Macaroni with Broccoli & Peas {Birthday Pasta}
Well happy day!! We made it to the weekend! This week as been a little insane with work, home and mom responsibilities, testing and blogging this recipe and celebrating my daughter’s birthday. Free time was basically non-existent right along side sleep the last 7 days or so. Being exhausted is all the rage these days. All the cool kids are doing it.
So, in an effort to be a good Mom and make a meal that consisted of more than toast, cereal, pb&j and quesadillas, I put a quick little pasta dish together for my little one and I. This meal has her name written all over it. Short cut pasta, broccoli, peas and cheese and four of her favorites foods she won’t put up a fight to eat.
PS–terrible two’s? FALSE. Terrible three’s is what sneaks up on you! Don’t be fooled that that happy birthday photo above! All of a sudden she’s throwing tantrums left right and center like they’re going out of style. Lets place bets on whether she’ll reach her fourth birthday, shall we?
I love my child. I really really do. And I’m not being sarcastic.
ANYWAYS,
This pasta is yummy, easy and will make the kiddies happy. Here’s the step-by-step:
Start by mincing some garlic and chopping up some broccoli.
Your florets can be big or small. Mine were on the bigger side because I felt like not taking the time to chop them smaller. Get the garlic and broccoli into a big skillet and saute in a little olive oil and butter.
In the mean time, cook a little pasta. I had this in the fridge from the other night when I made this, but if you don’t have precooked macaroni on hand, start boiling some water.
Once you have your pasta all done, toss it into that pan with some frozen peas. I love these little guys!
Once the peas get heated through, grate in some real parmigiano reggiano, salt and pepper. Use as much cheese as you like! As you can see, I used a truck load. Stir this all up and voila!
Serve it up and that’s it! Makes for a great side dish or light vegetarian dinner. Enjoy your weekend friends! See you on Monday! 
Macaroni with Broccoli & Peas
yield: 2 adult portions
Print This Recipe
Ingredients:
1 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups broccoli florets
2/3 cup frozen peas
1/4 pound macaroni, cooked and drained
1/2 cup parmesan cheese {more or less, according to taste}
salt & pepper, to taste
Directions:
In a large skillet with high sides, saute broccoli and garlic in butter and olive oil over medium heat until crisp tender, 3 minutes. Stir in macaroni, peas, salt and pepper. Stir and cook until peas are warm. Sprinkle in parmesan cheese and serve hot.
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27 Responses to “Macaroni with Broccoli & Peas {Birthday Pasta}”
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This looks like a great, comforting dinner!
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You have a beautiful daughter! Makes the terrible three’s easier to deal with I’m sure
And what a good Mom making a healthy pasta dish. Happy Birthday to your little one!
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This looks fantastic! I hope that you have a restful weekend. Happy Friday!
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She is so cute! Happy birthday to your sweet little girl!
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For some reason i thought you stayed at home. What do you do?
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Love this!! I love simple meals…she looked like she had a very happy birthday!! Can’t wait to see you week after next!
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Lauren — February 10th, 2012 @ 7:09 pm
I get to go do some restaurant research…my favorite kind!!
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Do you have 46,249 spoons? Because that’s what I’ll require for this. omg.
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I totally hear you on the terrible 3s! I think our dauthers would get along well – Abbi loves mac and cheese, and broccoli is almost the only veggie she’ll eat. She’ll occasionally eat peas, so I bet she’d be in heaven with this!
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So funny – this combo is a hit with my kids too! Your daughter is adorable…good luck with the terrible 3′s, they totally took me off guard too! The terrible two’s myth needs to be debunked once and for all – when they’re 3 they have OPINIONS.
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This pasta is not just for kids, I’d happily eat a huge bowl!
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Looks perfect
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Your daughter is beautiful! And what a great pasta for her
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First of all, your daughter is adorable and looks just like you! Second, this sounds delicious.
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I wish we ate such pasta’s when we were kiddos — that looks so yummy
Happy Birthday to your sweet princess
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Looks so delicious and healthy… I loveeeeee broccoli mac and cheese, peas would be yummy too!!
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Why does this seem so original when it has normal great stuff in it? Great idea! BTW, I need more pics of this little 3-year-old!
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SOOOO simple, so genius! I love it!
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What a sweet picture of your daughter! This looks so good. I have to try this with my little ones! They would love it.
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She is such a doll!!!!
Mac and cheese is my fave
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Looks like good comfort food!
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Simple and Delicious. Happy Birthday to your daughter!!
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Oh my word…I just found your blog and may never leave the kitchen again! You have some amazing recipes that I can’t wait to try! First up, Southwest Fried Eggs and then on to many more!
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Lol, Lauren – - terrible three’s, she looks like such an angel
lol that’s how they get you… She’s definitely a cutie. Happy Birthday to your little one.
This pasta, has MY name written all over it. Simple. Delicious. Comforting – - yes please.
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Your website has made one first-time-without-a-meal-plan college student very happy. This is the first thing I’ve attempted to make (I’m eating it right now), and if all your recipes are this good, you’ve got a long-term reader.
P.S. Nice name!
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