(Family Features) Work, school, extracurricular activities, social events and more can make the winter months feel frantic and it can often seem like you’re running out of time. This seasonal time crunch makes it even more difficult to answer the age-old, mealtime question kids are always asking: “What are we having?”

To help solve that daily meal dilemma and discover family-pleasing recipes that take 35 minutes or less, the RAGÚ Meal Wheel lets the entire family take an active role in choosing what’s on the menu. Simply ask one of your kids to click the “spin” button to find delicious, quick-and-easy recipes like Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo with Fettuccine and Mini Turkey Sloppy Joes.

Both easy-to-make recipes take 35 minutes or less and feature RAGÚ sauces, which come in a variety of taste-tempting classic flavors and styles, perfect for any mealtime occasion. Created 85 years ago by an Italian mother using a family recipe she brought to the United States from Naples, Italy, the sauces are made from quality ingredients like vine-ripened tomatoes, hearty vegetables, Italian cheeses, herbs and spices, allowing home cooks to “Cook Like a Mother” and quickly create affordable, crowd-pleasing meals for their busy families.

To find more quick and mouthwatering recipes to feed your family during the chilly winter months, visit RAGU.com/meal-wheel.

Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo with Fettuccine

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 1 jar RAGÚ Classic Alfredo Sauce
• 1 package (12 ounces) frozen broccoli florets, thawed
• 1 package (12 ounces) fettuccine pasta
• grated Parmesan cheese, for topping (optional)

1. In large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Cook chicken, in batches if necessary, stirring occasionally, until chicken is thoroughly cooked. Remove chicken and set aside.
2. In same skillet, add sauce and broccoli; stir. Bring to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until broccoli is heated through, about 5 minutes. Stir in chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until cooked through, about 2 minutes.
3. In separate pan, cook fettuccine according to package instructions.
4. Serve chicken, broccoli and sauce over hot fettuccine and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top, if desired.

Mini Turkey Sloppy Joes

Recipe courtesy of "Honey and Birch" on behalf of RAGÚ
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

• 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup diced onion
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 cup finely diced carrots
• 1 medium green pepper, diced
• 1 medium red pepper, diced
• 1 jar RAGÚ Simply Chunky Marinara Sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 mini buns

1. In large skillet over medium heat, heat extra-virgin olive oil. When hot, add onion and garlic; sauté until onion is translucent.
2. Add ground turkey. Break up meat and stir frequently until browned. Add carrots, green pepper and red pepper. Cook 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
3. Add marinara sauce, Worcestershire sauce, ground mustard, salt and pepper. Stir and bring to boil. Reduce heat to simmer and partially cover pan. Cook 10 minutes.
4. Serve on mini buns.

Source: RAGÚ

(Family Features) Most families are looking for ways to spend more time together, but managing the family schedule can be a daunting task, especially with the additions of nightly homework and extracurricular activities a new school year brings.

Hectic weeknight schedules during back-to-school season don’t need to get in the way of quality time spent around the dinner table with these simple tips for enjoying dinner together.

Designate a time. Write dinner time on a calendar in the kitchen so every family member is aware of this special time and can look forward to sitting down together. Even if your schedule is overwhelming, pick a specific day each week and block out time to have a meal as a family.

Rely on foods rooted in tradition. Experimenting with recipes can add quick and easy new favorites to the family meal repertoire like Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs, a modern twist on the nostalgic family classic. As food trends come and go, RAGÚ continues to be a culinary staple for family meals. For 80 years, RAGÚ has gathered families at the table to celebrate the tradition of creating memories around a mouthwatering meal. Whether that’s a new take on ravioli or a family-favorite pasta dish, families can count on serving up delicious pasta sauces rich with bold, Italian flavors and vine-ripened tomatoes.

Create rituals. To build a tradition in the kitchen, try involving the whole family by showing your kids age-appropriate ways to contribute to their favorite meal. Let them measure ingredients to create better-for-you turkey meatballs, carry ingredients from one place to another, mix and pour ingredients, and set the table. Creating a ritual of cooking a favorite back-to-school meal with your kids is a good way to help them build healthy habits and skills that will last a lifetime.

Step away from your cell phone. Designate dinnertime as a no-cellphone zone. Leave your mobile devices in another room to allow for time to reconnect with your loved ones and be fully present.

Create fun dinner table topics. Making the table a fun place to be is the best strategy for getting your family to dinner and keeping them at the table longer. Make a game out of sharing the best parts of your day with each other. This can be a great way to laugh together as well as an opportunity to offer much-needed advice and support.

Find more easy recipes to bring the family together during the busy back-to-school season and throughout the year at RAGU.com or on Facebook.

Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 5

• 10        ounces spaghetti
• 1          pound (85 percent lean) ground turkey
• 1/2       cup Italian-seasoned, dry bread crumbs
• 1/4       cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus additional (optional)
• 1/4       cup chopped Italian parsley
• 1          egg, beaten
• 3/4       cup water, divided
• 1/2       teaspoon kosher salt
• 1          tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 2          cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2       teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1          jar RAGÚ Homestyle Thick and Hearty Traditional Sauce

1. Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt; keep warm.
2. Combine turkey, bread crumbs, Parmesan, parsley, egg, 1/4 cup water and salt. Shape mixture into 25 (1 1/4-inch) meatballs.
3. In large, nonstick saute pan on medium heat, heat olive oil, garlic and crushed red pepper. Add sauce and remaining water once garlic is golden.
4. Arrange meatballs in sauce; cover and cook 10 minutes, or until cooked through (165° F), stirring occasionally. Serve with cooked spaghetti and additional Parmesan, if desired.

Tip: Use a small ice cream scoop or melon baller to easily make evenly sized meatballs.

Source: RAGU

(Family Features) Today’s busy families need meal ideas that are convenient, nutritious, delicious – and affordable. With some simple planning and easy recipes, it’s a snap to feed a family of four in no time.

Creating a weekly meal plan is the easiest way to save time and money.

• Plan meals that call for minimal cooking: Have a salad, bread and cold side dishes ready to go. That way, you only have the main dish to prepare.
• Plan for leftovers: Instead of leaving leftover chicken in the fridge, plan ahead to use it in another dish. Or, cook up the recipe here – Ragú® Pasta Sauce has expanded its offering of convenient large size jars, perfect for making crowd-pleasing recipes or planning for several meals.
• Plan on stocking up: Have plenty of frozen veggies, rice, pasta and other staples on hand so you can easily add something new to your menus.

This recipe makes tasty use of Ragú® Old World Style pasta sauce, which contains more than a full serving of veggies in every half cup of sauce. This means you get convenient, nutritious dishes for less than $2 per serving. For more easy, family-friendly recipes, visit www.Ragu.com.

Skillet Pasta and Beef Dinner

8 servings
Moms can cook both the pasta and beef in the same pan, leaving only one pan to clean!

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes

Cost per serving*: $1.81

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 jar (2 lb. 13 oz.) Ragú® Old World Style Pasta Sauce
• 4 cups water
• 1 pound uncooked rotini pasta
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Brown ground beef in 6-quart saucepot; drain.
2. Stir in sauce and water. Bring to a boil. Stir in uncooked rotini; return to a boil. Reduce heat and cook covered, stirring occasionally, 14 minutes or until rotini is tender.
3. Remove from heat; sprinkle with cheese. Let stand covered until cheese is melted.

Visit www.Ragu.com to find out how to make this dish with the traditional 26 oz jars of pasta sauce.

*Based on average retail prices at national supermarkets.

Source: Ragu

Save

Save