easy dinner recipe – Hoots of a Night Al

January 29, 2020 8 Comments

Brr. It’s been so chilly here lately, which means perfect soup weather! If you want a simple soup that is delicious, easy, quick, and cheap…here you go!

This took me about 15 minutes to throw together, which is about all the energy I can muster on cold weather days. What? Texans are extra fragile when it comes to cold. Check out the recipe below if you want a cozy, easy meal, too!

Homemade 15-minute Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Ingredients

Egg Noodles (8 oz)
Chicken Broth (80 oz)
Cooked & cubed Chicken Breast (2 cups)
- I used the pre-seasoned Lemon Pepper chicken from H-E-B, and it added a nice flavor!
- If you don’t have time to cook chicken, consider purchasing the pre-cooked, shredded rotisserie chicken from H-E-B
Sautéed vegetables (2 cups)
- Add these as preferred. I didn’t add any vegetables this time, but carrots, onions, and celery would all be great additions
Salt & pepper

Directions

Boil chicken broth. Once boiling, add egg noodles.
While waiting for chicken broth to boil, cook chicken fully on medium heat. Cut chicken into cubes.
If adding vegetables, chop and sauté them over medium heat for 5-10 minutes while noodles are boiling.
Add chicken (and vegetables if using) to noodles and broth. Heat everything evenly for another 5 minutes.
Add salt and pepper to taste and serve!

This makes around 6 bowls, so it would be great for a family dinner or for you to make Sunday and eat on for lunch all week. I think the addition of some oyster crackers would add a delicious crunch, as well!

Let me know if you make this recipe, and if there any yummy alterations you make that I should try!

Classic Baked Ziti

February 17, 2014 4 Comments

This Classic Baked Ziti is delicious, filling, comfort food. Who doesn’t love cheesy, meaty pasta? I’m pretty sure my mom pinned and cooked this first, and it was so yummy, I had to try making it myself! The original recipe is from Budget Savvy Diva, but mine below is halved. I think these portions would easily feed a group of 3-4.

As always, you can change these ingredients to fit your needs. If you want a healthier option, substitute ground beef for ground turkey (yuck.) and select a wheat pasta to cook. If you love spinach, add a few chopped handfuls. Make it your own! Or, if you’re like me, follow the recipe exactly and still probably screw it up.

First,preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Next, in a large skillet, heat oil, and cook onions for about eight minutes. Then add the garlic and cook for about a minute.

Next, you’ll cook your ground beef, drain the fat and add your sauce, broth, and spices. Make sure you thoroughly stir them together and heat it throughout.

Stir one cup of your sauce mixture into the cooked ziti pasta. Make sure to coat all of the noodles.

Place half of the ziti into a baking dish. I use the 1.9L Pyrex that came in my Pyrex set, and it works perfectly. Sprinkle 3/4 mozzarella and 1/4 parmesan over the pasta. Next top with the remaining sauce, and, lastly, top with the remaining pasta.

Cover (or don’t if you can’t find your Pyrex lid for the life of you) and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan and cook until cheese is golden brown.

That’s it! On nights when I’m not sure what time Louis will be home, I’ll do all the prep work earlier, and simply pop it in the oven when he’s heading home. Feel free to add some garlic bread or a side salad if you’re fancy. Or just enjoy the ziti because it’s definitely filling enough on its own! If you’re just cooking for two like me, you’ll definitely have enough leftovers for another meal!

Hope you enjoy!