Category: Italian

Easy Baked Pasta

A simple choice for times when you want something more than just pasta, but don’t have the time to make a lasagna. Turn the oven to 375°. Select a two- or three-quart casserole dish (such as a 9x12x2″ glass baker). Combine the pasta and tomato sauce and stir together. Layer half of the pasta into

Focaccia

I wish I had known twenty years ago that we could have home-made focaccia as often as we wanted and with just fifteen minutes of effort. Start by making a basic no-knead bread dough: this step takes less than ten minutes. In a large bowl, mix three cups of all-purpose flour, a teaspoon and a

Alfredo Sauce

Alfredo is about as simple (and rich) as a cream sauce can get. It takes less than ten minutes from start to end. The original recipe for Alfredo sauce called for butter, Parmesan cheese, and some of the starchy water that was used to cook the pasta, but nowadays nearly everyone uses cream instead. You

Fresh Tomato Sauce

Recipe Red onion, one large or two small Bell peppers, two or three Finely chop the onion and peppers, or Cuisinart them to small even pieces. Plum tomatoes, around a dozen or more Finely chop the tomatoes, or Cuisinart them to small even pieces. Place tomatoes in a bowl. Add some salt and stir. Set

French Bread Pizza

While far from the traditional style, these are a quick and popular dish. Recipe Basic tomato sauce, or any variation, one batch I prefer a thick sauce for this, with more vegetables than usual, and perhaps cut into pieces or strips that are larger than normal. You’re likely to have some sauce left over, or

Lasagne with Tomato and Cheese

An Italian classic. Recipe Basic tomato sauce, or any variation, one batch Cook the sauce. Pasta, sheets or lasagne strips, dried or fresh, 1 pound or so You don’t need to boil the pasta; as long as your sauce is liquid enough, it will cook in the oven. A large baking dish, oven-safe casserole, or

Risotto

Italian creamy seasoned rice. Recipe A large saucepot and a big spoon Olive oil Pine nuts, a cup or so Put the saucepot on high heat. Pour in a very small amount of olive oil in and swirl the pan around to lightly coat the bottom. Add the pine nuts. Cook for a couple of

Basic Tomato Sauce

Italian basic. Recipe Yellow onion, one large or two small Coarsely chop the onion. Garlic, from half to a complete head Crush, peel, and mince the garlic. A large saucepot and a big spoon Olive oil Put the saucepot on high heat. Pour in olive oil to lightly coat the bottom of the pan. Put