Wednesday, April 16, 2014

A Favorite and Some News

You've probably heard in the news that meat prices are going up and upI know some of you eat very little meat or none at all.  BG and I both grew up on a farm and there was always meat at every meal.  We both love beef and pork, but we also try to eat a lot of chicken and fish.  Every now and then, I'll cook a meatless meal and today I'll share one of my favorite pasta dishes.  You can add Italian sausage or chicken to it if you must, but it is good without any meat!  


First, you will cook 16 ounces of penne pasta in a pan of lightly salted water until al dente.  

  

While the pasta is cooking, peel and mince 3 or 4 cloves of garlic  and cook in 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium heat for a minute or two.  


Add to the skillet two 14 ounce cans of diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.  Cook until thickened 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.


Add the drained pasta to the tomato mixture.  Pour 1/2 of the pasta into a 9X13 baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.  Next, top the pasta with 1/2 of an 8 ounce package of shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese and repeat layers.  

Bake in a pre-heated 400 degree oven for 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.  Enjoy!

Silly me forgot to take a picture of the dish with the cheese on top.  I must have been in a hurry to dig in!  I love this recipe.  What is your favorite pasta dish or meatless recipe?

In other news...

After just bragging (I should have known better) about not getting a cold or flu all winter long, guess who woke up at 4 am with her throat so sore she could barely swallow?  Then, at 2:30 today (Wednesday) BG came home with some chest discomfort.  We called his cardiologist and he has an appointment Thursday afternoon.  Hopefully, it won't be anything too serious, but it's better to be safe than sorry, as they say.  I'll let you know how it goes.  Happy Thursday to you! 

Until next time...
xoxo Cheryl

21 comments:

  1. Oh- I hope the cardiologist gives a good report. That is always a bit scary. I am the same way- I have not had a cold in YEARS and this hit me hard- lasting into the third week. CRAZY!

    That meal sounds delicious!!! xo Diana

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  2. HI Cheryl that recipe sounds great. Do hope everything is ok health wise and you perhaps only have a cold.

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  3. Love to eat pasta. Color attracts so much.
    Think you would have feeling better now. Take care!

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  4. Love the recipe...and it is so quick to prepare. Hope all goes well with the doctor.

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  5. I would love this meal, looks delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe! Have a happy day!

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  6. Oh that does sound and look delicious i could go for a big bowl of that now. Take care of yourself lots of rest and fluids and I will be thinking of BG, Hugs B

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  7. Morning Cheryl, looks so good, thanks for sharing. Hope you are feeling ok, Blessings Francine.

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  8. So sorry to hear that you're sick and that BG is having a cardio event. I'm praying that it's nothing serious for him. Keep us posted.

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  9. the pasta is easy and sounds delish to me, i am a non meat eater most of the time. thanks and so sorry you are both having health issues. hope all is well with both of you

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  10. Hope all is well with you! That recipe looks interesting, our meatless meal is usually Grilled Cheese..comfort food! I like Cheese and Mac too, but my husband doesn't. We don't do much pasta...maybe we should:)

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  11. I make that recipe! Sometimes put sweet Italian sausage in it from Schnucks. Hope BG gets an all good, all clear report!

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  12. sorry about the sickness, and truly hope BG will be okay!

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  13. Oh good heavens! I see that you folks are just in need of hanging out if you get a chance! We enjoy pasta dishes weekly...I enjoy them more than John. He seems to need some meat. Sometimes, I get away with making an egg meal...quiche or something.

    I'll be praying for a good report!

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  14. The pasta looks delicious! I hope there is a good report from the cardiologist. You two take care of yourselves.

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  15. Take Care... I hope all the health woes disappear. I rarely eat anything from a can but Hunts has diced tomatoes with basil and garlic already in it and it is delish.

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  16. Always looking for a meatless meal. Thanks, I can do this.
    I am so sorry you are sick. Not fair. The season is almost over.
    Hope B G's Dr. visit checks out just fine. Take good care of each other.

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  17. Hope and pray everything is good. I like pastas without meat. Have a blessed weekend, xoxo,Susie

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  18. Te recipe looks delicious! I hope it is only a cold and for a good report from the doctor!

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  19. The recipe looks yummy. Sorry to hear you're feeling bad. Hope it is nothing serious with your hubby. Take care.

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  20. Hi Cheryl, Your meatless dinner sounds good.. We are like you two --and prefer some meat. We eat mostly chicken and fish --but do have other meats on occasion. We do love turkey breast also.

    Hope your hubby is going to be okay.. Best to get that pain checked out. Hope he finally gave up the smoking and eats more healthy these days. (Hard for men to do though).

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  21. I make a recipe similar to this, but I use a jar of Prego, along with shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese.. You are right,MIT is yummy!

    Blessings,
    Gert

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