Zuppa Toscana (Olive Garden)

I LOVE Olive Garden, and this has to be my favorite soup from there. So yummy! Buon Appetito!

Ingredients

1 Pound Italian Sausage (I use 1/2 hot and 1/2 mild)
2 Large Russet baking potatos sliced in half, then in 1/4 inch slices
1 large onion, chopped
4 slices of bacon, sliced in 1 cm pieces and fried crisp
2 cloves garlic minced
2 cups of cale or swiss chard, chopped
2 cans of chicken broth
1 qt water
1 c. heavy whipping cream

1. Cook sausage in a 300 degree oven. Bake approximately 1/2 hour, drain on paper towels, and cut into slices
2. Place onions, potatoes, chicken broth, water, and garlic in pot, and cook on medium heat until potatoes are done.
3. Add sausage, bacon bits, alt and pepper to taste, and simmer for another 10 minutes
4. Turn to low heat, add kale and cream. Heat through and serve.

Easy Sloppy Joe's!

recipe via Mom Prince :)

I love easy recipes...and this one is great when you have limited time.

Brown Hamburger and Half of an onion together
Add: 1 can of tomato soup
1/2 c. ketchup
1/4 tsp chilli powder
1/2 tsp mustard (dry or prepared)
1/2 tsp salt

Simmer for 15 minutes and serve on hamburger buns!

Italian Meatball Subs

Recipe Via Kitchen Cafe

Makes 25-30 meatballs/about 7-9 sandwiches

Meatballs:
1 cup unseasoned bread crumbs or crushed saltines
3/4 cup shredded Parmesan or mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 tablespoons dried oregano
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
2 teaspoons dried basil
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
2 pounds ground beef or ground turkey

To dredge the meatballs:
1 1/2 cups flour in a shallow baking dish

For the sandwiches:
Sub Sandwich Roll
Sliced mozzarella or provolone cheese

In a large bowl, mix all of the meatball ingredients together EXCEPT the meat. Let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes so the breadcrumbs/crackers can soak up the liquid a little bit. Add the meat and mix well with your hands until all the ingredients are combined.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly grease the foil. Form golf ball-sized meatballs and dredge them in the flour until lightly coated. Place the meatballs on the baking sheet about one inch apart. Bake for 20 -25 minutes until the meatballs are completely cooked through.

When the meatballs come out of the oven, let them sit for about 15 minutes. Gently scrape off any fat and place the meatballs in a 9X13-inch baking dish (or similar size). Pour the hot tomato sauce over the meatballs.

To assemble the sandwiches, slice the buns in half. (If desired, lay the buns flat open on a baking sheet and top one side with cheese – toast in the oven for 4-5 minutes at 400 degrees until the buns are toasted and cheese is melted.) Place 3-4 meatballs on each bun and top with desired amount of sauce. Serve immediately with lots of napkins.

Sauce:
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon sugar (this helps cut the acidity of the tomatoes)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Combine the sauce ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a low simmer. Simmer for 10-15 minutes on low. Keep warm until the meatballs are finished baking.

Taco Soup

This recipe is SO easy, but delish!

From Mom Prince

Brown 1 Pound of Hamburger and Half of and Onion

Add 3 TBSP of Taco Seasoning

Add One Can of Blended Tomatoes

Add 1 Can of Black or Kidney Beans

Add 1 Can of Mushrooms

Salt and Pepper to Taste

Add 1 Can of Water

Simmer for 10-20 minutes then serve! I love to top my soup with sour cream, Cheese, and broken Tortilla Chips.

Mom's Broccoli Soup

This is hands down my FAVORITE soup ever.

Recipe from Mom Prince :)

1. Sauté:

1/2 cup celery

1/2 cup onion

3TBSP Margarine

2. Boil until Soft

4 cups Broccoli

Mash a bit, then add

2 TBSP Chicken Broth and add Sautéd Celery, Onion and Margarine.

3. Stir Together 2/3 cup flour with 3 cups of milk

Add to the Soup.

4. Grate 2 cups of Chedder Cheese and Add, Salt and Pepper to taste

Serve and Enjoy! Perfect for a chilly day.

AMAZING Clam Chowder

Ryan and I stayed with his Grandparents in Utah a couple of years ago, and his Grandma made this soup for us. Delish!

Recipe from Grandma Webster

1 cup finely chopped onion

1 cup finely chopped celery

2 cups finely chopped potatoes

Drain Juice from 3 cans of clams. Put on the vegetables and enough water to barely cover vegetables. Add 1 tsp salt. Simmer until tender.

3/4 cup butter melted

Add 3/4 cup flour

Add 1 quart of half and half

3/4 tsp pepper

2 TBSP Red Vinegar

Then add Vegetables and clams individually. Simmer until thickened. STIR OFTEN to avoid sticking. Do not drain Vegetables, add all liquid.