Garlic Toasted Open Faced Lasagna Ciabattas

Here I am again late Sunday night, time flies huh? We had a nice pretty relaxing weekend. Went to the movies, dinner, swam with the family, I got a great pedicure with my father in law and sister in laws (thanks Reed!) and even fit in a little heated yoga (heaven knows I needed it after those brownie cups!)

I made this fun new twist on lasagna a few days ago and we absolutely loved them! It’s got all the great lasagna flavors piled on top of a warm garlic toasted ciabatta rolls, talk about yummy! Add a salad on the side and you’ve got a fun dinner idea that the family is sure to love!

I told you my summer recipes were going to be on the quick and easy side, so yes, I used a jar of store bought pasta sauce. I’m not prideful when it comes to saving some time, and I have to admit, if you add some fresh basil to a jar of Classico, it really gives it a fresh homemade taste.

If you have a hard time finding my favorite garlic ciabatta rolls from Walmart, no worries, any good crusty loaf of bread will do. This is another can’t mess up type of recipe, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s quick and easy! One tip though: Splurge on the fresh mozzarella for the top, really makes a difference! Hope everyone has a great week. Happy Cooking!

Garlic Toasted Open Faced Lasagna Ciabattas

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 lb ground Italian Sausage
1 26 oz jar of your favorite pasta sauce (I used Classico)
8 leaves fresh basil, chopped (taste great if you have them, but not necessary)

15 oz container ricotta cheese
½ Cup grated parmesan cheese
1 Cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon Italian Seasoning

8 garlic roasted ciabatta rolls (I get them from Super Walmart)
1 ball fresh mozzarella cheese

Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place oil into a medium dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Cook sausage until browned, about 5-7 minutes; reserve ¼ Cup of sausage for ricotta. Reduce heat to low and stir in pasta sauce and basil leaves. Simmer for 15 minutes.

2. Place reserved ¼ Cup sausage, ricotta, parmesan, mozzarella, salt, pepper and Italian Seasoning into a medium bowl. Stir to combine.

3. Split each ciabatta roll and place cut side up onto a large baking sheet. Spread ricotta mixture over each roll, about ¼ Cup (*you probably won't use all of ricotta.). Top with a couple spoonfuls of pasta sauce, and fresh mozzarella cheese.

4. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cheese is melted and hot. Remove, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve.

*If you don't use all of your ricotta, save it and use it in a pasta dish for later in the week. I made a baked pasta dish where I stuffed the ricotta in the middle of some penne with red sauce, it was great.

You Looking At Me?

I was cracking up when I saw some of these pictures of my pasta. I swear they are looking right at me. Girlfriend spent one too many hours at the dental convention yesterday!! Slides and slides of oral cancer get to you after a while! Don't smoke or chew people! However, it was nice to catch up with some of my friends from hygiene school. Go class of 2001!

A few weeks ago, we got some take out from Fazolli's, which I hadn't been to in years, and it was actually really good. I ordered a Romano Rigatoni pasta that was surprisingly tasty. I made my own version of the pasta the other night, added a few extras and I enjoyed it even better, check it out, nice easy and cheesy!

Remember when I said I make "Florentine" dishes often? I wasn't joking. It is so good and why not add spinach whenever you can right? I tell my boys they'll be strong like Popeye and it works everytime. My 2 year old even likes it on his peanut butter and Jelly Sandwiches. Sick huh?!

Hope everyone has a nice weekend! AZ is going to be beautiful the next few days, even a little toasty. Summer is coming quick!

Baked Rigatoni Romano Florentine with Italian Sausage

1/2 lb dry Rigatoni pasta

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 large onion, finely chopped
1 small red bell pepper, finely diced
4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
3/4 lb Italian Hot Sausage
Pinch of salt and fresh ground pepper
3 Cups fresh baby spinach leaves, coarsely chopped
2 14 oz cans diced fire roasted tomatoes with garlic
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
8 fresh basil leaves, stacked, rolled and thinly sliced (chiffonade)
Pinch of salt and fresh ground pepper
1/4 Cup fresh grated Romano Cheese
2 Cups shredded mozzarella Cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and set aside. Heat oil into a large dutch oven or other large pot. Saute onion and red bell pepper for 5 minutes or until softened, stirring frequently. Stir in garlic, sausage, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until sausage is cooked through.

2. Add spinach leaves and cook until wilted down. Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil leaves, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Add cooked pasta, stir to combine, then transfer to a 9x13inch baking dish. Sprinkle top with Romano Cheese and mozzarella Cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Enjoy!

Double Mozzarella Turkey Burgers with an Artichoke Remoulade and Crispy Pancetta

It's hard to keep up with all the fun food events going on, but I had a recipe in mind for "Festa Italiana."

Proud Italian Cook and Finding La Dolce Vita put on an "Italian" Event this month that sounded like fun, since my family eats Italian at least 1/2 of the week! Both these ladies have beautiful Italian Blogs, be sure to check them out!

I've certainly never been trained how to cook authentic Italian Food, but I love to make Italian Style dishes. All the ingredients are phenomenal.

The crispy pancetta and arugula are 2 of my favorite parts of the burger. Even my boys enjoyed these. The roasted garlic and sun dried tomatoes bring a nice Italian flare to the turkey burger itself and fresh little mozzarella balls are stuffed then melted in the middle of the burgers that you don't find until it oozes out as you bite into it. Is there anything better than marinated artichoke hearts??!! I could seriously eat the artichoke remoulade with a spoon.

These mini ciabatta rolls were so cute that I found at Sprouts, they are just a little bigger than a slider, which was just enough. Bon Appetite!

Double Mozzarella Turkey Burgers with an Artichoke Remoulade and Crispy Pancetta

1 lb ground turkey
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
½ Cup finely chopped white onion
3 cloves roasted garlic
2 Tablespoons chopped sun dried tomatoes, oil packed and drained
5 dashes of Tabasco Hot Sauce

6 fresh mozzarella balls, about ½ inch, marinated in olive oil

6 slices fresh mozzarella cheese 1/4 inch thick
6 mini ciabatta rolls, or other mini crusty rolls, split

½ Cup mayonnaise
1/4 Cup chopped artichoke hearts (marinated in olive oil, drained)

2 Cups fresh arugula leaves
6 slices of tomato
1 Cup diced pancetta, browned (Place in a skillet heated to medium-high and cook until browned, about 5 minutes)

1. Preheat a grill pan or outside grill to medium heat. Place turkey, salt, pepper, onion, garlic, sun dried tomatoes and hot sauce in a large bowl. With hands or large spoon mix until combined. Form into 6 equal size patties, pressing a mozzarella ball into the center of each burger. Grill each patty for about 5 minutes each side or until cooked through. During the last few minutes of grilling, place a slice of mozzarella cheese on top of burgers to melt.

2. Lightly toast rolls, cut side down on grill. Combine mayonnaise and artichoke hearts in a medium bowl until well combined. Spread artichoke remoulade on both sides of rolls. Layer bottom rolls with arugula leaves, a burger, a tomato slice, crisped pancetta and top with top rolls.

6 medium size burgers

Mozzarella Stuffed Meatball Hoagies

My little guy has been asking for spaghetti and meatballs for the last few days, so I thought I'd make some. I've had these little mozzarella balls in my fridge for the last week and needed to use them up, so here they are stuffed inside the meatballs.

After I made my boys their noodles for their spaghetti, I thought meatball hoagies sounded like a better idea for my husband and I since I had been making pasta so much.

I bought these yummy garlic ciabatta rolls from Walmart. They were so good, they tasted just like crispy garlic toast. I broiled them in the oven with some provolone cheese until nice and toasty.

Hot and steamy, ready to be eaten!

Here's those little mozzarella balls. They are marinated in olive oil. I can't remember where I got these, but most grocery stores carry them. I know Trader Joe's carries them.

Mozzarella Stuffed Meatball Hoagies

1 lb ground beef
1 egg
2 Tablespoons milk
1 Tablespoon Tabasco Hot Sauce
½ Cup Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs
½ Cup grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon dried basil

12-15 1 inch mozzarella balls (marinated in olive oil)
1 26oz jar favorite pasta sauce, or homemade sauce
4-6 Garlic Ciabatta Rolls, or other rolls of choice, cut in half
4 sliced provolone cheese, each cut into halves

1. Preheat oven to 350. Place beef, egg, milk, hot sauce, bread crumbs, parmesan, salt, pepper, oregano and basil in a large bowl. With hands or large spoon, mix until well combined.

2. Scoop about ¼ Cup meat mixture in hands; press 1 mozzarella ball into middle of meat and form a ball around the cheese. Do this until all meat and cheese is used up; makes about 12-15 large meatballs.

3. Place all meatballs into a 9x13 inch baking dish that has ¼ Cup olive oil spread into bottom. Bake for 20 minutes; flip all meatballs. Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through.

4. Place pasta sauce into a large pot. Place cooked meatballs in sauce. Simmer on low heat.

5. Place ½ slice of provolone onto the cut sides of rolls. Place onto tin foil or baking sheet and broil in oven for 1-2 minutes or until rolls are toasted and cheese is melted.

6. Place 3-4 meatballs onto bottom halves of toasted rolls. Spoon pasta sauce over meatballs and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Close with top roll and serve warm.

Cheesy Stuffed Baked Ziti

Well, so much for my great pilates workout last night. I blew it after I ate this for dinner. This is one of my boys favorite dinners'. They just call it spaghetti and meatballs, and can't get enough. I love the oozing ricotta filling right in the middle, it's a great weeknight quick meal for the family. Use any pasta sauce your family likes or make your own homemade sauce if you are feeling ambitious!

Check it out, it's soooo yummy. I wish I could say it was fat free!

Cheesy Stuffed Baked Ziti

1 lb ziti pasta noodles
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 small bell pepper of choice, finely chopped
½ medium onion, finely chopped
1 lb ground beef
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 26oz jar Classico Pasta Sauce
1 15 oz container Ricotta Cheese
1 Cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ Cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pinch salt, pepper
2 Cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Cook pasta noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Place olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Saute bell pepper and onion until softened, about 5 minutes. Brown beef. Add pasta sauce, reduce heat to low and stir in noodles.
3. Place ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, salt and pepper into a large bowl. Stir until well combined.
4. Place ½ pasta into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spoon ricotta mixture evenly over pasta, covering entire dish. Pour remaining pasta over cheese, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

8 servings

Italian Meatball Sliders

These make a fun little dinner and they are full of flavor. I jazzed up a store bought sauce, but you can make a homemade sauce if you'd like. Make a side of pasta to use for the extra sauce. The kids loved these! They thought it was a cool hamburger with lots of ketchup. Enjoy!

Italian Meatball Sliders

3-4 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 lb lean ground beef
½ Cup finely chopped white onion
¼ Cup packed thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
2 Tablespoons finely chopped sun dried tomatoes, oil packed, drained
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ Cup Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs (or you can make your own fresh crumbs)
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 Tablespoon Tabasco hot sauce
1 egg
2 Tablespoons milk

Sauce
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
¼ Cup finely chopped white onion
¼ Cup finely chopped red or green bell pepper
2 Cloves garlic, minced
1 jar of your favorite Pasta Sauce, I used Classico
¼ Cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

12 fresh basil leaves
½ Cup fresh grated parmesan cheese

1. Place olive oil into 9x13 inch baking dish and swirl to coat bottom surface. Combine all meatball ingredients in a large bowl until well combined. Take about ¼ Cup handful of meat mixture and roll into ball. Align all into baking sheet.
2. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until cooked through. Half way through bake time, use fork to flip meatballs.
3. Place olive oil into a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion and bell pepper until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, sauce and basil leaves. Reduce heat to low and simmer until serving.
4. Brush insides of rolls with extra virgin olive oil and broil for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown.
5. Place a basil leaf onto bottom roll, a meatball, a spoonful of marinara sauce and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Close with top roll. Enjoy!

Makes about 12 little sliders

Stuffed Shells....Mmmm

I was so happy tonight eating these stuffed shells for dinner. This makes a great Sunday dinner or any day of the week if you are ambitious. This looks like alot of work, but it's not that bad. Totally worth it. My recipe calls for a homemade sauce, but you can always use a store bought pasta sauce to speed this dish up. I just happened to have time today. The kids love this all cut up in a bowl. So yummy. Enjoy!

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
¼ Cup finely chopped white onion
1 lb lean ground beef
Pinch salt and pepper

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 small white onion, finely chopped
½ Cup finely chopped bell pepper of choice (red, green or orange)
4 cloves garlic, minced
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
Small can tomato sauce
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
¼ teaspoon dry oregano
Pinch of granulated sugar
8 large fresh basil leaves, stacked, rolled and thinly sliced (or you can chop it)

1 Box large pasta shells

15 oz container of Ricotta Cheese
½ Cup grated parmesan cheese
1 ½ Cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 Cup reserved cooked ground beef
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 egg, beaten

¼ Cup parmesan cheese
1 ½ Cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Place olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onions for 3-5 minutes or until softened. Add ground beef, salt and pepper. Cook until browned. Reserve 1 Cup beef for cheese filling. Set aside.

2. Place olive oil in another large skillet or pot over medium heat. Saute onion, bell peppers, and garlic for 3-5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, oregano, sugar and basil leaves. Reduce heat to low and add beef. Simmer for at least 30 minutes.

3. Cook pasta shells according to package directions. Drain. I like to lay out a large piece of foil on my counter top, sprayed with cooking spray and lay each shell on the foil. Lightly spray the shells with cooking spray.

4. Place ricotta, parmesan, mozzarella, beef, salt, pepper and egg in a large bowl. Mix until well combined.

5. Place a few spoonfuls of meat sauce into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread to coat bottom. Fill each shell with about 2-3 Tablespoons of filling and line in baking dish. Pour remaining sauce over shells. Sprinkle with parmesan then mozzarella Cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted and sauce bubbly.

6-8 servings

Tillamook Mac and Cheese 2006

(picture from Tillamook.com website)

http://www.tillamook.com/Recipes/Detail/Four_Cheese_Chicken_Florentine_Tortellini.aspx

This was a great cook-off. It started in Phoenix where I won and landed a spot in the National Mac and Cheese Cook-Off in Portland. We had the best time sight seeing in Portland. I came out with 2nd Place