Wanting to spend less than 30 minutes making dinner on a Friday night? This is a great pizza recipe that is easy to make and a bit out of the box.  By purchasing a pre-baked pizza crust like Boboli you can save a significant amount of time.

There is nothing like homemade baked macaroni and cheese. It is the ultimate comfort food! While this recipe isn't particularly healthy, it is just for one person. By making a single serving of the dish, you avoid over eating. The key to eating healthy and not having to eat twigs for dinner is moderation.

Here is my recipe for one. (Please note - you will need a small oven safe dish or bowl bake in for this dish. I recommend something like this from Target - Oval Mini Casserole Dish )


Ingredients

• 1 cup medium shells - prepared as instructed on package (I use whole grain to make it healthier but either will suffice)
• 1/2 tablespoon margarine or butter
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder 
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I use sharp but you might want to start with mild)
• 1/4 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup low fat or fat free sour cream
• 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs - for topping
• Pam cooking spray
  

Instructions


Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Boil shells as instructions tell you to on the package. Drain shells and put into a decent sized mixing bowl. Drizzle olive oil over pasta and toss with hands to coat shells.

Immediately add the margarine (or butter), salt, 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper (save other 1/4 for topping mixture), 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder (save other 1/2 for topping mixture), sour cream and shredded cheeses (hold small portion to the side if you want to sprinkle some on top) to the pasta. Mix with the pasta using a wooden spoon until butter is soft and cheese is beginning to melt.

Spray your baking pan with Pam cooking spray. Spoon pasta mixture into the dish. (Add extra shredded cheese to the top of the pasta if you decided to hold some behind).

In a plastic ziploc bag, combine Panko bread crumbs and the remainder of the garlic powder and black pepper. Shake bag until ingredients are mixed and sprinkle on the top of the pasta (you may not need to use it all depending on how covered you like it - for me the crispier the better!) Give it a quick spray over the top with Pam cooking spray to help the bread crumbs brown (you could also brush it with melted butter).

Place dish in the oven for 30 minutes. Be careful as the food will be really hot when it comes out. Let stand for 15 mins before serving.

Macaroni and cheese is one of those dishes that also tastes good reheated! If you want to have a delicious left over lunch, double this recipe and make some extra to put in the fridge :)

Happy Eats!
@ashkalei

Parmesan cheese and capers make a tasty combination for chicken breasts. If you cannot use wine, substitute additional chicken broth for the sauce. You can have this on the table in less than 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast halve
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 Tablespoon flour
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup white wine
1/4 cup chicken broth (or 1/2 cup if you don't have white wine)
1 green onion (scallions), thin-sliced, tops included
1/2 Tablespoon capers, drained

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Instructions

Combine garlic powder, onion powder, poultry seasoning, and lemon pepper. Sprinkle spice mix on both sides of chicken breast. Combine Parmesan cheese and flour then coat each side with the mixture (sometimes it helps to pat it firmly onto the chicken with your hands).

Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add olive oil and swirl to coat the pan. Brown chicken breast on both sides, turning only once. Remove to a plate and keep warm.

Add white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits (If you don't have white wine, just use 1/4 cup of chicken broth to deglaze and then add the additional for the next step). Cook for 1 minute, then add chicken broth, scallions and capers. Bring to a simmer and return chicken breast to the pan. Simmer until liquid is reduced by half. Serve chicken breast with pan gravy. 

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I recommend serving this dish with a green vegetable like broccoli, broccolini, or asparagus. 

Happy Eats!
@ashkalei


Recipe modified from About.com:Home Cooking