Meat Lovers Pasta Bake

Vegetarians and Vegans beware. This post is not for you. I'm sorry, but I'm not. 

I'm a lady who proudly enjoys bacon with everything. And this dish is one of them! 

Bacon, ground pork, and pepperoni. Yep, that just happened. It's like a meat-lovers pizza all wrapped up in a creamy pasta sauce. Best part is, this meal is quick-easy-and downright yummy. 

Perfect for a weeknight dinner!  

Meat Lovers Pasta Bake

serves 4-6 

• 1 lb whole wheat spaghetti, cooked al dente 
• 1 cup fat-free cream cheese
• 1 lb ground pork
• 4 slices of bacon, chopped
• 1 cup of pre-sliced pepperoni 
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tbsp Italian Seasoning
• 2 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp red pepper flakes [or more if you like an extra kick]
• 1 cup shredded colby-jack cheese
• 3 cups jarred marinara 

1. begin by preheating oven to 350 degrees and cooking bacon in a large pan. cook until browned. then remove from pan and let drain on a paper towel. reserve bacon grease in pan. 
2. add ground pork to pan. brown and season with garlic powder, Italian Seasoning, and red pepper flakes. add yellow pepper, onion and pepperoni slices. stir well. 
3. melt cream cheese into meat mixture and add marinara sauce. stir until well blended. 
4. remove from heat + slowly add spaghetti to sauce pan a little at a time. use tongs to combine sauce and pasta well. pour into greased casserole dish. 
5. top with browned bacon, colby-jack cheese and a sprinkle or two of Italian Seasoning. bake for 10-12 minutes, or until cheese is melted. 

check out that cheesy-meaty goodness. 

it's a beautiful thing. 

Sando's Sesame Stir-Fry

For a day that started out cold, gray, and foggy...

it sure turned into something beautiful!

Tonight's dinner was both inspired by my craving for my favorite Chinese food [[beef + broccoli]] and a recent recipe I saw in Cooking Light. 

Sando's Sesame Stir-Fry

[using my short-cuts you can have this prepared and on the table in 20mins. seriously.]

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp minced ginger
• 1 tbsp chili garlic sauce
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 1 tbsp EVOO
• 1 lb pre-sliced beef [flank or skirt steak work best]
• 8 green onions, cut into 1 inch pieces [white and light green parts only]
• 1 bag frozen broccoli florets, steamed
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds

Directions:

1. Combine first 5 ingredients in a small bowl. 
2. Heat EVOO in large pan [or wok] over high heat.
3. Add beef to pan. Cook until desired temperature. [about 3 mins for med.rare]
4. Remove beef from pan.
5. Add onions and steamed broccoli. Cook for about 3 more minutes.
6. Add beef back to pan. Pour soy sauce mixture and toss. 
7. Turn off heat and let simmer. 
8. Serve alone or over Uncle Ben's 90-second Jasmine rice. [yummy!!]  
9. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. 

yeah. it was good!!!