Setting the scene… Â It’s a cold day, you’ve had a busy schedule, not a minute to spare and no time to plan for dinner. Â You only have one hour but want to make it a warm, cozy, delicious meal for your family! Â And fun!
Here’s how we used one hour and turned our home into a special, warm, cozy Italian Ristorante and made a delicious meal for four.
Step One: Â Shopping (30 minutes)
Step Two: Â Start the kids making a menu for your family’s Italian “ristorante”. Â Giggling allowed and encouraged! (5 minutes)
Step Three: Â Cook the Bertolli’s Frozen Chicken Minestrone Meal Soup and make salad (15 minutes). Â Meal Soups have the meat and vegetable servings of a complete meal in each bowl!
Pour frozen soup into pot, add 1 cup water per bag, bring to boil (about 10 min).
10 minutes later... finished!
Step Four: Â Set the table (5 minutes)
Step Five: Â ??? Hmmm, 5 minutes to spare :)
Buon Appetito!!
To find a store near you that sells the Bertolli Meal Soups, please go to  http://www.villabertolli.com/where-to-buy.aspx
More about the Bertolli Meal Soups
·     Bertolli® Frozen Meal Soups are hearty and fresh-tasting with vegetables, meats, pasta and herbs individually flash frozen at the  peak of freshness.
·     Bertolli® Frozen Meal Soups are available in the frozen aisle, and can be prepared on your stovetop in minutes.
·     With robust flavors and rich textures, new Bertolli® Frozen Meal Soups are available in four varieties: Chicken Minestrone, Roasted Chicken & Rotini Pasta, Tomato Florentine & Tortellini with Chicken, and Tuscan-Style Beef with Vegetables.
Learn more about Bertolli Meal Soups
Facebook:Â facebook.com/Bertolli
Twitter:Â twitter.com/Bertolli
Website: Â Â villabertolli.com
Disclosure of Material Connection:  All opinions are my own, unless otherwise stated.  I was compensated by Bertolli to participate in the Weeknight Meal Special Challenge.
I love the menus and ambiance! You guys went all out … nicely done! We tried out the tomato florentine – it was so delicious, the tortellini’s are very tasty.
Thanks for stopping by my post and commenting, Kelly … I felt very honored! ;-) I am a fan and a follower. Missed your hops while you were on vacation in January – ready for whatever you fire back up!
Tami
The Colorado Mountain Mom
I need to try that variety as well. It looks delicious, and I love how you set the scene. Beautiful!
That looks like so much fun!! What a great way to keep them busy so you can make dinner!
Tiffany
I enjoyed this article and pictures about your Bertolli Soup and meal. I will be buying this soup and trying after reading your article. I try to make dinners specials when either of my daughters come to visit by making their favorites. :)
Just the little touches can make a family meal special. First, turn off the television. Tell everyone what time dinner will be served and that their attendance is expected. Then put out the good plates and glasses. Use the cloth napkins instead of the paper ones.
I like to have everyone give input on things they would like to eat for dinner through the week, we shop together and talk about how we can use new ingredients, or try new things, we get out our good dishes, whip up a meal, I let the kids help by doing what they can, then we eat and talk together.
I always try to get everyone to help prepare a meal together that way we will enjoy more plus will sometimes pick up a movie to make it a family fun night
What a fun table, with the menu and flowers! I make family meals special by including something handmade at least a couple of times a week- like homemade bread for example.
I try to also have at least one thing that everyone enjoys.
I love your table setting, looks so much like a Bistro :)
I keep mealtime special by (trying to)engaging m family in fun conversations
With this large family–everyone has favorites–so we have special days one person a week– so that takes care of a week for a month.Birthdays,they always get to have what ever there favorite meal, and cake and ice cream that special person wants. Who’s ever turn it is to help cook with me–gets to pick one thing that night for dinner(not the whole meal) so that takes care of week two of a month. Then we just try to have something the other two weeks that most of us enjoy. Chicken,and Pizza are always a win. Minor holidays,such as Valentines- we have a special desert for dinner.
I try to plan meals that everyone will like. We like to talk and laugh during dinner. It’s the time of day when we are all together and I like to make it enjoyable.
We all have fun planning a menu and cooking together then the meal is much more enjoyable!