As I am settling in to my new work schedule, I am learning what there is to eat around my office for lunch. I work downtown and have several fun places to go. Today, I took a walk over to an area they call the "International Food Court". First stop, Mexican. I was so surprised with how great it was and will definitely be back. I ordered two small chicken soft tacos and they started making them fresh right away. It was a very simple mix of corn tortillas, chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and salsa out of a ketchup bottle. I am thinking of going to each place and giving a review. Check back for Day 2! It is so fun to live in a big city!

I know quite the long title right?? This meal started out as me trying to be creative and use stuff we had in the house already. I had a big tub of spinach from Costco that was just past its prime and needed to be cooked. I wanted something original to use it in and realized I have never made a Calzone before. This ended up being super yummy and much easier than I expected.

There were two things I did to make it extra easy . The first was I used pizza dough I made earlier and had in the freezer. I also used my homemade pesto that I have in the freezer. I just LOVE the freezer! It helps make my dinners come together so much easier.



Spinach Pesto Sausage Calzone

1 Recipe Pizza Dough
Cooked Spinach (amount to your liking)
1/2 Cup Pesto
2 Cups Mozzarella Cheese
1/2 Pound Cooked Sausage
Olive Oil
Kosher Salt

On a lightly floured counter roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Spread the dough with pesto leaving a 1 inch border along the edges. Pile in the rest of your filing (spinach, sausage, mozzarella) onto one half. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling and press the edges to seal.

Transfer calzone to an oiled baking sheet. Use a sharp knife to cut 5 slits diagonally across the top of the calzone. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt.

Bake at 450 degrees for about 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Tonight my husband said my dinner selection was creative! I don't think he has ever said that before. What I made was so simple but I had never thought to do it prior to this. The big dinner hit....I created a Nacho Bar! It was so yummy and easy. I think I will be adding it to my list of go to quick meals.

At my bar I offered diced peppers, pinto beans, avocado, queso, and taco meat. Combined it was all perfect. Really you could add anything you had on hand-salsa, sour cream, onions, cilantro, black beans, etc.

What is your go to easy meal?? I would love to hear some ideas.

This meal began as an experiment in using up leftovers. It started when I made queso over the weekend for my husband and I to enjoy. Thankfully the two of us didn't eat a pound of cheese dip and come Tuesday I still had a bowl left. I decided I was going to combine it with pasta and some taco seasoned ground beef I had in the freezer to make Mexican Macaroni and Cheese. It turned out yummy with a little spice which was nice. I am listing the recipe as if you were making it from scratch since not everyone has leftover meat and dip.

Enjoy this super easy dinner in no time!

Mexican Macaroni and Cheese

1/2 Pound Ground Beef, cooked and seasoned with taco seasoning
3/4 Pound Velveeta
1 Can Rotel
8 Ounces Pasta (two cups)
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Cook pasta according to packaged directions. While pasta is cooking melt Velveeta and Rotel in the microwave stirring often. When the pasta is cooked drain and return to pan. Over low heat add the Velveeta and Rotel mixture along with the cooked ground beef to the pasta. Stir to combine. Finally add salt and pepper to taste. From here you can eat it or pour it into a casserole dish and bake until the top gets a little crunchy which I LOVE!