**disclaimer**
i know that at least one of you reading this
happens to own an italian restaurant.
so you (and anyone else who makes their own sauce) can skip this post.
you will see why from the ingredients….
this is the only meal that my entire family likes.
seriously.
so if you have some picky eaters in your family
maybe this meal will help you out.
boil your water and pour in the entire box of pasta.
it cooks for 10 minutes or so.
while it’s boiling combine the stuff for the stuffing.
when the pasta is cooked, drain it in a colander.
while i do this i check on the kids outside…
daddy is doing a good job of keeping them busy.
and scooby doo is helping too.
now you fill each of the shells.
if i run out of stuffing i just throw in the last few empty shells.
no one will notice.
this part took me less than five minutes.
it seems tedious but “you can do it!”
especially if you have music on (a little sinatra maybe?)
and if you feel cute in an apron that matches your shoes.
(thank you jenny for this adorable apron)
i was feeling very modern day donna reed with the pearls and all.
now you have a whole pan of shells.
all fat and happy.
now comes the real fancy part…
open the jar.
and pour all of it over the shells.
just like real I-talians do. 😉
it will look like this.
then you cover it with the rest of the cheese.
you could use mozerella cheese but i am lazy
and i only buy colby jack cheese and use it for everything.
very lazy.
bake it at 350 for 25 minutes.
now it’s time to call in the kids to do the dishes!
look…some of them actually came!
such good helpers i have.
it’s time for dinner.
it’s yummy.
and every bite is always gone.
hopefully this is a meal that will help you out.
give it a try.
it feels good to see your family fight for the last one.
*the recipe is in the sidebar.
Diane - You are too cute! I love the apron. I enjoyed this post.
Diane
Andrea - I’m totally making this this week. Though I doubt I’ll be looking as cute when I make mine. What do you think about adding some ricotta in withe the cottage cheese? I think I’m going to give it a try.
Leah - I made it last night! SOOO GOOD! It was the perfect meal for a busy day! Love your blog… keep postin.
meg duerksen - oh you are too kind!
i saw that some of you have already tried it and i hope it worked out well! that made me so happy to see i helped a few of you make dinner. sometimes i call my husband and say “just tell me what to make so i don’t have to make another decision today!” it works sometimes.
i did wear that outfit all day…even to mcdonalds playplace. but i don’t always look that glammed up to make dinner (do i craig?) in fact my kids kept mentioning my hair or my make-up or my jewelry and why did i look so “fancy”. i’m usually in my sweats and unshowered from working out. i think everyone enjoys seeing me not so schlumpy.
i did get some sauce on my white shirt too.
you all need an apron…it changes the whole cooking experience.
but i will say…i try to spruce up a bit right before my husband comes in the door. some minty gum, some lip gloss, brush my hair. it makes him happy…i think. ???
juliann asked about picky eaters.
i cook dinner almost every night. they will like some and not like some. i always have applesauce, yogurt, cottage cheese, bread on the table too. so if they don’t like the main dish…they only eat a little tiny bit and fill up on the other stuff. we don’t do veggies at our house (hardly at all) so there is always a fruit option too. they all have to have some. and the usually get full. we give ice cream for dessert nearly every night before bed…so i they have that to look forward too. i don’t make a big deal about how much they eat…just that they eat something.
i guess i just always have thought…they’ll eat when they are hungry. and when they get a little older i let them have freedom to get snacks for themselves. they say they are hungry and i say “then go eat something.”
i don’t know if it’s the right way but it works for me. someday they will try new foods…right?
this was long.
Juliann - Megan – I am printing this one out…. I could use some advice on kids and eating. I feel like I cook and clean all day for mine – four, three and now six months…and daddy too. No one seems to like the same thing and they eat two bites, say they are done and are hungry in an hour. I have started saving their food when they do that then giving it back to them to finish…what do you do with your FIVE??
Jill (One Wired Woman) - Thanks for the comment on my new blog! I’ve been admiring “Whatever” for awhile now!!
Reading each post, I’m amazed at how much we have in common… especially those laundry baskets, you tube videos, the computer obsession, sporting the “June Cleaver with Taylor Swift Hair” look when we cook the only meal our entire family likes, and basically being distracted with anything creative that takes the mind away from daily chores such as dishes, laundry, etc. Was that a run-on sentence? 🙂
My middle name should’ve been Sanguine…
a kindrid spirit for sure, Sistah!!
You are adorable and your blog is so much fun!!
Laura T. - Yep, I’m even married to an Italian and this is how I cook (his grandmother would be so upset). I have yet to master making my own sauce.
Thanks for sharing your kitchen with us.
sophie - I can’t believe you can look so good while making a TOTALLY homemade meal. Anything that you use a pan, I consider homemade! What a great job, too bad I’ve already eaten dinner & dessert – this looks good! Maybe an idea for tomorrow 🙂
melissa @ the inspired room - Could you look any cuter while cooking? I’m depressed now.
That looks delicious! Now, do something springy and come link it up to my blog. We’re going to play a little Spring Fluffing game. Oh, yeah, you don’t like to be told what to do. Would you like to play? Please?
Happy yummy dinner,
Melissa
Jennifer P. - Sauce from a jar is better than any homemade stuff I’ve tasted. And any recipe that involves pre-shredded cheese is a keeper in my book. Your salad looks super yummy too! Thanks for sharing–we will be eating this sometime this week for sure!
traci - just so you know….I made this for dinner tonight…EXACTLY what you had on your dinner plate..lol..such a copy cat. My kids were kinda not so sure about the stuffing part but THEY LOVED IT and actually wanted seconds!!! You are right, it doesnt take hardly any time to stuff the shells either! I dont love cooking and I kinda found it relaxing..lol
Ainslie - Thanks for the recipe…it looks delicious and I’ve already printed it out so I can try it on my family!!! I have to say…you do look VERY glamorous in your kitchen..very much the ‘Domestic Goddess’!!!
carissa - meg…
would you mind if i ask you what camera you use? your pics are just incredible… i’ve been researching… what better than to ask someone who’s pics i simply adore!
thanks a ton!
carissa
Lanny Stanard - Megan, all I can say is Yum, I’m waiting for my husband to get home so we can eat.
Lanny.
Crystal - near future that is….
Crystal - I see these in our ear future…forgot I even knew how to make them…Thanks!! You are ever lovely as always…I never look that cute making dinner. 🙂
Erica - We have a similar recipe and I LOVE it. It’s the only recipe I make 3 batches and freeze the other 2. Good call… except Peter doesn’t really like it. I could eat the whole by myself however. Oh and about Alan Jackson… you REALLY don’t have to send us a copy. thanks. 🙂
i’m gonna have to talk to Jenny about giving me an apron.
amy purple - What an adorable apron!
mom - Not only are you cute wearing your pearls but BRAVE to wear a white shirt with spaghetti sauce!
hqm - looks delicious…i might have to give it a try!
thanks,
h.
amy d - Love the HAIR, and I’m soo gonna try that recipe.
Allikayes Mama - Before I finished reading your post, I was going to say…how cute that you are wearing pearls while you cook! And then you mentioned it! Funny! You are such a cute mama! And I am making that! Yum!
carissa - i know my kids will love that too… thanks for sharing!
NOW… i just need a cute… fun apron like that! 🙂
Sara - wife of owner of Italian restaurant admits dark secret. I melt 3 slices of Kraft singles, add a dash of milk and an eensy bit of garlic…mix in with my pasta and BAM the kids say that I, Sara, make the best pasta sauce. Heehee.
Chef husband rolls his eyes…but is happy that he doesn’t have to make dinner. Its ALL good. And let me add that wearing an apron is one of my favorite things. Yours is adorable. Hope you had some wine while preparing….:)
traci - OH MY GOGH…you look too pretty cooking at the end of the day!!! You just mentioned your fancy apron and pearls but neglected to mention your CUTE shoes and fancy hair!! I am definately trying this…it looks easy and YUMMY!!!! I think maybe for dinner tonight…Im always looking for surprise, new, creative dishes
chris - Looks fantastic, I should give it a try, my kids are such plain eaters.
traci - you look so cute while you cook. that looks wonderful. i am making that really soon. yum!!!
kristin - i am making this.
Tiffany - Will have four more people living here in a couple weeks, will definitely be serving this!
amanda az - A favorite around here as well, but I need a cute apron to really do it right. Too sweet!
Amanda AZ
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