On days when warmth is the most important need of the human heart, the kitchen is the place you can find it. -E.B. White
One of my favorite things about the holiday season are the meals shared with family. Not only the Thanksgiving Feasts and special Christmas Dinners but just sitting around the table with my own family on a weeknight brings me a lot of peace and seems to center us all a little bit more. It gives us time to connect and recharge together. There is usually a dash of chaos mixed in there and manners are very much still being refined, but even with the “spirited” interactions at our table, I wouldn’t trade that time of the day for anything. As parents, having regular meals together gives us insight into our children’s well-being as we discuss whatever’s on their mind after everything they’ve taken in that day. We get a chance to see where they’re at emotionally, get a sense of their mood, and just share our thoughts and feelings while conversations arise. For the kids, it gives them a strong sense of structure which can help them feel more secure.
There are countless positive takeaways from eating dinner as a family (and most importantly-without distractions!) This is a priority for us all throughout the year, but during the winter months when the weather can be gloomy and the sun sets early, I feel like it takes on an even more important role. Creating a simple, warm, and festive environment where we can all gather at the end of the day during these months is a big part of the holiday season for my family. That doesn’t mean there aren’t bumps along the way, food being spat out by our three-year old, milk being spilled in every direction, or that the table looks like a holiday magazine cover. That also doesn’t mean that every single night we can make a perfect sit-down dinner happen, considering the different sports schedules and commitments my kids have, but it is absolutely a priority and one that I think you and your family will benefit from as well!
Eating a meal together doesn’t have to be fancy, it just needs to be nutritious, tasty, and affordable. A delicious recipe that checks all those boxes is this One-Pot Lasagna Pasta. Just imagine all those rich beef lasagna flavors without the many, many lasagna steps! Perfect for those chilly, cozy nights and the busy holiday season, your family will LOVE gathering around the table for this one.
This post is sponsored by the Washington State Beef Commission.
This recipe serves four, but I double it for my family of six (especially if I want any chance of some leftovers!) Simple ingredients like ground beef, zucchini, pasta, sauce, and cheese make this one easy to throw together which will give you more time around the table with your loved ones. This meal comes with the added benefit that it is packed with 45 grams of protein which is 90% of your daily value! Protein is not only important to help keep your energy up during this bustling season, but it is an essential nutrient that supports the active lifestyle of growing kids and satisfies hunger for longer. To get even more out of your family mealtimes, have the kids chip in as you prep this recipe if you have the chance! I know that’s not always convenient, and it may require an extra dose of patience, but I’ve found it gives them a lot of confidence as they learn new things and feel as though they’ve contributed to the meal. Even if it’s just pouring in pre-measured ingredients, it’s so beneficial for them to see what goes into creating dinner for your family and also gives them the skills they’re going to need down the road. Give this flavorful, one-pot recipe a try and maybe it will become a savory staple in your menu rotation!
One-Pot Lasagna Pasta
Ingredients:
- 1 lb lean ground beef (93% or leaner)
- 1 medium zucchini, chopped (about 1-1/2 cups)
- 1 jar (24 to 26 ounces) garden-style pasta sauce
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 6 ounces uncooked mini bow tie (farfalle) pasta (about 2-1/8 cups)
- 2/3 cup reduced-fat ricotta cheese
- 1 cup reduced-fat shredded mozzarella cheese
- Thinly sliced or chopped fresh basil
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat ovenproof 5 to 6-quart Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat until hot. Add Ground Beef and zucchini; cook 8 to 10 minutes, breaking beef into small crumbles and stirring occasionally.
*Cook’s Tip: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed Ground Beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness.
2. Stir in pasta sauce, water and pepper. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in pasta. Spoon heaping teaspoons ricotta cheese over top of sauce. Slightly swirl ricotta into sauce, not mixing in completely.
3. Cover and bake in 375°F oven 10 minutes. Uncover. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake 7 to 10 minutes or until pasta is tender. Let stand 5 minutes. Sprinkle with basil before serving.
Skillet-Stovetop Method: Prepare recipe as directed above using 12-inch nonstick skillet and adding uncooked pasta with pasta sauce, water and pepper in step 2. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; cover and cook on stovetop 8 to 11 minutes (13 to 15 minutes for regular bow tie pasta) or until pasta is tender, stirring once. Remove from heat. Swirl ricotta into sauce as directed in step 2. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Cover and let stand 5 minutes or until mozzarella cheese is melted.
*Cook’s Tip: Six ounces uncooked regular bow tie (farfalle) pasta (about 2-1/3 cups) may be substituted. Increase uncovered baking time to 10 to 13 minutes.
As you gather with family over meals this season, remember that you’re not just warming their bellies with a delicious meal, you’re warming hearts and creating traditions that will be part of the foundation your kids build on. During the holidays and beyond, may your table and the family around it be blessed!
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts. Acts 2:46
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Read more of Maria’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.
