Easy Ravioli with Creamy Corn Sauce

This is a fast and easy skillet dish to prepare and a crowd pleaser. I have seen this mentioned on TV cooking shows and blogs.  This is my version of the sauce made from corn which lends its creaminess.  I added zucchini and red pepper both for flavor and texture not to mention added nutrients. I used just a tiny oil needed to saute the vegetables but then again you can use cooking spray or just plain water.  I used store bought ravioli stuffed with spinach, cheese and chicken from Aldi's Grocery Store but you can use any kind you like. My husband loved this dish and almost ate the whole thing.  

Easy Ravioli with Creamy Corn Sauce

• 8 oz ravioli (any kind, store bought or homemade)
• 1 tsp oil
• 1 whole zucchini, cubed
• 1 red pepper, cubed
• 1-14 oz can cream corn
• 2 tsp dry onion flakes
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• salt and pepper to taste

Cook the ravioli according to package directions.  Place in a platter.

Saute the zucchini and red pepper in the oil till cooked but still crispy.  Add the corn, onion flakes, garlic powder, salt and pepper to the vegetables and heat through. 

Pour the creamy corn sauce to the cooked ravioli.  You can also add the cooked ravioli to the sauce in the skillet and serve it family style.  

Fusilli with Meatballs and Creamy Garden Pasta Sauce

I took inspiration for this dish from the show, Giada in Italy, particularly the episode Raffy and Raffy.  In this show Giada with the help of her aunt Raffy prepared a special dish which Giada's grandfather's only living sister, Rafaella also nicknamed Raffy, loves to prepare, Ziti Stufati.  It is a dense layered pasta dish featuring ziti with meatballs and ricotta tomato sauce.

This is a healthier version of this dish.  The sauce is made more nutritious by incorporating carrots and celery with the tomato base.  This is one way to incorporate more vegetables into your pasta sauce.  I used cream cheese instead of the ricotta called for in Giada's recipe but one can use that definitely.  I used Parmesan cheese but one can use mozarrella and/or cheddar cheese instead of it.

This is a rich creamy dish one can easily prepare any night or for a weekend meal.  I did use my Vita Mix blender to prepare the sauce and I did not saute any vegetables like they did in Giada's recipe to save time. If you do have time and do not mind the added oil you can do so.

Fusilli with Meatballs and Creamy Garden Pasta Sauce

• 16 oz fusilli cooked or other type of pasta
• 20 meatballs (homemade or frozen store bought)
• 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese or cheese of choice
• 1 recipe Creamy Garden Pasta Sauce

Creamy Garden Pasta Sauce

• 1 cup baby carrots
• 2 stalks celery
• 1 small onion
• 2-14.5 oz diced tomatoes
• 4 garlic cloves
• 4 oz low fat cream cheese or ricotta
• 1 tsp dry oregano
• 1 tsp dry basil
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Sauce

Place the first four ingredients in the Vita Mix blender according to the sequence given then add the rest of the ingredients. Blend till smooth.

Assembly

Place the fusilli or other pasta in a 13 x 9 glass pan.  Pour the sauce over the pasta and mix.  Spread the meatballs over the pasta and sauce mixture.  Add the Parmesan cheese or cheese of choice on top.

Linguine Salad with Homemade Italian Dressing

This is now my favorite pasta salad. I had it during our Book Club meeting at the McGinnis Specialty Store in Monroeville, PA and I just could not get it off my mind.  The hard salami in it makes the salad special plus of course the crunchiness of the various vegetables.  I initially used store bought Italian dressing but my husband complained that the whole salad did not appeal to him.  I added the homemade Italian dressing instead and I was surprised the herbs did not turn him off and he went gaga over the salad.

I used less oil than most homemade salad dressing calls for.  It actually works so do not worry serving the healthy dressing.  Its taste is amazing especially with the salad.  It is not too late to prepare it today, Labor Day.  It will be a hit.

Linguine Salad

• 16 oz linguine, cooked and cooled
• 1 zucchini, cubed
• 1 red pepper, cut into small pieces
• 1 cucumber, cubed
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 1 cup pimento olives
• 8 oz hard salami, cut into bite sizes
• 1 recipe Italian dressing (recipe below)

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and toss.  

Homemade Italian Dressing

• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tsp dry oregano
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp dry thyme leaves
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp dry parsley
• 1/2 tsp dry basil

Combine all the ingredients in a bottle with a screw cap. Replace the cap and shake till well mixed.