Pasta Alfredo Made Easy with Pop & Cook

I'm always looking for new ways to save time (and money and energy).  It's a total home run if I can find a shortcut in the kitchen because no matter what I seem to be always rushing around at dinner time.  When I come across these time savers I love to share them with you because you're probably busy like me.  My latest find is Pop & Cook which is fresh, frozen portion controlled garlic and herbs.  I don't know about you but I can't stand finely chopping cilantro, garlic, or onions and Pop & Cook has taken away all the headaches and mess.  Pop & Cook is picked on site and flash frozen so the products remain fresh for up to 2 years in your freezer.  When it's time to cook you just pop in a cube; forget chopping, measuring, and cleaning up.  

We love pasta Alfredo and I have different variations that I rotate.  Today I'm sharing an easy recipe for Pasta Alfredo with Cilantro and Mushroom.  See full recipe details below as well as a step by step video that show.  First step in the cooking process is grocery shopping.  When the Walmart closest to me converted to a Mega Store I was thrilled because it brought affordable grocery shopping around the corner.  I grabbed all the ingredients including Pop & Cook at Walmart.  (Unfortunately my Walmart was out of Chopped Garlic so I only picked up Chopped Cilantro.)  It's easy to find in the frozen veggie section.  

The cilantro adds just a twist of flavor but isn't overpowering.  The mushrooms also change the dynamic of the dish in a subtle way.  Sometimes I add chicken, broccoli or zucchini.  Basically it depends on my mood or what I have in the fridge.

Ingredients:

1 Package of Bowtie Noodles

Package of Mushrooms

Olive Oil

3 Tbl. of Butter

3 Garlic Cloves Minced

1 Cube of Pop & Cook Chopped Cilantro (1 cube equals 1 teaspoon)

1/3 C. Of Heavy Whipping Cream (I use Whole Milk for a slightly healthier option)

1/2 C. of Grated Parmesan Cheese

Directions:

Sauté Mushrooms in about 1 Tbl. Olive Oil for about 5 minutes and then set aside.  Bring water to a boil and add Bowtie noodles, cook 9-10 minutes.  While pasta is boiling work on sauce.  Sauté butter and minced garlic for about 5 minutes then add 1 cube of chopped cilantro.  Add Parmesan cheese and milk/whipping cream.  Stir intermittently for about 5 minutes.  Drain pasta, add mushrooms, then pour sauce over.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and salt if needed.  A very simple yet delicious dinner meal for you!

To find a Walmart near you that carries Pop & Cook check HERE.  You can also find other recipes and more info HERE.  Happy Cooking!