30-minute meal special

So last month's Munchin Mamas meeting was themed with "under 30-minute meals." If you remember, I brought my mixed-up enchiladas (one of my favorite dishes!). I kept begging for everyone else's recipes and *finally* got them! Here are some:

Chicken and Vegetable Penne
Ingredients
1 lb. cooked chicken (cubed or I usually throw them on the grill to cook while I'm cooking everything else)
2 cups uncooked Penne pasta
1 small yellow squash, sliced
1 small zucchini, sliced
1 tsp. minced garlic
3 tbsp. butter
3 tbsp. flour
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. dried parsley
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 tsp. pepper
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. 
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute the squash, zucchini, and garlic in butter until tender.
3. In a bowl, whisk the flour, seasonings, and cream until smooth. 
4. Add to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes or until thickened. 
5. Drain pasta and add to vegetable mixture. 
6. Toss in chicken.

Catharoni and Cheese
Ingredients
1 box tricolor rotini
A few tablespoons of butter
3 tablespoons of flour
1 cup Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups shredded cheese of your choice (Cathy likes colby-jack)
3/4 cup milk
Potato chips, bread crumbs, or crunchy topping of your choice

Directions

1. Cook 1 box tricolor rotini until tender. Drain.
2. Add a few table spoons of butter and stir. If pasta doesn't look "shiney with buttery goodness" add more and stir again =)
3. Add as 3 tablespoons of flour by sprinkling a little at a time on top and mixing in. (If any of you happen to have a sifter, use it, but who has a sifter anymore?!)
4. Add about 1 cup of Parmesan cheese and stir.
5. Salt and pepper to taste.
6. Add 2 cups of shredded cheese of your choice (I like Colby Jack in this, but Cheddar works well too) and of course, stir!
7. Add 3/4 cups milk and stir. Add more if it looks dry, but make sure there isn't a puddle of milk in the bottom. Guess what you do next?? Yep, stir!
8. Top with Parmesan cheese, potato chips, bread crumbs, or shredded cheese DO NOT STIR!
9. Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes or until cheese is melted through.