• Recipe: Spinach & Chicken Pasta Casserole

    I wanted to use up some pasta so I made up this delicious casserole for the crew.  Everyone enjoyed it.   It was a less messy and dryer than some of the other casseroles I have made in the past but the family gave it a thumbs up.  When I made the recipe I only put in 4 oz of Cream Cheese, I think it would taste a little better with the whole package to help give it a more creamy consistency.  I used whole wheat penne pasta since that is what we had on hand but you could really use any type.

    • 8 oz Pasta (regular or whole wheat)
    • 1 pound Chicken Breasts, diced
    • 1/4 cup Olive Oil
    • 1/2 teaspoon Minced Garlic
    • 1/2 cup Mushrooms
    • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
    • 1 (10 oz) package frozen Spinach (or you can use canned drained spinach)
    • 1/4 cup White Grape Juice
    • 8 oz Cream Cheese
    • 2 cups shredded Mozzarella Cheese

    Cook the pasta according to the directions on the box.  While pasta is cooking heat up olive oil in a skillet and add the chicken.  Preheat the oven to 350.   Brown the chicken and add the garlic and mushrooms.  Add the salt, spinach, and white grape juice and cook for 3 minutes.  Mix the pasta in with the chicken mixture, add the cream cheese and stir thoroughly.  Pour into a lightly greased casserole dish.  Sprinkle the mozzarella over the casserole and bake for 20 minutes.

    Starting the pasta

    Cooking the chicken

    Adding in the spinach

    Mixing the noodles and cream cheese in with the chicken & Spinach

    Topping with mozzarella cheese then putting it into oven to bake

  • Kids in the Kitchen: Ham & Pasta Casserole Recipe

    The girls made dinner for us this week.  They wanted to try a casserole so Jake found a recipe from Better Homes & Garden and adapted it for the girls.   They got the items out of the fridge and pantry, measured, and added them to the casserole. I did help with getting it in and out of the oven but otherwise they put the casserole together on their own.  It turned out really well!

    Ham & Pasta Casserole:

    • 1 1/2 cups Milk
    • 1 can Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (10 3/4 oz)
    • 2 cups diced cooked Ham
    • 1 cup dried Elbow Macaroni
    • 1 can sliced Mushrooms (4 oz)
    • 1/2 cup chopped Onions
    • 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese

    Grease a 8 x 8  pyrex dish and preheat oven for 375 degrees.  Mix the milk and cream of chicken soup.  Stir in the ham, macaroni, mushrooms, and onions.  Cover the casserole and bake for 40 minutes or until the noodles are tender.  Sprinkle the cheese over the top of the casserole and bake uncovered for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.  Let stand for 10 minutes prior to serving.