SPAGHETTI almost always sounds good, but we get tired of having it the SAME way all of the time. This was fun and new for the KIDS, and my husband like it too. One of our two year olds even said "Mommy, this is my best dinner ever!" It must be GOOD with an endorsement like that, right?
Baked Spaghetti
8 ounces thin spaghetti, broken in half
1 cup cottage cheese
4 ounces cream cheese, cut into small cubes
1/2 cup sour cream
Garlic salt and pepper
1 jar spaghetti sauce (just use your favorite!)
1/2 pound browned hamburger
Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Parmesan cheese, shredded
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare an 8 x 8-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
Cook the spaghetti in a large pot according to package directions; drain and put back in pan.
In a bowl, quickly mix together the cottage cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream with a few dashes of garlic salt and pepper. Stir into the warm noodles in the pot until thoroughly coated. Spread the coated noodles in the prepared pan. Combine the spaghetti sauce and cooked hamburger an then spread over top of the noodles. Sprinkle a good layer of cheese, using the mozzarella and Parmesan, over top. Bake, covered with foil, for about 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted. Remove foil for last 5 minutes of cooking. Cut into squares and serve.
TIP: This would be great with your favorite cooked veggies, chopped and tossed into the sauce, or noodles. Olives, peppers, zucchini, spinach, whatever!
Showing posts with label Pasta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pasta. Show all posts
4.01.2014
3.20.2014
Chicken Sausage Pasta
OK, so we buy stuff from Costco. And well, you get A LOT of whatever you buy. Soooo, sometimes I try to come up with different ways to use the bulk FOOD that we get, you know, instead of just preparing it as INTENDED. That is where this recipe comes in. And let me tell ya, it was DELISH, not to mention extremely easy!
Chicken Sausage Pasta
3 or 4 link chicken sausage links (mine are from Costco!)
Olive oil
1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
Garlic salt and pepper
About 8 ounces or so of thin spaghetti, cooked according to directions
1/2 to 1 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
Slice the sausage into rounds and then sauté in a large frying pan with a touch of olive oil. Remove from pan when browned and set aside.
In the same pan, sauté the veggies until crisp-tender with a little more oil and some dashes of garlic salt and pepper. Add the sausage slices back to pan, as well as the cooked spaghetti and toss to coat. Toss in the Parmesan cheese as well. Serve with more Parmesan on top if desired.
TIP: If pasta seems a little dry, toss in a bit more olive oil or some butter. Mmmmm! Also, if you want a stronger garlic flavor, add some minced garlic to your veggies toward the end of their cooking time. A clove or two would be perfect!
Chicken Sausage Pasta
3 or 4 link chicken sausage links (mine are from Costco!)
Olive oil
1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
Garlic salt and pepper
About 8 ounces or so of thin spaghetti, cooked according to directions
1/2 to 1 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
Slice the sausage into rounds and then sauté in a large frying pan with a touch of olive oil. Remove from pan when browned and set aside.
In the same pan, sauté the veggies until crisp-tender with a little more oil and some dashes of garlic salt and pepper. Add the sausage slices back to pan, as well as the cooked spaghetti and toss to coat. Toss in the Parmesan cheese as well. Serve with more Parmesan on top if desired.
TIP: If pasta seems a little dry, toss in a bit more olive oil or some butter. Mmmmm! Also, if you want a stronger garlic flavor, add some minced garlic to your veggies toward the end of their cooking time. A clove or two would be perfect!
2.01.2014
Baked Proscuitto Ravioli with Pesto Cream Sauce
Doesn't pasta always TASTE good? I know if my kiddos haven't been eating much of their recent dinners that I can make a YUMMY pasta dish and they will ask for seconds, sometimes even thirds. Luckily, this is just another EASY weeknight dish that is sure to make everyone HAPPY and full!
Baked Proscuitto Ravioli with Pesto Cream Sauce
1 bag frozen proscuitto ravioli (or any kind you prefer, mine was from Costco)
1 cup heavy cream
1/3 to 1/2 cup basil pesto
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13-inch glass baking dish with nonstick spray. Fill the baking dish with as many ravioli as needed for your family. (If the ravioli are large, you really only need about 5 per person.) In a bowl, mix together the cream and pesto. Pour over the ravioli in the pan and spread the mozzarella cheese over top. Sprinkle with fresh Parmesan cheese as well and then bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until bubbling.
TIP: I think another great addition to this recipe would be some chopped up veggies. You could layer in some onion or squash of some sort, or whatever you think sounds good!
10.30.2013
Pesto Ditalini with Chicken and Portobello Mushrooms
If you are looking for a QUICK and easy dinner to prepare so you can take your little MONSTERS trick or treating this Halloween, this is it. They will LOVE it and so will you! It's full of flavor and PERFECT for little mouths. :)
Pesto Ditalini with Chicken and Portobello Mushrooms
2 1/2 to 3 cups ditalini pasta
2 uncooked chicken breasts, cut into chunks
1/3 sweet onion, finely chopped
4 ounces whole portobello mushrooms, finely chopped
1/2 cup pesto (or more if you prefer)
1/3 to 1/2 cup cream
Parmesan cheese
In a large pot, cook the pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.
In a large frying pan, cook the chicken chunks in a little olive oil and season them with salt and pepper. When cooked through; set aside. Add the onion and mushrooms to the pan, with a touch more olive oil if necessary. Saute about 5 minutes or until everything is nice and tender.
Chop the cooked chicken into small pieces, about the size of the pasta. Add the cooked chicken and pasta to the pan with onion and mushrooms. Stir in the pesto and cream and warm through. Top with shredded Parmesan cheese to garnish.
TIP: Feel free to adjust measurements in this recipe—it is very forgiving! I think I would like even more onions and mushrooms, so next time I'm definitely adding more.
Pesto Ditalini with Chicken and Portobello Mushrooms
2 1/2 to 3 cups ditalini pasta
2 uncooked chicken breasts, cut into chunks
1/3 sweet onion, finely chopped
4 ounces whole portobello mushrooms, finely chopped
1/2 cup pesto (or more if you prefer)
1/3 to 1/2 cup cream
Parmesan cheese
In a large pot, cook the pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.
In a large frying pan, cook the chicken chunks in a little olive oil and season them with salt and pepper. When cooked through; set aside. Add the onion and mushrooms to the pan, with a touch more olive oil if necessary. Saute about 5 minutes or until everything is nice and tender.
Chop the cooked chicken into small pieces, about the size of the pasta. Add the cooked chicken and pasta to the pan with onion and mushrooms. Stir in the pesto and cream and warm through. Top with shredded Parmesan cheese to garnish.
TIP: Feel free to adjust measurements in this recipe—it is very forgiving! I think I would like even more onions and mushrooms, so next time I'm definitely adding more.
10.05.2013
Healthy Alfredo Sauce (AMAZING!)
Pasta is always a tasty and QUICK dinner at our house. But there are so many recipes loaded with calories—and they are DELISH, don't get me wrong! Now our new favorite is this much HEALTHIER version of an alfredo sauce. It really is yummy and can be eaten totally GUILT FREE!
Healthy Alfredo Sauce (AMAZING!)
1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
2 tablespoons butter
2 to 4 cloves garlic
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup milk
Shredded Parmesan cheese
Angel hair pasta, cooked (I used around half a package, though it was pretty saucy!)
Boil the cauliflower florets in a pot of water until tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. While cauliflower is cooking, saute the garlic in the butter a minute or two and then set aside. Use a slotted spoon to drop cauliflower into a blender and add the garlic butter mixture, salt, pepper, and milk along with 1 cup of the cooking water. Blend until smooth. Pour mixture in a saucepan and add desired amount of Parmesan cheese and let simmer while you cook your pasta. (I added about 1/3 cup and topped with a little more to garnish along with some green onion).
TIP: The sauce tasted fab without the cheese added, so feel free to leave it out if you want to cut even more calories. I also still had zucchini from the garden, so I shredded it and added it to my angel hair pasta the last minute or two it was cooking. I drained it all in a colander and then tossed it in the sauce. (That's why you see green mixed in!) It was nummy!
Healthy Alfredo Sauce (AMAZING!)
1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
2 tablespoons butter
2 to 4 cloves garlic
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup milk
Shredded Parmesan cheese
Angel hair pasta, cooked (I used around half a package, though it was pretty saucy!)
Boil the cauliflower florets in a pot of water until tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. While cauliflower is cooking, saute the garlic in the butter a minute or two and then set aside. Use a slotted spoon to drop cauliflower into a blender and add the garlic butter mixture, salt, pepper, and milk along with 1 cup of the cooking water. Blend until smooth. Pour mixture in a saucepan and add desired amount of Parmesan cheese and let simmer while you cook your pasta. (I added about 1/3 cup and topped with a little more to garnish along with some green onion).
TIP: The sauce tasted fab without the cheese added, so feel free to leave it out if you want to cut even more calories. I also still had zucchini from the garden, so I shredded it and added it to my angel hair pasta the last minute or two it was cooking. I drained it all in a colander and then tossed it in the sauce. (That's why you see green mixed in!) It was nummy!
9.10.2013
Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
I typically use a jar of spaghetti SAUCE when we have spaghetti for dinner. I know, silly, but if I make my own, it defeats the purpose of one of my easy, go-to QUICK dinners. However, this sauce is so easy and so UNBELIEVABLY delicious, that I may not buy "those" jars anymore! And you can make it so MANY different ways, it's crazy!
Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
1/2 small sweet onion, minced
1/3 red bell pepper, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 small zucchini, minced
Olive oil
1 can crushed tomatoes
2 cans tomato sauce
Fresh chopped basil, oregano, and thyme (you can use dried in place of fresh)
2 to 3 tablespoons brown sugar
Garlic salt and pepper, to taste
Saute the onion, bell pepper, garlic, and zucchini in oil until tender and lightly browned. Stir in the remaining ingredients and simmer on low for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
TIP: You can mince up just about any veggie to make this your own. Or leave the bell pepper and zucchini out if you prefer. It's tasty no matter what!
Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
1/2 small sweet onion, minced
1/3 red bell pepper, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 small zucchini, minced
Olive oil
1 can crushed tomatoes
2 cans tomato sauce
Fresh chopped basil, oregano, and thyme (you can use dried in place of fresh)
2 to 3 tablespoons brown sugar
Garlic salt and pepper, to taste
Saute the onion, bell pepper, garlic, and zucchini in oil until tender and lightly browned. Stir in the remaining ingredients and simmer on low for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
TIP: You can mince up just about any veggie to make this your own. Or leave the bell pepper and zucchini out if you prefer. It's tasty no matter what!
7.20.2013
Spinach and Feta Pasta
This recipe is so DELISH, and so easy it is actually pretty embarrassing! Either way, those recipes are always good to have on hand, RIGHT? It is a great way for KIDDOS to eat some green veggies too. They don't seem to WORRY about the "green stuff" so much when it is mixed with pasta!
Spinach and Feta Pasta
2 to 3 cups curly pasta of your choice
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup Feta cheese crumbles
1 to 2 cups chopped or julienned spinach
Dash of garlic powder and pepper to taste
Cook the pasta according to package directions; drain. Return pasta to cooking pot and stir in the butter until melted and the pasta is coated. Stir in the spinach and feta until the spinach just starts to wilt. Sprinkle with pepper to taste.
TIP: If you only do 2 cups pasta, you can probably get away with 3 tablespoons butter. I also use the reduced-fat feta and it is still delicious.
5.25.2013
Chicken and Mushroom Alfredo
Wow! I'm so far behind in my posting, I apologize! We moved last month into a temporary home while we build a NEW house, so I'm still just a bit scattered these days. Hopefully this YUMMY recipe will make up for my lack of posting. Without going into too much detail, my husband said this is the BEST pasta dish he's ever had—restaurant or homemade. Hopefully you LIKE it just as much!
Chicken and Mushroom Alfredo
12 to 16 ounces whole wheat penne pasta (regular pasta would be fine too)
8 tablespoons butter, divided
1 package sliced baby bella mushrooms
Garlic salt and black pepper
1/2 sweet onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup cream
1 to 2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 1/2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
In a pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to package directions. While the pasta is cooking, feel free to start the sauce. When pasta is done, drain and reserve about 1 cup of the cooking water for later use.
In a large frying pan, melt about 2 tablespoons butter and then add the mushrooms. Saute until golden brown, season with a little garlic salt and pepper, and then remove from pan and set aside. Add another tablespoon or 2 of butter and let melt in the pan. Stir in the onions and garlic and let cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining butter to the pan along with the cream and cook down to thicken, about 5 minutes more. Add Parmesan to sauce and stir until completely melted. Add more black pepper if desired. Stir in cooked pasta and toss to coat. (Add reserved pasta water to thin out sauce to desired consistency.) Stir in the mushrooms and chicken and warm through. Serve with more cheese on top if desired. Makes around 6 servings.
Chicken and Mushroom Alfredo
12 to 16 ounces whole wheat penne pasta (regular pasta would be fine too)
8 tablespoons butter, divided
1 package sliced baby bella mushrooms
Garlic salt and black pepper
1/2 sweet onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup cream
1 to 2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 1/2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
In a pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to package directions. While the pasta is cooking, feel free to start the sauce. When pasta is done, drain and reserve about 1 cup of the cooking water for later use.
In a large frying pan, melt about 2 tablespoons butter and then add the mushrooms. Saute until golden brown, season with a little garlic salt and pepper, and then remove from pan and set aside. Add another tablespoon or 2 of butter and let melt in the pan. Stir in the onions and garlic and let cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining butter to the pan along with the cream and cook down to thicken, about 5 minutes more. Add Parmesan to sauce and stir until completely melted. Add more black pepper if desired. Stir in cooked pasta and toss to coat. (Add reserved pasta water to thin out sauce to desired consistency.) Stir in the mushrooms and chicken and warm through. Serve with more cheese on top if desired. Makes around 6 servings.
5.10.2013
Lemon Garlic Spaghetti
If you want pasta that tastes LIGHT and REFRESHING and is just like SPRINGTIME, this is it! Such a simple recipe shouldn't taste this good, but it really, really does. It is also PERFECT for those nights that you just need something QUICK.
Lemon Garlic Spaghetti
3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil
2 to 3 cloves garlic
Basil and thyme (I used dried because that's all I had, but fresh would be AMAZING!)
1/3 to 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
Fresh black pepper
Bring a pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Make sure to salt it when you add the pasta!
In a large frying pan, heat the olive and then add the garlic. Cook the garlic until it just starts to brown and then remove from the heat.
Cook the pasta in the boiling water and then drain. Toss pasta in the warm garlic oil in the frying pan. Squeeze the juice of the lemon over top and sprinkle with the herbs, cheese, and pepper. Toss until everything is coated. (If it seems dry, just add a little more olive oil to moisten.) Garnish with more cheese to serve.
TIP: Tarragon would also be great on it's own as the main herb of the dish. Some grilled fish or chicken would also be yummy if you wanted something a little more hearty.
Lemon Garlic Spaghetti
3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil
2 to 3 cloves garlic
8 ounces thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta
1 lemonBasil and thyme (I used dried because that's all I had, but fresh would be AMAZING!)
1/3 to 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
Fresh black pepper
Bring a pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Make sure to salt it when you add the pasta!
In a large frying pan, heat the olive and then add the garlic. Cook the garlic until it just starts to brown and then remove from the heat.
Cook the pasta in the boiling water and then drain. Toss pasta in the warm garlic oil in the frying pan. Squeeze the juice of the lemon over top and sprinkle with the herbs, cheese, and pepper. Toss until everything is coated. (If it seems dry, just add a little more olive oil to moisten.) Garnish with more cheese to serve.
TIP: Tarragon would also be great on it's own as the main herb of the dish. Some grilled fish or chicken would also be yummy if you wanted something a little more hearty.
3.05.2013
Noodlemania!
So, I've got a new COOKBOOK coming out soon! This made-for-kids book is SUPER fun and extremely CUTE, and stuffed with some pretty DELISH recipes. Noodlemania: 50 Playful Pasta Recipes (by Quirk Books) is perfect for all your little KIDDOS. (And all the big ones too—i.e. you!). The recipes are simple, classic, FUN, and tasty to boot. I hope you all enjoy it! Check it out here or here.
And for fun, here's a yummy little recipe from the book that might be just right for St. Patty's Day!
Gloppy Green Frog-Eye Salad
3/4 cup acini di pepe
2 snack-size vanilla pudding cups, chilled
Green food coloring
1 small can pineapple tidbits, with juice
1 small can mandarin oranges, drained
2 to 3 cups mini marshmallows
1 (8-ounce) container Cool Whip
Cook the acini de pepe pasta according to package directions; drain and
let cool completely. Combine the cooled pasta with the pudding, pineapple with
juice, and oranges. Gently stir in the marshmallows, half of the Cool Whip, and
the green food coloring. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours before serving. Stir in
the remaining Cool Whip just before serving. Makes 6 servings.
1.10.2013
Chicken Cacciatore
This is another HEALTHY yet scrumptious meal that we've been enjoying the last few CHILLY weeks. It warms you up and just smells so YUMMY while it slowly cooks in your crockpot all day. When it's this cold outside, what could be better?
Chicken Cacciatore
8 or so chicken tenderloins
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped or sliced
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped or sliced
1/2 onion, chopped or sliced
1 to 2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can diced tomatoes, drained (I use flavored kinds, like sweet onion, italian, etc.)
1 small can tomato sauce
1 cup spaghetti sauce
Dried basil
Put the chicken and vegetables in a crockpot that has been sprayed with nonstick spray. Pour the sauce over top and sprinkle with desired amount of dried basil. Cook on low heat for 8 hours or on high heat for 4 hours. Toss with cooked spaghetti and serve. Or just spoon over individual servings of spaghetti. Whatever you prefer! Oh, and we like a healthy sprinkle of shredded Parmesan cheese over top too. :)
TIP: This recipe changes a little each time I make it. I kind of use what I have, ya know? Sometimes I do more sauce or more vegetables or more chicken. The good thing is that it always turns out yummy!
Chicken Cacciatore
8 or so chicken tenderloins
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped or sliced
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped or sliced
1/2 onion, chopped or sliced
1 to 2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can diced tomatoes, drained (I use flavored kinds, like sweet onion, italian, etc.)
1 small can tomato sauce
1 cup spaghetti sauce
Dried basil
Put the chicken and vegetables in a crockpot that has been sprayed with nonstick spray. Pour the sauce over top and sprinkle with desired amount of dried basil. Cook on low heat for 8 hours or on high heat for 4 hours. Toss with cooked spaghetti and serve. Or just spoon over individual servings of spaghetti. Whatever you prefer! Oh, and we like a healthy sprinkle of shredded Parmesan cheese over top too. :)
TIP: This recipe changes a little each time I make it. I kind of use what I have, ya know? Sometimes I do more sauce or more vegetables or more chicken. The good thing is that it always turns out yummy!
10.01.2012
Creamy Veggie Tortellini
This is a tasty recipe I threw together to use up some of the VEGGIES in our fridge. It went together so quickly and was super YUMMY. The kiddos loved it to, so I'm going to make it again very SOON!
Creamy Veggie Tortellini
1/2 zucchini, quartered and sliced
1/3 cup corn
1/3 cup matchstick carrots, chopped
1/3 cup peas
1/4 cup chopped red onion (optional)
1 to 2 cups chicken broth, divided
2 heaping cups cheese tortellini
1/3 to 1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Black pepper
In a large frying pan, saute the veggies in a splash or two of olive oil until tender, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from pan and then pour in 1 cup broth and the tortellini. Bring to a medium boil and stir occasionally, adding more broth if necessary. (You need enough liquid to cook the tortellini, so don't let the pan dry out. Depending on how high your heat is, you may need more than 2 cups broth.) When the tortellini are tender, stir in the veggies, cream, and cheese until well blended. Season with pepper. Serve with more cheese sprinkled over top if desired.
TIP: Add whatever veggies you think would be good. Another great combination would be broccoli, sliced onion, and sliced mushrooms. Adding chicken is also delicious—I've always got some cut-up rotisserie chicken in my freezer that I can grab and throw in things like this.
Creamy Veggie Tortellini
1/2 zucchini, quartered and sliced
1/3 cup corn
1/3 cup matchstick carrots, chopped
1/3 cup peas
1/4 cup chopped red onion (optional)
1 to 2 cups chicken broth, divided
2 heaping cups cheese tortellini
1/3 to 1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Black pepper
In a large frying pan, saute the veggies in a splash or two of olive oil until tender, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from pan and then pour in 1 cup broth and the tortellini. Bring to a medium boil and stir occasionally, adding more broth if necessary. (You need enough liquid to cook the tortellini, so don't let the pan dry out. Depending on how high your heat is, you may need more than 2 cups broth.) When the tortellini are tender, stir in the veggies, cream, and cheese until well blended. Season with pepper. Serve with more cheese sprinkled over top if desired.
TIP: Add whatever veggies you think would be good. Another great combination would be broccoli, sliced onion, and sliced mushrooms. Adding chicken is also delicious—I've always got some cut-up rotisserie chicken in my freezer that I can grab and throw in things like this.
5.25.2012
Cordon Bleu Bake
This is a yummy little PASTA recipe that is super simple and always gets RAVE reviews. It's almost too easy. Like so EASY that I'm embarrassed when people ask for the recipe. But, the best part is that it is a WINNER with my KIDDOS, and that's a good thing! (Sorry for the weird photo!)
Cordon Bleu Bake
Cordon Bleu Bake
2 cups mini penne pasta
1 cup cubed ham
1 (12-ounce) can good-quality chicken, broken up (LOVE the Costco brand)
1 (15-ounce) jar alfredo sauce (I use Classico's Light Asiago Romano Alfredo)
Dash of pepper
6 to 10 slices Swiss cheese
Cook pasta according to directions. Drain and return to the
pan. Stir in the ham, chicken, alfredo sauce, and pepper; warm through.
Scoop mixture into 6 ramekins and cover each with a slice or two of cheese.
Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes, or until cheese is slightly browned on top.
Makes 6 servings.
TIP: You could stir some grated Swiss into the sauce if you want it more cheesy, but I don't think it's needed. You could also top with breadcrumbs if you so desire. My secret: I've found that if I stir chopped up broccoli or peas (or whatever veggie I feel like using) and stir it into a creamy-based pasta, my 2 year old will eat it without question. Just sayin'. :)
4.20.2012
Southwest Pasta Salad
We love TEX-MEX foods at our house, so this recipe really hits the SPOT. It's great to take to potlucks, or add some CHICKEN and have it for dinner. Either way, it's DELISH! (Sorry for the terrible picture! I really need a nice new camera . . . and maybe some cuter dishes!)
Southwest Pasta Salad
1 (16-ounce) box penne or rigatoni pasta, cooked according to directions
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup corn
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 yellow bell pepper, chopped (optional)
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
3/4 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
1/2 cup roasted and salted pepitas (dark, small pumpkin seeds)
In a bowl, combine the pasta, beans, corn, peppers, cilantro, bacon, and pepitas. Stir in about 1 cup of the dressing and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours. Just before serving, stir in the lettuce and more dressing to moisten. Makes 8 to 10 servings.
TIP: Add some cooked or grilled chopped chicken to make this a main course meal. Another great addition is some sort of cheese. I've added shredded taco blend cheese, and I think cubed pepper jack or cheddar would also be good. For tomato lovers, add tomato. And if anyone decides to add beef (shredded, ground), let me know how it turns out!
Southwest Pasta Salad
1 (16-ounce) box penne or rigatoni pasta, cooked according to directions
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup corn
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 yellow bell pepper, chopped (optional)
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
3/4 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
1/2 cup roasted and salted pepitas (dark, small pumpkin seeds)
1 bottle Hidden Valley Farmhouse Southwest Chipotle dressing
1/4 to 1/2 head iceberg lettuce, choppedIn a bowl, combine the pasta, beans, corn, peppers, cilantro, bacon, and pepitas. Stir in about 1 cup of the dressing and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours. Just before serving, stir in the lettuce and more dressing to moisten. Makes 8 to 10 servings.
TIP: Add some cooked or grilled chopped chicken to make this a main course meal. Another great addition is some sort of cheese. I've added shredded taco blend cheese, and I think cubed pepper jack or cheddar would also be good. For tomato lovers, add tomato. And if anyone decides to add beef (shredded, ground), let me know how it turns out!
3.25.2012
Creamy Avocado Pasta
So again, Pinterest is AMAZING! I found 3 or 4 avocado pasta recipes that I liked and came up with my own VERSION. Let me be the first to say that it turned out so YUMMY. Is that bad of me to praise myself like that? Anyway, hope ya like this super SIMPLE dish that is full of FLAVOR! Oh, and this would also be a great GREEN dish to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with your fam!
Creamy Avocado Pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
1 sprig fresh basil
2 small avocados, peeled and pitted (or 1 really big one!)
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
2 to 3 tablespoons sour cream (I used light)
Thinly sliced green onion, to garnish
Start cooking your spaghetti in salted water in a pot according to package directions.
In a blender or food processor, blend together the lime juice, oil, basil, avocado, s and p, cheese, and sour cream, until mostly smooth.
Drain cooked spaghetti, then put back in the pot. Toss with the creamy avocado mixture and then put in individual serving bowls (or on plates). Sprinkle with more cheese and some green onion. Serves 2 or 3.
TIP: This is probably best served right after making. Leftovers may start turning brown and might not look so appetizing. Another addition that might be good—toasted pine nuts!
Creamy Avocado Pasta
6 to 8 ounces whole wheat spaghetti
Juice of 1 lime2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
1 sprig fresh basil
2 small avocados, peeled and pitted (or 1 really big one!)
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
2 to 3 tablespoons sour cream (I used light)
Thinly sliced green onion, to garnish
Start cooking your spaghetti in salted water in a pot according to package directions.
In a blender or food processor, blend together the lime juice, oil, basil, avocado, s and p, cheese, and sour cream, until mostly smooth.
Drain cooked spaghetti, then put back in the pot. Toss with the creamy avocado mixture and then put in individual serving bowls (or on plates). Sprinkle with more cheese and some green onion. Serves 2 or 3.
TIP: This is probably best served right after making. Leftovers may start turning brown and might not look so appetizing. Another addition that might be good—toasted pine nuts!
3.01.2012
Fresh Italian Pasta Salad
We love SALAD at our house and we love PASTA too, so why not combine them when we can, right? This is the perfect combo of salad—it's FRESH, cool, and crisp. Not to mention, full of FLAVOR!
Fresh Italian Pasta Salad
3 cups mini farfalle pasta (little bow ties)
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup sliced olives (green, black, or a combo)
1 to 1 1/2 cups cubed pepperoni or salami (or both)
1/4 to 1/3 purple onion, chopped
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 cup Bernstein's Cheese & Garlic Italian dressing, plus more if necessary
4 to 5 cups chopped iceberg lettuce
Cook the pasta according to package directions; drain and cool. Combine all ingredients except the lettuce in a large bowl and chill until ready to serve. Toss in the lettuce just before serving and add more dressing if salad seems dry.
TIP: Just like most pasta salads, this one is easy to customize for your family! If you don't like peppers, leave them out. You could add things like fresh tomatoes or mushrooms, or even cubes of fresh mozzarella (the marinated balls would be delicious!).
11.15.2011
Pasta with Pumpkin Cream Sauce
A few weeks back I made and posted about a YUMMY pumpkin trifle—and ended up with leftover canned PUMPKIN. Well, this is what I came up with! SUPER easy, and pretty delish if I do say so myself!
Pasta with Pumpkin Cream Sauce
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup fresh grated or shaved Parmesan cheese
Thyme (I did a few hefty pinches of dried)
Garlic salt
Pasta of choice, cooked according to directions
In a pan, melt the butter. Stir in the flour until well combined, then add the milk gradually while stirring. Continue stirring and heat the mixture a few minutes more. Gradually stir in the pumpkin. When completely incorporated, add the cheese and stir until melted. Season with thyme and garlic salt according to taste and then serve over pasta with more Parmesan sprinkled over top. Yummy!
TIP: This is also great the next day if you have any leftover. You can just reheat in the microwave slowly, in 30-second intervals until warm. If it is a little thick, add some more milk, a little at a time. Also, if you'd like this to be EXTRA good, try using cream or half-and-half instead of milk!
BONUS TIP: I also browned some chopped onion and served that over the pasta, then topped with the pumpkin sauce. Sooooo good!
Pasta with Pumpkin Cream Sauce
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup fresh grated or shaved Parmesan cheese
Thyme (I did a few hefty pinches of dried)
Garlic salt
Pasta of choice, cooked according to directions
In a pan, melt the butter. Stir in the flour until well combined, then add the milk gradually while stirring. Continue stirring and heat the mixture a few minutes more. Gradually stir in the pumpkin. When completely incorporated, add the cheese and stir until melted. Season with thyme and garlic salt according to taste and then serve over pasta with more Parmesan sprinkled over top. Yummy!
TIP: This is also great the next day if you have any leftover. You can just reheat in the microwave slowly, in 30-second intervals until warm. If it is a little thick, add some more milk, a little at a time. Also, if you'd like this to be EXTRA good, try using cream or half-and-half instead of milk!
BONUS TIP: I also browned some chopped onion and served that over the pasta, then topped with the pumpkin sauce. Sooooo good!
10.10.2011
Baked Chicken Lasagna Rolls
This is a YUMMY recipe my mom made for us on one of our recent VISITS. It is very tasty and actually a very PRETTY dish. Perfect to serve any company you might have!
Baked Chicken Lasagna Rolls
2 cups part skim ricotta cheese
1 1/4 cups grated mozzarella
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups shredded chicken
9 cooked lasagna noodles
2 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix together the first eight ingredients, reserving 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese; set aside.
Lay a large piece of plastic wrap on counter top. Lay the cooked noodles flat on the plastic wrap and then top each noodle with a layer of ricotta mixture and 1/4 cup chicken. Starting at one end, roll one noodle at a time.
Mix the tomato sauce with Italian seasoning and pour 1/2 cup in the bottom of a baking dish. Lay rolls seam side down, cover with remaining tomato sauce, and sprinkle with reserved mozzarella. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes and then serve!
TIP: Some other great additions would be chopped or sliced black olives, or some sliced mushrooms.
TIP: Some other great additions would be chopped or sliced black olives, or some sliced mushrooms.
6.25.2011
Lemon Chicken Pasta Salad
We had a SALAD similar to this one at a local restaurant that was DELICIOUS, so I tried making my own VERSION. It's very light and refreshing, perfect for a nice SUMMER meal!
Lemon Chicken Pasta Salad
Lemon Tarragon Dressing
Lemon Chicken Pasta Salad
Lemon Tarragon Dressing
1/2 cup olive oil mayonnaise
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1 tablespoon minced or grated shallot
1 heaping tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon or 1 teaspoon dried
Dash of salt and paprika
3 cups uncooked large shell pasta, cooked and drained
2 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
1 cup sliced celery
1 cup cashew pieces
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1 to 1 1/2 cups seedless red grape halves
In a small bowl, combine the dressing ingredients and refrigerate until ready to use.
In a bowl, combine the cooled cooked pasta, chicken, celery, cashews, onions, and grapes. Toss with the dressing and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving. Makes 6 to 8 servings.
TIP: Feel free to add more of any of the ingredients to this recipe. I think if you add extra tarragon to the dressing, it is VERY refreshing!
TIP: Feel free to add more of any of the ingredients to this recipe. I think if you add extra tarragon to the dressing, it is VERY refreshing!
4.20.2011
Poppy Seed Casserole
This is a SUPER yummy pasta recipe from my mom that always gets RAVE reviews. I think the cheese mixture you TOSS the noodles in is the SECRET to how tasty this dish turns out!
Poppy Seed Casserole
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
1 red or green bell pepper, chopped (optional)
3 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, cubed
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup cottage cheese
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
12 to 18 ounces rotini noodles, cooked and drained
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Brown the turkey and bell pepper together until turkey is done; drain. Add the tomato sauce, salt, and pepper and simmer over low heat.
In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, and poppy seeds, and then mix with the drained hot noodles. Place noodle mixture into the bottom of a greased 9 x 13-inch pan and top with the turkey sauce mixture. Cover and bake 30 minutes. Remove and sprinkle the Parmesan over top. Uncover and bake 5 to 10 minutes more. Makes 6 to 8 servings.
TIP: You can use ground beef if you prefer it over the ground turkey. Also, since there is so much yummy stuff that goes in to this recipe, I usually use light cream cheese and sour cream, and I can never tell the difference (neither can the other people eating it!). So try saving a few calories that way and make it more "healthy"
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