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Valerie's Home Cooking
by Melissa Girimonte
updated February 9, 2022
On Valerie’s Home Cooking, Valerie Bertinelli beautifully showcases her Italian-American roots, whether through sharing one of her family’s favourite recipes or putting a unique spin on a classic Italian dish. From staples like meaty, cheesy lasagna and comforting spaghetti and meatballs to irresistible pastries like cannoli, these recipes are here to make suppertime shine.
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1/19
Mom's Lasagna
Perfect for Sunday dinners or entertaining, this traditional meat and cheese lasagna is baked until golden and bubbly. Craving pasta but short on time? Try these easy stuffed pasta recipes that start with store-bought noodles.
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2/19
Wine, Balsamic and Rosemary Lamb Chop Lollipops
Lamb has always been a staple in the Italian kitchen, especially in the spring and summer months. In this recipe, Valerie opts for Frenched chops and prepares them with a red wine and balsamic reduction.
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3/19
Mom's Spaghetti and Meatballs
Simply delicious and oh so comforting, a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs is like a warm hug from mom. For the most mouth-watering meatballs, use a combination of ground pork and beef.
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4/19
Tomato Salad with Pancetta Crisps
Jazz up a simple tomato and cucumber salad by adding oven-baked pancetta crisps. Be sure to serve it with lots of crusty bread to soak up all of the deliciousness.
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5/19
Italian Veggie Pie
Refrigerated crescent roll dough forms the base of this veggie and cheese pie. Top it with button mushrooms, baby spinach, and lots of mozzarella and Parmesan.
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6/19
Pea and Mint Risotto
This easy risotto is made with creamy Arborio rice, peas, fresh mint, and grated Parmesan cheese. It’s perfect as a vegetarian main, or served as a first course instead of pasta.
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7/19
Grilled Eggplant Parm
Parmigiana is a delicious, comforting dish and many Italian families pride themselves on their recipes. For added depth of flavour, Valerie grills the eggplant first, giving it a rich, smoky taste. Add more aubergine to your family’s menu with these easy eggplant recipes.
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8/19
Classic Panzanella
A favourite from the Tuscany region of Italy, this salad takes cubes of stale bread and tosses them with tomatoes, red onion, basil, and a simple oil and vinegar dressing. It’s the perfect side for barbecues and picnics.
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9/19
Chicken Cutlets with Spicy Arugula
Lightly breaded and fried veal or chicken cutlets are a staple in Italian households. Valerie serves these golden chicken cutlets with a peppery arugula salad.
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10/19
Spicy Arrabiata Penne
Simple penne is kicked up a notch when served with a piquant arrabbiata sauce. It’s easy to make and packed with spicy flavour.
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11/19
Pasta Alle Vongole
In this simply delicious dish, al dente linguine is tossed with white wine, butter, garlic and littleneck clams. It’s easy to make for everyday dinners or as a special dish to impress guests.
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12/19
Tuscan Kale Pesto Pizza with Shrimp Scampi
Valerie makes these shortcut pizzas on naan, but pita or focaccia would also work in a pinch. Topped with Tuscan kale salad and shrimp scampi, it’s great as an appetizer or part of a potluck spread.
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13/19
Brunch Frittata
While frittata is typically served for breakfast or brunch, it’s equally delicious as a lunch or dinner option when paired with a side salad. Valerie’s recipe is filled with tomato, asparagus, goat cheese and herbs, giving it a taste of summer in every bite. Hosting a holiday brunch? Try one of these easy-to-make breakfast casserole recipes.
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14/19
Lasagna alla Besciamella
Richer and more decadent than a traditional lasagna, besciamella (or béchamel sauce) is layered along with grated mozzarella and a beef and sausage ragu. This is a dish reserved for holidays or special occasions.
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15/19
Sausage and Pepper Sliders
Take the classic Italian-American sausage and pepper sandwich, and transform it into snack-sized sliders for your next party or picnic.
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16/19
Manicotti with Italian Sausage
A great dish to serve when entertaining guests, tubes of pasta are filled with a mixture of ricotta and Italian sausage. Once assembled, top with lots of tomato sauce and cheese, and bake until bubbly.
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17/19
Nonnie's Gnocchi with Fresh Marinara Sauce
Family gnocchi recipes are treasured and passed down from generation to generation. Valerie makes her grandma’s recipe with pillowy soft potato dumplings in a simple marinara and a sprinkling of freshly grated Parmesan.
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18/19
Mini Zeppole with Caramel Marsala Dipping Sauce
Similar to beignets, zeppole are Italian pastries shaped into balls and deep-fried to a golden brown finish. Valerie serves them with a homemade Marsala-spiked caramel dipping sauce.
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19/19
Homemade Cannoli
While pre-made cannoli shells will cut down your prep time, it’s a lot of fun to make your own. Fill each one with a sweet ricotta mixture studded with grated orange zest and shaved chocolate.
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- Italian
- quick and easy
- Valerie Bertinelli
- Valerie's Home Cooking
