One Pan Zucchini "Pasta" Bake with Ragu Homestyle

Even though I'm not Italian, pasta was a MAJOR staple in my household growing up. And my mom always used Ragu when making anything Italian. I'm pretty sure all of my favorite meals as a child included Ragu - baked ziti, spaghetti and meatballs, you name it! So when I heard that they were coming out with a new Homestyle line, I was super excited. I headed to the store, and picked up the Thick & Hearty Roasted Garlic sauce, just one of many of their delicious sauce flavors. 

I didn't even know what I wanted to make at first, but I knew that I had to try this sauce. Plus I'm obsessed with garlic, so it was really a no brainer. I got to thinking and figured since I was having a little twist on the sauce I knew growing up, I'd use it with a twist on the traditional pasta meal. I decided to go with zucchini and summer squash pasta instead 1) to keep it a little healthier and 2) because it's summer! No better way to get the best of both worlds than with some summer veggies and a delicious, hearty pasta dish.

Here's what you'll need:

-1 zucchini, spiralized using the ribbon blade
-1 summer squash, spiralized using the ribbon blade
-1 cup Ragu Homestyle Thick & Hearty Roasted Garlic tomato sauce
-5.3 oz cottage cheese
-1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
-1/2 tsp oregano
-1/2 tsp basil
-1 clove garlic, chopped
-1 tbsp EVOO
-Sea salt and pepper to taste

Serves 2

Instructions:

1) Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. 
2) In a cast iron skillet, heat up the olive oil on the stove top over medium high heat.
3) Once the oil is glistening, add in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4) Add in the zucchini and summer squash ribbons, and cook for about 3-5 minutes mixing regularly.
5) In the meantime, mix together the cottage cheese, oregano, basil, sea salt, pepper, and Ragu Homestyle sauce in a bowl.
6) Mix the sauce mixture into the pan, and top everything evenly with the parmesan cheese.
7) Move the skillet into the preheated oven, and cook for 10-15 minutes.
8) Remove the skillet from the oven, and let it cool for about 5 minutes.
9) Serve, and enjoy!

It honestly tastes JUST like pasta, but better! Plus it's super easy and fast to make and has minimal, delicious ingredients. It gave me all the feels of growing up but with a kick! That hearty, garlic flavor is just so perfect! I can't wait to give the other flavors a try. For other tasty recipes from Ragu themselves click here.

Mixed Potato and Veggie Hash with 4th & Heart California Garlic Ghee

I was about to call this recipe "The Best Damn Breakfast Potatoes You've Ever Had", but I decided to hold off and let you decide that one for yourself. But SPOILER ALERT, they might just be the best damn breakfast potatoes you've ever had. Potatoes in all shapes and sizes are something I love, probably a little too much. From sweets to reds, mashed potatoes to home fries, I just really like potatoes. I don't necessarily eat them all that often, but they definitely hold a special place in my heart especially when it comes to brunch. 

So when I decided to take on breakfast potatoes, I knew I had to do it right. I wanted them packed with flavor, so I knew using 4th & Heart's California garlic ghee was the only way to go. Just heating up the pan with this stuff makes your mouth water! Add in both sweets AND russets plus some other flavor packed ingredients, and I knew I had the side that can't be beat for your next brunch!

Here's What You'll Need:

-1 medium sweet potato, cut into about 1/2" cubes
-1 small russet potato, cut into about 1/2" cubes
-1 cup baby arugula
-2 cloves garlic, sliced
-1 medium tomato, cut into about 1/2" cubes
-2 tbsp 4th & Heart California garlic ghee, separated
-1/4 tsp Himalayan pink sea salt
-1/4 tsp black pepper
-1/4 tsp chili powder (optional)
-1 tbsp shredded organic parmesan (optional)

Serves 4-6 

Instructions:

1) Preheat your oven to 400 degrees on convection.
2) Heat up 1 tbsp of the ghee in a cast iron skillet on the stove top over medium high heat.
3) Once the ghee is melted and the pan is hot, add in the sweet and russet potato cubes, sea salt, pepper, and chili powder (if you're using it). Cover and cook for about 10-12 minutes, stirring every so often until the potatoes soften.
3) Mix in the 2nd tbsp of ghee for about a minute until it is completely melted.
4) Mix in the arugula, sliced garlic, and tomato cubes so that everything is evenly dispersed.
5) Toss the skillet into the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the tops of the potatoes begin to brown a bit. Sprinkle the parmesan over the entire skillet about 2 minutes before removing it from the oven (so at about 8-10 minutes depending on cook time). 
6) Let cool for about 5 minutes, serve, and enjoy!

I served mine alongside an egg and some sauteed veggies, but feel free to brunch as you please! The combination of the garlic ghee with both the sweet and russet potatoes is just perfect. Plus that added taste of the roasted tomato and fresh garlic just takes these potatoes to the next level. I'm dying to hear what you think in the comments below, so definitely let me know once you give them a try!

 

Garlic Chili Potato Noodles with Collard Greens and BBQ Shrimp

I was literally in the middle of a spin class when I started craving some comfort food. I mean like southern BBQ, potatoes, you name it. So (still in spin class) I started coming up with ideas in my head.

Spiralized sweet potato is always one of my favorites, but spiralized potato is creeping up there. It really goes well with everything. I know it isn't necessarily as healthy, but toss in some other veggies, a light protein, and you have yourself a meal!

Here's What You'll Need:

-1 tbsp ghee
-1 potato, peeled and spiralized
-1 clove garlic, minced
-1/2 tsp chili powder
-6 oz cooked shrimp
-1/4 cup BBQ sauce
-4 collard green leaves, chopped
-1/4 cup (heirloom) tomato, chopped
-salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1) Heat up the ghee in a large skillet at medium high heat, and add in the garlic. Cook for about a minute.
2) Add in the spiralized potato and cook for about 3-5 minutes alone.
3) Add in the chili powder, mixing it around to cover the potato noodles.
4) Add in the collard greens, and continue to cook for about 3-5 minutes.
5) In the meantime, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Toss the shrimp in the BBQ sauce, and throw them in the oven for about 3-5 minutes. The shrimp is already cooked, so you just want the BBQ sauce to coat the shrimp and to warm them up.
6) Add the heirloom tomato, salt, and pepper to the potato noodles. Cook for another minute or two, and remove the pan from heat.
7) Split the potato noodles between two bowls, top each with half of the shrimp, and add additional BBQ sauce as desired. 

 Let me know if you give it a try and what you think in the comments below! It really was the perfect way to satisfy that comfort food craving.