While we love making homemade sauce, there's no shame in the jarred pasta sauce game! Jarred sauce has saved many weeknight meals, and today we're sharing our top five favorite tips on how to dress it up!

Try one of these easy cannelloni recipes the next time you need to break up the usual pasta routine. They're fun, filling, and family-friendly.

Happy Friday! That one day of the week where you get to work with a sigh and a smile, because you just know what is coming up. Two days of blissful freedom from the tangled web of work we weave ;) hahaha..unless your everyone -- who has children, a second job or are in grad school and the weekend just provides the solace of being grumpy at home! Just kidding (kinda). I am convinced, with an emphasis on CONVINCED that November is just not my month. Don't get me wrong, I can handle a major thing going wrong and even a few little things here and there. But when those little things happen continuously, and at all the wrong times....I just wanna regress and build a fort in my master bedroom and refuse to come out. So why I am I so sure, well last year at this time, I found out Ninja tore is ACL and had a luxating patella. This year, my academic woes seems to be insurmountable. And that fort....its looking pretty good! I mean when a hurricane, tsunami or earthquake are coming we take cover right? ;) I know, I'm special...in all the weird ways... Moments and days like that, convince me (you know...CONVINCE) me that being a stay-at-home wife is my calling. I love all things domestic. Especially being in the kitchen, cleaning and care-taking. My sister says I put women back 50 years. That is totally not my intention. I am all for liberation and awesomeness. But I also know, that there are different strokes for different folks. Different things that float one's boat. And different things that inspire us and make us happy. I am married to a hubby who would not mind either way. He's absurdly supportive...or maybe remarkably indifferent? hahaha...But I find such comfort in my home, and just love being in the kitchen. So I have always been good at school. I am not saying I do not love it. I love academia, research and working with children. Amazing life experiences. Am I convinced this is my true calling, not sure. But who says a PhD cannot be at a stay-at-home wifey...or a rogue rebel baker? I have been craving all thing that I have made before. And this time, my taste buds wanted risotto. Which I have made before (Mushroom Risotto and Cajun Sausage Risotto). But this time, I wanted something spicy. I love spicy foods! It must be the Sri Lankan inside of me :) The hubby has definitely acquired a level of spice tolerance since meeting me. I searched high and low for spicy risotto recipes and nothing caught my fancy. So I decided, what they hey...why not just be a scientist in the kitchen, play around a bit and see if I can make something that is just what I am craving. And sure enough I did. And the hubby loved it ::spoiler alert:: (I think so much so, that this might go on his hubby 2013 favorites). It was delicious! And this time I tried actual Arborio rice vs. Jasmine or Basmanti rice. SPICY CHICKEN POBLANO RISOTTO A For the Love of Dessert Original Recipe INGREDIENTS 4 c. of chicken borth 3 tsbp. olive oil 11 oz. chicken strips (I use Tyson's Grilled Chicken Strips), cooked 1-3 tsp. crushed red chili peppers* 4 oz. (~ 1/2 c.) chopped poblano peppers 1 tsp. chili powder* 3 green onions, diced 1 c. rice (Arborio preferred, long grain rice as substitute) 1/4 c. cooking wine 1/2 c. Parmesan cheese *Add amount based on desired spice preference DIRECTIONS In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tbsp. olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add in chicken strips and satue until warm (The Tyson's Grilled Chicken strips come cooked. If you are using raw chicken, cook until chicken is no longer pink in the center). Empty chicken onto plate and set aside. Heat an additional tbsp. of olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 tsp. of crushed red peppers. Saute until fragrant. Add in poblano peppers -- cooking until tender and no excess liquid remains. Empty into bowl and set aside. Cooking the poblano peppers with a little crushed chili will add spice to the peppers. In a pot, bring chicken broth to a boil, then reduce heat and keep warm over low heat. In a skillet, heat 1 tsbp. of olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add in 2 tsp. crushed red chili pepper (or less if you prefer less spice), chili powder and green onions. Saute until fragrant and translucent, approximately 3-5 minutes. Add in rice and stir well to coat with olive oil-mixture. Cook rice for an additional 3 minutes, stirring only occasionally. Next add in cooking wine and cook until all the wine is absorbed -- stir constantly. Continue to cook rice by adding 1/4 c. of warmed chicken broth at a time into the rice, stirring continuously until broth has been complete absorbed (it best to use a ladle to add the chicken broth). Do not add more broth until the previous amount has been entirely absorbed by the rice. Continue adding increments of chicken broth and allowing rice to absorb all the broth -- do this until all the broth has been used and rice is cooked through (add more broth if rice needs additional cooking). Rice should be tender. Once risotto is cooked stir in Parmesan cheese until well incorporated and cheese is melted. Finally fold in chicken and poblano peppers. Garnish with additional crushed red peppers if desired. Enjoy, Chika

Do you love eating pasta, but don’t love all the carbs that come with it? I’ve rounded up the best lower-carb pasta alternatives that you can enjoy!

Although the _Delta Queen's_ cooks enjoyed this dish made with leftover turtle, you can use just about any kind of meat. If you don't have leftovers, try boiling a less-tender cut of beef until tender and use the stock for the soup.

Got a jar of pasta sauce in the pantry? Don't settle for spaghetti! Here are 10 easy recipes you can make that the whole family will love.

For everyone who lives here in Georgia, I feel very sorry for you, because we're all missing out on one of the greatest restaurants I know o...

This Crockpot Lasagna Soup is perfect for busy days and cozy nights, giving you the classic lasagna taste with minimal effort. It’s family-friendly and sure to please everyone at the table.

Rich, bold and savory, this Vegan Bolognese is reminiscent of the Italian classic we all love. The filling combines mushrooms, ground walnuts, grated carrots, and onions for a meaty mince that is hearty and satisfying!

Learn how to cook zoodles with 30 healthy and incredibly delicious recipes. Zucchini noodles are a healthy option to pasta and they taste so good!

Chicken Sugo or red sauce with chicken is a heart warming dish that's easy to prepare. Using chicken thighs is the key to a great sauce because thigh meat is more tender than breast meat, and it stays juicy after cooking. In this recipe, the chicken thighs will break apart gently with a spoon and

Head to Italy's most romantic city for Romeo & Julia, great Italian pasta and pizza. Introducing some of my favorite restaurants in Verona for romance.

Pasta is fattening. It has no nutritional value and it's not filling. I love pasta too much. Pasta has been the enemy of diets for decades, but is its bad reputation earned? Registered dietitian Kati Mora argues for why pasta should still get a space on your plate.

Here are 8 Cozy vegan Ramen and Noodle Soup recipes perfect for the cold days! Hearty bowls of noodles in a rich, umami broth.

Have fun this Halloween with this spooky noodles sensory activity!

This vegetarian version of Instant Pot Lasagna tastes amazing and has some beautiful layers of pasta, sauteed veggies, ricotta spinach, pasta sauce and lots of cheese. Nobody will guess that this was made in the pressure cooker so forget the oven and try this foolproof way of making Lasagna instead.

Do you remember eating alphabet pasta as a child? It was a fun way to learn the alphabet while enjoying a bowl of warm soup. Well, why should kids have all the fun? My Grown-Up Alphabet Pasta is a fun and modern take one the childhood classic. Made with chicken broth, garlic, shallot, and butter, finished with a generous sprinkle of Parmigiano Reggiano, it is a warm and cozy delight with every bite, And the best part? You can make it gluten-free by using orzo instead of the traditional alphabet pasta, so everyone can enjoy it!

Learn how to cook zoodles with 30 healthy and incredibly delicious recipes. Zucchini noodles are a healthy option to pasta and they taste so good!

A round-up of easy healthy acid-reflux friendly dinner recipes to keep you eating well with a happy stomach every night of the week!

Today we learn how to make light, pillowy, delicious potato gnocchi di pomodoro. Gnocchi is actually a dumpling, not a pasta but it is just as delicious and easy to make. You can make gnocchi with ricotta as well as potato.

Easy pasta dishes cook quickly and offer endless possibilities. Try one of our favorite pasta recipes for dinner tonight.

New to kombucha? This post explains the health benefits, how to make kombucha, and includes our favorite komcuha recipes of all time!

Simple, tasty olive oil pasta loaded with Mediterranean flavors.

I am a chocolate girl and a pasta girl. I love going to Olive Garden and ordering my favorite entree, the Chicken Alfredo, then ordering something with chocolate for dessert. (Otherwise I just want to go home and make an entire batch of brownies.) They have so many other delicious menu items, but I just

Year-Round casseroles that everyone loves.

This Skinny Alfredo Sauce has all the flavor of regular alfredo, but with a fraction of the calories and fat! A few simple swaps help to keep its rich taste, without overindulging.

Paleo AIP Hamburger Macaroni Pasta is made in one pot and is an easy 30 minute meal that the whole family will love. Super creamy, full of ground beef and it's great to have for leftovers too! Low-FODMAP and Gluten-free.

Check out this collection of 30 family poses to capture the love of your sims and their families for keepsake photos and stories!