Home Entertaining Ideas - Make It A Family Night With A Taste Of Italy

here's something about an Italian meal that can bring the entire family together. The rich aromas, fresh flavors and inviting atmosphere transform an everyday kitchen into an authentic experience filled with food, laughter and fun.

Now it's even easier to prepare a family-style Italian meal on a weeknight.

With new frozen skillet meal options, such as Mario Batali's Regional Recipes by Progresso, a traditional Italian dinner for five can be ready in about 20 minutes. The distinguished Italian chef and restaurateur is bringing two new recipes inspired by Puglia, Italy to club store aisles.

The Orecchiette Pasta with Italian Sausage and Broccoli contains Puglia's favorite ear-shaped pasta, 100 percent all-pork sausage crumbles, broccoli florets, diced onions, celery and carrots in a zesty tomato sauce with hints of garlic, crushed red pepper and white wine extract.

The Gemelli Pasta with Meatballs has twisted pasta, meatballs made of 75 percent pork and 25 percent beef, and diced celery and onions in a rich tomato sauce with wine extract, roasted garlic, basil, thyme, oregano and olive oil.

While these new recipes capture true Italian flavors, they will not consume all the time it would typically take to prepare such an authentic meal. The ease and convenience allow more quality time around the table with the family.

Here are some other tips for creating a family-style Italian experience. They'll not only help set a great meal on the table, but they'll help bring your entire family together.

• Divide and conquer: The ease of the new frozen skillet meals frees up time to prepare a side dish or salad with help from the kids. Involving the kids teaches responsibility and gets in a little extra family time. Even small hands can sprinkle Parmesan cheese!

• Set the tone and the table: Rather than having the television on, play some Italian music during dinner that sets a festive tone, but that will not drown out the table talk. The music, along with table settings for the whole family, will create an environment like a true Italian restaurant.

• Teach at the table: Dinner is a time when the family can share news and stories and enjoy being together. Bring a few new Italian words to the table and everyone can learn something new during dinner.

For more information, visit www.progressofoods.com. Dinner is a time for families to share good food and their day. New frozen entrees make dinnertime togetherness a snap.