Creamy Beef Pasta

Creamy Beef Pasta

I was boiling the pasta and browning the beef and realized I didn't have any spaghetti sauce.  So we went with this instead!

Brown 1 lb ground beef
Add crushed garlic, dried parsley, dried basil, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, salt and pepper to taste

Pour in coconut milk (about 1 1/2 cups), then add 1 Tbsp of cornstarch whisked in cold water.  Whisk as you add it to avoid lumps.  Will thicken in about 1 minute.

Boil Pasta (I like Ancient Harvest Quinoa Pasta in elbow shape), drain and add to the mix.

To be honest the kids weren't fond of it, but my husband and I loved it!  Next time I'll leave a bit of the beef and noodles with less seasoning for them...but it is definitely a keeper.

Top 8 Allergen Free Pre-School Snack List

I've always preferred to just supply my own food-I always have alternatives in my bag in case there isn't a safe food option for my kids.

BUT at our new Toddler Group the other parents said they wanted to be sure to bring only safe food for Baby Girl and another little boy who has food allergies in our class. Between the two of them we've covered most of the Top 8 allergens....

Baby Girl: Wheat, dairy, nuts, eggs & green peas. Friend Boy: peanuts, dairy, egg and soy.

His mom and I came up with a "safe" snack list of ideas for the other parents to bring. This group is 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 years old and so we have to avoid things that are also common choking hazards due to the preschool rules.

Here is the snack list we came up with, would love to add to this so any suggestions appreciated!

PLEASE REMEMBER TO CHECK LABELS!  Ingredients often change and you can't assume it was safe because it used to be!

• Fruit/berries/melons
• Veggies (except green peas!)
• Applesauce
• Hummus
• Olives
• Rice
• Beans
• So Delicious Coconut Milk/Yogurt (sold at PCC, Top Foods, Whole Foods and Safeway)
• Cereals: Rice Chex, Corn Chex, Kix, Trix
• Freeze dried fruit “chips” (such as the Costco Real Fruit Slices or Trader Joe’s packages.)
• Lundberg Brown Rice Cakes-salted or nonsalted-(Quaker Rice cakes are not safe)
• Jello/plain fruit gelatin
• Van's Free frozen waffles (marked Gluten & Dairy Free)

A few notes:

Please keep processed food packaging so we can check the ingredients.

Gluten-free Bisquick mix is easy for making muffins & biscuits and can be found at Safeway among other stores.

Please avoid adding margarine, mayonnaise, dressings as these often have dairy/egg in them unless specifically marked dairy/egg free.

Dairy-Free Lasagna (even my husband eats it!)

1 package of gluten-free lasagna noodles, cooked

1 pound ground sausage, browned

1/2 bag of frozen spinach, chopped onions and other veggies you enjoy. I like mushrooms and olives!

1 1/2 jars of spaghetti sauce (check the ingredients for dairy)

1/2 to 1 tub of Tofutti Better than Cream Cheese (depending on how creamy you like it)

Mix together.

In lasagna pan put 1/4 of jar of spaghetti sauce on bottom, then a layer of noodles, then a layer of the meat sauce. Alternate layers until you are finished with the meat sauce, I usually have 3 layers. Top with noodles and then the rest of the plain spaghetti sauce on top to keep it from being dry.

Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes.

I've tried this with different cheese substitutes and really feel they don't add anything. This recipe is good and creamy and while not exactly like lasagna both the kids eat it up and ask for more! My husband would be happier if I made half of it with regular cheese, but he still enjoys it.