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Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip | alidaskitchen.com

Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Transform a classic dip into a bold and zesty party favorite with this easy to make Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Dip!  Thank you to MIRACLE WHIP (through the Mom It Forward Blogger Network) for sponsoring this post.  

Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip | alidaskitchen.com

Many, many years ago, I was asked to bring appetizers to a Labor Day party. I chopped some veggies, concocted a couple dips on the fly and was good to go.  The dips were a ranch dill and a spinach artichoke.  They were both creamy, easy to make, and used the same secret ingredient.  …

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Three Cheese Spinach Pasta Bake | alidaskitchen.com #recipes #ShareTheTable #ad

Three Cheese Spinach Pasta Bake

Tracking PixelThis is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Barilla, but opinions are my own.

Three Cheese Spinach Pasta Bake is a tasty, cheesy veggie-filled baked pasta dish that the whole family will enjoy happily around the dinner table.  It is quick and easy to make, can be made ahead and leftovers reheat perfectly! 

Three Cheese Spinach Pasta Bake | alidaskitchen.com

As we strive to maintain a connection and grow with our kids, we find that enjoying dinners together is so important. While we frequently eat together, it is not often that we all eat the same thing, which means I am in the kitchen making custom requests instead of enjoying our together time.  So my quest is often to find something that everybody likes.  Enter this Three Cheese Spinach Pasta Bake.  Made with a delicious combination of pasta, three cheeses, tomato sauce and spinach, it is so simple and tasty and loved by my entire family! …

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Southwestern Quinoa Egg Bake | alidaskitchen.com #recipes #brunch #FreshTake #cbias #shop

Southwestern Quinoa Egg Bake

{This recipe for Southwestern Quinoa Egg Bake is part of a Kraft FreshTake #shop hosted by the social shopper media company #CollectiveBias.  This story and all opinions are my own. #FreshTake}

Southwestern Quinoa Egg Bake | alidaskitchen.com #recipes #brunch #FreshTake #cbias #shop

Southwestern Quinoa Egg Bake is made with a mix of vegetables, quinoa, three cheeses and seasoned bread crumbs.  It takes minutes to prepare and then bakes into delicious brunch perfection!

With Easter Sunday only a few weeks away, I am working on planning our brunch menu. We always like to have something carrot cake-inspired (Carrot Cake pancakes are definitely a favorite!)  We also enjoy having  a savory egg bake, packed with lots vegetables and cheese.  This year, I wanted to give our egg bake a southwestern twist.  Then I discovered that Kraft Fresh Take has a new Southwestern Three Cheese flavor.  The savory blend of garlic, cumin and red chili pepper bread crumbs along with the Colby, mozzarella and cheddar cheese sounded just perfect for this Southwestern Quinoa Egg Bake!

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Black Bean Spinach Quinoa Burritos | alidaskitchen.com #recipes #meatless #SundaySupper

Black Bean Spinach Quinoa Burritos #SundaySupper

Black Bean Spinach Quinoa Burritos are protein-packed with black beans and quinoa, and healthy vegetables.  Easy to whip together and then baked to perfection!  {great for the freezer}

Black Bean Spinach Quinoa Burritos | alidaskitchen.com

We eat meatless several times a week, and one of our favorite meatless staples is black beans.  Whether they are in tacos, burgerschili, enchiladas, even brownies, we can’t get enough!  While we have several recipes the we love, it is fun to try  something new – especially when that something new involves two other favorites – spinach and quinoa.  While they may not be your typical addition to a burrito, spinach and quinoa…well, it just works!  Combined with black beans, cheese, onion, chili powder, and more, wrapped in a tortilla, Black Bean Spinach Quinoa Burritos are not only delicious, but they are super easy to make too!…

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Avocado Green Smoothie - a healthy, #vegan smoothie made in minutes | www.alidaskitchen.com

Avocado Green Smoothie {health key™ system}

Collective Bias Social Fabric-disclosure

Avocado Green Smoothie is a nutritious, vegan smoothie made in minutes.  Combining fresh fruits and vegetables, this healthy pick me up is a delicious way to get your little ones to eat their veggies!

Avocado Green Smoothie - a healthy, #vegan smoothie made in minutes | www.alidaskitchen.com

The other day I went to my local Rainbow Foods to pick up some produce.   Their cored, fresh pineapple is a favorite, and a welcome addition to our diets as we make an effort to increase our fruit and vegetable intake after the New Year.  As I continued shopping the produce section, I noticed little tags that said ‘organic,’ ‘gluten free,’ and ‘vegan.’  I learned this was part of their health key™ system, which is a wellness program designed to simplify your shopping experience and make it easier to select healthier foods….

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Tortellini Primavera - a quick and healthy pasta dish made on the lighter side!

Tortellini Primavera #WeekdaySupper


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Tortellini Primavera is a creamy, cheesy pasta dish made with with lots of vegetables.  It is quick, easy and healthy ~ perfect for a weeknight!

Like most people, we are always looking for quick and easy recipes for weeknight dinners.  While frozen pizza or takeout seem like a quick fix for those busy nights, we always prefer something healthier, tastier, and homemade.  But like I said, it has to be easy, right?  This Tortellini Primavera is all that, plus it’s super tasty!  With all the vegetables, the cheese, the creaminess, the cheese-filled tortellini, and being easy to make, you really can’t go wrong.  …

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vegetarian spinach ravioli lasagna

Easy Ravioli Lasagna

Easy Ravioli Lasagna - takes 10 minutes to prepare using only 5 ingredients.  This is so good!
I am excited to share this recipe with you. Easy Ravioli Lasagna has become one of our favorite weeknight dinners!  It has the delicious flavor of lasagna yet is made with only 5 main ingredients and takes 10 minutes to prepare ~ perfect these days when I find myself juggling a newborn and a busy 3 year old at dinnertime.  This lasagna can also be made ahead (like before leaving for work or, in my case, before the kids wake up) so it’s ready to just pop in the oven at dinner.

Easy Baked Ravoli Lasagna

From the original recipe, I increased the sauce, added some red pepper flakes, and actually reduced the cheese (surprising for a cheese-lover like myself, but it was way too much and took away from the overall dish).  This Easy Ravioli Lasagna is made with spinach, but I think sautéed mushrooms and garlic would also be delicious.  We have made this several times, and it’s always a crowd-pleaser.  Speaking of crowds, this recipe can easily be doubled to fit a 13″x9″ lasagna pan and you’ll have enough to serve a crowd or have lots of leftovers for lunches.  It reheats beautifully!

Easy Ravioli Lasagna
Easy Ravioli Lasagna
 
Yields: 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients
  • 1½ cups pasta sauce (I use Muir Glen Tomato Basil)
  • 20-ounce package cheese ravioli (refrigerated or frozen)
  • 10 ounces frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
  • 4 ounces (1 cup) shredded part-skim mozzarella
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
  • Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)
  • Cooking spray
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray an 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
  2. Pour ½ cup pasta sauce over bottom of dish.
  3. Layer bottom of dish with half of the ravioli.
  4. Cover ravioli with ½ cup sauce and top with spinach and half of mozzarella (1/2 cup).
  5. Repeat with remaining ravioli, sauce and mozzarella. Sprinkle top with Parmesan and crushed red pepper flakes, if using.
  6. Cover dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake until bubbling and starts to brown, about 10 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes and then serve.

Slightly adapted from All You, March 2009

vegetarian spinach ravioli lasagna

easy vegetarian spinach manicotti with no boil noodles

Easy Meatless Manicotti

Easy Meatless Manicotti | alidaskitchen.com


I don’t know about you, but I am very excited for Fall.  It is my favorite time of year for cooking and baking, plus I love the cooler temperatures.  Even though the season has not technically changed, Labor Day is kind of an unofficial kick off to the Fall season.  At least that’s what I’m telling myself.  I have already made a pumpkin pie, pumpkin pancakes, chili and cornbread, beef stew, and a few other Fall-inspired goodies to be posted soon.  (Ok, confession…I may have done some of this before Labor Day).

In any case, this Easy Meatless Manicotti is one of my favorite dishes and is a perfect comfort food for the cooler temperatures.  There are a couple time-saving steps in this recipe to help make it “easy.”   First, no boiling of the noodles is required.  Not having to boil the noodles is not only a time-saver, but filling firm shells is a whole lot easier than flimsy cooked shells.  This recipe also uses a jarred pasta sauce, though if you want to make your own, go for it!  The filling is very flexible – I’ve used cottage cheese or ricotta, and either works fine.  I have used frozen broccoli in place of the spinach; I have added onions, shredded zucchini, whatever extra vegetables that needs to be used up.  Leftovers heat up beautifully, which make for great lunches or quick dinners.  Easy Meatless Manicotti is healthy and delicious and a regular in our dinner rotation.

easy vegetarian spinach manicotti with no cook noodles

Easy Meatless Manicotti
 
Yields: 7 servings
Ingredients
  • 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella, divided
  • ¼ cup (1 ounce) grated parmesan cheese
  • 16 ounces nonfat cottage cheese
  • 10 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
  • 3 garlic cloves, grated or minced
  • 1½ teaspoons dried Italian herb seasoning (or dried oregano)
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste
  • Cooking Spray
  • 3 cups marinara sauce (or 24-28 ounce jar pasta sauce)
  • 1 package (14 noodles) manicotti noodles - uncooked
  • ½ cup water
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. In a large bowl, combine 1½ cups mozzarella, Parmesan, and cottage cheese, along with the spinach, garlic, Italian herb seasoning, red pepper and salt/pepper to taste.
  3. Spray 13 x 9 baking dish with cooking spray. Pour ½ of the sauce in the baking dish.
  4. Fill the manicotti noodles* with filling mixture until full, about 3 tablespoons.
  5. Pour the remaining sauce over the noodles, making sure the noodles are covered.
  6. Slowly pour ½ cup water around the perimeter of baking dish. Sprinkle remaining ½ cup mozzarella cheese on top. Cover with nonstick foil (or spray foil with cooking spray) and bake for 1 hour. Let sit uncovered for 10 minutes and serve.
Notes
Filling tips: Put filling in a ziploc bag, cut off a corner and fill shells OR I have found an iced tea spoon is the perfect size for spooning the filling in the shells.
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 2 shells

 

Adapted from Cooking Light

Chicken and Potatoes with Mustard Vinaigrette

Chicken and Potatoes with Mustard Vinaigrette | alidaskitchen.com
 With temperatures hitting record highs this summer, I am always happy to be able to cook a quick and healthy dinner that does require turning on the oven.  This Chicken and Potatoes with Mustard Vinaigrette can be made on the stovetop in less than 30 minutes.  It’s served over a bed of fresh baby spinach, making it healthy and delicious.  I’d say this dish fits the bill of quick and healthy, making it a perfect dinner!

I actually found this recipe in a magazine at least 10 years ago and gave it to my mom.  She has made it regularly ever since, and everybody is happy when she has it on the menu.  This salad became an instant family favorite!  While the original recipe calls for rotisserie chicken, my mom bakes chicken breasts and shreds them.  In this recipe, I poached the chicken.   The original recipe calls for watercress, but the spinach gives the salad a bit more substance.  Arugula would also be a tasty substitution.  Basically what I’m telling you is that this recipe is flexible.  Go with what works for you to make this a family favorite of your own.

Chicken and Potatoes with Mustard Vinaigrette
 
Yields: 4 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 1 pound small red potatoes
  • salt
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • black pepper, to taste
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 10 ounces fresh baby spinach
Instructions
  1. Put chicken in a large sauce pan and then add enough water to cover the chicken. Add a couple pinches of salt. Bring liquid to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for about 5 minutes. Then cover, remove from heat and let sit for 12 to 15 minutes, or until chicken is thoroughly cooked.
  2. While the chicken is cooking, put potatoes and 1 tablespoon salt in a medium sauce pan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
  3. While chicken and potatoes are cooking, whisk together mustard, vinegar, garlic, honey, and pepper in a small bowl. Gradually add oil, whisking constantly until incorporated. (Note: I then pour vinaigrette into a cruet for ease of pouring).
  4. Once chicken is cooked, transfer to a separate bowl. Drizzle 2 tablespoons vinaigrette over warm chicken and let sit for a minute to soak in. Then use 2 forks to shred chicken.
  5. Cut cooked potatoes into quarters (or halves, depending on size).
  6. Place spinach in a large serving bowl. Add potatoes and chicken, and toss to combine. Serve immediately, drizzling with additional vinaigrette as desired.
Notes
You can add the vinaigrette to the serving bowl and toss, but I prefer to let others control the amount of dressing on their salad. For me, a little goes a long way!

Adapted from Real Simple

lighter baked tortellini fontina cheese with spinach

Baked Tortellini with Spinach

lighter baked tortellini fontina cheese with spinach

I’m a sucker for anything with cheese.  Cheese pizza, a cheese sandwich, cheesy pasta, it’s all good.  When I saw a recipe for Baked Tortellini, I was beside myself.  Cheese tortellini itself is good.  Bake it in a light cheese sauce, and we’re golden.  In fact, the dinner I had planned was immediately scrapped so that I could make this!

lighter baked tortellini fontina cheese with spinach

I decided to add some spinach, which was very welcome and an easy way to boost the nutrition of this dish.  I added a little cayenne pepper to perk things up a bit, and also added garlic.  We can’t have pasta without garlic, right?  Baked Tortellini with Spinach is cheesy pasta perfection, made healthier, with a little kick.

lighter baked tortellini fontina cheese with spinach
Baked Tortellini with Spinach
 
Yields: 6 servings
Ingredients
  • ¼ cup fine dry breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cups skim milk, heated (I microwave it for about 1 minute)
  • ½ cup fontina cheese, shredded
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 16-20 ounces cheese tortellini (I used 2 10-ounce packages)
  • 10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese and set aside.
  2. Set water to boil in a large pot to cook tortellini.
  3. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add flour and whisk constantly, cooking for about 1 to 2 minutes, or until flour lightly browns. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, continuing to whisk constantly.
  4. Add hot milk and bring to a simmer, stirring until smooth and slightly thickened, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  5. While the milk mixture is simmering, add tortellini to boiling water and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, or according to package instructions.
  6. Remove milk mixture from heat and add in fontina cheese and cayenne pepper, stirring to melt the cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. Drain cooked tortellini. Add tortellini to the cheese sauce (milk mixture) and stir until coated. Add chopped spinach and stir until evenly distributed.
  8. Spray 2½ quart baking dish with cooking spray and pour mixture into dish, using the back of a spoon or a silicone spatula to spread evenly throughout.
  9. Sprinkle with breadcrumb mixture. Cover and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden and bubbly. Serve immediately.
Notes
This can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator, up through step 8. When ready just sprinkle with breadcrumbs and bake as usual.

Nutrition Facts
Calories: 366
Fat:  8g
Carbs:  46g
Protein:  18.5g

Adapted from Eating Well