Ingredients
For the Pizza
1 lb whole milk mozzarella cheese, cut into thin slices
1 lb pizza dough, store-bout or homemade, at room temperature
Grated Parmesan Cheese
Olive oil
For Homemade Dough
1 teaspoon instant yeast
1 teaspoon honey
1 cup lukewarm water
3 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Roasted Sausage, Mushroom, Tomaro Sauce
2 cups roasted cherry tomatoes {see recipe}
3 Spicy Italian Sausage links, casing removed, and meat broken into small pieces
2 cups sliced mushrooms
Directions
For the dough
Combine all the ingredients for the dough in the large bowl of an electric mixer and with The paddle attachment mix until the ingredients come together around the paddle. Attach the dough hook and knead the dough for 5-6 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Oil a medium baking dish and combine the sauce ingredients, by mixing well. Roast the sauce until the sausage meat is fully cooked. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool down,
Raise the oven temperature to 500 degrees F and place the oven rack on the lowest shelf in the oven.
For the pizza
Prepare the crust: flour your hands lightly and pat the dough evenly into a lightly oiled 16″ pizza pan.
Brush the dough lightly with olive oil.
Cover the dough with the sliced mozzarella.
Spread the sauce over the cheese.
Bake the pizza on the bottom rack of the oven for 15 -18 minutes, until the crust is lightly brown.
Let stand for 5 minutes before slicing.
Italian Stuffed Cabbage
AIny ground meat combinations can be used, including ground meat substitutes.
4 servings
Ingredients
1 head of cabbage placed in the freezer overnight and then thawed (it’s easier to roll wilted leaves and eliminates the boiling step
Remove 8 leaves and place them on a kitchen towel.
Tomato Sauce
2 cloves of garlic minced fine
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
2 fresh basil leaves minced
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 – 141/2 ounce can of chopped Italian tomatoes
Filling
½ cup water
2 cups meatloaf mix (ground beef, pork, and veal)
¼ cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
1 egg
Salt to taste
Directions
Combine the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl.
Place the filling ingredients in another bowl and mix well.
Cut the core out of the bottom of each cabbage leaf.
Place ¼ cup filling at the bottom of each cabbage leaf. Fold in the sides of the leaf and roll up. Place the rolls in a greased 8×8-inch pan. Pour the tomato sauce over the rolls and cover the dish with foil.
Bake in a 350-degree oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake the rolls for 30 minutes more.
Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds Russet potatoes 1 ½ lbs Yukon gold potatoes
2 cloves garlic
¼ cup salted butter at room temperature
1 cup milk, cream, or sour cream
Salt to taste
Directions
Peel and quarter potatoes, and place in a pot of cold salted water.
Add cloves of garlic and bring to a boil, cook uncovered for 15 minutes or until fork-tender. Drain well.
Heat milk on the stovetop (or in the microwave) until warm.
Add butter to the potatoes and begin mashing. Pour in heated milk a little at a time while using a potato masher to reach desired consistency.
Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.
Ingredients
Pizza Dough
3 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon instant yeast
1 cup warm water
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon salt
Pizza Sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, grated
½ onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
14 oz container chopped Italian tomatoes
½ teaspoon salt
Pizza
16 oz whole milk mozzarella cheese, sliced
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
For the pizza dough
Combine all the ingredients in an eclectic mixer bowl and mix with the paddle attachment until combined. Switch to the dough hook and knead the dough for 5 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise until doubled about 60-90 minutes.
For the sauce
Heat the oil in a saucepan, add the garlic, onions, and peppers, and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and stir well. Turn the heat down to a simmer and cook the sauce for about 45 minutes or until thickened.
To assemble the pizza
Roll the dough out on a floured surface into an 18-inch by 14-inch rectangle. Cover the dough with the mozzarella cheese slices, and spread the sauce over the cheese, leaving a one-inch border on all sides. Starting on the 18-inch side, roll the dough up into a cylinder. Seal the edges. Cut the roll into 12 one-inch slices and place o the rolls on two parchment-covered cookie sheets. Let rest for 30 minutes and heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Sprinkle the top of each roll with Parmesan cheese.
Bake the rolls for about 15 minutes until crispy and golden brown. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Pork Seasoning
2 teaspoons dried parsley
2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
1/2 teaspoon fennel seed
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon minced dried onions
Combine all ingredients in a jar and stir well. Store in an airtight container.
To use: Stir 4 teaspoons of seasoning into 1 pound of lean ground pork and set aside for the recipe below. Save the remaining seasoning for another recipe.
Pasta Sauce
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 chopped garlic cloves
1 lb seasoned pork, see recipe above
2 tablespoons tomato paste
28 oz can of whole cherry tomatoes {Cento}
28 oz can fire roasted red pepper strips, undrained
5 fresh basil leaves,
2 pinches of sea salt
Pasta
1 lb bucatini pasta
Parmesan cheese
Directions
For the sauce
Melt the butter and olive oil in a large, deep skillet with a cover.
Add the seasoned pork to the pan and cook until lightly brown. Add the onion and garlic. Cook until the onion softens, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook 1 mi ute. Add the remaining sauce ingredients.
Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, with the cover ajar cover cook the mixture until it thickens for 2 hours.
For the pasta
Cook the pasta according to package directions to just the al dente stage. Using tongs transfer the pasta from the cooking water to the pan with the sauce and cook gently for 2 minutes Serve in pasta bowls topped with grated Parmesan. add a green salad and bread if you want a fuller meal.
TI cut the recipe in half because the full recipe is too much for two people. The full recipe is good for entertaining I make the entire sauce recipe and save half for another time and I used an 8×8 inch baking dish. Serve the pasta with some cooked sausage and a salad.
Ingredients
For the sauce:
1 lb Italian sausage links
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
5 cups canned, finely diced tomatoes (about 46 ounces)
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
Freshly ground black pepper
For assembly:
1 pound dried ziti or penne pasta
1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
1 egg
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (about 2 cups), divided
Directions
For the sauce:
Heat the oil in a large pot and lightly brown the sauce links. Add the garlic and onion and saute for 5 minutes. Add the remaining sauce ingredients, stir well and bring to a simmer. Partially cover the pan and cook the sauce until thickened, about 1 hour.
Heat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray
Cook the pasta al dente and drain.
Cook the pasta. When the water is boiling, add the pasta and cook until just tender. While the pasta is cooking, make the ricotta filling.
Make the ricotta filling. Stir the ricotta, egg, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan,1/2 of the mozzarella cheese, and salt together in a small bowl; set aside.
Return the pasta to the now-empty pot. Add half of the sauce (about 3 cups) and stir until the pasta is well-coated. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
Transfer half of the pasta into a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Spread the ricotta filling over the pasta.
Top with the remaining pasta in an even layer.
Pour the remaining sauce over the pasta and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the surface evenly with the remaining mozzarella and the remaining Parmesan.
Bake uncovered until the edges are bubbling and the cheese is completely melted and browned in spots, about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Make this sauce ahead and refrigerate it. This step will save you time when you cook the meal.
Sauce
Half a medium yellow onion minced
3 cloves garlic minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
One 28 oz can of finely chopped Italian tomatoes
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 bay leaf
Sea salt to taste
8 leaves of basil torn
Additions
8 oz Italian sausage, sliced thin
1 cup diced onions
2 cups diced green bell peppers
1 tablespoon olive oil
17.6 oz package of Calamarata Italian pasta {Large oval pasta rings, see photo} or any short pasta you like
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
In a large heavy-bottom saucepan heat the olive oil and saute the onion with a pinch of sea salt until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and let them cook only for a few seconds until you can smell them and don’t get any color on them.
Add the tomatoes and bay leaf and partially cover it with a lid. Allow the sauce to simmer away on low flame for about 1 hour until thick and concentrated in flavor. Make sure to stir often, every 10 minutes or so, making sure the sugars in the tomatoes do not burn.
Turn off the flame and season to your taste with the sea salt. Stir in the fresh basil leaves.
In a deep skillet or dutch Oven, heat the oil and saute the sausage until brown and cooked thoroughly. Agg the peppers and onions and saute until tender. Add the prepared sauce and heat the mixture until completely hot.
Cook the pasta until al dente, about 12 minutes. With a large spider, scoop the pasta up and place it in the sauce. Heat the pasta in the sauce for about 2 minutes. Stir in the cheese and spoon it into individual pasta bowls. Serve with breadsticks and a green salad.
Ingredients
2 eggplants, peeled and sliced lengthwise, about 1/4 inch thick, to get about 12 slices total
Salt
Olive oil
2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese
3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
1 egg
!/2 cup flour
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
3 cups prepared tomato sauce, homemade or store-bought
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
Directions
Brush slices with olive oil and place on a baking sheet. Roast ( or broil) in a 400-degree oven for 5-10minutes, just until they are soft enough to roll.
While eggplant is baking, make the filling: In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper, and mix well.
Drain eggplant on a paper towel if fried. When the eggplant has cooled for about 10 minutes, begin the rolling process. On each slice, put about 2 tablespoons of ricotta cheese mixture. Spread it on the eggplant and then roll. Repeat with all eggplant slices.
Carefully dredge the rolls in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs.
Heat a thin layer of olive oil in a skillet and brown the rolls until crispy on all slides.
Coat the bottom of a deep baking dish that will fit the rolls in one layer with tomato sauce. Start placing the rolled eggplants at the bottom of the pan.
When the pan is filled, put some sauce on top of the eggplant. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
Bake in a 400-degree F oven for about 15 minutes. The cheese should be melted and a little bubbling should be going on. Serve with Italian Sausage and a green salad.
Ingredients
Stuffing
1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 slices prosciutto, chopped
Braciole
1 pound beef round steak, cut into eight 1/4-inch-thick slices, then pounded as thin as possible
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Olive oil
Sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
One 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 garlic clove. minced
A few basil leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Heat the oil in a medium skillet and add the stuffing ingredients. Cook until the onion is tender. Remove to a bowl to cool.
Arrange the beef slices on a clean work surface.
Evenly distribute the stiffing on the steak. Top with mozzarella.
Starting from the bottom, roll up the beef like a jelly roll, creating a cylinder. Tie with kitchen string.
Heat the olive oil in a large high-sided pan and heat over medium. Once the oil is shimmering add the beef rolls, in batches, being sure not to overcrowd the pan. Brown on both sides, about 2 minutes. Remove to a plate and brown the remaining rolls.
Add sauce ingredients to the pan. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then add the rolls back to the pan and turn the heat down to low. Baste the meat in the tomato sauce, cover the pan and cook on low, basting the meat 2 to 3 times during the cooking process, until the meat is very tender about 2 hours.
Serve over cooked pasta.
I like this sauce for ravioli because it is thick and adheres to the pasta.
Ingredients
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup onion, diced
3 tablespoons (about 6-8 cloves) garlic, peeled and minced
2 28-ounce cans of whole Italian tomatoes
1-14 oz container of finely diced or crushed Italian tomatoes
2 teaspoons dried oregano
teaspoon chili flavored tomato paste
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
20 basil leaves, chiffonade
Ravioli
Parmesan cheese
Directions
Pour the oil into a large pot over medium heat.
Stir in the onion and continue cooking, stirring often, until the onion is soft. This takes about 5 minutes.
Add the garlic and cook, stirring often, for another 1 minute.
Pour in the cans and use a wooden spoon to break the tomatoes into pieces.
Add the remaining ingredients. Cover and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
Turn the heat down to keep it at a simmer. Simmer, uncovered, for about 11/2 hours.
Cook ravioli according to package instructions.
Tip: to drain the ravioli, set a colander in a large serving bowl. Gently scoop the cooked ravioli out of the water with a spider. Set the colander aside and drain the water from the serving bowl The bowl is now warm. Add a layer of ravioli, spread a layer of sauce, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
The Sauce Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound sweet Italian fennel sausage, cut into links
- 11 to 12 ounces boneless pork ribs
- Meatballs, recipe below
- Braciole, recipe below
- 3 (26-ounce) containers of Italian chopped tomatoes, without salt or sugar, added
- 2 (26-ounce) containers of Italian crushed tomatoes, without salt or sugar, added
- 2-6 ounce cans of tomato paste
- Water
- 3 whole garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon each salt and black pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Meatballs
- 1 pound grass-fed ground beef
- 1 pound pasture-raised ground pork
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup dried Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh, flat-leaf parsley
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon each salt and black pepper
Braciole
- 1 pound beef top round, flank steak or strip steak, pounded thin
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped shallots
- 1/2 cup dried Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- 1 large clove garlic chopped finely
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- String (butcher’s twine) to secure the rolls
Pasta
- 1 pound of pasta
- 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- 7-8 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
To make the Braciola:
Lay the meat out on aboard. Pound with a mallet to thin the meat. Cut the meat into 5-6” slices.
In a small bowl combine the olive oil, chopped parsley, shallots, bread crumbs, cheese, garlic, pignoli, if using, and salt and pepper to taste.
Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the beef rolls. Fold in the sides over the filling of each roll. Roll up each slice and secure it with kitchen string.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with aluminum foil (for easy clean up) and coat them with olive oil cooking spray. Place the sausage links on one baking sheet. The second baking pan is for the meatballs.
In a large, heavy pot over medium-low heat, warm 1 tablespoon olive oil and add the boneless pork ribs. Cook 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until browned all over. Place on a clean plate.
Add the Braciola and brown them on all sides. Transfer to the plate with the pork and cover with foil to keep warm.
Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook 3 to 5 minutes, until softened. Add the tomato paste. Fill the empty paste cans with water and add to the pot. Stir into the onions and let cook for 2 or 3 minutes.
Pour in all the tomatoes and fill one tomato container with water and add it to the pot. Add the seasonings (crushed red pepper – parsley), the pork ribs, and the sausage. Bring to a boil; reduce to a low simmer and cook for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Add the cooked meatballs and Braciola to the gravy, after it has simmered for one hour. Simmer for an additional 3 to 4 hours (if you want it thick and rich). Stir in the fresh basil just before adding the gravy to the pasta.
In the meantime, cook the pasta in salted water until al dente. Once cooked, drain and add the gravy. Sprinkle with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. Serve the meat on a big platter, so diners can choose what they want.
Add the water to the bread crumbs, mix well, and let sit for a few minutes. Place the meat in a large bowl. Add the onion, garlic, cheese, and parsley to the meat. In a small bowl, beat the egg with salt and pepper and add to the meat mixture. Add the moistened bread crumbs. Mix the ingredients with your hands until the consistency is moist and the meat holds together well. Using your hands, roll the meatballs into 1 1/2-inch ball. Two pounds of meat should make about 18 to 20 meatballs. Place the meatballs on the foil-lined baking sheet.
Bake for about 20 minutes, or until browned, turning them over after 10 minutes. Cover and keep warm.
Place the pan of sausage links in the oven at the same time and bake the sausage until browned. Turn over halfway through baking. Add the sausage to the gravy when the pork ribs are added.
Servethesauceandmeatwithyourfavoritepasta.
