Baked Ziti with Mozzarella Cheesy Baked Ziti with Melted Mozzarella and Rich Tomato Sauce Ingredients: 1 lb (450g) ziti pasta 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought) 1 lb (450g) ground beef or Italian sausage 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 1 cup ricotta cheese 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 small onion, finely chopped 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme) Salt and pepper to taste Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional) Directions: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add ground beef or Italian sausage, season with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes to combine flavors. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, meat sauce, and ricotta cheese. Mix well. Transfer half of the pasta mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese and some Parmesan. Layer the remaining pasta mixture on top, then sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly with golden spots. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve hot. Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes Kcal: 650 kcal per serving | Servings: 6 servings #bakedziti #italiancomfortfood #cheesypasta #mozarellapasta #homemadeitalian #comfortfoodrecipes #pastaovenbake #heartymeals #familydinner #easydinnerrecipes #italianrecipes #pastaandcheese #weeknightdinner #ricottacheese #groundbeefrecipes #italiandish #tomatosauce #pastafood #cheeselover #homecooking Indulge in this classic Baked Ziti with Mozzarella—layers of cheesy goodness and rich meat sauce baked to bubbly perfection! Perfect for family dinners!

Chunky Marinara Sauce Rustic Italian-Style Chunky Tomato Marinara Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 small onion, finely chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 cans (28 oz each) whole peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) 1 teaspoon sugar Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped 1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional, for deeper flavor) Directions: Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently. Pour in the crushed tomatoes along with their juices. Stir in dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), sugar, and tomato paste. Season with salt and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it cook uncovered for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and chunky. Stir in fresh basil leaves just before serving for a bright, fresh flavor. Serve with pasta, meatballs, or as a dipping sauce for breadsticks. Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes Kcal: 120 kcal per serving (1/2 cup) | Servings: 6 servings #chunkymarinara #homemadetomatosauce #italiansauce #pastasauce #comfortfood #easyitalianrecipes #tomatorecipes #italianflavors #rusticsauce #healthyitalian #vegetarianrecipes #italiancomfortfood #slowcooksauce #marinarasauce #italianhomemade #saucelovers #tomatolove #pastaenthusiast #classicitalian #italianfamilymeals Whip up this rustic Chunky Marinara Sauce that’s bursting with fresh herbs and tomato goodness. Perfect for your favorite pasta night!

Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Gnocchi A dreamy bowl of pillowy gnocchi tossed with juicy shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, spinach, and a luxuriously creamy parmesan sauce! ⸻ Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Total Time: 25 mins Servings: 2 Calories: ~620 kcal per serving ⸻ Ingredients • 12 oz potato gnocchi • 10–12 large shrimp, peeled & deveined • 1 tbsp olive oil • 2 tbsp butter • 3 garlic cloves, minced • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped • 1 cup baby spinach • ¾ cup heavy cream • ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese • Salt & black pepper to taste • Fresh basil (for garnish) ⸻ Instructions 1⃣ Cook the Gnocchi: • Boil gnocchi in salted water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. 2⃣ Sauté the Shrimp: • In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high. • Add shrimp, season lightly, and sear 1–2 minutes per side. Remove and set aside. 3⃣ Make the Sauce: • In the same pan, melt butter. Sauté garlic and sun-dried tomatoes for 1–2 minutes. • Pour in heavy cream and simmer gently. Stir in parmesan until melted and smooth. 4⃣ Combine & Finish: • Add gnocchi, spinach, and shrimp to the sauce. • Toss gently to coat everything and let spinach wilt. Season to taste. 5⃣ Serve: • Plate hot with a sprinkle of fresh basil and cracked black pepper. ⸻ Pro Tip: Toast your gnocchi in a skillet for 2 minutes before tossing in sauce for extra texture!

Eggplant and Tomato Soup Creamy Roasted Eggplant and Tomato Soup with Herbs Ingredients: 2 medium eggplants, peeled and diced 4 large ripe tomatoes, chopped 1 onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 cups vegetable broth 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon dried oregano Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Fresh basil or parsley for garnish Directions: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss diced eggplant with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes, until tender and slightly caramelized. In a large pot, heat remaining olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add chopped tomatoes, roasted eggplant, smoked paprika, and oregano to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour in vegetable broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes to let flavors meld. Use an immersion blender (or transfer to a blender) to puree the soup until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil or parsley. Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 50 minutes | Total Time: 65 minutes Kcal: 150 kcal per serving | Servings: 4 servings #eggplantsoup #tomatosoup #vegetablesoup #comfortfood #healthyrecipes #veganrecipes #glutenfree #plantbased #souprecipes #homemadesoup #fallrecipes #lightmeals #easyrecipes #cleanrecipes #roastedvegetables #herbflavors #healthyeating #seasonalrecipes #soulfood #dinnerideas Warm up with this creamy and flavorful Eggplant and Tomato Soup — roasted to perfection and packed with herbs!

Roasted Garlic and Zucchini Pasta Creamy Roasted Garlic and Tender Zucchini Pasta Delight Ingredients: 12 oz spaghetti or your favorite pasta 3 medium zucchinis, sliced into half-moons 1 whole bulb of garlic 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Juice of half a lemon Directions: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the top off the garlic bulb, drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 30-35 minutes until soft and golden. While garlic roasts, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add zucchini slices, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until tender and slightly caramelized, about 5-7 minutes. Once garlic is cool enough to handle, squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins into a bowl and mash into a smooth paste. Add the roasted garlic paste to the skillet with zucchini. Toss in cooked pasta and Parmesan cheese. Add lemon juice and red pepper flakes, if using. Slowly add reserved pasta water a little at a time to create a silky sauce, tossing until well combined. Adjust seasoning to taste. Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan before serving. Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes Kcal: 380 kcal per serving | Servings: 4 servings #roastedgarlicpasta #zucchinipasta #italianrecipes #pastarecipe #vegetarianmeal #comfortfood #easyweeknightdinner #garliclover #healthyrecipes #simplemeals #freshingredients #italiancuisine #homecooking #pastaideas #summerrecipes #freshbasil #parmesancheese #garlicflavor #veggiepasta #deliciousdinner Craving comfort food with a fresh twist? Try this Roasted Garlic and Zucchini Pasta—creamy, flavorful, and easy to make any night of the week!