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1. Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta
Dinner in 30 minutes with this Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta recipe. Packed with flavor from spinach, garlic, and sun dried tomatoes, your family will gobble this easy dinner right up!
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 1 cup flour
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 Tbsp powdered sugar
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
For the sauce:
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes in oil, drained and finely diced
- 3 Tbsp cornstarch, divided
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper (don’t skimp on this)
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 box (16oz) linguine noodles
Instructions
- Place raw chicken breast into a bowl and pour milk and lemon juice over the top. Cover and refrigerate for 2-4 hours. You can also do this in the morning, so that it's ready at dinner time!
- PRO TIP: Did you know that soaking the chicken in milk and lemon helps it become more tender for cooking?
- When ready to cook, create your chicken crust. In a pie plate, or shallow dish, combine flour, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and powdered sugar.
- Drain chicken from milk marinade and dip into the flour, coating evenly.
- Heat a large skillet with olive oil over medium high heat. Place chicken strips in hot skillet for about 3 minutes on each side. Remove and place onto a foil lined baking sheet.
- Bake chicken in 350 degree oven for about 18-20 minutes.
- PRO TIP: If you smash your chicken with a meat tenderizer before dipping in coating, this helps it become the same thickness throughout, resulting in more even cooking.
- While the chicken bakes, cook your linguine (or favorite pasta) according to package.
- To make the sauce, using the same skillet as the chicken, add additional olive oil, scraping the bits from the pan. Over medium heat, add garlic and sun dried tomatoes to the pan, heat for several minutes.
- Sprinkle 1 Tbsp cornstarch over the tomatoes, and mix thoroughly.
- Add chicken broth, whisk until combined. Cook for about 5 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix remaining cornstarch with milk and whisk. Add to the broth and continue whisking while adding in the cream, spinach, salt, and pepper.
- Turn heat to low and simmer until sauce thickens and spinach wilts. Add in parmesan cheese.
- Stir and heat on low until chicken and noodles are done.
- Serve in a large bowl and enjoy.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 695Total Fat: 37g Saturated Fat: 16g Trans Fat: 1g Unsaturated Fat: 19g Cholesterol: 169mg Sodium: 1785mg Carbohydrates: 38g Fiber: 2g Sugar: 3g Protein: 50g
2. Farfalle Pasta with Spinach, Mushrooms, and Caramelized Onions
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Creamy Farfalle with Spinach, Mushrooms, and Caramelized Onions. The bow-tie pasta is perfectly matched with rich and buttery Parmesan sauce! Serve this easy meatless Italian meal as-is, or with grilled chicken! Satisfying and comforting dinner that a whole family will love!
Ingredients
Caramelized onions
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 yellow onions , large, sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Creamy pasta sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 10 oz mushrooms , sliced (I used button mushrooms)
- 6 oz spinach
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese , shredded
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Pasta
- 8 oz farfalle pasta
Instructions
How to caramelize onions:
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil on medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add sliced onions and cook on high heat for about 10 minutes, constantly stirring with the spatula.
- The onions should start to brown, but without burning.
- Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking onions for 10 more minutes, continuing to stir, as onions brown even more without burning. At this point add a pinch of salt over onions.
- Continue cooking for 10 more minutes on medium or low heat, stirring occasionally to make sure onions don’t stick to the bottom of the pan or burn.
- In total, you should have cooked onions for 30 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle the onions with a small amount of balsamic vinegar to deglaze the pan.
- Using a spatula, stir the onions, scraping the bottom of the pan and coating onions with a pinch of balsamic vinegar you just added. Remove caramelized onions to a plate.
How to cook mushrooms and spinach:
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in the same skillet on medium heat. Add sliced mushrooms. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
- Cook mushrooms for about 5 minutes, occasionally stirring, until mushrooms are soft.
- Add fresh spinach to the skillet and stir on low heat just until spinach starts to wilt.
How to make creamy pasta sauce:
- Add half-and-half to the mushroom and spinach mixture and bring to a quick boil. Immediately reduce to simmer.
- Add 2/3 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Keep stirring while the sauce simmers until the cheese melts.
- Add caramelized onions back to the skillet with the pasta sauce.
Cook pasta:
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain.
- Add cooked and drained farfalle pasta to the creamy sauce. Stir on low heat for a couple of minutes to reheat.
If the sauce is too thick, add a small amount of half-and-half to thin it out. If it is too thin, add a small amount of shredded Parmesan cheese, and stir it in, while the sauce simmers.
Serve with more shredded parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.
Recipe Notes
Substitute for half-and-half: Use 1/2 cup of heavy cream + 1/2 cup of milk instead of 1 cup of half-and-half.
3. Crispy Chicken with Italian Sauce and Bowtie Noodles (NEW and IMPROVED)
There you have it. Crispy Chicken with Italian Sauce and Bowties (new and improved! just keep scrolling down to read all about it) and just plain Creamy Italian Bowties if you want to sack the chicken and make things super easy.
Now, scroll on to see the improvements up close and personal.
Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Recipe from Jamie Cooks It Up!
CHICKEN:
3 large chicken breasts
5 C corn flakes
3/4 C flour
1/2 t salt
1/2 C milk
6 T olive oil
1 12 oz package bowtie noodles (farfalle)
SAUCE:
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp granulated garlic
1/2 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp seasoned salt
1 tsp chicken bullion granules
1 Tb butter
2 (10 ounce) cans cream of chicken soup
1 C chicken broth (I used 1 C warm water + 1 tsp chicken bullion)
1/2 C milk
Instructions
- In a small food processor crush the corn flakes into crumbs
- Add the 1/2 t salt to the 3/4 C flour. Stir to combine.
- Place the flour, milk and crushed corn flakes each into their own separate pan. Loaf pans work well for this. If you don’t have three loaf pans, do not dismay. You could use pie tins, or round cake pans…what ever works for you.
- Place your chicken breasts in a gallon sized Ziploc bag and seal the top
- Take a pair of sharp kitchen scissors and cut each breast in half.
- Dredge the chicken in the flour. Be sure it gets covered on both sides.
- Start cooking your pasta
- Remove the chicken from the freezer and dredge each piece in the milk and then immediately into the corn flake crumbs. Again, be sure both sides are covered well.
- Add the olive oil to a hot skillet.
- Carefully lay each chicken piece into the hot oil. Sprinkle with a little bit of salt and pepper. Cook over medium high heat for about 5 minutes
- Cover the pan and reduce the heat to medium. Let the chicken cook for about 7 more minutes, being careful not to burn the bottoms. Burned bottoms are not advised. In any shape or form. Thank you.
- When your chicken has been cooked through remove it from the pan and place it on a plate. Cover with tin foil.
- Grab 1 package cream cheese and place it in a small bowl. Pop it into the microwave for 30 seconds. Add 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/4 tsp granulated garlic, 1/2 tsp oregano, 1/4 tsp seasoned salt, 1 tsp chicken bullion granules.
- Into your skillet place 1 tablespoon of butter and allow it to melt. Add 2 (10 ounce) cans cream of chicken soup, 1 C chicken broth (I used 1 C warm water + 1 tsp chicken bullion) and 1/2 C milk and the seasoned cream cheese. Whisk it well over medium high heat until it starts to bubble up. Let it cook for about 2 minutes.
4. Mushroom Ravioli with Spinach
Mushroom Ravioli with Spinach
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Mushroom Ravioli with Spinach - this easy meatless pasta dinner requires only 6 ingredients and 30 minutes! Mushrooms are sauteed with spinach, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes and combined with ravioli. Use baby portobellos, shiitake, oyster mushrooms, cremini, or button mushrooms.
Ingredients
- 10 oz ravioli (cheese ravioli, pesto-filled, etc.)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes , chopped
- 10 oz mushrooms (cremini, button mushrooms, or baby portobellos)
- 5 oz spinach , fresh
- 4 cloves garlic , minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cook ravioli until al dente. Drain.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil on medium heat.
- Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and sliced mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes, stirring.
Add fresh spinach, minced garlic, red pepper flakes. Continue cooking and stirring until the spinach wilts.
To the skillet with sautéed mushrooms and vegetables add cooked ravioli, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and stir. Reheat gently on medium-low heat.
Season with salt and pepper.
Nutrition Facts
Mushroom Ravioli with Spinach
Amount Per Serving
Calories 375Calories from Fat 171
% Daily Value*
Fat 19g29%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Cholesterol 38mg13%
Sodium 488mg21%
Potassium 670mg19%
Carbohydrates 37g12%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 14g28%
Vitamin A 3420IU68%
Vitamin C 15.1mg18%
Calcium 62mg6%
Iron 9.4mg52%
5. Slow-Cooked Short Rib Ragu
This slow-cooked short rib ragu is hearty and comforting. The short ribs are simmered in the oven until they are fall-apart-tender.
INGREDIENTS
For the Ragu
- 3 pounds boneless short ribs, patted dry and well seasoned on both sides with salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 carrots, diced
- 2 ribs of celery, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 (28-ounce) can whole San Marzano plum tomatoes, including juice
- 2 cups red wine
- 2 cups water
- 6 sprigs fresh parsley
- salt & pepper, to taste47.1g
Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
- 3 Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional for garnish)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 350 degree.
- In a large dutch oven or stock pot heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the short ribs and brown on all sides until the outside is nicely caramelized. I had to do this in 3 batches so the pan wouldn’t be too crowded. Once browned, remove the ribs from the pot and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the diced carrots, celery, and onion. Cook for about ten minutes until the vegetables have softened. Add the garlic and cook for another couple of minutes.
- Stir in the tomato paste until all of the veggies are coated. Sprinkle in the flour and stir to coat all of the vegetables. Continue to cook the mixture for another few minutes.
- Pour in the wine and increase the heat until the pot begins to simmer. Deglaze the pot by scraping the bottom with the spatula to pull up all of the browned bits. Next, add the tomatoes, first squishing each with your hands and all of the juice from the can. Pour in 2 cups of water and stir. Then add the short ribs back to the pot. Be sure they are completely covered by the liquid. If needed, add more water to ensure they are covered. Toss in the parsley (no need to chop it) and give it all a big stir. Bring the pot to a strong simmer (increase the heat if needed) and then cover it, remove it from the heat and transfer it to the preheated oven. Let it simmer in the oven for 2-3 hours, or until the beef is fork tender. For me, it took about 2 1/2 hours – start checking yours at the 2-hour mark.
- Once the beef is fork tender, remove the pot from the oven. Remove the short ribs from the pot and set aside. Using a fine mesh strainer, carefully strain the liquid into a large sauce pot. Press on the solids to extract all of the liquid before discarding them.
- Shred the short ribs before adding them to the sauce.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium-high heat. You want the sauce to thicken and reduce, which will take at least 30 minutes or so. While the sauce is reducing periodically skim the surface to remove the fat.
- While the sauce is reducing, fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add the potatoes and boil them until they are fork tender (time may vary based on the size of your potato pieces.)
- Drain the potatoes and return them to the cooking pot. Add in the butter and, using a potato masher, mash up all of the potatoes along with the butter. Add the sour cream and parmesan cheese and stir well to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Once the potatoes are done the sauce should be ready. Don’t worry if the sauce isn’t ready, you can keep the potatoes warm on the stove until the sauce has thickened.
- Serve the ragu on top of the parmesan mashed potatoes. Garnish with chopped parsley.
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