Fettuccine & Meatballs #LaRomanella Style

One of the classic staples in my pantry are good ingredients to create a simple and easy pasta dinner on those nights when time for a fancy meal really isn’t on your side. Recently I was introduced to the family of La Romanella products at Smart & Final and I have to say… my picky pallet was pleasantly surprised! With a few of the La Romanella products I was able to create a lovely and simple, yet hearty Fettuccine & Meatballs for my family the other night.

As far as I am concerned a pasta dish is a blank canvas. As long as you have some good basic ingredients you can create a perfect masterpiece with a few additional fresh items. The La Romanella brand has created a line of Mediterranean style products for Smart & Final that in my opinion rival some of the other major store brands. Not only do they put up a good fight… I say they pretty much deliver the knock out punch. The flavors are all there, and they provide a fabulous base for some great pasta. I went shopping at my local Smart & Final store here in Las Vegas to find all of the La Romanella goodies. {If you would like to follow along on my shopping trip click here to check out my Google+ album.}

I decided to create a hearty Fettuccine & Meatball pasta using some of the La Romanella family of products. Here is the list of my ingredients…

1 package of La Romaella Fettuccine

1/2 a package of La Romanelle Italian style meatballs

1 jar of La Romanella Roasted Garlic Pasta Sauce

14 oz. of La Romanella Tomato Strips with Basil

4-5 large Portabella mushroom caps

1/2 cup of La Romanella Grated Parmesan Cheese

1 T of La Romanella extra virgin olive oil

This recipe is perfect for those nights when a quick dinner is needed… But the family is not going to feel like it is a “QUICK DINNER!”

First, you need to put a pot of water on to boil the Fettuccine in. Salt the water when it comes to a boil and then add the package of Fettuccine, cook according to package directions.

Clean and cut your mushrooms into bite size pieces. In a large saute pan over medium high heat add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add your mushrooms. Saute for 3-4 minutes.

Add the tomato strips with basil to the mushrooms and cook for 1 minute and then add the pasta sauce.

Add a 1/4 cup of the grated parmesan cheese and the meatballs. Let sauce simmer for 6-8 minutes or until the meatballs are warmed through.

Drain the Fettuccine and add to the pasta sauce. combine well and let cook together for a minute or two to let the flavors marry.

Serve warm and top with a sprinkle of the grated parmesan cheese. There you have a simple and hearty family meal in under 30 minutes. Sometimes I even add peas to the mix, crazy I know… but I love peas!

The folks at La Romanella and Smart & Final would love for you to try some of their fine products and in return they have a wonderful contest for you to enter! If you live in California, Arizona or Nevada visit your local Smart & Final and purchase some La Romanella products. Starting on February 8th when you return home you should visit the La Romanella Sweetstakes site and enter the code on your receipt and enter to win…

First Prize: a weekend trip to one of the most luxurious Italian inspired resorts in Las Vegas! Additional prizes include: (8) $100 SmartCash cards (2 per week given away) and (8) La Romanella Gift Baskets worth over $50 (2 per week given away) WOWZA!!

If you win the Las Vegas getaway we can meet for gelato at the Bellagio!! It’s one of my favorite things to do on the strip.

On top of all of that… you will have a chance to head over to the Smart & Final La Romanella site to vote for your favorite recipe created from the La Romanella products. I would LOVE for you to head over and vote for MINE!!

If you have a chance to test out these fabulous products I would love to hear what you create. Leave a comment here and let me know what masterpiece you create.