Little loaves of yumminess!

3/4 lb ground beef
3/4 lb ground pork
1 large egg
2 slices bread, broken
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup minced onion
1-2 small ribs celery, diced
1 tsp garlic salt
1/4 cup ketchup
1 Tbsp mustard
2 Tbsp parsley flakes
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp dill
Combine all ingredients and mix lightly. Form into 6 equal loaves. Place in a 9X13 baking dish. Thinly slice 6 small potatoes (red, yellow and purple work wonderfully) and arrange around the loaves (but not on top). Bake 10 minutes at 400. Glaze loaves with a little apricot or peach jam and return to oven covered with foil. Bake 20 minutes. Uncover and glaze the loaves again with more jam. Bake uncovered 25 minutes. Remove from oven and add 1 1/2 cups frozen petite peas. Cover with foil and let it sit about 10 minutes before serving.
This freezes really well baked or unbaked!

Easy Chicken Parm Shells!

I totally suck at blogging.......but my cooking ROCKS!
1 box jumbo shells cooked and drained
1 bag cooked chicken, thawed
1 lb ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 tsp crushed garlic
1 tsp Italian seasoning
salt and pepper
Spray a 9X13 pan with non stick spray. Open a can of your favorite spaghetti sauce (I like Hunt's traditional) and pour some over the bottom of the pan.
Mix all the filling ingredients together and put a heaping Tablespoon into each shell. Arrange shells in a single layer over the sauce. Top with 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese. Cover with foil. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes. Uncover and bake until cheese is bubbly and golden.

Instant Gratification!

I love a good dinner that you can have on the table hot and yummy fast!
Faster than take out.....way faster than pizza delivery!
This is super yummy!
It was kinda spicy though so if your family doesn't like spicy food cut back on the seasoning!
Next time I make this I am going to add in some steamed broccoli to the dish!
With cooked chicken from the freezer this was literally done in the time it takes to cook the pasta!

10 oz Penne pasta cooked and drained
2 bags cooked chicken cubes (thawed)
2-4 tsp Cajun seasoning
1 tsp minced garlic
1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 Tbsp butter
3 cups heavy cream
1/2 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup chopped Roma tomatoes
4 Tbsp shredded Parmesan cheese

Put all the chicken into 1 bag and sprinkle on the Cajun seasoning (it's kind of spicy so if your family can't take the heat use the lesser amount) shake it up. In a large saute pan heat olive oil and butter. Add the seasoned chicken. Cook until chicken becomes brown and the seasoning is dark and smoky. Add the garlic and then pour in the heavy cream. Add the lemon pepper. Season with salt and pepper (to taste, the measurement is just a guess). Lower heat to low and sprinkle in 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese a little at a time stirring until the cheese melts and sauce begins to thicken. Let it simmer and reduce until the sauce is thickened to your liking. To serve divide Penne into 4 large bowls. Top with chicken/sauce mixture. Sprinkle with 1 Tbsp cheese and tomatoes.