Zucchini and Cheese Stuffed Shells WIth Meat Marinara

I was really nervous about trying these because it was a first for me.  All I have to say is first time is a charm!!  They were really good and best of all I have four more meals in the freezer for future weeks.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE freezer meals and whenever I make a meal that freezes well I always quadruple it.  I did not take any pictures of putting these bad boys together so I will direct you to The Pioneer Woman who gives step by step instructions.  PS her recipes are amazing.  *This recipe can make two full cake pans or 4 full pie pans.  If you are not making extra freezer meals 1/2 the recipe.* 

Ingredients:

• 1 box Jumbo Shells
• 1 Pound Ground Italian Sausage ( I usually get ground Italian chicken)
• 1 Pound Ground Beef
• 1 Medium Zucchini chopped
• 2 cups Italian Blend Cheese
• 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
• 2 Eggs
• 1 Tablespoon Red Pepper Flakes
• 2 bottles of your favorite Pasta Sauce
• Olive Oil

Directions:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Boil shells for about 9 minutes or until al dente.  Drain and rinse.  Return shells to pot and add a little olive oil to prevent them from sticking together.  Add enough pasta sauce to cover the bottom of baking pan.  Fill shells with Zucchini and cheese stuffing and place on top of sauce.  Cover shells with meat marinara and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.  Bake covered for 20 minutes and uncovered for 5 minutes. 

Meat Marinara:  Brown ground Italian sausage and beef then add to the remaining pasta sauce.  Heat together until warm.

Zucchini and Cheese Stuffing:  Saute zucchini with olive oil and red pepper flakes over medium heat until tender.  Add zucchini and pepper flakes to a mixing bowl.   Mix in 2 cups of Italian style cheese and eggs until smooth.

Creamy Mexican Chicken

I found this recipe on pinterest and thought I would get it a shot.  Instead of serving the chicken over the rice I added it into the sauce for some extra flavor.  I am not going to lie when it was all in the crock pot it did not look very appealing at all.  However, I was pleased with the end result.  My favorite meals are fast and full of flavor and this did not disappoint.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 can cream of chicken
• 1 cup favorite salsa ( I always use Pace Picante Hot)
• 1 package taco seasoning
• 1 cup sour cream ( For a lighter version you can substitute plain Greek yogurt)
• 1 can black beans
•  Green onions for garnish
• 1 cup cooked white rice

Directions: Put chicken,  soup, black beans and salsa in slow cooker. Sprinkle taco seasoning over everything. Cook on low for 6 hours.  Add cooked rice and stir in sour cream and heat for about an extra 10 minutes on low.

Week 2 Meal Plan

I am totally in love with having a meal plan after two weeks of shopping with a list.  Very rarely do I leave the store under a hundred dollars and I have two weeks in a row.  I always end up planning meals in the store and I always forget certain ingredients.  I am pretty confident that Sundays will be a night for meal planning and shopping.   

Week 2

Sunday- Carne Asada and Lime Cilantro Rice
* I forgot to take a picture of this meal however I just bought pre marinated meat from costco and the rice was a little dry so I am going to try it again and then I will post the recipe.*

Monday- Creamy Mexican Chicken (Pinterest)

Tuesday- Whatever I want Mike is at a recognition meeting

Wednesday- BBQ Baby Back Ribs and Roasted corn

Thursday- Cheese and Zuchinni stuffed shells with meaty red sauce

Friday- Forgotton Chicken (Pinterest)

Saturday- Mike has a work event so we will be going out to dinner

Banana Cinnamon Chip Muffins

I always find myself having left over bananas because I despise soft ones.  I never seem to eat them all before they go from green to yellow!  Another semi homemade recipe that is to die for.  I actually made two bread loafs and six muffins.  Whenever I bake I only ever try one bite of whatever it is to make sure its edible and pack it up for my husband to take to work.  He is not a big fan of this because he can never actually enjoy the tasty treats.  So I decided to surprise him with some muffins and I am really glad I did because I ended up eating half of them.  I adapted this recipe from Betty Crocker

Ingredients:

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1/3 cup apple sauce
• 3 tablespoons vanilla Greek yogurt
• 3 eggs
• 4 mashed bananas
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• 1/2 bag cinnamon chips

Directions:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In mixer add cake mix, applesauce, eggs, bananas, and Greek yogurt.  Mix until smooth.  Fold in walnuts and cinnamon chips.  Pour into greased bread pans or muffin tins.  Bake bread for 45 minutes and muffins for 30 minutes.

Cookers Note:  If you do not have Greek yogurt I would just add in some extra applesauce.  Sometimes when using applesauce the bread can tend to me a little dry so I added some yogurt because I always have some on hand.

Overnight Blueberry French Toast

This was simply delicious.  I have a feeling this will be a staple for Easter and Christmas mornings.  I found this recipe on pinterest and only added blueberries in between the layers of toast.  The bottom layer is caramelized and the top is crisp and delicious.  This is a must try!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 loaf texas toast or french cut bread
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup blueberries
• Cinnamon

DIRECTIONS: Pre Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix eggs, milk, and vanilla in small bowl.  In separate bowl melt butter and mix in brown sugar.  Coat bottom of 9 by 13 baking dish with brown sugar mix.  Cover sugar with a layer of bread then pour half of the egg mix over the top.  Sprinkle with blueberries and cover with second layer of bread.  Pour remaining egg mixture over the top and sprinkle with cinnamon.  Cover over night and bake covered for 30 minutes and 15 minutes uncovered.

Chicken with Roasted Pineapple and Habanero Sauce

As you all know I love fast and easy meals even more so now with the baby.  This meal took me about 15 minutes to make.  Thanks to Costco for this delicious sauce and thanks to me for the green beans.  I love my garden!! 

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 cup Roasted Pineapple and Habanero Sauce (Costco)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

DIRECTIONS:  Coat chicken in sauce.  Heat olive oil in skillet then add chicken.  Cook chicken on medium for about 4 minutes each side and enjoy!!  For my green beans I just sauteed them with a little butter and pepper!

BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich

My husband had his weekly call night for work so I switched dinner to something quick and easy to eat when he gets home.  Although my meal plan said BBQ pulled tri tip I cleaned the freezer out last week and I must have thrown that out. This meal is so easy and best of all its made in the crock pot.  If you liked my pulled pork you will love this. 

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pound chicken breast
• 1 1/2 cup favorite BBQ Sauce
• 1 package coleslaw with dressing
•  paprika and pepper to taste
• Texas Toast or Bun of any kind

DIRECTIONS:

Spray crock pot with non stick spray and add chicken.  Cover chicken with BBQ sauce and cook on low for 4 hours or until meat is tender enough to shred with fork.  Shred chicken with fork and let stand for 15 minutes.  Prepare coleslaw as directed and and paprika and pepper to taste.  Toast the bread and add chicken and slaw. 

*If you have left over chicken you can make a BBQ Chicken pizza or salad.*