Chicken & Pasta

 adapted from allrecipes.com

1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta
4 (6 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breasts - cubed

1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth

1 (10 ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed and drained

1 (8 ounce) package cold cream cheese, cubed

1/2 to 3/4 can of Del Monte canned tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano
Minced onion & garlic
Salt, pepper & Italian seasoning
Parmesan cheese

Bring large pot of water to a boil, and stir in penne pasta. 

Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, combine chicken cubes, garlic, onion, salt, pepper, seasoning & broth; simmering until done. Stir in cubed cream cheese and spinach. Return to simmer, and cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in tomatoes, and cook about 3 minutes more. 

In a large bowl, mix together cooked, drained pasta and sauce. Let stand a few minutes & top each serving with cheese before serving.

This is even better as left overs!

Easy Pizza Crust

from allrecipes.com

1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

1 tablespoon white sugar

2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Stir water, sugar and yeast together until dissolved. Add the olive oil and the salt. Stir in the flour until well blended. Let dough rest for 10 minutes.

Pat dough into pan or on to a pizza stone using fingers dipped in olive oil. If desired sprinkle basil, thyme or other seasonings on crust. Top with your favorite pizza toppings and bake for 15 to 20 minutes in a preheated 425 degree oven.

This is a very good, quick simple pizza crust. We topped ours with Italian Seasoning & Garlic Powder & the crust was delicious. I actually wish I would have made some bread sticks out of it...next time :)

Creamy Chicken Spaghetti

Adapted from allrecipes.com

1/2 package spaghetti or angel hair pasta
1 can Rotel tomatoes & green chilis
1 can condensed cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup cream cheese
2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast
1/2 cup shredded cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente; drain and return to pot.

To the pasta add the diced tomatoes with green chili peppers, soup, cream cheese, chopped chicken, salt and pepper. Cook and stir over low heat until cheese is melted and mixture is heated through.

I have made this with leftover pasta noodles and cooked chicken. Mixed all the ingredients together and baked covered for 30-45 mins (until warmed through) on 350.

Chicken Parmesan

Breaded chicken breast
Spaghetti
Marinara sauce
Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Parmesan cheese (if desired)

Cook chicken breast and spaghetti based on package instructions. Once the chicken is cooked, top it with marinara and mozzerella and place back in the oven until the cheese melts. Place spaghetti in a bowl and top with warm marinara. Place chicken on top of the spaghetti and top with Parmesan cheese if desired.

Veggie Chicken Pasta

Steam fresh broccoli & cauliflower
2-4 chicken breasts cooked
1 box cooked Pasta
Spray butter or butter spread
fresh Parmesan cheese

Cook broccoli and cauliflower following package directions. Finely chop broccoli, cauliflower and chicken and mix together in a large bowl. Add cooked pasta, butter and cheese; mix well. Dish into bowls and top with additional Parmesan.

Makes 4-6 servings

We like to use the Kraft 'Grate it Fresh' Parmesan Cheese because I'm a busy mama and it's easy :)

Chicken Ziti

3-4 Chicken Breasts
1/2-1 Onion
Ziti or Rigatoni Pasta
Spaghetti Sauce
8-10 Silces 0f Provolone Cheese
1 1/2 cups Sour Cream
2 cups Mozzarella Cheese

Preheat over to 350 & cook pasta as directed.

In a large pan cook the chicken and onion. Add spaghetti sauce and simmer for at least 15 minutes.

Once the pasta is cooked, add it to the sauce mixture and mix well.

In one 9x12 pan or two 8x8 pans (if making 2, adjust following directions accordingly), butter or spray with non stick spray. Place half of the pasta mixture in the pan. Layer with provolone cheese and then sour cream. Add remaining pasta mixture on top of the sour cream and then top with mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted.