Tag: pasta

Cajun Shrimp and Corn Alfredo

Cajun Shrimp and Corn Alfredo

Cajun Shrimp and Corn Alfredo is one of our favorite summer seafood dishes. I start this dish by making cooking onions and peppers until they’re tender. Then, I add in Cajun seasoned Gulf shrimp, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Finally, I stir in fresh corn, 

Farfalle with Pesto and Tomatoes

Farfalle with Pesto and Tomatoes

Farfalle with Pesto and Tomatoes is one of our favorite summer dinners. I start this dish by making a basil and pine nut pesto. Next, I toss the pesto with farfalle pasta, arugula, tomatoes, olives and feta cheese. Finally, I garnish the dish with fresh 

Bacon Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese

Bacon Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese

Bacon Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese is one of our favorite family dinners. I start this dish by making a creamy white sauce. Then, I stir in the macaroni, extra sharp cheddar cheese, and crispy crumbled bacon. Finally, I top the macaroni and cheese with buttery breadcrumbs and bake it until it’s golden brown. We like this dish for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this dish ahead of time. I like to prepare the macaroni and cheese early in the day and bake it right before dinner. Secondly, I like that this dish is easy to customize to individual tastes. If someone doesn’t like breadcrumbs, you can just leave it off their skillet. And, lastly, we all love how warm and comforting this dish is.

The Equipment I Used

  • Mini Cast Iron Skillets- I used six mini cast iron skillets to bake my macaroni and cheese. But you could also use a nine by eleven casserole, or six cocottes or ramekins. I bought my skillets on QVC.
  • A Food Processor- Use this to make the breadcrumbs.

The Ingredients Needed for Bacon Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese

  • Macaroni- You could also use small pasta shells. Be sure to cook the macaroni in three tablespoons of kosher salt. This adds a lot of flavor to the pasta.
  • Butter- Use unsalted butter. I always use Kerry gold Irish butter.
  • Chicken Stock- I always use homemade chicken stock. My recipe is below.
  • Heavy Cream- Use heavy cream to make the white sauce.
  • Cheese- I used Cabot extra sharp cheddar cheese.

How I Made my Macaroni and Cheese

  • First, I made the white sauce. Be sure to temper the eggs by pouring a bit of the hot sauce into the eggs.
  • Then, added the breadcrumbs and baked the skillets until they were brown and bubbly.

If you like cheddar cheese, you need to try this cheesy and delicious Bacon Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese.

Bacon Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese
Bacon Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese
Bacon Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese

Bacon Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and Cheese with extra sharp cheddar cheese, buttery breadcrumbs and bacon.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Equipment

  • Food processor

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups elbow macaroni
  • 6 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 small onion, minced
  • 2 tbsp. all purpose flour
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ tsp. each kosher salt and chili powder
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper
  • 2 beaten eggs
  • 3 cups extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • 2 cups cubed white bread
  • ¼ tsp. paprika
  • 6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Boil the macaroni for the time indicated on the box, and drain it well.
  • Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, on medium heat, melt four tablespoons of the butter and cook the onions until they're soft.
  • Add the flour to the vegetables and cook for two minutes. Then, add the chicken stock and cream and cook for two more minutes. Add the salt and pepper. Remove the pot from the heat.
  • Stir a half cup of the white sauce into a bowl with the beaten eggs. This is to temper, or heat up, the eggs so that they don't scramble in the hot sauce. Then, add the warmed- up eggs to the pot of white sauce. Stir in the macaroni and two cups of cheese and two thirds of the bacon and pour it into a a greased 9 by 11 casserole, or 6 individual cocottes or ramekins or skillets. Top with the last cup of cheddar cheese.
  • In a small skillet melt the rest of the butter. In a food processor, pulse the bread into crumbs, and then cook with the paprika in the butter for three minutes.
  • Scatter the breadcrumbs and the rest of the bacon over the macaroni and cheese and bake for thirty minutes.
Keyword pork
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Chicken Stock

Chicken Stock

Homemade chicken stock
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 8 cups

Ingredients
  

  • lbs. chicken breasts and wings with skin and bones
  • 10 cups water
  • 2 peeled onions
  • 2 peeled carrots
  • 3 peeled parsley roots
  • 1 tbsp. kosher salt
  • 4 stalks celery
  • 1 peeled parsnip
  • 2 tbsp. garlic cloves
  • 1 cup fresh parsley and fresh dill

Instructions
 

  • Put the chicken and the salt in a large, tall pot and cover with ten cups of cold water. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 30 minutes, skimming any scum that forms.
  • Add all the vegetables and herbs and simmer for two and a half hours. Pour the soup through a strainer to remove everything but the broth.
Keyword chicken soup, chicken stock, stock
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Triple Cheese Lasagna with Basil

Triple Cheese Lasagna with Basil

Triple Cheese Lasagna with Basil is one of my family’s favorite dinners. I love this dish for several reasons. First of all, I really appreciate that this is a meatless meal. Since, I don’t like to cook meat every night. Secondly, because there’s no meat, 

Creamy Gnocchi with Prosciutto and Peas

Creamy Gnocchi with Prosciutto and Peas

Creamy Gnocchi with Prosciutto and Peas features homemade gnocchi. Of course, feel free to use purchased premade gnocchi to save time. But, these gnocchi are not only delicious but foolproof. After I make the gnocchi, I make a sauce filled with wine, cream, and chicken 

Buttery Linguini with Parmesan and Pepper

Buttery Linguini with Parmesan and Pepper

Buttery Linguini with Parmesan and Pepper is the perfect meal for when your refrigerator is empty. Because, the only refrigerated items this recipe calls for is Parmesan cheese and butter. I don’t know about you, but there are times when our fresh food supply gets kind of low. For instance, when we return from a vacation, we usually have a fairly bare refrigerator. Or, sometimes I make this for lunch. And, since my children love it, it’s a great dish to serve along with a main course they might not like. Besides needing very few ingredients, this dish also takes less than thirty minutes to make. So, it is terrific when I’m pressed for time. Most importantly, this pasta is truly delicious. It is creamy, cheesy, and peppery, and so good!

The Equipment I Used

  • A Large Pot- I like using a large pot with a built in drainer insert. In any case, you need a pot large enough to hold the six quarts of water and a full pound of linguini.
  • A Large Bowl- You need a bowl big enough to hold all the pasta. And, it should be big enough to be able to easily toss the pasta with the sauce.

The Ingredients Needed for Buttery Linguini with Parmesan and Pepper

  • Linguini- It’s important to use a good quality semolina linguini for this dish. I like DeCecco brand.
  • Kosher Salt-I use Diamond kosher salt which is less salty than other brands. So, if you use a different brand, you may need to cut the salt down for this recipe.
  • Oil- Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil. I like California Olive Ranch brand olive oil.
  • Parmesan- Be sure to use real Parmigano-Regiano cheese.

How I Made my Pasta

  • First, I boiled my linguini. It’s important to salt the water well and to not overcook the pasta.
  • Next, I mixed together the butter, oil, and spices. I just softened my butter in the microwave.
  • Finally, I tossed the pasta and cheese into the butter mixture.

This Buttery Linguini with Parmesan and Pepper is a truly quick and easy recipe. I hope you’ll try it soon.

Linguini with Parmesan and Pepper
Buttery Linguini with Parmesan and Pepper
Linguini with Parmesan and Pepper

Buttery Linguini with Parmesan and Pepper

Linguini tossed with butter, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan cheese.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 420 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 6 quarts water
  • 10 tsp. Diamond kosher salt
  • 1 pound linguini
  • 5 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened and cut in five pieces
  • 5 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • Bring the water to a boil in a large pot. When it reaches a boil add 9 teaspoons of the salt and the linguini. Cook the linguini until it is just al dente. The time for this should be on the pasta box.
  • While the pasta cooks: In a large bowl, stir together the butter, oil, garlic powder, red pepper flakes and the last teaspoon of the salt.
  • Add one tablespoon of the pasta water to the bowl, and stir until combined. Drain the pasta well and add it to the bowl along with the cheese. Toss everything together until the pasta is completely coated in the butter mixture. Serve right away.

Nutrition

Calories: 420kcal
Keyword meatless, pasta
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Tex-Mex Macaroni and Cheese with Pepper Jack Cheese

Tex-Mex Macaroni and Cheese with Pepper Jack Cheese

Tex-Mex Macaroni and Cheese with Pepper Jack Cheese is a baked macaroni and cheese spiced with chili powder, and filled with colorful peppers and spicy jalapeno-dotted cheese. You can bake it in one large casserole or in individual cocottes, or ramekins. The Equipment You’ll Need 

Fettuccini with Lobster, Tomato, and Basil

Fettuccini with Lobster, Tomato, and Basil

Fettuccini with Lobster, Tomato, and Basil is a quick and easy meal that takes less than an hour from start to finish. Growing up on the Jersey shore, summer doesn’t seem quite summer, unless lobster is served at least once a week. Since April, we’ve 

Black Truffle Pecorino Pappardelle

Black Truffle Pecorino Pappardelle

Black Truffle Pecorino Pappardelle is a truffle lover’s dream pasta. If you like trendy truffle French fries, you’ll probably love this rich and creamy pasta dish filled with summer vegetables and delicious truffle pecorino cheese that is imported from Italy. While the cheese and pasta in this dish are made in Italy, all the vegetables I used came from a farm only miles from my house. And, you just can’t beat that fresh picked flavor that shines through in every bite of summer tomatoes, tiny zucchini, and perfectly ripened bell peppers.

The Equipment You’ll Need

  • A large pot, preferably with a pasta insert- I love my pasta pot with a built in strainer. I love being able to lift up the pasta, and just let it drain right into the pot.
  • A large skillet- This is the best instrument for getting your sauce into every nook and cranny of your pappardelle.

The Ingredients You’ll Need for Black Truffle Pecorino Pappardelle

  • The Black Truffe Pecorino Cheese- This is what imparts the truffle flavor to the dish. But, if you’re willing to forgo the truffle flavor, simply use Parmesan instead.
  • The Chicken Stock- I always use homemade. In fact, I made some today, just for this dish. I will freeze the rest, in one cup portions, because I use it all the time in lots of recipes.
  • The Pappardelle- I use DeCecco Egg Pappardelle from Italy. I think it tastes the closest to homemade pasta.

How I Made this Pasta Dish

  • This is a really super simple, quick and easy dish.
  • First, I filled up my pot with water, and put it over high heat.
  • While it heated up, I cooked my bacon, and melted my butter.
  • As the bacon cooked, I chopped the vegetables, and added them to the butter.
  • I put the pasta in the water, and made the cream sauce.
  • In 6 minutes my pasta was done, and so was my sauce.
  • I planned on making a big salad to serve with this dish, until one of my little angels decided to make French macarons, in the midst of my dinner preparations. At that point, I decided some cut up watermelon would serve as the accompaniment to this delicious entree.

Not only is this Black Truffle Pecorino Pappardelle truly delicious, but it is also a 30 Minute Meal. That means you can make it from start to finish in under 30 minutes. For years, when my kids were really little, I made only Rachael Ray’s 30 Minute Meals. Of course, since I had little ones underfoot the 30 minute meals always took at least 60 minutes. As I mentioned above, my dinner plan was slightly derailed tonight because of my daughter’s baking escapades. But, I wouldn’t change a thing about tonight. I really cherish all these little moments we share together, and they are so much more important and memorable, than a perfect dinner ever could be.

Black Truffle Pecorino Pappardelle
Black Truffle Pecorino Pappardelle
Black Truffle Pecorino Pappardelle
Black Truffle Pecorino Pappardelle
Black Truffle Pecorino Pappardelle

Black Truffle Pecorino Pappardelle

Egg pappardelle with a black truffle pecorino cream sauce, topped with bacon, zucchini, and tomatoes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4

Equipment

  • large pot for cooking pasta
  • large skillet

Ingredients
  

  • ½ lb. egg pappardelle pasta
  • 6 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 cup bacon, cut in half inch pieces
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1 cup diced red or orange bell peppers
  • 1 cup zucchini, cut in half inch cubes
  • 2 tbsp. minced garlic
  • ¼ cup white wine
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • cup heavy cream
  • 3 cups grated black truffle pecorino cheese
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Boil a large pot of water for your pasta.
  • Meanwhile, in a small skillet, cook the bacon until barely crisp. Remove bacon to a plate.
  • And, in a large skillet, melt the butter, and then cook the onions and peppers, until they're softened but not browned. Then, add the zucchini and garlic and cook for two minutes.
  • Cook your pasta according to the directions on the bag, in salted water. Drain well.
  • Add the wine, chicken broth, and cream and cook until bubbly.
    Then add 2 cups of the cheese, and cook on low heat for one minute.
  • Stir in the tomatoes, bacon, pepper, and the pasta. Stir until the pasta is well coated in the sauce.
  • Top each portion of pasta with additional cheese.
Keyword pappardelle, pecorino, truffle
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Lemon Butter Fettuccine with Artichokes

Lemon Butter Fettuccine with Artichokes

Lemon Butter Fettuccini with Artichokes is a great meatless meal that the whole family will enjoy. Although my young children rejected many vegetables, for some reason they both always liked artichokes. So, I’m always looking for recipes that incorporate them, when they’re in season. The