hoisin pork

Hoisin Pork with Rice Noodles

Throw it all together and call it dinner? Alrighty then, I will.

Hoison Pork with Rice Noodles

You know this kinda thing, I know you do. Is it even a recipe? Meh. Who cares.

It’s classic craving food that’s easily adaptable depending on whatever you have on hand. Which, if you’re like me, is usually things like yucky varieties of beans that I’ve been avoiding (I’ve been giving the stink eye to one dusty old can of kidney beans for at least 6 months), condiments that I’m afraid of (ahem, fish sauce), and a half opened box of cake mix that was supposed to become some kind of Christmas treat. BEFORE Christmas. Woops. Pantry stocking is not my strength.

Hoison Pork with Rice Noodles

But even if this means a quick trip to the store, it’s worth it. Because this one is all about YOU. It’s like a noodle buffet for your very own face right in your very own house.

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thumb-spaghetti

Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Herbs

I have a tendency to go overboard.

Garlic Butter Spaghetti

And food blogging only exaggerates it.

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Baked Rigatoni

Baked Rigatoni with Spinach, Provolone, and Turkey

Getting back into the kitchen is rough, except not really. Cause look at that cheese.

Baked Rigatoni

Somehow I moseyed my way through making this over the course of three days. I mean, three.days. 72 hours. FOR REAL. Don’t run away – it’s not going to take you three days to make this because you’re focused and on-task and normal. But wowzers. Apparently I am not. During these long Food Blogger Pro recording days, I’ve gotten way too comfortable with frozen pizzas and Pad Thai takeout and possibly had my brain sucked out of my head by those massively hot buzzing video lights.

The good news is that this cozy deep-dish pasta is less about my distracted cooking abilities and more about the inexplicable goodness of Provolone cheese.

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WHOLE WHEAT ROASTED VEGGIE LASAGNA Thumbnail

Whole Wheat Roasted Veggie Lasagna

I love leftovers.

whole wheat lasagna

As in the food that normal people want to get rid of. I like to eat it. And sometimes cold.

Is lasagna the best to eat cold or is it the best to eat cold? It’s just the best to eat cold. Flavorful, sticky, ricotta-cheesy. And those noodles. Thick, doughy, soft whole wheat noodles sticking together all up on each other. With wavy edges, because somehow they taste even better with when they have style like that. And with roasted vegetables and cheese stuffed in between them. Yeah. And by the way – lasagna? It’s also the best to eat hot. WINNING.

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alfredo-1

Healthy Fettuccine Alfredo

I’ve been making a mess lately.

Healthy Fettuccine Cauliflower Alfredo

A mess that starts with slurpy delicious noodles and ends with creamy healthy sauce.

I’m of the belief that Alfredo sauce is King. Even deep red tomato sauces (which are supposed to be deep and red) are at their best with the addition of a little cream. Which makes them not deep red anymore and more like a pinky-orange. Pink is fun, right? It’s just like I just try to make everything into Alfredo. That’s just what it’s like.

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thumbnail pancit

Stir Fried Noodles with Shrimp and Vegetables {Filipino Pancit Canton}

Pancit Canton

So I’ll just come right out and say it. One thing I have done a pretty bad job at in my new life here is trying new Filipino foods.

I know.

When you visit a new place, all you want to do is try super exotic things and eat street food and take pictures of it and maybe even risk getting a few dreaded drops of water in your system just to get the full experience. You’re fun and adventurous and you soak it up.

Well, I moved to a new place and that did not happen to me.

I did get some cute and curious neighbors, though. And that is a win.

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White Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese

White Cheddar Mac N’ Cheese with Squash and Toasted Walnuts

In my perfect world, it would be fall all the time.

I didn’t know that about myself until I moved to the Philippines. I’ve always been a beach girl, aka Minnesota wannabe beach girl. But sometime in the last 6 weeks my body started rejecting anything resembling hot summer weather and craving anything in the range of 45-65 degrees.

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Baked Rigatoni

Baked Caprese Rigatoni

Baked RigatoniPinit

Cheese. Basil. Tomato. In that order.

It’s summer and one of my favorite things about summer is basil.

My other favorite thing is the farmer’s market. Grab me a latte, put on my shades, pick out some pretty looking veggies, take a few pictures, enjoy the smell of freshly baked stuff, and drive right on home in my air conditioned SUV.

Yep. I loooove the farmer’s market.

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pastamushrooms

Rustic Garlic Butter Pasta with Roasted Broccoli

pasta1Pinit

I love pasta. I eat mushrooms.

And I buy clearance shirts that are actually swim cover-ups.

How and why could I fall in love with a shirt that’s not a shirt? That makes me nervous.

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Fajita Pasta

Skinny Shrimp Fajita Pasta

pasta3Pinit

You guysss.

I’m looking at the world through Mexican-flavored glasses.

I may not definitely do not have the looks, the suave, or the rhythm whatsoever, but I swear I have Mexican flavors in my soul. Mexi-Italian fusion skinny pasta?  I’m telling you, it’s gotta be in my soul.

I did take salsa lessons once.

I would be lying if I told you it was just a teensy bit bad. Ay caramba.

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chicken2

Easy Cheesy Chicken Noodles

chicken2Pinit

Chicken Noodle Soup meets Mac n’ Cheese.

Have you ever asked yourself what that would be like?

I know someone who did ask herself that very question one night while getting ready for bed, because, I don’t know, she likes to think about food at night when she gets ready for bed, okay?

And less than 24 hours later that same someone had slurped every last noodle out of the cheesy pan.  I’m serious.  This girl means business.

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{Light} Garlic Shrimp Baked Penne

Light Garlic Shrimp Baked Penne

{Light} Garlic Shrimp Baked PennePinitHomemade Garlic Alfredo Sauce.

Would you mind if I just stopped there?  Sighh.

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Veggie Lasagna

Skinny Veggie Lasagna

Veggie Lasagna

Alright, so maybe that melted cheese bomb on top doesn’t look so skinny.

I seem to have a certain skill for presenting you with food that is healthy….

but not really.

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Healthy Bacon & Pumpkin Pasta

Healthy Bacon & Pumpkin Pasta

Healthy Bacon & Pumpkin PastaPinit

What did you do this weekend?

I took advantage of the opportunity to eat blissful creamy bacon and pumpkin pasta and snuggle with a pug.

Yes, I said snuggle with a pug.  I was snug as a bug in a rug with a pug.  And a mug.

Gahhhh.

Doggie

That sweet wrinkly face gives me a tingly nose and shivers.  Sheeeee’s sooooo cuuuuute!  I might absolutely do have a puppy crush on her.

And you probably already know that I have a hungry girl crush on this pumpkin pasta.

Healthy Bacon & Pumpkin Pasta

Yeah, I know what you’re thinking.

Pumpkin in pasta.  Um, questionable.

Long story short, we need to stop judging our favorite fall vegetable.  fruit?  …ingredient.  How did pumpkin get stereotyped as an exclusively sweet ingredient?  It’s so versatile and healthy. And healthy is a good thing this week.  Cause come Turkey Thursday, you know what’s goin down.  Seconds, thirds, and multiple desserts with whipped cream are what’s goin down.   JOY.

If you liked this butternut squash mac and cheese with caramelized onions, apples, and bacon (which is pretty much impossible not to like), then this pasta is going to rock.your.socks.off.  And it might rock some pounds off, too?  That’s a fool-proof diet plan, if you ask me.  I love when eating a huge bowl of pasta makes your jeggings fit better.

Speaking of jeggings, I’ve been majorly over-wearing them because of their comfy wonderfulness.  Help?

Healthy Bacon & Pumpkin Pasta

4.8 from 13 reviews

Healthy Bacon & Pumpkin Pasta
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 

Serves: 2
 

Ingredients
  • 2 cups dry whole grain shells
  • ½ cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 ounce light cream cheese
  • ¼ cup fat free evaporated milk
  • ½ teaspoon minced garlic
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • freshly ground pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup cooked, crumbled bacon
  • ¼ cup sliced scallions or green onions

Instructions
  1. Cook pasta according to directions. Drain and return to pan. Reduce heat to low.
  2. Add pumpkin through salt and pepper and stir until cream cheese is melted and mixture is warmed through.
  3. Divide between two bowls and top with crumbled bacon and green onions.

Notes
I’ve also made this with caramelized onions for a little sweeter, more buttery flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Have you tried pumpkin in savory dishes?

And btw, who wants to see more snogglishly cute pug pictures?  I’m trying not to overwhelm you with cuteness all at once, but there’s definitely more where that came from.  Get ready.

Chicken Zucchini Pasta

Chicken Zucchini Pasta

Chicken Zucchini PastaPinitOnce upon a time, I went to my parent’s house to be “helpful” while they were out of town.

Then the story took a turn.

It became me trying to survive and keep everyone fed and alive.
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