(BPT) - It's the most wonderful time of the year, and as family and friends gather to mark the festivities, more often than not, they'll be doing so around the table. Each feast is an opportunity to create new memories, traditions and favorite go-to dishes. Just a few smart purchases can please guests with a wide variety of delicious, homemade-tasting meals that are ready in a fraction of the time.
Prepared tomato-based pasta sauces can open up a world of possibilities when seeking quick and healthy menu ideas for the holiday season, especially since these versatile pantry staples do more than pair with pasta - they're also a perfect accompaniment to vegetables, seafood, meat, poultry and more.
Of course, not just any jar of pasta sauce will do. For garden-fresh, authentic flavor, the key is selecting tomato-based sauces with simple, clean and high-quality ingredients, such as 100% Italian-grown tomatoes picked at their peak and extra virgin olive oil. But the crowning ingredient? A hallmark of long-lasting tradition, which indicates that a brand has dedicated time and attention to producing a product that is always worthy of serving to those who are nearest and dearest.
With the variety of prepared sauces available, the right combination of uniquely authentic flavors and wholesome, fresh ingredients can elevate any number of dishes and make home cooks feel proud to serve them at a holiday gathering, including the five below. While each recipe is simple to make for two to four, it can easily be doubled (or tripled!) to feed a crowd.
1. Gnocchi and Tomato Basil Sauce
Fluffy pillows of gnocchi are nestled in classic tomato basil sauce and topped with mozzarella cheese before being baked in the oven, just long enough for the gnocchi to cook through and the cheese to brown. This simple dish accentuates the flavor and aroma of natural Ligurian basil and Italian tomatoes, bringing an authentic taste of Italy to the table.
For a spontaneous get-together, no dish comes together faster than shakshuka, and this version reflects an Italian twist with its use of a classic marinara sauce that melds Italian tomatoes with onion, garlic and oregano. Shakshuka is easy to scale up or down, and it can be served with mixed olives and warmed pita breads - perfect for dipping in or scooping up extra sauce.
Winter months call for hearty, warming meals, and a vegetarian casserole of eggplant parmigiana does the trick. Thin slices of grilled eggplant are layered with an aromatic, mildly sweet roasted garlic sauce and mozzarella cheese, then baked in the oven until bubbly and golden. A loaf of crusty bread, a green salad and a favorite bottle of red round out the meal.
4. Penne Arrabbiata with Prawns
As the weather chills, hosts can crank up the heat with this Rome-inspired dish of penne arrabbiata with prawns. Fiery red chili peppers add a new dimension to the fresh, simple and natural ingredients that are the backbone of this sauce. Prawns contribute an unexpected and festive touch to level up the meal to holiday-worthy fare.
5. Grilled Vegetable Spaghetti Alla Norma
Packed with a medley of perfectly grilled eggplant, peppers and zucchini, a prepared vegetable sauce serves as a delicious and nutritious base for spaghetti alla Norma. Threads of pasta are dressed with the veggie-rich sauce and studded with meaty chunks of fresh-roasted eggplant for a nutritious meal that will leave everyone clamoring for seconds.
Filippo Berio's premium homestyle Italian pasta sauces come in eight delicious flavors, including Tomato Basil, Marinara, Roasted Garlic, Arrabbiata and Grilled Vegetable, as well as Mushroom, Olive and Traditional Italian. These pantry staples are a time-saving miracle when entertaining loved ones during the holiday season and beyond. More recipe ideas can be found at https://filippoberio.com/recipes/.
