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Romano’s Macaroni Grill Restaurant Favorites

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Creamy BasilI LOVE Romano’s Macaroni Grill. Never had a bad experience there, food or service-wise. Unfortunately our dining out budget is not what it once was, so when I was given the opportunity to try out the new Romano’s Macaroni Grill Restaurant Favorites, I almost jumped out of my chair with excitement! Anything that makes fixing dinner easier, right?

Inspired by the chefs at Romano’s Macaroni Grill, these new dinner kits include almost everything you need to create a high quality meal at home – premium ingredients such as vine-ripened tomatoes, specialty herbs and 100% semolina pasta. All you have to do is add one pound of chicken, shrimp, sausage, or whatever your favorite protein might be.

yum!

I had chicken tenderloins in the freezer, so that first night I went ahead and made the Creamy Basil Parmesan Chicken & Pasta and was very pleased with the results. Even my picky husband said that the dish was “almost restaurant-good”. When you look at the ingredients in the box, it doesn’t look like much, but surprisingly it easily fed 3 adults, though I did prepare a vegetable dish and Italian bread to go with it. In under 20 minutes I had a delicious meal on the table with little to no effort, and you just can’t beat that!

I picked up the Chicken Alfredo with Linguine the next day. This one was a big hit with my daughters, probably because of how mild it is. A little later on in the week we also tried the Garlic & Herb Chicken Penne. Maybe it’s because it’s a different type of pasta, but I found that this one didn’t go as far serving-wise as the linguine varieties, but it was very good nonetheless. I’m not a fan of chicken with tomato sauce, so I added a combination of ground beef and ground Italian sausage instead, which gave it a little extra kick. There are different suggestions on the side of each box to inspire you!

Garlic & HerbMarsalaalfredo

I will definitely be buying these dinner kits again! There’s one last coupon burning a hole in my pocket, so I may just make a quick run to the store today for the Chicken Marsala with Linguine. If you would like more information or want to download a $1 off coupon, please visit www.restaurantfavoritesathome.com.

prize

Giveaway is closed.

Thanks to MyBlogSpark, three of my readers will win a gift basket just like mine, with a sample of the Creamy Basil Parmesan Chicken Pasta, three coupons for you to try the other varieties the next time you visit your local grocer, a colander, serving spoon and a cheese grater.

To enter, please tell me what your biggest struggle is when it comes to preparing dinner for your family!

For extra entries:

  • Blog about this giveaway, linking back to this post.
  • Subscribe to my feed (or let me know if you already do).
  • Follow me on Twitter (@OhMariana) and tweet about this giveaway: What’s for dinner tonight?  Try Romano’s Macaroni Grill Restaurant Favorites! Win a gift basket from @OhMariana: https://twurl.nl/8vzmr1
  • Grab my button and link to me in your sidebar or blog roll.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and leave a valid email address or blog URL in your comment. US entries only. This contest ends at 11:59 pm EST on May 6th, 2009. Winner will be chosen at random, and has 3 days to claim their prize.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. My worst problem is knowing what to have…it works so much better if I just make up a monthly menu!

  2. My biggest struggle is accommodating everyone’s preferences (no red meat, for one) and dietary restrictions. Please enter me! : )

  3. My struggle is finding something to cook that the whole family likes. My girls keep changin their minds on what they like and dislike, so I never know!

    Jennifer’s last blog post..Pay It Forward

  4. The hardest thing for me is finding something to make that everyone seems to like, My 18 yr old has decided to become a picky eater all of a sudden.

  6. My biggest struggle is being too tired to make dinner. The quick and easy meal prep of these meals would be perfect for me!

  7. My biggest issue is trying to keep our meals as healthy as possible while staying budget. Thanks for the chance.

  14. My biggest struggle is trying to fix just 1 meal instead of something different for everyone and another thing is trying to get everything done at the same time so the food doesn’t get cold.
    photoquest (at) bellsouth( dot) net

  20. The biggest challenge would have to be having all the ingredients on hand and/or using the left overs before they spoil.

    Beth’s last blog post..IMS Barter Expo

  32. my biggest struggle is finding something quick, simple, and healthy that the kids will eat

  33. Oy, my biggest dinner struggle is that I am a vegetarian, Hubby is the MEAT eater an Daughter is the Junkatarian! Even after25 years I can’t decide what to fix! and even when I do, NoT everyone is Happy! HUBBY LOVES chicken! If I could wave a magic wand and POOF make ’em all happy I would be thrilled. Until that time. I just wish they would hush up and eat what I cook!!!
    Leslie

    Leslie M’s last blog post..Spaghetti Squash Parmesan, OMGosh, such a YUM YUM!

  36. I stumbled this post! My stumbleUpon username is LeslieVeg

    Leslie

    Leslie M’s last blog post..Spaghetti Squash Parmesan, OMGosh, such a YUM YUM!

  37. I added your blog to my Technorati Favorites. My username is LeslieVeg

    Leslie

    Leslie M’s last blog post..Spaghetti Squash Parmesan, OMGosh, such a YUM YUM!

  40. Besides the time it is making something that everyone will eat and enjoy is what my biggest struggle is when it comes to preparing dinner for my family

  47. Working full time, the hardest part about dinner prep is finding creative ideas that can be thrown together quickly.

    joshandjoanna at gmail

  51. My biggest struggle is coming up with some new recipes that are quick & easy to make that my whole family will like.

  52. My biggest struggle is talking my family out of eating at the Mexican restaurant about five minutes from our house–it’s too close for our own good!

  58. My biggest strugle is having the stuff to make a meal on hand when we are both home together. usually we have a main dish and no sides, or vice versa

  62. My biggest struggle is that I don’t really enjoy cooking, but it is one of those things that has to be done!

  63. my biggest struggle is that I babysit and we own our own business so our schedules are very hectic- and it all seems to come to a head at dinnertime- that and the fact that the number of people for dinner can change at a moments notice-

  65. Having things to serve that are liked by everyone. We always have at least one spoilsport.

  67. My biggest struggle? My husband has no set hours at work, so sometimes he may get home at 3 in the afternoon, and sometimes it can be 9 at night… which he won’t know until the last minute. Making dinner is always up in the air, since I really prefer the entire family to eat together! Finding something quick and simple that also tastes great is often a struggle when life gets hectic!
    Thanks for the giveaway!

  68. Right now I’m in a rut. I feel that I make the same foods all the time and I’m bored.

  69. My biggest struggle is not making a meal plan and then picking up food on the way home after school/work because it is late and I am tired.

  76. My biggest struggle is trying to prepare healthy yet budget friendly dinners that don’t break our grocery budget each week.

  78. I think my biggest struggles making dinner are two main things, cleaning up afterwards before the next dinner and making enough to feed all of us. Some days my husband could eat a dinner for 4 to himself (and he is super thin) and other nights just a dinner for two would satisfy him.

    Native_Momma’s last blog post..Page 12 ? Yes, Page 12 !

  82. My biggest struggle when it comes to making dinner for the family is trying to make something EVERYONE will eat. I try to eat vegetarian, so I usually just leave out the meat portion in my meal. My partner likes meat, so there has to be meat somewhere on the plate. And my little one is sooooo picky, that I often have to make him a separate meal. Sigh.

  88. My biggest struggle these days is that our family has ‘down-sized’; my Son got married, Daughter moved out-of-state and their friends have all grown up and don’t come by like they did. So we went from having 4 (or MORE) @ dinner to just my Hubby and myself. I never thought it would be HARDER to cook for 2 than a whole herd!!!!

  90. My biggest struggle to preparing dinner is finding something that everyone likes and doesn’t take too much time to cook.

  93. My biggest struggle is finding a good variety of things to prepare. It seems like we always eat the same handful of meals.

  94. My biggest struggle is to make a healthy meal quickly and cheaply.

    Dina’s last blog post..Virtual Summer Block Party Starts Tomorrow!

  95. Subscriber

    Dina’s last blog post..Virtual Summer Block Party Starts Tomorrow!

  97. Stumbled (aitmama).

    Dina’s last blog post..Virtual Summer Block Party Starts Tomorrow!

  98. Faved in Technorati (aitmama).

    Dina’s last blog post..Virtual Summer Block Party Starts Tomorrow!

  99. My biggest struggle is just preparing new meals that everyone enjoys and that are quick and easy

  103. I have eaten at the restaurant but haven’t tried the food from the grocery store — YET!

  104. we shop for meats by the month, so the biggest thing is for me to remember to pull the meat out of the freezer in time to prepare dinner…

  107. My biggest struggle is preparing a meal that everyone will eat – it drives me nuts LOL, I feel like a short-order cook

  108. Struggle in preparing dinner is choosing foods that everyone will like, and that are healthy. Thanks for the giveaway.

  110. My biggest struggle is not knowing what to cook and not having the ingredients I need. Thanks!

  121. biggest stugle is preparing while keeping the 2 kids and 2 dogs in line,it is a handful!

    ahdrad2932(at)msn(dot)com

  124. My biggest problem is actually feeling like I want to cook every, single day. Lame, I know.

  125. I love to cook but my biggest struggle is keeping it interesting and not serving the same old thing month after month. I’m always looking for new recipes that my family will love.
    Thanks for the chance to win!

  128. My biggest struggle is a tiny tiny kitchen. Anything that requires more than a pot on the stove is difficult.

    ferriza2(at)yahoo(dot)com

  129. My biggest struggle is being stuck in a rut preparing the same old things.

  130. my biggest struggle is not enough eating space. Our actual kitchen is not too small but the table space is limited

  131. My biggest struggle is to get my family to eat healthy meals that taste good.

  133. My biggest problem is finding something quick, affordable and healthy that everyone will enjoy.

  135. It is usually just my husband and myself. We usually have such a hard time just deciding what we have a taste for. I have tried to make wonderful exciting meals and well they haven’t worked out so I guess I am a bit gun shy when it comes to trying dinner options.

  141. my biggest struggle is the mess and time involved (peace of advice )for anyone with this same problem get yourself a crockpot start dinner in the morning and in the evening your done!

  143. Finding something they will all like and getting them home to eat it at the same time! Teenagers and young adults are always busy!

  144. My biggest problem is trying to find the time. Sometimes I just need something quick..with 5 children, ages 6 and under, meal prep can sometimes be a bit crazy!

  145. Well I would have to say my biggest challenge is variety-
    we fall into a rut of eating the same things all the time-it is easier and I do not have to think. But we all get bored, so adding variety without a lot of additional thought or time would be my goal.

  146. I never know who will be home to eat! If I cook for just my husband & I , the kids & all their friends show. If I cook a big meal, my husband & I eat it for days.

  148. My biggest struggle is trying to come up with new and different things to make for dinner. What a chore!!

  149. I struggle with wanting to cook and finding the desire each night! Ugh!

  152. My main problem is having everything warm at the start of the meal. Some items that are done first cool down too much ya know?!!? 😉

  156. I have a hard time figuring out what to make that is new and refreshing. Likewise, I have to cook separate meals for us and my picky 3-year-old, and that is a pain as well.

  158. I have a hard time devising a tasty variety of meals for my very elderly mother.

  161. My biggest struggle is to think of new exciting dinners to make instead of the same old, same old

  162. biggest struggle is knowing I have to clean up after so I try to minimize the amount of stuff I dirty in the dinner preparation

  164. My biggest struggle fixing dinner is timing….getting the whole family together! Thank you. 🙂

  165. My biggest problem is the amount of time it may take to create fabulous dinners.
    With a bad back I have to be quick with the standing around time.
    Microwaveable items are great! Just need easy things to make.

  169. I have a hard time getting side dishes and the main course all done at the same time.

  172. My main problem is not having my sweetheart, David, here at night to appreciate my cooking. Since his unexpected passing, I often find it difficult at night to get enough gumption to cook something good for me or to figure out something that I would truly enjoy.

  175. my biggest struggle is that I’m never prepared & always disorganized.

  176. My biggest struggle is trying to prepare something that everyone in my large family likes to eat!

  177. My biggest struggle is time. When I get home from work, it’s hard to find the time to get a good meal on the table.

  178. My biggest struggle is finding variety, I get sick of making the same think over and over

  179. My struggle…making new and fun meals (that my kids won’t make funny faces at!)

  180. My son is very picky, he’s a toddler and I think it just comes with the territory! I have to really think about preparing a meal all three of us will enjoy, which is not easy

  181. My biggest struggle is finding quick vegetarian options.

    Meredith Rogen’s last blog post..The Hysterectomy Chronicles

  184. My biggest struggle is having everyone home at the same time for dinner.

  185. My biggest struggle is trying to think of and prepare new dishes. Sometimes it seems I get stuck in the rut of making the same ole’, same ole’.

  187. The biggest struggle is almost always the lack of time. I’d love to try the Romano’s products since we all love their restaurant entrees.

  188. my biggest struggle is to have all the ingredients required to fulfill someone’s wishes.

  189. My biggest challenge is finding a menu that is acceptable to everyone.

  190. My biggest challenge is trying to come up with easy and different things to make instead of the same thing over and over ……

  191. The biggest challenge I face is finding something that is not only delicious but nutritious – and doesn’t take too long to cook. Thanks

  196. Variety and cooking fresh, fast, and affordable food is a constant struggle!

  201. I’m always stuck for something quick. Also have to please everyone here.

  203. I work long hours and this would be a wonderful time saver plus a tasty treat

  204. With me, it is trying to find something that everyone likes. Picky eaters. Thanks!

  206. Well, because I just moved, I don’t have all of the equipment that I need for the kitchen (e.g., a grater, a thermostat for the oven, two pans, a ladle, a large scooper)! That makes it hard to cook at times.

  208. My biggest struggle is time! So often we are all running around until right before dinner and I have to pull something together really quick!

  211. My biggest struggle getting the family dinner ready is making sure all the dishes are ready to be served at the same time! Is the roast cooked through? Are the mashed potatoes smooth and hot? Is the veggie hot enough? Can I now serve everything at once and they’re all cooked through and hot at the same time? lol! Thank you for the contest!

  213. Being creative is my biggest struggle – I end up cooking the same three or four meals time and time again.

  214. biggest struggle is finding something everyone will eat and keep the price reasonable per meal

  218. My biggest struggle is that I have 4 picky eaters (kids ages 14, 11, 7 and 3). I’m still in search of something all four will like.

  219. It’s hard to prepare something that EVERYONE likes without getting repititous

  223. My biggest dinnertime struggle is getting it ready fast–my family is hungry pretty much as soon as I get home.

  228. My biggest struggle is having everything I need when preparing dinner, seems like I always forget to buy one thing ahead of time

  230. My biggest struggle is making something that the whole family will like. I believe that Romano’s Macaroni Grill Restaurant Favorites just might do the trick.

  231. my girls are really picky.. its hard to get them to try new things.. especially if its green!! thanks for the chance to win! i love Romano’s Macaroni Grill!!

  232. My biggest challenge is finding things everyone likes! Between a healthy eater like my husband, a picky eater like me, and a typical toddler, sometimes I cook 3 dinners!!

  233. Our biggest struggle in coming up with a daily dinner is that our kids are picky (and spoiled) and it’s hard to plan a meal where they both eat what we make.

  236. my biggest problem with dinner is trying to come up with something that my husband will like.

  239. My biggest struggle is that I don’t do meal planning. So often at 5PM I’m looking in my fridge and going “hmmmm…..” as I search for something to make. These would be great to keep on hand to throw together a quick yet tasty meal at the last minute. Perfect for me!!!

  244. I have a terrible time coming up with ideas for what to make.

    Katie’s last blog post..What a girl!

  245. My biggest challenge is laziness. After working a full day I just don’t feel like coming home and being in the kitchen for hours. I really like easy to prepare, ready made meals and I don’t feel guilty anymore when I make them. I used to feel like everything needed to be “home made”. Now I save that for the weekend.

  246. Finding tasty yet economical meals that everyone likes. Thanks!

    braaisjo at gmail dot com

  248. My biggest struggle is actually getting up the gumption to prepare the meal! It gets tiring trying to come up with something different every night. And after a long day at work, to have to come home and cook….well, occasionally it’s hard. These Macaroni Grill meals would be a big help! Thanks.

  249. My biggest struggle is definitely trying to come up with new ideas for dinner. Thanks for the contest!

  250. I love eating at the Macaroni Grill. Many meal ideas, of course simplified, come from this restaurant. Please consider me for this prize.

  251. My biggest problem is trying to figure out what to cook for dinner.

    mercsmercado at yahoo dot com

  253. I have 5 boys all involved in sports, so i would say it would be getting everyone together so that we can even have dinner together!

  254. My biggest struggle with making dinner for the family is the cleanup afterward.

  256. I’ve always had a problem getting each thing to finish cooking at the same time!

  257. My biggest struggle is to come up with meals the whole family will eat and enjoy that is healthy for them. My 4 year old is pretty picky, and I refuse to make more than one meal per day, so I have to get pretty creative.

  258. The biggest struggle I have when trying to prepare dinner for our family is finding new meals to try. We eat the same old thing over and over. Blah!

  259. I struggle to figure out what to make for dinner more than anything else. I try to make healthy, balanced meals and sometimes it is challenging to come up with a few side dishes to every meal that incorporate all the food groups.

  260. I feel like I cook the same stuff for my family all the time. This would be great to try!

  262. definitely time… i don’t use a microwave for any of my cooking so everything takes ages to make.

  269. The biggest struggle I have is coming up with new ideas that everybody likes! Thank you!

  271. My biggest struggle is trying to come up with quick healthy meals. I don’t get home until 7 most nights and they are all waiting for me when i come in with the classic “what’s for dinner?”

    sherri419 at gmail dot com

  272. The biggest struggle is the kids pulling me in three ways wanting my attention. I want to make a healthy delicious meal but one needs help with homework, another wants me to hold her and the third is just wanting someone to play with her. We wind up eating whatever I can throw together.

  276. Getting in the kitchen to cook with a toddler and baby that are demanding attention right THEN..

  278. I have not tried any of the Romano’s Macaroni Grill products. But anything I can cook fast or in the microwave is great. I have a very sick husband and have no time to take a long time to make a meal.

  280. My biggest struggle is finding variety — instead of cooking the same old things all the time 🙂 *Thanks* for the giveaway!

  286. My biggest struggle is just coming up with new ideas of what we can have for dinner.

    Alice’s last blog post..My Little Fashionista

  289. Anxious to try Macaroni Grill at home as I really enjoy going to our local Macaroni Grill. Recently, have been “stuck in the house” so…..need this basket……..love your Riding With No Hands….how cool!

  294. My biggest problem is trying to fit something new into our menu,my husband likes the same things cooked the same way. I on the other hand will eat anything and I would love to try new recipes.

  297. Basically, time is my biggest struggle, like I’m sure it is for most of us. Thanks!

  298. My biggest struggle is coming up with meals that are healthy, taste good and are inexpensive.

  299. My biggest struggle is feeding picky eaters something healthy and balanced that they will like. Thanks!

  300. my struggle is finding the time to make something. I am starving when I come home

  301. My biggest struggle is keeping meals healthy when I don’t have a lot of time to cook.

  303. Keeping my sanity! Working, taking care of the household and raising a family is not something any book or magazine can really prepare you for. And everybody’s ready to offer advise but when all is said and done it’s the on-the-job experience(s) and taking gratitude where you find it that everything somehow makes sense. 🙂

  304. My biggest struggle is that my kids don’t want to eat anything I cook…they want ramen or mac and chesses

    Becky’s last blog post..T-Ball

  306. It’s so hard to find something that everyone will eat that is also healthy and fast!

  308. Making food everybody wants—some days it’s a battle cuz people want to eat different things

  309. Finding something to serve that everyone will eat.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

  311. Because i work 12 hour shifts every Thurs-Saturday and we arent home wednesday nights, its hard for us to be home together to make dinner, and when we are we usualy dont have time to cook a balanced meal, so we usually just get pizza or eat something thats super quick

  313. They all look great, but I would try the Garlic and Herb first! Thank you for the opportunity!

  315. my biggest struggle is finding something everyone likes or something new and different

  317. My biggest struggle is finding healthy nutricious meals that can be prepared in a short amount of time.

  318. My struggle is getting my food to taste good when I don’t have a lot of time to spend on meals.

  319. My biggest struggle is time, I just get home from work too late to fix dinner…..

  320. My biggest struggle is getting the enthusiasm to cook. Because of my work schedule I have to cook in the morning and I just don’t get inspired at that time of day.

  321. My biggest struggle is coming up with something new for dinner. Not just the same old, same old! I’ve been searching the net looking for new recipes.

  326. There are five of us in our family, and we all like different things, so my biggest struggle is trying to find something that appeals to at least three of the five!
    Alicia Webster
    5webs@comcast.net

  329. My biggest challenge is making dinners that everyone likes. My kids don’t like tomato or mushroom pieces and pick them out of everything.

  331. My biggest struggle is that all 3 of my kids decide they want something different and then my 3 year old always tries to play sick to be excused from eating! so frustrating!

  336. Time is always the biggest struggle when preparing meals for my family. We love Macaroni Grill. I am glad they came out with dinner kits to make dinner easier.

  339. My biggest struggle in deciding dinner is finding a variety so that we don’t have the same things week after week.
    Thank you so much for the chance to win.

  341. The biggest struggle is that everyone likes different things, so it’s always hectic trying to get something for everybody ready at the same time.

  342. Luckily all of us will eat pasta and chicken — but otherwise, for the sake of variety, it can be rough figuring out what to have on the buffet so everyone has something THEY will eat.

  343. i don’t have any struggle now, since we each take turns, shopping,cooking,cleaning etc. it reall helps on a really exhausting day.

  344. The hardest part is actually just getting everyone to the table at the same time — schedules don’t always synchronize to have everything hot ON the table with everyone AT the table.

  345. Variety and ant having enough Time and ebergy to want to come home and COOK!!

  346. My biggest struggle when it comes to preparing dinner for my family is finding something we all will eat

  347. the biggest struggle for me is keeping it interesting for everyone else.

    madamerkf at aol dot com

  349. My biggest challenge is actually going into the kitchen when late afternoon rolls around and making it. Second place goes to menu planning. Thanks for the giveaway!

  351. my biggest struggle is finding something that everyone likes, i live with a bunch of picky eaters
    imjessica(at)mail(dot)com

  354. ahhhh, my biggest struggle is finding foods that my 6 year old will eat….

  355. My biggest struggle is planning ahead so I can be more creative with my cooking.
    Thank you!

  360. The hardest part is actually getting started! Especially on days when I work late…

  362. My biggest struggle is trying to get my 13-year-old son to eat the same thing I am–he wasn’t this picky when he was little! Thank you for the contest!

  367. The biggest struggle is the time it takes to make dinner & fixing tasty meals on a budget!

  369. Of course the biggest struggle is to find things that everyone will eat! I have 5 and 6 year olds so I have a hard time finding things they like. We love trying new things!

    coriwestphal at netzero dot com

  373. You are in my Technorati faves: coriwestphal

    coriwestphal at netzero dot com

  374. My biggest struggle is 3 or 4 nights a week my husband works. Dinner is often really late and it’s hard to want to make a big dinner to sit down with. Sometimes quick things would be really nice.

  379. I think it’s hard planning meals for just one person. Especially when you get older and they have to be healthy and salt free.

  380. i’m a single mom of a newborn so just finding time for me to eat is a struggle.

  382. My biggest struggle is getting the family to unanimously agree on what dish to have for dinner.

  383. My biggest struggle is not only cooking something healthy, but something that everyone will enjoy.

  389. Love Romano’s have to travel one hundred miles one way tor the treats to the palate and the digestive tract. Yum Yum for the digestive tract. Thanks SW

  390. My biggest struggle is getting my husband to accept healthy substitutes…he’s just certain he can tell the difference. haha

    [But we love Macaroni Grill! haha]

    andhollisaid@yahoo.com

  391. I struggle to find healthy foods my daughter will eat since she’s such a picky eater!

  393. Once I’m done cooking all day for the kids, I struggle to find interesting meals for hubby and me.

  394. My biggest struggle is when it comes to preparing dinner for my family is finding easy to cook recipes that don’t cost much and are tasty.

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