Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake

I made this for the boys recently, and they loved it! Huge hit at our house, and all of the leftovers were inhaled, which rarely happens. I baked mine in a deeper 9x13 pan - it makes quite a bit! Adapted from here.

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake

1 lb rotini pasta cooked & drained - save 1 c water
3 c cooked chicken diced or shredded (about 1 lb)
2 15-oz jars Alfredo sauce
1 c garlic Parmesan wing sauce
2 c shredded mozzarella cheese
½ c grated Parmesan cheese
½ c pasta water (optional)
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
Parsley (for garnish, optional)

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13” baking dish.

Chicken should be in bite-sized pieces, cooked. (I chose to saute it in olive oil quick, over boiling/shredding/using a rotisserie chicken.)

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions until it's al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside – save 1 c pasta water.

Combine ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add the cooked rotini pasta, diced or shredded chicken, Alfredo sauce, garlic parmesan sauce, half of the shredded mozzarella cheese, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Mix everything together until well combined. If needed, add about ½ c pasta water. You want the casserole dish to be good and saucy!

Pour the pasta mixture into the greased baking dish and spread it out evenly.

Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture.

Cover with aluminum foil. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 25 min, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the pasta bake is heated through.

If desired, uncover and place the casserole under the broiler for 2-3 min until the top of the casserole is golden brown. Watch it carefully so it doesn’t burn!

Once done, remove the pasta bake from the oven and let it cool for 5 min covered with aluminum foil. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!

Aimee's Version of Margene’s Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Kristen brought this to us while we had Covid, and Connor has been asking for it ever since. This is the way I executed it, with every shortcut imaginable, to make it easier. Saving this here for future reference.

Aimee's Version of Margene’s Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

4 qts. chicken broth (4 boxes)
2.5 c. chopped celery
2.5 c. chopped carrots
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 1/3 pkg. wide egg noodles
2 tsp. Better Than Bouillon Chicken
5 cans cream of chicken soup
1.5 Tbsp. parsley
1 pkg. Costco pulled chicken, shredded into bite size chunks (2 lbs.)

Put broth in pot and bring to a boil.
Add celery, carrots, and onion, and return to a boil.
Add noodles and boil for 6 minutes.
Add bouillon, soup, and parsley. Stir gently to dissolve lumps.
Add chicken and heat through.
Salt & pepper to taste.


This made 28 c. of soup...

• ate 8 c. for dinner
• saved 8 c. for leftovers
• froze 8 c. worth
• gave 4 c. away

Tater Tot Chicken Pot Pie Bake

Made this comfort food classic for the family last night... we all (even Brian!) went back for seconds, and it will easily feed us a second hearty meal. Adapted from here. 

Tater Tot Chicken Pot Pie Bake

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Olive oil
21-Seasoning Salute, to taste
3 cans cream of chicken soup
3/4 c milk
1/4 c butter, cut into small pieces
Dried onion, to taste
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt & pepper, to taste
16 oz frozen mixed vegetables (1 bag - carrots, corn, peas, green beans)
2 c shredded cheddar cheese (1 bag)
32 oz frozen tater tots (1 bag)

Cut up chicken breasts and saute in olive oil in a large pan. Add 21-Seasoning Salute during final stages. Set aside cooked chicken in a bowl.
Preheat oven to 400F. Spray a 9x13" deep baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
In the pan used to cook the chicken, combine soup, milk, butter, onion, garlic powder, and salt & pepper.
Stir together and cook over medium heat, until heated through.
Remove pan from the heat and stir in chicken, frozen vegetables, and cheese.
Scoop mixture into prepared baking dish. Top with frozen tater tots.
Bake for 30-35 min, or until it starts to bubble.

Easy Sausage Gravy & Biscuits

Savory breakfasts are my favorite, and Connor really enjoys them, too. For the first day of winter break, we made this one morning. It's a conglomeration of a few different recipes, but I wanted to save how we did it. Plus, Connor plans to make this on his own.

Easy Sausage Gravy & Biscuits

1 can buttermilk biscuits
1 pkg (9.6 oz) Jimmy Dean Turkey Sausage Crumbles

about 1/4 c. flour

2.5 c. milk

Salt and pepper to taste

Bake the biscuits per the can instructions.

Meanwhile, warm sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently.

Stir in flour, until combined. Gradually add milk, stirring continuously, until the gravy thickens and comes to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer and stir for 2 more min. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Split biscuits in half. Place open biscuit on plate and top with 1/3 c. gravy.

Gingerbread Cookie Butter Oatmeal Cookies

These might be my new favorite cookie! They remind me a little bit of Mom's Oatmeal Coconut Crispies, but the flavor is slightly more complex with the cookie butter and ginger. Adapted from here.

Gingerbread Cookie Butter Oatmeal Cookies

Makes about 6 dozen cookies

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1 c. unsalted butter, softened

14 oz. jar Trader Joe's Cookie Butter

3/4 c. granulated sugar

3/4 c. light brown sugar, packed

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1/4 c. molasses

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 large eggs

2 c. flour

2 c. oats

Preheat the oven to 350F. Line baking sheets with silpats or parchment paper.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter, cookie butter, sugars, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ginger, until creamy and fluffy (about 1-2 min). Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Add the molasses, vanilla, and eggs, and mix until well combined (about 1-2 min). Scrape down the bowl.

Add the flour and oats, and mix until just evenly combined.

Scoop the dough into balls with a medium cookie scoop, and place a few inches apart on the baking sheets (about 1 dozen per sheet). Bake for 10-12 min until set around the edges with a few cracks on top, but still soft in the middle. Let the cookies rest for a few minutes on the sheet.

Move the cookies to a cooling rack. The cookies will stay soft for a couple of days stored well-covered at room temperature, and freeze well for several months.

Slow Cooker Maple & Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin

I made this pork for the family the other night, and we all snarfed it down! The sauce is unexpected, almost like a Carolina BBQ sauce flavor, but not quite. So tasty! Adapted from here.


Slow Cooker Maple & Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin

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2 lbs. pork tenderloin
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 c. maple syrup (cut in 1/2 if using pure syrup)
1 tsp. minced garlic
4 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp. honey
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. cider vinegar
1/2 tsp. dried thyme crumbled
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 Tbsp. cold water

Sprinkle tenderloin lightly with salt and pepper.
Place pork in a slow cooker sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
Combine syrup, garlic, mustard, honey, brown sugar, vinegar, and thyme. Pour over the pork.
Turn pork to coat thoroughly.
Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hrs (check temp around 6.5 hours - pork should be cooked to ~150 degrees F), or on HIGH for 3-4 hrs.
Remove pork to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
Pour the juices into a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.
Simmer for 5 min.
Combine the cornstarch and cold water; whisk into the reduced juices and cook for 1 min. longer.
Slice the pork and serve with the thickened juices.

Serves 6.

Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes

I discovered this simple recipe the other day and made it to go along with our pork tenderloin. Very easy, super tasty, and it's really nice to not have to heat up the kitchen with the oven! Adapted from here.

Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes

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1 lb. Yukon gold baby potatoes or red potatoes, cut into 1” pieces
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
3 cloves garlic minced
salt & pepper
1/4 c. shredded parmesan cheese
chopped parsley for garnish

In a medium sized bowl combine the potatoes, olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, pepper and parmesan.
Add to the basket of your air fryer. Cook at 400°F for 10 min.
Toss the potatoes in the basket and continue to cook for 8-10 min. or until tender and crisp.
Garnish with chopped parsley.

Serves 4.

Brownie Pudding Delight

I made this delicious dessert for Brian's birthday this year, and we all loved it! I froze it initially, but it was nearly impossible to cut without a countertop thaw for about 30 minutes. Next time, I'll probably just keep it in the fridge. I also skipped the chocolate drizzle and chocolate bar shavings on top, and opted for Heath candy bits instead. Adapted from here. 

Brownie Pudding Delight

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1 brownie mix (for a 9×13 pan)
Brownie mix ingredients (oil, water, eggs)
8 oz. cream cheese (1 package, softened - light cream cheese okay)
1 c. powdered sugar
16 oz. Cool-Whip frozen whipped topping (8 oz. containers - 2)
3 oz. instant chocolate pudding mix (1 package)
3 oz. instant vanilla pudding mix (1 package)
3.5 c. milk
Hot fudge or chocolate syrup (optional)
1 plain chocolate candy bar (like a Hershey's bar) or candy bits (Heath)

Mix brownie mix according to directions, and bake in a 9×13 inch greased and floured pan.
Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar and 1 container whipped topping. Spread mixture on top of the cooled brownies.
Blend puddings and milk together and carefully spread on top of the cream cheese mixture.
Top with second container of whipped topping.
Put chocolate shavings and chocolate syrup on top (or candy bits).
Refrigerate until ready to serve (or freeze it).

White Chocolate Grill Copycat Israeli Couscous

I found this recipe a while back after having an amazing parmesan crusted steak with this couscous on the side at the White Chocolate Grill. While I enjoy most things on the menu, this is my favorite and we don't make it over there very often. It makes quite a bit, so I often find myself sharing with Aimee and Brian (who also happen to love it!).

White Chocolate Grill Copycat Israeli Couscous

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4 c. of Israeli couscous
1/2 c. shelled pistachios
1/2 c. golden raisins
3 radishes (julienned to the best of your ability)
6 large fresh basil leaves (about 1/3 c. after chopped)
1 sprig of fresh parsley (about 4 Tbsp.)
1/4 c. minced red onion
2 Tbsp. mayonnaise (I like the kind made with olive oil)
2 Tbsp. champagne or apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp. honey
S & P to taste

Cook the couscous to the box directions, then cooled to at least room temp.
Chop the pistachios slightly (you want larger chunks).
Julienne the radishes to the best of your ability, mince the parsley and red onion, then chiffonade the basil.
Mix the mayonnaise, vinegar and honey. For a smoother mixture, mix the mayo and honey first, then add the vinegar 1 Tbsp. at a time and whisk thoroughly between.
Just before you serve, mix all ingredients together, reserving some pistachios and basil leaves to garnish.

Kinda Fancy Oatmeal Cookies

I made 2 batches of these oatmeal cookies last Friday, and they're still chewy 3 days later! I really like them plain, Brian, of course, prefers them with chocolate chips. The flaked sea salt on top was a really nice, kinda fancy touch, to counteract the sweetness of the cookies. (Adapted from here.)

Kinda Fancy Oatmeal Cookies

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PREP TIME:  15 min.

COOK TIME:  up to 12 min.
YIELD:  2.5 dozen

1.5 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. sea salt
1 c. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 c. packed brown sugar
0.5 c. granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract
3 c. old fashioned oats
Flaked sea salt, for sprinkling on cookies

Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat with the paddle attachment until creamy and smooth, scraping down the sides with a spatula if necessary, for 1-2 minutes.
Add in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract and beat until combined and smooth.
With the mixer off, add all of the dry ingredients. Turn the mixer on low and mix until just combined. Be sure to not overmix, or the cookies will turn out dense. Stir in the oats.
Line large baking sheets with a Silpat or parchment paper. Scoop the cookie dough into round balls, about 2 Tbsp. per ball. Place on the lined baking sheets, about 2” apart.
Bake for 10-12 min. or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown but the centers are still light golden and soft. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the cookies with flaked sea salt. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 min., then transfer cookies to a wire rack.

Optional Mix-Ins:    (Add up to 1.5-2 c. of the following ingredients)   chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, white chocolate chips, chocolate chunks, chopped nuts, raisins or dried cranberries, M&M’s, flaked coconut, chopped toffee

TikTok's Baked Chicken Feta Tomato Pasta

Made this last night, and it did not disappoint! All of us thought it was delicious. (Adapted from here.)

TikTok’s Baked Chicken Feta Tomato Pasta

 

Prep time: 15 mins

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Cook time: 35 mins 

Total time: 50 mins

Serves: 6-8

 

1 lb. chicken breast, cut into 1” pieces

3-4 c. cherry tomatoes (up to 2 pkgs.)

1 (8-10 oz.) block of feta cheese

1/2 c. + 1 Tbsp. olive oil

1-2 tsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. salt, divided

1/4 tsp. pepper, divided

1 tsp. dried basil

1/2 c. fresh basil, chopped

1 tsp. minced garlic or 2 cloves, crushed

1 (12-16 oz.) box of your favorite pasta

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Place cut chicken pieces into the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle them with lemon juice, 1 Tbsp. olive oil, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/8 tsp. pepper, dried basil.

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Scoot the chicken out of the center and place the block of feta there.

Arrange the tomatoes evenly on top of the chicken. Then pour 1/2 c. olive oil evenly over everything and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. pepper.

Bake uncovered for 35 min.

Cook the pasta in salted water (1.5-2 tsp. salt) while the chicken cooks. (Before draining the water, reserve 1 c. pasta water in case you want to thin out the sauce.)

After 35 min., remove the chicken dish and add the chopped basil and crushed garlic. Stir well until the melted feta is completely distributed.

Add the drained pasta and toss until coated. Serve with bread and/or a salad.

Strawberry Pecan Pretzel Salad

This salad was served at Emily's baby shower and then I made it for Christmas Day. Pretty dang tasty! (Adapted from here.)

Strawberry Pecan Pretzel Salad

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1 c. broken pretzels (minis broken into 4 parts)

1/2 c. chopped pecans

3/4 c. brown sugar

3/4 c. butter, melted

3 c. diced strawberries (1.5 lbs)

8 oz. cream cheese (1 block)

1/2 c. granulated sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

3 c. Cool Whip (8 oz. tub)

Mix together pretzels, pecans, brown sugar, and melted butter.

Spread on a large, rimmed baking sheet, and bake at 400°F for 7-8 minutes.

Allow the mixture to completely cool, and break into small pieces.

(The prepped strawberries and this sugared mix can be stored overnight.)

Beat together softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla. Fold in the Cool Whip.

Stir the strawberries and sugared mix into the fresh cream cheese mixture.

Serve immediately.

(Salad will get watery over time, so don't plan on leftovers.)

Chewy M&M Cookies

M&Ms have always been one of Connor's favorite candies! These easy cookies, adapted from here, did not disappoint!

Chewy M&M Cookies

1 c. sugar

1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. oil
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
3 c. flour
M&M's chopped and whole, separated

Cream together sugars, butter and oil.
Add eggs and beat until fluffy.
Add dry ingredients as well as vanilla.
Mix in chopped M&Ms (however many you want).
Place in balls on greased pan, insert 3-5 M&Ms on top.
Bake at 350°F for 7-8 minutes.

Carrot Cake Muffins

When you have 2 pounds of baby carrots in your fridge that you're not going to get to before they go bad, you make delicious Carrot Cake Muffins! (Adapted from here.)

Carrot Cake Muffins

1 1/2 c. flour

1 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1/3 c. brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 c. finely, freshly grated carrots

Eggs should be at room temperature, so pull them out of the refrigerator 30-60 minutes prior.
Preheat oven to 350°F and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
In a large bowl combine oil, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla and mix well. Stir in grated carrots.
Stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients until completely mixed.
Fill muffin liners 2/3 full.
Bake in preheated oven for 20-22 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffins comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to continue cooling.
Serve fresh or store in airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days, or in the fridge up to 2 weeks.

Optional: reheat them in the microwave for about 15 seconds and spread a little butter on top for the ultimate breakfast treat.

Cookie Butter Snickerdoodles

I made these for Christmas this year, and they might be my new favorite way to make snickerdoodles! The cookie butter adds a little extra spice and covers up the tang of the cream of tartar quite nicely. The cookies also stayed soft for a good, long time. (Adapted from here.)

Cookie Butter Snickerdoodles

3 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 c unsalted butter, softened
3/4 c light brown sugar
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c cookie butter
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
cinnamon-sugar mixture:

     1 c sugar

     1 Tbsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with silpat liners.
Whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
Using a hand mixer on medium speed, beat the butter, brown sugar, sugar, and cookie butter until thoroughly combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla.
Reduce mixer speed to low. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing just until combined.
Using a small cookie scoop, roll the dough into balls, 1 at a time. Then roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat. Place 2 inches apart on the prepared pans.
Bake, one pan at a time, 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on the pans for 5 minutes. Then transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

Yield: 4-5 dozen cookies

Margene’s Famous Potato Salad (Instant Pot)

Slowly but surely, I'm trying to make more use of my Instant Pot. I made Mom's Potato Salad over the weekend, and kept track of quantities (since her recipe doesn't have any amounts in it). Even if you don't use an Instant Pot to cook the potatoes and boil the eggs, the specifics in this recipe might help with your efforts. I cooked the potatoes and eggs in the Instant Pot, according to a recipe at Pressure Cooking Today.

Margene’s Famous Potato Salad (Instant Pot)

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5-6 large russet potatoes
5 eggs
1.5 c. water
1 celery heart
1 cucumber
4-5 large dill pickles
6-8 green onions, (just the white & light green part)
12-14 oz. Miracle Whip
2 Tbsp. yellow deli mustard
paprika

Clean potatoes, then peel and cube.
Add water to Instant Pot.
Add cubed potatoes to the IP steamer basket and place the eggs on top.
Lock the lid in place, select High Pressure, 4 minutes cook time, and start.
When the timer beeps, turn off the IP and do a quick pressure release.
When the release is done, carefully remove the lid and the steamer basket.
Place the eggs in an ice water bath to cool.
Place the potatoes in a large mixing bowl to cool.
Prep celery, cucumber, pickles, and onions (don’t worry about getting anything too finely chopped – chunky works well), and add them to the mixing bowl.
Peel and chop 4 eggs into small bowl, set aside. Peel and slice 5th egg and save for garnish.
Mix large bowl ingredients with Miracle Whip and mustard, until well combined.
Add in chopped egg, and gently mix.
Transfer to serving/storage bowl.
Garnish with sliced egg, and sprinkle with paprika.
Tastes best if you chill 4+ hours prior to serving.

Caramel Carrot Poke Cake

I found this recipe online, and made it to complement our Easter dinner - it was delicious! Very reminiscent of my Candy Bar Cake. (Adapted from Something Swanky.)

Caramel Carrot Poke Cake

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1 carrot cake mix, baked in a 9x13 pan and cooled
8-10 oz. of store-bought caramel sauce
6-8 oz. whipped cream cheese (in the tub)
2.5 Tbsp. sugar
8 oz. Cool Whip
1/4 c. chopped pecans

Poke holes all over the cake using the bottom of a mixing spoon handle.
Pour the caramel sauce over the cake, aiming for the holes. 

Refrigerate the cake for at least 3 hours before serving.
Make the frosting before serving. Using an electric mixer, whisk the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Mix in the Cool Whip. 

Spread the frosting mixture over the top of the cake. 

Top with the crushed pecans and additional caramel drizzle, if desired.
Store cake in the refrigerator.

Slow Cooker Hawaiian BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

This is the pulled pork recipe I made for the pool party... we've really enjoyed the leftovers! (Adapted from here.)

Slow Cooker Hawaiian BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

1 3-lb. pork shoulder, butt roast, or pork tenderloin
1/2 c. brown sugar, plus 2 Tbsp. for rub
1 20-oz. can pineapple rings, juice reserved
2 tsp. liquid smoke
1 c. + BBQ sauce (we like Sweet Baby Ray's)
King’s Hawaiian sweet rolls for serving

Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
Take 2 Tbsp. of brown sugar and rub on all sides of the roast; set roast in slow cooker.
In a medium bowl, mix together 1/2 c. brown sugar, juice from can of pineapple rings, liquid smoke, and BBQ sauce. Pour over roast in slow cooker.
Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 5-6 hours.
Shred roast (it will literally fall apart)

Scoop shredded pork onto individual rolls, top with a pineapple ring if desired, and serve.

Serves 6-8.

Easy Baked Pesto Chicken

Made something new tonight, and it was a hit! Wanted to document it before I forgot... both that I cooked and that we loved it. LOL (I buy the chicken, pesto, and Parmesan cheese all at Costco.)

I adapted this recipe from here and she notes that it is "low-carb, Keto, gluten-free, low-glycemic, and South Beach Diet friendly."

Easy Baked Pesto Chicken

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2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 - 3/4 c. basil pesto
1/4 c. shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Trim chicken and slice into 3-4 smaller pieces/strips.
Spray a 9”x13” baking dish with non-stick spray, then spread ¼ c. pesto over the bottom of the dish.
Lay chicken pieces over the pesto and spread the remaining pesto on top.
Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, just until the chicken is cooked through.
Remove from oven and take off foil.
Sprinkle cheese over chicken, and put back in the oven for another 5 minutes to melt the cheese.
To lightly brown the cheese, turn on the broiler at this point and let it broil for 3-5 more minutes.
Serve hot. Juice in pan is tasty over rice and veggies.

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Shells

This recipe combines Connor's favorite foods - chicken, pasta, cheese, and broccoli - and he LOVED it! (Recipe adapted from here.)

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Shells

8 oz. pasta shells

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12 oz. broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
1 lb. chicken breast, in bite-sized pieces
2 Tbsp. butter
1/4 c. flour
2 c. milk
2 c. grated sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot bring water to a boil and add the pasta. Cook according to package directions.
While the pasta is cooking, sauté the chicken; set aside.
The broccoli - if fresh, add it to the boiling pasta the last 3 minutes of cooking; drain and set aside... - if frozen, microwave steam and set aside.

Drain pasta and set aside in colander.
In the same pasta pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about a minute, creating a roux. Over medium-high heat, slowly whisk in the milk and cheese and bring to a boil, until it starts to thicken.
Add in pasta, broccoli, and chicken and toss to coat in the sauce. Serve immediately.