Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Quick Back to School Dinners with Mezzetta - Giveaway

Disclaimer:  I received an assortment of Mezzetta products to help facilitate this review.  The opinions below are my own.

One of the challenging issues of back to school is all of the constant rushing.  With homework and after school activities and the two jobs I work, I do a lot of balancing.  It's always important to me to have a family dinner on the table, but sometimes it is a scramble to find healthy and quick options.


I have been buying Mezzetta's kalamata olives for years.  They are my favorite kalamata olive, and are a staple in my kitchen.  I often toss them in wraps for lunch for a burst of flavor, and they are wonderful in salads and pastas.  The other night I made a quick and tasty pasta using Mezzetta's chopped kalamata olives and roasted red peppers.

I sautéed a few cloves of chopped garlic in 5 tbsp. butter until tender, then added a cup of sunburst tomatoes from my garden and 1/2 cup white wine.  I cooked until the tomatoes were wilted, then tossed in 12 oz. cooked shrimp, the kalamata olives, the roasted red peppers, and some chopped parsley.  Cook through, then toss with angel hair pasta and top with freshly grated parmesan.
 This meal took me about 20 minutes from start to finish.  The family loved it, and two of the boys asked for seconds (I confess, I had seconds too). 

We also loved sampling the Castelvetrano olives (which were new to us, and had amazing flavor), the Peperoncini (we put these on crackers with beer cheese), and the garlic stuffed olives (which Cort immediately confiscated as his own.  They are quite amazing - and I love that Cort enjoys them, as I know the garlic will help boost his immune system). 
You can find more fantastic, simple recipes and ideas to help you make dinner at Mezzetta.  Take pictures of your creation to share on Instagram with the hashtag #4PMFreakOut. 

Want a chance to win your own sampler from Mezzetta?  Click on the Rafflecopter below to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

82 comments:

  1. Small KucingAugust 26, 2015 at 6:11 AM

    Never had these olives before. Must be tasty from your boy's look enjoying the fruit

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  2. MonkeywranglerAugust 26, 2015 at 6:44 AM

    Hi Lisa, that recipe looks good! I goofed on my pinterest login. It's actually the same as my FB one, not the one I listed. Sorry.

    I should buy a jar of the mezzetta roasted bell peppers. That would work well in some recipies I use. I already like their pepperoncini, and some of the olives.

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  3. UnknownAugust 26, 2015 at 7:58 AM

    You have put at least 3 of my all time favorites in the pasta dish...olives of any kind, the roasted red peppers and shrimp and cant forget the tomatoes. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

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  4. The CrankyAugust 26, 2015 at 8:33 AM

    Garlic-stuffed olives? Sign me up!

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  5. Out on the prairieAugust 26, 2015 at 8:55 AM

    I like their little yellow hot peppers. I eat a lot of olives, it is fun to try different varieties.

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  6. SallyAugust 26, 2015 at 8:56 AM

    That surely looks mighty good. I've never used their products but will be looking, especially the olives. I love that Cort likes something that's good for him. That's awesome. :)

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  7. AnonymousAugust 26, 2015 at 9:39 AM

    Olives are a big love in our home too.... but they look absolutely nothing like these gorgeous ones!! thanks for the recipe.... will be adding it to my to-try-out list xxxx

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  8. An Apel a DayAugust 26, 2015 at 3:09 PM

    I've had some of their olives, but I've never had Cheese Stuffed Olives. They sound wonderful. I'd love to try them.

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  9. Rhonda GAugust 26, 2015 at 5:28 PM

    I would like to try the cheese stuffed olives! Yum! My husband is a huge olive fan. I know he would love those.

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  10. AudraAugust 26, 2015 at 5:58 PM

    Mmm garlic stuffed olives 2 of my fave things together!

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  11. John Going GentlyAugust 26, 2015 at 6:00 PM

    What a bloody lovely blog x

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  12. EverythingSarahAugust 26, 2015 at 6:17 PM

    I always buy the pepperoncinis and the kalamata olives but I would love to try the Castelvetrano Olives.
    crazyweirdo33@yahoo.com

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  13. UnknownAugust 26, 2015 at 6:36 PM

    the bleu cheese stuffed olives look fabulous :)

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  14. 21 WitsAugust 26, 2015 at 7:51 PM

    It's all very scrumptious!

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  15. AllyAugust 26, 2015 at 8:19 PM

    I've often seen the BRIGHT green castelvetrano olives but never tried them, so they might be first on my list. I think my boyfriend would love the bleu cheese stuffed olives!

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  16. Harry FlashmanAugust 26, 2015 at 8:51 PM

    I tried to enter but when I clicked make a blog post comment, nothing happened. So I clicked again. I wasn't trying to cheat! :-O

    I love olives. I'm going to look those guys up and see if they sell their products up here anywhere. Once I bought some olives at Ingles from their deli but they weren't very good and just a little cup full was $13.00!

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  17. Endah MurniyatiAugust 26, 2015 at 9:28 PM

    Ahhh... olive is a rare stuff here. It should be imported from other countries.

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  18. Jenny SAugust 26, 2015 at 10:13 PM

    I bet the pesto is tasty!

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  19. AshleyAugust 26, 2015 at 11:08 PM

    I want to try the roasted red peppers

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  20. Life Is What It's CalledAugust 26, 2015 at 11:17 PM

    I learned that Mezetta has pasta sauce.

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  21. mommysapAugust 27, 2015 at 5:20 AM

    So many things I would like to try!! I'd love to try the pesto and all of the spreads!

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  22. MarijaAugust 27, 2015 at 9:01 AM

    I must try the bleu cheese stuffed olives!

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  23. YvieAugust 27, 2015 at 9:43 AM

    Their pepperocinis look pretty good!

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  24. dlhaleyAugust 27, 2015 at 11:58 AM

    I would love to try the Marinara sauce. It looks so delicious.

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  25. MeghanAugust 27, 2015 at 12:49 PM

    I would really like to try the cheese filled olives, great for a snack!

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  26. 1froglegsAugust 27, 2015 at 1:21 PM

    I would like to try their hot chili pepper everything spread.

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  27. Rob-bearAugust 27, 2015 at 2:26 PM

    I was thinking about your today, after that dreadful shooting yesterday in your area. And on live tv.

    Blessings and Bear hugs from Canada!

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  28. UnknownAugust 27, 2015 at 7:51 PM

    I would absolutely love to try their Pesto sauce!

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  29. KathleenAugust 27, 2015 at 8:41 PM

    I'd love to try the blue cheese stuffed olives, they look delish!

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  30. [Whatever U are, be a good one!]August 27, 2015 at 10:56 PM

    I also would love to try the Kona Coast Sauces & Marinades
    Thank You for the chance

    Fiona N

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  31. AaronAugust 28, 2015 at 1:05 AM

    I would like to try the Kona Coast Polynesian Orange Teriyaki!

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  32. UnknownAugust 28, 2015 at 9:26 AM

    I would love to try the Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil Everything Spread.

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  33. UnknownAugust 28, 2015 at 12:06 PM

    I would have to say that I would love to try the kalamata olives - shaunie

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  34. Ellie WrightAugust 28, 2015 at 3:18 PM

    I love olives, but have never tried this brand. I'd love to try the Cheese Stuffed Olives.

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  35. Missy SchutzAugust 28, 2015 at 3:23 PM

    LOVE THEIR PEPPERONCINIS. THE GARLIC STUFFED OLIVES LOOK AWESOME, THE RECIPE YOU MADE TOO.

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  36. UnknownAugust 28, 2015 at 5:38 PM

    Blue cheese stuffed olives sound really interesting. I'd like to sample those.

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  37. AnonymousAugust 28, 2015 at 10:32 PM

    I would love to try the Bleu Cheese Stuffed Olives.

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  38. Tweedles -- that's meAugust 28, 2015 at 11:14 PM

    Moms love every kind of olive that there is!
    love
    tweedles

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  39. jerseygirl137August 29, 2015 at 11:16 AM

    I would love to try the Garlic Stuffed Olives

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  40. Connie Hill August 29, 2015 at 3:16 PM

    I think that I would like to try the pizza sauce. Thanks for the chance.

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  41. Four Paw SavingsAugust 29, 2015 at 4:58 PM

    I love olives, so I would love to try any of those! That, or the banana peppers

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  42. noreenAugust 29, 2015 at 5:41 PM

    I love their peppers but I haven't tried any of their olives so I would try them all if I could

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  43. CassAugust 29, 2015 at 5:55 PM

    I would bet their pizza sauce is pretty awesome !

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  44. Arik IssanAugust 29, 2015 at 6:00 PM

    I would prefer the giardiera pickles ... I am not one for olives.

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  45. ShawnAugust 29, 2015 at 6:57 PM

    I really would love to try the Mezzetta Marinara.

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  46. MaureenAugust 29, 2015 at 7:03 PM

    I would love to try the banana peppers! Perfect for salads or snacks.

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  47. ElenaAugust 29, 2015 at 11:19 PM

    I want to try the garlic stuffed olives

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  48. Lauryn RAugust 30, 2015 at 11:59 AM

    I have had their banana peppers before and they are so good, it's the only brand I buy now. I would love to try the olives!

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  49. UnknownAugust 30, 2015 at 5:07 PM

    roasted red peppers

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  50. latanya tAugust 30, 2015 at 5:07 PM

    Jalapeno Stuffed Olives

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  51. Niclan80August 30, 2015 at 5:09 PM

    I would like to try the Chicago Style Giardiniera from Mezzetta.

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  52. Angie BAugust 30, 2015 at 5:12 PM

    I had no idea they made pizza sauce. My hubby and kids love my homemade pizza so I'd love to give that a try

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  53. eclairreAugust 30, 2015 at 5:18 PM

    I want to try the roasted red peppers

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  54. JackieAugust 30, 2015 at 5:40 PM

    I would like to try the Castelvetrano Olives.
    Thank you!

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  55. AnonymousAugust 30, 2015 at 6:05 PM

    I'd love to try the pizza sauce!

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  56. Jessica HagerAugust 30, 2015 at 6:57 PM

    I would like to try the Napa Valley Homemade Pasta Sauce

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  57. Jessica HagerAugust 30, 2015 at 6:58 PM

    I would like to try the Napa Valley Homemade Pasta Sauce

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  58. AnonymousAugust 30, 2015 at 7:41 PM

    I'd love to try the Cheese Stuffed Olives! Yum!!
    nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

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  59. Carrie SmithAugust 30, 2015 at 7:44 PM

    I didn't know that the Mezzetta company has been around for over 75 years! Thanks so much for the chance to win!

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  60. janetfayeAugust 30, 2015 at 8:00 PM

    I would like to try Napa Valley Homemade Pasta Sauce.

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  61. BethEldertonAugust 30, 2015 at 8:01 PM

    I found a wonderful, simple recipe for Tomato Bread Soup with Chili and Garlic. What a delicious way to use day old bread!
    Mary Beth Elderton

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  62. Tina WAugust 30, 2015 at 9:08 PM

    Garlic stuffed olives! Anyone else thinking Dirty Martini???

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  63. rachel0August 30, 2015 at 9:17 PM

    id love to try the Kona Coast Spicy Teriyaki Marinade & Grilling Sauces--I didn't even know they had these products! Looks ono!

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  64. UnknownAugust 30, 2015 at 9:41 PM

    Coincidentally, I had a dish like this last night!

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  65. ani hearts japanAugust 31, 2015 at 12:46 AM

    I'd like to try kona coast spicy teriyaki

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  66. UnknownAugust 31, 2015 at 9:32 AM

    I'd love to try the cheese stuffed olives. They all look yummy!

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  67. DistractedMommyAugust 31, 2015 at 9:22 PM

    I love the tips and pairings section on their website! I could learn a lot!

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  68. slehanSeptember 1, 2015 at 3:31 AM

    I'd like to try their Kalamata olives.
    Thanks for the contest.

    slehan at juno dot com

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  69. laurie nykazaSeptember 1, 2015 at 3:56 AM

    I just love the kalamata-olives so I would love to try them .

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  70. laurie nykazaSeptember 1, 2015 at 4:01 AM

    i have never eaten these castelvetrano-olives. I love all their products will have to do some home cooking with them soon.

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  71. Sharon SchoepeSeptember 1, 2015 at 5:04 PM

    I would love to try their Giardiniera. It looks delicious

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  72. MzBeeBeeSeptember 1, 2015 at 5:07 PM

    I would like to try out the tip for Tomato Pesto or Basil Pesto and stir them into mash potatoes. This idea sounds a great new way to serve my mash potatoes.

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  73. Birdhouse BooksSeptember 1, 2015 at 5:10 PM

    I love olives! The Castelvetrano Olives look good.

    glindathegood@bellsouth.net

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  74. Cathy CoibionSeptember 1, 2015 at 5:11 PM

    I love the hot peppers!

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  75. KayeDeanSeptember 1, 2015 at 6:06 PM

    Family owned since 1935, and I would like to try the Jalapeno peppers

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  76. Maryann D.September 1, 2015 at 6:34 PM

    I would like to try the Olive, Parmesan & Garlic Everything Spread
    twinkle at optonline dot net

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  77. RonaleeSeptember 1, 2015 at 7:40 PM

    I would like to try their Pesto

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  78. EmiSeptember 1, 2015 at 8:31 PM

    I would like to try the garlic stuffed olives.

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  79. blew415September 1, 2015 at 9:23 PM

    Garlic stuffed olive

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  80. KatieSeptember 1, 2015 at 10:25 PM

    The Garlic and Parmesan Everything Spread sound the yummiest to me - I can just envision myself making delicious breadsticks! Or making family movie night AMAZING with the best tasting popcorn in the world!

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  81. HSSeptember 1, 2015 at 10:55 PM

    I want to try spicy marinara sauce.

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  82. NancySeptember 1, 2015 at 11:55 PM

    I'd like to try their CHeese Stuffed Olives and Artichoke Hearts.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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Thanks for taking the time to comment. I love hearing from my readers!