October Meal Plan

1. Three Cheese Tortellini & Mushroom Soup
2. Quesadillas
3. Monterey Chicken, Spanish Rice, Corn
4. Cashew Chicken, Brown Rice, Broccoli
5. Grilled Cheese
6. Tacos
7. Pank Chicken, Rice, Broccoli

8. Oven Friend Chicken, French Fries
9. Roasted Chicken, Stuffing, Gravy, Green Beans
10. Vodka Pasta
11. Salmon, Quinoa, Spinach
12. Beef Stew
13. Out to Eat
14. Out to Eat

15. Spinach Tomato Orzo Soup
16. Santa Fe Chicken, Brown Rice, Corn
17. Tacos
18. Grilled Cheese
19. Panko Chicken, Rice, Broccoli
20. Homemade Pizza (Kale, Chorizo, Manchego)
21. Vodka Pasta

22. Breakfast
23. Oven Fried Chicken, French Fries
24. Homemade Mac & Cheese
25. Cashew Chicken, Brown Rice, Broccoli
26. Sausage & Pepper Subs
27. Church Ladies Dinner
28. Birthday Party

29. Vodka Pasta
30. Panko Chicken, Rice & Broccoli
31. Halloween (Chicken Nuggets & French Fries)

September Meal Plan

1. SeaDogs Game
2. Church Dinner (Baked Ziti)
3. Leftovers
4. Panko Chicken, Rice, & Broccoli
5. Cajun Chicken Pasta
6. Hamburgers, & French Fries
7. Vacation
8. Vacation
9. Vacation
10. Vacation
11. Beef Stew
12. Vodka Pasta
13. Tortellini Soup
14. Grilled Cheese
15. Out to Dinner (Anniversary)
16. Cheesy Jalapeno Popper Chicken, Brown Rice, & Corn
17. Grilled Cheese
18. Broccoli & Cheddar Soup
19. Hamburgers, & French Fries
20. Beef Drip Sandwiches
21. Frozen Pizza
22. Panko Chicken, Rice Pilaf, & Broccoli
23. Stuffed Shells, Salad, & Garlic Bread
24. Tacos
25. Roasted Chicken, Stuffing, Green Bean Casserole, Biscuits, & Gravy
26. Leftovers
27. Frozen Pizza
28. Corn Chowder, & Corn Bread
29. Homemade Pizza (Tomato & Basil)
30. Vodka Past, & Garlic Bread

August Meal Plan

1. Tacos
2.
3. Rehearsal Dinner
4. Wedding
5. Church Dinner (Lemon Orzo Pasta, & Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies)
6. Quesadillas
7. Vodka Pasta
8. FFY
9. Chicken Caesar Salad
10. Monterey Chicken, Spanish Rice, & Corn
11. Salmon, Quinoa, & Spinach
12. Stuffed Shells, & Garlic Toast
13. Sausage & Pepper Subs
14. Breakfast For Dinner
15. Chicken in Basil Cream, Egg Noodles, & Corn
16. Creamy Stovetop Mac & Cheese, & Green Beans
17. Cashew Chicken, Brown Rice, & Broccoli
18. Homemade Pizza (Kale, Chorizo & Manchego)
19. Kevin's Birthday Party
20. Steak Tips, Mashed Potatoes, & Green Beans
21. Taco Salad
22. Vodka Pasta, & Garlic Bread
23. Parmesan Pork, Mashed Potatoes, & Asparagus
24. Breakfast for Dinner
25. Homemade Pizza (Tomato & Basil)
26. Homemade Mac & Cheese
27. Ham Steak, Egg Noodles, & Brussels Sprouts
28. Panko Chicken, Egg Noodles, & Broccoli
29. Hamburgers, & French Fries
30. Lime Chicken Soft Tacos
31.

Pasta Caprese

One of my most favorite dishes to eat in the summer! It's so light and so filling and so delicious!

Pasta Caprese

Ingredients

• 28oz can of diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• fresh ground pepper, to taste
• cayenne pepper, just a pinch
• 1lb rigatoni
• 8oz mozzarella, cubed
• approximately 15 fresh basil leaves, finely shredded

Directions

1. Place the peeled and diced tomatoes in a colander for about 15 minutes to remove excess juices.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the drained tomatoes, olive oil, vinegar, garlic, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. Mix the ingredients well and let sit for 20 minutes at room temperature.
3. Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat.
4. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente.
5. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
6. Add the tomato mixture, mozzarella and basil to the pasta. Toss gently and serve immediately. 

Pasta with Vodka Sauce

I'm in love with homemade pasta sauces specially simple ones with lots of flavor. This one is so similar to this pasta with tomato cream sauce recipe so if you've tried that one, you're guaranteed to love this one. It's heavenly. I think it will become a huge staple in our house and just thinking about it right now makes my mouth water, yum!


Pasta with Vodka Sauce

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 cup Vodka
• 28oz can of crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, silvered, plus additional for serving
• 1lb penne pasta
• 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated, plus additional for serving
• red pepper flakes, generous pinch

Directions

1. Cook pasta in well salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of cooking water, drain pasta and set aside.
2. While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and continue cooking until fragrant, about a minute more. 
3. Stir in tomatoes and their juices. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium and stir in the tomato paste and vodka. Cook until most of the alcohol has evaporated, at least 5 minutes. 
4. Stir in cream, red pepper flakes and salt. Bring to a a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low.
5. Cook sauce until thickened, about 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. 
6. Stir in basil and cheese.
7. Add pasta to skillet and toss to coat, adding pasta water as needed to thin the sauce.
8. Serve topped with additional basil and Parmigiano-Reggiano.
   
   

Sweet & Spicy Bacon Chicken

I came across this recipe by a friend and wanted to try it out for some time now. I finally got around to making it the other day and it was so good. The whole house smelled delicious as it was baking. I served it with rice and a veggie, but it would go nicely with mashed potatoes too. My friend likes to serve hers on ciabatta rolls for a lighter meal.

Sweet & Spicy Bacon Chicken by Full Bellies

Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thirds (12 pieces)
• 1 pkg of bacon
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• Garlic Powder
• Chili Powder
• Brown Sugar

Directions

1. Mix together garlic powder, chili powder, salt & pepper to desired consistency
2. Cut each breast into 3 pieces, and season with season mixture
3. Wrap each piece of chicken in bacon then roll in brown sugar. Place chicken in a 13x9 baking dish.
4. Bake at 400 degrees for 30- 40 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and bacon is nice and brown and crispy. 

Chicken Bruschetta Pasta

A few weeks ago while I was couponing I came across Kraft Philadelphia Cooking Creme on sale. I was able to pick up 15 of these but had no idea what to actually make with them. I found this recipe on the Kraft website and it's really good! Normally I am not a big fan of Kraft recipes, it seems like 95% of them call for Italian dressing (I'm not even kidding!), but this was nice and creamy and light. Definitely will be making it again!

Chicken Bruschetta Pasta

Ingredients

• 1lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 1/3 cup fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tub (10oz) Philadelphia Original Cooking Creme
• 2 cups grape tomatoes
• 2 cups farfalle (bow-tie pasta), cooked
• 12 fresh basil leaves, torn

Directions

1. Cook chicken in a large nonstick skillet on medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes, or until done. 
2. Stir in broth and garlic powder; cook 3 minutes.
3. Add cooking creme and tomatoes; cook and stir 3 minutes.
4. Stir in pasta
5. Top with basil, and serve