Tonight was Kid's Pick Night (a.k.a Mom's Tired and Doesn't Want to Hear Whining Night)
The only rule-NO PIZZA!
So the little folks and I run to the grocery, where they promptly ask for, you guessed it, Pizza.
(Whose idea is it to place a Pizza Hut next door to the Kroger anyhow??)
Rayne, the practical one, states, "Mom, you DID say whatever we wanted, no pizza. Pizza Hut sells pasta."
SIGH....
But even a tired me is not that much of a sucker. So we decide to make our own.
Here it is:
Ingredients: (this is NOT healthy)
Sauce:
1 stick of butter
1 package cream cheese
garlic to taste
kosher salt, ground pepper to taste
1 container of grated parmesean
2 oz monteray jack cheese, shredded (don't use pre-shredded, that's just gross-potato starch....don't get me started)
2 cups milk
8 oz spiral pasta (Rayne says it MUST be spiral) We use gluten free, but use whole wheat or whatever if you want.
8 oz organic chicken breast, sliced thin
Red bell pepper, sliced thin
Red onion, sliced thin
6 oz monterey jack cheese, shredded
For sauce, melt the butter over medium low heat. Add the cream cheese and garlic. When that starts to melt down pretty good, add the milk. Use a whisk and get all the lumps out. When it's smooth, add all the parmesean cheese. Add 2 oz monterey jack cheese. Season to taste. Keep it on the heat as you fry the chicken slices in a little oil. When you have browned them a little, add the veggies. Not for long, you don't want them mushy. (Cook the pasta to al dente in the meantime, stay with me, you can multi-task!)
Strain the pasta.
Put it in a square baking dish.
Top with chicken and veggies.
Pour sauce over.
Top with 6 oz monterey jack cheese.
Bake at 400 for 20 minutes or so, until bubbly around edges.
Turn oven to broil until top is golden brown.
The Reviews:
Dad: It was very good. For better results - DOUBLE THE CHEESE!!!!!!
Mom: Yum
Kate: Incredible, wishing I had room for more, or some for lunch tomorrow.
Rayne: i wish it was less chunky BUT I LOVE CHEESEY CHEESE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JonDavid: The garlic bread with sauce was delicious. I haven't tried the pasta.
