Dinner time is ALWAYS chaotic at our place. If I don’t have something ready to serve by 5pm, I know I’m in trouble. After a few particularly crazy busy nights, when the boys just happened to be asleep at the same time I decided to make the most of the opportunity and get dinner ready early. After a quick raid of the fridge and freezer I had a chicken breast, bacon and baby spinach, add in some pasta to satisfy my carb mad boys and I knew we’d be set!
This Chicken, Bacon and Baby Spinach Pasta took around 25 minutes from start to finish to put together, and I couldn’t help but feel a small sense of satisfaction when I was able to quickly heat up dinner at 4.55 – ready in time for two cranky hungry boys to devour.
It was also a winner with the big people in our house, both my husband and I enjoyed it and there was just enough leftovers for lunch the next day.
You will need:
200g of spaghetti
250g of chicken breast
4 slices of shortcut bacon
1 brown onion
½ red capsicum
1 cup of baby spinach leaves
400g tin of chopped tomatoes
2 cloves of crushed garlic
1 tablespoon of dried mixed herbs
pinch of sugar
Let’s put it together:
Cook the spaghetti as per packet instructions
In a non stick frying pan, add the onion, capsicum and garlic and cook for 2 minutes over a medium heat. Add the diced chicken and bacon and cook for a further 5 – 7 minutes of until the chicken has browned and almost cooked through.
Add the tin of tomatoes, herbs and a pinch of sugar. Stir through and reduce heat to medium/low and cook for a further 5 minutes. Add the baby spinach and cook for a further 2 – 3 minutes or until the spinach is wilted.
Drain the cooked pasta and divide amongst bowls. Spoon the sauce over the top and sprinkle with parmesan cheese to serve.
Enjoy!
** This can also be frozen for up to two months.
What is your favourite weeknight meal? I’d love to hear your suggestions!
mummywifeme
This is perfect thanks Lauren. That’s dinner sorted for the kids. I was defrosting some chicken and hadn’t decided what to do with it. They love pasta too, so that’s great. I might use Hello Kitty past though to sweeten the deal even more 🙂
Lauren @ Create Bake Make
So glad I can help you out! Love that you use fancy pasta too!
Toni @ Finding Myself Young
Woohoo I have all of this in the pantry, will have to give it a go this week.
Lauren @ Create Bake Make
Perfect!
Anne
This looks like a winner Lauren. Quick, easy and delicious – the perfect weeknight family meal. Thanks for featuring my triple lemon cupcakes from last week’s FFF!
Lauren @ Create Bake Make
Thank you for linking up with us Anne, I really enjoy your recipes. Yes, this is a great weeknight meal. I’m always looking for recipes that are easy and tasty!
Jody at Six Little Hearts
First to admit I am a semi-vegetarian (don’t even ask) and this contains two of my ingredients I avoid! It looks great though and I bet it smells fab. Even a semi-vegetarian finds it hard to not enjoy the smell of cooked meats!
Looks like you had some serious cleaning up to do after this one with that mucky toddler!
Lauren @ Create Bake Make
Yes, there was just a little cleaning up after he had finished! Both of the boys are messy eaters so I guess I’m used to it now!
Pinky Poinker
Hi Lauren! That looks delicioso! I live with some serious bacon aficionados so that recipe is something to put on my favourites bar. It was lovely to meet you last week 🙂
Lauren @ Create Bake Make
I hope your family enjoys it, please let me know how it goes! It was lovely to meet you too, have a great weekend x
Dannielle from Zamamabakes
Loving the looks of this little treasure! Going by the picture of your little man enjoying it I’d say I’ve got a pretty good chance of my little munchkins eating it too. I’ll let you know how I get on! Have a great weekend Lauren. x
Lauren @ Create Bake Make
Thanks Dannielle! Yep, both of my little men were big fans of this. I hope your kids enjoy it too 🙂