Valerie Bertinelli's Best Home Cooking Recipes

Posted on March 26, 2018 by Gwendolyn Richards

A successful actress, we're very glad Valerie Bertinelli shares her other tasty talents with us on Valerie’s Home Cooking. On her much-loved show, she explores the recipes of her Italian heritage, plus delicious modern dishes that keep the whole family satisfied. As fans of Valerie's recipes, we gathered together the very best appetizers, sides and main dishes we come back to time and again.

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Valerie Bertinelli's Vegetarian Minestrone

No one will miss the meat when eating Valerie Bertinelli’s hearty Minestrone. Packed with lots of vegetables and rounded out with orzo — that rice-shaped pasta — this is a filling soup sure to please everyone. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/vegetarian-minestrone/20762/" target="_blank">Valerie Bertinelli's Vegetarian Minestrone</a>
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Valerie Bertinelli's Very Best Gumbo

Valerie Bertinelli offers up her take on the traditional taste of New Orleans with this hearty gumbo. Okra, two types of sausage and plenty of onions, celery and bell peppers add a lot of flavour to this stew-like main dish. Serve it up with rice for a meal that will stick to your ribs. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/valeries-very-best-gumbo/17317/" target="_blank">Valerie Bertinelli’s Very Best Gumbo</a>
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Fennel Salad with Goat Cheese and Pine Nuts

Peppery arugula and the slight licorice flavour of fennel are paired together in this flavourful salad. Goat cheese and pine nuts add richness, while a simple red wine vinaigrette pulls it all together. Get the recipe for <a href=" http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/fennel-salad-with-goat-cheese-and-pine-nuts/17982/ " target="_blank">Valerie Bertinelli's Fennel Salad with Goat Cheese and Pine Nuts</a>
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Pan-Roasted Tomatoes with Quick Balsamic Jam

The humble tomato gets paired with dark and sweet balsamic vinegar in an easy-stovetop dish that’s incredibly versatile. Serve the slightly charred tomatoes alongside roasted meat or toss with your favourite pasta — there’s no wrong way to serve this side. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/pan-roasted-tomatoes-with-quick-balsamic-jam/19924/" target="_blank">Valerie Bertinelli’s Pan-Roasted Tomatoes with Quick Balsamic Jam</a>
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Spicy Arrabiata Penne

A simple can of tomatoes, along with other classic Italian ingredients — garlic, basil and Parmigiano-reggiano — get spiked with red chile flakes for a spicy pasta dish. Inexpensive and quick to make, if you can handle the heat, this will be a dinner staple. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/spicy-arrabiata-penne/17291/" target="_blank">Valerie Bertinelli’s Spicy Arrabiata Penne</a>
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Roasted Beets with Herbs

Deeply purple beets are allowed to shine in this modest dish that uses little more than olive oil, salt and pepper to bring out the slightly sweet and earthy flavour of these root vegetables. A little parsley and tarragon sprinkled on top add colour and a fresh, herby hit of flavour. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/roasted-beets-with-herbs/16888/" target="_blank">Valerie Bertinelli’s Roasted Beets with Herbs</a>
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Peppered Beef Tenderloin

Tender beef gets some heat from a peppercorn crust in this relatively quick, yet gourmet dinner dish. The spicy horseradish panna cotta served alongside takes this meal to the next level. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/peppered-beef-tenderloin/17744/" target="_blank">Valerie Bertinelli’s Peppered Beef Tenderloin</a>
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Goat Cheese and Asparagus Crostini

Take advantage of the short asparagus season with this appetizer that matches the green spears with tangy goat cheese. Set atop a crunchy crostini and be forgiving when your guests grab more than a couple. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/goat-cheese-and-asparagus-crostini/18229/" target="_blank">Valerie Bertinelli's Goat Cheese and Asparagus Crostini</a>
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Valerie Bertinelli’s Chicken with Prunes and Olives

A simple roasted chicken dish gets lots of complex flavours from an unexpected mix of ingredients, including olives, capers and prunes. Baked all together, it creates a sweet-savoury sauce for the juicy chicken breasts. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/chicken-with-prunes-and-olives/19538/" target="_blank">Valerie Bertinelli’s Chicken with Prunes and Olives</a>
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Grilled Romaine with Balsamic Dressing

Grilling Romaine lettuce may seem counter-intuitive — after all, aren’t salads supposed to be cold? But in this dish from Valerie Bertinelli, that added step adds some smokiness and char to an otherwise standard salad. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/grilled-romaine-with-balsamic-dressing/16896/" target="_blank">Valerie Bertinelli's Grilled Romaine with Balsamic Dressing</a>
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Chicken Cutlets with Spicy Arugula

Crusted in panko and Parmesan, chicken cutlets are elevated in this simple dish. The panko adds a delicious crunch that goes nicely with the arugula salad on the side. The greens’ peppery flavour is the perfect foil for the rich chicken. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/chicken-cutlets-with-spicy-arugula/16894/" target="_blank">Valerie Bertinelli’s Chicken Cutlets with Spicy Arugula</a>
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Chicken and Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo with Homemade Fettuccine

Fettuccine alfredo gets a colourful makeover in Valerie Bertinelli’s kitchen as she adds oven-roasted broccoli and sautéed chicken to this traditional Italian pasta dish. Taking it over the top is making the noodles yourself. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/chicken-and-broccoli-fettuccine-alfredo-with-homemade-fettuccine/21140/" target="_blank">Valerie Bertinelli's Chicken and Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo with Homemade Fettuccine</a>
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Barbecue Grilled Chicken

With this chicken recipe, it’s all about the sauce. Lightly grilling the chicken legs with nothing beyond a little salt and pepper means all the flavour of this dish comes from the homemade barbecue sauce that’s savoury, sweet and spiced all at once. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/barbecue-grilled-chicken/19131/" target="_blank">Valerie Bertinelli's Barbecue Grilled Chicken</a>
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Acorn Squash with Baby Bitter Greens

Rings of golden acorn squash get scattered across a plate full of hearty baby greens, such as kale and Swiss chard, in this autumn-inspired side dish. Sweet and salty pepitas — pumpkin seeds — get tossed with warming spices like cinnamon and allspice, adding some tasty crunch. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/acorn-squash-with-baby-bitter-greens/17736/" target="_blank">Valerie Bertinelli’s Acorn Squash with Baby Bitter Greens</a>
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BBQ Chicken Kabobs with Tequila Lime Cilantro

The Mexican flavours of tequila, lime and cilantro make for a flavourful chicken kabob recipe that’s a snap to assemble. Slices of zucchini, along with red and yellow bell peppers are interspersed for colour and an instant side dish. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/bbq-chicken-kabobs-with-tequila-lime-cilantro/17076/" target="_blank">Valerie Bertinelli’s BBQ Chicken Kabobs with Tequila Lime Cilantro</a>
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