Let’s face it: when the cold of winter has well and truly set in, nothing beats coming home to a warm and comforting home-cooked meal. Whether you’ve been walking long distances with the snow crunching beneath your boots, or simply braving the conditions to get to where you need to go, it helps to know that come dinner time there’ll be something warm and delicious on the menu when you get home. That’s why Olivieri® is here to inspire you with a range of comforting pasta dishes guaranteed to take the edge off of the winter chill.
Why Pasta is Ideal for Cold Weather
Pasta provides a satisfying warmth that is essential during the colder seasons. It is easy to prepare and can be paired with an array of ingredients, making it a perfect choice for creating meals that nurture the body and soul. The various shapes and sizes of pasta allow for diverse textures and flavours that enhance any dish.
Savory Soup Recipe for Pasta Lovers
Let’s kick things off with a tried and true classic that’s brought warmth and comfort to mealtimes for generations. Mama’s Tortellini Soup is a sumptuous soup recipe loaded with chicken, beef, and spinach. However, it’s the addition of Olivieri® 3 Formaggi Tortellini that makes this dish extra hearty. Perfect as a lunch meal or prelude to dinner, don’t be surprised if your loved ones come scrambling to the kitchen for seconds!
Classic Italian Comfort Food Recipes
To be given the label ‘classic’ in Italian cuisine is no mean feat, and one dish that’s truly earned this moniker is lasagna. This layered pasta dish has long been a flagbearer for Italian cuisine around the world, becoming a staple dish in many homes. In winter, its creaminess brings new meaning to the word comforting. For an authentic lasagna recipe with beef, look no further than this Old-Fashioned Lasagna. Featuring lean ground beef, garlic, onion, celery, carrot, as well as ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheese, this simple lasagna dish pays homage to centuries of tradition.
Equally beloved in Italian kitchens is this Chicken & Prosciutto Cannelloni with Rosé Sauce. These cheesy chicken treats are delightfully easy to prepare. Ready in just 20 minutes, they’re simply perfect for those winter evenings when you’re craving a comforting, low-fuss chicken meal.
Veggie Alternative
If you prefer you’re cheesy comfort food dishes to be meat-free, then we’ve got just the recipe for you. This Roasted Zucchini Lasagna is guaranteed to delight everyone at your dining table. Using shredded zucchini in the place of ground beef, this recipe stays true to the classic texture of traditional lasagna and gives it a veggie-forward twist.
Bring Warmth to Your Meals with Ravioli
Looking for something convenient and tasty to cook? Try these simple dishes with ravioli and marvel at the results! First up, is this Mushroom Ravioli with Bacon & Butter Sauce. It’s a creamy and comforting dish made easy with Olivieri® Mushroom Lovers Ravioli. Rich in umami flavours, you’ll be pleased to know you can rustle this up in just 10 minutes! Comfort food doesn’t come quicker than that!
Likewise, this Spinach Ravioli with Sausage & Mushrooms makes for an equally pleasing winter feast. Featuring Olivieri® Fresh Ricotta & Spinach Ravioli, this dish is loaded with satisfying ingredients such as Italian sausage, Olivieri® Chunky Tomato and Herb Sauce, onions, red peppers, and mushrooms.
Chef’s Tip: Be sure to slice the mushrooms thick and chunky to give this dish extra texture.
Meaty Masterpiece
No home chef’s repertoire would be complete without a crowd-pleasing meatball recipe, and that’s where this Angel Hair Meatball Marinara comes in. Olivieri® Angel Hair Nested Pasta provides the perfect base for your meatball dishes. What’s more, this recipe requires only 3 ingredients to prepare, making it a marvellous option for those winter evenings when you’re pressed for time.
Alternatively, if you like your pasta dishes to be loaded with delicious veggies, you’ll simply adore our Linguine Alla Chitarra with Leeks and Crispy Prosciutto. Made with leeks, shallots, garlic, and chives, this creamy pasta dish boasts a rich and flavourful sauce featuring whipped cream, white wine, and grated Parmesan cheese. And as for its pièce de résistance? Well, that comes by way of the crispy prosciutto placed on top.
Chef’s Tip: Don’t skimp on herbs! It’s the addition of rosemary and thyme that elevates this dish to a restaurant-standard pasta meal.
Now that you’re armed with mouthwatering meals to serve to your loved ones this winter, it’s time to get cooking! Luckily, with Olivieri® by your side you’ll never be stuck for inspiration. For more culinary tips and exciting new recipes, be sure to drop by our kitchen.