Spaghetti alla Carbonara
This is a simple pasta dish that can be ready in the time it takes for the spaghetti to cook. The original Roman version uses guanciale (cured pork jowl),…
pasta
Macaroni and Peas
When I was growing up, we called “all” pasta maccherone, regardless of its shape. My grandmother made this particular recipe with spaghetti and canned peas. I use orecchiette instead…
Capellini and Clams
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Canned clams are an economical, low-fat source of protein and can be used to make soups, stews and pasta dishes. I use wild-caught, Maine Whole Cherrystone Clams for this…
Tortellini Salad with Red Pepper Hummus Vinaigrette
This boldly flavored warm pasta salad is a crowd-pleaser and a great dish to bring to a potluck. The Kalamata olives compliment the red pepper hummus and for more…
Orzo Chicken & Fruit Salad
Whether it’s a simple meal for game night, a light lunch with the girls or the solution to what to bring to a potluck pool-party, this orzo salad works…
Pasta con le Sarde
Of all the delicious dishes (dolci excluded) I have enjoyed in Sicily, my most memorable meal is Pasta con le Sarde. My mother and I were vacationing in Italy.…
Antipasti Pasta Salad
All the flavors of an antipasti tray … in a bowl! This pasta salad is loaded with salami, cheese, garbanzo beans, pepperoncini, olives, cherry tomatoes and more. This is…
Pappardelle Pasta
My inspiration for this dish begins with pappardelle (large, very broad, flat pasta noodles, similar to wide fettuccine, originating from the region of Tuscany), and comes from my friend…
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
Spaghetti with garlic and olive oil is the most basic way to sauce pasta. In a country where it is quite common (the norm actually) for the same pasta…
Roasted Cauliflower Penne & Pinoli
I love, love, love cauliflower! This dish is so Sicilian with the pine nuts (pinoli) and currants (passoli) but you can certainly substitute chopped walnuts and raisins if that’s what…
Carbonara for One
Pasta alla Carbonara is a simple dish consisting basically of pasta, bacon, cheese and raw eggs. Some recipes (not the original) add cream. The original Roman version is quite…
Pasta Milanese with Saint Joseph’s “Sawdust”
This pasta dish is a classic for New Orleanians of Sicilian descent. It is the ritual meal (a cena di San Giuseppe) that is traditionally served on March 19th…
Melanzane e Spaghetti Torta
So, you have an eggplant, half a box of spaghetti, a pound of ground beef and need to make something that will feed six hearty appetites. This eggplant and…
Fettuccine with Parmesan Cheese Sauce
This sauce is a lighter version of the American fettuccine Alfredo. I say “American” because if you ask for this dish in a restaurant in Italy, they will look…
Mostaccioli in Marsala Cream Sauce
Caramelized onions, crimini mushrooms and mostaccioli pasta, all smothered in a rich Marsala cream sauce is a recipe for satisfying comfort food. I usually prepare this when I have…
Pasta Girl
Italian Americans were instrumental in the creation of Columbus Day. It was on October 12, 1866, that the Italian community of New York City organized a festa (celebration) in…
Rigatoni Rustico
Rigatoni Rustico is a country type of dish that has all the flavors of a lasagna but not all the work. You’ll need to sauté the onions and Italian…
Spaghetti al Finocchio
Many of the meals that I prepare, particularly those I’ve created, are actually born out of a previous meal. This is not creative genius on my part, rather a…
Pasta & Sauce
“Marco Polo did not introduce pasta to Italy from China. During the days of the Roman Empire, wheat was imported into Italy from Egypt and the northwestern African coast…
Ravioli in Mascarpone-Lemon Cream Sauce
One of the easiest and quickest sauces you’ll ever make. I use it on ravioli and tortellini (so much better than anything you’ll find in a jar). It also…