Cooking With Kids: Skillet Penne with Beans

Summer usually means a few things- one: it will be hot; two- the kids will seem to have a never ending appetite and three-it is the perfect time for kids to learn to cook.

Since it is so hot, I love finding a good summer recipe that I can cook fully on the stove, no need to turn on the oven.  I also want a lighter dish with fresh ingredients.  The Skillet Penne with Beans is a perfect summer time dish.   Thank you to Bush's Beans for sponsoring this post and letting me share this perfect summer time recipe.

#MyBestWithBushBeans

This summer I have had each of my kids pick one recipe each week to make.  Ryder was my helper for the Skillet Penne with Beans.

I love that this dish has only a few ingredients, including Bush's beans which is a great staple to have on hand for last minute recipes.  I will often grab a few extras cans on my trips to Walmart, where they are readily available.

I love that when Ryder cooks, not only is he learning to cook but he is practicing reading while following the recipe.

It definitely takes a little longer to cook when kids help, but I really don't mind as I feel like a good mom and am totally engaged and present when we cook together.

The other great thing about having kids cook, is their willingness to try new recipes.  If I had made this on my own, the fact that it has cherry tomatoes and *gasp* green things, probably would have made my kids turn up their noses.

When they are involved cooking the recipe they seem to take ownership of it and are willing to try it without any complaints.

It definitely is a win-win.

What is one of your favorite summer recipes?

Skillet Penne with Beans

Serves: 4-6    Total Time: 20 mins
 Ingredients: 
   2 Cups Low sodium Chicken Broth
   2 Cups Water
   1/2 t. salt
   8 oz. Penne Pasta
   Pint of Cherry or Grape Tomatoes
   1 Can Bush Cannellini Beans
   1/2 cup pitted olives (optional)
   1/2 cup Fresh Basil Chopped
   1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
   2 T. Olive Oil
   2 T. Lemon Juice

Directions:
   1. In a Nonstick skillet over high heat add: chicken broth, water, salt, penne pasta.  Stir often and   cook for 15-18 minutes.

  2. While the Pasta cooks, halve the tomatoes.  Rinse the can of Bush's Cannellini Beans. Chop the olives.

3. Add the ingredients from step 2 when the pasta has cooked about 15 minutes.  Stir and let the ingredients cook for about 3-5 more minutes over low heat.

4. While those ingredients cook: chop 1/2 cup Fresh basil, grate 1/2 cup parmesan cheese.

5. Remove from heat and stir in basil, cheese, 2 T. olive oil and 2 T. fresh lemon juice.  Season with Salt and pepper to taste.