Baked Penne

Me: "I'll be back in a minute. I'm going to go update the blog."
J: "Well, this is my NEW favorite. Seriously, can you make this again tomorrow?"

Baked Penne

Ingredients:
1/2 lb lean Italian sausage
1/2 c onion, chopped
1/2 c green bell pepper (I left this out this time around)
1 tub (10 oz) Philadelphia Italian Cheese and Herb cooking creme, divided
1 c shredded mozzarella, divided
3 c cooked penne pasta

Directions:
Heat oven to 350 degrees
Brown meat with veggies in large skillet
Stir in 3/4 cooking creme and 1/2 c mozzarella
Cook and stir until mozzarella is melted
Lightly stir in pasta
Top with remaining cooking creme and mozzarella
Cover and bake 15 minutes
Uncover and bake additional 5 minutes

Okay...so as I was typing this I realized that when I made this dish it actually called for 24 oz spaghetti sauce!!!! I totally left it out but it was still delish! I will make it again and include the spaghetti sauce. Stay tuned to see how Bake Penne Take 2 turns out!!!

Pasta Fagioli

I love soup. I came to the realization that I'm drawn to soup recipes because they're easy, comforting, and an easy way to get J to eat veggies!!! This time of year is an excuse for me to make as much soup as I want and feel justified. :)

Pasta Fagioli

Ingredients:
2 lb ground beef

1 onion, chopped

3 carrots, chopped

1 c celery, chopped

2- 28 oz cans diced tomatoes

16 oz. kidney beans, drain

16 oz while kidney bean, drain

4 c beef stock

2 t oregano

2 t pepper

5 t parsley

1 t Louisiana hot sauce

20 oz traditional spaghetti sauce

8 oz pasta of choice

Directions:
Brown ground beef

Add all ingredients except pasta into slow cooker
Cook low 7-8 hours

Cook and add pasta

*We like a little kick so I think next time I may add more Louisiana or add some Rotel instead of just plain diced tomatoes.

Pesto Chicken and Pasta

This was pretty decent for a quick Italian meal that's not spaghetti :)

Pesto Chicken and Pasta

Marinade:
1/2 bottle  Lowry's herb and garlic
2 T pesto sauce
2 chicken breast

Sauce:
2 T olive oil
1 T minced garlic
2 T pesto
1/2 c chicken broth
8 oz tomato sauce
1 c half and half

Directions:
1. Slice chicken and marinade over night
2. Cook chicken in skillet then remove
3. Heat olive, garlic, pesto
4. Add broth, half and half, and simmer till cooked down
5. Add tomato sauce
6. Return chicken to skillet
7. Toss with 8 oz cooked pasta

Mexican Rice

Whelp...to quote J "Every time my wife cooks, I have a new favorite meal." While we were eating it he said that this meal tastes like the inside of a burrito. Well good! I love burritos but the flour tortilla does not like me. Plus you save some calories this way! This meal is super easy and does not have a lot of kick despite the red pepper content. I'll probably increase the amount of red pepper next time around!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 c rice, cooked
1 t olive oil
1 lb ground beef
1/2 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 t paprika
1 t chili powder
1 t cumin
1 t garlic powder
1 t oregano
1 t red pepper flakes
15 oz black bean (drain)
15 oz tomato sauce
1 T cilantro
shredded cheese

Garnish:
sour cream
salsa

Directions:
Heat oven to 350
Cook olive oil, ground beef, onion, and all seasonings till done
Add cooked rice, black beans, tomato sauce, and cilantro
Mix well
Pour mixture into a baking dish
Sprinkle with shredded cheese
Bake 20 minutes with foil covering
Bake additional 5 minutes without foil
Sit 5 minutes (I didn't let it sit...we just ate!)

Cowboy Meatloaf

J has bumped this to be his new favorite! As I was making it he saw me get out the crispy onions, later after eating he goes "What did you need the crispy onions for?" Didn't even know they were in there! Point for the chef!

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
3/4 c diced onion
1/3 c bread crumbs (this helps hold it together better, but I did fine without)
1/2 c BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Rays because there is no other)
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 t chili powder
3/4 t salt
2/3 c evap. milk
1 T butter
1 c bacon crumbled
1/2 c crispy onions
2/3 c shredded cheese
1 pk. Ore-Ida Steam n' Mash Garlic (I found them at WinnDixie and had to add the garlic myself)

Directions:
Heat the oven to 375
Cook ground beef and diced onion together, drain
Combine beef, onion, breadcrumbs, BBQ sauce, egg, chili powder, and salt (mix well)
Press in a 9x9 baking dish and bake for 20 minutes
Cook potatoes while beef mixture is in oven
Mix potatoes, evaporated milk, butter and smash
Stir in bacon and crispy onions
Spread over beef mixture
Sprinkle with cheese
Broil 3-5 minutes

Let stand 3 minutes before serving to allow the meal to set.

3 Bean Chili

This will be my go to chili from now on because it's CHEAP! I will make our traditional beef chili once and a while, but I'm all about stretching a dollar.

Ingredients:
1 3/4 c vegetable broth
1 c diced onion
2 jalapeno peppers (removed seeds for less heat)
2 t chili powder
2 t cumin
2 t Worcestershire sauce
1/2 t salt
2 cloves garlic, minced
30 oz black bean (drain)
2 - 14.5 oz can diced tomato*
15 oz pinto bean (drain)
15 oz kidney bean (drain)
*I plan to substitute with Rotel next time for some added kick.

For garnish:
Sour cream
Shredded cheese

Put all ingredients in slow cooker on low for 8 hours and voila! Dinner is served.