Chicken and Basil Pesto Pasta Creamy Chicken and Fresh Basil Pesto Pasta Delight Ingredients: 12 oz pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti) 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts (optional) For the Basil Pesto: 2 cups fresh basil leaves 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup pine nuts 2 garlic cloves 1/2 cup olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste Directions: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water. Meanwhile, season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken until golden and fully cooked, about 5–6 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside. To make the pesto, combine basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a food processor. Blend until smooth. Toss cooked pasta with the pesto, adding reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen the sauce if needed. Add the cooked chicken, cherry tomatoes, and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Toss everything gently to combine. Top with toasted pine nuts before serving, if desired. Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes Kcal: Approximately 540 kcal per serving | Servings: 4 servings #basilpesto #pestopasta #chickenpasta #italianrecipes #quickmeals #familydinners #pastalovers #homemadepesto #comfortfood #easydinners #freshbasil #chickenrecipes #simplemeals #pastaideas #midweekmeals #garliclovers #weeknightdinner #foodblogfeed #healthyish #pastanight Creamy, herby, and packed with flavor – this Chicken & Basil Pesto Pasta is the weeknight dinner you’ve been dreaming of

Looking for a quick and delicious dinner idea? This Crustless Pizza Bake is cheesy, savory, and oh-so-satisfying! #PizzaNight #EasyDinner #ComfortFood Ingredients: - 1 pound ground beef - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for a little kick) - 1 cup marinara sauce (sugar-free if you prefer) - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese - 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni - 1/2 cup diced bell peppers (feel free to skip if you’re not a fan) - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh basil for garnish (optional, but it adds a nice touch!) Directions: 1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is the perfect temperature for getting your cheese all melty and bubbly! 2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook your ground beef until it’s browned. Drain any excess fat to keep things from getting too greasy. 3. Stir in the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Mix it all up so those flavors get cozy together. 4. Spread the cooked beef mixture evenly in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Think of it as your own pizza canvas! 5. Pour the marinara sauce over the beef, making sure to spread it evenly. 6. Now, generously sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Yes, more cheese is always a good idea! 7. Top things off with pepperoni slices and diced bell peppers if you’re using them. 8. Finally, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese on top for that extra umami kick. 9. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Your kitchen will smell amazing! 10. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Don’t forget to garnish with fresh basil if you have it! Nutritional Values (per serving): - Serving Size: 1/8 of the dish - Calories: Approximately 320 - Protein: 22g - Carbohydrates: 5g - Fat: 22g Enjoy your slice of comfort with this Crustless Pizza Bake—perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy family dinner!

If you're craving a comforting dish with the bold flavors of a classic Philly cheesesteak, this Philly Cheese Steak Casserole is a must-try! It's cheesy, hearty, and perfect for a dinner everyone will love. Ingredients: - 2 lbs ground beef - 3 bell peppers, sliced - 1 onion, sliced - 4 oz cream cheese - 6-8 slices provolone cheese - 1/4 cup chicken broth - Salt, to taste - Pepper, to taste - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - 1 teaspoon garlic powder Directions: 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). 2. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once fully cooked, drain any excess fat. 3. Toss in the sliced onion and bell peppers, cooking until they soften, about 5-7 minutes. 4. Season the mixture with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and garlic powder, stirring well to combine. 5. Add the cream cheese and mix until it melts and blends seamlessly with the meat and veggies. 6. Pour in the chicken broth and stir until everything is well combined. 7. Transfer the delicious mixture to a casserole dish, spreading it out evenly. 8. Top it off with the provolone cheese slices, covering the entire surface. 9. Bake in the oven for about 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Nutritional Values (per serving): - Serving Size: 1 cup - Calories: 500 - Protein: 35g - Fat: 36g - Carbohydrates: 10g - Fiber: 2g This casserole is not just simple to make, but it’s also a great way to bring the family together over a hearty meal. Enjoy! #PhillyCheeseSteak #CasseroleLove #ComfortFood #EasyDinner #CheesyGoodness

Get ready to savor this creamy and comforting Mushroom Chicken! It’s a perfect blend of tender chicken and luscious sauce that’s sure to impress. #CreamyMushroomChicken #ComfortFood #EasyDinner #Delicious #HomeCooking Ingredients: - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound) - 1 tablespoon olive oil - 1 tablespoon butter - 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced (such as cremini or button) - 1 cup heavy cream - 1/2 cup chicken broth - 2 cloves garlic, minced - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh parsley for garnish (optional) Directions: 1. In a large skillet, warm up the olive oil and butter over medium heat until melted and fragrant. 2. Season your chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper, then place them in the skillet. Let them cook undisturbed until they turn a beautiful golden brown, about 6-7 minutes per side. Once cooked through, remove them from the skillet and set aside. 3. In the same skillet, toss in the sliced mushrooms and minced garlic. Sauté them for around 5 minutes, or until the mushrooms become tender and begin to release their juices. 4. Next, pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring everything together. Allow the mixture to come to a gentle simmer, thickening slightly as it heats up. 5. Return the juicy chicken back to the skillet, making sure to coat it well in that creamy mushroom sauce. 6. If you're feeling fancy, sprinkle some fresh parsley on top for a pop of color. Serve this warm and enjoy every bite! Nutrition Facts (per serving): - Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce - Calories: 540 - Protein: 38g - Fat: 40g - Carbohydrates: 4g - Fiber: 1g Get your forks ready; it’s time to dig into this delightful dish that’s as tasty as it is easy to make! Enjoy!

Looking for a quick and delicious one-pan meal? This Mexican Zucchini and Ground Beef Skillet is your answer—flavorful, cheesy, and so satisfying! Ingredients: - 1 pound ground beef - 2 medium zucchinis, diced - 1 small onion, chopped - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained - 1 tablespoon chili powder - 1 teaspoon cumin - 1 teaspoon paprika - Salt and pepper to taste - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese - 2 tablespoons olive oil - Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional) Directions: 1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Toss in the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion becomes translucent, which should take about 3-4 minutes. 2. Next, add the ground beef to the skillet. Use a spatula to break it apart as it cooks, browning it for about 5-7 minutes. If there's too much fat when it's done, drain the excess. 3. Now, stir in the diced zucchini, undrained diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook this flavorful mix for another 5-7 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender. 4. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the beef and zucchini mixture, and cover the skillet. Let it sit for about 2-3 minutes, just long enough for the cheese to melt beautifully. 5. Remove from heat and, if you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle some fresh cilantro on top. Serve it warm and enjoy! Nutritional Values (per serving): - Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe - Calories: 400 - Protein: 30g - Carbohydrates: 10g - Fat: 25g - Fiber: 2g #MexicanSkillet #BeefAndZucchini #OnePanMeal #CheesyGoodness #EasyDinner