Using bottled sauces makes for quick meals

Planning a delicious and stylish meal doesn’t have to take you any further than your own kitchen. You don’t have to be an accomplished chef to set the table for elegance, but you can take inspiration from simple, quality Italian dishes to celebrate the link between food and charming. As these recipes show, an exquisite meal can be ready in minutes or simmered to perfection. To plan the ultimate elegant dinner at home, start by choosing one of these dreamy main dishes made with mouth watering sauces.

Flavorful sauces make a great Italian meal, but the sauce doesn’t need to be made from scratch (at least, not completely). For example, Bertolli d’Italia sauces are made in Italy for authentically-delicious flavor. They are crafted with tomatoes vine-ripened under the Italian sun, finely aged Italian cheeses, fresh cream and Mediterranean olive oil. The result is a sauce that’s perfect for your grand meal.

Once you select your main course, prepare a simple salad of greens with a drizzle of Italian vinaigrette or Caesar dressing. Pop a loaf of bakery-fresh Italian or focaccia bread into the oven to warm through and serve with butter or olive oil for dipping.

If you’re so inclined, cap off the meal with a classic Italian dessert from your local bakery, like tiramisu, cannoli or a creamy panna cotta topped with fresh fruit.

Find more Italian dishes perfect for sharing at Bertolli.com.

Italian Sausage Spinach & Tomato Rigatoni

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes

• Water
• 1/2 box rigatoni pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup onions, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 16 ounces sweet Italian sausage
• 1 jar Bertolli d’Italia Marinara Sauce
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach
• Salt, to taste;
• Pepper, to taste
• Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Directions:

Bring large stock pot of water to boil. Boil rigatoni pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside. In saute pan over medium heat, add olive oil. Add onions, garlic and mushrooms. Saute until vegetables start to brown. Add Italian sausage and cook until done, breaking into small pieces. Add sauce and bring to low boil. Add baby spinach. Cook until spinach is mostly wilted. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add drained pasta to pan with sausage and sauce. Toss and divide between plates. Garnish with Parmesan cheese.