Taking the first step (Easy Mac w/chicken & Veggies)

Here we are. I finally slowed down enough to get started in the kitchen.

I have to play catch up, I was able to cook last night, but my little toddler zapped all the energy I had left so I fell asleep before writing a post. I don't mind, life of a mommy is wonderful!

Friday was a pretty busy day so I wanted something simple and quick. The first word of this recipe is EASY, so that was my pick. :)  I found it in an All You Magazine, on an add for Country Crock.

Easy mac with chicken & veggies (see my story for my substitutions)
4 tbsp country crock butter (divided 3/1)
1 cup 2% milk
8 oz cooked rotini pasta
2 cups diced cooked chicken
4 cups frozen vegetables (thawed)
2 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine 3 tbsp of butter with milk, pasta, chicken, veggies, and cheddar cheese in an 8-inch baking dish

2. Combine bread crumbs, parmesan and remaining 1 tbsp of butter in a small bowl, then sprinkle on top.

3. Bake 30 minutes or until heated through.
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I'm always looking for a way to add extra veggies so I used Wacky Mac veggie spirals in place of plain rotini pasta. I also used italian bread crumbs in place of plain. This recipe made a ton of food! I used a 9x13 baking dish instead of an 8 inch and it was packed to the brim. The recipe didn't specify what veggies to use, so I mixed and matched as I desired. Using a pack of italian mixed veggies (zucchini, beans, corn, & peppers). I added a pack of cauliflower, & a head of broccoli. Since I used part frozen and part fresh, I steamed them so they would all be soft. I also cut out 1/4 cup of cheese simply because my bag was 2 cups and I didn't want to open another one. Should I mention I didn't even use Country crock butter? I usually follow recipes to a T, but this day was full of making things fall in place so dinner could be served.

The final result was QUICK and tasty. My son loved it which is a big deal. He was enthralled by the colors of the dish and leaned over to eat it straight out of the bowl! We were able to calm down the excitement and feed him using a utensil, and he ate an entire bowl full.