Tuna Apple Pasta Salad

It’s been one of those weeks where I haven’t gone food shopping and have limited ingredients on hand, so a pantry staple meal was a bit of a must. This tuna apple pasta salad is my absolute go-to. It’s the perfect lunch, dinner, or side and has been a favorite of mine for years! It’s made with five simple ingredients, three of which are pantry staples. The flavor combo may sound a bit weird, I know, but, trust me, it’s amazing!

Making this tuna apple pasta salad is always a bit of a comfort for me. I feel like pasta dishes are always a bit comforting, and this one specifically reminds me of my mom. She first made this for me when I was in high school after adapting it herself from some recipe she found. Since then, I’ve been making it for myself (and friends) on repeat with a few tweaks over the years. It’s super simple, and you can make a nice batch to last you for the week (although it will probably be gone in a day or two in my experience).

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• 8 oz cooked pasta of choice (I like to use chickpea pasta to make it GF)

• 2 cans tuna, drained

• 4 celery stalks, sliced

• 1-2 granny smith apples (depending on size), cubed

• 1/2 cup avocado oil mayo (or mayo of choice)

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix together the cooked pasta, tuna, celery, apple, mayo, and salt and pepper to taste.

2. That’s it! Enjoy!

Whether you’re enjoying this for lunch or making it as a side for a party, it’s sure to be a hit. Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Creamy Cashew Brussels Sprout Pasta

There’s nothing better than an easy-to-make meal with simple ingredients that still really brings the flavor! And this creamy cashew brussels sprouts pasta is just that. It’s so creamy and dreamy without the dairy, and it’s so quick and easy to make! The sauce itself is vegan and gluten free, and the entire meal can easily be made both. Not into brussels sprouts, switch them out for your favorite veggie or just enjoy the pasta and sauce on it’s own!

Here’s What You’ll Need:
(Makes 2 servings)

• 2 tbsp cashew butter

• 1/4 cup water

• 2 tsp nutritional yeast

• 2 servings of gluten free pasta (or pasta of choice), cooked

• 1 bundle of brussels sprouts, de-stemmed and sliced

• 1-2 cloves garlic, chopped

• Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat up 1-2 tbsp avocado oil (or oil of choice) in a pan on the stove top over medium high heat. Once hot, add in the brussels sprouts and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 15-20 minutes until the brussels sprouts are softened and charred.

2. In a small bowl, mix together the cashew butter, water, nutritional yeast, sea salt, and black pepper until it creates a sauce (add more water as necessary).

3. Add the pasta into the brussels sprouts, and toss everything with the sauce.

4. Serve and enjoy!

Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Crispy Spicy Tofu and Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad

Crispy tofu AND brussels sprouts?! Yes, please! That’s the best way to enjoy two of my favorite foods. Add in some heat, warm grains, and a delicious creamy dressing, and you have yourself the perfect cozy fall salad. This salad is a delicious mix of textures and flavors, and, trust me, it’s going to a be a favorite you’ll be making over and over again! It’s also super versatile and can be made gluten free or vegan depending on your grain and dressing choice. Let’s get to it!

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• 1 bunch of brussels sprouts, de-stemmed and sliced

• 7 oz tofu, pressed and cut into 1” cubes

• 4 tsp nutritional yeast, separated

• 1/4 cup hot sauce of choice

• 4 cups spinach (or salad greens of choice)

• 1/2 cup whole grain medley, wild rice, or grains of choice

• 1/4 cup Organic Girl White Cheddar Ranch Style Dressing (or dressing of choice)

Instructions:

1. Toss the brussels sprouts with enough avocado oil to coat them, sea salt, and pepper, and roast in the oven for 15-20 mins at 450 degrees until crispy.

2. In the meantime, toss the tofu with 2 tsp nutritional yeast.

3. Heat a pan with just enough avocado oil to coat the bottom over high heat. Once hot, turn down to medium high and add the tofu (it should sizzle immediately). Cook, rotating the tofu every 2-3 mins until all sides are crispy (~12-18 mins total).

4. In a bowl, mix together the hot sauce and 2 tsp nutritional yeast. Toss the tofu with the sauce until fully coated.

5. In 2 separate bowls, split the spinach, roasted Brussels sprouts, grains, and dressing. Toss together, and top with the spicy tofu.

6. Enjoy!

Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Turkey, Butternut Squash, and Kale Chili

It’s one of my favorite times of the year - football season! I’ve got my fantasy team locked in and my Eagles shirt ready for the game on Sunday. Not only do I love to watch football, but I’m also all about those game day eats! Whether I’m making one of my most popular recipes, cauliflower nachos, wings, or a big ole pot of chili, football food is where it’s at!

One of my absolute favorite, cozy meals that’s easy to make and feeds a crowd (great when watching the game with friends) is this turkey, butternut squash, and kale chili. It’s packed with fall flavor, on the healthier side, and a definite crowd pleaser.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• 1 lb ground turkey

• 1 red onion, chopped

• 2 cloves of garlic, chopped

• 1/4 cup chili powder

• 1 tbsp coriander

• 2 tsp cumin

• 14.5 oz can stewed tomatoes

• 1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed

• 1 beef bouillon cube

• 4 cups water

• 15.5 oz can kidney beans, strained and rinsed

• 15.5 oz can chickpeas, strained and rinsed

• 2 cups kale, chopped

• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot heat 1 tbsp avocado oil (or EVOO) over medium high heat.

2. Add in the ground turkey and heat until fully browned (~5-8 mins).

3. Move the turkey to the edges, add the red onion and garlic to the middle of the pan, and cook until softened (~3 minutes).

4. Add in the chili powder, coriander, cumin, and stewed tomatoes, and mix everything together.

5. Add in the butternut squash, beef bouillon cube, and water, mix everything together, and bring it to a boil.

6. Reduce to simmer and cook for 40 mins uncovered, stirring occasionally.

7. Add in the kidney beans, chickpeas, and kale, mix together, and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes.

8. Add the apple cider vinegar and salt and pepper to taste.

9. Serve, top with avocado if desired, and enjoy!

Fall Quinoa Salad

The weather here in New Jersey has been absolutely perfect. Mid-sixties, still warm but not too warm, and bracing for the chunky sweat weather on the horizon. It’s getting me all excited for my favorite fall flavors and recipes which brings me to this delicious throwback - a cozy quinoa salad packed with some of the best fall flavors and a little goat cheese to pull it all together. It’s just so good and the perfect easy meal or side for any day of the week or maybe even a football Sunday or pumpkin carving party!

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• 1 small butternut squash, peeled, de-seeded, and cubed

• 8 oz cooked quinoa

• 1/2 cup spinach, chopped

• 1/4 cup goat cheese crumbles

• 2 tbsp pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

• 2 tbsp dried cranberries

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 1 tsp EVOO

• Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Toss the butternut squash with ~ 2 tbsp avocado oil, sea salt, and black pepper and roast at 425 for about 20-25 minutes.

2. In a large bowl, mix together the quinoa, butternut squash, spinach, goat cheese, pepitas, dried cranberries, apple cider vinegar, EVOO, and sea salt and black pepper to taste.

3. Serve and enjoy!