Spinach Alfredo and a creamy warm spinach dip

Fall is almost in full swing here, and the comfort of creamy food is big. Last night our creamy dish was a spinach alfredo and I added some black bean "meatless" balls and it was a big hit!

Mix and bake your meatballs while you boil your pasta in a pot. In a large sauce pan, melt 4 Tbsp of butter. Chop half an onion and add to the pan. Once the onions are starting to become translucent, add 2 cups of fresh spinach. Stir until all the spinach has wilted and then add a half cup of heavy cream and a half cup of milk. When the mixture is scalding hot, add parmaesan cheese and a hand full of shredded mozzarella and mix constantly. Turn your heat down some, the sauce will start to thicken as the cheese combines with the cream. Add pepper and oregano to your liking. Turn your heat source off, drain your finished pasta and add to the sauce. Add your meatballs when they have finished baking, mix to coat. Dish up and enjoy! I'm sure this would be fantastic with some bell pepper and mushrooms in it too.

Chips and dip is a football watching must for some people and they won't believe that you didn't get this from a jar! I got this recipe from my favorite blog - Noble Pig - but I changed it up some mainly cause I didn't really want anchovies in the dip.

Adapted from Gourmet and then adapted from Noble Pig

1/2 onion, chopped
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
10 oz thawed frozen chopped spinach, drained and squeezed dry
8 oz cream cheese, cut int cubes
3/4 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons ground black pepper

Cook onions in butter in a heavy medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring, until softened, about three minutes.  Add spinach and cook, stirring, until heated through.

Add cream cheese and cook, stirring, until melted and warm, then stir in sour cream, lemon juice, salt and pepper.

Serve warm with crackers, tortilla chips or pita chips and enjoy the game!