When Italy is on the world stage, the cravings tend to follow. And if you’re planning a watch party (or just trying to make a weeknight dinner feel like a small event), the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand is leaning into the moment with a simple message: you can bring those Italian flavors home—no airfare required.

In a new recipe push, the brand (funded by beef farmers and ranchers) partnered with chef and influencer Marcia Smart to spotlight Italian-inspired beef dishes that are designed to be big on flavor, easy to share, and quick enough for real-life schedules.

Why Italian flavors work so well for gatherings

Smart says cooking trends and pop culture are part of what keeps home cooking fun—especially when people are gathered around the TV.

“When people gather around the TV, food becomes part of the experience and leaning into trends and pop culture keeps cooking fun,” Smart said. She also notes that beef and Italian flavors are consistently two of the most popular topics in her cooking classes, in part because they deliver crowd-pleasing dishes that also bring high-quality protein and nutrients to the table.

Recipe spotlight: Beef Tagliata (restaurant vibes, minimal effort)

If you want something that feels like it came from an Italian restaurant but doesn’t require a long prep list, Beef Tagliata is the move.

The dish centers on a seared steak—either Strip Steak or Boneless Rib-Eye Steak—that’s sliced and served over fresh arugula, then finished with balsamic vinegar and shaved parmesan.

It’s quick, it plates beautifully, and it works family-style—which makes it a strong option for:

• Watch parties
• Date-night-at-home dinners
• Busy weeknights when you still want something “nice”

Recipe spotlight: Quick Beef Ragù (comfort food in 30 minutes)

For the comfort-food crowd, the brand also highlights a Quick Beef Ragù that aims to deliver classic Italian red-sauce flavor without the all-day simmer.

In this version, Ground Beef cooks with ingredients you’d expect in a traditional Italian red sauce, but the whole thing comes together in about 30 minutes.

The best part: it’s easy to customize and flexible on how you serve it. The release suggests pairing it with:

• Pasta
• Polenta
• Spaghetti squash (if you want a lighter base)

Where to find the recipes

These dishes—plus more Italian-inspired ideas—are available at BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.

If you’re building out a game-day spread or just want to keep weeknight cooking interesting, this is one of those recipe collections that hits the sweet spot: familiar flavors, approachable steps, and enough flexibility to make it your own.

Source: PRNewswire

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Food & Drink on STM Daily News serves up quick, local-to-national bites on what to eat, what to try, and what’s trending—new restaurant openings, limited-time menus, product drops, and easy recipes you can actually make on a weeknight. If it’s worth a taste (or a watch-party spread), you’ll find it here. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/

Last Updated on February 15, 2026 by Daily News Staff

A Medley of Garden Veggies

Thyme-Roasted Garden Veggies

• 2  zucchinis
• 2 yellow squashes
• 2 tomatoes
• 2 carrots
• avocado oil
• 2 tablespoons thyme
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1. Heat oven or grill to 425 F.
2. Cut zucchinis, squashes, tomatoes and carrots into bite-sized pieces. Place on lined baking sheet. Drizzle with avocado oil. Sprinkle with thyme and garlic then season with salt and pepper, to taste. Top with Parmesan cheese.
3. Bake or grill 30 minutes until fork tender.

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/

Last Updated on November 10, 2025 by Daily News Staff

Learning to Cook Starts Here: Easy Chicken Alfredo for Beginners

If you’ve ever stared at your stove wondering “Where do I even start?”, you’re not alone. Cooking doesn’t have to be intimidating, expensive, or complicated. In fact, the more you cook, the more confidence you’ll build — and the more money you’ll save.

You don’t need fancy gadgets or culinary school training. You just need a few basic ingredients, a little time, and a willingness to learn. Let’s start with something simple, comforting, and delicious: Chicken Alfredo made with a jar of sauce and a handful of easy-to-find ingredients.

This recipe will teach you essential kitchen skills — boiling pasta, cooking chicken, and combining everything into a hearty meal that tastes like restaurant comfort food (without the $20 plate price tag).

🧂 What You’ll Need:

• 1 lb (about 2 medium) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
• 8 ounces fettuccine or any pasta you like
• 1 jar (14–16 oz) Alfredo sauce
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional but adds extra flavor)
• Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)

🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt — this makes your pasta taste better.

Add the pasta and cook it according to the package instructions (usually around 8–10 minutes).

Once it’s tender but not mushy, drain it and set it aside.

📝 Tip: Don’t toss the pasta water down the drain too quickly! A small splash of it can help loosen your sauce later.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

Pat your chicken dry with a paper towel — this helps it brown instead of steam.

Season both sides with salt and pepper.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil or butter.

When the pan is hot, lay the chicken in gently (you should hear a sizzle).

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Cook for about 5–7 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through.

Remove from the pan and let it rest for a few minutes, then slice it into strips or cubes.

📝 Tip: Cutting into the chicken right away makes the juices run out — letting it rest keeps it juicy!

Step 3: Warm the Sauce

In the same skillet, pour in your jar of Alfredo sauce.

Turn the heat to medium-low and stir until warm.

If it seems too thick, add a splash of milk or cream.

📝 Bonus Tip: You can add minced garlic or a small handful of shredded cheese to make your sauce taste more “homemade.”

Step 4: Combine and Serve

Add your cooked pasta and sliced chicken to the pan of Alfredo sauce.

Stir everything together until coated evenly and heated through.

Top with grated Parmesan and chopped parsley if you have it.

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Congratulations — you just made Chicken Alfredo from start to finish!

💡 Cooking Confidence Tip:

Cooking at home is one of the best ways to save money. A single restaurant plate of Chicken Alfredo can cost $15–$20. Making it yourself? Around $3–$4 per serving.

The more often you cook, the less you’ll rely on takeout — and soon you’ll be tweaking recipes, experimenting with flavors, and eventually creating your own dishes from scratch.

🥦 Make It Your Own:

Once you’re comfortable with this recipe, try adding your own twist:

• Add steamed broccoli or sautéed mushrooms for extra veggies.
• Use shrimp or tofu instead of chicken.
• Mix in spinach or red pepper flakes for color and flavor.

🍴 Final Thoughts:

Cooking isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress. Start simple, learn the basics, and grow from there.

Today, you made Chicken Alfredo. Tomorrow, you might be making your own homemade sauce. And one day, you’ll look back and realize: You taught yourself how to cook.

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.

https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/

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