Tuscan Ravioli

Italian food has to be one of the most well traveled cuisines in the world. Every country I've visited, I've managed to find an Italian restaurant!

However, one thing I did notice is that the Italian food right here in the States is one of the best outside Italy itself, thanks to the wonderful heritage we have of Italian immigrants coming to our shores over the last century.

Now, purists will say you must always use fresh pasta. I say, try looking after a family of 6 and feeding them fresh pasta!

Let's be realistic here. Yes, I've tasted fresh pasta, and yes, the dried stuff can't compare. But I also have far too much already on my plate to be learning the skill of crafting fresh pasta myself (or buying expensive fresh pasta which goes off fast).

Luckily, an American-Italian acquaintance switched me onto the Amore range of pasta. Trust me, it may be dried pasta, but this is the closest you will get to fresh pasta in dried form.

I keep a stash of their pasta in my cupboard at all times, ready to whip up gorgeous Italian meals in minutes!

Happy National Ravioli Day!

Your Ingredients:

2 packs of Amore Four Cheese Ravioli Pasta

1 large jar of Alfredo sauce (sun-dried tomato)

2 tablespoons of white wine

2 tomatoes

1/2 cup of basil (reserve some longer strips for garnish)

1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese

How to make your Tuscan Ravioli

Cook the Amore pasta according to directions on packaging.

Roughly chop your tomatoes. Now chop your fresh basil (or snip using kitchen shears)

Grate your Parmesan cheese finely.

Pour the Alfredo sauce from the jar into a saucepan.

Pour your wine into a sauce jar and cover. Now shake vigorously.

Pour the wine into the saucepan containing the Alfredo sauce, and then add the chopped basil and tomatoes.

Cook on a low to medium heat on the stove until it heats through.

Add the Amore pasta and the Parmesan, and toss through until everything is coated evenly.

Divide onto plates, and garnish with the reserved strips of basil. Enjoy!

Mom’s Secret Tip:

Keeping flavored dry pasta to hand is a quick cheat to making fast, tasty dinners, instead of having just standard dry pasta that needs to have a lot flavors added.