Ham and Asparagus Carbonara

This is a lovely dish served with a bread crumb topping and sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.  The recipe makes about 6 cups, but you could 1/2 it for less people.

For the topping:

3/4 c. fresh bread crumbs(just put a little bread in a food processor and grind it)

1 T. olive oil

1/4 c. minced parsley

1 T. lemon zest

Heat oil in skillet, add other ingredients and cook until golden.  Set aside.

For the carbonara cook:

8 oz. spaghetti

1 1/2 c. asparagus, sliced into piece

Fill a large saucepan with water, bring to boil.  Add spaghetti and cook 10 minutes.  Add asparagus and cook an additional 2-3 minutes.  Save 1/4 c. of the pasta water.  Drain.

For the carbonara sauce:

2 eggs

3/4 c. Parmesan cheese

1/3 c. heavy cream

Beat eggs well.  Then beat in cream.  Mix in cheese. 

other ingredients:

2 T. olive oil

1/3 c. minced onion

1 T. minced garlic

2 c. diced ham

1/4 c. white wine

After browning the bread crumbs aand removing from skillet, add oil, onion, garlic and ham to skillet.  Cook over medium heat about 7 minutes.  Add wine and allow to reduce.  Mix in hot cooked spaghetti and asparagus.  Take off heat.  Stir in sauce ingredients off the heat.  Stir in pasta water.  Continue to stir until sauce thickens slightly.

Serve in a bowl with a sprinkling of bread crumbs and some parmesan cheese on top.

One Pot Cheesy Ham and Penne

I am still working my way through my leftover ham from Easter.  This was a very easy recipe.  It makes quite a lot so if you have a small family you may want to 1/2 the recipe. 

1 T. olive oil
1/2 c. chopped onion
3 cloves of garlic, minced
3 c. cubed ham
1 T. parsley
2 t. Italian seasoning
1/2 t. red pepper flakes
3 c. chicken broth
2 c. half and half
1/4 c. flour
16 oz. mini penne noodles
2 c. frozen peas, defrosted
2 c. frozen broccoli, defrosted and chopped
2 c. Parmesan cheese.

Place olive oil in a Dutch oven and add onion and ham.  Saute until onions are transparent.  Add garlic and cook another minute or two.  Stir in broth, milk, flour and noodles.  Bring to a simmer and cook 10-15 minutes or until noodles are al dente.  Add peas, broccoli and seasonings.  Heat for another 5 minutes, then stir in cheese. 

Mediterranean Spinach Ravioli with Chicken Feta Sausage

This was a recipe from Eating Well that I changed up a bit for our own tastes.  If you want a delicious vegetarian meal-just leave out the sausage.  This makes plenty for 2 with leftovers for lunch.  It is hardy enough to served alone or with a salad or slice of bread for a full meal.

1# chicken feta sausage links, cut into slices
1 can artichoke hearts, drained
1 can cannelloni beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 c. chopped oil packed sun dried tomatoes
1/4 c. chopped kalamata olives
1/4 c. chopped fresh basil
zest from one lemon
juice from one lemon
1 pkg. spinach ravioli
feta for sprinkling
 1/2 c. pine nuts
  2 T. olive oil
feta cheese (optional)
Brown sausage and  pine nuts in a large skillet with olive oil.  Add artichokes, beans, basil, sun dried tomatoes, olives lemon zest and juice.Warm together.  Cook ravioli, drain and add to skillet.  Warm together.  Serve in bowls with a sprinkle of feta cheese if desired.

Pancetta and Shrimp Fettucine in a Creamy Lemon Sauce

Shall we say...YUM.  This is such an easy recipe, and so delicious.  Serve it up with a nice salad and bread and you have a restaurant quality dinner.

10 shrimp
1 c. chopped pancetta
1 T. olive oil
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 c. chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 c. heavy cream or 1/2 and 1/2
zest of one lemon
1/3 c. lemon juice
pinch of nutmeg
1 T. dried parsley
1/2 T. dried basil
1 c. shredded Parmesan cheese

Put oil in a fry pan with pancetta and garlic.  Brown pancetta, then drain off all fat.  Add chicken broth and lemon to the pan.  Bring to a simmer, and continue cooking 5 minutes. Stir in lemon zest, all spices, cream and shrimp.  Simmer 5 more minutes.  Add in Parmesan cheese and stir well to blend as it melts.

Serve over hot cooked fettucine noodles.

Rachael Ray Spaghetti and Meatballs

This is a delightful recipe from Rachael Rays's Comfort Food cookbook.  It is quick to make and delicious.

1/2# ground beef
1/2# pork sausage
OR 1# Italian sausage
1/2 c. bread crumbs
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1 t. Italian seasoning
1 egg
1 clove garlic, minced
Mix all ingredients well.  Form into meatballs.  Put a little olive oil in a frying pan.  Add meatballs and brown well.
Drain off any fat.

Add
28 oz. diced tomatoes
1/2 c. red wine or beef broth
1 t. oregano
2 T.parsley
1/2 t. crushed red pepper
Simmer until liquid reduces-about 10 minutes

Serve over cooked spaghetti noodles.

One Pot Italian Sausage Rotini

Who doesn’t like a one pot meal?  Way lee cleanup, plus easy prep.   This one provides a family friendly dinner in under 30 minutes.

8 oz. dried rotini

3 Italian sausage links, cut into slices

1/2 c. Chopped onion

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 green pepper, diced

2 T. Italian seasoning

1 15 oz. can tomatoes

1 small can tomato paste

2 c. Vegetable broth

1/2 c. Parmesan cheese

1/2 c. Mozzarella cheese

Put sausage, onion, garlic and peppers into a Dutch oven or very large skillet.  Cook until the meat is thoroughly cooked.  Add in tomatoes, tomato paste, seasoning, broth and rotini.  Bring to a boil, cover and simmer 10 minutes.  Stir in cheeses.

Cheesy Seafood Pasta Bake

This creamy, cheesy casserole comes in at only 320 calories a serving.  If you want to serve it straight from the cooking pan, you can skip baking it in the oven.

3 c. large shells, cooked
1 1/2 c. evaporated milk
1 c. chicken or vegetable broth
2 T. cornstarch
1 T. olive oil
3 stalk celery, sliced
2 c. sliced mushrooms
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 c. cheddar cheese
2 T. cream cheese
1 1/2 t. Old Bay seasoning
2 c. peas and carrots
12 oz. shrimp
8 oz. crab meat

Mix mik, broth and cornstarch in a bowl or large liquid measuring container.  Heat oil in a saute pan.  Add mushroom, garlic, and celery.  Cook about 5 minutes, then add in the carrots and peas.  Cook an additional 3-4 minutes.  Add in the milk mixture, and stir as it thickens.  Stir in cream cheese and cheddar cheese.  Stir in the cooked shells.  Serve as is or put in a 11 x 8 in. baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Mushroom Garlic Herb Spaghetti

The sauce on this spaghetti is super easy to make and is creamy deliciousness.  Serve this with a side salad, and a slice of french bread and you have a hearty meal.

1# mushrooms, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 T. butter
1 c. milk
2 T. flour
6 T. cream cheese
1 c. Parmesan cheese.
1/4 c. each of chopped basil and parsley
spaghetti

Melt the butter in a fry pan, add in mushrooms and garlic.  Saute about 5 minutes.  Stir in the flour and then the milk.  Stir well.  Add the cream cheese, and mix until cream cheese melts and sauce thickens.  Stir in Parmesan cheese.  Keep warm over low heat.

Cook your spaghetti in a pot of boiling water for about 10-12 minutes.  Drain and then mix in with the sauce.  Sprinkle herbs on top and serve.

Monterey Chicken Spaghetti

I found this recipe on Pinterest, but as is my way-changed it up just a bit to my way of cooking.  This is not super quick and easy, but could be in the oven in about 30 minutes.  Plan an hour for the whole thing from start to finish.  You could always add some crumbled bacon on the top with the onions during the last 5 minutes of baking time.

This makes an 8 x 8" baking pan.

6 oz. spaghetti
1 chicken breast
1 c. Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded
1 1/2 c. chopped fresh spinach
1 c. chopped cooked broccoli
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese or 2 T. nutritional yeast
1/2 c. sour cream
1 egg
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 T. chopped chives
1 6 oz. can french fried onions

In a large sauce pan bring 2-3 c. water to boil.  Add spaghetti and cook about 9 minutes.  Drain
In a bowl combine the egg, sour cream, mushroom soup, Parmesan cheese or yeast, spinach, broccoli and chives.  Stir in the spaghetti.  Spray and 8 x 8" baking dish with cooking spray.  Put all the chicken mixture into the dish.  Sprinkle with 1/4 c. onions.  Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Uncover, sprinkle with remaining onions and cook an additional 5 minutes.

Spaghetti Pie

Just another way to serve up classic spaghetti and sauce.

1#ground beef
1/2 c. Chopped onion
1 red pepper, chopped
2 t. Italian seasoning
1 garlic clove, minced
16 oz. chopped tomatoes
1 small tomato paste
10 oz. spaghetti
2 eggs
1/2 c. Shredded Parmesan cheese

Bring 6 c. Water to boil.  Add spaghetti and cook until al dente.  Drain.  Mix in eggs and Parmesan cheese.  Butter a pie plate.  Place spaghetti in bottom and sides of pan.  Refrigerate until cool.
In a large saucepan cook ground beef, onion, pepper and garlic.  Add tomatoes and sauce.  Put sauce over the pasta .  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Sprinkle with 1 c. Mozzarella cheese.  Bake until cheese melts.  Let sit 5 minutes before servings.

Lemon Garlic Chicken Penne

A lovely fresh taste of lemon with pesto, sun dried tomatoes, chicken and pasta make a delicious and easy dinner.  Just allow an extra 30 minutes to marinade the chicken before preparing.

1 lemon, zested
1/4 c. lemon juice
1 garlic clove, minced
Mix all together as a marinade.  Add in
1 skinless boneless chicken breast, cut into thin strips
Marinate for 30 minutes.
In a saucepan boil enough water to cover 2 c. penne.  Bring water to boil, add past and boil for 12 minutes.  Drain.
In a saute pan heat 1 T. olive oil.
Take chicken out of marinade and add to pan.  Add in
1 c. diced zucchini.
Saute for 30 minutes.
Add:  pasta to pan and..
1/4 c. chicken broth
2 c. fresh spinach
1/8 t. red pepper flakes
Saute until spinach wilts.
Serve with shredded Parmesan cheese on top.

Instapot/Pressure cooker Mac And Cheese with Ham

This is a creamy, yummy bowl of comfort food.  If you must have the crunchy bread or cracker crumbs on top you can always put the completed mac and cheese in a casserole dish with topping and bake for 15 minutes.  This recipe comes from The Instapot Cookbook.

2 c. elbow macaroni
4 oz. cream cheese
3 c. shredded sharp Cheddar Cheese
3/4 c. half and half
3 c. water
2 T. chopped green onion
1 C. ham cubes
1 T. butter
1 c. peas (optional)
Put macaroni, water, butter and green onions into the instapot.  Put on manual and set for 2 minutes with the pressure relief valve closed.  Let set for 5 minutes after cooking and release pressure.  Take off lid and add the half and half, cheese, cream cheese, ham, and peas.  Put setting on Saute and cook until all the cheese melts.

Spaghetti Bruschetta

A light simple pasta dish for those hot days.  This recipe will make enough for 2 servings.  I chose to prepare it without meat but you could add meat if your prefer.

1 c. cooked spaghetti
1 shallot, or 1/4 red onion, chopped
2 tomatoes, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 c. chopped fresh basil
2 t. olive oil
Mix all ingredients well.  When serving top with a splash of

balsamic vinegar

If desired you can also add some fresh mozzarella balls or sprinkle with mozzarella.  I also added some black olives.