Italian

Ingredients 1 lb ground beef (80/20), optional to do half and half beef and pork but beef alone is fine in a pinch 1 large egg 1/3 cup breadcrumbs 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese 1/3 cup very finely chopped onion 3 minced garlic cloves 1 tsp salt 1 tsp black pepper 3 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley Instructions Preheat oven to 400 F and coat baking pan with oil. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix really well with hands. Use spoon or hands to make ~1.5 in diameter meatballs and space them on the oiled baking pan Bake for 18-20 minutes or until fully cooked through. Serve with whatever dish or by themselves. If serving by themselves, serve with marinara on the side.

Ingredients Ingredients chicken 2 pounds chicken thighs (sliced 0.25" or so thin) Salt, pepper, paprika, italian seasoning Alfredo pasta ingredients (using off the shelf alfredo sauce) 4 cloves garlic minced 1 yellow onion diced small Jar (~15 oz) good alfredo sauce (better than ragu makes a difference) Red pepper flakes to taste (1 tsp or so) Salt and pepper to taste (1 tsp each to start) 1/4 tsp dried basil (optional) ...

Ingredients Meatballs: 1/2 lb ground chicken 1/2 lb Italian sausage (mild) 1/2 cup bread crumbs, Italian style works 2 large cloves garlic, minced 3 tbsp chopped cilantro, chopped small 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, the nice stuff NOT the powder 3 tbsp milk or so 1 large egg Salt and pepper to taste (tbsp of each to start is good) Soup: 2 tbsp good olive oil 1 yellow onion, minced 3 large carrots, chopped 1 cup chopped celery (or more doesn’t hurt) 10 cups good chicken stock (kitchen basics) 1/2 cup dry white wine 1 cup small, star pasta 1/4 cup minced, fresh dill 12 oz baby spinach, trimmed and lightly chopped Instructions Combine all meatball ingredients in mixing bowl with fork and hands if needed. Scoop into greased sheet pan and spread out ~40 meatballs over pan. Note: these are small meatballs and a tsp could be used to scoop. Bake for 35 minutes at 350°F Heat olive oil in large soup pot and saute carrots, onion, and celery until soft (6-8 min) Add chicken stock and wine. Bring to boil Add pasta and cook 6-8 minutes Add dill, meatballs, and spinach. Cook another minute Check for salt and pepper Serve and sprinkle parmesan over bowls