Pasta Carbonara and Tuna Cake Recipes

This post was sponsored by KRAFT and I was compensated to write it. Regardless, what I have written is my own opinion and experience, and I hope you find it of use.

Dining out at a nice restaurant can be one of the best experiences a family has together but, during the school year and sports season, it can be hard to find the time to dine out with everyone’s hectic schedules. I myself find my own family pressed for time but wish to have a great dinnertime bonding experience over a delicious dinner that was made quickly. I discovered that KRAFT had recipes online that could help me  ‘Twist That Dish’ while saving time and money.

With KRAFT products, many ordinary items that are already in the pantry or the refrigerator can be turned into amazing restaurant quality dinners in just 10 to 15 minutes. When the kids ask for seconds you will know you have won big time. The biggest time saver for me is shopping at Sam’s Club and getting KRAFT products in bulk so at any time I can make many different recipes with a new twist on favorites.

I fell in love with two recipes on the Samsclub.com/kraftrecipes website that when put together create a gourmet dinner worthy of sit down restaurants. I chose PHILADELPHIA Quick Pasta Carbonara and Tuna Cakes.

As with all great dinners a good deal of multitasking is involved but, with recipes provided by KRAFT, everything was simple and easy. I started by mixing the tuna cakes mix. I gathered all the ingredients and mixed them. I did this first because the mix needs to rest in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes.

While the mix was resting I got started on the Pasta recipe. I cooked the pasta according to the instructions on the box of fettuccine noodles I had in my pantry.

Just before the pasta was completely done I got to working on the sauce. The first step was to fry up the bacon. I used Oscar Mayer Bacon with Maple which made the pasta a bit sweeter (which is my trick for the picky kids).

Once the bacon was done, I stirred the rest of the ingredients in the grease as per the recipe provided by KRAFT. The key to this sauce recipe is to make sure the sauce is creamy and consistent and the cheese does not burn.

Once the sauce was ready I added the cooked noodles and the bacon and stirred well.

Once the pasta and the sauce were combined it was time to fry up the tuna cakes. To do this, use a non-stick skillet and an ice cream scoop to make portions. Cook them on both sides until golden brown.

The hardest thing about creating these KRAFT recipes was trying not to eat anything before plating the food.

 Everything turned out amazing and even the kids loved it. I am glad all KRAFT food products needed for these recipes can be purchased in bulk  online and in-club at my local Sam’s Club. I hope you enjoyed these recipes and will check out samsclub.com/kraftrecipes. Which recipe will you try tonight?

Menu Plan {Week of 12/16}

Monday: Fettuccine Alfredo

Tuesday: Turkey Noodle Soup

Wednesday: Chicken Enchiladas

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Pancakes

Saturday: Ribs

Sunday: Leftovers

Menu Plan {Week of 12/9}

Monday: Egg Sandwiches

Tuesday: Lasagna

Wednesday: Chicken & Potatoes

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Gyros

Saturday: Chili

Sunday: Leftovers

(My mom’s lasagna recipe and my chili recipe are coming later this week!)

Menu Plan {Week of 12/2}

Monday: Finish Thanksgiving leftovers

Tuesday: Tacos

Wednesday: Egg Sandwiches

Thursday: Spaghetti with meatballs

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Breakfast for dinner

Menu Plan {Week of 11/25} Plus Leftover Turkey Ideas

Happy Thanksgiving Week! Check out my list of 8 ways to use leftover turkey!

Monday: Breakfast for Dinner

Tuesday: Chicken Fajitas

Wednesday: Crockpot Honey Apple Pork Loin

Thursday: Thanksgiving Dinner!!

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Chili

Menu Plan {Week of 11/18}

Monday: Crockpot Turkey

Tuesday: Tortellini With Greek Yogurt And Mushroom Sauce

Wednesday: Turkey Sandwiches

Thursday: Taco Chicken Bowls

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Dinner Out

Sunday: Leftovers

Menu Plan {Week of November 11th}

Monday: Leftover Pizza

Tuesday: Meatloaf

Wednesday: Italian Crockpot Chicken

Thursday: Chili

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Shrimp Alfredo

Sunday: Breakfast for Dinner

Menu Plan {Week of 11/4}

Monday: Breakfast for Dinner

Tuesday: Crab and Bacon Mac & Cheese

Wednesday: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Southwest Chicken Calzones (disclosure: this post was part of a client’s blog campaign)

Saturday: Pork in the Crockpot

Sunday: Leftovers

Menu Plan {Week of 10/28}

Monday: Breakfast for Dinner

Tuesday: Meatloaf

Wednesday: Crockpot Lasagna Soup

Thursday: Steak Fajitas

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Eat Out

Sunday: Tuna Melts

Menu Plan {Week of 10/21}

Monday: Tacos

Tuesday: Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna Rolls

Wednesday: Leftovers

Thursday: Spaghetti

Friday: Steak

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Eat Out

Menu Plan {Week of 10/14}

Monday: Omeletes and Toast with Apple Butter

Tuesday: Out to Eat

Wednesday: Italian Chicken in the Crockpot

Thursday: Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili from Alida’s Kitchen

Friday: Verde Chicken Enchiladas from The Rebel Chick {*}

Saturday: Crustless Bacon & Cheese Quiche

Sunday: Leftovers

*In full disclosure, Thursday’s meal is from a blogging campaign that the company I work for ran for a client. I wasn’t paid for sharing it. I saw it on Google+ and it looked so delicious that I wanted to add it to my menu plan :)

Menu Plan (Week of 10/7}

Monday: Omelets (Breakfast for Dinner)

Tuesday: Ribs in the Crockpot

Wednesday: Stuffed Peppers

Thursday: Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Pork Loin

Friday: Brats and Mac & Cheese

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Out to Eat

Menu Plan {Week of 9/30}

Here is my menu plan for the week. Last week we ate out a lot more than had planned so I hope to stick with the plan better.

Monday: Blueberry Pancakes {Breakfast for Dinner}

Tuesday: Chili

Wednesday: Chicken Milano Pasta

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Homemade Pizza Rolls

Saturday: Tuna Melts

Sunday: Out to eat as a family

Menu Plan {Week of 9/23}

Monday: Breakfast for dinner

Tuesday: Chili in the crockpot

Wednesday: Chicken Fajitas

Thursday: Culver’s

Friday: Shrimp & Crusty Parmesan Herb Zucchini Boats

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Menu Plan Monday {Week of 9/16}

I haven’t menu planned in a while but I need to get back into the swing of things. If I don’t plan I have found that we eat fast food, something we eat for other meals (ie cereal, sandwiches, or waffles), or leftovers. Our current non-menu plan is just not working for me and I’m quite embarrassed to admit how often we currently eat one of the above items.

One thing I realized though is if I have activities in the evening I need something simple or something I can start during the day to have ready for the night. If Sinisa is not working that day I can put something more complicated on the menu for him to make. Here are the meals we will have this week:

Monday: Gyros

Tuesday: Shredded BBQ Chicken Sliders from Carrie Elle

Wednesday: Creamy Chicken Taquitos from Pearls, Handcuffs and Happy Hour

Thursday: Spaghetti Casserole from World Traveling Military Family

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Out to eat as a family

 

Menu Plan {April 22nd-28th}

Monday: Cranberry-Chicken Salad

Tuesday: Chili

Wednesday: Chicken Enchiladas

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Meatloaf Muffins & Mashed Potatoes

Saturday: Salmon and Rice

Sunday: Pizza Rolls

Menu Plan {April 8th-14th}

Monday: {PTO Fundraiser Dinner}

Tuesday: Ham & Green Beans

Wednesday: Teriyaki Chicken & Rice

Thursday: Meatloaf & Mashed Potatoes

Friday: Shrimp Tacos

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Breakfast for Dinner

Menu Plan {April 1st-7th}

Monday: Leftovers

Tuesday: Salmon

Wednesday: BBQ Chicken

Thursday: Crockpot Baked Pineapple Ham

Friday: Shrimp Pasta Alfredo

Saturday: Out to Eat

Sunday: Leftovers

Menu Plan {March 18th-24th}

Monday: Steak & Roasted Green Beans with Mushrooms

Tuesday: Tacos with Corn Salsa

Wednesday: French Chicken

Thursday: Tuscan Pasta With Tomato-Basil Cream

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Breakfast for Dinner

Menu Plan {March 11th-17th}

Monday: Crab Cakes

Tuesday: Spaghetti

Wednesday: BBQ Chicken

Thursday: Pot Roast

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Out To Eat For Sinisa’s B-Day

Sunday: Breakfast for Dinner

Menu Plan {March 4th-10th}

Monday: Coconut Chicken w/ Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce

Tuesday: Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup

Wednesday: Leftovers

Thursday: Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Friday: Breakfast for dinner

Saturday: Pizza Rolls

Sunday: Shrimp Tacos

Menu Plan {February 25th-March 3rd}

Monday: Stuffed Peppers

Tuesday: Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Wednesday: Breakfast for Dinner

Thursday: Roasted Chicken

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Pizza

Sunday: Parmesan Crusted Chicken & Pasta

Menu Plan {February 18th-24th}

Monday: Crockpot Honey Apple Pork Loin

Tuesday: Crockpot Ribs

Wednesday: Campanelle Pasta with Tuna Tomates and Artichokes

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Blueberry Pancakes

 

Menu Plan {February 11th-17th}

Monday: Greek Nachos

Tuesday: BBQ Chicken in the Crock Pot

Wednesday: Breakfast for Dinner

Thursday: Chinese Takeout {Valentine’s Day}

Friday: Crock Pot Potato Soup

Saturday: Caramelized Onion Lasagna

Sunday: Leftovers

Menu Plan {February 4th-10th}

Monday: Pork Chops

Tuesday: Chili

Wednesday: Steak Fajitas

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Pizza Rolls

Saturday: Homemade Mac & Cheese

Sunday: Leftovers

Menu Plan {Jan 28th-Feb 3rd}

Monday: Leftover Chinese

Tuesday: Paninis

Wednesday: Breakfast

Thursday: Hawaiian Pork Sandwiches

Friday: Chicken Marsala

Saturday: Braised Beef & Potatoes

Sunday: Leftovers

Menu Plan {Jan 21st-27th}

Monday: Bertolli pasta meal

Tuesday: Steak and baked potatoes

Wednesday: Teriyaki Chicken

Thursday: Stuffed Peppers

Friday: Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Breakfast for dinner {blueberry pancakes}

Menu Plan {January 14th-20th}

Monday: Gyros

Tuesday: Crockpot Chicken

Wednesday: Breakfast for dinner

Thursday: Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Shells

Friday: Sweet & Sour Pork

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Pizza Rolls

Menu Plan {January 7th-13th}

Monday: Salmon, Noodles, & Green Beans

Tuesday: Spaghetti with Italian Sausage

Wednesday: Leftovers

Thursday: Crockpot Chicken

Friday: Out to eat {with gift card from Christmas}

Saturday: Steak Fajitas

Sunday: Leftovers

Menu Plan {Dec 31st-Jan 6th}

Monday: {Leftover} Ham & Green Beans

Tuesday: Pot Roast

Wednesday: Chicken and Noodles

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Pizza Rolls

Saturday: Steak, Baked Potatoes, & Asparagus

Sunday: Leftovers

Menu Plan {December 17th-23rd}

Monday: Chili in Crockpot

Tuesday: Crockpot Chicken Tacos

Wednesday: Leftovers

Thursday: Grilled Pork Loin

Friday:  Leftovers

Saturday: Italian Chicken in Crockpot

Sunday: Pizza

Menu Plan {December 10th-16th}

Monday: Grilled Pork Loin w/ Potatoes, Onions, & Peppers

Tuesday: Chicken, Spinach And Cannellini Bean Quesadillas

Wednesday: Dinner on the Go {Wendy’s}

Thursday: Three Cheese Chicken Alfredo Bake

Friday: Tacos

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Breakfast for Dinner

 

Menu Plan {November 26th- December 2nd}

Monday: Turkey w/ Stuffing

Tuesday: Chili in the Crockpot

Wednesday: Ribs

Thursday: Tacos

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Spaghetti w/ Italian Sausage

Sunday: Burgers

Menu Plan {November 12th-18th}

Monday: Apricot Pork Chops

Tuesday: Steak w/ Sweet Potatoes

Wednesday: Leftovers

Thursday: Meatloaf w/ Mashed Potatoes

Friday: Grilled Chicken Caprese Pasta

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Chicken Enchilada Pasta

Menu Plan {11/5-11/11}

Monday: Crockpot Ribs

Tuesday: Stuffed Peppers

Wednesday: Chicken Marsala

Thursday: BBQ Teriyaki Pork Kabobs

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Clam Chowder

Sunday: Italian Sausage w/ Gnocchi and Vodka Cream Sauce

Menu Plan {October 29th- November 4th}

Monday: Chili in the Crockpot

Tuesday: Crockpot Barbecue Chicken

Wednesday: Tacos

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken

Saturday: Pizza Rolls

Sunday: Turkey, Sweet Potatoes, & Green Beans

Menu Plan {October 22nd-28th}

Monday: Apple Baked Pork Chops

Tuesday: Crockpot Cheesy Ravioli

Wednesday: Panko Crusted Chicken Stuffed with Ricotta, Spinach, Tomatoes, and Basil

Thursday: Breakfast for dinner

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Butternut Squash and Lobster Brown Rice Risotto

Menu Plan {September 10th-16th}

Monday: Leftovers

Tuesday: Baked Spasanga

Wednesday: Grilled Chicken & Greek Pasta Salad

Thursday: Stuffed Peppers

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Chicken & Black Bean Enchilada Casserole

Sunday: Chili

Menu Plan {September 3rd-9th}

Monday: Good Casserole

Tuesday: Dijon Chicken Linguine with Chanterelle Mushrooms and Toasted Almonds

Wednesday: Beef Stroganoff

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Roasted Shrimp Enchiladas with Jalapeño Cream Sauce

Sunday: Megan’s Pork Chop Casserole

Menu Plan {August 27th-September 2nd}

Monday: Greek Chicken Pita Pockets

Tuesday: Steak & Rustic Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

Wednesday: Creamy Tomato Pasta

Thursday: Bangin’ Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Turkey Burgers & Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Sunday: Quick Chicken Salad Croissant Sandwiches

Menu Plan {August 20th-26th}

Monday: No Peek Chicken & Rice

Tuesday: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Wednesday: Chicken Alfredo Roll-Ups

Thursday: Steak & Hashbrown Casserole

Friday: Pizza while we watch the Bears game

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Weight Watchers Cheddar Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

Menu Plan {August 13th-19th}

School starts Thursday!

Both boys will be in preschool this year so that means quiet morning and crazy evenings! It also means starting next week I may be cooking more since I will have more free time during the day. If you have a recipe you love please share it in the comments below.

Monday: Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Rice

Tuesday: Crepes {Breakfast for dinner}

Wednesday: Grilled Steak and Zucchini Boats

Thursday: Crockpot Chicken Taco Chili

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Teriyaki Pineapple Turkey Burgers

Sunday: Leftovers

Menu Plan {August 6th-12th}

Monday: Grilled Tuscan Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, and Corn

Tuesday: Tacos w/ Mango Salsa

Wednesday: Chicken & Black Bean Enchilada Casserole

Thursday: Chili in the Crockpot

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Baked Chicken, Noodles, and Asparagus

Sunday: Leftovers

Menu Plan {July 30th- August 5th}

Monday: Eggs, Bacon and Toast

Tuesday: Creamy Chicken Taquitos

Wednesday: Out To Dinner

Thursday: Garlic Shrimp n’ Pasta

Friday: Tacos

Saturday: Turkey Burgers and Grilled Asparagus

Sunday: Leftovers

Menu Plan {July 23rd-29th}

I am trying something new this week. I receive All You magazine in the mail and it has a week’s worth of meals in it. Along with easy, cheap recipes for 5 days it has a grocery list along with the article. I am going to try using 3 of the meals in the magazine (Issue 8, 2012) this week and see how it goes. It made menu planning a lot quicker this week!

Monday: Breakfast for dinner

Tuesday: Black bean, corn and shrimp salad (All You Magazine)

Wednesday: Pulled chicken (All You Magazine)

Thursday: Grilled teriyaki pork with mango noodle salad (All You Magazine)

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Out to eat for my birthday

Sunday: Leftovers

***

Also want to make the mixed berry granita found in the magazine! Yum :)

Menu Plan {July 16th-22nd}

Monday: Chicken Roll Ups

Tuesday: Roasted Red Pepper and Basil Pesto Penne

Wednesday: Cheesy Chicken and Rice Bake

Thursday: Steak and Corn on the Cob

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Hamburgers

Sunday: Eggs and Toast

Menu Plan {July 9th-15th}

Monday: Chicken, noodles, and corn

Tuesday: Slow Cooker Mexican Pulled Pork Tacos

Wednesday: Dinner out {Blog event}

Thursday: Honey-Lime Chicken Skewers

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Ribs and veggies on the grill

Sunday: Leftovers

Menu Plan {July 2nd-8th}

Monday: Omeletes, Bacon and Toast

Tuesday:  Shredded Beef Tacos

Wednesday: Leftovers

Thursday: Turkey with Sweet Potato Corn Cakes

Friday: Zucchini Pizza Bites

Saturday: Skinny Sour Cream Enchiladas

Sunday: Leftovers

Menu Plan {June 25th-July 1st}

Monday: Luke’s birthday celebration

Tuesday: Summer Steak Salad

Wednesday: Pasta Fresca

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Homemade Pizza Rolls

Saturday: Grilled shrimp and corn on the cob

Sunday: Chicken and veggie shish-ka-bobs

Menu Plan {June 18th-24th}

Monday: Tuna Melts

Tuesday: Grilled Chicken with Bacon, Apple Raspberry Vinaigrette Salad

Wednesday: Grilled Steak with Cheese and Bacon Potato Rounds

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Pizza Rolls

Saturday: Aloha Pork Chops

Sunday: Copy Cat In-N-Out Burger