Month: January 2024

Mexican Spaghetti aka Taco Spaghetti

Mexican Spaghetti aka Taco Spaghetti

I love spaghetti, but I wasn’t in the mood for a traditional marina sauce. This turned out divine. I used the extra sauce as a dip with Tostito chips and sliced veggies. Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef 1 bell pepper diced 1/2 onion diced 

Artichoke and Sundried Tomato Pasta

Artichoke and Sundried Tomato Pasta

The artichokes and sundried tomatoes mixed with Italian sausage make tasty and quick pasta dish. Ingredients: 8 oz sundried tomatoes julienned and drained 1 pound Italian sausage ground 8 ounces artichoke hearts (drained) (I chopped these in a food processor) 2 large garlic cloves 2 

Roasted Winter Veggie Burgers

Roasted Winter Veggie Burgers

These burgers have an interesting mix of ingredients that meld to create a burger you won’t forget.

Ingredients:

1 sweet potato peeled and cubed

2 large carrots grated

1/2 red onion diced

1 garlic clove

1 1/2 cups plain hummus

6 tablespoons sundried tomato pesto

14 ounces extra firm tofu (squeezed dry and crumbled)

1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs

Optional: sliced tomato, arugula, buns, sliced cheese

Directions:

  1. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add the sweet potato, onion, and carrot. Cook for 15 minutes. Stirring frequently.
  3. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  4. Remove from heat.
  5. Mix the pesto and hummus. Set aside 1/2 cup to use as a topping.
  6. In a large bowl mix crumbled tofu, hummus, pesto, bread crumbs, and cooled vegetable mixture.
  7. Divide mixture into 8 sections to make patties. I used about 2/3 cup each.
  8. If cooking now place patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15-18 minutes.
  9. If freezing place on parchment paper and freeze. When ready to eat thaw and bake as directed.
  10. To serve place patties on buns with the extra hummus mixture, arugula (or other lettuce), tomato, cheese, etc…
Shrimp Scampi Pizza

Shrimp Scampi Pizza

I am not exaggerating when I tell you this pizza was too die for! This was a quick and easy dinner we will certainly make again. Ingredients: 2 pounds frozen shrimp (peeled and deveined) thawed 1 refrigerated pizza crust (I prefer thin crust) 4 ounces 

Chocolate Oatmeal Craisin Lactation Cookies

Chocolate Oatmeal Craisin Lactation Cookies

I have been making a different variety of nursing cookies each week since returning to work. This week I added a chocolate caramel shakeology package and dark chocolate cookies to make these scrumptious and nutritious. Ingredients:1 1/2 cups all purpose or whole wheat flour1/2 cup 

Enchilada Lasagna

Enchilada Lasagna

This dinner is the perfect combination of flavor from chicken enchiladas with the texture of a traditional lasagna. You can make this as spicy or as mild as you would like.

Ingredients:

6 lasagna noodles

2 chicken breasts diced

1 bell pepper diced

1/2 sweet onion diced

28 ounces enchilada sauce

10 ounces diced tomatoes with chilies

1/2 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon taco seasoning

4 cups shredded cheese (taco blend, Mexican blend, Monterrey jack, Pepper jack, etc..)

Directions:

  1. Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain water and lay noodles on colander while you prepare the filling.
  2. Meanwhile add chicken, bell pepper, and sweet onion to a nonstick skillet and cook on medium heat until the chicken is cooked through. Add taco seasoning and stir to coat the meat and peppers.
  3. In a medium bowl mix the enchilada sauce, tomatoes with chilies, and yogurt.
  4. Spread a layer of the yogurt in the base of a 9×13 pan.
  5. Lay 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce.
  6. Spread the chicken mixture over the noodles.
  7. Sprinkle some of the shredded cheese over the chicken.
  8. Place the remaining 3 noodles over the chicken mixture. Pour the sauce over the noodles.
  9. Sprinkle shredded cheese.
  10. Cover with aluminum foil.
  11. If baking immediately bake for 30 minutes covered at 350. Then remove foil and bake 15 more minutes.
  12. If prepping in advance and cooking after refrigerating bake for 45 minutes before removing the foil. Then bake for 15 more minutes uncovered.
  13. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  14. Enjoy!
Lasagna Caprese

Lasagna Caprese

If you are looking for a tasty twist to lasagna this is a simple dinner to prepare. I really enjoyed the pop of flavors from the basil and balsamic syrup in this dish. Ingredients: 2 packages fresh ravioli (I used spinach ricotta, and basil pesto 

Meat Lover’s Quiche

Meat Lover’s Quiche

This meal works for a hearty breakfast, brunch, or even a dinner. I included breakfast sausage and ham in my quiche. You can also add cooked bacon if you want some extra crunch. Ingredients: 1 refrigerated pie crust 1 pound ground breakfast sausage 12 slices 

Tortellini and Pepper Skillet

Tortellini and Pepper Skillet

This is a quick dinner you can throw together in no time. Feel free to use any flavors of ravioli or tortellini you like. I used a spinach and ricotta ravioli and chicken prosciutto ravioli.

Ingredients:

1 green bell pepper diced

1/2 sweet onion diced

4 garlic cloves minced

28 ounces crushed tomatoes

1 tablespoon Italian blend seasoning

2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

2 9 oz packages of ravioli or tortellini

9 slices provolone cheese

fresh basil

Directions:

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
  2. Meanwhile add peppers, onion, and garlic to a large nonstick pan. Heat over medium heat to begin to soften.
  3. Add crushed tomatoes, Italian blend seasoning, and grated parmesan. Continue to cook over medium heat.
  4. Cook ravioli/tortellini according to package directions. Drain and add to sauce mixture.
  5. Arrange slices of provolone cheese over the pasta and pepper mixture.
  6. Place lid on pan and allow cheese to melt with the heat reduced to low.
  7. Top with fresh basil then serve.
  8. Enjoy!
Teriyaki Chicken Noodle Soup

Teriyaki Chicken Noodle Soup

If I am being honest I am not really a fan of chicken noodle soup. I know most people love it, but it tastes bland and boring to me. However, I appreciate the benefits of soup when you are feeling under the weather. I saw