Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta Easy Dinner Recipe

 

*I received this product for free from Moms Meet for review. Compensation for this post was provided and this post may contain affiliate links.

Meal Planning for 5 family dinners a week is no easy task! My husband and 5 kids have their favorites, and it seems like we fall into a dinner rut at times. I love adding new easy dinner recipes to the rotation!

My kids love pasta dinners. Liam could EASILY eat gluten free pasta with traditional sauce every single day - and often does! There's no doubt pasta dishes are easy to make, and seem to be a favorite for many. There are so many options, but we don't venture away from traditional red sauce very often. It was definitely time to try something different! 

I like pesto, but most of my family never tried it. I decided to switch our usual pasta dish up with grilled chicken, tomatoes, bacon, mozzarella, and Barilla Creamy Genovese Pesto. Guess what? They LOVED it! We now have a new easy pasta recipe to add to our meal planning rotation!

Deliciously Easy Cheesy Baked Spaghetti

Did you know it's National Spaghetti Day? I didn't even know it was a thing until it showed up on my calendar! My family LOVES spaghetti...heck, Liam eats gluten free spaghetti almost every morning for breakfast!

In honor of National Spaghetti Day, I wanted to share one of my favorite spaghetti recipes. It's easy to make, it can be customized in so many ways, and it only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. Although the recipe I'm sharing is vegetarian, you can add ground beef, turkey, or sausage, and you can make it gluten free by swapping out the regular spaghetti for a gluten free version.

My kids can be picky at times, but one thing I know they will always eat is spaghetti. They all love this cheesy baked spaghetti, and they don't even complain that there isn't any meat in it. When I can find something that everyone in my family will eat, I'm thankful!

Menu Planning: The Big Family Way

One of the many things my husband and I agree about is the importance of family dinners! It's no surprise that taking a family of 7 out to eat is incredibly expensive, so we save eating out for special occasions. Takeout can also add up very quickly, so we rely on menu planning for our almost daily family dinners!

I have been planning our meals for many years, and it's a way of life now. It just comes easily, and naturally! Before I started, I thought it was unnecessary, and I didn't think it would work for us. I can honestly say that it was life changing! I save so much time and energy, and we really save a lot of money compared to what we would spend eating out and getting take out once a week!

In our family, we have a picky eater (GRANT), a child who has Celiac Disease (Liam), a non-meat eater (me), and a baby who is now eating the same meals, but somehow, I manage to please everyone with each dinner. It really isn't difficult to juggle, and we usually end up with leftovers. (Hello, lunches!) After years of trial and error, I perfected my method for menu planning for a big family with dietary concerns, and I plan to share my tricks with all of you!

Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe

With five kids, we don't go out to dinner much! I'm sure you can imagine just how expensive our bill is when we do, so we stick to birthdays and big occasions. Eating dinner at home together is just a way of life for our big family. I don't LOVE to cook, but I do enjoy trying new recipes, and making delicious meals!

When it comes to finding recipes my family will love, it's all a matter of trial and error. Each of us have unique preferences and tastes, so I have to keep recipe ingredients simple. I try to make the recipe gluten-free for Liam, so I don't have to cook two meals each night. I also try to make the recipe budget-friendly, because our grocery shopping bill each week is hefty!

I don't consider myself a food blogger, but I decided to start sharing a favorite family recipe each month! Cheesy ham and potatoes has been a longtime favorite meal of ours, but eventually our favorite recipes get boring, so I decided to spruce it up a bit. This hearty Cheesy Potato Casserole recipe is gluten-free, full of some of our most favorite ingredients, and absolutely delicious! When my family goes back for seconds - or thirds - it's a keeper!

Delicious Burritos with a Healthy Twist + GIVEAWAY

DISCLAIMER: I received this product for free from MomsMeet to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may  contain affiliate links.

Like many people, I like the new year to get off to a healthy start! I choose healthier foods, make exercise a priority, take my vitamins, and try to get enough sleep each night. But like many moms, I often struggle with eating balanced meals, because my big family is very busy and often on the go!

Lunch is my biggest struggle. It's just easier to grab a healthy snack like a piece of fruit, cut vegetables, or string cheese, but I know that meal isn't very balanced. I try to avoid frozen convenience meals, because they aren't very healthy. Now there's a delicious, fast, and HEALTHY option: Alpha Foods Burritos!


These delicious 100% plant-based burritos are great for on the go, the perfect addition to any meal, and full of healthy ingredients! Plus, I'm giving away FOUR free product vouchers, so you can try them yourself...

What's Up Wednesday - Life Lately in July

There are only 6 more days left in July, and the first day of school is exactly 5 weeks away. Summer is passing by so quickly, and I feel it slipping from my fingers. The next time I share a What's Up Wednesday, it's going to be the first day of school, and I will most likely be a worried, sobbing mess, because it will be Liam's first day of Kindergarten! 

Before I focus too much on what's to come, here's what we have been eating, watching, reading, wearing, listening to, and loving...

What's Up Wednesday? ~ June Edition

It's the last Wednesday of the month which means it's time for What's Up Wednesday! Is it just me, or did June fly by ridiculously fast?!? I can't believe the month is almost over, and July is arriving next week!

On the last Wednesday of each month, I share a life lately post. It's a great way to share what my family is up to! Not just the daily recap, but the things we're eating, watching, listening to, reading, wearing, and more...

Life Lately/Currently Loving in January 2018 ~What's Up (& WELCOME) Wednesday

Happy Wednesday, my friends! Can you believe it's the last day of January already? The first month of 2018 flew by! I'm usually not a big fan of January, but for some strange reason, it wasn't so bad this year. Perhaps I'm just getting older and starting to appreciate every gift life has to offer! (Although I AM finding it a bit difficult to appreciate weather below 32 degrees...just saying.) Because it's the last day of January, I thought it would be perfect to share a life lately/currently loving post!

Pretz Mex Macaroni and Cheese {Bruegger's Bunch}

DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored by Bruegger's Bagels.

When I was growing up, I used to make fun of my mom for cooking so much food. Even though there were eight kids in my family, it still looked like she was cooking for an army! Now that I have four kids of my own, I completely get it.

Dylan, Lexie, Lily and Liam are always hungry, and they eat a LOT. If you think I’m exaggerating, let me tell you about the nine (NINE!!!) tacos that my skinny 10 year old ate for dinner this week. Now that Summer is here, and they are all home all day, they are eating food faster than I can replenish it!

We were about two weeks into Summer Break, when I learned my lesson. I started to double my dinner recipes, so we had leftovers for lunch the next day! We now have plenty of food for dinner, and enough left over so we can all heat it up for lunch the next day. In the span of two weeks, I officially became my mother!

One of our favorite things to eat is macaroni and cheese. As everybody knows, this comfort food is best when it’s homemade! I did a lot of experimenting over the years, and came up with a recipe that we all love. It can be made in the slow cooker or baked in the oven, and it’s very simple to prepare.

Our favorite recipe includes a blend of Cheddar, American, Swiss, Mozzarella and Velveeta cheeses, and it’s topped with breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. It’s a recipe that everybody in my family loves, so leftovers always go quickly!

After hearing about Bruegger’s Bagels Pretz Mex egg sandwich, which is one of their limited time offerings for Summer, I was inspired to spice things up a bit! The Pretz Mex features egg, bacon, Swiss cheese and guacamole on a pretzel bagel. I brought a few home, and the sandwich was as delicious as it sounds!

I decided to swap my traditional breadcrumb topping for a spicier version, using pretzel bagels from Bruegger’s Bagels and guacamole. The end result was delicious! Sometimes it’s good to change things up a bit!

Pretz Mex Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs elbow macaroni
• 3/4 cup evaporated milk
• 3/4 cup 2% milk
• 6 Tbsp salted butter, divided
• 2 cups Mac & Cheese Blend shredded cheese
• 2 cups Mozzarella cheese
• 12 oz Velveeta cheese
• 2 Bruegger's Pretzel Bagels
• 1.5 oz of Wolly Guacamole’s Spicy Guacamole
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Make It:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.
3. Boil the elbow macaroni for about 8 minutes. (It should be al dente.)
4. Melt 3 Tbsp butter and pour into a large bowl.
5. Mix in the evaporated milk, 2% milk, Mac & Cheese blend, and Mozzarella cheese.
6. Slice the Velveeta cheese into thin slices.
7. Pour half of the elbow macaroni into the baking dish.
8. Pour half of the cheese mixture on top of the macaroni and stir.
9. Top with one layer of Velveeta cheese slices.
10. Repeat steps 7-9.
11. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
12. While the macaroni and cheese is baking, prepare the breadcrumb topping.
13. Place the pretzel bagels in a food processor (or a blender) and mix until it is chopped finely.
14. Pour the pretzel bagel bread crumbs into a bowl, add in the Parmesan cheese, the guacamole and 3 Tbsp melted butter, and mix together.
15. Remove the macaroni and cheese from the oven and stir to blend.
16. Spread the bread crumb mixture on top of the macaroni and cheese and cook for an additional 10 minutes (or until the Parmesan cheese melts on top).

ENJOY!!!

Adding the Pretz Mex pretzel bagels and spicy guacamole to this recipe gives it a slightly zesty taste. It was a fun alternative to our traditional macaroni and cheese recipe! My four little bottomless pits gave it eight thumbs up!

Check out Bruegger’s Bagels other Summer specials!

• Coconut Coffee, hot or iced
• Greek Blueberry cream cheese
• Sweet Georgia Turkey sandwich

Connect with Bruegger’s Bagels:

Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube

You might also like:

Creamy Ranch Bagel Chicken Salad

M is for Mealtime: A Breakfast Meal Plan for Littles + Nuby Miracle Mat Giveaway

Disclosure: I am a Nuby Parent Blogger and I received the products featured in this post in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Oh, the mealtime battles! Just when I think I have it all figured out, Liam likes to add a twist to the game. One day he loves peas, and the next day he pushes them off his plate. At one meal he will use his manners, and at the next, he will throw his plate, utensils and cup to the floor. I often wonder if we'll ever be on the same page!

It's like a constant guessing game to figure out what he likes (and dislikes) each day! And some days, when he gets in those naughty moods, it feels like we're dining with a wild animal. The glimmer in his eyes truly seems to get brighter with each item of food tossed to the floor. On those days, the meal always concludes with a crash as all of his dinnerware hits the floor, followed by a huge smile. Oh, Liam knows EXACTLY what he's doing!

I managed to survive mealtime battles with Dylan, Lexie and Lily, so I know we'll make it through. But some days it feels like the struggle will never end!

Recently, a few amazing feeding products entered our lives, and one in particular has been a serious game changer! I love it so much, and I'm so excited to spread the love by giving one away to one of my awesome followers. (Keep reading!)  When I introduced Liam to this product, he didn't know what hit him. He actually sighed, got out of his chair and walked away at the end of the meal. Mama 1 - Liam 0.  For now, of course!

Nuby Sure Grip Miracle Mat Section Plate / Nuby No Spill Insulated 360 Wonder Cup / Nuby Keepeez

M is for Mealtime.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and thankfully, Liam loves most breakfast foods! I can always count on him to eat almost anything I put in front of him at breakfast time. I put the Nuby Sure Grip Miracle Mat Section Plate to work last week, and created a meal plan for a week's worth of Liam's favorite breakfasts along the way!

Monday: Mini Waffles, Strawberries & Greek Yogurt

Tuesday: Scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese, Clementine Slices & Strawberry Oatmeal

Wednesday: Cereal Bar, Berry Applesauce & Cottage Cheese

Thursday: Blueberry Pancakes, Red Grapes & Yogurt

Friday: Bagel with Cream Cheese and Peanut Butter, Grape Tomatoes & Apples and Bananas Fruit Pouch

Saturday: French Toast Sticks, Apple Slices & Mozzarella String Cheese

Sunday: Cooked Egg, Banana Slices & Yogurt with Sprinkles

Although Liam usually starts his day with a cup of almond milk, I do like to treat him to smoothies every so often! We are a smoothie loving family, and one of our favorite recipes is only 3 ingredients and SUPER easy to make!

I don't really even measure anymore. I just fill the blender or Nutribullet 1/3 of the way with frozen strawberries, 1/3 of the way with bananas, and 1/3 of the way with water. I drizzle in several teaspoons of local honey, then blend!

Here are a few more of Liam's Breakfast Favorites:

• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Watermelon
• Cantaloupe
• Honeydew
• Coco Wheats
• Cream of Wheats
• Fried Mush
• Sausage
• Bacon
• Breakfast Sandwich
• Cinnamon Rolls
• Muffins
• Yogurt Smoothies
• Cereal

M is for the Miracle Mat Section Plate from Nuby.

I frequently heard all the buzz about suction mats, but I didn't think it would work for the Toddler Tornado. I was wrong. Completely wrong. I regret not purchasing one sooner!

The Nuby Sure Grip Miracle Mat Section Plate is a 100% silicone section plate and placemat all in one! It suctions to the table like magic, and thanks to the non-slip base that sticks to flat surfaces, it stays put. It's easy for a grown up to peel off the table, but Liam still hasn't figured out the trick (fingers crossed that it takes him a L-O-N-G while).

The Miracle Mat is BPA, PVC and Phtalate Free, which makes it a safe choice for young children. The strong suction keeps it from sliding or tipping over, and in addition to being used at the table, it does fit most high chairs. The Miracle Mat wipes clean very easily, but it is also dishwasher safe. I can get it perfectly clean with a quick wipe and a rinse!

Liam now uses the Nuby Sure Grip Miracle Mat Section Plate for every meal. Using the Miracle Mat quickly put an end to Liam's plate throwing game. And for this mama, who was tired of cleaning up huge messes, it's life changing!

M is for Minimizing Mealtime Messes. 

As most of you know, Liam has Down syndrome. One of his current goals is to start learning how to use a regular cup. Due to his tendency to toss cups from the table, this has to be done under constant supervision!

The Nuby No Spill Insulated 360 Wonder Cup is an awesome way to make this transition! The cup is No Spill, but Liam has to tip it up and sip in order to drink, just like a real cup. He can sip from any side, so it's a great way to teach him how to use a regular cup!

This 9 oz cup is also BPA Free, and it's insulated, so the drink will stay cold for up to 6 hours.

Although the Nuby 360 Wonder Cup is No Spill, I do use a Nuby Keepeez to keep Liam from tossing it from the table. This BPA Free Sipper Gripper has an adjustable strap that can attach to highchairs, strollers, carseats, and, well, pretty much anything!

What makes this sippy cup strap stand out from other straps is that it has a childproof push button so the child can't remove the strap. This deters MY clever kid!

Thanks to the Nuby Miracle Mat Section Plate, the No Spill Insulated 360 Wonder Cup and the Keepeez, I have less messes to clean up. That's definitely a mom win!

M is for a Mealtime GIVEAWAY!!!

My love for the Nuby Miracle Mat Section Plate is fierce! I'm so excited to have one up for grabs for one of my followers. Enter by leaving a comment on this post. You can complete your entry by heading over to Instagram later this morning for an additional way to enter on my Instagram post! Giveaway will end on March 14th at 11:59 PM EST. Winner will be chosen randomly the following day. Good luck!

And if you just can't wait to win, you're in luck! Babies R' Us is currently having a sale!

Buy More, Save More Sale! 

Great savings on Nuby infant & toddler feeding products at Babies R’ Us stores & online. http://bit.ly/2mvCGgL

Buy 1 Get 10% off 

Buy 2 get 20% off 

Buy 3 or more get 30% off 

*Sale includes bottles, cups, mealtime, bottle accessories & bottle dish soap. 

Sale dates: 3/2-3/26.  Promotion details: http://bit.ly/2lNZmEJ

It's time for Tuesday Talk! Grab the button and link up any post below!

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An InLinkz Link-up

Monthly Meal Planning

Life with two school-aged children, a toddler, and a baby is busy.  Obviously!

The after school rush is the most difficult part of my day.  Dylan and Lexie want to share their days with me, Lily is usually waking up from a nap, and Liam is hungry.  There is homework-LOTS of homework-that needs to be done and there are four kids fighting for my attention.  The last thing I want to worry about is figuring out what we're eating for dinner!

I planned meals for several years and it worked well for my family.  About a year ago, I decided to make monthly meal plans.  This method keeps me so organized in the kitchen! It is one of my favorite time-saving tips for big families.

To start, I came up with a list of our favorite meals.  I asked for input from Grant, Dylan, and Lexie.  I also asked my friends to share their favorite quick and easy meals.  Once my list was completed, I looked at my calendar and picked a day to start my monthly meal plan.

I shop for groceries every other Friday.  My new monthly meal plan starts on the Sunday following my first shopping trip of the month.  I plan enough dinners for 28 days. 

Right before I grocery shop, I sit down with my calendar for the month, and figure out how many dinners I will need to make in that 28 day span.  Once I eliminate our once a week meals with family, and allot for 4 additional days where we would have dinner with other family/friends or eat out, I only need to come up with 20 meals.  That number will vary depending on holidays and birthday parties, too.

After I figure out how many dinners I need to make, I pull out my list and start adding meals to a paper calendar.  In addition to our favorites, my goal is to try 1 new recipe a month. I usually find this recipe on Pinterest or Allrecipes.

Once I have a completed list, I add the ingredients I need to my shopping list, then stock up my pantry, freezer, and refrigerator. I always buy a large selection of fresh and frozen vegetables for healthy side dish options!

My final step is writing out a quick weekly meal plan on a dry erase magnetic board.  I put it on the front of our refrigerator so nobody pesters me about what's for dinner!



This may seem like a lot of work at first, but once you have a list of your favorite meals completed, this process is quick and easy!

Here's a sample monthly dinner menu for my family (most meals are served with a vegetable):

• Parmesan Baked Chicken with Rice
• Taco Soup
• Rigatoni 
• Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese and Fish
• Spaghetti with meat sauce
• Breaded Chicken and Stuffing with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
• Chicken Enchiladas with Spanish Rice
• Chili
• Tacos with Beans
• Poppyseed Chicken with Rice
• Ham, Potato, and Cheese Casserole
• Stuffed Peppers with Mashed Potatoes
• Smothered Pork Chops
• Swiss Chicken in the crockpot and Mashed Potatoes
• Make Your Own Pizza
• Beef Cubes over Noodles
• Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
• Paprika Chicken with Dumplings
• Oven Baked Chicken Casserole with Potatoes and Carrots
• Roast with Potatoes and Carrots 
• Steak with Baked Potatoes

I do not meal plan for breakfast and lunch. With the exception of big breakfasts, I just let each person choose their own breakfasts and lunches.

Once you have a master list of meals, the entire meal planning process, with the exception of shopping (which you have to do anyway!), takes about 10 minutes.

This method saves me so much time and energy! I always know what's for dinner and I never have to run to the store for ingredients.  That's a win!

Do you meal plan?  What are your favorite meals?