If you are like me then you can feel the holiday season all around you. In years past I became so stressed! Worried about if I had done this or that. Did I remember to give so and so their gift? Are the kids school activities taken care of…You know what I am going through! Well, this year I am focused on being more organized. Not just with gifts but with the meals. Trying to cook more meals at home yet not stressing myself out. Here is one of my new “go-to” one pot recipes. This recipe is perfect to teach to your teens. Soon they will be on their own and believe me they are going to need to know how to cook! My one pot recipes are simple…cheap….and quick!
Sausage and Meatball Basil Pesto Pasta
1/2 pound smoked sausage, sliced thin
2 cups freezer meatballs, cut in half
1 package spaghetti noodles
2 cups chicken broth
2 1/2 cups water
1 container grapes tomatoes
1 onion, sliced thin
4 garlic cloves, sliced thin
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup pesto
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
To prepare the pasta: In a large dutch oven add in the pasta, meats, grape tomatoes, onion, and pesto sauce. Pour the chicken broth/water over the ingredients and cover. Bring the liquid to a boil. Once it begins to boil remove the lid. Cook for 7-8 minutes. Toss periodically to keep the pasta from cooking. Once the pasta is cooked al dente remove from the heat. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves. Serve!
This past weekend I was going through my Mom’s recipe box. I came across this little gem….Sugar Cookie Bars. I remember Mom making these a lot when I was a kid. Who doesn’t love a treat? Well I sure do and I know my crew does too. My favorite thing about these bars is that they are perfect to make for a class or football team! One pan, a little frosting and some sprinkles. Voila! Beautifully delicious bars that are sure to be a family favorite.
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Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
2 cups unsalted butter
2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon Nielsen-Massey vanilla paste
2 teaspoons Nielsen-Massey almond extract
6 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 containers white frosting or your own homemade
sprinkles
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl or in the bowl of your electric stand mixer beat together the softened butter with the sugar till light and fluffy. About 3 minutes. Add the eggs, vanilla paste and almond extract and mix well. In a separate bowl combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder and salt. Slowly mix in the flour cup by cup till all of the flour is mixed in. Press with cookie dough into the bottom of baking pan. Bake for 25 minutes or until edges turn light brown. Remove the cookie bars from the oven and cool completely before frosting. Spread the frosting over the top of the bars and sprinkle with decorative sprinkles or jimmies. To cut the bars: Lift the parchment from the pan and then cut into bars.