One Pot Pasta

I think I'm a little late in the game on this one, the one pot pasta trend.  I was skeptical, like most.  This may have been the absolute easiest meal I've ever made, aside from unwrapping a frozen pizza & waiting for the oven to preheat and cutting it up when it's done.

As it turns out, there are nearly a million one pot pasta meals online to chose from.  The idea is to throw everything in the pot and let it all cook.  At once.  Together.  This recipe is fairly basic, extremely simple, and received rave reviews from each member of my family.  Bon Appétit!


12 oz. pasta, linguine or spaghetti
1-15 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 large sweet onion, cut julienne
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced (or in my case, from the jar in the fridge)
½ tsp. red pepper flakes
2 tsp. dried oregano leaves
2 large sprigs fresh basil
4½ cups vegetable or chicken broth, not low sodium
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
salt & pepper to taste

Optional: Parmesan cheese

1. In a dutch oven or braiser, pour olive oil in the bottom of the pan.

2. Add all ingredients to the pot.  Stir as necessary.

3. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and cook for 10 minutes or until pasta is cooked through & liquid has reduced.

Taco Hotdish with Doritos

If you're from Minnesota you know there's nothing like a good hotdish!  And when you combine tacos with a bonanza of dairy products & top it with Doritos you have a recipe for simplistic success.  Thank you Two Maids a Milking for the idea!

1 lb. ground beef
1 pkg. taco seasoning--I didn't have taco seasoning on hand, so I winged it with chili powder, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder & red pepper flakes.
1 onion, diced
1-8 oz. can tomato sauce
1-14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can seamless crescent rolls
8 oz. sour cream
1-2 cups shredded cheese
¾ bag Doritos

1. Brown ground beef & season with taco seasoning or seasoning substitutes.  Add onions, tomato sauce & diced tomatoes to browned meat & allow to cook slightly; add a small amount of water if needed.

2. Spread crescent rolls onto the bottom of a glass 9x13" baking dish or cake pan.

3. Layer: meat, sour cream, shredded cheese & crushed Doritos.

4. Bake for 30 minutes @ 350º.

We topped ours with taco sauce when serving.

Would also be good with shredded lettuce, and other misc. taco toppings.... olives, tomatoes, etc.