Creamy Brie Fettuccini

Creamy Brie Fettuccini

This Creamy Brie Fettuccini is a decadent and delicious dinner, that’s easy enough for weeknight family meals and fancy enough for Saturday night dinner with friends.

Fettuccini, Creamy Brie, pungent sundried tomatoes and the mild taste of spinach in a creamy, cheesy sauce and on your table in less than 30 minutes that’s what dinner dreams are made of!!

When you want decadent comfort food and vegetarian too this is the paste recipe to make.

I know I post a lot of pasta recipes, but if am stuck for dinner ideas, it’s pasta to the rescue.

This recipe was inspired just like that. I had a wedge of brie cheese and no recipe. But I did have and always have, pasta, in many shapes and sizes. And that is how this Creamy Brie Fettuccini recipe was created, just like that.

3 Things to know When Making Creamy Brie Fettuccini

The first thing to know when making this Creamy Brie Fettuccini is to be sure to save the pasta water.

This step is very important and one that can be easily missed. Pasta water is the magical ingredient that thickens sauces and adds flavor.

Second undercook the pasta by 2 to 3 minutes  to retain a el dente bite to the pasta. The pasta continues to cook after draining, under cooking by a few minutes prevents this.

And Third, the right size saute pan is always important when cooking. The right size pan that holds all the ingredients is a must have in any kitchen, it is the different between so-so  meals and level upped dinners.

Last, please if you made this delicious restaurant quality recipe please leave me a comment. I love hearing from you, it’s my favorite part!!!!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Lb. Fettuccini
  • 8 oz. brie
  • 4 cups chopped spinach
  • 1 cup chopped sundried tomatoes
  • 1 Tbs. each butter and olive oil
  • 1/2 bunch chopped Italian parsley
  • 1/2 chopped yellow onion
  • 1 Tbs. chopped garlic
  • 2 cups reserved pasta water
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook Fettuccini according to package directions reserving 2 cups of the water before draining
  2. Meanwhile in a large skillet bring the butter and olive oil to medium heat
  3. Add the onion, parsley and garlic
  4. Sauté until tender and just beginning to brown
  5. Add the sundried tomatoes saute 5 minutes
  6. Place the brie wedge in the center of the saute pan
  7. Deglaze the pan with pasta water than add the heavy cream
  8. Simmer Covered for 15 minutes
  9. Add the Spinach and parmesan cheese simmer 5 minutes longer
  10. Toss fettuccini in brie sauce …..ENJOY



Vegetarian Italian Penne pasta

Vegetarian Italian Penne Pasta

This Vegetarian Penne Pasta is  prefect when your craving Italian but want vegetarian too.

Penne pasta coated in a  creamy pink sauce,  with the tangy flavor of sundried tomatoes mild spinach and cheesy goodness  that will  liven up any meal.

Your family and friends won’t miss the meat in this easy vegetarian pasta recipe, full of Italian flavors.

Why I love This Vegetarian Italian Penne Pasta Recipe

The first and one of my top priorities for recipe success is it has to be easy.

Well it doesn’t get much easier than this Vegetarian Italian Penne Pasta.

Not only is this recipe easy it comes together in less than 30 minutes, uses few ingredients and who doesn’t love pasta.

All you need is a prep plan and a large enough

covered skillet to hold all the ingredients. By prep plan I mean it’s always to have marinara sauce on hand in Italian kitchens, preferably homemade here is the link to my  Real  Easy Marinara or you can use a good quality store bought like.

I know I post a lot of pasta recipe, but with so many different shapes and endless combinations of ingredients, when Am stuck for dinner ideas it’s pasta to the rescue.

If you made this easy and delicious vegetarian Italian penne pasta please leave a comment. I love gearing from you!!!

Ingredients

  • 1 Lb. penne pasta
  • 2 Tbs. each butter and olive oil
  • 1/2 chopped yellow onion
  • 2 Tbs. chopped garlic
  • 4 cups chopped spinach
  • 1 cup chopped sundried tomatoes
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup prepared marinara sauce
  • 1 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 Tbs. each chopped Italian parsley and basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package direction saving 1 cup of the water before draining
  2. Meanwhile in a large skillet bring butter and olive oil to medium heat
  3. Add the onion and garlic saute until tender and just beginning to brown
  4. Add the sundried tomatoes mix well
  5. Add the reserved pasta water scraping up the brown bits at the bottom of the skillet
  6. Add the cream and marinara sauce simmer covered for 15 minutes or until sauce thickens add the spinach, parmesan cheese and herbs last 5 minutes
  7. Toss drained pasta in sauce sprinkle with additional  parmesan and Italian parsley … ENJOY



Bell Pepper Pasta Bake

Bell Pepper Pasta Bake

This creamy bell pepper pasta bake is the ultimate comfort food, when you want Italian and vegetarian too.

Red and green bell peppers, spinach, onions and garlic in a creamy, cheesy rose sauce full of Italian flavors.

This  baked pasta meal is easy to make, if you have a prep plan. If you have the vegetables cut before hand and have marinara sauce on hand, this recipe seems effortless!!!

 

3 Ways to Customize This Bell Pepper Pasta Bake

The first and easiest way to customize this Bell Pepper Pasta Bake recipe is to use whatever pasta shape you like . I used a short rigatoni shape pasta, you can use any shape pasta you like.

I always have homemade marinara on hand, if you don’t you can use your favorite store bought. One more thing if you prefer one color of pepper over an other use more of want you like.

 

Ingredients

  • 1 lbs. dry pasta
  • 1 red and 1 green bell pepper chopped
  • 2 cups chopped spinach
  • 1 chopped onion
  • 2 Tbls. chopped garlic
  • 2 Tbs. butter
  • 1 Tb. olive oil
  • 1 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups prepared marinara
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 1 cup grated parmesan
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions undercooking the pasta el dente resevering 1 cup of the water before draining
  2. In a large skillet  bring the butter and oil to moderate heat
  3. Add the onions and garlic saute until tender and just beginning to brown
  4. Add the bell peppers saute until tender
  5. Add the cream, marinara and reserved pasta water
  6. Simmer covered for 15 minutes
  7. Add the cheeses and spinach the last 5 minutes
  8. Toss pasta in sauce
  9. Transfer to a 375 degree oven top with additional mozzarella bake for 45 minutes
  10. Enjoy



Roasted Grape Pizza

Roasted Grape Pizza

Pizza has came a long way since our days in the Pizza business. Back then Canadian bacon and pineapple toppings on pizza were a novelty.

Now there are as many different pizza toppings and combinations as there  are people who love pizza.

This Roasted Grape Pizza may sound like an unusually mix of ingredients but it all comes together with the most delicious flavor.

Roasting the grapes sweetens them and releases their juices producing a sweet, syrupy pizza sauce. Mix the sharp bite of the gorgonzola with the mild taste of grapes, honey and thyme, add crunchy walnuts and you a recipe for delicious results.

3 things to know About this Roasted Grape Pizza Recipe

The first thing to know about this Roasted Grape Pizza is I used The pizza dough from Trader Joe’s you can use any pizza dough you like.

Second any grape works with this recipe, I’ve used white and it was just as delicious as using the red grapes. Third and one step not to miss is to prebake the crust, so you don’t end up with a soggy crust. One more thing I  baked this this pizza in my Cuisinart Toaster Oven/ Air fryer my most used small appliance.

And lastly please leave me a comment if you make this Roasted Grape Pizza and please don’t forget to tag me on Instagram with your creations.

I love hearing from you, it’s my favorite  part!!!!

 

Ingredients

  •  1 lb. prepared pizza dough
  • 3 cups red grapes
  • 2 cups gorgonzola cheese
  • 1 cup grated parmesan
  • 2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts
  • 2 Tbs. thyme leaves
  • 4 Tbs. honey
  • 3 Tbs. olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400
  2. Stretch dough into thin 12 inch circle let rise for 15 minutes
  3. Meanwhile drizzle cleaned and separated whole grapes  and walnuts with olive oil, salt and thyme
  4. Roast grapes and walnuts on a small cookie sheet in  the preheated oven for 15 minutes set aside
  5.  Brush the crust with olive oil Pre bake the pizza crust for ten minutes or until crust is lightly golden
  6.  Top pre baked pizza crust with the roasted undrained grapes, gorgonzola and parmesan
  7. Return to oven and bake 15 minutes or until cheese is melted ……ENJOY!!!!



Cheesy broccoli Fusilli

Cheesy Broccoli Fusilli

This Cheesy Broccoli Fusilli is easy and delicious, and the best part it can be on your table in 30 minutes, making it a prefect weeknight family dinner.

Tender good for you broccoli, in a sauce full of cheesy goodness tossed with corkscrew shape pasta make this a family favorite, and makes me happy to serve them a delicious healthy meal.

I  know I post a lot of pasta recipes, but when am stuck for dinner ideas, pasta is my go to ingredient. Pasta is easy, versatile and affordable, and almost everyone loves pasta in one from or another!! 

Customize This Cheesy Broccoli Fusilli recipe in 3 ways

You can customize this Cheesy Broccoli Fusilli recipe in 3 easy ways. 1. I used fusilli I like the way the shape holds the sauce.

You can use any pasta shape you like  or have on hand, in this recipe. 2. If you like one type of cheese more than other, use more of what you like.

And 3. If you love broccoli but hate spinach leave the spinach out, and extra broccoli.  One more thing, be sure to use a large enough saute pan to hold all the ingredients.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. Fusilli
  • 1 lb. broccoli flowerets
  • 2 cups chopped spinach
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 cups reserved pasta water
  • 1 cup each shredded sharp cheddar, mozzarella and parmesan
  • 2 Tbs. each butter and olive oil
  • 1 chopped yellow onion
  • 2 Tbs. chopped garlic
  • 2 Tbs. chopped Italian parsley
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions resevering 2 cups of the water before draining
  2. Meanwhile in a large saute pan bring the butter and oil to medium heat
  3. Add the onion and garlic saute until tender and just beginning to brown
  4. Add the broccoli salt and pepper the broccoli now mixing well with the onions and garlic mixture
  5. Add the cream and reserved pasta water simmer covered for 10 minutes
  6. Add the cheeses simmer 10 minutes longer until cheese is melted and sauce is thick
  7. Toss the pasta in the cheesy broccoli sauce adjust seasonings Add the Italian parsley
  8. Sprinkle with additional parmesan and ENJOY!!!!!



Cheesy Fajita Penne

Cheesy Fajita Penne

This post may contain affiliate links, that help support this blog. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission—at no cost to you. For more information read my disclosure policy.

Although am not vegetarian it seems like a lot of my pasta recipes are. This Cheesy Fajita Penne vegetarian recipe came about because I had the ingredients on hand and wanted to use them.

If you been following along you know I don’t like waste, and often these throw together meals become family favorites, this one did.

Tender peppers, spinach and penne pasta in a creamy, cheesy, light tomato  sauce makes this easy recipe one your family will love. If your looking for easy, quick and delicious the trifecta for dinner success make this.

How To Make This Cheesy Fajita Penne

Start making this Cheesy Fajita Penne recipe by cooking the pasta  in a medium size stock pot , be sure  to save 2 cups of the water before draining. Next while the pasta is cooking  start making the sauce in a large enough saute pan to allow the peppers to fry and holds all the ingredients, has a lid and can be used in multiple saute recipes.

This is a delicious, easy recipe that can be on your table in 30 minutes. It’s prefect when your craving a meatless meal with  lots of cheesy goodness.

If you make this Cheesy Fajita Penne please leave me a comment and please don’t forget to tag me on Instagram. I love hearing from you!!!

Cheesy Fajita Penne

Penne is tossed with colorful peppers, spinach, tomatoes, and herbs in a creamy, cheesy sauce for a hearty vegetarian pasta with fajita-inspired flavor.

  • 1 lb Penne Pasta
  • 1 red and 1 green bell pepper cut into medium dice
  • 2 cups chopped spinach
  • 1 yellow onion
  • 3 tbsp chopped garlic
  • 2 tbsp each butter and olive oil
  • 14.5 oz tomato sauce
  • 2 cups reserved pasta water
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded sharp American cheese
  • 1 cup grated parmesan
  • 3 tbsp each chopped Italian parsley and basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  1. Cook pasta according to package directions reserving 2 cups of the water before draining

  2. Meanwhile in a large saute pan bring the oil and butter to medium heat
  3. Add the onion and garlic saute until tender and just beginning to brown
  4. Turn the heat to medium high add the peppers and saute until crisp
  5. Add the tomato sauce, cream and reserved pasta water
  6. Lower the heat and simmer covered 15 minutes
  7. Add the spinach, herbs, cheddar and parmesan cheese simmer 5 minutes longer
  8. Toss the Penne in the sauce adjust seasonings




Vegetarian Eggplant Zucchini Fusilli

Vegetarian Eggplant Zucchini Fusilli

This post may contain affiliate links, that help support this blog. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission—at no cost to you. For more information read my disclosure policy.

Good morning, It’s meatless Monday in my kitchen today with this Vegetarian Eggplant Zucchini Fusilli. Cork screw shaped pasta, good for you ingredients, in a light tomato pan sauce, will have you making this pasta recipe often.

I usually make this in the summer when my garden is bursting with more eggplants and zucchinis than I have recipes for, but the eggplant looked beautiful at the store and I was craving Italian but also wanted a lighter meal after heavy holiday eating.

Personalize This Vegetarian Eggplant Zucchini Fusilli Recipe

You can make this Vegetarian Eggplant Zucchini Fusilli recipe your very own, to fit your lifestyle and taste, by changing up a few things.

For instance,  the pasta shape if you don’t like fusilli use any shape you like. Having said that I have to say, I love short pasta in this recipe verses long, with short pasta you get a taste of all the delicious ingredients in one forkful.

Also the eggplant and zucchini ratio can be changed. If you like zucchini more than eggplant than use more zucchini or vice- verse.

One more thing you can try, if your craving gooey cheese goodness add 1 cup of shredded mozzarella along with the parmesan cheese for a richer pasta dish.

I almost forget, the canned tomatoes can be switched, you can use fresh tomatoes when in season or you can use prepared marinara sauce, the best store bought or my easy homemade marinara.

on a side note, always use the right size pans for ultimate success in your home kitchen. One good basic set of pots and pans is all you need.to cook restaurant style recipes at home.

If you make this recipe please leave me a comment and tag me on Instagram.

Vegetarian Eggplant Zucchini Fusilli

Fusilli is tossed with tender eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, garlic, and fresh herbs in a savory Parmesan sauce for a hearty vegetarian Italian pasta.

  • ½ lb Fusilli
  • 1 medium eggplant peeled and cut into medium dice
  • 2 tbsp each butter and olive oil
  • 1 each green and yellow zucchini cut in medium dice
  • 1 chopped yellow onion
  • 2 tbsp chopped garlic
  • 14.5 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 cups resevered pasta water
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 bunch each chopped Italian parsley and basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  1. Cook pasta according to package directions reserving two cups of the pasta water before draining

  2. Mean while in a large saute pan bring the butter and olive oil to medium heat, saute the onions and garlic until tender and just beginning t brown
  3. Add the cut eggplant and zucchini salt and pepper now, saute until brown
  4. Add the water and tomatoes simmer covered for 25 minutes
  5. Add the cheese, herbs and cooked pasta heat through
  6. Sprinkle with additional cheese and herbs




Pesto Pizza Twists

Pesto Pizza Twists

This post may contain affiliate links, that help support this blog. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission—at no cost to you. For more information read my disclosure policy.

These pesto pizza twists are a quick appetizer, prefect for your holiday table. Store bought pizza dough,  spread with pesto sauce, and topped with cheesy goodness makes this a holiday favorite.

The hardest part is twisting the dough to resemble a flower and that’s not even too hard. Just be sure you don’t cut all the way through to the center. That’s what the shot glass is for.

And you don’t have to use a shot glass, anything that’s  one inch round works. This recipe comes together so quick, but your family and friends will think it took much longer.

It’s a great recipe to serve with marinara, pizza, or even extra pesto on the side. I have linked my favorite commercial brands of pesto and marinara the best alternative to homemade.

Why Your Going To love This Pesto Pizza Twists Recipe

One, this Pesto Pizza Twists recipe is so easy you’ll wonder why you didn’t make it sooner. Two, because your using store bought pizza dough it can be on your table in 30 minutes.

Three it doesn’t use a lot of ingredients, you probably have most of the ingredients on hand. And last but not lest everyone loves it!!!! And that is most important!!!!

If you make this recipe please leave me a comment. I love hearing from you, that’s my favorite part!!!!

Pesto Pizza Twists

Pizza dough is stuffed with pesto, mozzarella, Parmesan, and garlic, then twisted into a golden, pull-apart centerpiece that's crisp outside and irresistibly cheesy inside.

  • 1 lb store bought pizza dough
  • 1 cup prepared pesto
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup grated parmesan
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp chopped garlic
  • 1 tbsp chopped Italian parsley
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  1. Form the pizza dough into a ball cover and let rest for 30 minutes at room temperature

  2. Preheat oven to 425°

  3. On a lightly floured broad roll the pizza dough into a 12 inch circle

  4. Spread with the pesto sauce leaving a 1/2 border

  5. Mix the cheeses, garlic and Italian parsley spread over the pesto

  6. Gather the ends of the dough to from a ball enclosing the filling

  7. Turn the stuffed dough ball upside down and flatten a bit to form a dish shape

  8. Place a shot glass in the center of the disk cut 8 to 10 thumb thick strips up to the shot glass leaving the center intact

  9. Twist the strips a quarter turn to form a pedal repeat with rest of strips

  10. Brush with the olive oi sprinkle with additional parmesan and garlic

  11. Bake at 425° for 10 minutes lower the heat to 350° and bake 20 minutes longer




One Pan Ravioli Recipe

One Pan Ravioli Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links, that help support this blog. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission—at no cost to you. For more information read my disclosure policy.

This One Pan Ravioli recipe is so easy when you use store bought ravioli. Sure there’s nothing better than homemade, but if your craving Italian and also want quick and easy, than store bought is the way to go.There are so many varieties and good quality commercial ravioli brands you won’t have have problem finding a brand that fits your lifestyle and taste.

What could be easier than a delicious Italian dinner that comes together in less than 30 minutes? Oh I know what’s even better it’s all made in one pan!!!!

For one pan cooking, there’s one important thing the pan needs to be big and deep enough to hold all the ingredients.

Here is a link to my most used deep saute pan when I use the one pan method.

If you make this recipe please leave me a comment and please don’t forget to tag me on Instagram with your creations. I love hearing from you!!!!

One Pan Ravioli Recipe

Cheese and spinach ravioli simmer in a creamy Parmesan sauce with golden mushrooms, spinach, garlic, and herbs for an easy, comforting one-pan meal.

  • 1 package store bought cheese and spinach ravioli
  • 2 cups vegetable stock
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 cups chopped spinach
  • 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp chopped garlic
  • ½ chopped onion
  • 2 tbsp chopped Italian parsley
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  1. In a large saute pan melt the butter over medium heat

  2. Saute the onion and garlic until tender and just beginning to brown

  3. Add the mushrooms saute until golden salt and pepper now

  4. Deglaze the pan with the vegetable stock scraping up the brown bits at the bottom of the pan

  5. Add the cream and half of the parmesan cheese simmer covered on low heat until sauce thickens about 10 minutes

  6. Add the raviolis and spinach cook 10 minutes longer

  7. Sprinkle with additional parmesan and Italian parsley




Saucy Pesto Pasta

Saucy Pesto Pasta

This post may contain affiliate links, that help support this blog. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission—at no cost to you. For more information read my disclosure policy.

This 30 minute Saucy Pesto Pasta recipe with sundried tomatoes, spinach, cream in a basil pesto sauce is great when you’re craving Italian but you want a vegetarian dinner.

I’ve said it before ad I’ll say it again I am not vegetarian, but it seems that 3 to 4 meals a week are meat free.

Pasta is prefect with or without meat. I know I post a lot of pasta recipes, but pasta is so versatile, easy and delicious you can have pasta often

without repeating the same recipe, plus who doesn’t love pasta!!!

Make The Pesto For Saucy Pesto Pasta

Making your own Pesto sauce for this Saucy Pesto Pasta is so easy. In a food processor blend 4 cups fresh basil with 2 tablespoons of garlic, 1 cup pine nuts and 1 cup parmesan cheese.

Process until blended then with the food processor running slowly add 2 cups extra virgin olive oil.

That’s it!! Homemade pesto!!! If you make this Recipe Please tag me on Instagram with your creations. And please don’t forget to leave me a comment I love hearing from you, It’s my favorite Part!!!

Saucy Pesto Pasta

Penne is tossed in a creamy pesto sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan for a rich, flavorful pasta dish that's comforting and satisfying.

  • 1 lbs penne pasta
  • 1 cup sundried tomatoes chopped
  • 2 cups chopped spinach
  • 2 cups reserved pasta water
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 cups prepared pesto
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • ½ chopped onion
  • 2 tbsp chopped garlic
  • 2 tbsp each olive oil and butter
  1. Cook pasta according to package directions reserving 2 cups of the pasta water

  2. In a large sauté pan heat the oil and butter to medium

  3. Add the onion and garlic sauté until tender and just beginning to brown

  4. Add the sundried tomatoes sauté 5 minutes longer

  5. Add the cream and resevered pasta water simmer covered on low for 15 minutes or until sauce thickens

  6. Add the spinach, pesto sauce and parmesan cheese simmer 10 minutes longer

  7. Toss the drained penne with the sauce sprinkle with additional parmesan and fresh chopped Italian Parsley