Creamy Ham Fettuccine Recipe

Jennifer S.

This is good with leftover roasted chicken. Or with a shredded "deli roasted" chicken in place of the ham.

1 package (12 ounces) fettuccine
3 cups cubed fully cooked ham
2 cups frozen peas, thawed
2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup heavy whipping cream

In a large saucepan, cook fettuccine according to package directions; drain. In the same pan, add the ham, peas,cheese, cream and fettuccine.
Cook and stir until heated through. Yield: 6-8 servings.

Rigatoni with Sausage and Tomato Cream Sauce

Jennifer S.

Use water, or chicken broth or apple juice in the place of the white wine.

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 pounds mild or hot Italian sausages, casings removed
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup dry white wine
1 1/2 cups canned crushed tomatoes in thick puree (from a 15-ounce can)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 cup light cream
1 pound rigatoni
Grated parmesan cheese, for serving

In a large frying pan, heat the oil over moderate heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking up the meat with a fork, until it is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove the sausage from the pan. Discard all but 1 tablespoon fat.
Reduce the heat to moderately low. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the wine and cook until it almost evaporates, about 5 minutes. Stir in the sausage, tomatoes, and salt. Simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Add the pepper, parsley, and cream.
In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the rigatoni until just done, about 14 minutes. Drain the pasta and toss with the sauce. Serve with grated Parmesan.

One-Pan Spaghetti

Jennifer S.

1(14-ounce) can vegetable broth or chicken broth
1-3/4 cups water
1(6-ounce) can tomato paste
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon instant minced onion
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
6 ounces dried spaghetti, broken up, or medium shell macaroni
2 cups Morningstar Farms® Meal Starters® Sausage Style Recipe Crumbles OR precooked, drained hamburger meat.
Shredded Cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese or Parmesan cheese (optional)
Red, yellow or green bell pepper cut-outs (optional)

In medium saucepan combine chicken broth, water, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, onion and garlic powder. Bring to boiling over medium-high heat.
Add spaghetti, a little at a time, stirring constantly. Return to boiling. Reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
Add Morningstar Farms® Meal Starters® Sausage Style Recipe Crumbles OR hamburger, a little at a time, stirring constantly.
Return to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, about 8 minutes or until spaghetti is tender and sauce reaches the desired consistency, stirring very frequently. Let stand for 5 minutes.
Serve topped with cheese or bell pepper cut-outs, if desired.

"Pizza" Pasta Toss

Jennifer S.


3 cups (8 oz.) penne pasta, cooked and drained
1/4 cup Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
2 oz. Pepperoni, quartered
10 mushrooms, sliced (about 2 cups)
1 green pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)
2 cups spaghetti sauce
1 cup Shredded Italian* Five Cheese Blend
Parmesan cheese shreds

Heat dressing in large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add pepperoni, mushrooms and peppers; cook and stir 8 min. or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Add sauce; mix well. Cover. Reduce heat to low; simmer 3 min.
Add drained pasta to sauce mixture with Italian cheese; toss to coat. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese.

Pizza Pasta Salad

Jennifer S.


3 cups penne pasta, cooked, cooled
4 tomatoes, chopped OR 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
12 slices Hard Salami, chopped OR pepperoni slices, cut in half
1 cup Shredded Italian Five Cheese Blend
1/2 cup sliced fresh basil
1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup Italian Dressing and Marinade

COMBINE ingredients. REFRIGERATE 1 hour. Add more dressing (IF needed) before serving

ITALIAN MEAT SAUCE

Kim F.

 

1 cup chopped onion

1 pound ground beef

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 1-pound 14-ounce can tomatoes, cut up

1 1-pound can tomatoes, cut up

1 6-ounce can tomato paste

1/4 cup snipped parsley

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano, crushed

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed

1 bay leaf

Hot cooked spaghetti

Shredded Parmesan cheese

 

In Dutch oven, combine onion, meat, and garlic; cook till meat is browned and onion is tender.  Skim off excess fat; add next 9 ingredients and 2 cups water.  Simmer, uncovered, 3 hours, or till sauce is thick; stir occasionally.  Remove bay leaf.  Serve over hot spaghetti.  Pass bowl of shredded Parmesan cheese.  Makes 6 servings.

Chicken Cacciatore

Julie A.

6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)
1 tsp salt, divided
1 Tblsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp pepper
1- 1/2 tsp of dried basil
2 Tblsp olive oil, divided
1- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 medium green pepper chopped,
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, optional 
2 tsp sugar
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (15 ounces) tomato puree
1 can (14 ounces) stewed tomatoes, cut up

1 package spaghetti or noodles of your choice, cooked

Sprinkle chicken with 1/4 tsp salt and pepper.  In a large nonstick skillet, brown chicken in 1 Tblsp oil.  Remove and set aside.  In the same skillet, saute the green pepper and garlic in remaining oil until vegetables are tender.  Add the tomato puree, stewed tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, remaining salt and reserved chicken.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 min.  Stir in parsley.  Simmer, uncovered 15 minutes longer or until sauce has thickened.  Serve over  spaghetti.

Baked Penne

1 lb. Penne Pasta
1 onion (optional)
1 lb. Ground beef
2 jars Spaghetti Sauce
8 slices Sliced Provolone
1 1/2 c. Sour cream
1 16-oz Cottage Cheese
8 oz. Shredded Mozzarella
2 T. Grated Parmesan
Boil Pasta according to package. Fry hamburger with onion, drain. Add Spaghetti sauce and pasta to meat and onion, stir well. Put 1/3 of mixture in 9X13 pan. Layer provolone cheese then sour cream blended with the cottage cheese on top. Add another 1/3 layer pasta then add mozzarella, then pasta sprinkle Parmesan on top. Bake 350 degrees for 30 min.

Creamy Lemon Alfredo (with Shrimp)

Jennifer S.

2 cups Penne pasta, uncooked

1-1/2 lb. uncooked de-veined peeled medium shrimp
1/2 cup Chicken broth
6 oz. (3/4 of 8-oz. pkg.)Cream Cheese, cubed
2 tsp. zest and 1 Tbsp. juice from 1 lemon
1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
salt, pepper and garlic salt to taste.
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

COOK pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, adding shrimp to the boiling water for the last 3 min. Meanwhile, heat broth in large skillet on medium heat. Add cream cheese, zest and juice; cook and stir 3 to 4 min. or until cream cheese is melted. Add seasonings to taste.
DRAIN pasta mixture. Add to cream cheese sauce in skillet with Parmesan; mix well.
TOP with mozzarella; cover. Cook 3 to 4 min. or until mozzarella is melted. Sprinkle with parsley.

ASIAN PASTA SALAD

Jennifer S.

1 lb box bow-tie pasta, boiled according to package, drained.
1 jar Asian Sesame Dressing or Sesame Ginger Dressing
1 pkg cherry tomatoes
2 cups shredded chicken, cooked

Cut cherry tomatoes in half, add with chicken to pasta. Stir in dressing, mix well. Chill before serving.
Serve with fresh chopped Asian parsley (or cilantro) sprinkled on top.

Zesty Minestrone

Jennifer S.

1/4 cup Zesty Italian Dressing
1 onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 carrot, peeled, chopped
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (19 oz.) red kidney beans, rinsed
2 cans (14 oz. each) vegetable broth
2 cups water
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1-1/2 cups small shell macaroni, uncooked
1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

Heat dressing in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add onions, celery and carrots; cook 2 min. or until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally. Spoon into crock pot. Add tomatoes, beans, broth, water and seasoning; stir. Cover with lid.
Cook on LOW 6 hours (or on HIGH 3 hours).
Stir in macaroni; cook 10 to 15 min. or until macaroni is tender.
Sprinkle with cheese just before serving.

Minestrone Soup

Jennifer S.

2 cans (14-1/2 oz. each)chicken broth
1 16-oz can kidney beans , drained and rinsed
1 can (16 oz.) stewed tomatoes, undrained, coarsely chopped
1 pkg. (16 oz.) frozen mixed vegetables
1/4 cup shell macaroni, uncooked
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. dried basil leaves

COMBINE all ingredients in crock pot. Bring to boil on high heat.
SIMMER on low heat 1-2 hours. or until macaroni is tender.
SERVE topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

Chicken Cacciatore Pronto

Jennifer S.

1 Tbsp. Light Zesty Italian Dressing
8 bone-in chicken thighs (1-1/2 lb.), skin removed
2 small red peppers, chopped
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
1/3 cup tomato paste
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 lb. whole wheat spaghetti, uncooked
1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

HEAT dressing in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 10 min. or until evenly browned, turning occasionally.
STIR in next 4 ingredients; cover. Simmer on medium-low heat 20 min. or until chicken is done (165°F), stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, cook spaghetti as directed on package.
REMOVE skillet from heat. Add Parmesan to chicken mixture; stir. Sprinkle with mozzarella; let stand 5 min. or until melted.
DRAIN spaghetti; place on platter. Top with chicken and sauce.

Easy Pasta Salad

Jennifer S.

2 cups rotini pasta, uncooked, whole wheat if you can find it
2 cups fresh broccoli florets
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup sliced black olives
1/3 cup Light Italian Dressing
1/4 cup Reduced Fat Parmesan Cheese

COOK pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt and adding broccoli to the boiling water for the last 2 min.; drain. Place in medium bowl.

ADD remaining ingredients; mix lightly.

REFRIGERATE several hours or until chilled.

Veggie Pasta Primavera

Jennifer S.

1 lb. whole wheat linguine, uncooked
1 pkg. (10 oz.) baby spinach leaves
1 red pepper, thinly sliced
1 yellow pepper, thinly sliced
1 jar (8 oz.) sliced mushrooms, drained
1 tub (8 oz.) Garden Vegetable 1/3 Less Fat than Cream Cheese
1/2 cup milk
2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

COOK pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, adding spinach, peppers and mushrooms for the last 5 min. Drain in colander.

MEANWHILE, cook cream cheese and milk in same saucepan on low heat until cream cheese is melted and mixture is well blended, stirring frequently.

RETURN pasta mixture to pan. Add basil; mix lightly. Sprinkle with Parmesan.

Smart Pork-Pasta Toss

Jennifer S.

1/2 lb. whole wheat spaghetti, uncooked
1/4 cup Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing, divided
1 lb. pork tenderloin, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup chopped red onions
3 cloves garlic, minced
1-1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1/3 cup fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth
6 cups loosely packed baby spinach leaves
1 cup Shredded Italian* Three Cheese Blend, divided

COOK spaghetti as directed on package, omitting salt. Meanwhile, heat 2 Tbsp. dressing in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add meat; cook 5 to 6 min. or until done, stirring occasionally. Remove from skillet; cover to keep warm.

ADD remaining dressing, onions and garlic to skillet; cook and stir 2 to 3 min. or until onions are crisp-tender. Add tomatoes; cook 1 min. Add broth and meat; stir. Bring to boil, stirring occasionally.

DRAIN spaghetti. Add to ingredients in skillet with the spinach and 1/2 cup cheese; mix lightly. Top with remaining cheese.

Fettuccine Alfredo

Jennifer S.

Same rich creaminess with a lot less fat.

1 tablespoon butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/3 cups 1% low-fat milk
1 1/4 cups (5 ounces) grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided
2 tablespoons 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups hot cooked fettuccine (8 ounces uncooked pasta)
2 teaspoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Cracked black pepper

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic; cook 1 minute, stirring frequently. Stir in flour. Gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk. Cook 6 minutes or until mixture thickens, stirring constantly. Add 1 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, cream cheese, and salt, stirring with a whisk until cheeses melt. Toss sauce with hot pasta. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and chopped parsley. Garnish with black pepper, if desired. Serve immediately.

Italian Pasta Salad

Kathy S.

1-16 oz. pkg. tri-colored spiral pasta, uncooked
1 large head fresh broccoli, cut into bite-size pieces
1 c. chopped red onion
8 oz. pepperoni slices or mini pepperoni
8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
1-16 oz. bottle of Kraft Light House Italian dressing

Cook pasta as directed on package, drain and put into a large salad bowl. Boil broccoli in water for 1 minute (just to soften) and add to pasta along with the red onion and stir. Let cool in refrigerator for 1 hour. Then stir in pepperoni, mozzarella cheese and Italian dressing, you can also add olives if desired. Chill in refrigerator until ready to serve. Enjoy!!

Healthy Mac

Jennifer S.

3 tablespoons plain dry breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 16-ounce or 10-ounce package frozen spinach
1 3/4 cups 1% milk, divided
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese (6 ounces)
1 cup low-fat (1%) cottage cheese
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Freshly ground pepper to taste
8 ounces (2 cups) whole-wheat elbow macaroni or penne

1. Put a large pot of lightly salted water on to boil. Preheat oven to 450°F. Coat an 8-inch square (2-quart) baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Mix breadcrumbs, oil and paprika in a small bowl. Cook spinach according to package directions. Drain and refresh under cold water; press out excess moisture.
3. Heat 1 1/2 cups milk in a large heavy saucepan over medium-high heat until steaming. Whisk remaining 1/4 cup milk and flour in a small bowl until smooth; add to the hot milk and cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce simmers and thickens, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in Cheddar until melted. Stir in cottage cheese, nutmeg, salt and pepper.
4. Cook pasta for 4 minutes, or until not quite tender. (It will continue to cook during baking). Drain and add to the cheese sauce; mix well. Spread half the pasta mixture in the prepared baking dish. Spoon the spinach on top. Top with the remaining pasta; sprinkle with the breadcrumb mixture.
5. Bake the casserole until bubbly and golden, 25 to 30 minutes.

Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 4. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator, if necessary, then bake for 35 to 45 minutes

Hay and Straw

Jessica S.

16 oz linguini
2 cups julienned fully cooked ham
1 TBS butter or margarine
3 cups frozen peas
1 1/2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

Cook linguini according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute ham in butter for 3 minutes. Add peas and heat through. Drain linguini; toss with ham mixture Parmesan cheese and cream. Serve immediately. Serves 8