One of the perks of married life is having my own kitchen! I have the sweetest little "postage stamp" kitchen, which is big on efficiency if not on space. *wink* With just two of us there's little sense in running the dishwasher (and I like washing dishes anyway), so instead we use it to store our Pyrex. So much handier that having to stack it in a cupboard.
But that's beside the point. Because the point of this post is an easy pasta dinner. This is recipe I came up with while figuring out what to serve at a mystery dinner. It's quite easy, and very flexible!
~ Easy Alfredo Pasta Bake
- 1/2 box pasta (I used the little shells), which is 4 servings
- 1/2 medium-size jar of Alfredo sauce
- 1/4 cup milk
- plenty of Italian seasoning
- dash of pepper
- garlic powder to taste
- 1/4 of a large red onion
- 1 clove of garlic
- Shredded Mozzarella cheese
- Bread crumbs
1. Cook pasta according to directions on box.
2. Meanwhile, combine Alfredo sauce and milk in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add Italian seasoning, pepper, and garlic powder to taste (Alfredo sauce in a jar is shockingly bland!). Stir occasionally.
3. Slice onion into quarter rings. Dice garlic clove. Saute onion and garlic in a skillet with some butter over medium heat, until onions are limp and slightly browned.
4. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. As soon as the pasta is done, combine all of your ingredients in a baking dish, mixing them together well. Generously sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and the bread crumbs on the top.
5. Pop it into the oven for 10-20 minutes (or until the top looks slightly browned and the cheese has melted.
Serve with garlic bread...
...and a Caesar Salad.
This served two very hungry adults, with enough left over for Pablo's lunch. If you served it with a meat (grilled chicken would be great!), it should serve 4-6. All of the ingredients are flexible with regard to amount; this is just a "do what feels right" kind of recipe. I love it because you can make it very complex (make your own Alfredo sauce, grow your own onions, make your own pasta!), or very simple (canned Alfredo sauce, etc.).
And it has Pablo's seal of approval, to boot!
That looks really good!! I am going to have to try that recipe sometime:)
ReplyDeleteYummy! Thank you for sharing that!
ReplyDeleteIt looks so tasty! You made me hungry! (and that is amazing, considering I just had dinner :-))
ReplyDeleteYum! That looks delicious - I'll have to try it for Randall! :)
ReplyDeleteSounds great! I really like easy pasta dishes - pasta and pesto is a favourite - as you can just add what ever veg or meat you want, mix it all together and with salad and garlic bread it makes a tasty, but simple and cheap meal!
ReplyDeleteShannon, that looks so yummy!! I can't wait to give it a try. I hope you'll post pictures of your new kitchen- I'm so excited for you! :) And I think that is a wonderful idea about storing your pyrex. I use mine as a drying rack sometimes. May the Lord bless your day today!
ReplyDeleteOh, that looks so good, Shannon!! I wish I had it for lunch right now. ;) I'll definitely have to try it on one of my cooking nights. :)
ReplyDelete~ Much Love,
Lindsay
Oh my goodness, that looks so delicious!
ReplyDeleteA very belated-but-hearty congratulations on your marriage, by the way! :D Do you have any idea when we'll get to see wedding pictures?
God bless!
Oh, that looks so good! I think my kids would love it too, which is always the snag I run into. I love your dishwasher re-purposing....so clever! Is second Lauren's request for pictures of your kitchen! You are in my prayers as the two of you settle into your new life together!
ReplyDeleteOne question that you might be able to answer: do you have a recipe for the Caesar salad dressing? I love that salad and cant make it at home! Thanks!!!!
ReplyDelete