Chicken Alfredo Manicotti

It's very easy for me to get stuck in a rut when it comes to cooking dinner for my family. Busy schedules, limited time, and exhaustion play a factor in how inspired or motivated I'll feel. Many home cooks I know have a plan B on hand. For example, I always have frozen udon noodles and edamame on hand for those nights when I don't feel like "thinking" about what I'm going to make.  

When inspiration seems to elude me, another way I can find motivation is by challenging myself to use certain ingredients in my kitchen. This can kick-start my creativity and get it flowing. For several months, I've had a box of frozen spinach in my freezer. I've been reminded of it daily every time I open the freezer door.  

Today I discovered a box of manicotti pasta I had purchased a long time ago in my pantry. Since I had an empty house tonight, I decided to challenge myself to come up with something good using these two items. The more I looked through the various ingredients I had on hand the more excited I got about how I might make the filling. After finding two frozen chicken breasts and a can or artichoke hearts I knew I was well on my way to a great dinner for tonight. Making manicotti is fairly simple. Cooked manicotti is filled with a savory cheese filling and baked in a marinara sauce. My older daughter loves Alfredo sauce, so I decided to make a Chicken Alfredo Manicotti filled with three different types of cheeses, chicken, spinach, and artichoke hearts. The dinner was filling and delicious. I also felt proud of myself for not letting the spinach and pasta go to waste. Add a green salad and a great family dinner is served!