YUM! Chicken Enchilada Pasta "bake"

I was reading Steph's blog over at 365 crockpot and her Chicken Enchilada Chili sounded SO good. But my hubby doesn't do soup. Will tolerate chili, but he's rather not eat it. He's weird.
So I ransacked the cupboard and came up with this delicious take on some Chicken Enchiladas.

It turnout out to be YUM!

We are trying to reduce our sodium intake so I try to sub out everything that has salt. That said I did use an enchilada sauce that had 200mg of sodium per 2 tablespoons (YIKES) but I used a lot of other things to try and make a lot of sauce out of a small can and next time I think I can make the sauce on my own based on what I did this time. With my spice additions I just kinda added and didn't so much measure so it's a guesstimate on how much I n put in. Last week I had a terrible cold so I made a BUNCH of chicken soup. I used the leftover chicken here. Good luck!!

Chicken Enchilada Bake
by Susie

1 cup black beans (I make my own in crock pot)
1-2 cups frozen corn
3-4 cloves garlic, chopped
2-3 cups leftover chicken
1 can red enchilada sauce
2 8oz cans no salt added tomato sauce
1 14oz can no salt added chopped tomatoes
1 tablespoon cumin
3 tablespoons zesty no salt seasonings (store brand)
1 tablespoon McCormicks's all-purpose no salt seasoning
1 teaspoon Cayenne red pepper (optional)
2 tablespoons red pepper flakes
1-2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 handful uncooked penne pasta
2 cups cheddar cheese (we're still looking at low sodium cheeses)

Preheat oven to 375. Cook pasta in UNSALTED water until aldente (about 8 minutes). While waiting for pasta, add beans, corn and garlic to a skillet with a little bit of olive oil. Once heated through add chicken though cinnamon and simmer until the pasta is done. (mine simmered for about 10-15 minutes-ish).

Add pasta and chicken mixture and stir well. Add half mixture to a pan. Put a light layer of cheese (about 1 cup). Top with remaining mixture and finish with the rest of the cheese (about 1 cup). Put in at 375 for 20 minutes or until cheese is brown and the mixture is bubbly.

The above picture is all that's left. I didn't think to snap one before we started to dig in. :) Hope you like it!

PIZZA!!

Today, I received my DiGiorno party pack. I'm excited to host a party next weekend and can't wait for the fun! There are fun beads to wear and of course FREE pizza coupons!

All my friends and I have to do (while we watch some football) is decide Delivery or DiGiorno!!

(DiGiorno is taking a big lead pre party for all the fun favors they sent!)

So which pizza should I get with my coupons! I liked the buffalo chicken pizza. I make my own at home. I bet DiGiorno's is delish!

Ack!

So yesterday Friday was a good day...until I went to the store!!
We are going camping with family this weekend and I need a Doritos fix. Hubby likes them to but like Cool Ranch where I am a purist and only like the original flavor!

So
3 smoked sausages
2 bag Doritos
1 hubby milk (lactose free)
2 bags of cheese

And out goes 16.89!!!

So yesterday......

Breakfast
Me: trail mix bar
H: nada

Lunch:
Both: Sausage and mac and cheese

Dinner:
With friends..mmm carnitas...they were SO good
But I spent 43 cents on the way up for some extra supplies a jalapeno and garlic

Total spent $17.32
Total Left $81.68

Wow and only week one. Good thing we are going camping! (or bad thing...hubby prefers beers while camping. this will be his first sober trip...lol)

Day 2 and 3

So I forgot to post last night
Breakfast - we both skipped
Lunch - H-sandwich and chips. Me-english muffin pizza
Dinner- southwest salad

Spent $1.00 at Farmers Market
Total left $99.00

Breakfast - H- Peanut butter toast M- Skipped
Lunch - leftover southwest salad. H-PB&J
Dinner - chicken nuggets and leftover southwest salad

Spent- $0.00
Total Left $99.00!!!

Well on our way!!!

Farmers Market!

I love the farmers market in this area. It is always full of yummy fresh produce and I love that I can talk to the farmer that actually grows his or her food!

I went to the location that available on Wed.'s cause I needed some zucchini and a jalapeno.


I totally scored from a guy I normally shop at the downtown market. I got (3) zucchini and a jalapeno for $1.00 thus also being awesomely frugal in my purchase!

1st Day

First day of $100 Challenge

Breakfast- Skipped.  Hubby had a trailmix bar from home.

Lunch- Bossman bought coworkers and I some yummy Chipolte!  I had soft tacos and they were most excellent.  Barbacoa is the way to heaven....  Hubby had leftover orzo pasta and veggies.

Dinner- Hubby and I ate leftovers.  I had some orzo pasta with veggies, and he had leftover sketti and meatballs.  I also made up garlic bread with a leftover half a french bread and also some guac because who doesn't love guac!!!

Total Spent: $0!!!

Total Left: $100.

See day one and I'm already ahead!!!  This won't last long though :) 

1st post!

I've decided to start a $100 challenge!

During the month of Sept. I'm going to try and spend only $100 on food and drinks for the entire month!

My reward???

Going to Ashleys!  It's only the BEST place for beers!!  So many taps so little time!  Hubby and I never get up there anymore so I'd like to take a drive and sample the latest brews!!!  Woohoo!  So since I have the AWESOMEest prize for myself if I can do this I'm pretty sure it won't be too hard!