Creamy One-Pot Pasta
This one-pot wonder combines slivered garlic and fresh vegetables for a light pasta dish your family will be sure to request again.
Ingredients:
4 | large garlic cloves, peeled |
1 | jar (7 oz) sun-dried tomatoes in oil, undrained |
3 | cans (14.5 oz each) chicken broth (5 1/4 cups) |
1 | lb uncooked penne pasta |
1 | head broccoli (2 cups small florets) |
2 | medium carrots, peeled |
4 | oz reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel) |
1/4 | tsp salt |
1/2 | tsp coarsely ground black pepper |
Grated fresh Parmesan cheese and snipped fresh basil (optional) |
Directions:
- Thinly slice garlic using a paring knife. Place garlic and 1 tbsp oil from sun-dried tomatoes into (8-qt.) Stockpot. Cook garlic over medium heat 2-3 minutes or until garlic is golden brown, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; add broth. Return to burner; increase heat to high. Cover and bring to a boil. Stir in pasta; cover and simmer vigorously 8-10 minutes or until pasta is almost cooked but still firm, stirring occasionally using a scraper.
- Meanwhile, cut broccoli into small florets; place into a mixing bowl. Cut carrots in half lengthwise; thinly slice crosswise on a bias. Drain sun-dried tomatoes; pat dry with a paper towel. Slice tomatoes into thin strips. Add carrots and tomatoes to mixing bowl.
- Cut cream cheese into cubes. Add vegetables, cream cheese, salt and black pepper to Stockpot. Stir until cream cheese is melted and fully incorporated. Reduce heat to medium; cover and cook an additional 2-4 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Serve immediately. If desired, top with grated fresh Parmesan cheese and snipped fresh basil.
1 (14 ounce) can Sweetened Condensed Milk, Chilled
1 (8oz) container of plain yogurt (i actually used lemon flavored, mmmm yum)
2 1/2 cups of mixed fruit (I sliced up peaches, pineapple, cantaloupe, had some blueberries)
I cut them earlier in the day then put them in a gallon sized ziploc bag and put in the freezer. Then made the smoothies after dinner.
2 tbsp of lemon juice (i didn't have lemon juice, but had a fresh lemon handy and squeezed fresh juice.)
1 1/2 cups of ice.
In blender add the above ingredients, except ice! Cover and blend until smooth. With blender running, gradually add ice, (yeah, if you can do that. I just turned mine off, then added and put cover back on.) Everyone's blender is different, so if you think yours will not make a mess, then I say go ahead and try. LOL
Blend until smooth, then serve immediately. Mine actually turned out real THICK so it was almost of ice cream milkshake consistency. I waited a few minutes, to let thaw a little and it was perfect to drink.
So I made these last night to have after dinner as a dessert. Since I'm trying to go "HEALTHY" for the husband, i figured these would make a great treat instead of the usual cake, cookies, ice cream, etc. Now mind you, I LOVE the cakes, cookies, ice cream, etc. and that won't stop me from making them, but eating healthy is a good idea too. Besides, I love chocolate fudge Mother's cookies, oreos, chocolate cake, and other yummy goodness that I see out there. I used to be the SUGAR QUEEN when it came to desserts.
Now my body doesn't show it, (THANK YOU DAD for the genetic metabolism) but I would order 2 desserts when going to restaurants.
1. This is me now:
2. This was toothpick me in the 80's (Sorry Val, but this is the only old school pic I had available) :-)
3. And this is my dad:
And I'm sorry if this upsets the rest of you that I would not gain a pound, but I too would get tired of the teasing and the making fun of about how skinny I was. I was even told I could hoola-hoop in a cheerio in high school. (I still think that is funny to this day.) It is not my fault that God made me this way!! I love who I am and happy to be this person!! So enjoy the recipes and have a beautiful, awesome day!! I know I am!! Oh, and SMILE!!!
And I'm sorry if this upsets the rest of you that I would not gain a pound, but I too would get tired of the teasing and the making fun of about how skinny I was. I was even told I could hoola-hoop in a cheerio in high school. (I still think that is funny to this day.) It is not my fault that God made me this way!! I love who I am and happy to be this person!! So enjoy the recipes and have a beautiful, awesome day!! I know I am!! Oh, and SMILE!!!