Italian Cuisine Recipes
Asiago Pesto Spread
Two types of cheese and two types of nuts provide nuanced flavor in this time-tested pesto recipe that will add memorable flavor to so many meals. (Freezes well, too!) The flavor of pesto is unbeatable and its uses are many. The only downfall of so many pestos is that they are…
Shortcut Blender Tomato Sauce
Great tomato sauce is so easy with this simple technique. The recipe may be doubled or halved based on the amount of tomatoes you have. Simply blend larger quantities in batches and choose a pot that accommodates. Freezes well! It never fails. Every summer I anxiously await the first of the red, ripe tomatoes…
Baked Mozzarella Sticks
I’m a snacker. Though I never miss a meal, I still get hungry between those meals. Like many, I’m most prone to absent-minded grazing in the hour or two before dinner, when salty or savory high-carb snacks seem irresistible. Baked Mozzarella Sticks are a pre-dinner nibble I love for several reasons. First, the protein in…
Caprese Style Baked Eggs
This protein-rich meal is delicious any time of day and can be enjoyed straight from the baking dish or piled on a piece of crunchy toast. “Caprese” refers to something that comes from or is in the style of Capri, an Italian island off the coast of Italy near Naples. Insalata Caprese, or Caprese Salad,…
Crispy Baked Eggplant
Perfect all by themselves or dipped in your favorite marinara sauce, these tasty bites often vanish straight from the baking sheet in our house! My family always felt lukewarm towards eggplant…until this recipe. And it’s easy! Simply dredge slices of egg-dipped eggplant into a flavorful combination of Parmesan, crumbs, and seasoning. Then roast the…
Favorite Thin Gluten-Free Pizza Crust
When planning a recent extended family birthday dinner, my sister-in-law joked that we are a pathetic bunch with the combined list of food restrictions. Gluten-free, dairy-free, seafood allergy, vegetarian, and allergies to soy and a few other common foods thrown in for good measure. Picky eaters are the least of our worries! But in all…
Leftover Spaghetti Pizza
An easy way to stretch leftovers into a deliciously new dinner, this family-friendly meal is quick to prepare and sure to become a favorite. Economical and easy to customize, too! People often ask me if I spend my days cooking away in my kitchen. It’s a logical question. After all, I write…
Amazing Parmesan Garlic Bread
Spaghetti for dinner is always a hit here. If I take a few extra minutes to make this special garlic bread, the smiles are twice as wide! For ease, I usually make the fried garlic a night or two before for this broccoli side dish. But as mentioned below, roasted garlic may also be used.…
Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce
This meaty sauce is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. The yield is a generous 3+ quarts, so there’s plenty to freeze or to share! Note: I updated this post with links to two complimentary recipes directly above the recipe card. Additionally, I have had several requests recently for recipes that are…
Overnight Lasagna (Turkey and Greens with Options)
I love a good lasagna, but it always seems like a big production. I hit upon this clever way of making lasagna years before no-cook noodles were discovered and it really works. Simply use regular noodles, assemble the night before with a little extra “juice”, and pop in the oven the next evening for a…
Polenta Crust Pizza Pie
Ok…so first thing is first! What is the difference between polenta and cornmeal…and grits for that matter? In case you are wondering what to buy, or whether it matters, I am including an overview below that might prove helpful. When I began the Flavor Trend Journey with Sargento Cheese and Rick Bayless last winter, Rick…
Italian Hoagie Salad
A reader-favorite (and reader-created!) recipe, this satisfying pasta salad was inspired by the classic sandwich and is a tried-and-true crowdpleaser. Easy to make too! It is always a joy to receive recipes from those who read my newspaper column or blog. When readers send me their family favorites, I am always happy to cook them…
