Grilled Italiano Burgers

Mmmmm...............this meal is simple and delicious!  A simple twist of the American burger transforms this burger into an Italian classic!  Here are the ingredients:



1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground Italian sausage
1-2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons minced onion
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon oregano
Salt and Pepper
Meat Sauce (see link for recipe)
Provolone cheese
Hamburger buns



Simply mix the first 7 ingredients together and form into hamburgers.  Grill.  Melt cheese on the burger.  Before plating add a tablespoon of sauce on top of the burger.  Place burger on bun.  SIMPLE!!!!!

 

Seriously, this recipe is easy.  Anyone can do it!  A great meal for your entire family!

Mangia!

Penne With Chicken and Roasted Vegetables

The last recipe from the Utah trip belongs to my sister Tonette and her better half Jerry. They made a fabulous pasta with roasted vegetables and grilled chicken.  Think of a primavera pasta with chicken.  It was really good!

Here are the ingredients:

3 boneless chicken thighs
4 links Italian sausage
1 small bundle of asparagus
1 small head of broccoli
1 onion
1 tomato
1/2 pound mushrooms
1/2 bag frozen peas
1/2 bag fresh spinach
1 bottle of Italian salad dressing
2 pounds penne pasta
1 cup olive oil
1/2 bulb garlic, peeled and minced
2 cups white wine
3 cups chicken stock
1 1/2 stick butter
1 teaspoon each - fresh oregano, basil, parsley
Salt and pepper

Marinate the chicken in 1/2 bottle of salad dressing, salt and pepper.  Let that marinate for 2 hours.  Grill the chicken and sausage until mostly done.  Set aside.


Drizzle 1/4 cup olive oil on asparagus.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Roast in 350 degree oven.

Cut the broccoli, onion, tomato and mushrooms.  Place in an oven proof pan.  Sprinkle with salt, pepper and 1 cup salad dressing.  Roast the vegetables for 15 minutes.

Cook the penne al dente - still a slight crunch.  The pasta will finish cooking in the oven.  Right before you are ready to drain the pasta, add the peas and spinach.  Drain and add to an oven proof pan.  Pour the chicken, sausage, and roasted vegetables in the pasta.

Saute the garlic with 3/4 cup olive oil.  Add wine and chicken stock.  Add fresh herbs, salt and pepper.  Melt the butter and incorporate that into the sauce.  Pour sauce on top of pasta.

Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. 

Mangia!

Pasta With Sausage In a Tomato Cream Sauce

The other night I was thinking about something different to make for dinner.  Does anyone every get into a rut?  Well, I was feeling that way.  I was in the mood for pasta but wanted something a little different than usual.  My sister Tonette mentioned that she has been making pasta with sausage so I thought I would give it a try.

Here are the ingredients:

1 pound pasta (I used Farfalle)
1 pound ground Italian sausage
1 pound sliced mushrooms
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
2 cups heavy cream
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon parsley
1 teaspoon basil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 shallot, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tablespoons butter

I began by browning the sausage in a saute pan.  Set aside when brown.  Add the olive oil and butter to the saute pan.  Saute the garlic and shallots for 1-2 minutes making sure they don't burn.  Add the mushrooms.  When the mushrooms are brown, add the salt, pepper, basil and parsley.

Add the can tomatoes and sausage and let simmer for 5 minutes.

 Add the can of tomato sauce and simmer for another 5 minutes.  Add the heavy cream and simmer for another 5 minutes.   Combine sauce with al dente pasta and toss to coat.

Mangia!