BAKED FRIDAY PASTA

On Fridays it's fun to create an original pasta dish using your own unique ingredients (aka "leftovers")!

Begin by looking in your pantry to see what pasta you have available.  Really any kind will work---spaghetti, angel hair, linguine, penne, bows, etc.
Then take stock of what leftovers you have in the fridge.  Here's what I found from this week to use in my baked Friday pasta:
1  boiled chicken breast left over from the chicken pot pie (recipe on Wednesday's blog).
2 pieces of bacon left over from family breakfast
tomato chutney (made with tomatoes, onion and red bell pepper) from Tuesday's blog.
parmesan cheese
sharp cheese
half a block of cream cheese
chicken broth (left over from the chicken pot pie)
Fresh basil and parsley
Penne Pasta

Step 1:  Boil salted water and then add pasta.  Don't overcook pasta--it should be al dente (the package will advise you on how long to cook the pasta to reach this state).

Step 2: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Step 3:  Spray pyrex dish with PAM. (I used a 8X8 square pyrex).

Step 4:  In a mixing bowl combine whatever chopped up meat, vegetables, tomatoes and cheese you will be using  in your baked pasta.  With a slotted spoon, add al dente  pasta to the mix.   Add some pasta water to loosen up mixture a bit.  This starchy water will help bind everything together.  Add whatever seasonings and herbs you wish.   Place cheese on top if you wish and bake until hot, bubbly and slightly browned on top.

This is a really fast and fun way to end the week.  Just remember to use fresh tomatoes and fresh herbs whenever possible.  This is also a great time to sneak in vegetables (broccoli, zucchini, spinach, etc.)  Every time you make this dish it will be slightly different based on your meat and vegetable leftovers from the week.   You could even create a family challenge by working together to "create" the Baked Friday Pasta together.    Enjoy!!