Creamy Orzo

 https://www.savorynothings.com/one-pot-creamy-garlic-parmesan-orzo/#wprm-recipe-container-53261

Modified, per usual. Was an easy side dish with grilled chicken and veggies.

• 2 tablespoons butter
• ▢ 4 cloves garlic (finely minced (about 4 tsp)
• ▢ 2 cups orzo pasta (16oz)
• ▢ 3 cups chicken broth (used water and better than bouillon)
• ▢ salt & black pepper (to taste)
• ▢ 1 cup half-and-half (I had whipping cream so I added a lot less and just went till cream
• ▢ ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• ▢ 2 tablespoons fresh parsley

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

 This is such a fun, fancy and delicious Fall recipe. The pumpkin doesn't seem to stand out so kids probably won't notice. I do serve the spinach and bacon on the side for my picky kids and they do like the Mac and cheese they just don't know about the pumpkin. I do not do the breadcrumbs. It's even really good leftovers via https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/pumpkin-mac-and-cheese/

• 10 ounces dry cavatappi (or shells, or whatever pasta you have on hand, even gluten free!)
• 12 ounces bacon (I usually crisp up some bits from Costco probably about 1/2 cup)
• 6 ounces fresh spinach
• For the pumpkin cheese sauce:
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour (or whole wheat flour or all purpose gluten free flour)
• 2 cups unsweetened almond milk (or cashew milk or regular milk)
• ½ cup finely grated parmesan cheese (Dubliner cheese from Costco is also amazing)
• ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder (I add more to taste)
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 
  
• For the topping:
• ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, gluten free if desired
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted

Adult Butter Noodles

This one comes from A Life From Scratch on instagram. Courtney is so talented and great at super simple and delicious family meals. My kids are realizing that plain noodles are boring and this is the perfect sauce to bridge them over to hopefully more sauces in the near future!

10 oz pasta cooked and drained (we liked angel hair)

a couple pads of butter

generous handful of grated parmesan

just a small pour of garlic expressions dressing (a staple in our house now! SO good!)

Mix together and serve with meatballs and a side salad or whatever works 

I sprinkled a little bit of garlic salt on top 

Chicken Pasta Bake

Also a Brandon favorite. He isn't a huge fan of broccoli so I do it with spinach and it's really good. An easy Alfredo. 12/10

1-1/2 cups small pasta (bow tie, rotini...)pasta, uncooked

1 small bunch broccoli, cut into florets (about 3 cups)

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

1/2 cup fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth

4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) cream cheese, cubed

1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided

2 Tbsp. Grated Parmesan Cheese

HEAT oven to 375ºF. Cook pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, adding broccoli for the last 3 min.
MEANWHILE, heat large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 3 min. or until no longer pink, stirring frequently. Stir in broth; simmer 3 min. or until chicken is done. Add cream cheese; cook and stir on low heat 1 min. or until cream cheese is melted. Stir in 1/2 cup mozzarella.
DRAIN pasta and broccoli. Add to chicken mixture; mix lightly. Spoon into 8-inch sq. baking dish; cover.
BAKE 15 min. or until heated through. Sprinkle with remaining cheeses. Bake, uncovered, 3 min. or until melted. Let stand 5 min.
***the kraft recipe calls for 2 oz. cream cheese, but i like the sauce to be thicker, so i use 4 oz. changes shown above! :D