I’m always amazed at how sharp and intuitive kids are these days. There’s no better place to see this play out than in a kitchen. Add to that observation a growing number of young people who are interesting in cooking, and you have a picture of what my kid’s cooking class was like this week. They made a fantastic one-skillet wonder of raw pasta, lots of cheeses, sausage and marinara sauce that magically all cooked together in no time! The big surprise was how tasty the actual pasta was! How can it not? The pasta is actually cooked in all of those tasty sausage juices, red sauce and garlic instead of being boiled separately in a pot of water. (Salt can only add so much flavor to pasta!) The kids in my cooking class told me they love pasta and wanted an easy way to cook it without a lot of pots and pans. This recipe was perfect for them, and I guarantee it’s going to be perfect for you and your family! Buon Appetito!
whole milk ricotta
Lasagne Soup
Allow me to introduce you to my new favorite dish! If you love lasagna, you’re going to absolutely be giddy over making this simple soup that tastes exactly like lasagne! I can’t stop making it for friends and family, and I sort of get a kick out of watching them come back for seconds….and thirds…and then holding their tummy because they’ve eaten too much! Be prepared for the same reaction! This Lasagne Soup is just scrumptious! I often hear that folks love lasagne but only order it in restaurants because it’s rather tedious to assemble. With Lasagne Soup, it’s a One Pot Wonder of deliciousness without the stress. In fact, you don’t even cook the lasagne noodles ahead of time. You simply throw the raw noodles into the soup! It’s just as delicious whether you use turkey, beef, Italian pork sausage or a combination of all three! One of the things that really makes it taste like lasagna is the ricotta mixture that you dollop on top of the soup when you plate it! If you like Italian cuisine, if you like easy, if you like to please people with a hearty dish that they will adore, then I hope you make Lasagne Soup soon!
Watch my How To Video for Lasagne Soup here!
Lasagne Soup
Easy Cheesy Squash Au Gratin
I may be going out on a limb here, but I’m pretty sure if you make this dish as a side, the main entrée may take a back seat! Yes, it’s that delicious. I’m always looking for ways to cook zucchini and summer squash, and for this recipe, they both come together, get enrobed in a rich, creamy cheesy smoked Gouda sauce and baked to a golden brown for a perfect accompaniment to any dish. You’ll want to start with a cast iron skillet or any heavy pan that will go from the cook top to the oven. Then, it’s just a matter of slicing up the squash and tossing them into a flavorful cream sauce. I like adding a handful of crisp chopped bacon to the recipe. It just gives it a pop of great flavor. You can use any sharp cheese of your choice, but the smoked Gouda really sends the flavor over the top! Although the peak time for summer squash is early to late summer, it’s pretty much available all year round. The green zucchini and the bright yellow summer squash give this side a variety of color and textures, which makes it really pretty on the plate! This Squash Au Gratin is nice spooned on a plate, or served in a ramekin or small side casserole dish. Make sure the top is a bubbly golden brown and serve right out of the oven!
Watch my HOW TO VIDEO for Squash Au Gratin here!
