Rebecca Nielsen's Recipe

Italian Night Dinner in 45 Minutes

Category: Beef

Serves/Makes: 4
Difficulty: 2
Prep/Cook Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
1 9 ounce package fresh cheese and spinach ravioli
2 t freshly minced garlic
2 small zucchini, diced
1 8 ounce can tomato sauce with basil, garlic and oregano
2 14.5 cans diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano
1 6 ounce can tomato paste
1 T fresh basil, chopped
1 T fresh oregano, chopped
1 T plus 1 t kosher salt
1/2 t fresh ground pepper
shredded parmesan cheese for garnish

Garlic Bread
4 bakery sausage rolls, sliced lengthwise
1 stick butter
1 heaping teaspoon freshly minced garlic
1/2 t kosher salt
1 t fresh thyme, chopped
1 t fresh oregano, chopped

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Set a large sauce pan of water over high heat and bring to a boil. In a large skillet brown ground beef, about 5 minutes, then drain. Add garlic, and zucchini and cook for an additional 7 minutes.

Add all tomato products, basil, oregano and 1 t kosher salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

When water is boiling add 1 T kosher salt and ravioli. Bring back to a boil and cook for 6-7 minutes. Drain and add to simmering meat and tomato mixture.

For Garlic Bread - While dish is simmering, in a small saucepan add butter, garlic, thyme, oregano and salt. Over med-low heat melt butter, stirring occasionally. When completely melted and combined, use a pastry brush and liberally coat all pieces of bread. Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 12 minutes turning pan once.

To serve, place on plate with a couple pieces of garlic bread and top with parmesan cheese.

Cooks Notes - This is an Italian meal complete with protein, starch, vegetable and bread. It literally takes 45 minutes and your family sits down to a very well balanced meal that the kids love.

Using fresh pre-made ravioli and fresh herbs makes this dish taste completely home made. It is a meal that even your Mother would be proud of.