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. 

Breakfast Carbonara

I may have mentioned that this past week my husband and I were on Spring Break [let's take a moment a remember...ahh]. With both of us being teachers, we happily got to enjoy this time off together. Originally we had planned to go away, but with gas prices soaring and serious-relaxation needed...we decided to make it a stay-cation instead. Truth be told- it was the best stay-cation I've ever had!! We slept in late [which for me is 8:30--watch out!], went to the movies, stayed in our pj's until noon, went on day trips, and seriously just enjoyed not having an agenda what-so-ever.

Our non-agenda having schedule led to late breakfasty-brunchy meals like this one! My good ole' use whatcha got mentality gave birth to this little bowl of heaven. Have it for a breakfasty-brunchy meal of your own--or have breakfast for dinner [one of my faves!].

Breakfast Carbonara served over Butter Grits
serves 2

• 2 eggs
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 2 cups jarred marinara
• salt + pepper to taste
• 1-2 tsp of lemon juice
• 2 packets of instant butter grits [Quaker Instant Butter Grits]
• 1 cup pepperoni, sliced 
• 1-2 tbsp EVOO

1. saute spinach in EVOO over med-high heat until wilted. sprinkle with lemon juice and salt + pepper.
2. add marinara and pepperoni and stir well to combine. then create 2 holes in the middle of the marinara mixture. in those holes crack the eggs. cover and cook eggs to desired hardness.
3. meanwhile- cook instant grits in microwave according to package instructions. 
4. serve by layering grits in shallow bowl and topping with marinara + egg mixture. 

this dish is an unlikely combination, but trust me when I say it works.

spicy, savory, and buttery goodness! as my husband said, "this one stays in the rotation!"

p.s. shout out to Michelle for naming this dish! thanks Meeshy! ;)