pasta

Slow Cooker Garlic Chicken Farfalle

Jun 15, 2020

Slow Cooker Garlic Chicken Farfalle – slow cooker chicken shredded and tossed with pasta, bacon, cream, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper.

Originally published January 28, 2014. Updated June 15, 2020.

This is one of the first recipes I ever found on the internet after I became a stay-at-home mom. So I’ve been making it for years and years and years. And no, I won’t tell you how many years ago that was.

The chicken cooks all day in the slow cooker in a tasty marinade until it’s practically falling apart. Then you shred that and add it to cooked pasta, crispy bacon, lots of black pepper, and a creamy Parmesan sauce.

My kids love it and it makes a ton so we always have plenty for dinner and leftovers for the next day.

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Parmesan Pasta with Bacon and Peas

May 08, 2019

Parmesan Pasta with Bacon and Peas – easy 30 minute weeknight meal! Creamy cheesy pasta with bacon, peas, and carrots. A great way to get picky eaters to eat veggies!

We’ve reached the point of absolute end of the school year chaos.

Between end of year projects and exams and soccer and 7-on-7.

I’m done.

I’m ready to not have to worry about who needs a Benjamin Franklin costume and who needs a terrarium. I’m over stressing out about 2 soccer practices on the same night at the same time in 2 different cities.

I need a vacation.

I’m really relying heavily on no fuss 20 minute dinners like this Parmesan Pasta with Bacon and Peas.

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Pasta with Broccoli Walnut Pesto

Mar 08, 2018

Pasta with Broccoli Walnut Pesto – delicious meatless dinner recipe. Homemade broccoli pesto is ready in minutes! The broccoli lover in your life is going to love this one!

My kids are obsessed with broccoli.

Have we talked about that?

All 3 of them would happily eat an entire pan of roasted broccoli for dinner every night if I let them.

I literally can’t keep broccoli in the house. I buy bags and bags of the pre-cut kind and it seems to just disappear.

There’s absolutely nothing about broccoli that appeals to me unless it’s covered with mayo and tossed with dried cranberries so I don’t get it.

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One Pot Cheesy Barbecue Chicken Pasta

Oct 25, 2017

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Skinner® Pasta.

One Pot Cheesy Barbecue Chicken Pasta – easy weeknight dinner recipe, ready in less than 30 minutes! Everything your family loves: pasta, bacon, cheese, and barbecue sauce!

Okay, so, funny story.

Back in the summer, I did an Instagram post for this same pasta, my favorite pasta ever, Skinner® Texas Shape pasta and I have been obsessed with it ever since.

If I invite you over for spaghetti and meatballs, what I mean is Skinner Texas Shape pasta and meatballs. Baked ziti? Baked Skinner Texas Shape pasta. Macaroni and Cheese? Okay, you get it.

But yeah, I’d literally bought a bag of this pasta the day I got the cutest package from Skinner for this post (thanks for sponsoring!). I Instagram story’d it but I guess I didn’t screenshot it, which probably means you should follow me over there to keep up with all my Texas-shaped pasta dishes.

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Gluten Free Lemony Goat Cheese Pasta with Sausage

Jun 06, 2016

This post is brought to you courtesy of Aidells® Sausage & Barilla® Pasta, but all the opinions and content are mine.

Can we talk about dinners during summer?

I have zero desire to cook really involved dinners right now.

This is how this pretty pasta came about.

Already cooked chicken sausage?

Yep! Sign me up!

Throw in some pasta, something green (because health), and lots of cheese.

And dinner’s done!

I purchased the Barilla® Gluten Free Penne and Aidells® Chicken & Apple Sausage at Target recently and used both to create this delicious recipe.

I’m absolutely obsessed with Aidells® products and the Chicken & Apple Sausage is one of my favorites! I love Aidells® because they are made with no nitrates and no added hormones. All their sausages are hand-crafted in small batches with hand-picked ingredients. They’re fully cooked and ready in just 8 – 10 minutes on a stove or grill on medium heat!

The Barilla® Gluten Free pasta is the number 1 gluten free pasta brand according to Nielson. They are certified gluten free and made with no GMO ingredients. They are made with a delicious blend of corn and rice and have that classic pasta taste and texture that you know and love!

I have tried a lot, a lot, a lot of gluten free pastas in my day and I have to say, this one is by far the best. If you’ve tried any, you probably know that they don’t usually hold their shape well. This one does.

I love it. So much.

This is a quick, easy, and delicious meal.

No fussy sauce here! Just reserved pasta water and goat cheese. Plus some lemon zest and juice! And if you aren’t a huge kale fan, feel free to use spinach or asparagus or whatever your green veggie of choice may be!

Before you head to Target to pick up your Barilla® Gluten Free pasta and Aidells® Chicken & Apple Sausage, be sure to download the Cartwheel app and add the offer to get 5% off Barilla pasta and sauces!

Gluten Free Lemony Goat Cheese Pasta with Sausage

Ingredients

1/2 pound Barilla® Gluten Free Penne
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 pound Aidells® Chicken & Apple Sausage sliced
3 cups kale chopped
4 ounces goat cheese
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest plus 1 tablespoon juice

Instructions

Cook Barilla® Gluten Free Penne according to package instructions. Drain.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add sliced Aidells® Chicken & Apple Sausage and cook until browned and heated through. Add kale and cook until wilted. Remove from heat and stir in goat cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Add the cooked pasta and toss until coated.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Barilla® & Aidells®. The opinions and text are all mine.

BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad

Apr 12, 2016

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MadeWithTheMasters #HeinzBBQ #CollectiveBias

BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad – perfect for potlucks and barbecues! Pasta, chicken, cheddar cheese, bell peppers, corn, and bacon all tossed with barbecue sauce! So easy and so delicious!

Whyyy? Why does the weather do this to me? Yesterday I laid in the sun while my kids played in the sprinkler after school and today? I’m cold.

COLD.

What is this?! Texas, get it together!

Anyway, the brief moments of hot weather have me really looking forward to summer! And swimming! And beaching! And most importantly, grilling!

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Chicken Chili Mac and Cheese

Apr 05, 2016

Chicken Chili Mac and Cheese – the whole family will love this macaroni and cheese recipe with just a the right amount of spice!

You know when you feel so successful because you wake up Monday morning, make it to your 7:40 appointment on time, survive getting 57 vials of blood drawn, and then even manage to get your car’s oil changed? All before 10 am?

And you tweet 15 times about HOW ADULT you are and now you’re killing Monday?

And then you go home, change into your PJs, and sleep until you have to pick your kids up from school?

My life, yesterday.

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Cajun Tortellini Alfredo

Mar 15, 2016

Cajun Tortellini Alfredo – delicious 20 minute weeknight dinner recipe. Tortellini and smoked sausage in a creamy cajun alfredo sauce!

Heeeey guys! Today I have a recipe that includes all my favorite things.

Smoked sausage, cheese, and more cheese!

It is so easy and will take around 20 minutes from start to finish! Cheese filled tortillini with sliced smoked sausage in a a creamy cajun alfredo sauce. It’s just a little bit spicy and easily adjustable to fit your desired spice level.

I love anything involving cajun seasoning and when I’m craving it, I either go for this tortellini or my Cajun Shrimp and Grits.

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One-Pan Pizza Pasta

Oct 16, 2015

One Pan Pizza Pasta – pasta cooked with Italian sausage, tomato basil sauce, pepperoni, and lots of cheese. It cooks in just one pot so it is the perfect easy weeknight meal the whole family will love!

Who else feels like life has been insane since school started?

Some days I look up and it’s 5 pm and I have no idea how it happened. It’s like, I’ve been busy all day and I haven’t had a single minute to think about dinner and maybe we’ll just have PB&Js and potato chips.

But gahhh, the guilt!

So I’ve been trying to plan more easy meals and my new favorite thing is easy one-pan meals that cook in less than 30 minutes. Like this One Pan Pizza Pasta!

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Roasted Sweet Potato Pasta with Spicy Peanut Sauce

Sep 22, 2015

Happy Tuesday guys!

Did you watch football last night? I had it on but I’m not really into either team so I was more worried about painting my nails and online window shopping for fall clothes. You know how it goes!

I also made myself a delicious #MeatlessMondayNight meal!

One of my favorite football season meals is kabobs with spicy peanut sauce. But since I wanted to sideline meat last night, I decided to recreate that into this delicious Roasted Sweet Potato Pasta with Spicy Peanut Sauce.

Sounds weird? No! Peanut butter and sweet potato is one of my alltime favorite combos. I’ve been making these Peanut Butter Crusted Sweet Potato Fries for years now and I always drizzle them with sriracha. So good.

So it’s pasta (I used mini farfalle – use whatever small pasta you like), roasted sweet potato, and then the spicy peanut sauce made with Silk Cashewmilk.

I love Silk Cashewmilk so much! It’s one of the only things on my grocery list that I’m willing to go to another store for if my usual store is out.

It is lactose free, dairy free, cholesterol free, contains no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, enrolled in or verified by the non-GMO Project, and is responsibly produced. And that goes for all Silk products!

And it’s delicious! Also, it comes in chocolate which is also on my grocery list each week.

Anyway, I used the Cashewmilk to make the spicy peanut sauce for this pasta super creamy and delicious.

The pasta turned out seriously delicious. The spicy sauce with the sweetness of the potatoes and the green onions just all worked together. I’d be more that willing to eat this meal for #MeatlessMondayNight next week and the week after and probably the week after.

Not eating pasta? Use spaghetti squash! I also love spicy peanut sauce on squash and I bet it’d be extra yummy with the roasted sweet potatoes!

Visit Silk’s website for more delicious meatless recipes!

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Cheesy Ham and Tortellini Bake

Sep 09, 2015

Cheesy Ham and Tortellini Bake – cheese-filled pasta with ham and peas in a creamy, cheesy sauce with a Ritz cracker topping! An easy 30 minute meal the whole family will love!

Happy Wednesday!

I’ve got a delicious and easy Cheesy Ham and Tortellini Bake for you today! Because I love a 30 minute meal!

Especially one that the kids eat without complaint!

Those are my favorite.

Don’t you just love tortellini? I am obsessed. They literally cook in 2 minutes and they make a meal so much more fun than regular pasta. Why have plain pasta when you can have cheese-filled pasta?

That’s my life motto.

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Homemade Spaghetti-Os

Jul 07, 2015

Homemade Spaghetti-Os – a homemade version of the childhood favorite. Pasta in creamy, cheesy tomato sauce. Only 6 ingredients and so easy!

The problem with summer- I mean, besides the 3 year old creating giant mud puddles in the backyard and then rolling around in them in the 5 minutes it takes me to do dishes – is that my kids start asking for lunch at 9:30.

Which is usually about an hour after they eat breakfast.

The amount of food we’re currently going through is blowing my mind. I’ve been to the grocery store 5 times in the last week.

So I’ve been trying to come up with easy lunch options that don’t include an entire loaf of bread and half a jar of peanut butter.

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Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Jun 24, 2015

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad – perfect for cookouts! Pasta salad with bacon, olives, tomatoes, avocado, and ranch dressing!

Things that I love, in no particular order:

Bacon.

Ranch.

Pasta.

If you haven’t noticed, I’m ALL ABOUT the pasta salads. It’s my go-to summer side dish.

Mostly because I always over cook potatoes for potato salad and who likes mushy potato salad?

Well, my 3 year old. But that’s beside the point.

Anyway, because I’m making pasta salad every weekend this time of year, I’m always trying to come up with a new version or new stuff to put in it. This one was a definite winner over this past weekend. It’s got bacon, cheddar cheese, avocado, and black olives. So all my faves! And then it’s tossed with my favorite ranch dressing by Newman’s Own.

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Southwestern Pasta Salad

Apr 28, 2015

Happy Tuesday, guys!

I’m bringing you my new favorite pasta salad recipe the day after I decided to go completely Paleo for a week! Gahhhhh!

My husband grilled both nights over the weekend and left me in charge of side dishes. (He made this chicken with thighs instead of breasts and it was delicious and then he did the boys’ favorite smoked sausage with barbecue sauce.)

I always go for the same couple side dishes with grilled foods. I always go for the same broccoli salad because we never get tired of it and then always pasta salad.

I tried this Southwestern Pasta Salad recipe because it seemed lighter than most pasta salad recipes. No heavy sauce, you know? This recipe uses salsa and then a light olive oil and lime juice dressing – it’s delicious! I’m obsessed with all things bean right now (conveniently not Paleo) and I was all about the combination of black beans, corn, and avocado.

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Cheesy Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower

Mar 16, 2015

Cheesy Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower – pasta with cauliflower, kale, Parmesan, ricotta, and lemon zest! Light and fresh – perfect for meatless Monday!

This is the first of two meatless recipes this week. Things are getting weird.

So how was your weekend? Hopefully fabulous! I stupidly scheduled a vet appointment for Clementine at 7:15 yesterday morning. It’s never a good idea to make an appointment that early on a Sunday. Good news though, we only have this week and then it’s SPRING BREAK. And then the kids may or may not go back to school after that. Still waiting for papers to be signed so we know which day we can get the heck out of here.

Yesterday I also officially started cleaning out the house. It’s amazing how much stuff you accumulate over the years. I found one of those cell phones with the pull out keyboard in our junk drawer – like, how old is that?! Why do we still have it?!

I spent a good portion of the day just filling bags with stuff to either throw away or donate. I’m starting to panic because it just seems like so. much. stuff. and it’s stuff that we’ve just shoved into closets or drawers because we don’t even use it. I need it all out of here!

Aaaaand I started listening to The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up while I cleaned. Mostly because I’ve heard that the author talks about your socks needing a vacation. My socks and I are pretty excited to hear all about that.

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