weeknight favourite - Basil & Lemon stuffed pasta shells

This is one of those dishes that packs a lot of wow factor but is really super simple (like all the good pasta dishes). I love the versatility of stuffed shells and the amazing things you can do with them for variety. Its possible i could eat them everyday. They are a usual around my house and i also adore that one box of these big shells can make at least a few freezer meals - and who doesn't love prep like that! 

Here it is - easy stuffed shells that will make you seem 'top chef' 

Basil & Lemon Stuffed Shells 

1 box of jumbo shells pasta
2 Packages of Ricotta Cheese
1 cup Parmesan cheese (i only had the cheap stuff on hand)
3 tbsp lemon pepper
1/4 cup lemon juice
dash of olive oil
lemon zest
salt & pepper to taste
1 LARGE bunch of fresh basil- you need fresh, its a necessity.. 

• Add entire box of shells into boiling salted water and cook approx 6 min or al dente
• While this is cooking simply mix all ingredients above, Ricotta, Parmesan, Lemon juice, zest and lemon pepper. Mix well and salt and pepper to taste. Mix in sliced basil leaves and taste again for salt and pepper. That's it- by now your shells should be good (always make the whole box, these babies tend to crack under pressure) cooking them till they are al dente is key- you want the pasta to still be strong enough to endure stuffing and baking (yes with cheese) 
• Drain shells and arrange on a cookie sheet till cool enough to handle and to drain slightly 
• Use a tablespoon to scoop mixture into each shell

White sauce

This is a simple base for any white sauce- i chose not to add garlic but its an easy additive - as is anything else you wish for this neutral base. I wanted it to be subtle as i wanted the flavours of the pasta to be prominent. 

you will need... 

1/4 Butter 

1/4 Flour 

1 cup Milk or cream (i used 2%) 

Salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup white wine (or not) 

dash of red chili flakes 

-Melt butter in sauce pan
-Add flour and whisk to make a roux 
-Stir in white wine and whisk till mixed
-Salt and pepper & red chili flakes to taste 

Once sauce is completed add a small amount to the bottom of the baking dish and arrange shells in whatever pretty order you like.. top with sauce and Parmesan and bake in oven at 350 for 20-30 min

TA DA! you will thank yourself for this one :) 

weekly meal planning - #2 'pin'able version

welcome to meal planning #2, still 'Pin'able  from my pinterest page and family friendly! 

i got great response to last weeks meal plan that i thought, in honour of monday- I'm grocery shopping this week i would add in my meal plan, (pretty and printable too!)

hope you enjoy this aswell, its similar but different and sure to gather the gang for yummy time together. 

Monday- Veggie noodle wraps in lettuce cups 

Tuesday- Sticky slow cooker ribs & tin-foil potato packet 

Wednesday- Homemade burgers & fresh coleslaw 

Thursday- Pork Fajitas with all the goods & homemade refried beans 

Friday- Pita Pizzas, made to order 

Saturday- BLT Salad & Garlic Bread 

Sunday- Spaghetti & Pork meatballs (made my momma) 

Enjoy- Happy Monday, may your week be fresh and fun! 

weekly meal planning- 'pin'able version

Call me crazy but one of my most favourite parts of handeling the household is meal planning, grocery shopping, prep and of course cooking.
Each week I enjoy sifting through pins and recipes to plan food for my family. This helps me all feel organized and it takes the guesswork out of dinner time.

My guys are fussy eaters, but that's real world so I don't always get to cook what I want but I make sure it's a balance of new things to broaden their horizons and old favourites. For my interest it keeps things new in the kitchen too

I have a wonderful planner that allows me to slot in my meals and so me, my planner and Pinterest sit down once a week, check the schedule and plan meals accordingly.
I've made this weeks pretty for you and because it makes it more fun, if you want to use this weeks meal planner go ahead! Print it out or 'Pin' it along with the grocery list and enjoy! 

My intention with this blog is to help make managing family life a little easier and enjoyable in this 'oh so busy' world. To offer tips and tricks to the average super mom that my family and I have found useful. Managing the day to day with littles is a serious learning curve so help yourself to a little meal planning ease and it will look cute on the fridge between sticky fingerprints and magnetic letters :)

Here's a little look at what's for meals this week in my house!

Monday - Tortellini & peas in olive oil topped with parmesan 

Tuesday - Bacon wrapped BBQ chicken & Cesar salad

Wednesday - Creamy Chicken Enchiladas (made with Tuesdays leftovers)

Thursday - Sausage & Veggie Jambalaya

Friday - Meatloaf (with secret veggies) & Mashed potatoes 

Saturday - Steak Sandwiches & fresh corn on the cob 

Sunday - Slow cooker Turkey Chili & homemade biscuits 

Heres the 'Pretty version' all recipes can be made from your favourites as they aren't too elaborate.
Each week i like to try something new so i will be trying to make homemade biscuits from 'Miss Kay's Duck Commander cookbook' (post coming soon) & this recipe from Pinterest for quick sausage jambalaya and substituting minute rice (minus the shrimp-my gang isn't a fan of the flavour)

Hope this helps inspire your week 'pin' your weekly meal plan here and enjoy another beautiful week!