Spinach Lasagna

This recipe comes from my cute friend, Melissa. Normally I would turn my nose up to a healthier version of lasagna, but after reading through the recipe a few times, I decided it might be worth it. And oh. my! Let me tell you...it was more than worth it. Now how healthy it actually is, I don't know. But spinach instead of ground beef at least sounds healthier, right?? Also, I've always kind of shied away from making lasagna because it seems like a daunting meal. While making this I quickly realized that it is actually very quick and easy. And you know that we all love that!

image found here

Here's what you need:

12 cooked lasagna noodles (Just cook them according to box directions)

16 oz. cottage cheese

2 c. spinach leaves (shredded)

2 eggs, beaten

1 1/2 tsp garlic powder or 3-4 cloves minced fresh garlic

salt and pepper to taste

Spaghetti sauce. Use our favorite recipe from here OR 1 jar or can of spaghetti sauce

2 c. mozzarella cheese. (I actually only had about 1/2 cup so I used some cheddar. Worked fine!)

Combine spinach, cottage cheese, eggs, garlic and salt and pepper

Layer as follows:

1/2-3/4 C spaghetti sauce

4 noodles

1/2 spinach mixture

1/2 c. mozzarella cheese

1/2-3/4 C spaghetti sauce

4 noodles

The other half of the spinach mixture

1/2 c. mozzarella cheese

1/2-3/4 C spaghetti sauce

4 noodles

remaining spaghetti sauce

remaining mozzarella cheese

Bake at 400 degrees for 35-40 minutes

Thyme Chicken & Bowties

Image found here

This rich and hearty pasta dish is an easy and delicious twist on the classic Chicken Alfredo. We love it because the tyme gives it a really yummy flavor but it is still close enough to "Olive Garden sauce" that my kids will eat it. See for yourself, you won't be dissappointed.

Here is what you will need:

6 oz. bowtie pasta

1 T. butter

2 green onions

1 lb. chicken breast cut into chunks

1 t. thyme

1/2 t. garlic powder

2 C. whipping cream

3/4 C. shredded parmesan

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

3/4 C. fresh mushrooms (optional)

*I start boiling the water for the pasta before I

start my sauce so they are done about the same time.

*Mince onions and sautee with thyme in butter until soft.
*Add chicken and cook until white in the center.

*Pour in the cream, garlic, and salt and pepper.

*Stir together and add the cheese.

*Add sliced mushrooms if desired.

*Let simmer until sauce is thickened.

*Serve over or mix together with pasta

Bacon & Parmesan Pasta

Oh. My. Deliciousness! I saw this recipe online and knew it was something I just had to try! It was like eating a piece of heaven and I thought Matt was going to fall out of his chair he liked it so much. We're thinking next time we might add some grilled chicken to the mix!

(Don't you love my 90's dishes that I dug out of my trousseau when I got married--ha!)

Here's what you need:

1 lb. bacon

1 pkg. penne pasta

1 c. whipping cream

8 oz. cream cheese

1/2 c. shredded Parmesan cheese

2 eggs (beaten together)

Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste--I didn't use any of this!

**Cook & crumble bacon.

(I baked mine, see here!)

**Cook pasta according to package directions. Start the sauce while it's cooking.

**In a large saucepan combine whipping cream and cream cheese. Cook on low until cream cheese is melted and mixture is smooth, then remove from heat.

**Add the eggs and Parmesan cheese. Mix well. (The eggs cook in the heat of the sauce!)

**Drain pasta and return it to the pot.

**Add the sauce and the chopped bacon.

**Mix well to coat and top with a bit more Parmesan cheese!

YUMMMMMM!!!!

Pepperoni Pasta

This easy recipe will become a favorite with the kids but is still good enough to make even when the husband is home. When Nicki first told me about this recipe, I will admitt I was a little skeptical. But when I made it the first time, Grant and my kids devoured it, and it instantly became a keeper.

What you will need:

1 box spiral pasta

1 jar/2 cups marinara sauce

(my fave is here)

Pepperoni
Olives (optional)

Shredded Cheese

Step 1: Boil the pasta according to package directions.

Drain pasta well

Mix the pasta and sauce together.

Cut olives into chunks

Mix olives into pasta and pour into a casserole dish

Cover the pasta with pepperoni

Cover with cheese (generously). I used chedder and mozzarella but use whatever you have.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 min. or until cheese is melted.

Alfredo Sauce

I have always used the same alfredo recipe that I found a few years ago in a small-town cookbook. A month or so ago, I was making the recipe and discovered I didn't have any shredded parmesan cheese. Because I was already half way through making the sauce, I didn't want to waste any ingredients. So I improvised! And, surprisingly enough, the recipe turned out better than the one I originally made! This is the only thing I have ever come close to inventing, so I thought I'd better share :)

Ingredients

1/2 C. butter
2 C. heavy whipping cream

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. black pepper

1/4 C. grated parmesan

2-3 oz. cream cheese (cut into small chunks)

In a sauce pan, melt butter. Add cream, garlic powder, and pepper. Boil for 2 minutes. Add parmesan and cream cheese and boil until cream cheese melts (usually 3-4 minutes). Once the cream cheese is melted, it thickens up a little bit. However, I like my alfredo pretty thick, so I turn it on low and let it simmer for a few minutes; this usually helps it thicken pretty quickly.

Serve over your favorite pasta. Add grilled chicken or shrimp if you so desire!

Yum!

Easy Lasagna

I have always loved my mom's homemade lasagna, so I was excited when I got her recipe for it and saw how easy it was. I was even more excited the first time I made it with Nicki's homemade marinara sauce and tasted how delicious it was!

(My lasagna didn't turn out very pretty today, so I stole this image from here.)

32 oz. of your favorite spaghetti/marinara sauce
(I use this one mentioned above!)
10 lasagna noodles, uncooked
1 lb. hamburger, browned and drained
1 C. grated cheddar cheese
1 C. grated mozzarella cheese
16 oz. cottage cheese

*Layer 5 of the noodles in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Layer the meat, half of the spaghetti sauce, cottage cheese, and half of each of the cheeses. Then layer the remainder of the noodles, the rest of the spaghetti sauce, and top with the cheeses. Cover tightly with tinfoil and bake at 350* for 1 hour.

(I halved this recipe and put it in an 8x8 pan for my little family!)