Another from The Pioneer Woman

In order for me to try new recipes they have to be pretty simple (it's hard for me to concentrate too long with the kiddos running around). So when i saw this on the Pioneer Woman I knew I wanted to try it. So I packed up the kids and we ran to the store. An hour later had this:

Spaghetti with Artichoke Hearts and Tomatoes

Now, I used a different pasta because it's what I had (it worked out great and the sauce stuck into the crevices and made it super tasty). They kids even ate it (I just gave them the pasta, not the tomatoes and artichokes). So the recipe is below, or you can go here for her step by step pictures. MMM!

Spaghetti with Artichoke Hearts and Tomatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 medium onion, finely diced
1 14.5 ounce can artichoke hearts (quartered or whole), drained
1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes with juice
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth, more as needed
1/2 teaspoon nutmegsalt & pepper to taste
1 pound thin spaghetti
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped chives or other herbs

Cook spaghetti till al dente. Drain and set aside.Melt olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Add artichoke hearts and tomatoes. Stir and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream and chicken broth. Add salt and pepper to taste (do not undersalt!) Cook over low heat until heated through, then turn off heat.Place drained pasta in a large bowl. Sprinkle with 1 cup Parmesan. Pour sauce over the top. Add chopped chives. Toss lightly to combine and coat; add a tiny bit of reserved pasta water if sauce seems too thick. Delicious!

Spinach, Pasta and Chicken

Is it a salad? It is a main course? It is both? Well, I'm not sure... but I love this dish! It's perfect for summer since you serve it cold, and since it can be made ahead of time its great for pot-lucks and picnics.

Ingredients

16 oz Bowtie Pasta

10 oz Fresh Spinach

15 oz Craisens

2 cans Mandarin Oranges, drained

2 cup cooked, diced Chicken

1/4 cup Sesame Seeds

Dressing
2/3 cup Teriyaki Sauce (of your choice)
2/3 cup White Wine Vinegar

1 cup Vegetable Oil

6 tbl Sugar

1/2 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Pepper

Directions

Cook pasta. In a large bowl combine pasta, craisens, oranges, chicken and dressing. Marinade in dressing for 2 hours. Add sesame seeds and serve over fresh spinach.

*Note: It makes a TON, so I usually half the recipe. Also, add the spinach right before serving otherwise it gets soggy.

Marsha's Spaghetti

I think a lot of you might have this one, but I thought I'd post it because 1) I made it last night for my in-laws, and 2) it's a staple favorite at our house. It makes a lot for our little fam, so I can usually freeze half of it and get two meals out of one preparation.

2lbs ground beef
1 onion, diced
1 large green pepper, diced
2 cans (15 oz) tomato sauce
2 cans (15 oz) tomato paste
1 can olives, sliced
1 large pkg Spaghetti Sauce Mix (Shillings-family size)
3 cups water
1 can mushrooms
1 Tbl sugar
1 Tbl oregano
1 Tbl garlic salt
1 crumbled bay leaf

Brown beef, onion, and green pepper. Drain. Add sauce, paste, dry mix, & olives. Add water, mushrooms, sugar, oregano, garlic salt, & bay leaf. Simnmer about 2 hours.

MY NOTES: I use 1 lb ground beef instead of 2, I add one can diced tomatoes (or a couple fresh if I have them), I use brown sugar, and I omit the mushrooms (Curtis is not a fan). Lastly, if I am short on time I'll just use a jar of bottled spaghetti sauce as my tomato base and then add all the other stuff.

Zesty Chicken and Pasta

This one's from Kraft, so its quick and easy, yet surprisingly flavorful. We make it almost once a week and even Logan will eat it.

Ingredients:

1 pkg. (8 oz.) fusilli pasta (or any pasta)
1/2 cup House Italian Dressing, divided
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 cups broccoli florets
1 large red pepper, chopped
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

COOK pasta as directed on package.

MEANWHILE, heat 1/4 cup of the dressing in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 5 min. or until cooked through, stirring occasionally. Add vegetables and parsley; cook 5 min. or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.

DRAIN pasta; mix with chicken mixture and remaining 1/4 cup dressing. Sprinkle with cheese and serve.