Simply Sides 1 - Roasted Broccoli

I realized the other day when perusing this blog for improvements I can make, that I could make another section just dedicated to side dish recipes.  I love side dishes, sometimes better than the main course.  And I have eaten side dishes as main meals.  Plus I'm always looking for new ways to dress up veggies to make them more palatable, or new healthier sides (such as quinoa instead of rice etc). 
And so a new section on this food blog is born, and every post will start with the heading "Simply Sides". 

Today's side dish started as a way to dress up broccoli because I am bored with frozen broccoli microwaved, or fresh broccoli steamed.  I saw a couple posts about roasting broccoli, and then I thought I would jazz it up further by adding my own additions such as onions and garlic cloves.  We both enjoyed it as a side with our meal the other night, and will be making it much more often, especially if fresh broccoli is on sale!

Roasted Broccoli

Ingredients:

1 head of fresh broccoli cut into florets

4 (or more) cloves of garlic

1/2 large onion, diced
1tbs lemon juice
2 tbs oil (veg or olive, you choose!)

1-2 tbs parmesan
salt and pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425.  Line a sheet pan with foil.

Combine all ingredients in a bowl.  Spread evenly onto lined sheet pan. (It may help to spray the foil with cooking spray before spreading mixture over it, some of my onions stuck to my foil.)  Roast at 425 for 20-25 minutes.  Serve with your favorite meal.
Enjoy!

Baked Pasta - Home Cooked Recipe 37

Everyone needs an easy go-to weeknight meal right?  I know I certainly do.  I was browsing Pinterest (one of my favorite apps) and came across this quick and easy pasta bake that's a great meal.  A few ingredients, a few steps, and presto! Dinner on the table with little effort.

Pasta Bake

Ingredients:
1 box (12-16oz) your favorite pasta (I used bowties)
1/2 a jar of Alfredo sauce
1/2 a jar of your favorite tomato sauce
1/2 a package shredded mozzarella (4oz)

Parmesan, grated

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.
Cook your pasta according to package instructions, draining 1 minute shy of what the box recomends.  Meanwhile, mix together the two sauces in a baking dish - I find no need to do this in a separate bowl, mixing them together in the dish you'll be baking in works just fine.  Add drained pasta and mix well.  Add 1/2 the mozzarella, and mix well.  Sprinkle remaining mozzarella over the top, then sprinkle parmesan over the top to your liking (I like a lot!).  Bake for 30mins. 
Enjoy!