The Spicy Olive’s Rigatoni with Sausage

RIGATONI WITH SAUSAGE- a special dinner everyone is sure to enjoy!

The Spicy Olive’s Basil Pesto

Do you have a lot of fresh basil in your garden this summer? Here is the perfect way to enjoy it-make a homemade batch of fresh Basil Pesto!

White Lasagna

The Spicy Olive’s Creamy White Chicken Lasagna

 This is a delicious dinner option that works for weeknights or a special romantic night. If you want to make it really special you could replace the chicken with cooked lobster!
The Spicy Olive’s Creamy White Sauce Lasagna
9 lasagna noodles
1/4 cup The Spicy Olive’s Spicy Calabrian Pesto Infused Olive Oil
1/4 cup of The Spicy Olive’s Tuscan Herb Olive Oil
1 finely chopped onion
1 minced clove garlic
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups chicken broth
1 ½ cups milk
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 cups cubed, cooked chicken meat
2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese for topping
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 7 to 8 minutes. Drain, and rinse with cold water.
In sauce pan over medium heat Pesto and Oregano Olive Oil cook the onion and garlic in until tender, stirring frequently. Stir in the flour and salt, and simmer until bubbly. Mix in the broth and milk, and boil, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Stir in 2 cups mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Season with the basil and ground black pepper, remove from heat, and set aside.
Spread 1/3 of the sauce mixture in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Layer with 1/3 of the noodles, the ricotta, and the chicken. Arrange 1/3 of the noodles over the chicken, and layer with 1/3 of the sauce mixture, spinach, and the remaining 2 cups mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Arrange remaining noodles over cheese, and spread remaining sauce evenly over noodles. Sprinkle with parsley and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven.

The Spicy Olive’s Panzanella Salad

This classic Italian salad was created as a way to use day old bread so as not to waste- The Spicy Olive thinks it is a wonderful way to showcase the delicious flavor of summer ripe tomatoes!