I injured my shoulder, so not only am I slacking on my blog posts, I am slacking in the kitchen. This is what I made on Sunday evening. It is a fast and easy one pot meal. I used leftover chicken, cooked the vegetables with the pasta, and used a gussied up, jarred sauce to make this meal in approximately 15 minutes. I didn’t post a menu today because I am not sure what I or a helpful family member will feel like making. This evening we had Black Bean Quesadillas and tomorrow will probably be a freezer meal.
Ingredients:
1 lb. pasta ( I use Trader Joes Brown Rice Pasta)
2 cuts sliced carrots
2 cups frozen green beans
2 cups chicken, cut into bite size pieces
1 – 16 oz. jar of Alfredo Sauce (I use Trader Joes)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
Fill a large pot with water, place over high heat and bring to a boil. Add pasta and carrots and boil for 8 minutes:
Add frozen green beans and boil for 2 minutes more:
Drain water. Stir in Alfredo sauce, chicken, and spices. Put back over fire and heat just long enough to ensure that the chicken is heated. Serve immediately. Serves 6-8.
Cooking the vegetables with the pasta save time and energy when cooking and cleaning up. For more kitchen tips, visit Kitchen Tip Tuesday at Tammy’s Recipes.
What are your easy fall back meals? Do you consider it cheating to use a prepared sauce or mix? If so, do you do it anyways? I have admitted here on numerous occasions that I love Uncle Ben’s Long Grain and Wild Rice. If I could only buy one prepackaged item that would be it. I keep trying to figure out their recipe, but I haven’t nailed it yet, so I just stock up when it goes on sale.
For more delicious recipes, visit Tasty Tuesday and Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.
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Alea says
Oh Rebecca, I am so glad they liked it.
Rebecca says
I'm back…to let you know that the whole family loved the chicken alfredo pasta! When I covered the chicken in the sauce, I wondered if I should have saved some plain chicken out for Mr. Picky (age 15). And when everything was combined with the carrots and green beans, I again wondered how many veggies would be left on his plate!
But – joy of joys! – He had four helpings and didn't do any "picking"! (They must have been small helpings, because I have leftovers.)
Thanks for a great recipe that will be done again around here!
shopannies says
this is a great shortcut tip thanks
Rebecca says
Alea, so sorry you are hurting. My husband can really sympathize…he is looking at a shoulder replacement sometime this summer. 🙁 Are you on the mend, or is it going to take something big to help you out, too?
I agree that pasta and burritos are my go-to meals when needing something quick. And I cheat big time with canned pasta sauce.
I'm on my way to the grocery store this afternoon, so I just might have to pick up some alfredo for one night this weekend.
Hope somebody else waves the magic wand in the kitchen for you tonight!
Laura says
Alea, I wondered what was up since you weren't posting as regularly as usual. I sure hope it's nothing serious with your shoulder and that you are back to normal soon.
Costco sells a wonderful Alfredo sauce in the deli section; the company name is Cibo. I don't know if it's available all over though. It's a fresh sauce vs. canned and the difference in flavor is unbelievable. I sometimes mix pasta and a bag of frozen mixed vegetables (teamed of course) with the Alfredo sauce for a meatless meal (which I don't get to eat; too many calories).
Thank you as well for the shout out about the burrito recipe. I have had a great many hits because of it in the past couple of weeks.
Shana says
Oh I hope you feel better quickly!! Your alfredo looks so good. I made shrimp alfredo the other night and it was so good. I love the idea of black bean quesadillas too.
Sheila says
Alea,
I hope your shoulder is feeling better soon. I make a dish like that some times except I usually use broccoli as the vegetable. I love that it comes together so quickly and everyone here seems to love it!!
Feel better soon.
SnoWhite {Finding Joy in My Kitchen} says
I do that all the time — love saving extra dishes and the energy it takes to heat up another pot of water. Great tip! And, yummy looking meal.
Melissa says
I hope your shoulder heals quickly!
This dish looks delicious. Thanks for the recommendation for a sauce; I've only tried one brand of jarred Alfredo sauce, and it was terrible! Unfortunately, we don't have a conveniently located Trader Joe's store.
mub says
P.S. I hope your shoulder feels better soon! I hurt mine last fall and it still plays up sometimes. Such an annoying place for an injury!
mub says
Burritos are my usual fall back meal. I usually have tortillas and beans in the pantry so it's an easy meal!
I don't think it's cheating to use a mix… it's still likely going to be better than going out for fast food!