Sunday nights Chase really loves a big pasta dish for dinner. I found my inspiration for this on Pinterest, then combined with a baked ziti recipe I have. And this is what I came up with...
Loaded Baked Pasta
8 oz sliced mushrooms
baby spinach, I did 2 big handfuls (or one pkg of frozen)
1 medium yellow onion
2 zucchini
1 lb italian sausage
1 lb pasta (I used spinach penne)
2 garlic cloves, minced
marinara sauce (1jar)
1 c mozzarella
1/2 c parmesan, or more : )
Cook pasta according to package. In a small skillet saute the baby spinach with a little olive oil and salt. Heat a glug of olive oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Add the mushrooms, onions, and zucchini, cook until softened. Add the italian sausage into the skillet and cook. When the sausage is cooked all the way, add in the cooked spinach, marinara sauce, and cooked pasta. In a 9x13 dish pour half your pasta, then a layer of mozzarella cheese. Add the rest of your pasta and top with mozzarella and parmesan. Cook for about 20 minutes at 425, or until the cheese is bubbly and yummy!
There are so many different variations of this you could try! Add different seasonal veggies, different meats, or no meat at all, add some herbs (I forgot to buy some at the store that day)... Oh the possibilities!
When we were living in Dallas 4 years ago, the hubby's favorite lunch spot was TABC in Uptown. Once we moved up here he always asked me to make his favorite pasta salad from TABC. Me, never having tried it or never really wanting to (it never sounded that great to me), attempted to make it. And according to Chase he says it's just as good -- maybe he's just being nice, but it still tastes pretty darn good whether or not it's the exact same. Now I think I crave it more than he does!
It's such an easy weeknight dinner. Most of it you can make ahead and pull out the night you need it. Or if your hubbs works a ton like mine, this is the best meal for one. I can eat off this one recipe a few times in a week. Many times I'll make the pesto and grill the chicken breasts ahead of time then all I have to do is boil some pasta for that night.
Pesto Pasta Salad
Pesto
3 c basil leaves, washed
3 tbl grated parmesan cheese
1 tbl fresh lemon juice
1 tbl toasted pine nuts
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 clove of minced garlic
Use a food processor to blend together.
I make my pesto according to taste. Taste along the way and add more to perfect your own.
Pasta Salad
1 lb shredded or chopped grilled chicken breast
3/4 c pesto
spring salad mix
olive & oil dressing (Paul Newman's is my fav)
parmesan cheese
fusilli or rotini pasta
Combine pasta with pesto sauce. Set aside. Toss spring mix with dressing and chicken. To prepare plates, place dressed salad and chicken on plate, then set pesto pasta a top salad. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve with garlic bread.
