30 Minute Skillet Pizza Pasta

This pizza pasta is made with six ingredients in one skillet and it's ready in less than 30 minutes! 

It's a perfect meal for any night of the week and one that the whole family will love!

Happy New Year! I know I'm a few days late, but better late than never right? I'm excited to share a new recipe with you today but really I am just thrilled to be back blogging again. As I'm sure you've noticed, I haven't been around much the last year or so. I had a lot going on with my job and my family and I felt it was best to take a break for a bit. I've missed being here so much, it feels amazing to be back! 

#AD Chicken Fajita Pasta

This post is written by me on behalf of Tyson Foods, Inc. All opinions are entirely my own.

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser.

All opinions are mine alone. #StockUpMakeSmiles #CollectiveBias

Loaded with tender chicken, lots of veggies, and a flavorful sauce, this one pan

Chicken Fajita Pasta is incredibly delicious and super simple to make!

I can't believe it but school is almost back in session! So tell me, are you excited that the kids are headed back to school? Or are you sad? In talking to my friends I've found about a 50/50 split between those that are ready to get back to their routines and those that want to keep the kids home. Now that my youngest is starting college it feels a little different this year. Although it's not a standard 8 - 3 day and he's no longer playing sports, we are still busier than ever. He'll be taking classes four days a week plus working, and my full time job is keeping me on my toes. That's why I love to have simple and delicious meals like this Chicken Fajita Pasta at the ready to get dinner on the table fast!

One of my favorite products to always have on hand is Tyson® Grilled & Ready® Refrigerated Chicken Breast Strips found in the refrigerated meat aisle at Walmart. Made with white-meat chicken, it's 98% fat free and fully cooked and ready in minutes for a wholesome, tasty meal. Not only do I use it in dishes like this pasta, but it's perfect in quesadillas, wraps, nachos, and so much more!

This Chicken Fajita Pasta recipe calls for just a handful of ingredients and comes together in just 30 minutes. It truly is the perfect back to school weeknight meal! It's full of chicken, delicious veggies, and pasta, making it a meal the whole family will love. I use frozen fajita veggies and canned tomatoes, making prep super simple. It's also made in one pan, so clean up is a cinch!  

Chicken Fajita Pasta

Author: Sarah Bates | The Chef Next Door

Serves 4

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Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons olive oil

16 ounce package frozen fajita blend vegetables

1 envelope taco seasoning

2 cups chicken broth

1 can diced tomatoes

3 cups dried penne pasta

2 - 6 ounce packages Tyson® Grilled & Ready® Refrigerated Chicken Breast Strips

Salt and pepper, to taste

Cotija cheese and chopped cilantro, if desired

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the vegetables and taco seasoning and cook, stirring occasionally, until the veggies are tender.

Add the broth, diced tomatoes and uncooked pasta. Stir to combine and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cover. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Add the chicken to the skillet and stir to combine until heated through, about 2-3 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with crumbled cotija cheese and fresh chopped cilantro, if desired.

Bon Appétit!

You can find Tyson® Grilled & Ready® Refrigerated Chicken in the refrigerated meat section of your local Walmart!

Homemade Fettuccine Alfredo

With just a handful of fresh ingredients and 30 minutes of time, you can have this creamy 

and delicious Homemade Fettuccine Alfredo on the dinner table!

High school graduation is over, the party is over, and now it's back to reality. Back to the realization that my babies aren't babies anymore, although they'll always be my babies. Ya' know what I mean? We really did have a fantastic weekend and E's graduation party turned out marvelous, but it's hard to come to terms with the fact that we busted our butts for a couple of weeks to get everything ready and then in a matter of hours it was all over. I'm sad!

One Pot Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes and Spinach

Weeknight dinner just got easier with this flavor packed One Pot Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes and Spinach!

This past weekend my youngest son graduated from high school. {If you follow me on Instagram then I'm sure you saw a few photos!} He is my baby. My baby is no longer in high school. It sounds so weird to say that! The past four years have flown by and I'm so proud of him, but I'm still coming to terms with the fact that my babies aren't babies anymore. It's really hard being a parent sometimes! Please tell me you agree and that I'm not alone?!

Pasta e Fagioli Soup

This hearty Pasta e Fagioli soup made with pancetta, beans, pasta and vegetables is perfect for chilly winter nights!

Although we've had some unseasonably warm weather the past couple of weeks, I'm smart enough to know that winter isn't over just yet. I mean, I live in Michigan! The weather changes every few hours it seems like. And sure enough, after enjoying some springlike weather where I pulled out my flip flops and had my windows open, it's back to being cold. Not just cold, but windy too, which makes it worse. To me there's nothing better than a pot of hearty and comforting soup on days like this, and this Pasta e Fagioli is one of my favorites.

Bucatini with Spinach Pesto #SundaySupper

Looking for an easy dinner recipe? This Bucatini with Spinach Pesto is the best! 

Fresh pesto is tossed with hot cooked pasta for a simple yet flavor packed meal!

Happy New Year, friends! Can you believe that 2017 is already here? I'm still trying to wrap my head around how quickly 2016 went by. I hope you all had a fun and safe evening last night. As for me, I chilled at home with my son. We played games, watched football, and of course, watched the ball drop. I've never really been one for going out on NYE and am quite content being home with my family. Big party animal I am, huh? 😉

Now that the holidays are quickly coming to a close, the kids will be back to school before we know it and our hectic lives will begin again. One of the biggest challenges that we all face is dinner. The kids get home from school and are starving, and the last thing us parents want to do when we get home from work is stand in the kitchen for an hour cooking. How about we enjoy an easy supper recipe to get us back into the swing of things?

Christmas Eve Pasta

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. 

All opinions are mine alone. #ad #MakeHeartburnHistory #CollectiveBias

This flavorful and delicious Christmas Eve Pasta has become a holiday tradition in our house. 
It can feed a crowd, and the sauce can be made ahead, making it the perfect holiday dish!

Over the years our Christmas Eve traditions have mostly stayed the same, but I like to change our menu up from time to time. For years we enjoyed appetizers that night after returning from mass. My mom and I would make a huge spread of both hot and cold appetizers and we'd all sit and enjoy our feast while watching Christmas movies. Although I still love doing that, recently this Christmas Eve Pasta has become a new favorite tradition. The homemade sauce, filled with pancetta, Italian sausage, peppers and onions, can be made ahead of time so there isn't much to do when you're ready to eat. Just cook up a batch of fresh pasta and you're ready to go!

Pesto-Herbed Angel Hair and Peas

This Pesto-Herbed Angel Hair and Peas is a quick and easy weeknight meal that also happens to be 

nutritious and delicious! It's a meal you can feel good about feeding your family.

Everyone knows I love pasta, and you should know by now that also I love quick and easy meals. With how busy we are {and I know you are too} it's a relief to have a dinner recipe that is simple, healthy and delicious to feed my family any weeknight. With that being said, I'm celebrating National Pasta Month, or as my friends over at Dreamfields Pasta call it, #HealthyPastaMonth, by sharing this amazing Pesto-Herbed Angel Hair and Peas! 

All month long Dreamfields is featuring pasta recipes focused on a different theme, and this weeks' theme is “Go Green." My Pesto-Herbed Angel Hair and Peas fits in with that theme perfectly, don't you think?

Sausage and Spaghetti Bake

This comforting Sausage and Spaghetti Bake is a delicious and satisfying dish that the whole family will love. 

Put it together on the weekend and bake it up later in the week for a perfect weeknight supper. 

Are you getting into your back to school routines again? Tomorrow starts the third week of school for my youngest so we are almost settled into our old routine and it feels so good. I like to have order in my life, to have things planned out. My trusty planner is my best friend and I live by it. I know, it's a good and a bad thing to rely on it so much and to live by a schedule, but I just feel much less stressed if I know what's coming at me. 

Dinner can definitely stress me out from time to time if I don't have a plan in place. Do you menu plan for the week? Or just fly by the seat of your pants? I feel like I'm somewhere in between most days. There's stuff in the house to be cooked, but I may just not have planned out exactly what we are having on what day. This school year year I'm hoping to change that.

One Pot Roasted Red Pepper and Spinach Alfredo

This rich and creamy One Pot Roasted Red Pepper and Spinach Alfredo cooks in one single pan and 
can be on the table in 30 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight meal!

It's hard to believe but school is starting soon! How did the summer go by so fast? Wasn't it just June? I'm having a hard time grasping the fact that school does in fact start next Monday, AND my baby is a senior. Seems like just yesterday he was a freshman! My oldest will be starting his junior year in college in just a few short weeks, and suddenly I feel old. Very, very old. My babies aren't little babies any more!

Anyway, sorry for getting all sappy and what not. I'll pull myself together now, simply because I've been dying to share this recipe with you. One Pot Roasted Red Pepper and Spinach Alfredo is creamy, full of flavor, hearty, and just plain delicious. If you've got one big pan and about thirty minutes or so to spare, then this meal is for you!

Cajun Shrimp Capellini

This Cajun Shrimp Capellini is beautiful, flavorful, and takes less than 30 minutes to prepare! 

Seasoned shrimp are tossed in a simple tomato cream sauce and served over pasta. 

It's the perfect weeknight meal for the family!

Although I love seafood, I didn't start cooking it at home until a few years ago. For some reason I was intimidated and thought I wouldn't cook it properly. No idea why, I guess I was just being a big chicken! One day, when I was really craving scallops, I decided to put aside my insecurities and buy them. I brought them home, prepared them, and you know what? They were delicious! I didn't overcook them. They weren't rubbery and tough. They were actually soft and tender and melted in your mouth. And of course I was kicking myself for not doing that sooner! Lesson learned right there. Don't be afraid, just do it!

One Pan Greek Beef Pasta

This One Pan Greek Beef Pasta is made in one skillet and can be on your table in less than 30 minutes! 

It's quick, easy, and full of delicious flavors that your whole family will love! 

There's nothing better on a busy weeknight than knowing you don't have to worry about dinner. To have all of the ingredients on hand for a quick and easy one pan meal is a blessing. I've learned over the years that dinner doesn't have to be complicated. It's all about using the best ingredients to make one heck of a delicious meal. This One Pan Greek Beef Pasta is just that!

Lean ground beef, Red Gold tomatoes and fresh green beans are the stars of this easy one pan meal. Oh, and you can't forget the cheese. Delicious feta cheese to be exact. It's the simplest of dinners, but one that my entire family absolutely loves.

Shrimp Scampi with Linguine

This simple but elegant Shrimp Scampi with Linguine is perfect for a special occasion, 

but it also makes a great quick weeknight meal!

I love seafood, but I don't cook with it nearly enough. {Other than a box of fish fillets...I know, don't judge!!} Cooking with fresh seafood is something I really want to get better at this year. Scallops, shrimp, fish, I enjoy it all! Lucky for me, my kids like it too. 

I decided I wanted to make a really nice {OK, fancy!} dinner for my boys on Valentine's Day. After all, they are my favorite Valentines ever! I wanted this dish to be simple to make, and something that we could have often, not just on special occasions. This Shrimp Scampi with Linguine was the winner, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out!

Ziti with Eggplant, Sausage and Parmesan

Italian sausage, eggplant, and Parmesan cheese come together in this quick and easy hearty pasta dish!

We all know how much I love pasta, and it's been quite awhile since I shared a new pasta recipe. Well, it's about time I change that! I've been experimenting with different combinations and flavors, and this Ziti with Eggplant, Sausage and Parmesan is my new favorite.

Other than traditional eggplant parm, I've never cooked eggplant in a pasta dish before. Once I tried this dish, I realized I had really been missing out! The cubes of eggplant turn soft and tender, and the their flavor pairs perfectly with the Italian sausage.

Cheese and Kale Manicotti

Whip up this meatless manicotti filled with cheese and kale for a delicious and healthy vegetarian meal!

With the weather cooling down lately, I've been all about making comfort food! Whether it's a pot of chili or soup, or a warm casserole, Fall is the best time to start making your favorite comfort food dishes. I'm a big fan of Italian food, and stuffed shells and manicotti are right up at the top of my favorites. Instead of going with the traditional meat filling, I decided to go all cheesy and veggie with it. Because cheese. Cheese is life.

My mom made manicotti with spinach when I was growing up, which I've seen most often, but I wanted to be different. I wanted to think outside the box! When I came across frozen kale in the freezer section of my local grocery store recently, I knew it would make the perfect filling for my manicotti. I do love me some kale!

Lemon Penne Pasta with Mushrooms and Spinach

Just 30 minutes is all you need to get this delicious and healthy lemon penne pasta dish on your dinner table! 

We all know my love for Italian food runs deep. I mean REAL deep. I could eat it pretty much every single day and not get tired of it. There are so many different dishes to make, so many pastas to create with, there is no way I could get bored. Red sauces, white sauces, butter sauces, OH MY! I could go on and on, but I'll spare you my crazy food babble. I sometimes get carried away!

Speaking of pasta, did you know that October is National Pasta Month? 31 days of deliciousness is what I call it! In conjunction with this holiday, Dreamfields Pasta is hosting #HealthyPastaMonth. All month long they’re featuring bloggers’ recipes focused on a different theme. This week's theme is “Veggielicious," and I'm so excited that they are kicking the week off with MY recipe!

Cheesy Baked Pasta with Ham

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. 

#NaturallyCheesy #CollectiveBias

This super cheesy casserole full of colorful pasta and delicious ham is a simple make ahead meal that 

turns into one tasty dinner!

As we start our third week of school, I'm finally getting back into my groove and it feels great to have my routine back. With that being said, I've also started meal planning again. Between homework, football, and other extra curricular activities, I need to plan ahead of time what's for dinner. This cheesy baked pasta with ham is definitely a simple meal solution for busy weeknights. Put the dish together on a Sunday afternoon, then bake it the next day for a quick and delicious dinner. You can find other great recipe ideas and a good food game plan courtesy of Kraft here. Also, be sure to stop by your local Walmart on September 26th for a Game Time demo! 

I'm a huge lover of pasta, and an even bigger lover of cheese. Putting the two together is always a good idea in my book. This baked pasta dish uses Kraft Natural Cheese Shredded Mozzarella, plus Parmesan cheese, and is super ooey, gooey and cheesy when it comes out of the oven. What's not to love about that?

Chickpea & Pasta Salad with Lemon-Chutney Dressing #Pastapalooza

Chickpeas and toasted pine nuts add the perfect crunch to this fresh, delicious pasta salad! 

If you've been following my blog for awhile, you know that aside from sweets, pasta is by far one of my favorite foods. Whether it's a main pasta dish for dinner, or a cold pasta salad for a picnic, I truly love my pasta. Lately I've been trying really hard to eat healthy as often as possible and make better food choices. To help with that, I've been eating a lot of Dreamfields Pasta and let me say it's quickly become my favorite! With 5 grams of fiber and 7 grams of protein per serving, it's a simple way to add nutrition to your diet. And it tastes delicious, too! 

Dreamfields is celebrating their 5th Anniversary of their #Pastapalooza event. To celebrate this milestone, they’re having a #Pastapalooza Market Basket Challenge! Food bloggers are creating recipes around different themes using five required ingredients. Readers have the opportunity to vote for their favorite recipe from each market basket category, with the winning blogger receiving a $1,000 donation to their local food bank/pantry; a $200 donation will go to the food bank of choice of the remaining bloggers. One randomly drawn reader who votes will win a family pack of Dreamfields Pasta plus a $1,000 donation to the local food bank/pantry of their choice.

Roasted Tomato and Sweet Pepper Pasta with Fresh Mozzarella

Colorful, nutritious, and delicious, this pasta salad will quickly become your new favorite potluck party dish!

Did you know that June is National Dairy Month? Well if you didn't, you do now! Here in Michigan this is an important thing to celebrate, since more than 98% of Michigan dairy farms are family owned and operated. Dairy farming is a true Michigan tradition! Michigan’s 2,030 dairy farms produce more than enough milk to supply our state, so we are fortunate our milk is local.

We eat and drink a lot of dairy products in our house. We consume milk, ice cream and cheese on a daily basis. I cook and bake with cream, butter and cream cheese quite often. Like I said, I love my dairy!

Tomato Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad + Produce for Kids Campaign

Four simple ingredients are all you need to make this deliciously creamy, fresh and healthy pasta salad 

your whole family will love!

Being a mom to two active, growing teenage boys, I'm always trying to incorporate more fresh fruits and veggies into their diets. Sometimes I have to be sneaky, but most of the time I don't. I'm lucky that they aren't too picky, and love a wide variety of foods. My oldest especially, will eat just about everything I serve him. From spinach to arugula to asparagus, there isn't much he doesn't like.

When I was recently asked to help promote the 13th Annual Produce for Kids campaign, I was thrilled! This healthy eating-focused campaign with Meijer launched May 31st and will raise funds to bring the nutrition education program, Jump with Jill, to local schools in the Meijer area. The Produce for Kids campaign offers Meijer shoppers in-store and online meal solutions, recipes, and tips to families looking to embrace healthier eating habits.