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easy italian recipes for a really bad cook?!?

cooking for my new boyfriend tonight, for the first time. when i say "for the first time" i mean that literally. i have never attempted to cook a meal, besides kraft macaroni and cheese and that doesn't even count. he is italian and loves italian food....and i am a terrible cook and do not belong on the kitchen. help! what are some really easy italian dinner recipes?! note: i'm looking for something a little more exciting that spaghetti...

Public Comments

1. spag. bol. or oven cooked pizza
2. I recommend take out from the local restaurant.
3. Don't forget the garlic bread BEST ZITI EVER •1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta •1 pound mild Italian sausage, casings removed •2 (26 ounce) jars marinara sauce •1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil, divided •12 ounces ricotta cheese •1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided •1 dash salt and pepper •1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded • DIRECTIONS 1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. 2.Place sausage in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside. In a large saucepan, heat marinara with 1 teaspoon basil until bubbling. In a medium bowl, mix together ricotta, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. 3.Spread bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish with sauce. Layer 1/2 of the ziti, 1/2, the sausage, 1/2 of the ricotta, and 1/2 the mozzarella. Spoon half of the sauce over top. Repeat layers. Sprinkle top with remaining 1/2 teaspoons basil and Italian seasoning. 4.Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes
4. Check out Laura Vitales Kitchen on youtube. She uses few ingredients and her food is so good.
5. Sautee ground beef till brown, add raw chopped onions and green peppers until onions are translucent . add a can of pre-seasoned tomatoe sauce like Hunts italian seasoned tomatoe sauce or Garlic and Herb sauce. Boil waiter in another pot, add angel hair pasta and cook till it sticks to the wall when you throw it. Drain the waiter and add to the sauce.
6. Buy this from the freezer section at your local grocery store: Michael Angelo’s Signature Line Baked Ziti & Meatballs Cooking Instructions: Microwave TIME: 4 1/2 minutes Remove frozen entrée from carton. Place on microwave-safe plate. Place in microwave with film on tray. 1100W: Power level at 100%. Cook for 4.5 minutes 1250W: Power level at 100%. Cook for 4.5 minutes. CAREFULLY remove film and let stand for 1 minute before serving. Product MUST BE Cooked Thoroughly to 160°F. This might be safe for you to try in the kitchen. Jack .
7. Here are 3 easy Italian dishes for you that are better than just plain old spaghetti, but first you've got to adjust your attitude and walk in the kitchen feeling like you belong. Own it! OK? LEMON PEPPER SHRIMP SCAMPI http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/lemon-pepper-shrimp-scampi-10000001880014/ Ingredients: 1 cup uncooked orzo 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided 7 teaspoons unsalted butter, divided 1 1/2 pounds peeled and deveined jumbo shrimp 2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon black pepper Preparation 1. Cook orzo according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain. Place orzo in a medium bowl. Stir in parsley and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cover and keep warm. 2. While orzo cooks, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle shrimp with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add half of shrimp to pan; sauté 2 minutes or until almost done. Transfer shrimp to a plate. Melt 1 teaspoon butter in pan. Add remaining shrimp to pan; sauté 2 minutes or until almost done. Transfer to plate. 3. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter in pan. Add garlic to pan; cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Stir in shrimp, juice, and pepper; cook 1 minute or until shrimp are done. ITALIAN SAUSAGE SOUP http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/italian-sausage-soup-10000000682961/ Ingredients: 8 ounces hot or sweet turkey Italian sausage 2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano 1/2 cup uncooked small shell pasta 2 cups bagged baby spinach leaves 2 tablespoons grated fresh Parmesan or Romano cheese 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil Preparation: Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Remove casings from sausage. Add sausage to pan, and cook about 5 minutes or until browned, stirring to crumble. Drain; return to pan. Add broth, tomatoes, and pasta to pan, and bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until pasta is done. Remove from heat; stir in spinach until wilted. Sprinkle each serving with cheese and basil. MUSHROOM ALFREDO PASTA http://www.simpleitaliancooking.com/recipes/mushroom-alfredo-recipe.htm Ingredients: 1 can cream of mushroom soup 8 oz. chopped frozen spinach (thawed and drained) 1 tbsp butter 3/4 to a pound of fettuccini pasta Preparation: 1. In large frying pan melt butter over medium heat 2. Add in drained spinach and saute for 5 min. over low heat 3. Add can of mushroom soup and stir. 4. Add in 1/4 cup of milk and stir. 5. Simmer mixture for 15 minutes or so until mixed well. Make sure to stir occasionally. 6. Meanwhile, cook fettuccini pasta according to package directions. 7. When pasta is cooked, drain and transfer into frying pan. 8. Toss with mushroom/spinach mixture and serve.