Creamy Salmon Pasta Recipe

Hi Foodie friends,

I am so happy to see life slowly returning to a new normal.  So much so that am celebrating with this delicious restaurant quality  Creamy salmon pasta recipe. This  salmon pasta recipe  doesn’t take a lot of salmon, which can be pricey if your on a budget to feed a family of four.

Succulent salmon, sundried tomatoes and spinach in a creamy parmesan sauce full of Italian flavors. And the best part it’s a quick recipe that comes together in less than 30 minutes. Making this  a great  recipe for those busy night, when commitments are long and time is short, or fancy enough for special meals with friends.

How to Make Creamy Salmon pasta

This creamy salmon pasta recipe starts by cooking the pasta according to package direction. Then drain the pasta reserving two cups of the magical pasta water.

YES, pasta water is magical when added to pasta sauces, it’s natural starch thickens the sauce and adds flavor eliminating the need for added creams. Salt and pepper the salmon then cut it into cubes.

Brown the salmon then remove it from the pan to prevent overcooking, set it aside while making the sauce.

Put the rest of the ingredients in the pan scraping up all the brown bites, simmer for 15 minutes. Add the spinach, lemon juice and parmesan cheese  last 5 minutes. Return salmon, and pasta to saute pan heat through, sprinkle with additional parmesan, parsley and thyme….ENJOY

If you make this recipe please leave me a comment and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram hearing from you is my favorite part. If you like salmon, you may want to try my Citrus Salmon

Ingredients

• 1 Lbs. penne

• 1 Lbs. Salmon fillet

• 4 oz. sun dried tomatoes

• 2 cups chopped spinach

• 1 cup parmesan cheese

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

• 1 cup chicken stock 1 cup reserved pasta water

• Juice of one lemon
• 2 Tbs. chopped garlic
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 Tbs. each chopped Italian parsley, basil, and thyme
• 2 Tbs. each olive oil and butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions
• Cook pasta according to package directions resevering 1 cup of the pasta water
• Heat oil and butter  add onion and garlic saute until tender and just beginning to brown
• Salt and pepper salmon cut into large cubes
• Add salmon  saute on high heat till almost cooked trough about 3 minutes per side
• Remove salmon
• Add the heavy whipping cream, chicken stock, reserved pasta water and parmesan cheese
• Simmer until sauce  thickens about 15  minutes
• Add herbs and lemon juice
• Add the  spinach and sun dried tomatoes simmer 5 minutes longer
• Toss cooked penne in sauce
• Top with additional parmesan……. Enjoy!!

Creamy Shrimp bacon Pasta Dish

This restaurant quality creamy pasta dish with bacon and shrimp is easy to make and comes together in less than 30 minutes!!!

It’s no wonder most Italian restaurant’s menu are 50% pasta. I know ours’s was, and for good reason. Pasta is easy, versatile, delicious and who doesn’t like pasta?

You need dinner quick, on those busy weeknights, you have unexpected guests coming Pasta to the rescue.

Pasta is delicious plain and simple. Add  some large shrimp, spinach  parmesan, and some herbs, and you have a guaranteed crowd pleaser!!!!

That’s all it takes, adding shrimp and  bacon to this pasta recipe, to make a meal that is cause for celebration.

Rich and creamy this shrimp and bacon pasta is full of robust flavors, that can be on your table in less than 30 minutes, but your family and friends will think it took hours.

This  recipe calls for ingredients you probably already have on hand, butter, garlic, cream, spinach which together create a creamy, saucy Italian flavored dinner. The best part it can be on your table in less than 30 minutes.

This pasta recipe is quick enough for busy weeknight family meals, but feels special enough for Saturday night dinner with friends. It’s a prefect way to show off what a good home chef you are!!!!

Variations For this creamy pasta recipe

The first variation to this pasta recipe of course is what shape or flavor pasta you use doesn’t matter. I used spinach fettuccini you can use what fits your lifestyle and taste , even gluten free.

Second, in this creamy shrimp and bacon pasta dinner I deglazed the pan with chicken stock. I give you options in all my recipes to use  white wine in place of chicken stock, red wine in place of beef stock, use whatever fits your lifestyle.

Lastly in this pasta recipe you can use chicken breast cut in small pieces, in place of the shrimp.

Just one more thing please leave me on comment and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram if you make this recipe. I love hearing from you!!!

Ingredients

• 1 Lbs. long pasta noodles
• 1 lbs. large shrimp
• 4 slices bacon cut in small dice
• 4 cups chopped spinach
• 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup resevered pasta water
• 1 cup chicken stock or white wine
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 Tbs. butter
• 2 Tbs. chopped garlic
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 Tbs. each chopped Italian parsley, basil, and thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Instruction
• Cook pasta according to package directions reserving 1 cup of the water
• Mean while  cut  bacon
• Heat  butter
• Add the bacon render until crispy
•  Add  onion and garlic saute  until tender and just beginning to brown
• Add shrimp saute 3 to 5 minutes minutes
• Remove shrimp and set aside
• De glaze pan with chicken stock or white wine
• Add the  heavy whipping cream and reserved pasta water
• Simmer until sauce thickens about 10 minutes
• Add spinach,  parmesan cheese and herbs last 5 minutes
• Return shrimp to pan just to heat through
• Drain pasta toss in sauce
• Top with additional parmesan cheese and Italian parsleyENJOY!!!

Red sauce Vegetarian Pasta

Heading into the hot weather with this new red sauce vegetarian pasta recipe.   In this easy pasta recipe tender bell peppers, fresh tomatoes, and spinach in  red marinara sauce, combined with cheesy goodness create a delicious sauce.

This pasta with  healthy good for you ingredients nothing short of amazingness. I couldn’t stop eating it. Not shocking I know, because I love pasta, and  this Italian girl loves all Italian flavors.

I know I post a lot of pasta recipes, but when am stuck on “what’s for dinner” it’s pasta to the rescue. Pasta is easy, versatile, and who doesn’t love pasta???? You could literally have Pasta every day for a month without repeating the same recipe, that’s how versatile pasta is.

Variations For this Red Sauce Vegetarian Pasta recipe

This  vegetarian pasta recipe is so easy to customize to fit your lifestyle and taste. for instance I used farfalle pasta, a bow tie shaped pasta. Any shape pasta works with this recipe, although I prefer a short shape, you can use any shape you like.

And because I wanted to keep it a vegetarian pasta recipe, I didn’t add any meat. You can add Italian flavored Chicken sausage. If chicken sausage isn’t your thing use any sausage you like or you. or chicken breast. If your going to add meat cut saute it after the onions and peppers are cooked and before adding the fresh tomatoes.

One more thing I used my homemade marinara sauce in this recipe which I always have on hand, if you don’t you can use store bought marinara. I’ve linked both marinara alternatives.

Ingredients

• 1/2 Lb. Farfalle Pasta
• 2 Tbs. butter
• 2 Tbs. olive oil
• 2 cups chopped spinach
• 1 each  chopped red and green  bell peppers
• 1 chopped yellow onion
• 2 Tbs. chopped garlic
• 2 cups chopped tomatoes
• 2 cups prepared marinara sauce
• 1 cup reserved paste water
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 4 Tbs. each chopped Italian parsley and basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions reserving 1 cup of the water before draining
2. Meanwhile in a large saute pan in the butter and olive oil saute the onion, peppers and garlic until tender and just beginning to brown then add the chopped tomatoes saute 5 minutes
3. Add the marinara sauce, reserved pasta water and herbs simmer covered 15 minutes
4. Add the cheeses simmer 10 minutes longer Add the chopped spinach last 5 minutes
5. Add the pasta to the sauce adjust salt and pepper to taste
6. Top with additional parsley and cheese

Lemon Pesto Spaghetti with beans

This summer lemon pesto spaghetti with bean pasta dish may seem like a fancy meal, but it’s easy and quick to make.  And it’s a delicious meatless option pasta recipe when your graving Italian and want vegetarian too!!!

Spaghetti tossed in a light lemony sauce full of good for you ingredients makes this pasta recipe one of  my favorite summer pasta dishes.

The hot weather is here in California. In the hot summer months  am always on the look out for recipes that use cool vibrant seasonal  ingredients. What’s more refreshing than basil pesto and the  citrus flavor of fresh lemon juice?

3 variations for this lemon pesto spaghetti with beans recipe

The first change you can make to this lemon pesto spaghetti recipe is the shape of the pasta. If your not a fan of spaghetti use whatever pasta you like or have on hand. In this particular pasta recipe any shape pasta works.

Second, the Cannellini beans can also be labeled as white kidney beans or Italian kidney beans, adding to the confusion…. These are also the ones used in most recipes that list white beans as an ingredient. You can also use great northern white beans that have a grainer texture and milder flavor.

And third, homemade pesto sauce is easy to make here is the recipe… in a blender add 2 bunches basil 1 cup parmesan cheese, 1 cup pine nuts than, with the motor running slowly pour in 1 cup extra virgin olive salt and pepper to taste, that’s it easy homemade pesto sauce. But you don’t have to use homemade pesto sauce any good quality store bought pesto sauce works too!!

Lastly please leave me a comment on your experience if you make this easy Lemon Pesto Spaghetti recipe. I love hearing from you It’s my favorite part!!!

Ingredients

• 1 Lb. spaghetti
• 2 cups pesto sauce
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 cups reserved pasta water
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups chopped spinach
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 16 oz. drained and rinsed cannellini beans
• 2 Tbls. each olive oil and butter
• 1/2 chopped onion
• 1 Tbls. chopped garlic
• 2 Tbls. chopped Italian parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Start by cooking pasta according to package direction reserving 2 cups of the water before draining
2. Bring the oil and butter to medium heat
3. Add the onion and garlic saute until tender and just beginning to brown
4. Add the reserved pasta water, lemon juice and cream, simmer covered 10 minutes.
5. Add the prepared pesto sauce, beans,  spinach and half of the parmesan cheese simmer 10 minutes longer
6. Toss spaghetti with the lemon pesto bean sauce
7. Sprinkle with the Italian parsley and remaining parmesan cheese. ENJOY!!!
8. And so on

Meatless Rigatoni Pasta Recipe

Many great recipes start with humble beginnings and for me dictated by what I have on hand.

This Meatless Rigatoni Pasta recipe started off with 2 zucchini I originally had other plans for, and a beautiful bunch of  asparagus I had no plans for. That’s how this vegetarian pasta recipe started.

The garlic, asparagus and  zucchini in a tomato sauce create an irresistible taste combination. And Guess what ??? Your whole family is going to love it and you’ll feel real good serving them a delicious good-for-you homemade meal!!!

Customize this Meatless Rigatoni Pasta Recipe

It’s super easy to make this vegetarian meatless pasta recipe fit your lifestyle and taste.

You don’t need to run out to the store to buy rigatoni. It’s perfectly okay to use any shape pasta you like. What is important is not shape of the pasta but the quality does matter. Our preferred brand at the restaurants  is DeCecco.

Asparagus are delicious in this meatless pasta recipe. But not everyone has the same fondness for asparagus as I do. If your one that’s not crazy about asparagus, broccoli  is a great alternative!!

The same principle of customizing my recipes for your taste can be applied with the zucchini in this pasta dish. You don’t like zucchini, no problem add more broccoli or asparagus. or leave them out all together with go with spinach.

You get the idea. Good cooking happens when we take what we have and like to create our own recipe!!!

Please let me know how this vegetarian pasta recipe works out for you. And please don’t forget to tag me on Instagram with your creations. I love hearing from you!!

Ingredients

• 1 lbs. rigatoni
• 2 cups reserved pasta water
• 1 15 oz. can crushed tomatoes
• 1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
• 1 bunch asparagus cleaned and trimmed
• 2 medium zucchini cut in large dice
• 2 Tbls. each butter and olive oil
• 1 chopped yellow onion
• 2 Tbls. chopped garlic
• 1/2 bunch chopped Italian parsley
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions resevering 2 cups of the water
2. Meanwhile in a large deep saute pan, bring the butter and olive oil to medium heat, add the onion, garlic and parsley saute until tender and just beginning to brown
3. Now add the tomatoes and water simmer covered 20 minutes
4. Add the asparagus and zucchini simmer 10 minutes longer
5. Toss the rigatoni with the sauce, top with parmesan cheese and additional parmesan and ENJOY!!!

Pesto Parmesan Sauce Tortellini Recipe

Make this restaurant quality pesto parmesan sauce tortellini recipe in less than 30 minutes, with the help of some store-bought ingredients.

A saucy pasta dinner recipe can be hard to find in one dish, but this creamy tortellini with spinach and sundried tomatoes is full of creamy Italian flavors.

This delicious, saucy creamy tortellini is a great recipe when your craving Italian but want quick and easy too!!!

What Tortellini to use in this recipe

In this pesto parmesan sauce tortellini recipe you can fresh, frozen or dried tortellini. I am not even going to lie, frozen tortellini is one of my favorites things to keep in the freezer.

It’s so easy to grab a bag of tortellini from the freezer and make a restaurant quality meal, full of Italian flavors everyone loves.

As for the pesto sauce, this is another staple I like to keep on hand, either homemade or store bought. Pesto can transform a so-so recipe into a unforgettable meal.

This pesto tortellini with spinach and sundried tomatoes uses few ingredients, is easy to make and comes together quick which makes it a great go-to recipe for those busy weeknight family meals.

If you like this tortellini recipe please let me know. Leave me a comment, I love hearing from you!!!

Ingredients

• 2 packages 9 oz. store-bought tortellini
• 2 cups prepared pesto sauce
• 1 cup chopped sundried tomatoes
• 2 cups chopped spinach
• 1 cup grated parmesan
• 2 Tbs. butter
• 1 Tbs. chopped garlic
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups resevered pasta water
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook tortellini according to package directions resevering 2 cups of the water before draining
2. In a saute pan over medium heat melt butter
3. Add the garlic saute until tender and just beginning to brown
4. Add the chopped sundried tomatoes
5. Deglaze the pan with the reserved pasta water scaping up the brown bits
6. Then add the heavy cream. pesto and parmesan cheese simmer covered 15 minutes
7. Add the spinach and simmer 5 minutes longer
8. Then add the tortellini
9. Adjust salt and pepper to taste
10. ENJOY!!!!

Spicy Red Pepper Shrimp Spaghetti

This spicy red pepper shrimp spaghetti is an elevated weeknight dinner. With it’s large shrimp in a spicy tomato sauce it’s also prefect for Saturday night dinner with friends.

I know I post a lot of pasta recipes, but it’s not always easy to be creative in the kitchen, especially if you have picky eaters. Pasta is the one ingredient most can agree on. Whenever am stuck for a meal idea It’s pasta to the rescue. Pasta is so versatile you make a a lot of recipes using pasta and not repeat the same meal for a while.

3 variations for this Spicy Red pepper shrimp spaghetti

The first variation to this spicy red pepper shrimp spaghetti is if you don’t like shrimp this pasta recipe works well with scallops or chicken too.

Second in this spicy dish you can adjust the spice level according to how hot you like it. I personal am not a spicy person if you are add extra red pepper.

Lastly I love spinach in pasta recipes especially in a red sauce if you hate spinach and still want some veggie goodness use broccoli or leave the greens out completely.

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

Ingredients

• 1 lb. spaghetti
• 1 Lb. large shrimp
• 2 Tbs. olive oil
• 1 Tbs. butter
• 1/2 chopped yellow onion
• 1 Tbs. chopped garlic
• 4 anchovy fillets
• 2 Tbs. hot red pepper flakes
• 1 cup Kalamata olives
• 2 cups chopped spinach
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 2 cups prepared marinara
• 1 cup reserved pasta water
• 1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook Pasta according to package directions resevering 1 cup before draining
2. Meanwhile in a large saute pan over medium heat bring the butter and oil to medium heat
3. Salt, pepper and sprinkle the shrimp with 1 Tbs. of the hot pepper flakes saute until  almost cooked through 4 to 5 minutes
4. Remove shrimp and set aside in the same saute pan add the onion, garlic, anchovies and remaining 1 Tbs. of pepper flakes saute until onion and garlic is tender and just beginning to brown
5. Deglaze the pan with the chicken stock scraping up the brown bits
6. Add the prepared marinara and reserved pasta water simmer covered 10 minutes
7. Add the olives and spinach simmer 10 minutes longer
8. Return shrimp to spicy sauce cook through 1 minute add the Italian parsley
9. Toss spaghetti with sauce… ENJOY!!!!

Florentine Macaroni and Cheese

Who doesn’t love a good mac and cheese?  Cheesy and gooey this Florentine macaroni and cheese has all the flavors to qualify for comfort food.

To make it healthy I added broccoli and spinach, you can make adjustments here, as far as how much green you want in this recipe. Personally the next time I make this macaroni and cheese am going to double up on the broccoli.

This cheesy macaroni recipe is easy to make and comes together in less than 30 minutes,  the best part it’s  make in one pan and has the most amazing flavors!!

Why I love this Florentine Macaroni and Cheese

The first reason I love this Florentine Macaroni and cheese recipe it’s make in one pan. Nothing beats the ease of one pan meals. In this mac and cheese recipe every thing cooks in one pan for maximum flavor with minimum cleanup!!

Second, I love recipes that are made with just a handful of ingredients, and this is one of them. The ingredients for this recipe are simple and readily available.

And third, sometimes it’s hard to find a recipe everyone loves. Well this Florentine Macaroni and Cheese is one of those meals everyone agrees is delicious!!! WIN_WIN!!

Lastly please leave me a comment with questions, answers or anything in between. I love hearing from you!!! It’s the best part!!!

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb. corkscrew shaped pasta
• 8 oz. broccoli flowerets
• 2 cups chopped spinach
• 8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan
• 2 Tbls. butter
• 1 Tbls. flour
• 4 cups milk
• Pinch of nutmeg
• 1 Tbls. chopped Italian parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a large saute pan over medium heat bring melt the butter
2. Add the flour stirring continuously cook for 1 minute
3. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking
4. Put the block of cheese in the milk
5. Add the nutmeg
6. Add the pasta simmer covered for 7 minutes
7. Add the broccoli, spinach and parmesan cheese and simmer 3 to 5 minutes or until the broccoli is crisp tender
8. Sprinkle with parsley and additional parmesan….ENJOY

Leftover Rotisserie Chicken White Lasagna

Making a delicious Italian lasagna doesn’t have to be a struggle, in fact it’s pretty easy with some store bought ingredients.

It’s perfectly  acceptable and sometimes necessary to go Semi-homemade. Semi- homemade is the way I went  in this Italian inspired leftover rotisserie chicken white lasagna.

I used store bought no boil lasagna noodles, leftover rotisserie chicken and off the shelve chicken stock to make this chicken lasagna dinner easy, delicious and uncomplicated.

If going the semi-homemade route  gives you the inspiration to make a recipe you otherwise won’t make by all means go with some store bought ingredients, it’s okay!!!

3 Tips for Success when making leftover Rotisserie chicken white lasagna

The first tip when you make this leftover Rotisserie chicken white lasagna is it doesn’t matter if you use the  white or dark meat of the chicken. What matters is that you shred the chicken so there is chicken in every bite.

Second, it’s a good idea to dip the lasagna noodles into the chicken stock before layering. This method ensures the noodles have the moisture needed to cook properly.

Third, this whole leftover rotisserie chicken white lasagna can be make ahead time and baked when you plan on serving it. This lasagna recipe is freezer friendly too. To make it even easier freeze this lasagna meal in a casserole dish that goes from freezer to oven to table.

And lastly please leave me a comment I love hearing from you, It’s my favorite part!!!

Ingredients

• 1 Lb. no boil lasagna noodles
• 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups grated parmesan
• 2 cups finely chopped spinach
• 2 Tbs. chopped Italian parsley
• 1 quart chicken stock

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Heat chicken stock to simmer then remove from fire
3. Mix the shredded rotisserie chicken with spinach and parsley
4. In a 9 X 12 covered casserole line the bottom with 1 cup heated chicken stock
5. Then line with the lasagna noodles, the chicken mixture, the mozzarella and parmesan cheese
6. Repeat layering ending with the lasagna noodles and chicken stock
7. Sprinkle with additional  grated parmesan bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly all the way through

Chicken Bell Pepper Italian Sauté

This  chicken bell pepper saute is the Italian version of a traditional stir fry.

In stir fries the heat is higher and the process quicker with continuous movement of ingredients. In classic Italian sautés the heat is lower with less movement  of food and usually longer cooking times.

Tender chicken breast, red and green bell peppers and cremini mushrooms in a light tomato sauce full of Italian flavors, everyone loves. Serve it over herby parmesan rice for an easy complete weeknight dinner the is ready in 30 minutes.

3 Variations to this Chicken bell pepper Italian Sauté

This chicken bell pepper Italian saute is easy to customize to your lifestyle and taste.

The first way is the vegetables are completely changeable. If you don’t like bell peppers, leave them out or if you prefer one color pepper over another use that one, or whatever one you have on hand.

Second the rice is totally replaceable with any kind of  starch you like, pasta or mash potatoes work well with this chicken saute and it’s delicious on it’s own for a healthy lunch or light dinner.

And Third you can replace the water with white wine, if that’s what fits your taste, I have made it both using white wine and water with not much difference in taste.

Lastly please leave me a comment if you make this Chicken bell Pepper Italian Sauté and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram with your creations. I love hearing from you, It’s my favorite part!!

Ingredients

• 2 cups dry rice
• 3  skinless, boneless chicken  breast cut in large cubes
• 1 red and 1 green bell pepper chopped
• 8 oz. cremini mushrooms
• 2 cups chopped spinach
• 1 chopped onion
• 1 Tbls. chopped garlic
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup prepared marinara
• 1 cup water
• 2 Tbls. each chopped Italian parsley and basil plus 1/4 cup chopped Parsley for the rice

Instructions

1. Cook rice according to package directions
2. In a large saute pan bring the oil and butter to medium heat
3. Salt and pepper the chicken and saute until lightly brown add the onions, peppers, mushrooms and garlic saute until tender and just beginning to brown
4. Add the water and scrape up the brown bits simmer a few minutes then add the chicken broth and marinara sauce simmer  on low 15 minutes
5. Add the spinach and herbs last 5 minutes
6. Add 1/2 cup grated parmesan and 1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley to the rice mix well
7. Pour the chicken and bell pepper over the rice …ENJOY