Rotini in Creamy Tomato Cheese Sauce {recipe}

Rotini in Creamy Tomato Cheese Sauce 

(SERVES: 6-8   TIME: 20 minutes)

INGREDIENTS:

16 oz spiral pasta

1 lb smoked sausage, diced

2 medium zucchini, diced

11 oz fire roasted diced tomatoes, drained

2 oz cream cheese

2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese

2 tsp minced garlic 

1/2 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp onion powder 

DIRECTIONS:

1. Boil pasta in a large sauce pot until al dente. 

2. Meanwhile, sauté smoked sausage & zucchini for 5-7 minutes in 1 Tbsp of hot oil. Add tomatoes, cheeses and spices. Simmer for 7-10 minutes or until sauce has thickened. 

3. Drain pasta and toss with cheese sauce. Serve topped with shredded Parmesan cheese. 

Construction MATH

Calling all preschoolers! It's time for math ~ constructions style!! Dump out the blocks and grab all the diggers, and while you play give them some simple problems to work out. 

"The workers have to clear out a space to build a new playground. Can you help them move 3 blocks out of the construction zone?" (10-3=7) 

"Help the workers build a neighborhood! They need 5 squares and 5 triangles."

FOR THE BIG KIDS:

"What is 1/2 of 12 blocks? What is 1/3?"

Scented Holiday Playdoh

I have to smile at this picture because I did them seperately but if your kids are anything like mine they get mixed almost as soon as they get their hands on it. 

I absolutely love this recipe for playdoh because it smells greats and stays soft forever! It's not edible though so if your little ones still eat everything stay close. 

SCENTED HOLIDAY PLAYDOH

1 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cup salt

1 Tbsp cream of tarter

3 oz jello (see note below)

1 1/4 cup water

2 Tbsp oil

Food coloring

2 tsp extract or spices for scent (optional)

Glitter (optional)

• CINNAMON APPLE (RED): red jello, red food color, cinnamon

• SUGAR COOKIE (WHITE): 1/4 cup or 3 oz unflavored gelletin, almond extract

• HOLIDAY SPICE (GREEN): green jello, green food color, ground clove, orange extract

In a medium mixing bowl combine dry ingredients with a wire whisk. Add water, oil, food coloring and extract. In a medium saucepan over med heat cook stirring with a plastic spatula until a semi-stiff ball forms and is no longer liquidy. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and allow to cool for several minutes. Knead until smooth and store in an air tight container or ziplock bag. 

***This is a fun gift to give!!! Layer the dry ingredients in mason jar and attach the instructions and a holiday cookie cutter with fun holiday ribbon! 

Letter Turkey for Preschoolers

My preschooler has been making turkeys one after another this year and we are teaching him letters and simple sight words. Combine letter and word recognition with this classic thanksgiving craft and VOILA! You've got your self a game!! 

SUPPLIES:

Paper bag

Construction paper

Scissors

Markers 

Google eyes (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cut out a beak and 'gobble' for your turkey. Have your child glue them on and draw eyes. 

2. Meanwhile, cut out feathers and write the letters of the alphabet on each one. You could also do common letter combinations like -sh, -th, and -ch. Make sure you have all the letters for your child's name and doubles of the vowels and more popular letters like R S T L N E.

 

3. Have fun with your letters. Make words, have them find words you've written for them, have them write words they've made, practice rhyming, make silly words with mixed up letters. 

Three Bean Crockpot Chili

Don't be intimidated by the long list of ingredients - you probably have most of them in your pantry and this recipe is very forgiving so if you are missing something just skip it ;)

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb ground beef, cooked and chopped

1 lb ground sausage, cooked and chopped

3 cans beans, drained and rinsed (our favorite is a combo of kidney, black and pinto)

28 oz diced tomatoes, with juice

1 small can chopped green chilis

1 green bell pepper, diced

2 stalks celery, diced

1 onion, diced

2 tsp minced garlic

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1/2 Tbsp liquid smoke

1 bottle beer

1/4 cup chili powder

1 Tbsp white sugar

1.5 Tbsp beef bullion granules

1/2 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1 Tbsp dried parsley

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp Cheyenne pepper

Salt &. Pepper

*Serve with sour cream, shredded cheddar and corn chips. 

Mix all ingredients and cook on low all day in the crockpot. Freezes well and makes fabulous leftovers. ;)