My husband is taking a welding class Monday through Wednesday evenings each week. Â So, those three days a week our menu plan is very hectic to say the least. Â He has to be out of the house by a little after 5, so we have gotten to where we eat a late breakfast & an early dinner/late lunch, and just whatever we can find when we get hungry later. Â A little part of me breaths a sigh of relief once Thursday begins because I know we will be eating at more ‘normal’ hours.
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Last week, my husband came in from class & both of us were pretty hungry. Â I hadn’t been to the store in a while, so the pickings were getting slim. Â I grabbed a few ingredients that I thought might taste well together, & set to work. Pesto, Ranch, Noodles, Asparagus, & Cheese. Â That’s it. Â I had a dish on the table in 20 minutes – and once we took that first bite, we both had a definite ‘wow’ moment’. Â Delicious to say the least, and I was just amazed that it tasted so good for as quick as it was to put together. Â
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I just had to share this Pesto Ranch Cheesy Pasta Bake with you all. Â You can literally have this on the table in 20 minutes, and it will taste like you slaved away for a lot longer when you serve it up. Â Totally delicious! Â
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This is a meatless entree as written, but it would be amazing with chicken strips thrown in as well. Â If you want it ‘ranchier’ add more ranch – if you want more pesto, stir some more in. Â Taste it, customize it, and love it!
In a large pot, cook the penne pasta to box directions. Strain.
Pour the strained pasta back into the pot. Stir in the asparagus tips, pesto & ranch. Taste - add more of either if you'd like to. Stir in 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese.
Spray a medium casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Scoop in the pasta. Top with remaining cheese. Broil for 2-4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted & starting to brown.
Great, but add way more pesto and ranch! I added almost double and it still could have used more. Make sure to coat evenly. I also think you could go without browning the cheese, but still melting it a lot.
Made this tonight, my boyfriend loved it (three plates later)! I thought it could use a little more flavor. I doubled the pesto, and added chicken and fresh cut tomatoes and still wanted some more flavor. I will be making it again, though! Great recipe!
Great, but add way more pesto and ranch! I added almost double and it still could have used more. Make sure to coat evenly. I also think you could go without browning the cheese, but still melting it a lot.
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Just finished eating this and oh how yummy. I did add the chicken and fresh asparagus. This will be in my regular pasta rotation.
Made this tonight, my boyfriend loved it (three plates later)! I thought it could use a little more flavor. I doubled the pesto, and added chicken and fresh cut tomatoes and still wanted some more flavor. I will be making it again, though! Great recipe!
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