Last minute hospitality

We love to have guests over for dinner. I love preparing, cooking from scratch, even creating a nice table setting to make our guests feel special. Sometimes these dinners are arranged last minute when no forethought has been given to meal planning. These are three very simple, delicious main pasta dishes that are some of my top go-to just for such times! I often alternate a side dish to go along with them. 

Fennel Noodle Skillet

Main ingredients: fennel root, sweet onion, cabbage, egg noodles

Chop one fennel root (the round white part), one sweet onion, and about a 1/4 to a 1/2 head of cabbage. Stir fry on medium-low with a generous amount of olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Cook egg noodles per package directions. Top with fennel mix.

Side ideas: 

Bruschetta

Garlic bread

Rice Cooker Macaroni and Cheese

Main ingredients: 1 lb mini shell pasta, chicken broth, milk, shredded cheese (I like colby blend)

Stir together pasta, 1 3/4 C chicken broth, 1 C whole milk, and 1 1/2-2 C shredded cheese in rice cooker. Add about a teaspoon of salt. Cook for about 35 minutes or on white rice setting.

Side ideas:

Salad & garlic bread

Balsamic green beans

Rotini Chili

Main ingredients: 1 lb ground beef or turkey, 2 cans of chili (I love Amy's brand), 1 lb rotini pasta

Brown ground beef in skillet. Add chili (sometimes I'll add half a chopped onion and half a chopped green pepper). Cook rotini per package directions. Top with chili. I also like to have shredded cheese on hand to sprinkle on top!

Side ideas:

Cornbread

Garlic bread

Salad