• Beef - Recipes

    Instant Pot Spaghetti

    June 18, 2020 - By 

    Over this time of quarantine, I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone and have really tried to up my Instant Pot game. I thought through what I make on a regular basis that isn’t really that great and Spaghetti actually came to mind! Yeah, my Spaghetti is never that great. The sauce ends up runny. The noodle and sauce separate. I decided maybe the Instant Pot will be all the answers to this issue. And I was right! It did fix all my issues. My spaghetti in the Instant Pot is melded together and my kids say its the best…

  • Chicken - Dinner - Pork - Recipes

    Chicken & Sausage Bowtie Pasta

    May 21, 2020 - By 

    Like I said last week on Friday Favorites post, Rob has been making this recipe for years. And with us being home and me cooking nearly every night, I’ve been pretty religious with making a menu each week. That way when lunch and dinner roll around I’m not scrambling to figure something out. The fam had asked me to add this Chicken & Sausage Bowtie Pasta to the menu. I was happy to oblige and since this was my first time making Rob helped. Can you believe it? I’m actually posting a recipe. I think it has literally been years…

  • Chicken - Dinner - Pork - Recipes

    Chicken & Bacon Pasta

    January 22, 2018 - By 

    I was super excited to throw this recipe together. However, when I placed it on the table my kids weren’t thrilled about the peas and carrots in this recipe. I told them they had to have some veggies one way or another! I, personally, like the sweetness that the peas and carrots add. After trying it, my boys said it wasn’t too bad. They ended up loving it, saying they wanted to have this at least once a week. Servings: 4 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 20 minutes Ingredients: 1 1/2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast halves cut into…

  • Recipes

    Pizza Topped Pasta

    January 17, 2018 - By 

    You know I was thinking the other day when I was cooking some pasta about back when I was growing up. If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile you probably know, or you may not know, that my Dad’s parents raised me. Now my Granddad absolutely hung the moon for me. I was a Granddad’s girl for sure. I loved so many things about Granddad. One thing was that he enjoyed cooking and he was pretty darn good at it. However, Grandmother did not relish the act of cooking and probably for that very reason, wasn’t very good at…

  • Chicken - Recipes

    Cheesy Chicken, Bacon, and Ranch Orzo

    February 24, 2016 - By 

    The other night I was craving cheesy homemade macaroni, so I was anxious to not just have it as a side. Instead wanted to make it a meal. I looked in the fridge for some inspiration. I found some bacon that needed to be used soon. After some thought, I decided to do Chicken, Bacon, and Ranch mac & cheese. However, when I looked in the pantry there was NO macaroni! The orzo that I bought months ago and haven’t figured out how to use it was staring back at me. So there ya go. I decided to give it…

  • Beef - Dinner - Recipes

    Hamburger Pasta Soup {Crockpot}

    December 1, 2015 - By 

    I love when I’m scrounging around in the kitchen for something for dinner and the ingredients just fall into place. That’s what happened the other night when I was looking for something to make in the crockpot for the next day. Lately I’ve been on a quest to buy 1 new ingredient once a month to try in a recipe. I’ve had this Radiatori pasta just hanging out in the pantry for awhile. I decided to give it a try in this Hamburger Pasta Soup. Have you ever heard of it before? Servings: Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 8…

  • Recipes

    Crockpot Meatballs with Ragú #simmeredintradition #ad

    November 8, 2015 - By 

    Being married to an Italian decedent, I’ve heard stories of Rob’s great grandparents who came over “on the boat” from Italy to New York. With little money and lots of hope, the one thing they were armed with was tons of delicious recipes passed down from their family. This is much like the story of Assunta Cantisano, Ragú’s originator, who left Naples, Italy to immigrate to America in the early 1900’s. After arriving in the U.S. and getting settled in Rochester, New York, she planted a garden and began using those fresh vegetables to make her family’s pasta sauce. With…

  • Dinner - Recipes

    One-Pot Chili Mac

    June 3, 2015 - By 

    Servings: 6 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 20 minutes Ingredients: 1 lb. hamburger meat 2 tbs. of minced garlic 1 small onion, diced 1 can of tomato sauce 3 cups water 10 oz elbow macaroni sprinkle of salt and pepper 1/3 cup of Chili Powder 1 can of black, pinto, or kidney beans (rinsed/drained) Ro-Tel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies 2 cups of shredded cheese (Mexican blend) Directions: 1. Brown meat with chopped onion and garlic in an oven safe pan. I use Calphalon Contemporary Hard-Anodized Aluminum Nonstick Cookware, 12-inch Set When it’s cooked through drain grease, and add…

  • Beef - Dinner - Pork - Recipes

    One-Pot Pasta Bake

    May 25, 2015 - By 

    Hope y’all have had a lovely Memorial Day weekend. Even though it’s a long weekend, I’m still going to need a quick and easy dinner resolution for this week. This One-Pot Pasta Bake is an awesome recipe. Dirty up one pan and have dinner ready in about 30 minutes! I’m also going to be having a frozen dinner I made last week, which was this easy peasy Lasagna. Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 20 minutes Ingredients: 8 oz. of pasta 1 lb. of hamburger meat or Italian Sausage 3 tbs. of Oregano 1 can of tomato sauce…

  • Beef - Dinner - Pork

    Lasagna

    April 27, 2015 - By 

    Lasagna has been one of those dishes that I have struggled with and finally quit trying. Drew gave me a cookbook for Christmas called Gooseberry Patch 5 Ingredient Family Favorites and it has the recipe in there, so I decided to give it a try again. I did have to improvise, because I didn’t have any pasta sauce on hand. I am so glad I decided to give Lasagna! It turned out amazing. I’m not sure what my hang up was before, but whatever it was it seems this recipe resolved it. I’m curious to know what dishes you avoid…

  • Mexican Stuffed Shells
    Beef - Dinner - Mexican - Recipes

    Mexican Stuffed Shells

    March 23, 2015 - By 

    Servings: 6 Prep Time: 25 min. Cooking Time: 25 min. Ingredients 24 uncooked jumbo pasta shells 1 lb. lean ground beef 1 large can of enchilada sauce 2 tbs. taco seasoning 1 cup of finely chopped onion 1 can (8 oz.) fire-roasted diced tomatoes 1 cup frozen corn 1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained 1 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend or cheddar cheese TOPPINGS: 8 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream 8 tablespoons salsa 1/4 cup sliced ripe olives 1/4 cup sliced green onions Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Cook pasta shells according to package directions;…

  • Cajun Chicken Pasta
    Chicken - Dinner

    Cajun Chicken Pasta

    February 25, 2015 - By 

    Servings: 4 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 20 minutes Ingredients: 1 1/2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast halves cut into bite size pieces 4 tsp. Cajun seasoning (I used Slap Ya Momma) 4 tbs. Olive Oil 2 cups heavy cream (more if needed) 1/2 tsp. dried basil 1/2 tsp. lemon pepper seasoning 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. freshly-ground black pepper 1/4 tsp. garlic powder 1 box Penne pasta Grated Parmesan cheese Directions: 1. Cook pasta as directed. 2. While the pasta is cooking, place chicken and Cajun seasoning in a bowl and coat evenly. 2. In a large skillet…

  • Chicken - Dinner - Recipes

    Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken

    February 7, 2015 - By 

    Today is National Fettuccine Alfredo Day! Whaaa??? With that being said, I thought I’d share my recipe for this Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken. This sauce is smooth and creamy. I think the key to making this meal a step above this dish is to marinate the chicken! I simply marinate the chicken in Italian dressing. This give it a nice flavor that’s goes nicely with the Alfredo sauce and it’s not too overbearing. If you prefer shrimp in your Alfredo, those can be marinated as well. Servings: 4 Prep Time: 5 minutes + marinating time Cooking Time: 15 minutes Ingredients:…

  • Chicken - Dinner

    Pizza Smothered Chicken

    January 21, 2015 - By 

    Servings: 4 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 20 minutes Ingredients: 1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1 12 oz. box of pasta (I used Penne) 1 large jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce Parmesan cheese Italian seasoning Garlic Pepperoni (your favorite pizza toppings)

  • Sloppy Joe Pasta
    Beef - Recipes

    Sloppy Joe Pasta

    December 29, 2014 - By 

    Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes Ingredients: 1 tbs. dark brown sugar 3 tbs. red wine vinegar 3 tbs. Worcestershire sauce 1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce 1 1/2 lbs. ground beef Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 2 tbs. minced garlic 1 diced small green bell pepper 1 diced small onion 1 cup beef broth 12 oz. elbow macaroni with ridges 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese Directions: 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. 2. Brown meat with onion and green pepper. 3. While the meat is browning cook the macaroni. 4. After meat is…

  • Beef - Dinner - Pork - Recipes

    Ravioli Soup

    December 27, 2014 - By 

    I’ve tried my hand at Ravioli soup and finally after the 3rd try I think I nailed it! This is so easy. Done in less than 30 minutes as long as you don’t have to thaw the meat. A true crowd pleaser. Servings: 6 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 15 minutes Ingredients: 1 tbs. olive oil 1 pound spicy Italian sausage 3 cloves minced garlic 1 diced onion 1/2 diced green peppers 2 cups chicken stock 1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes 1/2 tsp. dried basil 1/2 tsp. dried oregano 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes Kosher salt and…

  • Life

    Sharing Food and Fun with Friends

    August 7, 2014 - By 

    Sunday, we had a great afternoon and evening visiting with our friends that came over. We’ve been talking with them about Rob’s recipe for homemade pasta called Cavatelli or Cavatels. Making cavatels is not a meal that an individual should make. For it’s way more fun to gather around and take turns cranking the cavatelli maker, watching the noodles fall from the machine.

  • Dinner - Recipes

    Stuffed Pasta Shells

    February 25, 2008 - By 

    This recipe for Stuffed Pasta Shells is on of my absolute favorites. It does require more prep time than I prefer, but I usually make at least 2 batches and free one. Who doesn’t love freeze ahead meals? 2 bangs for your buck! Servings: 8 Prep Time: 30 Minutes Cook Time: 30 Minutes Ingredients 1 (16 oz.) package uncooked large pasta shells 1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded 1 (15 oz.) container ricotta cheese or cottage cheese (for less fat) 1 lb. of meat (hamburger meat/Italian sausage) 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese 1 (28 oz.) jar pasta sauce (I make my…