Daddy Newbie Adventures in Fatherhood
Disclosure: This post is in collaboration with Barilla. All opinions of apps and companies that help me complete DIY projects are my own.
Cooking is important to me. I like great food, and that’s something that I’m sharing with my kids in the kitchen. Yes, we’re all busy, but there’s always enough time to make sure that they eat good, healthy food.
That’s also why we love Barilla pasta. It’s the perfect meal-time solution for on-the-go families.
- Barilla offers perfection: stress-free combos
- It takes great, filled with taste, texture and flavors
- Barilla is also about simplicity with variety, with 38 pasta cuts and 14 sauce varieties
But, hey, there’s one reason that really overwhelms any other… That’s the fact that my boys are growing and eating like crazy. I want to make them food that they enjoy, but also combinations that will support their nutritional needs. I’m able to do that with Barilla.
Back To School…
By now, we’re all back to school, and we’ve already started to get into some kind of daily routine. It’s still hard to believe that the summer has flown by and that it’s time to get back to homework, school books, and uniforms. In the crush and chaos of our school days lives, it’s become even more important to captures those moments. Yep, they’re fleeting, but they are worth it.
Fortunately, we’re still able to experience some of the best moments while in the kitchen, particularly around cooking with Barilla. It’s the best time to share what’s been happening each day. While the water is boiling and the veggies are steaming, there are moments to check in and connect as a family, even before we gather around the dinner table.
Here’s a quick recipe that we recently made together in the kitchen:
Chicken Alfredo
Equipment
- 1 Large Pot
- 1 Large Skillet
- 1 Colander
- 1 Wooden Spoon
- 1 Tongs
- 1 Sharp Knife
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Garlic Press
- 1 Cheese Grater
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Barilla fettuccine pasta
- 2 lg boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces
- 8 oz bacon chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
Alfredo Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
Herb Garnish
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves thinly sliced
Instructions
Let's Get Cooking!
- Boil the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.1 lb Barilla fettuccine pasta
- Crisp up the bacon: While the pasta cooks, fry the chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pan.8 oz bacon
- Cook the chicken: In the same skillet with bacon fat, add the chicken pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.2 lg boneless, skinless chicken breasts, freshly ground black pepper, salt
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and gradually stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.2 tbsp olive oil, 1 cup unsalted butter, 4 cloves garlic, 2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup whole milk
- Combine everything: Add the cooked pasta, chicken, and bacon to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until well coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water to loosen it up.
- Serve and enjoy: Divide the pasta among plates, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve immediately.1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 cup fresh parsley, 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves
Tips for Success
- Multitask like a pro: Start cooking the bacon while your pasta water is coming to a boil. This way, everything will be ready around the same time.
- Don't overcook the pasta: Aim for al dente, as the pasta will continue to cook slightly when tossed with the hot sauce.
- Grate your own cheese: Pre-grated cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy. Freshly grated Parmesan will give you the smoothest, creamiest result.
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