Showing posts with label Italian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Italian. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Quick & Easy Homemade Bruschetta

I made pasta for dinner last night and I remembered I used to make this really easy homemade bruschetta bread. It tastes really good (Jeff was a big fan) and it's super easy to make. It's also a nice way to "spice up" a simple meal like spaghetti.

Ingredients

Sliced bread (I like using 100% whole wheat best)
Spaghetti Sauce
Mozzarella Cheese
Tomatoe (slices)
Italian Seasoning

1. Turn on your oven to broil
2. Take a slice of bread and spread thinly with spaghetti sauce
3. Sprinkle with Mozzarella cheese (or add slice of cheese)
4. Add thin slice of tomato
5. Top with Italian Seasoning
6. Broil until cheese melts and sides start to get a little dark
7. Enjoy!!

Friday, February 8, 2008

Baked Ravioli

I got this one from my sister who got it from Martha Stewart. It is easy & one of my favorite dishes to make AND eat! Plus, the sauce is like a homemade marinara sauce & would be good with any Italian or pasta dish you like; chicken parmesan, spaghetti & meatballs, etc... I love it!


2 Tblsp. Olive Oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 tsp. dried thyme, or oregano
1 can (28 oz) whole tomatoes
2 lbs. store-bought cheese ravioli (I like the small round ones instead of the big square ones)
1/2 c. grated parmesan
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 1/2 c. shredded mozzarella
course salt & ground pepper, to taste


Preheat oven to 425*. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion & garlic, & season w/ salt & pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened (about 5 minutes). Add thyme & tomatoes. Bring to boil, reduce heat, & simmer, breaking tomatoes with a spoon, until sauce is thickened & reduced to about 5 1/2 cups. (20-25 minutes)

Meanwhite, cook ravioli in large pot of boiling water (salted) just until they float to the top. Drain pasta; return to pot.

Toss sauce with pasta. Pour pasta into a large gratin dish or 9x13 baking dish, & sprinkle with cheeses. Bake until golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.


NOTE: I actually leave the thyme/oregano out. I don't always love those tastes very strong, and I think it tastes awesome without it. Also, if you want to add meat to this dish you can. I tried the other day adding 1 pound of ground sausage and it was really good! I cooked the sausage on the stove, tossed it with the ravioli & sauce & stuck it all in the oven. So you can have it vegetarian or add whatever kind of meat you'd prefer -the perfect meal! :) Enjoy!