Showing posts with label pasta. Show all posts

Meatless Monday - Cheesy Spinach and Artichoke Pasta

Posted by Chelsie on Monday, March 28, 2011. Filed under: , ,
Got something to say? 3 Comments

I came across this recipe a week or so ago on Real Simple and decided to give it a go. It has yet to be hubby tested and approved but the bestie and I thought it was delish! Exactly as you'd imagine: spinach and artichoke dip with pasta plus a kick. Do it!
Ingredients
8 ounces rigatoni (or other short pasta) ½ box
1 14-ounce can artichoke hearts, rinsed and quartered
1 9-ounce package frozen creamed spinach, thawed
1/4 cup grated Parmesan 
2 cups grated mozzarella (8 ounces)
black pepper
throw in red pepper flakes and a sprinkling of cayenne pepper to taste

Directions
1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions; drain and return it to the pot
2. Add the artichoke hearts, spinach, Parmesan, 1 cup of the mozzarella, and ¼ teaspoon pepper to the pasta and toss to combine
3. Heat broiler. Transfer the pasta mixture to a shallow 2-quart (or 8-inch square) broilerproof baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining cup of mozzarella (or just a good handful)
4. Broil until the cheese is browned in spots, 1 minute
To healthy it up a bit, use whole wheat pasta and part skim mozzarella. The rest is what it is...
Serves four. 



An Introduction of Sorts

Posted by Chelsie on Thursday, February 10, 2011. Filed under: , ,
Got something to say? No Comments »

There are many things that you'll learn about me. One of those is that I'm a sucker for recipes with few ingredients. I have neither the time nor counter space to dedicate to lots of "stuff." This recipe is quick, easy and delicious and has just ten ingredients (if you don't count the salt and pepper) almost all of which I usually have on hand (and three of which are cheese!!!): 

Easy Baked Ziti with Spinach:

Ingredients:
10 ounces ziti
1/2 pound ground turkey (or lean ground beef, if you're so inclined)
6 ounce bag baby spinach
24 ounce jar marinara sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, diced
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup ricotta
1/2 cup grated parmesan (divided)
handful (or two!) shredded mozzarella
salt and pepper, to taste

Directions: 
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Cook ziti according to package directions (approximately 10-12 minutes, depending on brand)
3. Heat oil over medium heat.  Add onions and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent (approximately 5 minutes)
4. Add beef, salt and pepper, and cook for another 5 or 6 minutes until no longer pink
5. About the time the meat is done, the pasta should be too.  Drain pasta
6. Before returning to pasta to the pot, add spinach, meat and onions, ricotta and 1/2 of the parmesan to the pot.  Add the steaming hot pasta and toss
7. Transfer to 9"x13" baking dish.  Top with mozzarella and remaining parmesan
8. Bake for 12 minutes at 400 or until cheese is melted


Serves four to six. Makes good leftovers. 

Ta-da!
I like that the recipe utilizes spinach and doesn't call for a ton of meat. To "healthy it up" even more, sub whole grain pasta for the regular variety and use low-fat versions of all the cheeses.

A few other things you will learn about me:
1. If there's a shortcut, I'll usually - but not always - take it
2. I'm habitually 5 minutes late every where I go (I'm working on it, I promise)
3. According to my husband, most of my recipes start with "pour glass of wine, take sip"