Pesto

Our basil is amazing this year, and it’s already the fifth time I’ve made pesto. Time to add the recipe to Needs More Butter for easy reference! Ingredients: 2 cups basil, packed (can substitute spinach leaves for half) 1/3 cup walnuts (original recipe calls for pine nuts, but I almost always use walnuts) 3 cloves…

Caprese Sheet Pan Gnocchi

I’m sorely tempted to make this the summer of riffs on Caprese salad (which as I understand it is tomatoes, basil, and fresh mozzarella). This dinner was ridiculously fast and easy and a hit with most of my family (some, understandably, do not like the texture of gnocchi). Ingredients: 2 pints cherry tomatoes (about 4 cups) 1 pound fresh,…

Bruschetta Chicken

Bruschetta is one of my faves. It reminds me of Seattle (where friends first introduced me to it), and summer, and my wedding (we served it at our reception, though I’m not sure I actually ate any). This easy meal was a hit with the family. Ingredients: For the chicken: 4 chicken breasts, cut or…

Lasagna

This has been my go-to lasagna for quite a while now. It is a combination of Easiest Lasagna Ever (minus the fancy stuff and a couple of steps, which makes this version the actual easiest ever ) and Lazy Day Lasagna (to which I will be forever grateful for the knowledge that you don’t actually have to…

Five-Minute Tomato Sauce

So quick, and the lemon zest makes it a little surprising and so good. Ingredients: 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper (I like less, you do you) 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt 3 medium cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 28-ounce can crushed red tomatoes zest of one lemon…

Creamy Tortellini Tomato Soup

I found this recipe online and changed the title to represent it more clearly. Pretty sure I added more broth and cream than it called for, but I followed the rest exactly. Loved the addition of spinach! This soup is delicious, though as I wrote on my blog, next time I probably won’t add tortellini…

Baked Ravioli

I found this recipe via Pinterest, but it comes originally from a Tasty Kitchen user. It’s easy; it’s more often than not a hit with the kids. Good enough for me. Ingredients: 1 (26-ounce) jar pasta sauce 1 (25-ounce) bag frozen ravioli (I usually use Best Choice meat ravioli, but you can use cheese or whatever suits…

One Pot Pasta Bolognese

This recipe is a keeper (thanks, Morgan at Host the Toast!) and is particularly well-suited to hosting a larger gathering of friends or family. Or, if you’re like my family of three, it will serve leftovers for a few days afterwards. If you’re replacing the tagliatelle noodles with fettucine—heads up—you might add a few minutes…

Lazy Day Lasagne

This recipe is from the (old) Zion Cookbook. I think Brook has a similar recipe from her mom. It’s on the menu at our house this week. Ingredients: 1 12-ounce carton cottage cheese 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded 2 eggs 1/3 cup parsley, chopped 1 teaspoon onion powder 1/2 teaspoon dried basil 1/8 teaspoon pepper…

Chicken Pomodoro

This is a quick, easy, inexpensive, delicious sauce with a fancy name. The recipe comes from Cooking during Stolen Moments (via Pinterest). Ingredients 2 tablespoons olive oil (I used less) 1/4 onion, diced 5 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes Salt and pepper, to taste 2 (15-ounce) cans diced tomatoes 1 1/2…