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I have a really bad habit of last minute inviting people over to dinner. The house is a mess, I have nothing fancy planned and yet I want to look like I have been planning this for days. I want to be the Hostess with the Mostess, doesn’t everyone?
A long time ago, I learned that you needed to take a little help from the grocery store in order to pull off the perfect dinner party. I always plan on preparing 1 item maybe 2 if I have time and then all else is store bought. I applied my method to this last minute dinner party and it was a hit! I love that I can do simple entertaining with the help of Barilla, Pepperidge Farm and Tom Gore Wines.
For this particular party, I decided to whip up a 1 pot wonder of Pesto, Sausage & Sun Dried Tomato Pasta using Barilla Pronto. I love that the Barilla Pronto doesn’t require any boiling of water and you cook everything in a skillet in about 10 minutes.
Here is how you make the pasta.
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1 Box Barilla Pronto Penne
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4 Sausage Links – I used Andouille, but Italian sausage or Kielbasa would work too!
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1/2 Cup Sun Dried Tomatoes
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1 Cup Pesto – Store bought or homemade (Barilla Pesto would be great!)
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1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese
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3 Cups Water
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Slice the sausage into coins and brown both sides in a skillet over medium high heat. Remove and set aside.
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In the same skillet add 3 cups of water and 1 box of Barilla Pasta Pronto Penne and turn temperature to high. You’ll want to make sure the pasta is completely covered with water. Cook for 10 mins. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent pasta from sticking.
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The last 2 minutes, add in the pesto, sun dried tomatoes and sausage back into the pot. Stir to combine.
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Serve and garnish with Parmesan Cheese.
This recipe is so filling, it was a big hit with the adults as well as the kids!
If you’re looking for a quick and easy appetizer, look no further than a box of Pepperidge Farm Cracker Trios and a wheel of Brie, a half cup of walnuts and honey.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and put the brie on baking sheet on foil for easier clean up. Bake for 15 mins. You can also add about a half up of walnuts to the baking sheet as well to toast.
Once out of the oven put on a platter, drizzle with honey and top with the walnuts, arrange the Pepperidge Farm Cracker Trio and serve. This is a show stopper every time and everyone thinks you spent hours making it.
No – just 15 minutes and the oven did the work!
You can’t forget dessert. The easiest thing dessert option is a pint of your favorite ice cream and box of Pepperidge Farm Cookie Collection. Who can say no to Milano cookies and salted caramel ice cream? Definitely a wonderful way to round out a meal with good friends.
To compliment our your meal, you can’t forget wine. For me, the Tom Gore Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was the choice for the evening. Our guests really enjoyed how it paired well with everything and an great price point for wine!
I purchased all my items at Wal-Mart for a quick and easy meal. Be sure to check out the Simply Entertaining Hub for more great ideas and pairings at a Walmart event near you in November and December!
As you can see, taking a little help from the grocery store can make holiday entertaining a breeze. Tell me, do you entertain often? Do you have any tips or tricks you use when hosting events?
I've never had the Trios before. I might just have to try those. Looks like they are a good size too. Thanks for the tip! It's a great change-up from the club cracker.
Nailed it!! This looks AMAZING!! When are you inviting me over to eat all this deliciousness?!
Yum! I'm just goign to start stopping by your house for dinner on my way home, haha!
I'm all about taking help from the grocery store and this is an example of why it works! The way you took these products and turned them into a full meal is awesome! That brie wheel with honey and walnut is fantastic! I'm even thinking you could do different toppings too, along with the crackers [client]