You’ll love Pasta al Forno with Smoked Mozzarella! Make this baked rigatoni recipe when you want a special meal but don’t have time for lasagna. This family favorite can be ready in 45 minutes and happens to be vegetarian! A quick Italian lesson: Forno is pronounced “forrno,” and simply means “oven.” So, this is a…
Pasta
Alfredo Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
Alfredo Pumpkin Pasta Sauce features a delicious combination of pumpkin puree, cream, Parmesan, Romano, garlic and sage! You’ll love this easy pumpkin Alfredo recipe that’s ready in 15 minutes or less! Serve it over pasta or zoodles. My pumpkin-hating hubby LOVES this creamy pasta sauce. Because anyone who loves my Alfredo sauce can’t resist this…
Pasta with Broccoli
Pasta with Broccoli is a one-pot meal ready in about 45 minutes! The broccoli is cooked down until it envelopes the pasta in a garlicky sauce. You’ll love this authentic Italian recipe from Naples! For the love of broccoli, you need to make this. Pasta with broccoli is one of my favorite vegetarian meals, one…
Pasta e Piselli (Pasta with Peas)
Pasta e Piselli (Pasta with Peas) is my favorite one-pot meal from Naples! It’s ready in less than 30 minutes! Add bacon if you wish, and don’t miss the video! Pasta is my life. I publish other recipes to keep everyone interested, but I secretly wonder, “Can I post another pasta dish now?” I vote…
Pasta with Zucchini
A cross between soup and a pasta dish, Pasta with Zucchini is Italian comfort food at its best! A one-pot meal ready in 35 minutes! Based on a family recipe from Naples. Pasta is my ultimate comfort food. This dish is one of my favorites! If you know me and have ever asked me what…
Leftover Spaghetti Frittata
Leftover Spaghetti Frittata is one of the best things in life! You can start with cold, cooked pasta out of your fridge or boil some just to make this authentic Italian dish! It’s great for picnics, lunches and brunches. Are there certain foods that symbolize summer for you? Maybe it’s tomatoes, blueberries, or homemade ice…
Homemade Alfredo Sauce with Garlic
You’ll love this easy, Homemade Alfredo Sauce with Garlic! It’s got a creamy, velvety texture and huge flavor from Parmesan and Romano. Try this Alfredo recipe with pasta, chicken or zoodles! Gluten free. A few months ago, a reader asked if I have an Alfredo sauce recipe. I told her I didn’t but would add…
Spaghetti Bolognese
I tested this Spaghetti Bolognese recipe over and over to get the best flavor! It’s made with half sausage, half beef and just enough tomato, the way authentic Bolognese sauce should be! I’m pretty sure my blood type is B for Bolognese right now. (I’m actually type A, but that’s another story.) Anyhoo, I tested…
Pasta with Pecorino and Pepper (Cacio e Pepe)
Pasta with Pecorino and Pepper (Cacio e Pepe) hails from Rome and delivers big flavor in 25 minutes. A zesty, cheesy pasta dish with just five ingredients (including the cooking water used in the sauce)! This is the pasta dish you didn’t realize was missing from your life. And once you experience its delicious, brilliant…
Italian Mac and Cheese (Stovetop)
You’ll love this creamy Italian Mac and Cheese with cheddar, Parmesan, a hint of garlic and fresh basil! A delicious, stovetop meal ready in 25 minutes! Plus, a ridiculous story to go with it. As of this week, I’ve been married to my hubby for exactly half of my life. That’s 24 years of marriage,…
Homemade Manicotti
Every Italian food lover needs a great recipe for homemade manicotti! Make your crepes from scratch (it’s not hard!) and load them with a four-cheese and spinach filling. Top them with my marinara sauce! Guess what? This is my first post for Food Fanatic, where I’ll be a regular contributor! I’ll be the Italian Food…
Linguine with Creamy Walnut Sauce
We love this easy Linguine with Creamy Walnut Sauce, based on a dish we ate near Genoa. Just throw the mascarpone and other sauce ingredients in the food processor or blender and give them a whirl! Once upon a time, my family and I ate the most heavenly linguine with creamy walnut sauce while on…
Mom’s Pesto with Pecorino Romano
Mom’s Pesto with Pecorino Romano is the best! It’ll become your go-to recipe for basil pesto sauce! My family’s been eating pesto since 1982…long before it was cool to eat pesto in America. And, while it seems every grocery store, food blog and Italian restaurant features basil pesto nowadays, I have to say I’ve never…
Pasta Carbonara with Shallots
Pasta Carbonara with Shallots can be on your table in under 25 minutes! Eggs, bacon, Parmesan, Romano and shallots combine to make a delicious, creamy sauce for linguine, spaghetti or fettuccine. Ahhh, all is right again on my blog, because…pasta! I’ve finally figured out how to make carbonara that isn’t dry nor full of bacon…
Our Favorite Pasta Salad
Our favorite pasta salad was love at first bite. Since we tried this a few years ago, there’s been no reason to even consider trying another version. Hello, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, black olives and more tomatoes, combined with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic and fresh basil. Yum! For the record, I’ve never been a fan…
Easy Spinach-Walnut Pesto
You just need five minutes to make this Easy Spinach-Walnut Pesto! It makes a great pasta sauce or pizza topping. Someday, I’ll have to share Mom’s basil pesto with you, and the story that goes with it. Of course, that will require lots of fresh basil, which I don’t have. (Hello, herd of deer that…
Bucatini with Clams and White Wine
I’m pulling out the good dishes, folks. On this day, 25 years ago, I met the man who would become my husband. (Yes, there’s a story coming.) So, I made bucatini with clams and white wine, which works well as a delicious weeknight meal, even without the fancy china. In the time it takes to…
Traditional Lasagna
This Traditional Lasagna is my favorite family recipe! It’s loaded with ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan and Romano, plus the most flavorful meat filling! Top it with marinara or pork rib tomato sauce and prepare to swoon. Without a doubt, traditional lasagna is among my top 10 favorite foods. I mean, it’s what I would request for…
Fettuccine with Peanut-Sunflower Sauce
No, this is not an Italian recipe. But I crave pasta so often that sometimes, I need to go the Asian route to bring some variety to my diet. This fettuccine with peanut-sunflower sauce takes 20 minutes and is a nice change of pace. There are many peanut sauce recipes out there, but I’ve taken…
Pasta e Fagioli
Surprise! I have another pasta recipe for you. Truth be told, I could have an entire blog dedicated to pasta. I crave pasta nearly every day and have to eat it at least three times a week. (Are you like that with certain foods?) And, there are times when only a comforting bowl of pasta…
Penne alla Vodka with Bacon
My Penne all Vodka with Bacon features pomegranate vodka for the best vodka sauce ever! You must try this recipe that’s a huge family favorite! They say that necessity is the mother of invention. I can vouch for that. My Penne alla Vodka with Bacon was born the evening I couldn’t find the plain vodka….
