Salmon is a go-to weeknight meal around here and I love how quickly it cooks and that it can be paired with any vegetable or starch to make a healthy and delicious meal. I took one of my favorite childhood dishes, butter pasta, and gave it a delicious twist that pairs perfectly with seared salmon to make a meal that the whole family will love. Basil butter pasta is fresh, comforting, and compliments this simple pan seared salmon in the best way. You will be making this salmon and basil butter pasta dish on a weekly basis because it is so easy and tasty too.
Summer is almost here which means BBQ and picnic season are quickly approaching. Macaroni salad is a classic summer side dish that is perfect for bringing to a friends house or serving alongside your favorite main dishes. it’s one of those recipes that everyone loves and you truly can’t go wrong with it. I lightened my version up a tad by cutting the mayo with Greek yogurt and reducing the amount of sugar that is traditionally used plus I add a ton of crunchy veggies for texture and flavor. This recipe for classic macaroni salad will surely become one of your new favorite dishes to make all summer long!
This post is sponsored by Flora Springs, but all opinions are 100% my own.
Halloween is right around the corner and we personally have a family tradition of always cooking up something extra cozy and hearty to celebrate. Pasta is a go-to since it pairs so well with my favorite red wines to make the ultimate Halloween dinner. That’s why I partnered with Flora Springs, a winery in Napa Valley that has their very own collection of wines just for Halloween! They are considered a ‘Ghost Winery’ which is a term used to describe a winery that was built between 1860 and 1900 and fell into disrepair in the early 20th century due to the triple threat of the vine disease phylloxera, the Great Depression, and Prohibition. Flora Springs has delicious Halloween wine varieties including a 2018 Ghost Winery Malbec, Drink in Peace Merlot, and 2018 All Hallows’ Eve Cabernet Franc that all pair perfectly with this delicious Pumpkin Cacio e Pepe pasta dish that would be so great to serve up on Halloween this year!
It’s officially fall and that means cozy dinners are a must, which is why I compiled forty of my favorite cooler weather, stay at home weeknight meals that will keep bellies and hearts full all season long. I’ve included a little bit of everything to satisfy all of your cravings and even included a few “on the lighter side” fall dishes in case you want to mix up those stick to your bones meals with a some delicious fall salads and more! I compiled a list of all of my favorite fall and winter dishes including a little holiday inspiration for you since that will also be approaching before we know it. You will find everything from soups, one pot meals, crock pot dishes, and more in this round up of fall dinner recipes that you need to make and hopefully it helps keep your family happy and well fed.
When summertime hits, there are a few seasonal produce items that always end up in my fridge each week. Summer squash, zucchini, and corn are my go-to during this time of year because there are so many possibilities for recipes to make with them. You can grill them, roast them, stuff them, sauté them, and one of my favorites is to add them to pasta dishes! Who doesn’t love a good pasta dish? Thats why I love adding veggies into pasta recipes anytime that I can! This delicious recipe for summer squash and corn pasta is going to quickly become your new favorite way to use up all of those summer vegetables available right now.
This post was edited from it’s original post.
My love language is definitely in the form of pasta. Just give me all of the pasta, red sauce based pastas in particular, and I’ll love you forever. True story, just ask my hubby. My dream is go visit Italy and cook alongside an Italian grandma, and let her teach me her ways. I would be the happiest camper and my life would be complete. Wouldn’t that be amazing? One day…but anyway, speaking of pasta and Italian dishes, lasagna is one of those dishes that for some reason I only make for special occasions. I am not sure why, because it really isn’t that hard and it freezes beautifully too which makes it perfect for meal prepping. I came up with the recipe a few years ago when I got a hankering for lasagna and the result was out of this world. It's layered with flavor and I even lightened it up just slightly so you can feel a little better about lasagna night at your house any weekday! My spinach and beef lasagna is sure to delight the bellies of all your family and friends and it will soon become one of your favorite pasta recipes to make guaranteed.
After being out of town for a week, I spent the day yesterday meal prepping to help prepare for a week of getting back on track with work, school, and our regular routine! One of the first items up that I prepped was an easy pasta salad. Pasta salads are on of those dishes that I love making ahead of time because they make easy lunches and/or a simple addition to dinner! Another perk is that they just get better in the fridge after sitting for a day or two. I love that I can add a tons of veggies into the mix to bulk up the pasta along with whatever protein I want to add in whether that be beans, chicken, or cured meats! I am currently obsessed with my new favorite pasta salad which just so happens to use one of my go-to seasonings, everything bagel seasoning. My Everything Bagel Pasta Salad is not only easy to make, but your whole family is going to love eating it all week long!
I woke up this morning to crisp air outside y’all! Texas is finally getting a long awaited cool front that is making my fall loving heart so happy! I have been a little out of touch lately because I was out of town last week, my mom has been in town all this week, and I allowed myself to take a little break from work! But when I make a dish that I know you guys are going to love, then I have to share it with you, so here we are! My baked bolognese spaghetti squash is going to satisfy your cozy pasta cravings while helping you fit in your best jeans all season long!
I'll just never be the girl who can give up pasta. There I said it, I've tried before and I've failed, and I decided a life without pasta is just no life for me. You feel me right? That's why we are friends after all... I mean I'm not saying we should be eating it every day of the week, but when the craving hits, you most definitely should indulge! One of my favorite comfort pastas is macaroni and cheese because it brings me back to my childhood, my kiddo loves it, and I mean it's cheese and pasta after all...a match made in heaven. My easy 3- ingredient macaroni and cheese is going to change your life in the homemade mac-n-cheese game because it is so easy to make and is super creamy and delicious!
School is officially back in for most schools here in Texas and that means busier schedules for us too! The importance of easy weeknight meals is more essential than ever right now and I want you to know that I get it, and I am here for you! I love having easy and healthy pasta recipes for just the kind of nights where your kids are starving and mom and dad are exhausted! My gluten free Italian sausage and pepper pasta is just the kind of dinner that you are going to want to add in to you weekly routine that is easy enough to cook even on the busiest of nights!
Monday whipped my booty y'all. I am not going to lie, it was a little rough. I didn't sit down until well after 7:00pm (but for real) and then when I attempted to take a bath, my toddler hijacked it. Like straight up, "mommy Parks take bath too." And I mean of course I couldn't tell him no, so I took a cold bath and he swam in a sea of bubbles and was the happiest kid on the block. Which, in turn made me the happiest mama on the block too, but man I had been looking forward to that bath. When I put him to bed, I yawned really big and he said "Mommy sleepy"...yes buddy mama was super sleepy last night. I totally get it now why my mom would fall asleep as soon as she would sit down my whole life! This mom stuff is no joke! So while we are on the topic of days where you literally don't have energy to think about dinner, let me help you out! My 30 minute gluten free cilantro pesto chicken pasta is a cinch to make on any day of the week, (even the exhausting ones.)
Life has been busy lately, kind of crazy if I am being honest. But then again that's mom life right? That means the days where I can prep dinner in advance (aka naptime) and know that I have a nutritious and filling dinner ready to go for my family are the best days! I am a big fan of recipes that are comforting, filling, and delicious all the while staying on the nutritious side! My easy pumpkin and sausage baked ziti made using Barilla ProteinPLUS pasta is the perfect dish to make any night of the week!
Happy happy Monday friends! How was your weekend? We had a great visit to Louisiana where we ate too much (as always), got to see friends and family, and came home yesterday to a gorgeous Texas afternoon! We spent the day in the backyard soaking up every second of the perfect weather that is for sure not going to stay around for very long! It's days like these where simple meals to me are the best meals. One, I don't want to take too much time in the kitchen away from my guys and two, days like yesterday make me want to eat a light and fresh meal that the whole family will be a fan of. My easy roasted asparagus pesto pasta is so perfect for any night of the week and you are going to love how simple this recipe truly is.
Do you have a certain food that you could eat every week and never get tired of it? Or maybe it's that one thing on the menu that you can't resist ordering at a restaurant..regardless whatever it is for you, you need to learn to make it at home! For me, it's all about that meatball! You guys I love ALL the meatballs in the world, but my favorite is hands down the classic Italian meatball swimming in homemade marinara sauce. That's why I am sharing with you my easy homemade meatballs in marinara so that you can make them for your family and all be blissfully happy too!
Thanksgiving is over...did you make it through? Are you still in stretchy pants? Because it's totally okay if you are. If you had a week anything like mine, you are probably trying to get back on a the healthy diet bandwagon (if not for only a few weeks before Christmas) and are looking for recipes that aren't lacking in the flavor department. My healthy whole wheat shrimp pasta with kale pesto is just the kind of one pot meal that will have you forgetting that you are eating something completely good for your body.
Can someone please explain to me how it is almost July and how I am going to have a 9 month old baby? Where has the time gone? This year is flying by entirely too fast for me and I need it to slow down. We've had a lot going on the past month with Parks having surgery among other things and one thing that has been a lifesaver for me is easy dinners! I have been making lots of 30 minute meals lately because I just don't have time for much else! I am sure you can relate with kids home from school, vacations, and all of the other busyness that comes with summer. The days are disappearing and dinner time rolls around without any warning leaving your hungry family staring at you wondering what will be on the menu for the night. My Greek chicken pasta salad is going to be one of your new favorite easy meals that will fill up your "people" while keeping it somewhat healthy at the same time!
Fall has officially arrived surrounding me with thoughts of fall fashion, pumpkin everything, and the hope of some cooler weather arriving to Texas in the near future. I love this time of year. The colors, the food, the energy from everyone else's excitement for the season, and this year the anticipation of our baby boy's arrival! Speaking of, we are officially one week and six days out from his due date! Crazy town! My cravings have been carb heavy lately or anything pumpkin related so I combined my two obsessions and created this delicious and easy brown butter and sage pumpkin ravioli with walnuts!
This meal is decadent, everything you love about a fall cozy meal, and is just absolutely delicious!
There's a tiny (and I do mean tiny) feeling of fall in the air here in Texas, and it has me way too excited about all things cozy and fall like. With the drop in humidity and temperatures, came my desire to cook comfort food and turn my stove back on over the weekend. I am not going to lie, I am already plotting Thanksgiving and Christmas menus, decorations, and more. I know I need to have this baby first...that's what you are thinking...but honestly I think his arrival is making my excitement even more so. Regardless, my whole wheat butternut squash and pesto lasagna is the perfect transition meal right into fall!
Butternut squash and pesto is an epic combination.
Yesterday my morning started out kinda rough, and I was in a blah mood all day long. Later in the afternoon, I was checking my email and I saw where I won an Ergo baby carrier from a blog giveaway! I never win anything, EVER, and was beyond excited because I had just registered for one and they run about 170.00. It was just the pick me up I needed to change my mood for the afternoon. Do you ever have days like that where you just have a hard time getting out of your funk? If you are human, I am sure you do and there is nothing better at the end of one of those days than a big bowl of comfort food. My easy baked ziti is just the sort of meal that will make you feel better in one bite.
It's funny how food can do that, transform your mood after a long day. It's one of the reasons I love to cook. For me, it's healing and to be able to serve others a meal that makes them feel better too is such a rewarding experience.
In the summertime I envy all of the other states across the country who aren't drenched with humidity and extreme high heat, like we are here in Louisiana. However, currently with all of the ice and snow storms that some of you are dealing with, I am feeling pretty blessed in live in the deep South where 45 degree days are considered cold! And when it's cold, there just isn't much to be motivated about. I just want to hibernate with the biggest blanket I can find, eat comfort food, and watch as many bad chick flicks as the Hallmark channel will play for me. Nothing says comfort and warmth to me like a warm bowl of my healthy turkey spaghetti bolognese!
Honestly I have probably told you this before, but my absolute favorite, could eat for the rest of my life...everyday of my life meal is spaghetti and meatballs..or really just any kind of spaghetti and red sauce! I looovveee it and crave a big bowl of it for dinner on a regular basis.
TGIF guys! This week had been dragging for me, and I am super excited about the weekend finally arriving. Tomorrow night I get to dress up in a ball gown and Canean will be looking dashing in a tux because we are attending a Mardi Gras Ball! To be honest I'm really excited, we haven't gotten this dressed up since our wedding almost seven years ago! It's our last Mardi Gras here in Louisiana so it will be a great way to go out with a bang. As far as the rest of the weekend goes, I'm planning on doing a little blog planning, house de-cluttering, and eating comfort food like my Roasted Cauliflower and Whole Wheat Pasta with Pork Meatballs.
This recipe is one of my favorites. It's pretty healthy and the cauliflower adds extra volume to the dish and you end up eating less pasta.
Growing up my mom used to make me the same pasta before every swim meet. It was super easy and involved, noodles, butter, and garlic salt. That was it..and it was delicious. It's still one of my favorite comfort foods to this day. Wellll...the other day I was watching the Food Network and Ina Garten was making her "Midnight Pasta" which looked very similar to my mom's pasta so I tuned in. It was a whole episode about what chefs cook when they get off of work. Turns out it's the same idea as my mom's, but Ina's version is a little more gourmet. And holy moly is it delicous...and fast. I've already made it a couple of times since then and because the ingredients are ones that I keep in the house most of the time I can make it any time that I want to! Fifteen minute pasta or midnight pasta, is going to become your new favorite go to weeknight dinner, I'll bet on it.
We all know those nights where you barely have energy to think about cooking, let alone actually cooking. You have about a thirty minute window where if you are going to cook, it has to happen then otherwise it's takeout for the family. That's where this pasta comes in to save your life.
It's hearty so you can serve it by itself or throw in some grilled chicken and a salad and call it a day. It's comfort on a plate and oh my goodness is it delicious.
One of the things I like to do for meal prepping is to make sauces at the beginning of the week. I like this because even if I don't know exactly what is on the menu, if I have a delicious sauce in the fridge waiting on me, I can usually creates a yummy dinner in no time! Sauces like my basic basil pesto are one of my staples that I almost always have on hand! When I say basic basil pesto, that is not to take away from how utterly delicious a basic pesto actually can be. What I mean is that it is the most simple form of pesto, a basic formula to build on for any future pesto creations. I love having a batch of this in the fridge or the freezer for pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, eggs, and more and I think you are going to love making a homemade basic basil pesto in your kitchen too!
If you are looking for an easy summer pasta recipe that feels both comforting and fresh, this Sweet Corn and Leek Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto is it. This recipe is inspired by a dish I had on vacation this summer that I had to recreate. Sweet summer corn, buttery sautéed leeks, crispy prosciutto, parmesan, and pasta come together in the most perfect simple summer pasta and gets topped off with crispy fried leeks that bring it to the next level. It’s a dinner that is special enough to entertain with, but simple enough to make any night of the week.