Woo your valentine with delicious Italian fare

Jamie Durrant, Herald Office Manager
Posted 2/13/18

Jamie's Dish on Food for Feb. 13, 2018

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Woo your valentine with delicious Italian fare

Posted

It is time to get our romantic on, and this dinner will definitely score big points in the love department this Valentine’s Day.

A cheesy lasagna, with buttery garlicy bread and copycat Olive Garden salad dressing is a sure way to show your love. So, whip up these yummy recipes, grab the candlesticks, your favorite bubbly, your fine china and set up a romantic dinner for your love or loves (family) and enjoy! 

Easy Cheesy Lasagna

3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (12 ounces)

1 8-ounce container cottage cheese

1 8-ounce container ricotta cheese

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 (24-25.5 ounce) jar marinara sauce

1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

9 lasagna noodles, cooked al dente 

1 pound ground beef

Heat oven to 375. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In large bowl, stir together 2 cups of the mozzarella cheese, the cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, pepper flakes, garlic and egg.

Spread 1 cup of the pasta sauce in bottom of baking dish.

Heat 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef; cook seven to nine minutes, stirring frequently, until browned; drain. Stir in remaining pasta sauce and whipping cream.

Place three lasagna noodles over sauce in baking dish. Spread half of cheese mixture over noodles. Spoon 1 cup of the beef sauce over the cheese. Repeat with three noodles, remaining cheese mixture and 1 cup of the beef sauce. Top with remaining noodles and beef sauce.

Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Cover tightly with foil and bake 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 12-15 minutes longer or until cheese is browned and edges of pan are bubbling. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. 

Easy Garlic Pull-apart Bread

1 can Grands biscuits 

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

4 tablespoons butter, melted

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon basil

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Preheat oven to 350. Grease loaf pan and set aside. Open biscuits and cut each in half, making two thinner circles. Add garlic, onion powder, basil and oregano to melted butter. Mix well.

Blend the two cheeses together in a small bowl. Butter each side of the biscuits with butter mixture, and sprinkle each side with cheese blend.

Turn loaf pan on its end and stack each biscuit into the loaf pan. Bake for 35 minutes, tent with aluminum foil for remaining time.

Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing

1 (.7 oz.) packet Italian dressing mix

3/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup and 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar

1/4 cup water

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon mayonnaise

Mix everything together very well and refrigerate.