Enchilada Pasta

It's a COLD and icy night here in North Carolina. It was so cold today that I was late this morning because my garage door was frozen closed (the first time that's ever happened to me). It's cold, icy, dark, kids are out of school and I'm tired of looking at my house. Time to add a little warmth and excitement to our night. After a long day at work, the last thing I want to do is spend over an hour cooking enchiladas, but that was the request from my family tonight. It's time to compromise. This dish is my quick and easy compromise... 

Looking for more easy Vegan pasta ideas? Try my Hearty Spaghetti, Mac-n-cheese with Chipotle Lentils, Butternut Macaroni, Lemon & Garlic Pasta with Tempeh & Broccoli, Baked Spinach & Artichoke Pasta, 3 Cheeze Baked Ziti, & Kale & Almond Pesto Pasta

Recipe:

2 cups frozen beefless crumbles*

1 (7 oz.) bag frozen peppers and onions 

1 cup chopped fresh kale 

1 packet taco seasoning**

Salt and Pepper to taste 

Chili powder to taste

1 (10 oz.) can tomatoes with green chilies, drained

1 (15 oz.) can of black beans, drained and rinsed 

1 (10 oz.) can enchilada sauce 

1 (1 lb.) box of pasta

2 cups 5 minute vegan cheese sauce

Method:

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain well.

While pasta is cooking, cook beefless crumbles*, frozen peppers and onions, and kale over medium heat until tender. ( no need to add oil).

Add taco seasoning**, chili powder, tomatoes and black beans. Cook an additional 5 minutes. 

Stir in 1/2 can of enchilada sauce.

Toss pasta, beefless crumbles mixture and vegan cheese sauce together.

Before serving, garnish each bowl of pasta with remaining enchilada sauce. 

Makes 4 - 5 servings. 

* you can substitute diced mushrooms or TVP for beefless crumbles.

** to make your own taco seasoning, use 1 tsp. Cumin, 1 tsp. Paprika, 1/2 tsp. Garlic powder, & 1/2 tsp. Onion powder.

Hidden Veggie Macaroni

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We have a "picky eater" in our house. Getting vegetables into her is sometimes a challenge, to say the least. I "hide" vegetables in everything from smoothies to pasta sauce to make sure she is eating balanced meals. 

This meal is full of vegetables, but your "picky eater" will never pick them out in this sauce.  I added broccoli because my daughter actually likes broccoli, but if your child prefers another vegetable, just substitute that vegetable as the "obvious veggie" to get them to try the pasta. Yes, broccoli is my bait! Make it your own recipe because you know what works best for your family.

Looking for more Vegan family meals? Try my Hearty Hidden Veggie Spaghetti, Easy Sunday Dinner, Portobella Philly & Cheeze, Creamy Jackfruit Casserole, Chili & Cornbread Casserole & finish with my Summer Berry Cobbler

Recipe:

1/3 cup oil of choice 

1 tsp. Chopped fresh garlic 

1 cup yellow squash, chopped * 

1 cup carrots, chopped 

2 cups cauliflower, chopped 

2 1/2 cups of unsweetened  plant milk

  1/2 tsp. onion powder

1/2 tsp. Garlic powder 

1/2 tsp. Paprika 

1 Tbsp. Fresh lemon juice 

1/2 cup nutritional yeast 

Salt and Pepper to taste 

3 cups steamed broccoli 

1 (16 oz) package of pasta

Cook pasta according to package. Drain and return to the pot.

Heat oil and garlic over medium heat, just until the garlic becomes fragrant. 

Add plant milk and allow to come to a boil. 

Add cauliflower, squash, carrots, paprika, onion powder, salt and pepper. 

Cook an additional 10 - 12 minutes,  until vegetables are soft.

Pour milk and veggies into a high powdered blender. 

Add nutritional yeast  and lemon juice. 

* adjust salt and pepper if needed*

Blend on high until smooth. 

Pour vegetable sauce over pasta.

Add broccoli and stir to combine. 

Cook over medium heat an additional 2-3 minutes to thicken sauce.

Makes 4 - 5 servings.

* If you cannot find yellow squash, you can use any squash you like. (Butternut is great) If you are using zucchini or eggplant, make sure you peel the skins off first so it doesn't make your cheese sauce a funny color ( which can make picky eaters suspicious!). 

  

Cheezy Chick'n &Bac'n Stuffed Jalapeños

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Wow!!! Just wow!! This is the appetizer recipe you NEED for your Super Bowl Party, Next gathering or just because you love spicy, cheezy, smokey, jackfruit stuffed into jalapeños. I impressed myself and probably ate far to many tonight, but I have NO REGRETS! Please, stop reading this blog and go make these for yourself NOW!! Then spread the vegan goodness everywhere!

Looking for more great Jackfruit recipes? Try my Buffalo Jackfruit Quesadillas, or my AMAZING Creamy Jackfruit & Poppyseed Casserole ( Vegan Chick'n Casserole)

Recipe :

2 (17oz ) cans of young green jackfruit
1 dozen jalapeños, steamed, seeded and cut in half
2 Tbsp vegan butter
2 Tbsp flour
1 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp  onion powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1 cup unsweetened plant milk
1/4 cup Nutritional yeast
3 Tbsp. Bac-os  (or other vegan bacon bits)

Topping:

1/2 sleeve Ritz crackers
1 tsp parsley
1 Tbsp vegan butter
Salt and Pepper to taste

Assembly :

Preheat oven to 400°

Sautée jackfruit over high heat about 8 mins until browned.

Over medium heat, heat butter until melted. Add flour, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, & paprika. Whisk continously.

Add milk, bacos and nutritional yeast. Whisk continously until smooth and bubbly.

Mix jackfruit and Bac'n cheeze sauce in a mixing bowl.

Stuff jackfruit into jalapeños.

Crush Ritz. Add to a bowl with parsley, salt and pepper & butter.

Microwave Ritz 30 seconds. Mix well.

Top jalapeños with Ritz.

Spray cookie sheet with non stick spray.

Place jalapeños on cookie sheet and cook 20 minutes.

Allow to cool 5 minutes  before serving.

Makes 24 jalapeño poppers!

Classic Vegan Chili

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This is the first vegan chili I have ever attempted & I won 2nd place in a cook off tonight! I had such a wonderful time talking to everyone and sharing vegan food with new people. I set up my table with a store bought vegan sour cream and my Lazy Vegan Beer Cheeze sauce  to show just how delicious a real vegan meal tastes. I gave everyone who asked my blog address so I could share this recipe & hopefully a few more with my new friends. (You never know who you have reached at the right moment.) I can now say I make an "award winning" chili - that's pretty awesome!

Looking for more hearty vegan recipes? Try my Mexican Black beans over crispy polenta cakes , Easy Vegan Sunday Dinner , Vegan Baked Enchiladas, Baked Spinach & Artichoke Pasta, or my Philly Portobella & Cheeze and finish with a Chocolate Covered Cherry Cake

Award Winning Vegan Chili:

1 (13.7 oz.) bag of Gardein beefless crumbles
2 Tbsp. oil of choice
2 Tbsp. chili powder to taste
1 1/2 Tbsp. cumin
2 Tbsp. smoked paprika
1 Tbsp. onion powder
1 Tbsp. oregano
1 Tbsp. thyme
3 -4 large cloves of garlic, crushed
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 Tbsp. chopped chipolte peppers in adobe sauce
1 small red pepper, chopped
1 Yellow pepper, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
2 small onions, chopped
1 pobalno pepper,  chopped
2 (28 oz.) cans of petite diced tomatoes
2 (15 oz.) cans of seasoned tomato sauce
2 (15 oz.) cans of red beans, drained & rinsed
1 (15 oz.) can of pinto beans, drained & rinsed
1 (26 oz.) can of black beans, drained & rinsed
2 cups veggie broth
Salt & pepper to taste

Optional toppings :

Hot sauce
Lazy Vegan Beer Cheese Sauce
vegan sour cream 

Method :

Brown Gardein beefless crumbles in oil over medium heat. Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, onion powder, oregano, thyme, and soy sauce.

Add onions & peppers with Gardein beefless crumbles. Cook an additional 5-6 minutes, until tender.

Add garlic to the skillet. Allow to cook through, but do not burn.

Pour Gardein mixture into a large crock pot on low heat.

Add chipolte peppers, red beans, pinto beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and veggie broth to crock pot. Stir to combine all ingredients.

Add salt and pepper to taste . 

Cook on low heat for about 6 hours.

Serve with vegan cheese sauce, vegan sour cream and your favorite garnishes.

Makes 12-16 servings