Creamy Chicken Pasta

4 large cloves garlic, peeled
1 jar (7 oz) sun-dried tomatoes in oil, undrained
3 cups penne pasta (NOT whole wheat)
4 cups chicken broth
1 head broccoli (2 cups small florets)
2 medium carrots, peeled
4 oz reduced-fat cream cheese
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
Grated fresh Parmesan cheese and snipped fresh basil (optional)


Place 2 Tbsp of the oil from the Sun-Dried tomatoes into the bottom of the Deep Covered Baker. Use Garlic Slicer to slice all 4 garlic cloves into oil, and stir to coat. Cover and microwave 2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Add pasta and broth, stir, cover and return to microwave for 12 minutes, stirring halfway through.

While pasta is cooking, cut broccoli into small florets and place them in the Batter Bowl. Cut carrots in half length-wise then thinly slice on a bias. Add carrots to the batter bowl. Drain sun-dried tomatoes on a paper towel and slice into thin strips. Cut cream cheese into cubes.

When the microwave goes off, remove the DCB, stir pasta and add in broccoli and carrots, salt and pepper. Cook for 3 minutes, stir, add tomatoes and cream cheese, cover and cook for an additional 3 minutes.

Stir and serve immediately, garnishing with Parmesan cheese and basil. Stir in some cooked chicken to add some protein and make it a complete meal.

Total time start to finish: 19 minutes!!!

One-Pot Mexican Mac Skillet

I got this idea from this recipe on kraftfoods.com. I love their search engine that allows you to put up to 3 ingredients and search matching recipes.

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces

2 cups water

1 cup Salsa (use whatever you have that you love, or whatever you have on hand)

1 box Macaroni & Cheese Dinner

2 cups frozen corn
1 can black beans

1/2 cup Mexican Style Shredded Cheese

Brown chicken in 12" skillet until no longer pink.

Add water, salsa and Macaroni; stir. Bring to boil; cover. Simmer on low 10 min. or until macaroni is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in corn and Cheese Sauce; cook 2 min. or until heated through.

Top with shredded cheese.

Variations: Excellent with lean ground beef. Can substitute broccoli or other fresh or frozen veggies in place of corn.