27 Amazon Kitchen Products You'll Use All The Time
A trio lasagna pan because if you're an "edge piece" kind of person, all of your dreams are about to come true. Use it to whip up three different lasagna flavors, or use the tin for *the* crispiest pastries and brownie edges.
A rotary cheese grater that's going to make shredding up your favorite cheeses a breeze. Grate some Parmesan over your next pasta dish without worrying about the perfect time to "say when," because you're doing it yourself and if you want to use the full block of Parm, you go for it.
A pair of left-handed scissors for my fellow lefties who haven't been able to neatly open a packet of crackers or a bag of pasta for years because they've settled for a pair of generic scissors that don't snip properly and are a pain to hold. Well, struggle no more.
Promising review: "So my three youngest are left-handed even though no one else in the family is. Now that they are teens their school-sized left-handed scissors don't fit their hands. I ordered these because we have always used Fiskars school stuff, especially scissors. They are just what I was hoping they would be. And my teens are so excited to not have to use the regular kitchen scissors anymore. Sounds funny, but when you are left-handed those things make a big difference. I am going to order a few more pairs. Great scissors!" —oliveoilPrice: $12.99 (also available in a petite version)
A handheld milk frother so you can become your very own barista. If you've been trying to save $$$ on your coffee runs, now you have no excuse.
Promising review: "This makes the creamiest froth ever! I am completely blown away by the results of this device. I had no idea that I could make froth at home like this. This changes my whole cappuccino experience!!!" —WellsPrice: $7.99+ (available in 24 colors)
A clip-on pasta strainer that looks like one of the most life-changing things I've ever seen. Yes, pasta has my heart, but I hate the part when you have to break your wrist to strain out the water while trying to hold the lid on the pot.
Promising review: "Pouring a scalding hot pot of pasta into a colander brings back memories of said colander tipping over and pasta spilling all over the sink or the bottom portion of pasta sitting in a shallow pool of water you just poured into the sink. Not to mention the splash back when the water hits the rim or side of the colander just perfectly. This product relieved me of having to worry about those catastrophic events. Just snap onto your pot while still having two hands to control the pour." —JCPrice: $9.99+ (available in seven colors)
A salad spinner because even though your bag of arugula says it's triple-washed, you should be washing it anyway. Alexa, play "Spinning Around" by Kylie Minogue.
You can use it for fruit, too!Promising review: "I cut one whole head of lettuce and filled it up to wash, and it fits with the lid on. It doesn't squish the lettuce and all the parts feel well-made. I like that everything is clear and see-through so you can see the color of the water. All the pieces disassemble for washing and rinsing, and they don't have too little spaces that trap lettuce." —amy_incaPrice: $29.95
A handheld surface 3-in-1 steam mop to effectively clean up your kitchen floor, even getting riiiight into those tight nooks and crannies behind the oven that you've been meaning to clean forever but have never gotten around to.
Promising review: "I absolutely love this little powerhouse! I use it regularly in my kitchen, particularly around and inside of my oven, and all around my bathroom! The brush adapters are perfect for cleaning tile/grout and the hard-to-reach small areas around the outside and inside of my stovetop/oven (I have a dedicated brush for each) and it cuts right through grease. Because the reservoir only holds a certain amount of water you will need to refill it and let it warm back up but it gives your hand a rest in between. Definitely recommend!" —MelissaPrice: $125.99
A cast-iron Dutch oven for unleashing your inner chef and cooking up some hearty dishes. Yes, it's summer, but gimme a delicious casserole any time of the year.
Promising review: "Wow, I don't know how I lived without an enamel Dutch oven for so long! We use this for so many recipes, whether or not this is technically the best pot to use for them. I love that the enamel is safer and more durable than nonstick but doesn't sacrifice that function. We only hand wash it because we don't want to ruin the finish, but that has been very easy so far. It is also great for baking. Overall, could not be happier with this product." —RMSPrice: $94.09+ (available in 16 colors)
An electric can opener so you can say goodbye to sharp can edges and bits of label in the food because you can't quite grasp using a manual tin opener. This bad boy will open your cans with a simple touch of a button.
Promising review: "This is an amazing tool! It's about the same size as a manual can opener, but this is automatic. All you have to do is place it on the can and press the button and it turns on its own. Just press the button again once it reaches the starting point and it disengages and turns off. This doesn't leave sharp lid edges like regular openers. What a lifesaver!" —Rachel YoungPrice: $20.99 (available in four colors)
A chopper perfect for breaking up ground meat, frozen veggies, eggs, and more. If you're partial to finely ground taco meat and creamy scrambled eggs, this bb is going to be your culinary hero.
An instant-read digital thermometer so you can be sure that your meat is cooked all the way through. It only takes four to seven seconds to read your food's temperature, so you can say goodbye to the fear of undercooked chicken!
A vented microwave food cover that will stop any splatters of food all over your microwave. Why is it that your leftovers splash across the walls after 35 seconds, but the food is still freezing cold? So dramatic.
An all-in-one measuring glass because as someone who has never used cup measurements before moving to the U.S., this stuff is tricky. You'll get the *precise* amounts of liquid for your recipes while freeing up a bunch of space in your cupboard.
Or a set of space-saving measuring spoons with dual sides for wet and dry ingredients. Say goodbye to guesstimating measurements using that one rogue tablespoon at the back of your silverware drawer.
An egg bite maker for cooking up your very own fluffy, eggy morsels. It's the perfect way to batch cook a delicious breakfast that you can grab and go each morning. Say goodbye to spending an ungodly amount of $$$ on the store-bought bites. Take that, Starbucks! Bonus: Take the silicone molds off of it and use it as a regular grill for sandwiches!
Or a rapid egg cooker to see you through every single breakfast or brunch for the rest of time. Small but mighty, it can make up to 14 soft-, medium-, *and* hard-boiled eggs in addition to poaching, scrambling, and making omelets. In the words of Lisa Simpson, "Just buy it, you don't have to rationalize everything."
An anti-soggy cereal bowl for people who cannot STAND their cereal turning into a gloopy mess just because they take longer than 35 seconds to eat it. It's also a great lil' product for chips, dips, and those moments when you want to have sweet and savory in the same dish.
A Yonanas fruit soft-serve maker to turn ~any~ frozen fruit into a sorbet texture. Bananas, mangoes, strawberries... the possibilities are endless. Just think: banana "ice cream" and a sprinkling of chocolate chips on a hot summer's day. Chef's kiss.
A fantastic combo air fryer and oven that will 👏change👏your👏life👏. It has 12 different presets based on what kind of meal you're cooking, so you'll always have the best-cooked dinners, desserts, and everything in between. If you never use your conventional oven again, I completely understand.
Promising review: "I never had an air fryer before, but now that I have one (in the toaster oven), don't know how I lived without it! This little oven does it all! Easier to clean with the slide-out tray and the air fryer, oven, and broiler (that's all I've used so far!) all work great! Can't wait to try and make my own beef jerky! Best money I've ever spent on a small appliance!" —AllyPrice: $139.99+ (available in two colors)
And some silicone air fryer liners, because as much as we all love our air fryers, cleaning them ain't easy. These liners will eliminate having to scrub at the fryer basket every time you whip up some crispy veggies or homemade fries.
Promising review: "I have had an air fryer for years and am just now finding out about these things?! So easy to pop in the dishwasher rather than having to clean the air fryer basket. I still wipe down the basket from juices while cooking, but overall these are now a must in my house." —Madeline CurryPrice: $9.99
A teeny tiny mini waffle maker that will whip up the most adorable waffles faster than Leslie Knope can declare her love for the delicious treat. It's also a great gadget for making hash browns, paninis, biscuits, and even PIZZA.
A heat-safe, durable pizza stone so you can easily whip up some restaurant-quality pizza that have juuuuuust the right amount of crispiness on the edges. Now, the real question is, are you putting pineapple on it?
A breakfast sandwich maker to make all of your brekkie dreams come true. This bad boy cooks an egg, toasts bread, warms precooked meat, and melts cheese all at once and takes literally less than five minutes to produce a warm and melty sammie that deserves a permanent place in your morning routine.
A beautiful all-in-one nonstick pan from our Goodful line that can do it all! Use it to fry up your eggs in the morning or boil your spaghetti for pasta night. The possibilities are endless.
Psst: it even includes a wooden turner!Promising review: "I own several pans, but this one has become my daily driver for most cooking. It's safer than Teflon, fairly nonstick and easy to clean, has good heat distribution, and is overall very versatile for most of my cooking needs. The only thing I would NOT use it for is high-heat cooking (i.e., searing a steak). Outside of searing, I use this for everything else. Eggs, meat, reheating food, pasta, etc. This is a really awesome pan and much cheaper than the "other" name brand. Comes in some snazzy colors, too. Worth every penny." —Adam GoldsteinPrice: $49.99+ (available in six colors)
A KitchenAid mini stand mixer for practicing your cakes and pastries ahead of your application for The Great British Baking Show. It can make up to five dozen cookies at once, so I hope you're hungry.
And speaking of The Great British Baking Show, a set of two baking mats so you can pipe out some perfectly uniform cookies and macarons that even Paul Hollywood would be proud of.
Promising review: "I have no complaints. They are easy to clean and keep stuff from sticking. I have used them several times without any issues. I haven't ever used the name-brand ones, but these are pretty darn good from what I have seen." —braingamer47Price: $11.39+ (available with or without macaron guides)
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Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business Insider
I'm a professional meal planner. These simple one-pot meals cost less than $25 and feed my entire family.
As a professional meal planner and busy mom, I rely on simple one-pot dinners to get flavorful, satisfying meals on the table quickly. I especially love these recipes because they're easy to customize. For example, I'm vegan but my family isn't, and these dishes can easily be adapted to suit different dietary preferences. These four quick and easy dinners take less than 30 minutes to make and are perfect for busy weeknights when I want something homemade, nutritious, and stress-free. At under $25 per meal, they're also budget-friendly and require only a handful of ingredients. My family can't get enough of this taco soup Ingredients: one onion, 12 ounces of vegan (or regular) ground beef, 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning, 3 cups of vegan broth, a 28-ounce jar of salsa, a 4-ounce can of diced green chiles, a can of black beans, a can of pinto beans, 1 tablespoon of olive oil This one-pot soup delivers all the flavor of taco night with none of the fuss. I start by sautéing the chopped onion in olive oil. Then, I add the vegan beef and taco seasoning and cook until browned. Next, I stir in the broth, salsa, and green chiles. I drain and rinse the cans of beans and add them to the pot. Once the mixture comes to a boil, I reduce the heat and let it simmer until slightly thickened. I like to serve it with a DIY topping bar so everyone can customize their bowl. At my house, dairy-free sour cream, lime wedges, avocado, taco sauce, and chopped cilantro are always in the mix. I'm always amazed by how easy this creamy pesto pasta is Ingredients: 1 pound of penne pasta, a 24-ounce jar of marinara sauce, 1 cup of pesto, ½ cup of drained sun-dried tomatoes, 8 ounces of vegan cream cheese, ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 cup of basil leaves, kosher salt, black pepper I've made this creamy, dairy-free pesto pasta dozens of times, and it still surprises me how flavorful and effortless it is. I start by boiling the pasta according to the directions on the bag. While that's on the stove, I chop the sun-dried tomatoes. Once the pasta is cooked and drained, I return it to the pot and stir in the marinara sauce, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and vegan cream cheese until everything is smooth and creamy. To finish, I season to taste with salt and pepper, then top with vegan Parmesan and torn basil. My family can't get enough of this comforting, colorful dish. This stir-fry is flavorful and packed with protein Ingredients: one carrot, two cloves of garlic, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, 14 ounces of firm tofu, a bag of cauliflower rice, 1 cup of mushrooms, 1 cup of cooked edamame, six green onions, ½ cup chopped peanuts, a head of butter lettuce, stir-fry sauce Stir-fry is one of my go-to meals because it's easy to customize, and this one delivers big flavor with minimal effort. I start by sautéing the diced carrots and minced garlic in sesame oil. Then, I crumble in the tofu and cook it until it's golden and crispy. Next, I stir in the cauliflower rice, sliced mushrooms, and cooked, shelled edamame. I finish with a generous drizzle of my favorite store-bought stir-fry sauce (any teriyaki-style blend works great). To serve, I top it with sliced green onions and chopped nuts. We love eating it straight from the bowl — or spooning it into lettuce leaves for a nutritious, protein-packed wrap. This Italian-style Orzo tastes like it came from a restaurant Ingredients: half of an onion, two cloves of garlic, a jar of marinated bell peppers, a can of artichoke hearts, 1 cup of sun-dried tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of capers, 3 tablespoons of tomato paste, 1 cup of orzo, 14 ounces of bruschetta, a can of cannellini beans, 2 cups of vegetable broth, 3 cups of baby spinach leaves, ½ cup of vegan ricotta, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 ½ tablespoons of Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, fresh basil leaves This is my favorite way to elevate a simple orzo dish. Everything comes together in one skillet before finishing in the oven — and the result is impressive. While the oven preheats to 400°F, I chop the onions, bell peppers, and artichoke hearts. I mince the garlic and cut the sun-dried tomatoes into thin slices. Then, I add all the veggies to a pan with capers and Italian seasoning, and sauté the mixture in olive oil for about 5 minutes. Next, I stir in the uncooked orzo, tomato paste, bruschetta, drained beans, and broth. Once it comes to a simmer, I transfer the skillet to the oven and bake the dish for 10 to 15 minutes. To finish, I stir in the spinach and vegan ricotta, and top it off with fresh basil. The final result is a hearty comfort meal that's totally restaurant-worthy.
Buzz Feed
6 days ago
- Buzz Feed
27 Amazon Kitchen Products You'll Use All The Time
A veggie chopper that will become the holy grail of your kitchen. This incredible invention chops, spiralizes, and slices vegetables in an instant, and the built-in container means there's gonna be absolutely zero mess. So long, chopping boards. A trio lasagna pan because if you're an "edge piece" kind of person, all of your dreams are about to come true. Use it to whip up three different lasagna flavors, or use the tin for *the* crispiest pastries and brownie edges. A rotary cheese grater that's going to make shredding up your favorite cheeses a breeze. Grate some Parmesan over your next pasta dish without worrying about the perfect time to "say when," because you're doing it yourself and if you want to use the full block of Parm, you go for it. A pair of left-handed scissors for my fellow lefties who haven't been able to neatly open a packet of crackers or a bag of pasta for years because they've settled for a pair of generic scissors that don't snip properly and are a pain to hold. Well, struggle no more. Promising review: "So my three youngest are left-handed even though no one else in the family is. Now that they are teens their school-sized left-handed scissors don't fit their hands. I ordered these because we have always used Fiskars school stuff, especially scissors. They are just what I was hoping they would be. And my teens are so excited to not have to use the regular kitchen scissors anymore. Sounds funny, but when you are left-handed those things make a big difference. I am going to order a few more pairs. Great scissors!" —oliveoilPrice: $12.99 (also available in a petite version) A handheld milk frother so you can become your very own barista. If you've been trying to save $$$ on your coffee runs, now you have no excuse. Promising review: "This makes the creamiest froth ever! I am completely blown away by the results of this device. I had no idea that I could make froth at home like this. This changes my whole cappuccino experience!!!" —WellsPrice: $7.99+ (available in 24 colors) A clip-on pasta strainer that looks like one of the most life-changing things I've ever seen. Yes, pasta has my heart, but I hate the part when you have to break your wrist to strain out the water while trying to hold the lid on the pot. Promising review: "Pouring a scalding hot pot of pasta into a colander brings back memories of said colander tipping over and pasta spilling all over the sink or the bottom portion of pasta sitting in a shallow pool of water you just poured into the sink. Not to mention the splash back when the water hits the rim or side of the colander just perfectly. This product relieved me of having to worry about those catastrophic events. Just snap onto your pot while still having two hands to control the pour." —JCPrice: $9.99+ (available in seven colors) A salad spinner because even though your bag of arugula says it's triple-washed, you should be washing it anyway. Alexa, play "Spinning Around" by Kylie Minogue. You can use it for fruit, too!Promising review: "I cut one whole head of lettuce and filled it up to wash, and it fits with the lid on. It doesn't squish the lettuce and all the parts feel well-made. I like that everything is clear and see-through so you can see the color of the water. All the pieces disassemble for washing and rinsing, and they don't have too little spaces that trap lettuce." —amy_incaPrice: $29.95 A handheld surface 3-in-1 steam mop to effectively clean up your kitchen floor, even getting riiiight into those tight nooks and crannies behind the oven that you've been meaning to clean forever but have never gotten around to. Promising review: "I absolutely love this little powerhouse! I use it regularly in my kitchen, particularly around and inside of my oven, and all around my bathroom! The brush adapters are perfect for cleaning tile/grout and the hard-to-reach small areas around the outside and inside of my stovetop/oven (I have a dedicated brush for each) and it cuts right through grease. Because the reservoir only holds a certain amount of water you will need to refill it and let it warm back up but it gives your hand a rest in between. Definitely recommend!" —MelissaPrice: $125.99 A cast-iron Dutch oven for unleashing your inner chef and cooking up some hearty dishes. Yes, it's summer, but gimme a delicious casserole any time of the year. Promising review: "Wow, I don't know how I lived without an enamel Dutch oven for so long! We use this for so many recipes, whether or not this is technically the best pot to use for them. I love that the enamel is safer and more durable than nonstick but doesn't sacrifice that function. We only hand wash it because we don't want to ruin the finish, but that has been very easy so far. It is also great for baking. Overall, could not be happier with this product." —RMSPrice: $94.09+ (available in 16 colors) An electric can opener so you can say goodbye to sharp can edges and bits of label in the food because you can't quite grasp using a manual tin opener. This bad boy will open your cans with a simple touch of a button. Promising review: "This is an amazing tool! It's about the same size as a manual can opener, but this is automatic. All you have to do is place it on the can and press the button and it turns on its own. Just press the button again once it reaches the starting point and it disengages and turns off. This doesn't leave sharp lid edges like regular openers. What a lifesaver!" —Rachel YoungPrice: $20.99 (available in four colors) A chopper perfect for breaking up ground meat, frozen veggies, eggs, and more. If you're partial to finely ground taco meat and creamy scrambled eggs, this bb is going to be your culinary hero. An instant-read digital thermometer so you can be sure that your meat is cooked all the way through. It only takes four to seven seconds to read your food's temperature, so you can say goodbye to the fear of undercooked chicken! A vented microwave food cover that will stop any splatters of food all over your microwave. Why is it that your leftovers splash across the walls after 35 seconds, but the food is still freezing cold? So dramatic. An all-in-one measuring glass because as someone who has never used cup measurements before moving to the U.S., this stuff is tricky. You'll get the *precise* amounts of liquid for your recipes while freeing up a bunch of space in your cupboard. Or a set of space-saving measuring spoons with dual sides for wet and dry ingredients. Say goodbye to guesstimating measurements using that one rogue tablespoon at the back of your silverware drawer. An egg bite maker for cooking up your very own fluffy, eggy morsels. It's the perfect way to batch cook a delicious breakfast that you can grab and go each morning. Say goodbye to spending an ungodly amount of $$$ on the store-bought bites. Take that, Starbucks! Bonus: Take the silicone molds off of it and use it as a regular grill for sandwiches! Or a rapid egg cooker to see you through every single breakfast or brunch for the rest of time. Small but mighty, it can make up to 14 soft-, medium-, *and* hard-boiled eggs in addition to poaching, scrambling, and making omelets. In the words of Lisa Simpson, "Just buy it, you don't have to rationalize everything." An anti-soggy cereal bowl for people who cannot STAND their cereal turning into a gloopy mess just because they take longer than 35 seconds to eat it. It's also a great lil' product for chips, dips, and those moments when you want to have sweet and savory in the same dish. A Yonanas fruit soft-serve maker to turn ~any~ frozen fruit into a sorbet texture. Bananas, mangoes, strawberries... the possibilities are endless. Just think: banana "ice cream" and a sprinkling of chocolate chips on a hot summer's day. Chef's kiss. A fantastic combo air fryer and oven that will 👏change👏your👏life👏. It has 12 different presets based on what kind of meal you're cooking, so you'll always have the best-cooked dinners, desserts, and everything in between. If you never use your conventional oven again, I completely understand. Promising review: "I never had an air fryer before, but now that I have one (in the toaster oven), don't know how I lived without it! This little oven does it all! Easier to clean with the slide-out tray and the air fryer, oven, and broiler (that's all I've used so far!) all work great! Can't wait to try and make my own beef jerky! Best money I've ever spent on a small appliance!" —AllyPrice: $139.99+ (available in two colors) And some silicone air fryer liners, because as much as we all love our air fryers, cleaning them ain't easy. These liners will eliminate having to scrub at the fryer basket every time you whip up some crispy veggies or homemade fries. Promising review: "I have had an air fryer for years and am just now finding out about these things?! So easy to pop in the dishwasher rather than having to clean the air fryer basket. I still wipe down the basket from juices while cooking, but overall these are now a must in my house." —Madeline CurryPrice: $9.99 A teeny tiny mini waffle maker that will whip up the most adorable waffles faster than Leslie Knope can declare her love for the delicious treat. It's also a great gadget for making hash browns, paninis, biscuits, and even PIZZA. A heat-safe, durable pizza stone so you can easily whip up some restaurant-quality pizza that have juuuuuust the right amount of crispiness on the edges. Now, the real question is, are you putting pineapple on it? A breakfast sandwich maker to make all of your brekkie dreams come true. This bad boy cooks an egg, toasts bread, warms precooked meat, and melts cheese all at once and takes literally less than five minutes to produce a warm and melty sammie that deserves a permanent place in your morning routine. A beautiful all-in-one nonstick pan from our Goodful line that can do it all! Use it to fry up your eggs in the morning or boil your spaghetti for pasta night. The possibilities are endless. Psst: it even includes a wooden turner!Promising review: "I own several pans, but this one has become my daily driver for most cooking. It's safer than Teflon, fairly nonstick and easy to clean, has good heat distribution, and is overall very versatile for most of my cooking needs. The only thing I would NOT use it for is high-heat cooking (i.e., searing a steak). Outside of searing, I use this for everything else. Eggs, meat, reheating food, pasta, etc. This is a really awesome pan and much cheaper than the "other" name brand. Comes in some snazzy colors, too. Worth every penny." —Adam GoldsteinPrice: $49.99+ (available in six colors) A KitchenAid mini stand mixer for practicing your cakes and pastries ahead of your application for The Great British Baking Show. It can make up to five dozen cookies at once, so I hope you're hungry. And speaking of The Great British Baking Show, a set of two baking mats so you can pipe out some perfectly uniform cookies and macarons that even Paul Hollywood would be proud of. Promising review: "I have no complaints. They are easy to clean and keep stuff from sticking. I have used them several times without any issues. I haven't ever used the name-brand ones, but these are pretty darn good from what I have seen." —braingamer47Price: $11.39+ (available with or without macaron guides)
Business Insider
30-07-2025
- Business Insider
I made Ina Garten's easy weeknight Bolognese pasta, and the delicious dish only took 30 minutes
Ina Garten has a quick Bolognese pasta that she says is perfect for busy weeknights. The dish includes ground sirloin, orecchiette pasta, dry red wine, and fresh basil leaves. Garten's Bolognese only took 30 minutes and was packed with so much delicious flavor. Ina Garten has always been my go-to when it comes to pasta. I've tried so many of her recipes that I've even ranked them. One of my favorites is her weeknight Bolognese, which is super quick and can be easily adapted with whatever's in your pantry and fridge. The rich and comforting dish was exactly what I needed after a long day. Better yet? I whipped it up in just 30 minutes. Garten's weeknight Bolognese is made with ground sirloin, orecchiette, and dry red wine. To make Garten's weeknight Bolognese for 4-5, you'll need: 1 pound of dried pasta, such as orecchiette or small shells 1 pound of lean ground sirloin 1 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes 1 ¼ cups of dry red wine, divided ¼ cup of heavy cream ¼ cup of chopped fresh basil leaves, lightly packed 4 cloves of minced garlic 2 tablespoons of tomato paste 1 tablespoon of dried oregano ¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg Freshly grated Parmesan cheese When it comes to the canned tomatoes, it should be noted that Garten strongly recommends using the San Marzano variety. The "Barefoot Contessa" star is not a fan of plain canned tomatoes. But Garten does allow for other adjustments. The point, after all, is for this recipe to be pantry-friendly. You can substitute the sirloin for any ground meat or chopped mushrooms. Garten says it's also fine to "use any dried pasta that you like" for this dish, and that it's OK to skip the cream and basil if you don't have any on hand. Before I started making the Bolognese sauce, I just needed to do a little prep. Then, I began making the Bolognese sauce. I heated 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat and added my meat to the pan. I used a wooden spoon to crumble the meat, stirring it occasionally. Garten's recipe recommends cooking the meat for five to seven minutes, until it's no longer pink. After the meat had fully browned, I added my seasonings. It was time for some wine! After letting the seasoned meat cook for one minute, I poured 1 cup of red wine into the skillet. Garten's recipe specifies using a dry red wine. A quick Google search showed that I could pick a cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, or merlot — I went with a pinot. After pouring the wine, I used my wooden spoon to stir everything together. Then, I added my San Marzano tomatoes and tomato paste. I couldn't find crushed San Marzano tomatoes at my local supermarket, so I had to get peeled ones instead. I ran the tomatoes through a food processor before I threw them into the pan, but you could easily use your hands. After adding the tomato paste, I seasoned everything with salt and freshly ground black pepper. I gave everything a good stir, then brought my sauce to a boil. Once it began to bubble, I lowered the heat and allowed the pan to simmer for 10 minutes while I got a separate pot of water going for my pasta. (Don't forget to add salt!) As the noodles cooked, I put the finishing touches on my sauce. I let my sauce simmer for another 10 minutes while I waited for my pasta to turn al dente. The sauce smelled delicious and had turned into a comforting deep-red color. After 10 minutes, the pasta was ready. I used a slotted spoon to transfer the shells to my sauce. I added another ¼ cup of the red wine and a few spoonfuls of my pasta water. After another minute of cooking, the pasta was ready. It looked glorious — and tasted even better. Bolognese is my favorite type of pasta, so I had some pretty high hopes going into this — and Garten delivered. The "Barefoot Contessa" star has a knack for giving classic recipes a new twist, and her weeknight Bolognese is no exception. The shells are the perfect vehicle for this dish, catching all of the flavorful sauce so you can have some in every bite. The nutmeg in the Bolognese nicely balances the kick from the red pepper flakes, and the freshly grated Parmesan cheese I added on top melted beautifully into the warm sauce. My family, who helped me test the recipe, only had rave reviews. "It's a very meaty, very hearty pasta," my dad said. "Perfect." "I really enjoy how the pasta holds onto the sauce," my sister added. "With every spoonful, you get a good amount of meat and a good amount of pasta."
