Cuisine: Pasta
Mexican Taco Macaroni
This crowd-pleasing Mexican Taco Macaroni is super fast and easy and all made in one skillet.
- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Yields: 4 - 6 Servings
Rigatoni in Woodsman’s Sauce
Last night, I felt like cooking something new and different. I grabbed a random cookbook and opened a random page and made dinner. Here is what happened. It was a huge success and hit with the family.
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Yields: 4 Servings
Pasta Florentine
Florentine, or the term à la Florentine, refers to a recipe that is prepared in the style of the Italian region of Florence. Over the years it has come to mean cuisine that includes spinach as an ingredient. I love making this for a crowd because it is vegetarian. This is a recipe that I have adapted over the years from a cookbook that my aunt Marjorie gave me from New Orleans called Artist's Palate Cookbook, New Orleans Museum of Art.
- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 40 mins
- Yields: 8 - 10 Servings
Frittata with Italian Sausage, Spaghetti & Tomatoes
I have made many frittatas in my day. It's a great way to use up leftovers. I found a recipe for spaghetti frittata in an elevator in downtown Los Angeles (you will have to click on the link). Anyway, I made this version last night and it was really good and very easy. What I like about frittatas in general, is that they can be eaten hot, warm, room temperature or cold.
- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Yields: 6 - 8 Servings
Classic Baked Macaroni & Cheese
Every Monday, I make Macaroni & Cheese for a school, for 11 years. I can only image how much macaroni I've boiled - 10 lbs per week. I guess you could say that I'm fairly good at it. However, this recipe is NOT the school recipe. That one is done on the stove top and this recipe is baked with breadcrumbs. Let's face it, there is nothing better than mac n' cheese.
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Yields: 6 - 8 Servings
Pasta with Cannellini Beans, Bacon and Kale
Don't you hate those days when you have no idea what to make for dinner? This is one of those meals I created out of what was in the pantry and fridge. You can substitute any number of things - like chickpeas and spinach, for example. I always try to have many kinds of beans on hand.
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Yields: 4 Servings
Avocado, Bacon & Basil Pasta
Avocado, Bacon & Basil Pasta - My 15 year old daughter, Grace, texted me yesterday morning and asked if she could make dinner. She even sent a shopping list. Absolutely! I love everything about this recipe. It was delicious. My other daughter, Zoe, is going to be mad when she reads this from her college dorm with no kitchen... If you are nice, Grace might make it for you when you get home! She also did wonderful mis-en-place (a French term that literally means, "setting in place", used in cooking to describe all the prep and gathering of ingredients)!
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Yields: 4 Servings
Noodles Romanoff
Noodles Romanoff is a recipe from the late 60's and early 70's, Betty Crocker sold a boxed Noodles Romanoff. My sister-in-law, Rhonda, used to love Noodles Romanoff. I have never had it, so it was a little tricky to find a recipe that would recreate the Betty Crocker version. I don't think it's made anymore. It was apparently missing the "orange glow" like the original, but otherwise was a hit. Warning - If you are lactose intolerant or on a diet, please step away!
- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Yields: 4 Servings
Artichoke Spinach Pasta Casserole
I tried this new version of artichoke spinach pasta. If it contains artichokes and lemon, then I make it.
- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Yields: 8 Servings
Cold Noodles with Chicken & Sesame Sauce
If you can't stand the heat..... I am not a sunny climate, hot weather type of person. I know this must be a shock to most of you, but it’s true. I hate the heat. Unfortunately, I live in Los Angeles. I try to think of things that I can make in the morning and pull out of the fridge for dinner. One of my go to meals on a bloody hot day is – cold noodles with sesame sauce. It’s a great dinner and it’s delicious. I always eat it with chop sticks and a very cold glass of wine!
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 40 mins
- Yields: 4 Servings