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Hi everyone – hope you had a nice weekend!
Ben and I have been here, there, and everywhere over the past couple of days. Sit down and stay awhile, I’ll tell ya’ about it! 
Double your pleasure…
I was whipping up a new flavor combo of mini quinoa cups this weekend (recipe coming soon!) when I cracked open an egg and two yolks popped out. Twins, Basil – twins! 
I was horrified, but am hearing that this is actually good luck?! I’ll take it!
Speaking of…
Ben and I were browsing at a book store today when I turned a corner and audibly squealed. SWEET VALLEY HIGH TEN YEARS LATER?!?! I can pretty much die happy! This may will absolutely “accidentally” end up as an Amazon one-click Kindle purchase in the very near future.
Time is on my side…
Although I don’t love working out on the weekends, I have to admit it’s awfully nice knowing I can take as much time as I want to at the gym on Saturdays and Sundays, which I’m not able to do during the hectic work week. When I have the time, I like to run through longer treadmill routines like this 50 Minute, 5.45 Mile routine I huffed & puffed through on Saturday. Sweaty and engaging – the 50 minutes actually flew by.
(click image to print larger)
Grilling Gods…
The grilling Gods, aka Mr. BBQ, heard my cry and sent Ben and me a new grill cover to replace the crappy, no-name cover that had blown itself to bits over the winter. We easily slipped the cover on and into place this afternoon – fits like a glove. Hallelujah! (and go Hawkeyes!) Thanks Mr. BBQ!
Sugar and spice…
Ok, not so much something we did this weekend, but I can’t believe I haven’t told you guys that Ben and I are going to be an auntie & uncle for the second time later this month, when my brother & sister-in-law welcome a new baby girl! We’ve had so much fun with Finn over the past two and a half years and can’t wait to snuggle the newest addition to our family. 
Nothin’ like noodles…
Nobody ever said eating low-carb was an exact science, so when Ben and I got a carby craving this evening we headed over to Noodles & Company for dinner!
Ben had heard that they got a new “grown up” Mac & Cheese line and, well, I never met a noodle I didn’t like, so we stopped by and got a couple dishes to go.
His & hers!
I heart Noodles’ Udon Noodles dish, but tonight I was really feeling their lighter Pasta Fresca.
Penne pasta is sauteed with balsamic, white wine and TONS of roasted garlic, then topped with feta cheese & shrimps. It has a teeny-tiny kick of heat that I just adore.
Ben went ahead and did the damn thing and ordered their new Bacon Mac & Cheeseburger dish.
Ummm, omg. Buttery noodles with cheese sauce, bacon & meatballs, topped with fresh tomatoes and crunchy breadcrumbs. I helped polish this off in a pretty significant way. It was too good!
In case you’re experiencing a carb craving too, Noodles & Company is giving away a free dish of your choice to 2 IGE readers!
Enter to win one free Noodles & Company dish of your choice by tomorrow, Monday, March 12 at 5pm central by telling me what your favorite pasta dish is in the comments section below.
Have a great week everyone!
My favorite pasta dish is whole wheat penne with tomato sauce and parmesan cheese.
I love a good thai stirfry with tons of veggies and tons of heat!
My favorite pasta dish is typically Asian inspired with some heat and lots of vegetables and shrimp!
At noodles I usually get the pasta fresca too! At home I recently made mac and cheese from Cook’s Illustrated – excellent.
My favorite pasta at Noodles in Penne Rosa. My favorite at home is the Pioneer Woman’s Cottage cheese noodle bake.
Yum, that looks amazing! I appreciated your little Austin Powers reference at the beginning
I love their udon with tofu. The Thai soup is awesome, too.
My favorite noodle dish is my mom’s tuna noodle casserole. Campbell’s soup, potato chips on top, and TONS of peas. It’s not gourmet in the least, but it is probably my favorite meal on the planet.
I love the Pad Thai at Noodles.
I love pasta in just about any form but classic spaghetti is probably my favorite.
I have to admit that I have never been to Noodles and Company so I would love to try it! My favorite homemade noodle dish is a homemade Baked Ziti that is absolutely LOADED with cheese!
Sounds like a wonderful weekend! Congrats on becoming an aunt the second time around. That’s so fantastic! We don’t have any Noodles & Co. around us but I have been a few times and loved it. I’m not even a big pasta fan but they’ve done it right.
Really, any gnocchi. ANY. But I have a special soft spot for the spinach gnocchi from Caro Mio here in Chicago. Aaaah.
my favorite noodle dish is probably the pad kee mao from a local thai restaurant… that’s what my husband and I often get as a takeout treat when we’re too tired to cook after a long day. I associate the flavor of those noodles with freedom and guilty pleasure TV shows
i love Noodle’s peanut noodle dish, so yummy and spicy!
My favorite noodle dish of all time though has to be pad thai, from the now-defunct ban thai.
I love Noodles’ Pad Thai! I’ve never had “real” Thai food, but this comes pretty close!
I love their Japanese Pan Noodles with Beef. So tasty!
I guess I’m a kid at heart because you can’t beat plain ole mac and cheese for me!
I LOVE baked spaghetti although my mom also makes the best tuna noodle casserole!
I love love love Noodles & Company! We kind of freaked out when Noodles first came to Des Moines…my favorite noodles dish is their Japanese pan noodles with beef!
Spaghetti Pie!
My favorite pasta dish has got to be good ole mac and cheese!
I love the Pad Thai at Noodles!
I love pad thai and I don’t get to eat it often enough!
There is a restaurant in New Orleans (Semolina) that makes a dish called Macaroni and Cheese Cake that comes in a giant cake-like wedge with a creamy cheese sauce. Perhaps that best thing ever.
fav pasta dish has to be Gino’s Spaghetti w/Marinara Sauce. it’s like the cheapest thing on their menu and imo the very best!
Spaghetti Bolognese. My go to pasta dish. Hot or even cold as leftovers always a winner with my palate.
At the Spaghetti Works in Omaha, Ne. “Naked pasta with butter, olive oil, and garlic topped with chicken livers.” To die for!!
Depends on the flavor I’m craving. Thai? Pad Ke Mao. Southwest? Fideo. Comfort? Tortellini with alfredo. Summer tine? Go to Des Moines Farmers market and pick up some heirloom tomatoes abd basil abd make a bruchetta style angelhair dish. Noodles and Company? Mac & cheese with steak.
I love Noodles! The penne rosa or the pesto are my favorites!
Gave pasta of all time is fettuccine Alfredo! Why must it be so fattening?!
*fave – darn autocorrect
I also have never met a noodle I didn’t like. Lately, my favorite pasta dish is penne arrabiata.
Oh I love mac and cheese to death! I could eat it every day. Although I made your tune noodle casserole recipe tonight and it was pretty awesome too! I just wish this Noodles and Company place was near me
It’s hard to pick one but baked spaghetti
I LOVE ravioli. Stuff it with whatever you like and call it good.
The penne rosa at noodles and co is hands down my favorite!!
OMG bacon mac and cheeseburger? I need to try that!
I think the hyperlink to your brother…in the aunt/uncle announcement, is broken.
Any Thai noodles, or some Fleming’s lobster mac ‘n cheese!
I love a classic spaghetti with meat sauce, we have at least every other week (sometimes every week!)
My fav pasta is homemade spinach and cheese ravioli with tomato cream sauce!!
Good old spaghetti and meatballs are my fave!
Straight up mac ‘n cheese!
I seriously LOVE Noodles and Company Pasta Fresca! Ben’s looked amazing too!
I will eat any kind of noodle dish, any where, any time, but my all time favorite is spaghetti.
I love Pad Thai with real peanut sauce, but also am in love with fettucine alfredo….or really, any pasta in a cream sauce. :p Not discriminating here!
Calssic Mac and Cheese all the way! Although the Japanese Pan Noodles are pretty tasty too.
I go for the pot stickers evert time!
I loooovvveee spasagna!
mac and cheese for me!
My favorite pasta is red sauce with eggplant!