Who doesn't love a abundantly cheesy tortellini dish drenched in a rich, creamy tomato sauce or smothered with fresh pesto? Those are family favorites but during these really hot months it's so nice to have something like this that's served at room temperature not steaming hot.

This tortellini pasta salad doubles as a weeknight dinner or a summer lunch for a picnic at the park or a barbecue cook out.

Its blend of flavors pair so harmoniously together with it's cheesy, bacon, tomato combo and the arugula, bell pepper and lemon for added flavor enhancement. Plus the chewy, crisp, and soft textures of each layered bite compliment each other beautifully.

Then to highlight it all let's not forget the final finish of parmesan. And please not the shelf stable kind, if you really want to elevate the dish use high quality fresh ingredients.

Need a quick dinner or wondering what to make with that package of shelf stable gnocchi that needs to be used up that's sitting in the pantry? This mouthwatering simple sheet pan gnocchi dinner has got you covered.

Busy people, meat lovers, cozy meal cravers, kids and adults alike - everyone loves this simple dish for so many reasons!

It's prepped in a flash, you don't need to pre-boil the gnocchi, and it doesn't need any close tending to. Truly the oven really does most of the work.

If you're looking to serve it with an extra side it would pair well with a side salad and a balsamic vinaigrette, or for even more heartiness you can't go wrong with garlic butter slathered sourdough bread (I've been loving this recipe).

Weeknights typically call for a fast dinner prep after a long day away and this easy gnocchi side dish is that perfect match.

It's dishes like this that will have you getting less take out, and having something equally as delicious made at home faster than the time it would take to get that dinner to go. This pan fried gnocchi can be ready in just 15 minutes (or even less if you opt to skip seasonings)!

I couldn't believe how long it had taken me to discover this super simple method to prepare shelf stable store-bought gnocchi, but once I did I've been converted. Shelf stable gnocchi does not have to be boiled as a package may direct, and once you try this method you may never want to boil it again.

Pair this skillet cooked gnocchi with pan seared shrimp, steak, or salmon to finish out a near effortless meal.

Making the Best Tiramisu Cupcakes

When I first started out testing these tiramisu cupcakes I tried going with several options that included steps mimicking those of traditional tiramisu. One of them was brushing the baked cupcakes with the liquid espresso but in doing so ended up with a soggy cupcake atop. So the simple fix was to simply include some espresso powder into half the cupcake batter and this left them with a better overall texture and deeply infused flavor baked in.

Since classic tiramisu includes a fair amount of egg yolks I opted for a cupcake batter that included more of them. So while those rich custardy flavors may not come from what is traditionally in the mascarpone filling you'll still find it within the cupcake. And the cupcake base simply replaces the lady fingers of tiramisu.

For the liquid of the cupcake these use both milk and buttermilk for some added flavor, but they only use half buttermilk so that it's not overpowering the delicate flavor of the mascarpone frosting. And for the cocoa finish I recommend adding plenty, because - chocolate! Who doesn't love that additional flavor?

Make these for your next celebration or weekend treat. They are such a heavenly cupcake!

Looking for a tomato-y meatball soup? Try my comforting homemade Meatball Soup recipe, likely to be another family fav!

A Dependable Italian Wedding Soup Recipe

I used to be intimidated to make Italian Wedding Soup. I have no Italian lineage and my mom never made it growing up, so for whatever reason it seemed easy to mess up.

But I’m here to tell you it is so easy to make, and following this simple recipe and this foolproof step by step guide people may likely think it was passed down from an Italian Grandmother.

Everyone will be thoroughly impressed and completely satisfied with this homestyle soup! And people will be raving about those homemade, herb flecked, bite size meatballs. They may be a bit of rolling to get so many, but so worth it.

This quickly became a reader favorite recipe, try for yourself and see why!

Don't let this soups simplicity fool you, it will have you saying, "who knew bean soup could be so good?" It's brimming with flavor yet it's a breeze to make, and it's a soup you can feel good about eating.

It's a great meatless option for lunch or a simple dinner and it pairs well with some artisan whole grain bread for dipping. Or if you really want to pack greens into the meal serve it with a side salad.

Something I think you'll really love about this soup is it's light creaminess without the use of any cream. That is thanks to blitzing a portion of the beans and stirring that puree right into the soup.

It's bright welcome flavors come from a little lemon, a fair sprinkle of parmesan and a rounded spoonful of garlic. Always a delicious trio.

How to Make the Soup Vegetarian and Vegan

To make the recipe vegetarian simply use vegetable broth. To make it vegan use vegetable broth and omit the parmesan rind and the parmesan, in it's place you can use two tablespoons of nutritional yeast.

So Much to Love About Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Veggies

Welcome to your new go-to weeknight dinner staple recipe! This simple recipe is made with shelf stable gnocchi yet it doesn't even need to be cooked beforehand.

Everything is just tossed together with olive oil on one big baking sheet, then oven roasted and finished with parmesan. Dinner really doesn't get any easier than this!

It's such a fresh tasting, flavorful dinner highlighted with herby, garlicky, parmesan goodness. It's a very hands off meal with such a simple prep and you can have it ready in under 30 minutes. It's adaptable too and you can use up other vegetables you have on hand (ideas listed below).

Plus it's a dish everyone can agree on. There are just so many things to love about this gnocchi, zucchini and tomato sheet pan dinner!

Pair it with chicken, steak or salmon to round out the meal, or just keep it vegetarian and serve it with a side salad.

Wondering what to do with that hearty bread that's getting stale on the counter? One of the best options is to make this refreshing, summery, and brightly colorful panzanella salad! Homemade croutons will blow your mind.

Classic Panzanella is a rustic salad that was originally created by the farmers of the central Italian countryside who made it as a way to use up day-old bread and their abundance of fresh homegrown vegetables.

It comes together quickly and it's the perfect side dish to various grilled meats. It's also such a versatile salad with options to swap in other vegetables, use various cheeses, try it with a protein, or add beans.

This is a great base and guide to get you started from there you can adjust it to your heart's content!

Crave-Worthy Pasta with Pesto Cream Sauce

While the recipe itself doesn't have a typical pesto sauce in it, it brings the elements of pesto compiled together in a cooked pasta dish plus an addition of a gloriously creamy sauce.

I love a good pesto with a rich olive oil, but just think of a pesto made with silky cream instead. Once you taste this be wondering why you hadn't made it this way before.

You only need a few ingredients to make this freshly flavorful dish. Plan on a simple prep, and if you want to upgrade it with a protein to make it heartier feel free to add one right into the pasta or pair alongside it.

Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce

This Italian tomato sauce is unbelievably easy to make, so easy in fact you you don't even have to start by cutting tomatoes they are just added whole. A quick simmer on the stove will have the skins bursting and they'll simmer down to a thick sauce.

The sauce is ready in 15 minutes and you can have the pasta cooking while the sauce is simmering for a super fast meal. For a quick cooking pasta try it with cheese filled tortellini!

You'll find this to be a vegetarian dish that's sure to please everyone especially if you opt to crown individual servings with those creamy finishing touches. That includes either moisture rich fresh mozzarella (mini pearls are great), dollops of milky ricotta, or torn portions of cream filled burrata.

This is a must try summer recipe that's brimming with freshness and sure to satisfy those pasta cravings!