Tag Archives: ground chicken

Farfalle con Pollo e Pesto

A pretentious name for a sublime dish: Bowtie Pasta with Chicken and Pesto. – Chef John

1 lb Farfalle (bowtie) pasta
2 lbs ground white meat chicken
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 Tbsp ground black pepper
2 large green peppers, seeded and diced
2 small jars prepared pesto (6.7 oz each) or 14 oz freshly prepared pesto
3 Tbsp dried garlic chips (for garnish) (Optional)

In a large cooker, bring 5 quarts of salted water to a boil. (It is said that Italians believe your pasta water should be as salty as the Mediterranean.) Add Farfalle and cook per directions (normally12-14 minutes) to al dente and drain.

While water is coming to a boil (and pasta is cooking) take a large skillet, add ground chicken, garlic and black pepper. Cook until chicken is done and crumbled. Drain off any excess liquids from the skillet that may have accumulated. Add diced green peppers and stir to combine.

Once pasta is cooked and drained, add to the chicken and pepper mixture. Stir to combine. Add pesto and stir to combine again. You’re making sure that every bite will be as flavourful as the last.

If desired, sprinkle top with dried garlic chips. Here at The Wannabe Gourmet, we love garlic, so it’s always desired!

Serves 8, alongside toasted, crusty garlic bread.

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Mexican Stuffed Shells

Put a little Mexican/Italian fusion in your mouth!

1 lb of ground turkey or chicken
1 package of low-sodium taco seasoning
4 ounces Neufchâtel cheese
12 jumbo pasta shells
1 1/2 cups salsa (heat level depends on you)
1 cup taco sauce (again, the heat level depends on you)
1 cup reduced-fat cheddar cheese (grated)
1 cup Low-moisture, reduced-fat mozzarella cheese (grated)
Chopped Scallions
Black beans
Optional: Low Fat/Light sour cream

Preheat oven to 350F.

In a large skillet, brown ground meat; add taco seasoning and prepare following package directions. Add Neufchâtel cheese, cover and simmer until cheese is melted. Mix until well combined. Allow to cool.

While the meat mixture is cooking, cook the pasta shells according to package directions. (Once the shells are cooked and drained, set them individually on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray to prevent them sticking together!)

Using a 9×13″ baking dish, pour the salsa to coat the bottom. Use a spatula, if needed, to ensure coverage. Stuff each shell with 1-2 tbsp of the meat mixture. Place the filled shells open side up on top of the salsa. Coat the shells with taco sauce. Cover with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes.

After cooking, remove foil and add shredded cheese and bake for 5-10 more minutes to allow the cheese to melt.

Top with chopped scallions. Serve with black beans, and if desired, low fat/light sour cream and/or more salsa.

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