Delicious Baked Pasta

 Or "Deliziosa Pasta al Forno" in Italian

 Mainly because it is filled with all the ingredients I love in pasta: 

Whole Wheat penne, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, greek yogurt (okay that one is my own twist), red pepper flakes, and, of course, CHEESE.

 So why this combo? 
Because I had it all in my fridge. Can't get much better than that. 

Why bake it? 
The recipe could be eaten once its all mixed together but who could resist gooey, bubbly, baked-on cheese? Not me. 

So give it a try. You won't regret it.

 Ingredients: 
2 chicken breasts 
2 1/4 cup whole wheat penne pasta
1/2 chicken bullion cube
1/4 cup mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese 
3 tbs sun dried tomatoes, chopped 
1/2 onion, chopped 
1/4 cup plain greek yogurt 
1tbs olive oil 
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp pepper 
1/2 tsp salt 
1/2 tsp crushed red peppers 

Directions: 
Bring a sauce pan boil with 4 cups of water and 1/2 of bullion cube. 
When water is boiling dump in pasta and bring to a simmer for 8-10 min or until al dente. Remove from heat but keep covered. 
 
Meanwhile,
Heat a skillet with 1tbs olive oil on medium high heat.
Dice chicken into small cubes. 
Chop onion and then toss both chicken and onion into skillet-season with a little salt and pepper. 
Cook until chicken is fully cooked (no pink).

When chick is done set aside on a warm plate or in covered bowl.
Add greek yogurt to skillet and season with garlic powder,salt, and pepper. Stir constantly. Add spinach and sun dried tomatoes, and stir together unto spinach is wilted. 

Created sauce and cooked chicken and 1/8 of both cheeses into pasta pot (or bowl) and stir together. 
Dump into a 7x11 baking pan and top with the rest of cheese.

Place in the oven for 15-20 min until cheese is melted and a little golden brown. 

ENJOY!!!! 

 

Fancy Mac & Cheese

I hardly ever have Mac & Cheese these days, but sometimes creamy, milky, cheesy pasta calls my name and this one, from Iowa Girl Eats, is packed with some of my favorite ingredients: Broccoli, Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Chicken!

 

This is super easy dish to prepare for those busy week nights when the tummies are rumbling (I made mine after a particularly busy day of work, a long workout, and seemingly endless errand running day).

Yummy!

Say cheese and cook away!

Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts
2 cups of pasta (your choice!--I used whole wheat penne)
1-3 cups broccoli florets,cooked (depending on size--I had large florets and cut them)
1 container of laughing cow cheese: Garlic and Herb (6 oz/8 wedges)
 
1/4-1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, diced ( I did 1/4 but wanted more!)
2 tsp olive oil (use the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes)
3/4 cup milk of choice
Salt & pepper, to taste

Directions:

Boil water, and cook pasta until al dente
Heat large skillet with olive oil.
Steam broccoli with 1 tbs of water.
Cut chicken into small cubes, salt and pepper, and cook completely in skillet. Plate chicken and set aside.
In same skillet (with chicken juices if you have any) place milk, cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir until cheese in melted and sauce is thick. 
Add in chicken, broccoli florets, and pasta. Stir until well combined. 

Enjoy!!!! 

p.s. share this with ~5 people and you'll have a UNDER 300 calorie dinner! (4 people is about 330 cal)