Shalayne Johnson

Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake

Baking Powder Biscuits

Tossed Salad

Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake

10 oz. dry pasta (any style)

2 Tbsp. butter

1/2 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 ounces chive and onion cream cheese

1 cup sour cream

1 cup whole milk, heavy creamer or half and half

1/2 cup shredded or grated Parmesan cheese

2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

pinch crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

1 to 1 1/2  cups chopped fresh spinach

2 cups cooked chicken (cubed or shredded)

1/2 cup fresh tomatoes, cut into large chunks

Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

1. Prepare pasta according to package directions.
2. Spread oil on bottom of an 11x7 inch baking dish, add onion in a single layer.
3. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes.  Transfer onion to a large bowl.
4. Drain chopped spinach well, pressing between layer of paper towel.
5. Stir pasta, spinach, chicken and next 4 ingredients into onion bowl.  Spoon mixture into baking dish and sprinkle with shredded Mozzarella cheese.
6. Bake covered for 30 minutes.  Uncover and bake 15 minutes more.

Baking Powder Biscuits

1 ½ cup all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

¼ cup shortening

½ cup plus 1 tablespoon milk

Preheat oven to 425.  

 Combine all dry ingredients.  

Using a pastry blender or fork, cut shortening in to dry ingredients until the shortening has been cut into pieces the size of small grains of rice. 

 Add the milk all in one portion.  Stir for approximately 10 strokes.  

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured countertop.  Dip fingertips into small amount of flour; pat out dough to 1-inch thickness; fold half of the dough onto the other half.  Again pat dough 1-inch thick; repeat manipulation process until the dough has been patted out and folded at least 5 or 6 times. 

 After the last folding of the dough, roll the dough ¾ inch thick with a lightly floured rolling pin.  

Dip biscuit cutter into flour before cutting each biscuit.  Use even pressure in cutting down on the dough to get more evenly shaped biscuits.  

Place the cut biscuits on an un-greased baking sheet.  Have sides of biscuits touching if soft biscuits are desired.  Set biscuits apart for crisp crust biscuits.  

Bake for approximately 15 minutes.