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The most popular pizza toppings in America

Americans love pizza. From the veggie-packed Supreme to the simplicity of a garlicky White, is there any food more beloved? One study found that the average American will devour at least 6,000 slices in their lifetime, beginning their lifelong love at the pre-school age. Grubhub decided to shed some light on our nationwide pizza preferences, using their delivery data to calculate the most popular toppings and trendiest pies across the country. And the data even shows that where you live probably determines a lot what those 6,000 slices will look like. So what’s America’s favorite pizza topping? It might be no surprise that pepperoni was the most-ordered topping of 2019. In fact, nearly 250 million pounds of the stuff is served atop pizza slices every year. most popular pizza toppings Pepperoni Mushroom Sausage Green pepper Black olives Trendiest pizzas of 2019 And the trendiest pizza of the year goes to…

What’s the difference between calzone and stromboli?

If you didn’t grow up with Italian food, you might think there isn’t much of a difference between a calzone and a stromboli. After all, both involve pizza dough stuffed with meat and cheese, so how different can they really be, right? Wrong! While there can be some confusion if you don’t know the language of Italian-American food, there is a actually a big difference, and here’s why. Their origins Calzones and stromboli can be traced to entirely different origins. Calzones are 100%-certified Italian food—from Italy. The original idea and recipes came from 18th century Naples where locals developed a casual way of eating a pizza on the go. In fact, the plural of calzone, calzoni, translates to “pant leg” or “trouser,” reflective of the fact that the calzone’s original purpose was to serve as a “walk around pizza.” Ingredients and techniques vary throughout different regions in Italy, just as…

The best towns to live in for pizza lovers

When you’re looking to move, there are a lot of factors to consider: job opportunities, schools, taxes, distance from family. But that all pales in comparison to the importance of pizza. Yes, proximity to and the number of pizza restaurants is important if you ask true pizza fanatics. Pizza lovers looking to surround themselves with what matters most should consider a recent ranking released by Apartmentguide.com revealing the 10 best places to live for pizza lovers. Enjoy 25 mouthwatering facts about pizza. To establish the ranking, Apartmentguide.com took the number of pizza establishments in each town and the number of overall restaurants available, and determined what percentage of those overall eating options in a particular town were specifically pizza. And no, surprisingly it’s not all New York and Chicago, either. So, pizza lovers, pack your bags! Make a move to these towns and you’ll surely find other pizza-loving people just…

Tuscan risotto with kale, mushrooms, and walnuts

This classic dish gets upgraded to main meal status with the addition of hearty mushrooms, Tuscan kale, and crunchy walnuts. It’s so easy to prepare, and better yet, you can have this elegant vegetarian dish ready in about 35 minutes. This traditional method of making risotto involves standing at the stove and stirring for around 18 minutes. It might seems a little labor intensive compared to low-fuss pastas, but to achieve the signature creamy texture risotto is known for, it’s well worth the effort. If you’re not vegetarian, and if you want to serve this as a side dish instead, consider pairing it with your favorite chicken Marsala for a tasty Italian combo. This Tuscan risotto with kale, mushrooms, and walnuts will easily be your new favorite go-to recipe this fall and all year long. Tuscan risotto with kale, mushrooms, and walnuts Serves 4 Ingredients 5 cups vegetable or chicken…

Pumpkin and sage stuffed shells

The best thing about fall? The food, OF COURSE! While summer is the season for fresh fruit and farmers markets, fall is time for casseroles, crock pots, and delicious comfort foods. Which takes me to my latest recipe… We had two days of fall-like weather last week and already I’m inspired to break out the pumpkin! These pumpkin ricotta stuffed shells would be a perfect addition to your holiday spread, or anytime you want a savory, seasonal dish to share — this recipe makes a lot of shells! The fresh sage and nutty Romano cheese are the perfect way to accent that rich pumpkin flavor. Plus, the light pumpkin taste in the sauce makes this dish truly something different. You’re going to love this this seasonal switch-up on an old classic. Note: Get 100% pumpkin puree (I like Libby’s brand). Other pumpkin blends can sometimes come with fall spices mixed in…

Easy Chicken Parmesan Recipe is a perfect weeknight dinner

Chicken Parmesan is a family favorite. It’s a classic dish that takes pan fried chicken breasts then tops them with tomato sauce and smothers them in cheese before baking. What comes out is deliciously golden brown and bubbly — what’s not to love? This chicken parmesan recipe — with its fresh mozzarella and homemade tomato sauce — will make you look like you spent hours in the kitchen, when really, you’ll have the prep work done in about 15 minutes. Serve chicken parm with fettuccini or other pasta or even rice or mashed potatoes for an easy weeknight dinner. If you’re whipping this up in the summer, don’t miss the opportunity to sprinkle on some delicious fresh basil. Easy chicken parmesan recipe Makes 6 servings Ingredients For the chicken: 1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/4 cups freshly grated Parmesan (plus more for garnish) 2-3 large…

6 healthy pasta alternatives you need to try

You don’t have to be a dietician to know that eating a ton of pasta isn’t the healthiest move you can make. It’s typically loaded with refined and bleached flour, and pretty low on anything resembling a vitamin, mineral, or protein. It sure is tasty, but too much of the good stuff, and you’ll probably pack on a few pounds.  (Or will it?) But what if I told you there is a way you can enjoy your favorite pasta dishes without piling on the carbs. Try these 6 delicious pasta alternatives when you’re really craving Italian — for the third time this week. 1. Pasta with added veggies If you want to start stepping away from traditional pasta, pasta with added veggies can be your first baby step. It’s typically a traditional pasta recipe, but it has dehydrated veggie paste — such as spinach, tomatoes, or mushrooms — mixed right in.…

12 tips for makings the best pesto

Pesto is a simple and delicious summer staple. Without it, think of all the basil that would go to waste! But the trouble with this sauce it doesn’t always go so well. Here are 12 tips for how you can make your most perfect pesto. 1. Clean your greens Always, always, always be sure your basil is washed really well before you begin. You don’t want any gritty dirt in your pesto. Wash your basil using cold water — never warm. Warm water wilts greens. Use a salad spinner to get your leaves really dry or gently pat them between layers of kitchen towels to remove all of the moisture. 2. Make it a mix Don’t think you have to stick to just basil. You can add other leafy greens to give your basil a distinct flavor. Replace some of your basil with parsley instead for a lighter flavor, or try arugula…

Classic 3 cheese lasagna with meat sauce recipe

Lasagna from scratch is a meal to behold, but if you’re like most people, simmering sauce and making individual strips of pasta aren’t on your nightly schedule. Boxed pastas and store-bought marinaras save a ton of time without sacrificing any flavor. Some Sunday when you have a whole day to kill, build it from the ground up, but on a busy day — in a busy life — have no shame in shortcuts. National Lasagna Day is right around the corner (July 29). You might be headed to your favorite Italian restaurant for a great big piece, but why not do as the Italians do, and make this delicious dish at home! Here are a few tips for baking your best lasagne ever: 1. Careful with your noodles. Building a good lasagna requires a bit of architecture. Lasagna needs a good structure, and the noodles give it all it needs —…

Lasagna or lasagne: Which is correct?

Lasagne or lasagna? It’s everyone’s favorite cheesy Italian casserole. Layers of al dente noodles create a deliciously starchy structure on which we pile creamy ricotta, tomato-y meat sauce, and melty mozzarella. It’s a comfort food like no other. But what’s with the spelling? Have you noticed sometimes lasagna ends in an ‘e’ rather than an ‘a’? While it might seem like they are interchangeable (and they basically are in the U.S.), there is actually a method to this pasta madness. In Italian, ‘lasagne’ is the plural name given to flat, rectangular pieces of pasta. Whereas ‘lasagna’ is actually the singular form of ‘lasagne.’ ‘Lasagna’ is also the American English spelling of the word, with ‘lasagnas’ being the American plural. English speakers outside of North America usually use ‘lasagne.’ Whether you spell it with an A or an E, the pronunciation is the same. The last syllable sounds like “ya” —…