Garden Chicken Pasta

Recently I did one of those weeks where I tried to clean out that pantry and use of the fresh veggies that had accumulated around the kitchen. We were getting ready to go on vacation and I didn't want to restock the kitchen too much.

I saw a recipe on the side of the Barilla pasta box and kind of revamped it for what I had on hand. It was quick, easy, and tasty, as well as being endlessly adaptable to fresh veggies, pasta, and cheese on hand.

1 pound pasta boiled according to package directions or until tender

1-2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 medium onion chopped

1 clove garlic, pressed

1 pint purple tomatoes, cut into bite sized pieces

1 yellow squash halved and sliced

salt and pepper to taste

Italian seasoning blend

1 12 oz. can chicken breast fully drained OR leftover grilled chicken chopped

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta and drain when ready. Heat one tablespoon olive oil in large skillet or dutch oven. Add chopped onion and saute until translucent. Add remaining vegetables, and spices to taste (maybe 1/2 to 1 tsp. Italian blend). Cook on medium heat until a nice liquid begins to develop. Add chicken and raise temperature to allow liquid to cook down (about 1-15 minutes). Mix pasta and sauce in large bowl and top with cheese of choice, serving with additional  cheese if desired. Serves 6.

A good loaf of crusty bread rounds this out nicely.

Happy eating!

linking up with Made by You Monday

Pasta with Chicken and Sausage

Yesterday we had friends over for lunch and I grilled chicken and sausage. Today when I was deciding on dinner I remembered a pasta dish that would be perfect for using my leftover grilled meats.

The original recipe calls for 16 oz. of kielbasa and 2 cans of diced tomatoes, but I had a tomato or two that needed eating, so I substituted (I tend to do that a lot!). This is a lighter pasta dish that is perfect for summer, as well as being a good way of using leftovers.

12 oz. pasta

6-8 oz. grilled chicken

6-8 oz. grilled sausage (I used Aidells')

1 can organic diced tomatoes

1 medium/large tomato, diced

1/2 tsp. sugar

1 Tbs. minced parsley

grated Parmesan cheese

Prepare pasta according to package directions. While pasta is cooking, heat 1 Tbs. olive oil in a skillet on med/hi heat. Toss in tomatoes, chicken, sausage, sugar, and parsley. Cook until heated through and moisture begins to reduce (about 15 minutes). Drain pasta when done and toss with meat sauce. Serve with Parmesan cheese.

Serves 6-8

Happy eating!

linking up with Made by You Monday