For three days, I tried new variations. BLECH blech and more b l e c h. They just weren’t doing it for me and at this point, I was looking for something easy. You know those days that you are yearning for some kind of Asian flavor KaPow for your palate, but you don’t want to head into the store with an ingredient list half a mile long?

Finally, today, I started thinking about how I wanted them to taste. How I wanted them to be simple.

Then it hit me…ramen. soy. sesame. ginger. fish sauce. garlic (of course). heat. Yes.

I whipped it together in 7 minutes…no lie. Lil Miss chowed on these. She was grabbing them off of the chopsticks and shoving them into her mouth as fast as she could. I started thinking of the possibilities. Add your favorite variety of steamed veggies, some caramelized tofu and this is a simple and healthy dinner. Under 15 minutes. 

Our house was filled with the smell of the sauce and a friend came over and commented on the pungent smell of the garlic, pre-lunch. “I was working on a project, ” I told her.

To emphasize Lil Miss’s love for these noodles, I give you the following scenario (and the photos above). After we finished off the bowl of noodles, she went missing. I looked around and found her on all fours underneath the table with her face right next to the floor. What?!? She had found a noodle that got away and was shoving it into her mouth. Apparently they are that good. Lick them off the floor good.These noodles alone do not make a well-rounded meal, but they are excellent for an Asian side, or accompanied by veggies, tofu or your meat of choice. Most of all, they kick the craving. I made them with a package of ramen I found in the back of the pantry. I was having a bit of a temper tantrum with the rice noodles all week and needed to change it up. As a result, this recipe is written for a single serving. 

Make it. Try this one and you will thank me. I am going to make sure that we keep these ingredients on hand. 

Let me know what you add to it to make it a complete meal. Enjoy the joy of good “fast food” from your stove top and the smells that will envelope your house. The neighbors just might come a-knockin’. 

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Sesame Noodles Recipe

1 serving

Ingredients:

• Ramen noodles 3 oz
• 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
• 1/2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tbsp ginger, minced
• 1/2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• Siracha to taste
• Sesame seeds

Directions:
**helpful hint** While the water is boiling, prepare garlic and ginger in one small bowl / ramekin and fish sauce, honey, soy sauce and Siracha in another. This will make the preparation of the sauce go much smoother.**

The post Sesame Noodles Recipe first appeared on BonBon Break.

Simple, yet super flavorful, this Broccolini and Sausage Pasta is a perfect meal for busy weeknights. The full recipe makes a generous amount, which is convenient if you’re a fan of leftovers or if you need to deliver dinner to a friend in need in addition to feeding your family. If not, the recipe halves easily.

Tender broccolini, slivers of garlic, and Johnsonville Naturals Mild Italian Sausage combine in this kid-friendly pasta dish tossed with Parmesan and lemon zest for extra flavor. Since the sausage is gluten-free, making this a gluten-free meal is as easy as subbing in your favorite gluten-free pasta.

Johnsonville Naturals provide a clean and simple label and are made with familiar ingredients. They do not contain artificial ingredients, flavors, colors, or preservatives. The line focuses on high quality, natural ingredients, such as premium cuts of meat and flavorful spices to deliver great taste people expect from America’s leading sausage brand.

Broccolini and Sausage Pasta

Serves 8 to 10. If you’re not planning to feed a crowd, the recipe halves easily.

• 1 pound pappardelle pasta
• 1 pound Johnsonville Naturals Mild Italian Sausage
• 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 pound broccolini or broccoli rabe
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 lemon, zested
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• salt and pepper, to taste

Boil water in a large pot and cook pasta in salted water according to package directions. Drain and return pasta to the pot.

While pasta cooks, brown the sausage in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into bite-size pieces with a wooden spoon.

Add garlic to the browned sausage and continue cooking until the garlic just begins to brown. Add broccolini and broth, cover the pot, and cook until the broccolini turns bright green, about 2 minutes. Uncover and cook, stirring frequently, until most of the broth evaporates and the broccolini is tender, about 3 more minutes.

Add the sausage mixture, along with olive oil, lemon zest, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to the pasta. Toss to combine. Serve immediately. Top with additional Parmesan cheese.

Make it a Meal:

• Tender Buttermilk Dinner Rolls
• Za’atar and Mint Butterbean Salad
• Apple Roses

Pin it for Later

This post was written by Suzanne Cowden exclusively for BonBon Break Media, LLC.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Johnsonville. The opinions and text are all mine.

The post Broccolini and Sausage Pasta first appeared on BonBon Break.

Here’s a quick and delicious weeknight dinner that’s bound to become a favorite at your house: Chicken Alfredo Baked Ziti.

Ali of Gimme Some Oven shares this simple, yet flexible recipe that’s perfect for families.  Ali says, “I kept this base recipe pretty straight-forward so that it would also pass the picky-eater test.  But if you happen to have fresh veggies on hand, I’d highly recommend sauteing them up to add in too.”

Rich sauce, cheesy goodness, chicken, and pasta blend perfectly in this comforting meal. It’s an ideal dish for potlucks, parties, or meal sharing. Enjoy!

Make it a meal:

• Zaatar and Mint Butterbean Salad
• Garlic, Lemon & Parmesan Roasted Zucchini
• No Bake Balsamic Strawberry Tiramisu

ABOUT ALI EBRIGHT: Ali is the creator of the popular food blog, Gimme Some Oven, where she is all about celebrating delicious, simple, and creative recipes and sharing them with those you love. She is also a professional food photographer, stylist, and recipe developer who enjoys dabbling in lifestyle writing as well. When she’s not blogging, Ali digs all things music, traveling near and far, getting crafty, book clubbing, and spending time with a wonderful group of friends.  

Follow Ali on Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

PIN CHICKEN ALFREDO BAKED ZITI FOR LATER

CONTINUE READING IN THE KITCHEN

The post Chicken Alfredo Baked Ziti first appeared on BonBon Break.

What could be better than meatballs? Cheese-stuffed baked meatballs!

Michelle of Flour and Aprons shares her comforting, delicious recipe that calls for baking, rather than pan-frying the meatballs. This time-saving method frees you from standing at the stove turning meatballs. Michelle says:

“While they are baking it gives you time to make the sauce and prepare the pasta. I like to add the sauce to the meatballs after they have been baking for a while so they get a chance to take in some of the flavour from the sauce.”

This recipe transforms a hearty meal of spaghetti and meatballs into a weeknight option for busy families.  And it’s simple to turn those extra meatballs into fantastic subs for lunch the next day!

MAKE IT A MEAL:

• Cheesy Bread
• Kale Salad with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette 
• Garlic Spaghetti Squash with Herbs

PIN IT FOR LATER 

The post Cheese-Stuffed Baked Meatballs first appeared on BonBon Break.

This perfectly simple 20-minute pasta recipe with brown butter and chunky pesto, is the perfect way to start off the week. Not only is it Meatless Monday friendly, it’s kid friendly as well. What kid doesn’t like buttered noodles? Parents will love the depth that the brown butter gives the dish, as well as simplicity of the preparation. By keeping the pesto chunky, you won’t have to break out the hard-to-clean food processor.

Tieghan says, ” Quick and easy makes things so much better.”

I hear that girlfriend.

She also says, “Simple flavors are best and a little (ok a lot) of cheese is helpful too.”

We’re clearly dealing with a wise woman here.

The next time you’re stumped on what to make for dinner, give this 20 minute pasta with brown butter and chunky pesto a try. It will add a little extra oomph to your kids favorite buttered noodles, and turn it into a dish the whole family will love.

READ MORE FROM THE KITCHEN:

• Roasted Pepper Hummus
• Sweetheart Valentine Mix
• Flu Fighter Chicken Noodle Soup 

PIN IT FOR LATER:

The post 20-Minute Brown Butter Chunky Basil Pesto Pasta first appeared on BonBon Break.