Spinach Mac & Cheese

I had some frozen chopped spinach and decided to throw it in!  I am really satisfied with the result.  It is always nice to have an extra vegetable on the dinner table.

3-4 Tbsps Butter
1/4 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
10oz Package of Frozen Butternut Squash
1/2 Cup Milk
2 Cups Shredded Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Frozen Chopped Spinach (I used a half of a package but you can use the whole thing)
Pasta (Shells or Bowties are great)

Bring a pot of water to boil for the pasta.  Cook the pasta and drain when ready.

While cooking the pasta, in a medium sized saucepan melt the butter over medium heat.  Once melted, add the flour and the squash.  The mixture will be clumpy.  Add half of the milk to smooth out the mixture.  Stir in the cheese and remaining milk.  Stir until cheese is melted and then lower heat.  Add the spinach and stir.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Pour the drained pasta into a greased casserole dish.  Pour the cheese and spinach mixture over the pasta and mix it all together.

I like to top this casserole with a sprinkle of breadcrumbs.

Bake at 375 for 30 minutes.

Pasta & Pancetta

This is a delicious pasta sauce with only a few ingredients.  It can partially be done ahead of time in the slow cooker or all done stove top prior to serving.

Olive Oil
4-6oz Pancetta, diced
1 Medium Onion, diced
2 Cloves of Garlic, minced
Pinch of Crushed Red Pepper
28oz Can Crushed Tomatoes
2 Tbsps pf Tomato Paste (if you like a thicker sauce, you can add more)
Basil
Spinach (optional, I always add extra veggies)
1/2 Cup Pecornio Romano or Parmesan Cheese
Pasta

In a large skillet heat about 2 tbsps of olive oil.  Add the pancetta and cook for about 7 or 8 minutes until pieces start to brown.  Using a slotted spoon, remove the pancetta from the pan and reserve.

In the pancetta drippings and olive oil, add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes.  Add the garlic and red pepper and cook for about 2 minutes.  Add the tomatoes and paste and some basil (fresh or dried).  Let sauce cook for about 5 minutes.

Boil water for pasta.  Cook pasta while finishing the sauce.

If you are adding the spinach, add now and let spinach wilt.  Stir the pancetta back into the sauce with the cheese.

After you drain the pasta, add it to the skillet with the sauce.  Mix together and serve.

Monkey Cake

If you have some browning bananas and chocolate chips, this is a tasty dessert to throw together that is very kid friendly (though my husband loves it too).

4 or 5 Ripe Bananas
3 Carrots, peeled
3/4 Cup Light Brown Sugar
2 Tbsps Vegetable Oil
1/4 Skim Milk
1 Egg and 1 Egg White
2 Tsp Vanilla
1 Tsp Cinnamon
1 Tsp Baking Soda
1/4 Tsp Salt
1 3/4 Cups Whole Wheat Flour
1 1/2 Cups Chocolate Chips

Puree the bananas and carrots in a food processor.  It will not be perfectly smooth but be sure all large chunks are gone.  Stir together puree, brown sugar, oil, milk, and vanilla until well blended.  Add cinnamon, baking soda, salt and flour.  Stir until just blended, it will be lumpy.  Fold in 3/4 of a cup of chocolate chips.

Pour batter into a greased 13 x 9 cake pan.  Sprinkle the remaining 3/4 of a cup of chocolate chips over the top of the cake.

Bake the cake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until cake tester comes out of the center clean.