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zesty sausage and pasta

Zesty Sausage and Pasta

    1 lb. sweet Italian sausage, or sweet Italian chicken sausage 1 cup onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 –14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes ½ – 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 – 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning 1 Tablespoon olive oil 1 lb. Penne pasta or spaghetti, cooked according to package directions…

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tuscan beans tomatoes

Tuscan Beans & Tomatoes

  1 –19 oz. can cannelloni beans or 1 –16 oz. can great northern beans, rinsed and drained. 1- 14.5 oz. can Italian style stewed tomatoes 1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar 1 teaspoon snipped fresh rosemary or ½ teaspoon dried rosemary ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper Cracked black pepper   In a large saucepan, combine beans,…

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tortellini

Tortellini Alfredo with Roasted Peppers

  1 –9oz. package refrigerated meat or cheese filled tortellini 1 4 oz. jar roasted red sweet peppers ½ cup refrigerated light Alfredo sauce ½ cup shredded fresh basil (or the new basil in a pouch) ¼ to ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper   Prepare tortellini according to package directions. Drain red pepper. Cut into…

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stuffed peppers

Sausage Stuffed Bell Peppers

  2 cups cooked white rice 6 bell peppers, red or green or… mix it up! 1 lb. Italian Sausage 1 –14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chilies 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese   Preheat oven to 400°F Prepare Rice Remove tops and seeds from bell peppers, leaving a whole hollow pepper. Blanch*…

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cooking

Basil Pesto

½ cup extra virgin olive oil 1 ½ cup fresh baby spinach – remove stems ¾ cup fresh basil leaves ½ cup pine nuts or walnuts 6 oz. grated Asiago cheese 3 large garlic cloves, peeled and quartered   In a food processor – Combine 2 Tablespoons oil, spinach, basil, walnuts, cheese and garlic. Cover…

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ravioli

Ravioli with Marinara Sauce

  1 package (24 oz) frozen ravioli (or tortellini) 1 cup chopped onion 1 clove garlic 1 Tablespoon olive oil 1 can (14.5 oz.) recipe ready diced tomatoes, Marinara style 1 can (6 oz.) Italian style tomato paste ¾ cup dry white wine, chicken broth, or water ¼ cup chopped fresh basil (You can also…

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pizza bread

Pizza Bread

  This can be anything from a fun snack to a great buffet item. You can add any items you would add to pizza. You can make it with english muffins or bagels if that’s what you happen to have in the house.   Italian or french bread cut in half lengthwise. Red Sauce Shredded…

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cooking

Pesto Chicken With Angel Hair Pasta

    1 package angel hair pasta 2 Tablespoons butter 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes ¼ cup basil pesto ¼ cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese   Cook pasta according to package directions. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in skillet. Cook chicken until no longer pink – about 4 or 5 minutes. Add…

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garlic bread

Parmesan Garlic Bread

  1 medium loaf French bread ½ cup butter, softened 2 cloves garlic, peeled and cut in half 1 teaspoon dried parsley 1/3 cup parmesan cheese   Original Version – Preheat oven to 375°. Cut slices down the length of the loaf at 1 inch intervals, without cutting all the way through. If you want…

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calzone

Chicken & Spinach Calzones

  2 ½ cups chopped cooked chicken 2 cups chopped fresh spinach ½ of an 8 oz. package shredded 4 cheese pizza cheese 1 –8 oz. can or jar pizza sauce 2 –10 oz. packages refrigerated pizza dough Milk Grated Parmesan or Romano cheese   In a large mixing bowl, mix chicken, spinach, cheese, and…

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