Today I would like to share a recipe that we make once a week or so. It's a creamy penne & cheese - just like mac n' cheese, but we prefer the penne noodles. What I love about making this from scratch is that it's so easy to modify and super quick to create. I do admit to falling into the trap of the boxed variety from time to time - our favorite is Annie's and the girls love the bunny shaped noodles - but those occasions are usually on late soccer nights or more often when Den is working out of town and I'm just out of steam at the end of the day. With the days shorter and darkness blanketing our landscape at five o'clock, I'm craving warm, savory dinners that are quick. It's also a wonderful weekend treat for the girls. We try to make it from scratch as often as possible and this is my favorite combination of cheeses...

 

PENNE N' CHEESE

1 lb. penne noodles (we love the organic Lensi brand - the noodles are hardy and delicious)

8 oz. freshly shredded gouda

8 oz. cream cheese

4 oz. feta

1/2 c. skim milk

3/4 c. half + half

salt and pepper

bunch of chives

Heat the water in a large pasta pot. If you are in a hurry, it boils much faster if you add hot water to the pot. When it comes to a boil add a generous amount of sea salt to the water and cook the pasta as per the instructions on the packet.

In the meantime, in a smaller pot, heat the milk and half+half until it begins a gentle boil - stirring often to prevent the milk from burning. Add all of the cheese and stir until the sauce is completely smooth. Turn the heat down to low and stir occasionally until the pasta is ready.

When the pasta is finished, drain off the water and return the penne to the pot. Pour the sauce over the pasta, add enough pepper to please you, and mix thoroughly. Plate immediately and garnish with chopped chives.

 

Have a wonderful weekend - we are heading up north early tomorrow morning to spend a long weekend with Den's sister and her beautiful family. The girls adore their cousins so they are bouncing off the walls with excitement. I'll see you next week and I leave you with something to help you get through... 

WEEKEND VOL. I

Get Some : Lykke Li

Abducted : Cults

Wucan : Black Mountain

Are Friends Electric : The Dead Weather

White Feather : Wolfmother

Brand New Cadillac : The Clash

Beat The Devil's Tattoo : Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

Warpaint : Warpaint

Blood : Band of Skulls

Vaporize : Broken Bells

Bodies : Danzig

Safe Word : Vampire Hands

London Dungeon : The Misfits

Sweet Child O' Mine : Guns N' Roses

Tape Song : The Kills

The Pendulum : The Ettes

New Age : Sleepy Sun

Fever : The Cramps

You can listen to the playlist here.

Comments

[Nicole Franzen]

yum! ultimate comfort food :)

[Miamoreno_]

MMM! Nothing sweeter than simplicity. I gotta say I love the white and green in your photos! And the rustic table! And the chalkboard wall, AND the light fixture! And especially these happy kids. :)

[Toni]

Sounds heavenly! We are big feta fans over here. And your succulent/cacti arrangement gave me a lightbulb moment! That's just what I need for a change on my dinning table. Have a lovely weekend!

[Summer]

Found your blog through Creature Comforts and I'm totally smitten!

[cassandra]

Just found you blog! Your waffles are first on my list...always looking for a better recipe. On a side note...where did you get those awesome chairs!?

[Bri]

I found your blog through Creature Comforts. So glad that I did! I have those exact chairs, but only a set of 2 sadly. Maybe you could tell me something about them? I have called close to 10 stores in the Seattle area to learn more, and have not found any info on them still. Also, looking for similar cushions for them. Mind if I ask where you got yours?? Thank you for your help. Love, love, love your blog.

[Rose D., NJ USA]

This is just what we need on a cold, dreary NJ eve...

[jen a]

nicole and rose - YES - such comfort food in the fall ;)

mia - you are the sweetest - thank you love.

toni - feta rocks my word - i put it on EVERYthing.

summer - thank you and welcome!

cassandra and bri - i bought the chairs at an amazing antique market in asheville, north carolina - i had never seen anything like them before - there were just the four. but i do go back all the time - if i see them again i will give you a shout...

xoox

[akg]

LOVE ~a

[Andrea Victoria]

Found you from Creature Comforts. That dish looks divine! I will definitely be trying this for my family soon. Beautiful + inspiring blog. I'll be back soon :)

[beth]

beautiful.

[Amanda]

this looks like something even i could manage ;)
love it.
and HELLO HOT LADY on the about page. that is one absolutely beautiful photo of you, Jen Jen xx

[Tricia]

Can't wait to try that Mac/ch variation. LOVE your playlist.

[jen a]

akg - love you lady. xo

andrea, beth and tricia - thank you so very much and welcome! ;)

amanda - you are TOO sweet. seriously. love you. xo

[Fernanda]

ohh yuuum! i will try it tomorrow! :))
ps- i agree with our dear mia, LOVE everything in this photos!♥ 

[jen a]

thank you sweet fer!! xo

[Cheap Nike Free]

HELLO HOT LADY on the about page. that is one absolutely beautiful photo of you, Jen Jen xx

[celia]

I just love your chalk board wall, i always dreamed of having on in my room as a kid . . . actually i still do:)

Your photos are pure genius, they put a smile on my face!

[jen a]

thanks so much celia!