Looking for a delicious dinner idea for your family? Serve up a bowl of creamy, dreamy pasta!

Modern Spice Pantry Chef & Top Chef Just Desserts’ cheftestant Malika Ameen has shared a tasty recipe for fettuccine with lemon cream and spinach.

While the Chicago-based pastry chef/restaurateur and single mom of three specializes in creative recipes that feature spices in unconventional ways - this pasta dish is sure to be enjoyed by even the pickiest eater!

Ingredients

Spice up the family dinner by turning your table into a fun family fiesta!

We rounded up some of our favorite South of the Border-inspired recipes. With these great ideas, you can put together a Mexican menu your little ones will love - as easy as one, two, three!

1. Chips and Dip

Kids love to dip and these yummy recipes make for great starters!

OK, I admit it. I hate being cheap. But let's face it, these days, we're all watching our pennies. One of my personal goals for 2013 is to become a more budget-minded shopper: this means groceries as well. It's no secret that the grocery bill for a family of five can get out of control very quickly.

I have a few favorite stores where I like to shop - they're convenient, I like the layout and they have the products I want. However, the prices aren't always suited to my budget and every time I go, I find myself over-spending.

Today’s recipe is one my family makes a couple of times per month. It’s one of our favorites. I’ve been meaning to share it for a while now because I’ve had a couple of requests for the recipe from family and friends. When I make the dish I don’t use exact measurements for the cilantro and cashews, so feel free to eyeball it because approximations with the garnish work perfectly.

Sundays are a day I like to lounge around the house, unwind, turn off the phone and computer, spend quality time with my family, and occasionally make a special dinner. Having a quiet day is essential to my happiness. I love the idea of Sunday dinner, where you spend a little more time and love making a meal for your family. It is great to do it on a day you don’t have a million places to go, and you can really relax, get creative, have a glass of wine (if you’re like me) and be present.

Looking for a warm and filling dinner recipe that doesn't require hours in the kitchen?

The slow cooker does all the work for this tasty (and heart-healthy) soup.

Spicy and savory... your family is sure to love this delicious dish!

Ingredients (makes 10 servings)

Thick and creamy, loaded with potatoes and tender mollusks - New England clam chowder is a favorite far outside the region from where it gets its name.

As any Boston native knows, this hearty, simple "chowda" is the perfect meal on a cold winter day!

Ingredients

It's a combination of stir fry with veggies, protein, and fun noodles... It's soba noodles!

And best of it, it's a healthy recipe that tastes great. Perfect for a cozy dinner with the family.

Soba Noodle Stir Fry

Ingredients

Polenta is one of those restaurant menu items that comes with a hefty price tag despite its origins as a peasant food. It's just the Italian word for grits.

So, instead of paying $15-$20 for an entrée with polenta, I make it at home for less than $5. This recipe uses Italian sausage, but you could easily substitute chicken sausage to make it a bit healthier. I also like to cut the cooled polenta into squares and fry them in olive oil but this could just as easily be served over the soft fresh polenta.

Fried Polenta with Sausage