* image These past few months have been busy for our family, especially since our oldest joined a local swim team. Between juggling our work schedules and balancing school with practices... we're all pretty wiped out. Although it's a lot of work, I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving. Preparing the holiday meal for our family fills my heart with joy, and I can't wait to get started. To make things easier for me, I don't deviate much from our first Thanksgiving as a family. The dishes I make are familiar ones, and the recipes for them live at my fingertips. Keeping the same menu year after year means I don't have to spend time researching recipes or planning a new one. Here are my tried-and-true Thanksgiving recipes, as well as my prep timeline for the big day!
This pasta dish features a cream sauce that's decadent and rich without the heaviness, so go on and have two helpings!
I'm incredibly blessed to have so many thoughtful people in my life. Their open hearts and telling actions inspire me every single day, and I'm aiming to do a better job of telling them all how much they mean to me. One of those amazing people is my stepmother, who constantly demonstrates to everyone around that it truly is "the little things that matter". I'm repeatedly touched by her generosity (see here and here and here and here!) and am so grateful that she's a part of our family.
This Creamy Parmesan Pasta with Peas and Bacon is an adaptation of one of my favorite dishes that my stepmother makes whenever Stephen and I are up in Connecticut for a visit. The first time I had it, I became instantly obsessed, eating way more than I should have in one sitting. My stepmother remembered my reaction and now always presents it as an option for dinner when we're there.
See? Thoughtful.
Thankfully, she gave me the recipe so I could make it for dinner in our house (as is evidenced by its multiple appearances on our weekly Menu Plans) for those times when a trip north isn't an option.
Elona, if you're reading this... thank you for being you and for all your love and kindness. xoxo
Pasta, Dairy, Parmesan, Cheese, Bacon, Peas
Pasta, Main Dishes
Yield: 2-4 servings
Author: Taste As You Go
Creamy Parmesan Pasta with Peas and Bacon
This pasta dish features a cream sauce that's decadent and rich without the heaviness, so go on and have two helpings!
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 10 MinTotal time: 20 Min
Ingredients
8 ounces long pasta
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup Parmesan, freshly grated
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
Instructions
Cook pasta according to the package instructions.
While the pasta is cooking, whisk together the flour and chicken broth in a large skillet over medium heat.
Whisk in the cream cheese, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Cook for 3 minutes or until the sauce begins to boil and thicken.
Drain the pasta but don't rinse. Toss the pasta, cooked sauce, peas, and bacon in a large bowl.
Serve immediately with extra grated Parmesan cheese.
