Two Timin Pasta Bake

from pearls, handcuffs, and happy hour

Well, I'm slowly workin my way back after having my baby girl in December.

I predict a new recipe once a month, but don't quote me on that.

This pasta bake was just the thing to get me back in the saddle.

Easy and delicious.

1 box penne pasta

1 (15 oz) jar alfredo sauce

1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to directions and drain.

Mix sauces together in a large bowl. Add the mozzarella and stir to combine.

Then add the cooked penne and toss to coat.

Pour pasta into 9x13 baking dish a cook at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly. Remove from oven, sprinkle with shredded parmesan cheese and bake for another 5 minutes.

Ta da! We paired it with some asparagus coated in olive oil, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese that I baked at 350 for 10 minutes and it was also delicious.





Lauren's Chicken Parmesean

this comes from the wonderful Lauren Opie

Here is the recipe she sent straight to me:

So this just might be my biggest secret in the kitchen ever. But my chicken parm is the yummiest, and probably one of the easiest things I make.

All you Need:

1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce. (This would be a good place for me to mention, it is so worth having a favorite jar of spaghetti sauce. Try every single one from the $1 a jar to the $8 a jar until you find one you love. I find the fewer ingredients the better. My personal fav is anything by Tuttorosso, but I'm afraid it may only be available regionally. It can often be found on sale for .99 a jar and it's the BEST!)
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1 pkg mozzarella cheese
1 egg & a splash of milk
Enough olive oil to coat your pan
1 pkg whatever pasta you're diggin'

Mix egg and milk together. Dip chicken in egg/milk mixture. Then flop back and forth and coat it with bread crumbs. Heat oil in a skillet, and when it's hot (there's a neat little test you can do... flick a little drop of water into the pan of oil. If it jumps around and sizzles the oil is hot enough) throw in the breaded chicken. I usually start the pasta about now. Flip the chicken after maybe 7 minutes? Once it's looking nice and golden brown give them a flip. Then top each breast with a tablespoon of sauce, and sprinkle with cheese. Continue cooking until chicken is thoroughly cooked. Maybe another 7 minutes. Really depends on the thickness of your breasts. And I feel awkward using the word breast this many times in one paragraph, chicken's or not.

Drain spaghetti, add sauce, and top with remaining mozzarella cheese. YUM! Going to make this for dinner right now.

I can vouch for her that this was super yummy.

St. Valentine's Baked Ziti

Ok, this is more intense, especially for my standards, 

so I usually buy the ingredients ahead of time

and wait for the mood to strike.

Also, it's St. Valentine's because that's the day I first made it.

My valentine loves his baked ziti.

1 lb dry ziti pasta

1/2-1 onion, chopped (I tend to use less onion generally)

1 lb ground beef

2 (26 oz) jars spaghetti sauce (I use Hunts cans, any flavor)

6-8 slices Provolone cheese

1 1/2 cups sour cream

6 oz shredded Mozzarella

2 tbsp grated Parmesan

Cook ziti in big pot (I add 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil to keep the pasta from stickin together).

At the same time, brown the beef and onion in large skillet. Then add the spaghetti sauce and simmer for 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350. Spray 9x13 baking dish.

Layer ingredients in the dish as follows:

• 1/2 of the ziti
• slices of Provolone cheese, evenly layered
• sour cream, evenly spread
• 1/2 the sauce and beef mix
• remaining ziti
• 1/2 Mozzarella cheese
• remaining sauce and beef mix
• remaining Mozzarella cheese
• Top with grated Parmesan

Bake for 30 minutes.