Tag Archives: Pasta

Alfredo Sausage Stuffed Shells

  

We had some leftover Alfredo sauce and I wanted to play a creative spin on it so we came up with this dish for dinner last night. 

Serving: 2-3

Ingredients

Seven jumbo shells 

1/3 pound Italian sausage or chicken Italian sausage

1.5 cups Alfredo sauce (light)

1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

1/3 cup fat-free ricotta cheese

3/4 Cup of shredded reduced fat mozzarella (divided)

2 tablespoons of egg white substitute

1 TB fresh parsley from the garden, minced)

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Directions:

Prep preheat the oven to 350°

1.  Cook pasta according to packaging. Drain and rinse under cold water until ready to fill.

2.  In a medium sauce pan brown up sausage over medium heat until no longer pink and drai excess fat. That half a sausage aside for the filling. Add the Alfredo sauce and Italian seasoning to have to sausage remaining in the skillet. Bring to a boil then reduce to simmer.
3. And a small bowl combine ricotta cheese a half a cup of the mozzarella cheese egg substitute parsley and reserved sausage mix until everything is incorporated. Stuff equal amounts of filling into the prepared shells.

4. In a 1 quart shallow baking dish or 8 by 8 pan spread 1/4 cup of the Alfredo and meat sauce into the bottom. 

5. Place the filled pasta shells into the baking pan on top of the meat sauce. Pour remaining meat sauce over top of the pasta. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella. Bake uncovered at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes.

6. Remove from oven and if desired sprinkle with fresh Parmesan cheese.

7. Enjoy with some garlic bread ! 

Copy that Local Favorite Marinara Sauce

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We were so excited to find out the family owned grocery store where we grew up started carry our favorite restaurant marinara sauce. Whenever we go back home I have been bulk purchasing the spaghetti sauce. The downside is the spaghetti sauce is almost 6 dollars a jar! Yikes….

My husband and I love trying to make our favorite restaurant “copy that” recipes. When I know we can perfect it on our own with a little practice. So we thought we give this recipe a try. This is take one on our marinara sauce.

 

Ingredients:

2-8oz Cans Tomato Sauce ( I used Hunts)
1-28oz Can Tomato Puree ( I used Walmart Trade Name)
1/4 C Olive Oil ( I used our favorite Trader Joe’s Authentic)
1/2 Tsp Kosher Salt
1/8 Tsp of Baking Soda (to cut down on the Acid from the tomatoes)
5 spins on the Pepper Mill of Pepper ( I use heavy duty Penzey’s Pepper Lovers ) http://www.penzeys.com/
2 Garlic Cloves (straight out of mom’s garden)
1/2 Tsp Thyme (dried)
1/2 Tsp Basil (dried)
1/2 Oregano (dried)
2 TB of Sugar
1/8-1/4 Tsp Red Pepper Flakes (We used penzey;s Hot Pepper Flake so to your taste)
1 TB Locatelli Romano Cheese ( We purchase from the Strip district) None of that Kraft “Stuff” Please!! http://www.pennmac.com/page/458/strip-district-partners
1) Start with a 4 quart sauce pan and heat the pan

2) once the pan is heated add the oil on medium heat once the oil is heated add the minced garlic and cook until lightly browned and aromatic. Watch it will burn before you know it.

3) Add the tomato purée and sauce.

4) Next add the seasons, sugar, cheese, and baking soda.

5) Turn down the heat to the lowest setting on your stove. Cover stockpot and stir occasionally. Let simmer on low for 90 minutes. The longer the better for a dark, flavorful sauce.

6) Enjoy

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