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Can you believe Valentine’s Day is in less than a week?? I can’t. I can barely believe I made it to my due date in December, popped a child out, and now have an eight-week old infant, so the fact that Valentine’s Day snuck up on me, isn’t surprising in the least.
I know some people are super against the holiday and go to great lengths to avoid all the pink, frilly Valentines, and heart-shaped candies; and then there are some who are ridiculously into the day, dress to the nines, and plan extravagant nights out.
I, happen to lie somewhere in the middle. I don’t need oodles of chocolates and conversation hearts, and I’m not big on venturing out into the crowds on the day itself, but I do, however, enjoy a pretty arrangement of flowers, and the opportunity to stay home and make dinner just the two of us.
Dinner at home varies each year, but it’s almost guaranteed that I will overextend myself and try to make something that ends up taking at least three hours more than I expected, smokes the house up, or just doesn’t turn out right. But! This week, I’ve partnered up with Lunchbox to bring you a Valentine’s Day meal that will include none of the aforementioned.
Today’s recipe is the PERFECT Valentine’s meal because it’s fool-proof, but seriously impressive, and of course, delicious.
I have become a major fan of Kroger in the last year for a million reasons, but most of all, because of all the awesome products they carry. In today’s case, I took some major help with the new Bertolli Riserva sauces and pre-packaged Carando Italian Sausages. If you have a local Kroger around, they’re offering up samples of both products, so I suggest your hightail it over there to get your fix, and then pick up a couple things for yourself. (You can call your local Kroger to find out when their tastings are scheduled for.)
In particular, I’d suggest picking up the Marinara with Parmigiano Reggiano and the Carando Mild Italian Sausage links to make this Sausage and Mushroom Ragu with Gnocchi.
First, the sausage comes out of the casing and is browned up in a super hot skillet, I like to use a wooden spoon to break up the sausage as small as possible, and after it’s all cooked, I even take it out of the skillet and chop it up even finer on a cutting board — a recommended, but not required step. Once all the sausage is cooked through and browned, I add in half a pound of finely chopped mushrooms a little bit of salt, and just splash of red wine. When the mushrooms, cook down, I add in a whole jar of the Bertolli Marinara with Parmigiano Reggiano, give her a stir, and let it all simmer for ten or so minutes until the flavors are mesh together.
While the sauce simmers, I quickly cook up some gnocchi (you can use whatever pasta shape you want), toss it with the sauce, and transfer it all to a serving dish. A final garnish of freshly grated parmigiano reggiano is the finishing touch right before you dig in.
This, is what I’d call the perfect date night meal….
Now, we are also offering up a $25 Kroger gift card to giveaway. Just reply with how would you make a date night meal with Bertolli Riserva and Carando Italian Sausages and hashtag #CarandoDateNight or #BertolliDateNight
Happy Valentine’s Day all!
- 4 links Carando Mild Italian Sausage Links, removed from casings
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, chopped
- ¼ cup red wine
- 1 jar Bertolli Riserva Marinara with Parmigiano Reggiano
- 1½ pounds packaged potato gnocchi
- Parmigiano Reggiano for garnish
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Season with salt, it should taste as salty as the sea.
- Heat a large non-stick skillet to a medium-high heat. Add in sausage,and using a wooden spoon, break the sausage into small pieces as you brown it.
- Once all the sausage is browned, transfer to a cutting board and chop finely. Add the sausage back to the pan, along with chopped mushrooms, reduce heat to medium. Season with a little bit of salt. Cook until mushrooms are cooked, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add red wine, cook until reduced, about 1-2 minutes. Add in marinara sauce, stir until combined with sausage and mushrooms, Simmer for 10 minutes.
- While the sauce simmer, cook the gnocchi in boiling water. Once the gnocchi float to the top, they are done cooking, it takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Toss the gnocchi in the sauce, transfer to serving platter and garnish with freshly grated parmigiano reggiano.
This post sponsored by Lunchbox. All opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the products and brands we love and that keep this space going!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
Yay girl! This is my kind of dinner. I’m a big gnocchi fan. And I’m an even bigger fan of easy meals. A romantic dinner at home for two definitely doesn’t have to be complicated! Happy (early) Valentine’s Day! XOXO!
sandra says
I would make pasta, veggies, Bertolli Riserva and Carando Italian Sausages.#CarandoDateNight #BertolliDateNight
Susan Christy says
I’d make my favorite baked spaghetti casserole and substitute Italian Sausage for the usual hamburger. #BertolliDateNight & #CarandoDateNight
Neiddy says
I would make a sausage & bacon pasta bake, garlic bread and salad as side items #BertolliDateNight & #CarandoDateNight
Thanks for the chance to win!
Gina M says
I would make date night special by making baked ziti with italian sausage and bertolli riserva! Yummmm #CarandoDateNight
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
Mami2jcn says
I would make sausage sandwiches #CarandoDateNight #BertolliDateNight
Lauren says
I would make a sausage and rigatoni bake. #CarandoDateNight or #BertolliDateNight
Janice says
#CarandoDateNight #BertolliDateNight I would grill the sausages and make linguine pasta with marinara sauce for a delicious date night meal.
Kristen says
I’d make some baked ziti with spicy sausage. #CarandoDateNight #BertolliDateNight
Linda C. says
I would make Chicken & Sausage Scarpariello Arrabbiata! #BertolliDateNight