by Macki Nov 28th, 2010 // Swell Suppers

Swell Supper: Easy Peasy Pasta Dinner

Hi there, It’s me Macki. You might remember me from my last Swell Supper post. After a week of cooking and eating turkey and stuffing and cranberries and gravy – we’re ready for something different! For this weeks Swell Supper we wanted to steer clear of leftovers but still put an easy dinner together. On this week’s menu: Pasta with Bacon and Peas, with Rainbow Broccoli Parmesan and addictive Apple Turnovers for dessert. (The dessert is so simple to make but you will not believe how good it tastes!)

Start by prepping the Apple Turnover ingredients according to the recipe.  While the pastry is thawing and the apples are macerating, prepare the Pasta with Bacon and Peas. (We used real pork bacon not turkey bacon!) Just before the pasta is ready to be drained, blanch the broccoli. We did this in the microwave for half the suggested time or until it was very al dente. Meanwhile toss all of the ingredients for the pasta together and let it simmer to allow the flavors to marry.

While your pasta is simmering prepare the rainbow broccoli parmesan according to the recipe. (We didn’t have colorful broccoli so we used a bag of broccoli and cauliflower. ) By the time you’ve added the Parmesan to the broccoli, your pasta should be ready to serve. Just before sitting down you can assemble the apple turnovers and place in the oven. This only takes a few moments – you’ll be finished by the time everyone gets to the table.

Here’s proof that this is a kid friendly dish – both of my kids couldn’t get enough and when my daughter wasn’t looking, her brother stole a bite since he had already eaten all of his! My sister, who was over for dinner, said the turnovers taste like gourmet McDondald’s apple pies. Normally, I don’t want my cooking compared to McDonald’s but knowing how much she loves those pies, I’m taking it as a compliment! Now doesn’t that sound swell?