Creamy Avocado Pasta with Lemon and Garlic

March 29, 2017 by Leave a Comment

This creamy avocado pasta with lemon and garlic is ready in less than 30 minutes with the help of our sponsor, Barilla, available at Walmart. 

You know when you’ve been so busy the whole weekend and then realize you completely forgot to come up with a game plan for dinner on Monday night? This is the meal I make when that happens. And wouldn’t you know? it happens more often than not. 

Luckily avocados are in season right now and we can go pick a few off our neighbor’s tree (after asking of course) to use when we need them. Our lemon tree is doing quite well too so pairing the two flavors together make for a pretty delicious meal pairing. 

One thing I love about this meal is that it uses ingredients I either always have on hand or have readily available with little effort. We try and stock our pantry with must-have items like Barilla Whole Grain pasta and sauces. Not only are they great for meals in a pinch, but I also know that my family is getting a meal that meets their nutritional needs. 

Barilla Whole Grain pasta is a great source of fiber and is made with 100% whole wheat. My family is getting 56g of whole grain in each serving of pasta. It also pairs perfectly with lean proteins like salmon or chicken but can hold it’s own as a full meal as well, just like this recipe. 

Normally we make creamy avocado pasta and pair it with salmon when we have it on hand, but if we don’t, we can forgo the lean protein and just eat this dish as a full meal. I’ve also been known to throw some shrimp into the dish as an alternative option. The creaminess of the avocado adds to the delicacy of the seafood. And who doesn’t love the flavor of garlic and lemon with salmon and shrimp? 

Creamy Avocado Pasta with Lemon and Garlic

  • 6 ounces Barilla Whole Grain Linguini
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil (divided in half)
  • 1/4 cup onion (diced)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 tablespoons Barilla pesto
  • 1/2 avocado (diced & mashed)
  • salt to taste
  • Saute onions and garlic in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Set aside.
  1. Saute onions and garlic in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Set aside.
  2. Cook Barilla Whole Grain Linguini according to package directions. Drain and add to a heated pan with 2 tablespoons olive oil.
  3. Add sauteed onions and garlic and Barilla pesto to pasta and cook 1-2 minutes.
  4. Add mashed avocado and stir to combine. Remove from heat and serve.

Serving size: 1/2 cup of pasta

What’s your favorite springtime flavor to pair with pasta? 

Looking to save a little more than time on this quick and easy dinner? Grab a coupon from Ibotta to use at Walmart when you’re stocking up on your favorite Barilla pasta and sauces! 

Find more great recipes to enjoy with your Barilla pasta and sauces by following this Pinterest board for simple, delicious pasta dishes inspired by Barilla. 

Love this recipe? Check out a few more: 

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Filed Under: Dinner, In the Kitchen, Recipes Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Lemon Blueberry Tarts

June 25, 2015 by 2 Comments

These super easy lemon blueberry tarts are always welcome at parties and special occasions! Make the tart the day before and fill the morning of your party.

Lemon Blueberry Tarts with Mint

The flavors of summer are always welcomed in our home. Our lemon tree is surprising us with a few lemons and we’re in peak blueberry season. Or so it seems that way in the grocery store. The blueberries have been on sale and my kids can’t get enough.

With such an overabundence of blueberries and some juicy lemons ripe for the picking on our tree, these lemon blueberry tarts were the perfect dessert to make for a summer party we were invited to.

These super easy tarts are always welcome at parties and special occasions! Make the tart dough the day before and fill the morning of your party for a quick, make ahead treat that everyone will love.

Lemon Blueberry Tarts - easy summer dish

Lemon Blueberry Tarts

  • Basic Tart Dough (baked and cooled)

Lemon Blueberry Filling:

  • 8 ounces heavy whipping cream
  • 2-3 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon curd
  • fresh blueberries (washed and drained)
  • mint leaves ((optional garnish))
  1. In a large mixing bowl, add whipping cream and powdered sugar. Whisk until stiff peaks form, scraping bowl a few times. Stir in lemon curd.
  2. Spoon into prepared tart shells and top with fresh blueberries. Garnish with mint leaf if desired.

Hint: Look for lemon curd in the jam/jelly aisle at the store.

 

Lemon Blueberry Tarts

Filed Under: Baking, Desserts, In the Kitchen, Recipes Tagged With: , , , , ,

Lemon Artichoke Chicken Pasta + Pantry Staples to Save Time

October 15, 2014 by 11 Comments

Artichoke Chicken Pasta + Pantry Staples to Save Time

One thing I depend on as a busy mom (and exhausted pregnant lady) are the kitchen hacks I’ve come to learn over the years. One of my favorites depends on a well stocked pantry and freezer. I’ve been saved countless nights from the dreaded “what’s for dinner” question by having go-to pantry meals to serve for dinner.

Now I’ve been buying Dorot frozen crushed garlic and chopped basil for years now but during a recent grocery trip I was surprised to find sautéed glazed onions next to my beloved garlic and basil. I may have shed a small tear of joy (because I wouldn’t have to chop onions anymore!!).

By stocking up on Dorot products I bypass the time it takes to chop up herbs, garlic, and now onions before preparing my meal. That’s like 5-10 minutes of savings!

Artichoke Chicken Pasta + Pantry Staples to Save Time like frozen herbs and onions

I also try and keep items like marinated artichoke hearts in the pantry for my favorite fresh AND easy 30 minute meals – like this lemon artichoke chicken pasta.

Being able to simply dump out a jar of artichoke hearts into the basil, garlic and onions already cooking is far easier than adding the various seasonings needed to get the delicious flavor these marinated artichoke hearts give to the dish.

Artichoke Chicken Pasta + Pantry Staples to Save Time - thin chicken saves cooking time

Bonus Tip: Another great time saving kitchen hack? Pound your chicken breasts into thin cutlets so they cook faster!

Artichoke Chicken Pasta + Pantry Staples to Save Time - dredge chicken in flour

What I love about recipes like these is that I literally have everything I need right in my pantry and freezer! The only thing I added was a fresh squeeze of lemon but if you have lemon juice in the fridge you’re good to go!

The only thing I have to remember? To take the chicken out of the freezer! You’d be surprised at how hard this step is when you’re running around all day.

Artichoke Chicken Pasta + Pantry Staples to Save Time - reduce sauce

Pasta is a great go-to on busy nights. And sauces like this don’t have to be complicated. A few simple ingredients that lend themselves to one another can create a stellar dish even picky eaters like mine will enjoy.

Or you can always reach for my other pantry staple – marinara sauce. With the holidays coming up I foresee a busy time ahead and will need all of the hacks I can use!

If you’re looking for more kitchen hacks I highly suggest checking out the Hacks of Life pinterest board. So many great ideas and a TON of genius cooking hacks.

Artichoke Chicken Pasta + Pantry Staples to Save Time - simple and easy pantry meal

Lemon Artichoke Chicken Pasta

  • 1 box angel hair pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 chicken breasts
  • flour (for dredging)
  • salt & pepper
  • 1 Dorot crushed garlic cube
  • 1 Dorot chopped basil cube
  • 1 Dorot Sautéed Onion cube
  • 1 jar Fresh & Easy marinated artichoke hearts
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • juice of 1/2 a lemon
  1. Set pot of water on the stove to boil. Sprinkle in some salt.
  2. While waiting for water to boil, place chicken breast (1 at a time) in a quart size zippered bag and pound to about 1/2 an inch thin.
  3. Heat a large pan on medium and add olive oil.
  4. Add salt and pepper to flour and dredge thin chicken breasts in it on each side. Place chicken in olive oil once heated and brown on both sides. Take chicken out and set aside.
  5. By this time your water might be boiling. Add pasta and cook as directed on the packaging.
  6. Add garlic, basil, and onions to the pan and sauté until thawed. Add the jar of artichoke hearts and cook for 1-2 minutes. Pour in the chicken broth and let cook until pasta is done, allowing sauce to reduce.
  7. Chop chicken into strips or small pieces, whichever you prefer.
  8. Once pasta is done, drain and add to the sauce pan. Sprinkle with juice of 1/2 a lemon.Toss, serve in a bowl, and top with chicken.

 

Artichoke Chicken Pasta + Pantry Staples to Save Time with Dinner

What’s your favorite kitchen hack?

Filed Under: Dinner, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , ,

Lemon Tartlets

October 26, 2013 by 7 Comments

Lemon Tartlets portrait

Every month I host a playdate at my house for my playgroup. It’s a great way for moms to get together and enjoy each other’s company while the kids play with each other. It also gives newcomers to the group a chance to feel welcomed in without having to search a park or other location for a group they aren’t familiar with.

So when two new friends arrived at my door for our latest playdate and one’s hands were filled with these amazingly delicious lemon tartlets I knew they’d fit right in! And they did.

Of course after polishing off a few of these bad boys I had to ask for the recipe and luckily my friend had no problems sharing it with me. This dessert is so simple to prepare and great for parties and get togethers. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Desserts, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,


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