12 September 2011

Linguine With Two Sauces

Good morning, everyone! Did you have a good weekend? We had a very productive one and had a chance to hang out with some new friends and enjoy old friend's company. Sunday we spent slaving in the kitchen and cleaning the house from top to bottom. Can you believe I came away with zero pictures? Very unlike me, I know, but that's what happened.

Instead of a weekend update, I'm here to share a yummy recipe with you. This is my old stand-by when I'm hosting a fancy dinner because the pasta is so yummy and rich and tastes so "oh my, you must have slaved all day..." I can't wait for you to try it and wow your guests. Also, I wanted to give a big hug to each of you, your comments on my health update were so uplifting and motivating to stay focused on the next step in our health journey! Thanks ladies!



This recipe comes from a Cooking Light magazine all the way back in 1997. But I got it out of their "Best Of" cookbook a few years ago. Surely it has to be one of their best. Here's what you need:

Linguine With Two Sauces
Serves 8-10

2 teaspoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
3/4 teaspoon pepper, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
2 (14.5-ounce) cans Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained 
Cooking spray
4 cups sliced cremini or button mushrooms (about 12 ounces)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups 1% low-fat milk
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded reduced-fat, reduced-sodium Swiss cheese (such as Alpine Lace)
1/2 cup dry white wine (and more for drinking...)
8 cups hot cooked linguine (about 1 pound uncooked pasta)
1/4 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese
Fresh oregano sprigs (optional)



Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°.

Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic; sauté 30 seconds. Add basil, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and tomatoes; cook over low heat 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.

Place a large saucepan coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat until hot. Add mushrooms, and cook 5 minutes. Remove from saucepan, and set aside. Add flour to saucepan. Gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk until blended. Place flour mixture over medium heat, and cook until thick (about 3 minutes), stirring constantly. Stir in Swiss cheese, wine, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook until cheese melts (about 1 minute), stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and stir in mushrooms.



Combine linguine and mushroom sauce in a large bowl. Spoon linguine mixture into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Spread tomato sauce evenly over the linguine mixture, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cover and bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 5 minutes. Garnish with oregano sprigs, if desired.

(This dish is great when you have another couple over because you'll have tons of leftovers to nosh on the next couple days after the party. This dish reheats really really well.)






Question of the Day:
What is your go-to recipe to impress your guests?








24 comments:

  1. I usually cook big roast dinners for guests but this looks fab!Must give it a try!!
    ~Anne

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  2. Hannah, this looks divine :) Can't wait to try it!

    My go-to recipes to impress are a ravioli lasagna or chicken parmesan... served with a baguette & wine, of course :) ... Pasta dishes are always crowd pleasers!

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  3. Hannah this look fabulous! Im convinced that cooking light has some of the best recipes!

    My go to dish is Pasta with Olive oil and tons of veggies. It sounds simple and plain but is always a crowd pleaser. I also make stuffed shells a lot, because they look so fancy!

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  4. ok so my hubs and I got food poisoning from an Italian rest. back in March...I have had to children and the food poisoning was worse...lol...I haven't been able to look at pasta the same...until now...these look sooooooo good! That white sauce....yum!!

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  5. This looks delicious! My go to recipe? Whatever I can make with what I have on hand. Haha!

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  6. Too much mushroom for my liking, can't stand them.

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  7. Ooh, I disagree with Tony - there's no such thing as too many mushrooms! This looks wonderful!

    I'm so happy that you guys enjoyed the chickpea stew. It's one of my favorites!

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  8. yumm! I eat too much pasta though because it's easy to make :)

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  9. Well, I'm definitely saving this for a company dinner. We've been wanting to invite our neighbors up for dinner but she's a vegetarian and I've been at a loss trying to come up with anything really impressive for dinner. This is perfect, though. THANK YOU!

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  10. you always have the best pasta dishes--yum!!!

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  11. Mmmm this looks delicious :) I love the photo of you by the cooker you look very kitchen goddess-y!
    <3

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  12. Look at you chef! That first recipe looks outstanding! I actually don't have many go-to recipes lately since I'm always trying to create something new, but usually I make a pasta dish of sorts :)

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  13. Ha, I blogged about go-to recipes on the quick and cheap today!

    To impress, I'd go with garlic and balsamic glazed pork tenderloin.

    http://pinterest.com/pin/53399582/

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  14. This sounds so delicious! My husband loves pasta so I'm always trying to find new ways to prepare it!

    I don't really have a go-to for company because I always like trying new recipes! I do usually include one recipe that is an old favorite though :)

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  15. Two sauces?!?! Delish! I'll have to give this a try!! My go to is seared pepper crusted tuna, sauteed asparagus and puree eggplant. YUM!

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  16. Looks very yummy! And you look cute in your apron :)

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  17. My big crowd impress-er is actually your Peruvian Roast, prior to that it was my Spaghetti dish. By the way, I made the coconut and corn salad, loved it, but I added a lot more spice to me. And I also tried the Potato and Sweet Potato fries with the rosemary - next time I'll put the sweet potatoes a little later, as they cook quicker :) Love your recipes Hannah!

    PS love the cute top and I think your hair is coming along splendidly :)

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  18. Look so yummy! Can I have one?
    Your post made me hungry even though I just have a lunch. :D

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  19. linguine is my favvv type of pasta for sure and this recipe looks scrumptious (feel like willy wonka when i said that LOL).

    i dont really have a go-to recipe with guests :( i need to work on that

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  20. Hannah, you are a total star! This is just what I feel like. Sometimes I don't even decide on what we are having for dinner until I check your blog! My go-to dish to impress is stuffed chicken breasts with seasonal veg, but my go-to dish for when I have no time is green chilli wraps.

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  21. I need to become more domestic - the only downfall is the recipes I make aren't great for your figure :) In any case, my hubby would love if I cooked like this for him on a daily basis. Thanks for the recipe :)

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  22. I hardly cook but this looks scrumptious! Please invite for dinner ;) I can wash the dishes!

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  23. I make a few things that get asked for over and over. One is a very simple hash brown casserole. I think of all my recipes that one is requested the most often.

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