Rigatoni Alfredo with Chicken and Kale

 

We love pasta at our house, and I especially love it when it can be loaded with veggies. I also especially love it when it can be made in ONE POT. This is both.

This also fits my weeknight trifecta: delicious, easy, fast. AND it's "fancy" enough to serve to company, too - just add a green salad and some sort of garlicky carb, and you've got a great dinner. (Chocolate lava cakes for dessert, anyone?)

Kale is a veg that is so good for you, but I have to admit it's not my favorite. So when it can get chopped up and then wilted in a dish like this, it's a lot easier to take.

Since I last made this, I've actually figured out that I can tolerate kale a lot better if I chop it super fine in my food processor - here I've just roughly chopped it by hand, which was ok because of the wilting factor. But that's a tip I gladly share with you for salads or other raw appearances of kale - mince it up in the chopper, and it's WAY better!

However you choose to deal with the kale, this is a delicious dish that won hearty approval from everyone around the table - young adults PLUS their friends. So that's a major win in my book.

• 
  
• 
  
• Rigatoni Alfredo with Chicken and Kale
• 2 Tbsp olive oil

• ▢

• 3 small chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds), diced

• ▢

• 1 small onion, chopped

• ▢

• 3 cloves garlic, crushed

• 8 ounces rigatoni

• 2/3 cup chicken broth

• 2 cups whole milk

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 3-4 ounces kale, chopped

• 3/4 cup shredded Parmesan

• 
  

• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 6-7 minutes, turning after the first 2 or 4, until browned and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.

• Add the chopped onions to the skillet and cook over medium heat until they turn translucent; then add the garlic and cook and stir for 30 seconds. Add in the pasta, milk, and broth. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to medium low and cook for about 10 minutes at a light simmer.  

• When the pasta is al dente, stir in the cream and the Parmesan, leaving a little cheese for garnish. Add the kale, stir, and cover again and let the kale wilt for 2-3 minutes. Add in the chicken and stir to distribute it through the dish, letting the chicken warm back up. 

• Sprinkle with pepper, parsley and Parmesan before serving. Serves 6.

• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  

Creamy Sausage and Peppers Pasta

This has become such a popular dish at our house that it has been requested for two birthday dinners! And it's no wonder - it's everything you want in a celebratory dinner - creamy, colorful, delicious, filling! 

I love that there are lots of veggies included and that it's a one-pot dish (besides the pasta cooking...so 2 pots technically, still easy!). 

I also love that it combines amazing flavors of sausage, peppers, cream sauce... and I would probably add mushrooms, but in my family, that would spoil some people's birthdays... ahem. Seriously, what is not to love about mushrooms?

Mushrooms or not, this is a super delicious dish and worthy of a place in your rotation. I serve it with a big green salad and garlic knots or garlic bread. Even if it's not your birthday, I hope you'll try this pasta!

Creamy Sausage and Peppers Pasta

12 ounces spaghetti or bucatini

1 pound Italian sausage

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1/2 medium onion, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 yellow bell pepper, chopped

1 Tbsp. butter

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp. flour

1 cup half and half

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

3 cups baby spinach

salt and pepper

Parmesan cheese

In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente.

Meanwhile, brown the sausage in a large skillet over medium high heat. Remove from the pan once it is cooked through.

Add oil to the skillet, then add the peppers and onions. Cook until they are softened, about 5 minutes. 

Reduce the heat to medium, then add the butter and garlic to the peppers and onions. Once the butter is melted, sprinkle with the flour.

Stir in the half and half and mustard, and whisk well to ensure there are no flour lumps. Whisk until slightly thickened, but only for a minute or so.  Add in the sausage and stir together. Add in the spinach, then add a couple tablespoons of the pasta water into the skillet, especially if the sauce seems too thick.

Drain the pasta, then add it to the skillet, tossing until the spinach is wilted and all the pasta is coated. Season with salt and pepper and serve with Parmesan.  Makes 6-8 servings. 

Recipe Source: Adapted from Salt and Lavender

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

This is one of the best side dishes I have made in a long time. Well, this, and the roasted potato "salad" that's going to be coming your way next. This is the summer of great sides! 

I made this wonderful salad for our July 4 weekend, and it won rave reviews. My pre-teen nephew gushed, "this tastes just like Chipotle!" If you have pre-teens, you know this is high praise. In fact, that whole dinner that night, which included grilled rubbed pork, garlic green beans, and fruit salad, left us with these empty dishes. 

That's a ringing endorsement!

Another endorsement came from our son, who ate several helpings on his birthday later in July, and who immediately asked for the recipe. So, that should be enough encouragement to get you to make this salad, already!

Corn, pasta, bacon, avocado, black beans, and a creamy, slightly kicky dressing - they all add up to more than the sum of its parts. It is SO good. Cook the bacon, then saute the corn in a dry skillet so that you get it partly "charred." (You could probably also saute it some bacon grease! ooh! up the ante!)

I've only used frozen corn, which is what I'm calling for in the recipe, because it's so convenient, but I bet the flavor factor would be even better if you used corn on the cob, and grilled it first... but even if you go the convenient route like I do, you will be overcome and overwhelmed by how good this is.

While the pasta cooks, chop up all your "greens" - green onion, cilantro, jalapeno.

When the pasta is done, drain it well and add it to a big bowl, then add the corn, bacon, black beans, and your greens.

Stir up the dressing ingredients and add about 3/4 of it to the salad.

Then add the chopped avocado and the rest of the dressing, and lightly stir it to combine.

Top with some queso fresca (Mexican cheese) or even feta, and be prepared to delight yourself and everyone who eats this!

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Salad:

2 cups farfalle, campanelle, or other medium sized pasta shape (dry)

3 cups frozen corn (or freshly cut off the cob)

1/3 cup sliced green onions

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

1-2 Tbsp. diced jalapeno pepper

6 sliced bacon, cooked and chopped

1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained

1 avocado, chopped

1/2 cup queso fresco or feta

Dressing:

1/2 cup mayonnaise

3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

1/4 tsp. cumin

1/4 tsp. smoked paprika

1/2 tsp. chili powder

1/2 tsp. sriracha or chili garlic sauce

salt and pepper

For the dressing, combine the mayo, lime juice, cumin, paprika, chili powder, and hot sauce in a small bowl or medium measuring cup. Stir well, then add salt and pepper to taste. Adjust hot sauce as well to your preference.

For the salad, cook the pasta in salted boiling water til al dente. Drain completely.

Meanwhile, saute the corn in a dry skillet over medium high heat. Put the corn in the skillet, then let it sit for a few minutes to develop a "char" before stirring. Cook for just a minute or so after the char develops. 

When the pasta is done, transfer it to a large bowl, then add the corn, green onions, cilantro, jalapeno, bacon, and black beans. Add about 3/4 of the dressing, then stir well to combine. Add the avocado and the rest of the dressing, then fold together til everything is evenly distributed. Top with the queso fresco or feta, and serve! Makes 6-8 side dish servings.

Creamy Gnocchi with Ham and Peas

If you still have ham leftover from Easter like I do, here is the perfect recipe! It is even more perfect if you live in the north like I do, and it's still freezing. I see the green lawns of my friends in the middle of the country, and I am jealous. Mine is still white. :(

But cooking and eating this amazing dish will make you forget it. It's so creamy, and so delicious, and I absolutely love the combination of ham and peas. If you need other ham and pea inspiration, check out Cheesy Ham and Noodle Casserole, Jambalaya, Bowties with Bacon, Carrots and Peas (could easily sub ham!).

This dish comes together really quickly - and it meets my weeknight trifecta - quick, easy, delicious. 

While the gnocchi cooks, you can make the sauce, then throw it all together. It will broil briefly in the oven, which gives you just a few minutes to throw together a salad! Perfect timing.

This is a really comforting dish, and will earn you accolades from your whole family. Or most of it at least. One teenager said, "this is really weird" and luckily another one answered, "this is really GOOD." (The texture of the gnocchi was the issue, please know. Not anything else...)

I hope you enjoy it, and I hope you stay warm. Ahem. 

Creamy Gnocchi with Ham and Peas

1 package gnocchi (16 oz to 17.6 oz), prepared according to package directions

1 Tbsp. butter
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 tsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. basil or Italian seasoning
2 cups diced ham
3 Tbsp. flour
1 cup half and half
1/3 cup chicken broth
3/4 cup shredded swiss cheese
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Cook the gnocchi in a large pot of salted, boiling water, as the package directs. 

Meanwhile, melt butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and basil. Saute until onion is softened, about 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle flour on top and saute until flour is absorbed and the flour smell is gone, about 2 minutes. 

Pour in cream and chicken stock. Bring to a simmer, stirring often, for 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. 

Remove from the heat, then stir in gnocchi, ham, and peas until combined. Add the swiss cheese and stir until melted. Sprinkle parmesan on top. 

Heat broiler to high, then put the skillet under the broiler until the cheese is melted and the top is lightly browned, about 5 minutes.

Recipe Source: Adapted from Love As Food

Fettuccine Alfredo (lightened up!)

Every year, our middle child requests this for her birthday dinner. After finding this recipe many years ago, and making it every September, I decided it was high time to share the recipe with you!  

If you love fettuccine alfredo, but not the heaps of cream and butter that go with it, this recipe is for you. It has all the creaminess and yumminess of the regular version, with a lot fewer calories and fat. Honestly, no one in my family has ever questioned if this is "normal" fettuccine alfredo - they all just rave about how delicious it is!  (I guess the secret is out now, ahem.)

Instead of using all heavy cream, you start with a roux and then later add in a little cream cheese and (obviously) plenty of Parmesan. We love this topped with grilled chicken with a big salad or green vegetable on the side. And it's even better if you can eat outside! 

So have your pasta and eat it too! You won't feel sorry with this great version of lightened up fettuccine Alfredo. 

Fettuccine Alfredo (light)

8 oz. dry fettuccine

1 1/2 Tbsp. butter

1 1/2 Tbsp. flour

1 1/4 cups milk

2 Tbsp. heavy cream

1 tsp. lemon juice

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/3 cup fresh shredded Parmesan

2 oz. light cream cheese (Neufachatel), diced

Cook the fettuccine in a large pot of boiling water until al dente. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, then add flour and whisk until fully combined. Gradually add in milk, whisking constantly, until smooth. Stir in cream, lemon juice, salt and garlic powder. Whisk constantly until sauce begins to thicken and gently bubble.

Reduce the heat to low, add in the Parmesan and cream cheese, and stir until the cheese has melted. If the sauce become too thick, you can add a few spoonfuls of the hot pasta water. Drain pasta well, but do not rinse. Pour drained pasta into sauce and toss evenly to coat. Garnish with parsley and more Parmesan. Serves 4. 

Recipe source: Adapted from Cooking Classy

Creamy Shrimp Pasta with Asparagus and Mushrooms

First the good news: This is a restaurant-worthy dish that you can easily make at home. And now, more good news: It's super fast. Even more: Only dirties two pans. And finally: Super delicious.

Start the pasta water boiling, and you'll have plenty of time to whip up the creamy shrimp and mushroom mixture. The asparagus cooks right with the pasta, so you get two things done at once. Get someone in your family to whip up a salad, and you will have a fantastic dinner in no time.

I typically used cooked shrimp for the convenience factor, but if you use raw shrimp, simply peel and devein, then add to the sauce before the pasta so it can cook in the sauce for a couple minutes.

If your family loves shrimp, they'll love this fantastic pasta dish. I love that it uses ingredients that I usually have on hand. Winner all around!

There are more excellent ideas at Fabulous, Hearth and Soul, Inspire Me, Full Plate, Tasty Tuesday.


Creamy Shrimp Pasta with Asparagus and Mushrooms

12 ounces small pasta shapes
8 ounces asparagus, trimmed and chopped
2 Tbsp. olive oil
12 ounces cooked shrimp
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 tsp. basil
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
8 ounces mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 cup half and half
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese shredded


Cook pasta according to package instructions, adding cut up asparagus in the last minute. Drain pasta and asparagus, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water.

In a large skillet, over medium heat, add 1 Tbsp. olive oil and garlic. Add mushrooms, basil, paprika and red pepper flakes and cook on medium heat for about 2 minutes, occasionally stirring, until mushrooms become soft and release juices. Sprinkle with salt part way through cooking.

Immediately add 1 cup half-and-half. Bring to a simmering boil.

Add half the cheese. Bring to boil, and immediately reduce to medium-simmer. Cook, constantly stirring, until the cheese melts.

Gradually start adding the remaining cheese, stirring constantly until all cheese is melted.

Add pasta and asparagus to the skillet and stir in the shrimp. Stir well to coat all the pasta.

If the cream sauce is too thick, add the reserved pasta water in small amounts to the cream sauce (while the sauce is simmering on low-medium heat) until you reach desired consistency.

Season with more salt and add more crushed red pepper flakes and basil, if desired.

Tuscan Chicken Pasta {Instant Pot}

It's well documented here that risotto is my favorite thing to cook in the Instant Pot. But I think pasta dishes would have to be a close second. And I was such a skeptic at first! How on earth does it work to put raw pasta in and it cooks to perfection alongside the other ingredients? This is never going to work, I thought. Sure enough, I was wrong. It works wonderfully!

And in this recipe, it's not only the pasta that gets fully cooked, but RAW CHICKEN. This Instant Pot is da bomb. If you don't have one yet, what are you waiting for??? Yes, this dish could easily be made on the stovetop. (Note: you would have to adjust the amount of broth so don't go trying it as written!) However, I love the convenience of throwing everything in the IP and having a few minutes to set the table, make a salad, etc. Or just to sit. Sometimes a person just needs to sit for a minute.

In any case, this is a delicious dinner that my family happily ate, and asked for the leftovers. I increased the spinach pretty significantly because my kids happily eat spinach in pasta, and the more the better, in my opinion. It wilts down so much that it won't seem overwhelming, I promise. After the main ingredients cook in the IP, you stir in softened cream cheese to get that nice, creamy pasta texture, all the spinach and then parmesan cheese. This dish has complex flavor due to the sundried tomatoes, and it's so easy it can become a weeknight staple. Plus, all the spinach.

Enjoy!

Find more great ideas at Inspire Me, Inspire Me 2, Fabulous, Hearth and Soul.



Tuscan Chicken Pasta

4 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup oil packed sun dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
12 oz uncooked campanelle pasta or your favorite shape (rotini, etc)
8 oz fresh baby spinach
1 (8 oz) pkg. light cream cheese, softened, cubed
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese

In an instant pot insert stir together broth, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and garlic.

Add in chicken and pasta, pushing the pasta pieces down into the broth.

Secure the lid in place, and set the valve to sealing position. Select the "manual" setting or high pressure and set to 5 minutes.

Do a quick release, then stir well. Add in cream cheese and stir until combined, then add in spinach, a handful of a time, until it's all wilted. Finally, stir in the parmesan.

Let rest for about 5 minutes to thicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and garnish with fresh or dried basil and additional tomatoes.


Recipe source: Adapted from Betty Crocker

Sausage and Tortellini Soup

This is the perfect soup for these fall days. Even though I just made it yesterday, I wanted to post it as soon as possible so you could make it immediately! I think this would be especially good to warm up the tummies of your little trick or treaters before they head out on Thursday.

This soup comes together quickly thanks to refrigerated tortellini. And it's chock full of carrots and spinach, so you will feel good about serving a well-rounded dinner. Meat, dairy, vegetables, starch - this soup has everything and is super tasty to boot! Normally I serve salad and bread with soup but in this case, we ate the soup solo - and everyone was satisfied.

This sausage and tortellini soup was a dinner winner in my family; two people had seconds, and the other two took the leftovers for lunch! (Wait, that's today, that's my lunch TODAY! Woo hoo!)

Get more great ideas at Inspire Me, Fabulous, Hearth and Soul, Wine'd Down, Wonderful Wednesday, Favorite Things,


Sausage and Tortellini Soup

1 pound Italian sausage
1 tsp. olive oil
1 small yellow or white onion, diced
2 cups peeled and diced carrots (I use baby carrots and just slice thickly)
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup flour
5 cups chicken broth
14 oz. refrigerated cheese tortellini
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
6 ounces baby spinach, chopped
2 cups half & half
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese


In a large stockpot set over medium-high, cook the sausage until browned. Remove the cooked sausage to a paper towel lined plate; set aside.

Add olive oil to the pot, then saute onion and carrots for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are soft. Add the garlic and sauté for an additional 2 minutes, or until fragrant, stirring occasionally to prevent it from burning.

Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add in the chicken broth, and stir to combine. Continue cooking until the mixture reaches a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 6 minutes.

Add the sausage, tortellini, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning to the pot. Simmer for 3 minutes, then add the spinach and half and half, stirring until the spinach is wilted and the tortellini is fully cooked.

Serve immediately and top with shredded Parmesan cheese.

Recipe Source: Adapted from Life Made Simple Bakes

Cheesy Taco Pasta

Here's an easy, delicious, fast, one-pot dinner that will have your tastebuds singing. It's perfect for these summer evenings when you're running from one activity to another and your little soccer players need a good supper!

It's also perfect for a rainy summer day when comfort food is in order. Or any day that ends in "y" for that matter. This recipe takes all the good flavors of tacos (too many to name here, honestly) and combines them with pasta in a cheesy, tomato-y sauce.

This won rave reviews at my house, especially when topped with sour cream and guac. (As would anything.)

Cheesy Taco Pasta

3 cups small shell pasta
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. cayenne
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. paprika
2 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. salt
2 cups water
1 cup tomato sauce
1 cup shredded Mexican style cheese
fresh cilantro, guacamole, sour cream, tomatoes, olives for garnish as desired


Cook ground beef, onions and garlic in a large skillet over medium high heat until meat is no longer pink; drain fat. Stir in the tomato sauce, chili powder, garlic powder, cayenne, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, water and pasta.

Loosely cover the pan, reduce heat to medium.

Cook for 5-10 minutes until the pasta is done, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat and stir in cheese. Serve with additional garnishes as you like. Makes 4-6 servings.