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A Pinch of Joy

Eat Healthy, Do it Yourself, Live Well, Have Fun.

pasta

Easy Baked Ziti

EAsy Baked Ziti - A Pinch of Joy

Baked Ziti is one of those classic, “everybody makes this dish” – but I never did until I saw this super simple recipe.  You can add herbs of your choice, if you like. Add some Italian seasoning if you want.  Or not.   I used ready made spaghetti sauce with basil and  garlic, and with the garlic called for in the recipe, it was good. Use the refrigerated package of shredded parmesan – or grate your own.   This is also a very dense recipe so you won’t need a large serving.  In fact, we made three meals (9 servings) of this and served it with a medium sized green salad and simple fruit dessert.  I’m told it’s traditionally served with garlic bread – but we skipped that in pursuit of our staying (relative) low carb goal. We’re not big tomato sauce fans so this was just right, but if it seems ... [Read More]

Filed Under: Main Dishes

Orzo Pasta Salad with Tomatoes and Variations

Orzo Pasta Salad with Tomatoes and Variations -- A Pinch of Joy

Chilled Orzo and Tomato Pasta Salad is a great way to keep cool on a hot day. This delicious side dish tastes even better after the flavors have melded, so make it a day or two in advance for your next picnic or family get-together.   So I read while looking for new pasta salads to serve this summer.  This recipe sounded intriguing – except for a couple of ingredients. The recipe calls for a couple of tablespoons of capers though I also remembered olives could be substituted for capers.  Now somewhere I also remember reading that only the super intelligent like celery and olives.  Well, I am half way there.  (Does that make me a half wit??)  I like celery.   Olives, not so much.  And capers, even less.  Just not a fan of vinegary, salty, acidic, or such flavor bursts.  But one of them ... [Read More]

Filed Under: Salads

Skillet Lasagna

Skillet Lasagna -- A quick and easy recipe from A Pinch of Joy

Skillet Lasagna Is a loose rendition of the standard baked version.  They both have all the elements of meat, cheese, tomato sauce and pasta in common.   Baked lasagna has big ruffly noodles layered with sauce, meat, then cheese and repeat.  Skillet lasagna stirs meat, sauce and noodles in the pan, then tops with cheese when the noodles are just right for eating. For anyone maximizing time, skip the layering  and enjoy the same flavors.  You can go from cupboard to stove to table in about 30 minutes!  This recipe is budget friendly and kid friendly too! Something quick but a little more sophisticated?  Check out Grilled Brie and Pear Sandwich. Skillet Lasagna   Print Prep time 5 mins Cook time 30 mins Total time 35 mins   Author: A Pinch of Joy by ... [Read More]

Filed Under: Main Dishes

Baked Spaghetti

Baked Spaghetti - A Pinch of Joy Comfort food in a 9x13 pan!

What’s for lunch?  A big pan of baked spaghetti.  Or Pasketti as Bytes’ Big Brother used to say.   The whole family will love it!  Layers of pasta, meat sauce, sour cream and cheese – comfort food of the highest order! The number of servings will depend on the appetites at your house.  It makes 8 large servings, which will serve the three of us with two man-sized servings (and one regular serving for me) for TWO meals.  Two littles usually ate the equivalent of one of the 8 servings.  Which means enough for the man sized eater, two littles and one regular serving.  The point?  You may very easily get TWO meals for the effort in making one!  And that’s a bonus in my book. If your cooking tends to be based on last minute decisions, you’ll find no judgment here because there are a lot ... [Read More]

Filed Under: Main Dishes

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Slow Cooker Beef Straganoff -- A Pinch of Joy

Beef Stroganoff is a simple dish of meat and mushrooms with a sour cream sauce that literally has been around for centuries.   Eventually it was given the name of the Russian Count Pavel Stroganoff.  Stroganoff, was a celebrity in turn-of-the-century St. Petersburg, a dignitary at the court of Alexander III and a gourmet. He entertained frequently and beef, onions and mushrooms in a savory sour cream sauce became a signature dish bearing his name.   However, his Beef Stroganoff was likely served over potatoes rather than noodles.  Beef Stroganoff has many variations and here is one more! This is a quick and easy version of Beef Stroganoff for families on the go.  It takes about 10 minutes to put together, using cubed stew meat.  You can use frozen diced onions to shave off a couple of ... [Read More]

Filed Under: Main Dishes

Macaroni and Cheese Bites

Marcaroni and Cheese Bites - A Pinch of Joy Appetizer

Macaroni and Cheese Bites are a hearty appetizer for any occasion.  Bake them in tart pans for Bitty Bites.  Bake  them in a regular muffin tin for a big guy appertizer or a light meal.   Serve them for a prom after-party, an informal wedding reception, a couples potluck, the Big Game Food Table.   I’ve mentioned before that we like hearty appetizers for a light meal that is different and out of the ordinary for us. It takes 20 minutes to prepare the big macaroni muffins.  If you do the prep as directed  and multi task while the water is coming to a boil and the pasta is cooking, you’ll feel less hurried during assembly.   I used a small ladle to fill each muffin cup to the top.  The recipe makes exactly 12.  Serve hot.  Garnish with fresh ground pepper and chopped parsley. If you ... [Read More]

Filed Under: Appetizers

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Welcome! I’m Charlene. I love to share quick and easy recipes, whatever I’ve learned in our last DIY project – anything that helps make life easier, better and more fun!! I hope you will find inspiration and add a pinch of joy to your day!

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