about 1-2 minutes per side. Place on paper towels to soak any excess moisture.

Preheat oven to 350°.

In a medium bowl mix ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese and egg. Stir well. 

In a 9x12 casserole spread some sauce on the bottom and layer the zucchini to cover. Then place some of the ricotta cheese mixture, then top with the mozzarella cheese and repeat the process until all your ingredients are used up. Top with sauce and mozzarella and cover with foil.

Bake 45 minutes covered at 375°, then uncovered 15 minutes. Let stand about 5 - 10 minutes before serving.

Notes:
I'm certainly not part of the anti-carb movement (whole grains are good for you!) but I loved the idea of adding more veggies in and also thought this would be a great idea when zucchinis are plentiful in the summer. We all loved it! It's filling and relatively healthy and could also be great without the meat. We think it's a keeper. 

Recipe (with more great pics) and photo credit here: http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/02/zucchini-lasagna.html

Lemon Angel Hair with Chicken and Spinach

Lemon Angel Hair with Chicken and Spinach

1/2 lb angel hair pasta
4 cloves of garlic
1/2 t. crushed red pepper
Perfect Chicken, cut into chunks
2 lemons, zested and juiced
3/4 c. half-and-half
1 c. Parmesan, grated (or shredded)
1 c. baby spinach, stems removed
3 T. extra virgin olive oil

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Salt the water well, and add pasta. Heat a large skillet over low heat. Add oil, garlic, and crushed red pepper. Cook until the oil sizzles (about 7-10 minutes). Add lemon juice, half-and-half, and a ladle of the pasta water to the garlic oil mixture. Raise the heat to med-low to med heat until the sauce begins to bubble. Drain pasta - DO NOT RINSE. Add the pasta, zest, and 1/2 c. Parmesan to the cream sauce. Toss for a minute or two. Add chicken and spinach, and toss until well distributed. Top with remaining cheese. Enjoy!

**Notes:
-Be sure to use the Perfect Chicken recipe.  Its delish.  
-We do not like spicy food in our family, and the red pepper was too much for us. Next time I would just do a few dashes of red pepper so it isnt as spicy.

Cajun Chicken Pasta

• 8 ounces uncooked linguine (I used Dreamfields)
• 1 pound chicken breast strips
• 1-2 tsp Cajun seasoning (or to taste)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 medium yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 8 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 red onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced
• 1 cup fat free low sodium chicken broth
• 1/3 cup skim milk
• 1 tbsp flour
• 3 tbsp light cream cheese
• fresh cracked pepper
• 2 scallions, chopped
• salt to taste
• Smart Balance cooking spray

Directions:

Prep all your vegetables. In a small blender make a slurry by combining milk, flour and cream cheese. Set aside. Season chicken generously with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder and salt. Prepare pasta in salted water according to package directions. Heat a large heavy nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; spray with cooking spray and add half of the chicken. Sauté 5 to 6 minutes or until done, set aside on a plate and repeat with the remaining chicken. Set aside. Add olive oil to the skillet and reduce to medium; add bell peppers, onions, and garlic to skillet, sauté 3-4 minutes. Add mushrooms and tomatoes and sauté 3-4 more minutes or until vegetables are tender. Season with 1/4 tsp salt, garlic powder and fresh cracked pepper to taste. Reduce heat to medium-low; add chicken broth and pour in slurry stirring about 2 minutes. Return chicken to skillet; adjust salt and Cajun seasoning to taste, cook another minute or two until hot, then add linguine; toss well to coat. Top with chopped scallions and enjoy.

Lemon-Herb Zucchini Fettuccine (Our Best Bites)

Lemon-Herb Zucchini Fettuccine 

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 lemons
2 T Red Wine Vinegar
Olive Oil
1/2 lb Fettuccine
2 medium zucchini
1 C shredded parmesan cheese
5-6 cloves garlic
Fresh Basil (about 1/2 C)
Fresh Oregano (about 1/4 C)
Olive oil
Salt and Pepper

Prepare grill. You could also do this on the stove top in a skillet, or a grill pan.

Place chicken in a zip-lock bag with the juice of one lemon, a couple tablespoons of olive oil, and a couple tablespoons of red wine vinegar. Smoosh around and set bag aside while you get your other things ready. (If you’ve got time to spare, let the chicken marinade for 30 minutes, if you don’t, just take what you can get. I did mine for 15 min and it was great.)

Put the pot on the stove to boil water for the pasta. While you’re waiting for the water to boil, slice the zucchini in half length-wise. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Press, or finely mince garlic cloves. In a small sauce pan on the stove, place 1/4 C olive oil and add garlic. Turn burner onto low-med heat. It shouldn’t be popping and frying, it should just slowly warm, infusing the oil with the garlic and removing that zing fresh garlic has.

When water boils, add pasta and a spoonfull of salt

Remove chicken from bag and salt and pepper both sides. Place chicken, and zucchini on grill.

While chicky and zuchs are grilling and pasta is boiling, chop herbs and get out cheese. Zest both lemons and juice the one that hasn’t been juiced.

See, now you’re all ready. When everything is done cookin’ you can throw it together! Keep an eye on that garlic. You DON’T want it to get brown and crispy. It should still look nice and white. Give it a stir. If it starts really cooking, just take it off the heat and set aside.

When zuch and chicken are done take them off the grill and chop ‘em up.

Reserve about 1/2 C pasta water. Drain pasta and immediately place in a big bowl. Place chopped zuch and chicken on top. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, cheese, herbs, and garlic-olive oil mixture. Just pile it all in there.

Garnish with a little more Parmesan on top and another squeeze of lemon! Enjoy!

Alfredo Sauce

Quick and Easy Alfredo Sauce

1/2 c butter

1 (8oz) package cream cheese

2 tsp garlic powder

2 c milk

6 oz grated parmesan cheese

1/8 tsp pepper

garlic salt

Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat.  Add cream cheese and garlic powder, stirring with wire whisk until smooth. Add milk, a little at a time, whisking until smooth. Add milk , a little at a time, whisking to smooth out lumps. Stir in parmesan and pepper. Remove from heat when sauce reaches desired consistency. Sauce will thicken rapidly, thin with milk if cooked too long. Toss with hot pasta to serve.

Pasta Primavera

Pasta Primavera

 

3 Tbs butter

1 lb asparagus (tough ends removed and cut into 1 inch pieces)

1 zucchini (halved lengthwise and cut into 1/2 inch chunks)

8 oz mushrooms (trimmed and sliced thin)

1 cup frozen peas

2 cloves garlic (minced)

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 (14.5) oz can petite diced tomatoes

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 lb angel hair pasta

1/4 c minced fresh basil ....I just use the basil from my spice rack, and I put like 2 tbs in

1 1/2 Tbs fresh lemon juice

Grated Parmesean cheese (for serving)

 

Cook the fettuccine.  Meanwhile, melt 1 tbs butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add asparagus and cook until just tender, about 10 minutes.  Transfer to a medium bowl.  Repeat with zucchini and mushrooms.  After the mushrooms are lightly browned add the peas and garlic and cook about 30 seconds.  Transfer to the bowl with the asparagus and zucchini.  Season the vegetables with salt and pepper.  Add the tomatoes with their juice and the red pepper flakes to the skillet.  Simmer until the tomatoes have thickened slightly, about 5 minutes.  Stir in the cream and simmer about 5 minutes.  Drain the fettuccine after cooking and transfer to a serving dish.  Stir in the vegetables, tomato sauce, basil and lemon juice and toss to coat.

Lemon Pasta & Salmon

Lemon Pasta

1 lb of penne pasta

2 Tbs olive oil

2 cups spinach

2 cups of cherry/grape tomatoes cut in half

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 - 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

Salt and Pepper

Parmesean cheese to garnish

Cook Pasta. In large skillet heat olive oil and add all cut tomatoes and minced garlic.

Cook for a few minutes, do not burn. Add cooked pasta and spinach. Stir and cook

until spinach starts to wilt. Add lemon juice (add until you reach desired taste, may need

less, may need more than 1/4 c) Add salt and pepper and parmesean cheese. Great with

chicken or salmon.

Oven baked Salmon

Start with a tinfoil cross. Place salmon in center. Put 4 slices of butter at each corner

of the salmon. Squeeze juice of two lemons on top. Then add salt, pepper, dill seeds,

Italian Seasoning, Lawrey’s garlic salt, and parsley. Then put lemon slices and a few

more slices of butter on top of the fish before sealing shut. Roll tinfoil so it seals all the

juices inside. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes or until cooked through.

Baked Pasta and Broccoli with Cheesy Creamy Cauliflower Sauce

Baked Pasta and Broccoli with Cheesy Creamy Cauliflower Sauce

Ingredients
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 small head cauliflwer, cored and chopped (about 3 cups)
6 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
4 medium shallots, roughly chopped (or sub about 1/2-3/4 cup diced onion)
Kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper
4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
4 cups skim milk
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (I did just under that, between 1/8-1/4)
6 ounces Pecorino cheese, grated (about 2 cups- could sub fresh grated Parmesan)
1/2 pound medium multigrain pasta shells or bowties
1/4 pound sliced smoked ham, chopped (about 1 cups) (optional)
1 medium bunch broccoli, trimmed and cut into florets (3-5 cups)
optional: 1/2 cup toasted whole-wheat panko (Japanese bread crumbs) for serving.

Instructions
Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Add cauliflower, garlic, shallots, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook until softened but not brown, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Sprinkle with flour; stir to coat well.

Gradually stir in milk; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; gently simmer until cauliflower is very soft, about 15 minutes.  Let cool for 5 minutes.  Transfer all to a blender, and puree with nutmeg and half the pecorino until smooth, about 2 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Cook pasta until slightly tender but not fully cooked, about 5 minutes.  (Note:  If you like your broccoli pretty tender, add it to boiling pasta water for a couple of minutes before draining)  Drain well; return to pot.  Add ham, broccoli, and cauliflower sauce; toss to combine.  Transfer to an ovenproof 3 1/2 quart baking dish.  Sprinkle with remaining pecorino, and bake until bubbling in center, about 30 minutes.  Heat broiler, and broil until golden brown on top, 1-2 minutes.  Divide among dishes, top with breadcrumbs (if using), and serve immediately.

Notes:

I left out the ham to make this vegetarian and it was still very filling and satisfying. The sauce is creamy and cheesy and I love that it's made with a whole head of cauliflower!! The three boys as well as the hubby quite enjoyed it. I used parmesan cheese, as it's what I always have on hand, but I'm sure the Pecorino flavor would be even better. My thoughts for next time: instead of sauteeing and simmering the cauliflower/onion/garlic, I think I will just try tossing in olive oil and roasting for 20 minutes at 450F. I love how roasting brings out flavors and I think it would be easier as well. So that's my plan for next time. I expect we will make this after Christmas to use up some leftover ham! My oven must be hot, as I only needed to cook it at 400F for 25 minutes and the top was perfectly crispy and golden brown.

Recipe and picture from: http://www.ourbestbites.com/2012/01/baked-pasta-and-broccoli-with-ham-and-cheesy-creamy-cauliflower-sauce/

Rosemary Chicken Pasta (Way Good)

3 Halves boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 med yellow onion diced
4 minced garlic cloves
1 C white grape juice, or apple juice
1 16 oz angel hair pasta
4 bouillion cubes
1 tsp rosemary
½ salt
Pepper
Mushrooms
Asparagus

 

Cut chicken breast into bite-size pieces and put into bowl.  Pour 2/3 C flour into bowl and stir until chicken is well coated with flour.   In a wide, deep skillet, combine 3 tsp butter and heat over med-high until bubbly hot.  Add chicken and cook, turning until lightly browned (approx 5-10 minutes) Remove chicken and set aside.  To skillet add 1 tsp butter and 1 tsp oil.  Add ¼ C diced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sauté until softened.  Add 2 c water and 1 c juice, 4 bouillion cubes, 1 tsp rosemary, ½ tsp salt and dash pepper.  Simmer covered approx 5 minutes.  Return chicken to skillet and simmer covered 8-10 minutes.  I add mushrooms and asparagus.   Cook angel hair pasta and drain as suggested on package.  Add cooked pasta with sauce and chicken and toss.

Penne and Chicken in Garlic Cream Sauce (amazing)

4 medium skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, about 1 pound total
1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper, ground

8 ounces uncooked Fettucini  (or penne)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 large zucchini (10 to 12 ounces), halved lengthwise and sliced

2 cups fresh mushrooms, sliced

2 1/2 garlic cloves, minced

2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

4 ounces light cream cheese

1/4 cup red peppers

1 1/2 tablespoons fresh parsley, snipped

2 tablespoons Parmesan or Romano cheese, shredded (optional)

Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Grill chicken.  Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Return to pan; cover and keep warm.  Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Cook zucchini, mushrooms and garlic 5 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender, stirring occasionally. Add vegetables to pasta.  In small bowl whisk together broth and flour. Add to warm skillet with cream cheese. Whisk until smooth and bubbly. Cook and stir 1 minute more. Stir in tomatoes. Add to pasta and vegetables in pan; toss to coat. To serve, divide pasta mixture among four plates. Cut chicken into thin slices. Arrange chicken over pasta and vegetables. Sprinkle with parsley and cheese, if desired.