One Skillet Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken and Orzo

My family LOVED this! They said we should put it on a weekly rotation! YUM!

 One Skillet Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken and Orzo

from Half Baked Harvest

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or small thighs
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium shallot, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
• 1 cup dry orzo pasta
• 1/3 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1/2 cup oil packed sun-dried tomatoes, oil drained
• juice of 1 lemon
• fresh rosemary, for serving (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet set over medium-high heat. Rub the chicken with 1 tablespoon olive oil, the oregano, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. When the oil is shimmering, add the chicken. Sear on both sides until golden, about 3-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet.

3. To the same skillet, add the butter and shallot, cooking until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and orzo, cooking until lightly golden, 2-3 minutes. Add the wine and de-glaze the pan. Add 1 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil, cook 3-5 minutes, then add the cream, mustard, parmesan, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes, stirring until the spinach has wilted. Slide the chicken and any juices left on the plate back into the skillet. Transfer to the oven and cook, uncovered for 10-15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.

4. Serve the chicken topped with lemon juice and rosemary, if desired.

Quick and Easy Bowtie Lasagna

I'm at Jenn's house right now in Arizona and she made this pasta for us last night that was so good and so easy!  She says she makes it all of the time when she needs to deliver a meal to a family because its a crowd-pleaser as well.

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Quick and Easy Bowtie Lasagna

Pioneer Woman

• 1 pound Ground Beef or Turkey
• 5 cups Bow Tie Noodles
• 3 cups Spaghetti Sauce 
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil (optional)
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• ½ teaspoons Garlic Powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning (or More, Make It To Your Taste)
• ½ cups Mozzarella Cheese
• ½ cups Sour Cream

Fry ground meat in small pan. Meanwhile, cook noodles according to package directions.

After noodles are cooked, drain and drizzle with olive oil. Mix in your spaghetti sauce. 

Add your fried hamburger, seasonings, cheese, and sour cream. Fold together and allow it all to combine and melt together, over low heat, for about 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Serve to your family and be prepared to have it disappear before your very eyes.

Creamy Cajun Pasta

I made this a few nights ago and it was a big hit. And I loved that it was relatively healthy. I subbed the sausage for chicken and only added one pepper. Also, I blended the canned tomatoes up a little but (not pureed) so it would be more palatable for my picky family.

Creamy Cajun Pasta with Smoked Sausage (chicken) and Peppers
Recipe by Our Best Bites
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 pound smoked pork sausage, halved and cut into 1/4″ slices (I subbed chicken)
1 small red onion, halved and sliced
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
2 colored bell peppers (I used red and yellow), halved and sliced
1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 1/2 cups water (high elevations increase to 1 3/4)
8 ounces pasta (I used trottole)
2 cups 1% milk
3 ounces low-fat cream cheese
1 teaspoon Cajun or Creole seasoning (like Tony Chachere’s)
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 cup (4 ounces) freshly grated Parmesan cheese


Instructions:
Preheat 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook 2-3 minutes or until it starts to release oil and is browning. Add the onions and cook until fragrant. Add the garlic and sliced bell peppers and cook until the peppers are tender-crisp. Remove from heat and transfer the sausage and peppers to a large plate. Set aside.
Return the pan to heat and add the tomatoes and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then quickly add the pasta, reduce heat to medium-low, and cover. Cook until the pasta is al dente and the liquid is absorbed.
While the pasta is cooking, place the milk, cream cheese, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and flour in the jar of a blender and blend until smooth. Heat the butter over medium heat in a medium saucepan. When melted, add the garlic and cook 1-2 minutes or until tender and fragrant. Add the mixture from the blender and cook until smooth and thickened to where if the back of a spoon is dipped into the sauce, you can trace your finger down the back of the spoon and that spot will stay clean.
Remove the sauce from heat and add the Parmesan cheese. Stir until melted and smooth.
Add the peppers and sausage to the pasta/tomato mixture and stir to combine. Add the garlic sauce and combine. Season to taste with Cajun seasoning and serve immediately. Makes 8 servings.

White Chicken Lasagna Soup

Pic Courtesy Google Images

I made this a few days ago and it was SO good. I didn't think it would be a hit, but they loved it! I made it with the Divine Breadsticks from the same site and everyone gobbled it up! It makes a ton, so half it.:)

White Chicken Lasagna Soup

from Mel's Kitchen Café

Ingredients

Soup:
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped carrots (about 2 large)
• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Pinch red pepper flakes
• 12 to 16 ounces tri-color rotini (depending on how noodly you want it)
• 8 cups milk (I actually think it would be better with 6 cups of milk, it was a little runny)
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 to 3 cups cooked, shredded or chopped chicken
Creamy Topping:
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Chopped, fresh tomatoes

Directions

1. In a large 8-quart pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, 5-7 minutes.
2. Add the chicken broth, parsley, basil, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and rotini.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer until the rotini is al dente (it will continue cooking a few more minutes in the next step).
4. Whisk or blend together the milk and flour.
5. Add the mixture to the soup and simmer for 4-5 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in the chicken and heat through.
6. For the topping, stir together the ricotta cheese, basil, pinch of salt and pepper, Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses.
7. Serve the soup topped with a scoop of the ricotta mixture plus a smattering of fresh tomatoes.

Perfected Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Pic courtesy of Google

I made this for dinner last week and it was DELICIOUS! My kids all gobbled it up and Christian even loved it. Yum!

Perfected Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

from Mel's Kitchen Café

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups onion, chopped and divided
• 5 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 2 pounds lean ground beef or lean ground turkey
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded, cored and coarsely chopped
• 1 can (12-ounces) tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon coarse, kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 teaspoons dried oregano
• 3 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 2 cans (14-ounces each) Italian-style diced tomatoes or regular diced tomatoes
• 2 cans (28-ounces each) crushed tomatoes
• 8 ounces button or baby bella mushrooms, chopped (I added these, but might reduce or even sk
• 1 1/2 cups beef stock or beef broth
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Directions

1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 cup of the chopped onions, and sauté until translucent and slightly browned, 3-4 minutes. Add garlic, and cook, stirring constantly for a minute or so.
2. Add beef, and cook, breaking into small pieces, until it is no longer pink, 6-7 minutes. Drain excess grease.
3. In a blender or food processor, blend remaining 1 cup onion and the red pepper until smooth. Pour the mixture into the pot with the beef and onions.
4. Add the tomato paste, salt, pepper, oregano, basil and thyme, and cook for 1 minute, stirring until combined.
5. Add diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, mushrooms (if using), beef broth, and sugar. Stir until combined before adding the bay leaves.
6. Bring the sauce to a boil, and then reduce to low and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Stir in the balsamic vinegar and let the sauce rest for 10-15 minutes (for the flavor to absorb) before serving.

Aunt Sheri's Chicken Lasagna

Pic courtesy of A Bountiful Kitchen

I made this a few weeks ago and we all loved it. It was an easy, comfort meal.

Aunt Sheri's Chicken Lasagna

1- 12 oz package of wide egg noodles (cooked al dente)

½ cup butter

½ cup flour

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon dried basil

4 cups chicken broth

4 cups cooked chopped chicken

1 24 oz container cottage cheese

1 egg, beaten

2-3 cups grated mozzarella cheese

¾ cups grated parmesan cheese

additional sprinkle of pepper and chopped fresh or dried parsley for garnish, if desired

1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium to medium high heat. Add flour, salt, pepper, dried basil and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Whisk chicken broth into flour and butter mixture, about a cup at a time, until mixture is thickened.
2. Turn down heat and add chicken.
3. Turn off heat.
4. Mix cottage cheese and egg together in a medium bowl.
5. Mix cheeses together in small bowl.
6. Layer the ingredients together in this order in a greased 9x13 pan:
7. one third-chicken mixture
8. one half- pasta
9. one half- cottage cheese mixture
10. one third- mozzarella mixture
11. one third- chicken mixture
12. one half- pasta
13. one half-cottage cheese
14. one third- mozzarella
15. one third chicken mixture
16. one third- mozzarella on top
17. If layering is too complicated, see notes for simplified version!
18. Bake at 350 degrees uncovered for 35-45 minutes or until golden on top and bubbly.
19. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or basil and a sprinkle of pepper.

The Quickest Tomato Sauce

I made this tonight (I needed something quick and easy) and served it over fresh pasta.  The recipe says you can use it for anything that requires a tomato sauce- including pizza.  It was delicious (as most things are that call for fresh basil!).  And, most things that Jamie Oliver makes up, you can pretty much bank on.

courtesy

The Quickest Tomato Sauce

Adapted from Jamie Oliver

Olive oil

4 cloves garlic, finely diced

1 bunch fresh basil, chopped

3 x 14 oz good-quality canned plum tomatoes

Salt and pepper

Brown sugar (optional-to tame the acidity)

In a large frying pan, pour in 4 lugs of olive oil.  Add the garlic and watch for it to color lightly (doesn't take long!).  Add the basil and tomatoes.  Using the back of the wooden spoon, mush the tomatoes as much as you can.  Season with salt and pepper.  Bring it to a boil.  (You can strain the sauce if you'd like at this point to get rid of chunky bits, but I didn't).  Reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes to concentrate the flavors.  If you store in a jar in the fridge, it should last for a week.  Or freeze in batches.  Enjoy!

Skillet Summer Vegetable Lasagna

Lasagna has got to be the best comfort food.  This recipe makes is super easy and just as tasty (and probably better for you since you're not layering all of those cheesy layers together).  Plus, no meat and all the veggies!!  We seriously loved it, fought over the last bite, and will definitely be making it again.

courtesy

Skillet Summer Vegetable Lasagna

From Mel's Kitchen Cafe

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, chopped fine
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (28-oz.) can diced tomatoes
• Salt and pepper
• 10 curly-edged lasagna noodles, broken into 2-inch lengths
• 1 small zucchini, cut into 1/2 inch chunks
• 1 small yellow squash, cut into 1/2 inch chunks
• 1/4 cup shredded fresh basil
• 1 cup part skim ricotta cheese
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oil in a large 12-inch skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Drain tomatoes into a 2-cup liquid measure. Add water to tomato liquid to make 2 cups. Add tomato/water mixture and 1 teaspoon salt to skillet.
2. Scatter noodles into the skillet, layer tomatoes over the noodles and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, covered, stirring occasionally (so the noodles won’t stick!) for about 10 minutes.
3. Stir in zucchini and squash, cook, stirring now and then, until noodles and squash are tender, about 8 minutes. Add basil and half of the rictotta cheese and half of the Parmesan cheese to the noodles, stirring until the sauce is creamy. Dollop remaining ricotta cheese over the noodles, season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese.

Bowtie Chicken and Asparagus Alfredo

 I made this tonight and here I am posting it, so it's THAT good! I actually made this without chicken and I didn't miss a thing. The bacon provided enough meat for me! Also, I subbed the asparagus for broccoli since I like it better and it's less expensive:). My kids love this too. Eloise went back for thirds!


Bowtie Chicken and Asparagus Alfredo
from Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked and cubed chicken (optional)
• 1-2 pounds asparagus, tough ends trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces (I subbed broccoli)
• 1 pound bowtie (farfalle) pasta
 
Sauce:
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups milk (see note above)
• 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• Zest from lemon (about a teaspoon)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 6-8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Directions

1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the noodles according to package directions. When there is two minutes left on the cooking time, add the asparagus to the pot and cook for the remaining time. Drain the pasta and asparagus and rinse quickly with cool water (to stop the asparagus from cooking more).
2. For the sauce, while the noodles/asparagus cook, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and add the garlic, cooking for 20 seconds or so, stirring constantly. Stir in the flour and cook for about a minute, stirring, until the mixture is toasty and sizzling. Gradually add the milk and chicken broth about 1/2 cup at a time, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a low simmer and cook until slightly thickened, 3-4 minutes. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper, and cook, stirring, until the cheese has melted. Add additional salt and pepper to taste, if needed.
3. Place the pasta, chicken and asparagus in a large bowl or serving dish and pour the sauce over the top. Toss lightly to combine. Sprinkle on the bacon and additional Parmesan cheese (if using). Serve immediately.

 

Margherita Pasta

I made this for mom and dad when they were in Dallas recently...love that this meal is "fancy", but the kids love it too.  Super easy and VERY fast.  I used heirloom cherry tomatoes and you MUST use fresh mozzarella (shaped in balls and surrounded with clear liquid- usually found in deli section).

                                                                                    courtesy

Margherita Pasta
From A Bountiful Kitchen
1 box spaghetti, cooked "al dente", drained
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil 
2 tablespoons butter optional, but highly recommended for flavor
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
2 lbs. Roma tomatoes (about 10-12) coarsely chopped or grape tomatoes
1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 teaspoon salt 
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1/2 lb. fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
½ cup grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
additional basil leaves for garnish

Cook pasta. Set aside, or while pasta is cooking prepare sauce. 
In large skillet, heat oil and butter over low heat. Saute the garlic until fragrant over low heat, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes, sugar, salt and pepper. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Add basil, and pasta to pan with tomatoes. Cook for 2-3 minutes, just until all pasta is heated through. Just before ready to serve, pour into serving bowl, toss with fresh mozzarella and grated cheese. Serve at once with additional grated cheese, and more fresh basil if desired.
Serves 4 as a main dish, 6 as a side.

Yellow Pepper Pasta

This pasta is addictingly good. I could seriously pick at it all day and never get sick of it. It is a recipe my brother brought back from his mission in Milan and made for us all the time. It is super easy and the perfect recipe to double and make for large groups, showers etc. The key ingredient really is the Parmesan reggiano so don't cheat! find the yellow peppers on sale to justify the cost but don't make it without it!

Yellow Pepper pasta

1 and 1/2  16 oz. boxes of butterfly pasta (farfalle) (roughly 24 oz)

1 medium yellow onions cut to small bits and

3 yellow peppers into 1/2 inch squares
pour about 3/4 cups of high quality olive oil in a large fry pan. 

Put in 3 cubes of chicken boullion. 

Pour in onions and peppers,

cook until just barely soft, not mushy.
Pour out some of olive oil, but not all and mix in cooked pasta

1 1/2-2 cups of Parmesan Reggianno grated onto pasta and mix in. Can be served warm or cold. I prefer warm. Make sure the Parmesan is Reggianno, not regular, That gives it a good flavor even though it's a bit pricey. Costco is obviously the best value but you get a ton so don't do that unless you're doubling it.

Meatballs for Spaghetti

I thought these were pretty tasty and easy! I like meatballs and I like the idea of being able to pick how much meat you want with your spaghetti! 

Meatballs Adapted from Rachel Ray

1 1/4 pounds ground sirloin
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, eyeball it
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs, a couple of handfuls
1/4 cup grated Parmesan, Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano cheese
2 cloves garlic, chopped
Salt and pepper


Preheat over to 425
Mix beef and Worcestershire, egg, bread crumbs, cheese, garlic, salt and pepper. Roll meat into 1 1/2 inch medium-sized meatballs and place on nonstick cookie sheet or a cookie sheet greased with extra-virgin olive oil. Bake balls 10 to 12 minutes, until no longer pink.

Fig Prosciutto Pizza

Fig Prosciutto Pizza

There is a famous restaurant here in Boston called Figs that has amazing pizza. Probably their most famous is their fig prosciutto pizza and it is so amazingly good I have dreams about it. For pizza night the other night I decided to try and replicate it and came across this recipe that the Pioneer Woman posted. It is super easy and def a different flavor then the usual marinara pizza. The crust recipe she lists is good for 2 pizzas FYI.

- Also a plus- you can find all of these ingredients including pre-made yummy pizza dough at Trader Joe's if you live by one which makes the prep that much easier.

•  Pizza Crust
• 1 teaspoon Active Dry Yeast
• 4 cups All-purpose Flour
• 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
• 1/3 cup Olive Oil
•  FOR THE PIZZA:
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 4 Tablespoons Fig Spread Or Jam
•  Kosher Salt To Taste
• 12 ounces, weight Fresh Mozzarella, Sliced Thin
• 6 ounces, weight Thinly Sliced Prosciutto- I cook it on the pizza rather than add it after baking.
• 1 bunch Washed And Rinsed Arugula
•  Freshly Ground Pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup Shaved Parmesan

Preparation Instructions

NOTE: PIZZA INGREDIENTS IN THIS RECIPE ARE FOR 1/3 OF THE PIZZA DOUGH RECIPE. USE LEFTOVER DOUGH TO MAKE OTHER KINDS OF PIZZA!

Sprinkle yeast over 1 1/2 cups warm (not lukewarm) water.
In a mixer, combine flour and salt. With the mixer running on low speed (with paddle attachment), drizzle in olive oil until combined with flour. Next, pour in yeast/water mixture and mix until just combined.

Coat a separate mixing bowl with a light drizzle of olive oil, and form the dough into a ball. Toss to coat dough in olive oil, then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and allow to rise for at least an hour. Use right away or store in the fridge until you need it. ***It’s best to make the dough at least 24 hours in advance, and 3 or 4 days is even better.

Preheat oven to 500 degrees.

Roll out 1/3 of the pizza dough as thinly as possible. Place on a large baking sheet.

Drizzle lightly with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with kosher salt. Spread fig spread (or jam) all over the surface of the dough. Sprinkle lightly with salt.

Lay sliced of mozzarella all over the surface. Sprinkle lightly with salt and freshly ground pepper. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.

Remove from oven and immediately lay prosciutto over hot pizza. Just before serving, sprinkle on arugula and Parmesan shavings.

Cut into wedges or squares and serve immediately!