New Jersey Beef and Sausage Ragu Pasta Hearty New Jersey-Style Beef & Italian Sausage Ragu with Rigatoni Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef 1/2 lb sweet Italian sausage, casings removed 2 tbsp olive oil 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional) 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes 1 (14 oz) can tomato sauce 2 tbsp tomato paste 1/2 tsp sugar 1 tsp dried oregano 1 tsp dried basil Salt and black pepper, to taste 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped 12 oz rigatoni or ziti pasta Freshly grated Parmesan, for serving Fresh basil leaves, for garnish Directions: In a large Dutch oven or deep skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes, cook for 1 minute. Add ground beef and sausage. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon, about 8–10 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Add sugar, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, cook rigatoni according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining. Stir fresh parsley into the ragu. Add pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat. Use reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Serve topped with grated Parmesan and fresh basil. Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes Kcal: 640 kcal | Servings: 4–6 servings #newjerseyragu #beefandsausagepasta #comfortfoodclassic #homemaderagu #italianamericanrecipe #rigatonirecipe #pastanight #sundaydinner #heartymeal #raguinspired #meatsauceperfection #familydinnerideas #pastaeats #italiandinner #saucygoodness #jerseykitchen #easyitalianmeals #meatloverpasta #redgravyrecipe #pastaloversdelight Nothing says cozy New Jersey dinner like this rich Beef & Sausage Ragu Pasta A meaty, bold red sauce hugging every bite of rigatoni—seriously comforting!

Chilean Curanto – Mixed Seafood and Meat Stew A traditional dish from Chile’s Chiloé archipelago, Curanto is a hearty stew of shellfish, meats, potatoes, and vegetables traditionally cooked underground but can be made in a pot. Ingredients (Serves 6): * 500g mussels * 500g clams * 400g pork ribs * 400g chicken pieces * 4 large potatoes, peeled and sliced * 2 onions, sliced * 2 carrots, sliced * 1 cup smoked sausage (optional) * Bay leaves, salt, pepper, olive oil Instructions: 1. Layer pork ribs, chicken, potatoes, onions, carrots, and sausage in a large pot. 2. Add shellfish on top. Season with bay leaves, salt, and pepper. 3. Drizzle with olive oil and add water to cover halfway. 4. Cover tightly and simmer gently for 2–3 hours until everything is tender. 5. Serve hot with crusty bread. Chilean Tip: Traditionally cooked over hot stones underground, but a slow cooker or heavy pot works well.

Smothered Chicken Pasta Creamy Smothered Chicken Pasta with Garlic and Parmesan Ingredients: 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp butter 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder 1/2 tsp paprika Salt and pepper, to taste 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 small onion, diced 1/2 cup chicken broth 1 1/2 cups heavy cream 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning 8 oz penne or fettuccine pasta Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Directions: Season chicken on both sides with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and sear 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside. In the same skillet, sauté onion until soft, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook another minute. Deglaze with chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Let it reduce slightly. Pour in heavy cream, add Italian seasoning, and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan and mozzarella until melted and smooth. Slice chicken and return to the pan to smother in the sauce. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and add to the skillet. Toss everything to coat. Garnish with parsley and serve hot with extra Parmesan if desired. Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes Kcal: 610 kcal | Servings: 4 servings #smotheredchicken #chickenpasta #creamygarlicpasta #comfortfoodrecipes #weeknightdinner #onepotpasta #easychickendinners #pastarecipe #creamyparmesan #pastaideas #homecookedmeal #chickenandpasta #italianinspired #cheesypasta #garliccream #mozzarellapasta #heartymeals #quickdinner #chickencomfortfood #dinnerinspo Just made this creamy Smothered Chicken Pasta and I’m OBSESSED Tender chicken, garlic parmesan sauce, and cheesy goodness all in one pan!

Cincinnati Chili Spiced Cincinnati Chili Over Spaghetti with Cheddar & Onions Ingredients: 2 lbs ground beef 1 large onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cups beef broth 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 2 tbsp chili powder 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground allspice 1/2 tsp ground cloves 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper 1 bay leaf 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp black pepper 1 lb cooked spaghetti 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 1 cup diced onion 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed (optional) Directions: In a large pot over medium heat, add ground beef and break it up thoroughly with a spoon, but do not brown it. Add chopped onion and garlic to the pot and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Stir in beef broth, tomato sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire, and all spices, including cocoa powder, cinnamon, allspice, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to low. Let it cook uncovered for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaf and season with salt and pepper to taste. For traditional "5-way" Cincinnati Chili, layer as follows: 1-way: Just the chili 2-way: Chili over spaghetti 3-way: Chili, spaghetti, and shredded cheddar 4-way: Add onions OR beans 5-way: Add both onions AND beans Serve hot and enjoy with oyster crackers if desired. Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 2 hours | Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes Kcal: 460 kcal | Servings: 6 servings #cincinnatichili #5waychili #midwesternrecipes #comfortfood #spaghettichili #regionalfood #classicchili #heartymeals #familydinner #chilicravings #beefrecipes #americanchili #iconicdishes #cheddarcheese #groundbeef #cocoaandspice #homemadechili #weeknightdinner #cozyfood #chilioverpasta Ever tried chili over spaghetti? Cincinnati Chili is a flavor bomb with warming spices like cinnamon and cocoa—give your taste buds a treat tonight!

Dutch Erwtensoep (Split Pea Soup) – Thick and Hearty Erwtensoep is a traditional Dutch thick pea soup loaded with smoked sausage and vegetables—ideal for chilly days. Ingredients (Serves 4): • 300g split peas • 1 smoked sausage (rookworst) • 1 onion, chopped • 2 carrots, diced • 1 leek, sliced • 1 celery stalk, diced • 1.5 liters vegetable or chicken broth • Salt and pepper • Fresh parsley Instructions: 1. Rinse split peas and soak if desired. 2. In a large pot, sauté onion, leek, celery, and carrots. 3. Add peas and broth, bring to boil, then simmer 1–1.5 hours until peas are soft and soup thickened. 4. Add sliced smoked sausage; cook 10 more minutes. Season. 5. Garnish with parsley and serve with rye bread. Dutch Tip: For an extra thick texture, mash some peas while cooking.