How to Make a Three Course Italian Dinner in 30 minutes

This shop about how to make a three-course Italian Dinner in 30 minutes has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MangiaTonight #CollectiveBias

I am Italian, so pasta night is a staple each week. Making a traditional Italian meal takes time and much preparation. However, after learning about the new Bertolli items available at Kroger, I knew I could add a few more Italian dishes our Pasta night. Did you know you can make a three-course Italian meal in 30 minutes, and on a weeknight? I know that you are probably thinking, “How is that possible? It takes 20 minutes to just boil water. And who makes three course meals on a busy weeknight anyway?”  Well, you can and my husband even admitted that he was not expecting an “Italian Feast” on a Wednesday night. You can create an amazing 3 course Italian dinner for the family, just pull out a bottle of Chianti, light some candles and set the table for a trip to Italy in your belly. Our three-course Italian dinner included Chicken Florentine, an Italian Chopped Salad and Tiramisu in a jar. Is your mouth salivating yet? As we say in our house, Mangia or let’s eat. 

My kids are starving when they get home, and since my daughter gets home around 5:30, I hate for her to grab a big snack and ruin her appetite. So having some options for an easy 30-minute dinner is always key.

You won’t prepare this 30-minute dinner all at once. You’ll need to prepare dessert at least the morning before, though the night before is best. Tiramisu in a jar is a fun way to finish this Italian feast. It takes just 10 minutes to make, and your family we be forever grateful.

Start by mixing heavy whipping cream in a mixer until if forms heavy peaks. Add a container of marscapone cheese and set aside. 

Use some left over coffee or make a new strong batch to dip your lady fingers. Dip quickly on both sides (you don’t want them falling apart but definitely dampened). If placing your Tiramisu in a jar, I recommend breaking the ladyfingers in half to fit.

Layer the ladyfingers in the jar. 

Then, add a layer of whipped cream mixture and repeat.

Cover the jar opening and store in the fridge for at least four hours. The longer, the better.

When you are ready to serve, sprinkle some cocoa on top. Easy, right? And it only 10 minutes!

Ok, so I cheated a little…but coming from an Italian girl, it is ok. After all,  if you were able to smell the Bertolli Chicken Florentine cooking on the stove, you would have thought I was slaving over this all day! Twenty minutes before dinner, pull out a nonstick saute pan and pour the entire contents of  Bertolli Chicken Florentine inside. Cover and cook over medium/low heat for about 15 minutes or until heated thru. You will need to stir every once in a while.

While the pasta is cooking, you can start chopping up your salad ingredients. This is not a recipe, as much as an idea. Chop up some Romaine lettuce, olives, marinated red peppers, fresh mozzarella, red onion and celery and place in a bowl. Add some canned chickpeas and serve with your favorite Italian Dressing. I added some chopped chicken I had in the fridge in case there was not enough pasta to go around.

You are ready for dinner! There was enough sauce in our pasta to add a little more cooked chicken, about a cup, into the pan to heat up. I knew this would make the already generous family size meal go a little farther. I also topped it off with some freshly ground black and red pepper.

I told you that you could serve your family a three-course dinner in under 30 minutes! Instead of saying “let’s eat” tonight, be sure to say “Mangia.” Pick up a bag of Bertolli frozen pasta and some fresh veggies and ingredients to create the perfect Italian night in your home, any day of the week. 

Find Bertolli items at some of the lowest prices of the year in a Kroger or a Kroger banner store near you. Kroger banners include Fred Meyer, Smiths, Frys, Dillions, King Soopers, City Market and QFC”Make.

Easy 10 Minute Tiramisu in a Jar

Yield: 8 Dessert Jars

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Easy 10 Minute Tiramisu in a Jar is the perfect Italian Make ahead dessert

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Ingredients

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup mascarpone cheese, room temperature
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon Amaretto liquor or Brandy, optional
• 1 and 1/2 cups espresso or STRONG coffee at room temperature
• 1 package Lady Fingers
• Unsweetened Cocoa powder for dusting the top

Instructions

1. Beat whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form in a medium bowl. Stir in mascarpone cheese and amaretto if using. Cut lady fingers in half then dip them in coffee and place in 2 halves inside a mason jar.
2. Dollop about a tablespoon or two on top of first layer of lady fingers. Repeat process with second layer of lady fingers and cream mixture. Dust the top of dessert with cocoa powder using a sifter Refrigerate for about 4-8 hours

Nutrition Information:

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 258 Saturated Fat: 14g Cholesterol: 71mg Sodium: 29mg Carbohydrates: 7g Sugar: 5g Protein: 2g

What other Italian dishes would you include in this “Mangia Tonight”  Italian Dinner?