Our Favorite Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

This recipe makes enough for about 8 servings so I always end up portioning it out and freezing it for a future meal. Don't get me wrong... I love cooking, but some days I am just not in the mood. Or I'm feeling lazy. Or I don't feel like cooking and THEN having to clean up the mess after. And on those days, I pull out some frozen spaghetti sauce, throw it in the microwave, boil some pasta and call it a good days work.



Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Recipe from: Shannon, ikneadtobake
Servings: 6-8

1 Tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 pound hot Italian sausage
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
About 1/2 c. chicken broth, as needed
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp crushed rosemary
28 ounces canned tomato sauce
14.5 ounce can fire roasted tomatoes
salt, to taste

Directions: Brown Italian sausage in a pan until cooked through. Drain fat. Set aside. In a large pot heat olive oil. Add garlic and onion and saute for about 2 minutes. Add cooked sausage and red wine vinegar. Finally add tomato sauce, fire roasted tomatoes, chicken broth, basil, rosemary, and Italian seasoning.

Allow sauce too simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring about every 10 minutes. Salt to taste. Serve over desired pasta (we like whole grain spaghetti or rotini) and finish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Fire Roasted Tomato Sauce

Once upon a time I was engaged to the most adorable boy this girl has ever laid eyes on. Now this boy tried to make my 21st birthday extra special by making me a delicious pasta dinner. He called his mom for a recipe, went to the store, and banned me to the living room while he cooked me up some dinner.

The only thing this boy didn't know (or seemed to have forgotten) is that I...at the time.... was a terribly picky eater. But, lucky for me, with time he cured me so now I can eat meals like this.

Fire Roasted Tomato Sauce
Source: Bena
Serves: 4-5

1 Tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 c. yellow squash, chopped
3/4 c. zucchini, chopped
3/4 c. white onion, chopped
3/4 c. red bell pepper, chopped
1 can fire roasted tomatoes, 14.5 oz
1 can tomato sauce, 15 oz
salt, to taste

Cheese tortellini
Parmesan cheese

Directions: In a large saute pan heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and allow it to saute for about 1 minute. Next add the bell peppers and onion. Allow them to cook for about 3-5 minutes. Add the squash and zucchini and allow them to cook for another 4-5 minutes or so. Finally add the can of tomato sauce and the fire roasted tomatoes. Allow the sauce to simmer about 15 minutes. Salt to taste. Serve over your pasta of choice--we love cheese tortellini! Top with Parmesan cheese.

**Another good add would be artichoke hearts...however although I've made progress with my picky eater habits...artichoke hearts and I still don't get along. Maybe I just need more time?? Tyson seems to think so.

Pesto Chicken Pizza

Pizza is one of our favorite ways to get creative around here. This rendition of Pesto Chicken Pizza is our latest creation. The tomatoes were a last-minute add and we sure didn't regret it!




Pesto Chicken Pizza
Recipe from: Shannon, ikneadtobake

pizza dough
pesto
grilled chicken breast
red onion
tomato
mozzarella cheese, shredded
parmesan cheese
balsamic vinegar

Directions: Roll out pizza dough to your desired thickness. Begin covering the dough first with pesto.. (we like a little less sauce since pesto can be a pretty strong flavor). Next add chicken, diced red onion, chopped tomato, shredded mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese.

Bake at 450 for about 15 minutes or until the cheese is beginning to brown on top. Slice it up and serve with balsamic vinegar for dipping.

Quick Homemade Pizza Dough

This is my favorite go-to pizza dough. It is super easy and quick to make!

Quick Homemade Pizza Dough

Source: allrecipes

2 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
1 tsp sugar
1 cup warm water
2 1/2 cups of bread flour
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt

Directions: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees

In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in the warm water. Set aside for about 10 minutes.

In a mixing bowl combine your salt, olive oil, and yeast mixture. Slowly add your flour and mix with a dough hook. Continue to add flour until the dough no longer sticks to the side of your bowl. Beat until smooth. Allow dough to rest for 5 minutes.

Separate dough into two equal amounts. Roll each into a circle. Transfer to a lightly greased cookie sheet or a pizza stone. Cover with desired toppings and cook for about 15 minutes or until golden brown.