And then they asked for more...

Today I wanted to do a quick and easy dinner since we had boxing (ended up doing conditioning) tonight. Pasta was on the mind so I started to rummage through the cupboards and found a box of gluten-free penne and tossed it on the stove. It was perfect start to what turned into the perfect dinner.

Spinach and Mushroom Pasta Casserole

Ingredients
1 box of pasta
1 can of tomato sauce
1 cup of shredded mixed cheese
1 package of mushrooms (I get chopped, less work for me)
2 cups of diced spinach
1-2 tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp basil
1 tsp 21 seasoning (trader joes)
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp olive oil

Directions
1. Boil the pasta
2. In saucepan, add tomato sauce, seasonings, and garlic and bring to a boil
3. In another pan, sauté mushrooms and a pinch of salt until tender.
4. Add mushrooms and spinach and bring down to a simmer.
5. When pasta is done, place pasta in a casserole dish and add the sauce. Miss all together.
6. Add 3/4 cup cheese and mix in.
7. Add remainder of cheese on top

When it's time to bake, preheat oven to 350 and bake for 25-30 minutes.

This meal is a great make ahead and store until ready to bake. It's a hit every kids and adults. As you can see they nearly polished it off!

Enjoy!

Taco Soup Recipe

In the midst of a chilly Cinco De Mayo, my desire for a crunchy taco dissipated into wanting soup. I had everything sitting there calling for me to make tacos so changing it up for tortilla soup wasn't going to cut it and the end result came out to a resounding success in which the kupcakes (aka the kids) cried out and signed "more more" while Mr. Planner was already up getting a second bowl full.

Taco Soup

1 package of ground turkey
Taco seasoning packet
1 can of diced tomatoes with chilies
1 can of black beans
1 cup Shredded Mexican cheese (I used 2% as well as full -- half of each)
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour (I use whole wheat)
1 individual container of plain Greek yogurt (I used fat free)
Water


Directions:
1. In one pan cook and season (with salt and pepper) the ground turkey.
2. In a pot, stir melted butter and flour together until smooth (no lumps).
3. Quickly add yogurt and 1/2 cup of water until all mixed together.
4. Toss in shredded cheese and stir until smooth.
5. Add tomatoes, black beans, and cooked ground turkey and stir a little more.
6. Next add taco seasoning and 1-1.5 cups of water.
7. Let simmer for 10-15 before serving stirring occasionally (this helps prevent cheese from sticking to the bottom.

Serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt, a little more cheese (there can never be too much cheese) and a few crushes chips.

Enjoy!