Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

Aug132013

Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta Amazing flavor packed into this easy weeknight meal! {The Mommy Games}I seriously love Pinterest. I mean I just love it. I could easily spend hours searching through crafts I’ll never make, impressive recipes I’ll never try, and clothes I’ll never wear. Oh, if only my real life reflected the one I lead on Pinterest. Occasionally I give myself a good swift kick in the pants, and commit to actually creating one of these “pinned” items that I was so eager to tuck away for later. Because truthfully, sometimes these amazing gems are forgotten as soon as they are filed away. After finding a recipe for sun-dried tomato chicken, then following it to the blog who created it, I knew this would be a perfect weeknight meal. And seriously, it’s pretty freakin’ fabulous. Everyone, picky kids included, gobbled this up. It’s creamy and rich, with a slight tang from the sun-dried tomatoes. This is the kind of meal that anyone would be happy with at the end of a long day.

See, making your Pinterest dream life a reality isn’t so hard after all. Now, on to the other 872 things I have pinned…

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Tri-Color Orzo Salad

Jul22013

Tri-Color Orzo Salad

In need of an awesome side dish to serve for the 4th? This is the perfect pasta salad for any barbecue or party. I’ve been making it for years and am continually asked for the recipe. It’s barely even a recipe, since all you have to do is cook some pasta and stir in a few other ingredients. It’s more refined than your classic pasta salad, and is equally good served chilled or slightly warmed (so it’s great even if it’s been sitting on a table outside for an hour). The dried cherries offer a refreshing burst of flavor that is complemented nicely by the spicy arugula and salty cheese. You can find a bowl of this in our refrigerator practically all summer long.

We are down in the south celebrating the 4th with family and taking a little time to relax. I love NYC, but it’s nice not to get looked at sideways every time I let a “y’all” slip (usually after too many Makers Mark and ginger ales). It’s also entirely possible that I might have to buy a whole new wardrobe when we get back because all we seem to do down here is eat. Not to mention I’ve probably drunk my weight in sweet tea. Does everyone indulge like this when they go back to home?? Dangerous stuff.

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Classic Marinara Sauce

May22013

Classic Marinara Sauce by The Mommy Games

If there is one thing our family eats a lot of, it’s pasta. Almost every Friday night, we serve up a big bowl of pasta with marinara sauce and a crusty, buttery loaf of garlic bread. I love that this meal takes barely any preparation or thought, and it always pleases the little ones. Our toddler gets an extra kick out of grating the Parmesan on top of his plate. Sometimes I will just open a can, but most of the time I grab a tupperware of this sauce out of the freezer. Everyone needs a go-to marinara recipe, and this has been mine for years. It’s all about choosing good quality canned tomatoes, San Marzano with basil being my favorite. I usually will make a huge batch of this on a random weekend, and then I’ll be set for the next month in the sauce department. It’s really as easy as dumping it all into a big pot, stirring every once in a while, and letting it simmer for an hour while it fills your home with the most mouthwatering smell. Trust me, your family will be ready for dinner after smelling this all afternoon! My husband’s favorite pasta dish of all time is this sauce served along with cooked penne, cabbage, and Italian sausage pieces. That’s the beauty of a good, classic marinara, you can add anything you like, or nothing at all and it will still make for a delicious and soul-satisfying meal.

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Chicken Caesar Pasta

Feb142013

Chicken Caesar Pasta by The Mommy Games

Happy Valentines Day! So, I had this lovely, romantic meal planned out for my husband and I that I was going to share with all of you today, but I just didn’t feel like cooking it! We all have those kinds of days, right? After battling a cold for a few days and having the kids all to myself while Brad was away, I just couldn’t muster the energy to make a more involved meal. Instead, I made one of my old standbys. People, this could not be simpler or more delicious. It’s like an elegant version of mac and cheese and I have been making it for nearly a decade (seriously, I got the recipe from one of my college sorority sisters). This is the dish that I often make to bring to people after they’ve had a baby or are just in need of a comforting home cooked meal. Not that it takes any time to put together, but you could easily make a double batch and throw one in the freezer for just that sort of occasion. I am constantly getting asked for this recipe, and am nearly embarrassed to share it because it is so insanely simple. Please don’t be afraid of the “Caesar” taste, both of my kids (2.5 and 11 months) devour this.

If you are having a “I just don’t feel like cooking” kinda day (even if it is Valentines!), give this one a shot. It’s a tried and true winner!

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Baked Rigatoni with Sausage and Eggplant

Nov142012

This is the kind of meal you need in your life. Just the kind of thing you want to eat when it’s chilly outside. Earmark this one for when you are all turkeyed out in a few weeks, but still want something warm and satisfying. Feel free to use whatever kind of sausage you like – spicy if that’s your style, but in our house we stick with sweet Italian to appease the younger appetites (and we tend to be wimps where spice is concerned). The leftovers will be perfect to stick in your freezer or share with your (sure to be very appreciative) neighbors!

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Cooking the Blogs

Oct32012

I’ve been cooking up a storm lately, and a lot of my new recipes are courtesy of amazing food blogs. Please go and check out these sites to get the recipes for the below dishes. They are all winners and have been big hits with my family & friends.

Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
Picky Palate —> Very dangerous for anyone with a sweet tooth!

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Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

Aug82012

Craving something cheesy, salty and carb-coma inducing? Well, look no further! This dish is like restaurant style mac and cheese taken to the extreme. It has pretty much anything you could ask for at the end of a long day – bacon, cheese, pasta, ham and even a little chicken for good measure. You will eat it, your kids will eat it, then you’ll all eat it again for lunch the next day because it’s just darn addicting (isn’t all mac & cheese?).

Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta
Adapted from Chef in Training —-> head on over and check her out!

12 oz penne pasta, cooked
2 cups heavy cream
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 tsp onion salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese (separated)
3 chicken cutlets, cooked & cubed
4 strips bacon, cooked & crumbled
1/2 cup ham, diced
bread crumbs

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Over medium low, heat cream cheese until melted, then stir in heavy cream, onion salt and garlic powder. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  • Stir in 1 cup cheese until melted and smooth.
  • In a 9×13 in. baking dish, combine pasta, cheese sauce, chicken, bacon and ham. Top with remaining cheese and breadcrumbs.
  • Bake for 15 minutes, until hot and cheese has melted.
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