Pasta Primavera

Pasta Primavera is a classic Italian American recipe that’s loaded with spring vegetables. It has a light and fresh sauce and is the perfect break from heavier winter foods!

Looking for more vegetarian recipes? Try this Farro Caprese Salad, this Buffalo Cauliflower appetizer, or The Best Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe.

Pasta Primavera

Hi everyone! Natasha here from Salt & Lavender. I am soo excited for warmer weather and this spring pasta! This vegetarian Pasta Primavera recipe is wonderful after all the comfort foods we’ve had all winter long. It’s also nice if you want your carb fix but are starting to think about swimsuit season! It has a light lemony sauce that you will love.

What is Pasta Primavera?

“Primavera” means spring in Italian. It’s a simple pasta dish filled with spring vegetables. This recipe was invented in the USA in the 1970s – it’s not an authentic Italian recipe, which was somewhat surprising to me!

Pasta Primavera ingredients

You can feel free to swap for whatever vegetables you prefer or are sold at your local grocery store or farmer’s market, but this particular recipe has:

• Butter & Oil for the light sauce
• Zucchini
• Peas (I used frozen but you could use sugar snap or fresh peas if you have access to them)
• Bell pepper (use whatever color you prefer)
• Little tomatoes (grape or cherry work well)
• Carrots (I slice it very thin into ribbons so it cooks fast. You can also buy pre-cut matchstick carrots)
• Garlic
• Fresh lemon juice
• Italian seasoning (the dried herb blend you can find in the herb/spice aisle)
• Fresh basil
• Parmesan cheese (I like to grate my own for the best flavor and texture)

You could definitely add broccoli (or broccolini) or asparagus as well/instead of another ingredient.

How to make Pasta Primavera

1. Prep your ingredients (chop the veggies and grate that cheese!).
2. Add the oil and butter to a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Once the pan is hot, add the vegetables and garlic and sauté, stirring often, for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
4. Stir in the lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and basil.
5. Before draining the pasta, add a splash of the pasta water (a tablespoon or two) to the skillet. Drain the pasta and add it to the pan and toss. Just before serving, stir in the parmesan cheese.

What kind of pasta to use?

I used penne, but feel free to use your favorite or whatever’s in your pantry.

Can you add protein to Pasta Primavera?

Absolutely! I’d add some raw shrimp in while you’re sautéing the veggies (they won’t take more than 5 minutes or so to cook), or add in cooked/rotisserie chicken and warm it through.

Other pasta recipes you’ll love:

• Easy Pasta Carbonara
• Creamy Chicken Spinach Pasta
• California Spaghetti Salad
• Greek Broccoli Pasta Salad

Print

Easy Pasta Primavera

Pasta Primavera is a classic Italian American recipe that's loaded with spring vegetables. It has a light and fresh sauce and is the perfect break from heavier winter foods!

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian American

Keyword Best Pasta Primavera recipe, Pasta Primavera Recipe, Primavera Pasta

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 381kcal

Author Natasha Bull

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small zucchini (diced)
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1/2 bell pepper (use any color)
• 5 ounces tomatoes (I prefer grape or cherry, cut into halves)
• 1 small carrot (use a vegetable peeler to cut into ribbons)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 dash Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil (torn/sliced thin)
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 8 ounces uncooked pasta
• Salt & pepper (to taste)

Instructions

• Prep your ingredients and boil water for your pasta (cook it al dente according to package directions). Add the oil and butter to a skillet over medium-high heat.
• Once the pan is hot, add the vegetables and garlic and sauté, stirring often, for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
• Stir in the lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and basil.
• Before draining the pasta, add a splash of the pasta water (a tablespoon or two) to the skillet. Drain the pasta and add it to the pan and toss. Just before serving, stir in the parmesan cheese. Season with salt & pepper as needed.

Notes

• Feel free to swap out any veggies you don't like. This is a very forgiving recipe!

Nutrition

Calories: 381kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 268mg | Potassium: 424mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3346IU | Vitamin C: 38mg | Calcium: 185mg | Iron: 1mg

 

source https://therecipecritic.com/pasta-primavera/

Read More

Baked Parmesan Garlic Chicken (4 ingredients!)

This parmesan garlic chicken is perfectly baked tender and juicy chicken that is lightly seasoned with Italian seasoning and garlic powder and then sprinkled with parmesan.  All made in under 30 minutes!

I love everything about this meal. So easy to mix everything together and so delicious. We will be having this again and again! For more recipes like this one try this garlic parmesan chicken tenders recipe or this sheet pan crispy parmesan garlic chicken recipe.

 

Baked Parmesan Garlic Chicken Breast Recipe

This my friends, was fantastic! The best part about it was that it was so easy and packed with flavor! Seriously. It is only four ingredients. I was able to throw this together in 5 minutes and serve it with a side of rice and veggies and my family thought they had a gourmet meal. I loved how the parmesan cheese gave it a delicious crust and the chicken was full of flavor and so tender. A great easy meal that everyone loved! This will definitely make it on your list of go-to meals when you are short on time but still want a nutritious dish! And on an even better note, it is kid- friendly as well. 

What is baked parmesan garlic chicken breast?

If not one of the greatest, easiest, and tastiest meals ever?! This dish is incredibly simple. Containing only 4 ingredients, it is exactly what it sounds like. Baked chicken breast with a parmesan and garlic rub to it. It is the perfect combination of savory garlic and parmesan paired with juicy chicken! 

It is definitely the meal that will have your house smelling amazing. 

What do you need to make baked parmesan garlic chicken breast?

This is one of those meals that is perfect for when you are in between grocery trips and may not have a lot of stuff to choose from. Because this literally calls for 4 things. You are able to make a gourmet dish with just 4 simple ingredients.

As always, remember the exact measurements for all the ingredients needed will be included in the recipe at the very bottom. 

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts
• Dry Italian dressing packet
• Garlic powder
• Parmesan cheese 

How do you make baked parmesan garlic chicken breast? 

Preparing dinner has never been so deliciously simple. This meal is by far one of the quickest ones I have ever prepared that is still very rewarding. By the looks and taste of it no one would even know that you whipped this up in just a matter of minutes! Here the 4 simple steps to follow to prepare a mouth watering meal.

•  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Mix together the Italian Dressing Mix, Parmesan Cheese, and garlic powder.
• Wash the chicken and while still damp, coat them with the cheese mixture.
• Bake chicken breasts in a shallow dish for 20-25 minutes or until no longer pink.

How much does this recipe yield?

So if you are following along with the 4 chicken breasts, this will provide 4 servings. However depending on the cuts of your chicken, you can always cut the breasts in half (making them thinner) if yours are really thick and would rather have smaller servings. 

What can you serve with baked chicken parmesan chicken breast?

This dish is very flavorful yet versatile enough to be served with a variety of things. Having chicken as the main dish opens up a lot of possibilities. There are of course many vegetables you can choose from, having them fresh or steaming them. You can always pair the chicken together with a salad that includes fresh vegetables. Potatoes are also a great side whether you chose to have them mashed, or baked. And for all my garlic lovers there is always the option of putting together some garlic bread or even just some sourdough bread or dinner rolls. 

Are there any variations to this recipe

Everyone has their own preferences and different tastes that they like. The nice thing about the recipe is that it is so simple you can afford to switch or add things that you like. You can choose to use bone in chicken breasts if that is what you already have or prefer that is not a problem! Also another common addition is using lemon juice to zest or varnish your chicken right before serving it. This adds to the flavor and is a quick adjustment to make. 

You might also enjoy these chicken recipes:

• Baked Parmesan Chicken
• Monterey Chicken
• Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
• Homemade Chimichanga Recipe 
• Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

Print

Baked Parmesan Garlic Chicken

This parmesan garlic chicken is perfectly baked tender and juicy chicken that is lightly seasoned with Italian seasoning and garlic powder and then sprinkled with parmesan.  All made in under 30 minutes! 

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword baked parmesan garlic chicken, chicken recipes, parmesan garlic chicken

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 4 Chicken breasts

Calories 185kcal

Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

• 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
• 1 package Dry Italian Dressing Packet
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese You can also use fresh shredded which I used

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Mix together the Italian Dressing Mix, Parmesan Cheese, and garlic powder.
• Wash chicken and while still damp, coat them with the cheese mixture.
• Bake chicken breasts in shallow dish for 20-25 minutes or until no longer pink.

Notes

Updated on March 23, 2020

Originally Posted on April 11, 2013

Nutrition

Calories: 185kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 323mg | Potassium: 443mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 142IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 144mg | Iron: 1mg

source https://therecipecritic.com/baked-parmesan-garlic-chicken/

Read More

Lasagna Roll Ups

These Lasagna Roll Ups are an easier approach to this classic Italian comfort food dish of layered pasta, meat, and cheese. Simple prep and easy assembly means this is a lasagna dinner you can have on the table any day of the week!

If you are looking for inspiration for your next pasta night, you might also want to try Chicken Spaghetti Casserole, Chicken Enchilada Pasta, Creamy Pork Carnitas Pasta, or Creamy Garlic Shrimp Alfredo Pasta.

Lasagna Roll Ups

All the flavors of a classic lasagna are present in this dish, but wrapped up in a fun approach that makes puts an interesting twist on dinner! We also love how rolling up lasagna noodles means that you have perfectly portioned servings ready to be dished out or placed in containers to enjoy as leftovers later in the week.

It’s also really easy to bake only half a batch of lasagna roll ups and freeze the rest to have on hand. Just thaw the frozen lasagna roll ups in the fridge overnight then bake as directed.

The kids also really enjoy helping with this one because it’s so fun rolling up the fillings in the lasagna noodles.

What goes into lasagna roll ups?

• Lasagna noodles – you will want the classic kind that you boil, rather than the no-cook kind.
• Marinara sauce – buy your favorite jar of marinara sauce or make it at home from scratch.
• Ground beef – if you want, you could use mild or spicy Italian sauce instead for a different flavor profile.
• Onion – sauteeing the onion with the ground beef helps make jarred marinara sauce taste like it was homemade.
• Minced garlic
• Salt & pepper
• Ricotta cheese
• Egg
• Dried Italian herbs – some basil, oregano, and garlic powder are added because they are all classic Italian flavors.
• Mozzarella cheese – use freshly grated mozzarella cheese since it melts better than the pre-shredded kind that is coated in a powder to prevent it from sticking.
• Parmesan cheese – we recommend freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than the powdered kind from a bottle.
• Parsley – fresh chopped Italian flat leaf parsley adds a bit of color and flavor to the finished dish.

How to make lasagna roll ups

1. Start by boiling the lasagna noodles in a large pot filled with salted water. Cook according to the package directions, then lay out flat on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray to prevent them from sticking.
2. Meanwhile, make the meat sauce by browning ground beef and the chopped onion in a large skillet. Add the garlic and season with salt & pepper, then pour the jar of marinara sauce in and reduce the heat to a simmer. The flavors will combine as the sauce simmers slowly while you prepare the rest of the lasagna roll up components.
3. Make the ricotta cheese filling by mixing ricotta cheese, an egg, dried basil, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, pepper, mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese in a bowl. Set aside.
4. When read to assemble the lasagna roll ups, evenly divide the ricotta mixture between each of the lasagna noodles and spread it down the length of each noodle. Top with a spoonful of the meaty marinara sauce, then roll up each lasagna noodle and transfer it to a 9×13-inch baking dish with about 1/2 cup of sauce spread in the bottom to keep the lasagna roll ups from sticking.
5. Top with the remaining sauce and reserved mozzarella cheese, then cover with foil and bake in a 375 degree F oven for 40-45 minutes. Remove the foil during the last 10 minutes of baking. The lasagna should be hot all the way through and the cheese wlill be melted on top. Let sit for 10 minutes, then sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Is lasagna better with ricotta or cottage cheese?

I have found that you can really use either option when making lasagna roll ups, so it mostly comes down to personal preference. Ricotta cheese is a more classic approach to lasagna, but cottage cheese is typically lower in fat and calories.

Why do you put eggs in lasagna?

The egg in the cheese mixture for filling the lasagna roll ups works as a binding agent to help so the cheese doesn’t ooze out as much when serving. Another thing that helps lasagna be less runny is to let it sit for at least 10 minutes before serving any of the lasagna roll ups. This gives them time to set up a bit.

 

Want more casserole inspiration? Here you go!

• Taco Casserole
• Turkey Mediterranean Casserole
• Cheesy Broccoli Casserole
• Texas Lasagna
• Three Cheese Stuffed Shells Recipe
• Pepperoni Pizza Lasagna Rolls
• Easy Sausage and Rice Casserole

 

Print

Lasagna Roll Ups

These Lasagna Roll Ups are an easier approach to this classic Italian comfort food dish of layered pasta, meat, and cheese. Simple prep and easy assembly means this is a lasagna dinner you can have on the table any day of the week!

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian, Italian American

Keyword lasagna recipes, lasagna roll ups recipe, lasagna roll-ups

Prep Time 15 hours

Cook Time 1 hour

Total Time 16 hours

Servings 6 People

Calories 609kcal

Author Amy Nash

Ingredients

• 12 lasagna noodles cooked according to package directions
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Sauce

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1/2 large onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

Filling

• 1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 9x13" baking dish with cooking spray.
• Cook the noodles according to the package directions, then drain and lay them flat on a baking sheet without overlapping. Set aside.
• In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion and garlic. Add the marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
• To assemble, spoon about 1/2 cup of sauce into the bottom of the pan and spread it around as evenly as possible. Set aside another 1 cup of the sauce for topping the lasagna roll ups.
• Divide the ricotta mixture evenly between the lasagna noodles, using the back of a spoon to spread it down one side of each noodle. Add a spoonful of sauce to each noodle, spreading it on to of the cheese mixture.
• Roll up each noodle and transfer to the baking dish, arranging them in rows. Spoon the reserved sauce on top, then sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for 10 minutes more until the cheese is melted and the lasagna roll ups are hot.
• Sprinkle with the chopped fresh parsley and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 609kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 126mg | Sodium: 754mg | Potassium: 416mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 565IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 421mg | Iron: 3mg

source https://therecipecritic.com/lasagna-roll-ups/

Read More

Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken and dumplings is all I can think about now that the weather is cooling off, and today I’m sharing with you one of my favorites. This scrumptious one-pot meal is full of creamy chicken and veggies and sure to become one of your favorites too!

Right now I am loving comforting food that gets our family together around the table. This chicken pot pie, Creamy Parmesan Herb Mushroom Chicken and chicken noodle casserole are some of my favorite comforting foods.

Easy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Bring a comforting meal to the table and gather your family around with this easy to make chicken and dumpling recipe. It is warm, thick and pure comfort and just what a family needs to stick together. I love the smell of all the seasonings over top the chicken and vegetables. The dumplings are made from scratch and add that bread like dough filling to the chicken. Creamy, chicken and vegetables with dumplings over top makes these the perfect family meal, for sure!

When I make this meal my kids are thrilled beyond measure and can’t wait for such a great meal to come home to after school. During the week is our favorite time to make this. It is simple and easy to make. It comes together in less than an hour and makes for the best family meal. Chicken and dumplings is paired together perfectly and has the perfect combination of chicken, fresh vegetables and dumplings within the meal. Make this complete meal all in one pot today!

What are Chicken and Dumplings?

I’ve been making all kinds of comfort food recipes lately but this chicken dish is my go-to when I want something simple, tasty, and of course, comforting! It has all the components of a great chicken pot pie, but instead of a flaky pie crust on the outside, it has soft, moist, absolutely delicious dumplings!

The dumplings cook right in the middle of all those yummy veggies making this a fantastic one-pot meal. Gosh, I just love recipes like that! Less dishes to wash makes for a very happy Liz! Wouldn’t you agree?

What do you Need to Make Chicken and Dumplings?
This delicious recipe calls only for the best ingredients. All the different vegetables, herbs, and spices are what make this meal memorable. Remember all the exact measurements are included at the bottom to help you create this easy and tasty cuisine.

• Yellow Onion- can use a sweet onion if needed 
• Celery- adds a fresh taste and crunch
• Carrots- excellent source of fiber and flavor
• Unsalted butter- I normally use unsalted butter but salted will work too
• All-purpose flour- this helps thicken the broth as well as the dumplings
• Chicken broth- helps tie everything together
• Cooked chicken- make sure the chicken is already cooked prior to starting this recipe
• Green beans- adds nutrition and flavor 
• Salt and pepper- of course to taste
• Baking powder- key to achieving the perfect dumpling mixture
• Coarse salt- a little goes a long way
• Fresh parsley- adding this fresh herb will make all the difference and bring out the flavors
• Whole milk- I use whole milk but you can switch it for a plant based milk if needed. 

How to Make Chicken and Dumplings:

This recipe is exactly what it is called, EASY chicken and dumplings. People are sometimes hesitant to rely on a homemade recipe from scratch. However, when you taste it you will be amazed at how something so simple to make is extremely delicious as well as nutritious. 

This is one of those meals that takes little preparation but can fill a family. These steps will help you create this dish in no time. And as always, the exact measurements needed are included in the recipe at the very bottom! 

1. Sauté vegetables: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and add onion, celery, and carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, about 4 minutes.
2. Bring to a boil: Add flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Slowly add broth, stirring constantly, and bring to a boil.
3. Add in chicken and green beans: Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in chicken, green beans, and salt and pepper to taste.
4. Make the dumplings: In a large bowl, make the dumplings by mixing together the flour, baking powder, coarse salt, and fresh parsley. Cut in butter until evenly distributed throughout the flour and stir in milk. Drop heaping spoonfuls of dumpling batter on top of chicken mixture.
5. Simmer: Cover and simmer until dumplings are cooked through, about 12-14 minutes. Garnish with additional chopped parsley before serving.

How Many Servings Does this Recipe Yield?

This recipe yields about 6 servings. It is perfect for weeknight dinners when you do not have a lot of time to prepare something , but still want to fill up on something tasty and nutritious. 

What Can you Pair with Chicken and Dumplings?

When it comes to dumplings, it already does incorporate a lot of different fresh vegetables in the mix, so you are getting a variety with this all in one dish. You could always go for a side salad that has fresh fruit or vegetables in it. There is a wider variety of vegetables to choose from so you could steam a couple of your favorite on the side.
Different variations of potatoes such as mashed or baked potatoes could compliment it. Another possible option is garlic bread. I have found that cooking some rice such as jasmine rice is a good side to serve with it as well! 

Tips and Tricks for Making Chicken Dumplings:

I personally like to cut up a rotisserie chicken that I picked up from the store to save me a bit of time and effort. And you can also chop your veggies ahead of time too, so when it’s time to pull dinner together you can have it ready in a snap! 

If for some crazy reason you happen to have leftovers you are able to store this in the fridge for an additional 1-2 days. If you’ve never made chicken and dumplings before you simply MUST give this recipe a try! You’ll love this comfort food classic!

Here Are More Delicious Chicken Recipes to Try:

• Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe 
• Tikka Masala Recipe
• Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe
• Kung Pao Chicken
• Brown Sugar Balsamic Chicken and Vegetables 

Print

Chicken and Dumplings

Comfort food at it's finest with this easy and delicious family friendly meal!

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword chicken and dumplings, chicken and dumplings recipe, dumplings

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Servings 6 Servings

Calories 297kcal

Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

• 1 small yellow onion minced
• 1 stalk celery thinly sliced
• 2 carrots peeled and diced medium
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups cooked chicken diced
• 1/3 pound green beans trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
• salt and pepper to taste

For the dumplings:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter cut into cubes
• 1/2 cup whole milk

Instructions

• In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and add onion, celery, and carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, about 4 minutes.
• Add flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Slowly add broth, stirring constantly, and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in chicken, green beans, and salt and pepper to taste.
• In a large bowl, make the dumplings by mixing together the flour, baking powder, coarse salt, and fresh parsley. Cut in butter until evenly distributed throughout the flour and stir in milk. Drop heaping spoonfuls of dumpling batter on top of chicken mixture.
• Cover and simmer until dumplings are cooked through, about 12-14 minutes. Garnish with additional chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

Updated on March 22, 2020

Originally Posted on October 2012

Nutrition

Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 771mg | Potassium: 438mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 4027IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 2mg

source https://therecipecritic.com/easy-chicken-dumplings/

Read More