Spinach Noodle Casserole

With Katie away at camp and Tommy working evenings Richard asked if I'd make some of the things our kids don't like and Spinach Noodles with Tuna is one of them. I tweaked it a little and made less but by adding Colby cheese, sour cream and cream of chicken soup instead of cream of mushroom it had a much milder taste. I also added chicken broth and the noodles continued to cook in the oven, absorbing all of the beautiful flavors. Here is the revised recipe. Enjoy!

Macaroni Salad

This post was first published in 2012. So far July has been pretty mild this year - knock on wood!

Today is National Macaroni Day and since the temperature is suppose to reach 100 here in Northeast Ohio I thought I'd make Macaroni Salad. I got this recipe from Mrs. Beorn when she served this salad at her son's Eagle Scout reception. It's so easy and the slaw dressing gives it that sweet tangy flavor.

4 cups uncooked macaroni
1 jar Hartville Kitchen Slaw Dressing
1/2 cup diced carrots
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup diced red sweet pepper

Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese

This is the best and creamiest homemade Mac &
Cheese! The next time you need some comfort food, throw these ingredients in the crockpot and walk away!

2 cups Macaroni
4 ounces Monteray Jack Cheese
4 ounces Colby Cheese
4 ounces Velvetta
4 TBSP butter
1 cup milk
salt & pepper
dash of love

1. Cook the macaroni in boiling water according to directions. Drain.
2. Cube all cheese.
3. Spray Pam in crockpot. Place cooked macaroni, cubed cheese, milk, butter, salt, pepper and don't forget the love.
4. Cover and cook on low for 3 - 4 hours.

Making Pasta

My Mom called during the Holidays with a gift idea for myhusband - a pasta maker!  For over 26 years Richard has been one tough guy to find just the right gift. Last week we made spaghetti and were pleasantly surprised. It was easy and fun plus it tasted great and held up better than regular pasta for left overs.

Pasta Primavera

1 cup broccoli florets
1 cup sliced zucchini
1/2 cup onion, cut in wedges
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
1 cup baby carrots
1 cup cauliflower
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
olive oil
Italian Seasoning (make your own)
1 lb cooked pasta, your choice
Parmesan cheese
dash of love

Optional: shrimp, heated in skilled with butter and garlic or chicken tenders baked with the veggies.

Place all vegetables on baking sheet, sprinkle with olive oil and Italian seasoning, toss together until covered. Bake at 400 for 25 minutes or until tender. Serve over pasta. Add Parmesan cheese.

Lasagna Made Simple

Katie made Lasagna for Father's Day. This is a favorite recipe that Richard has perfected over the years. It's  even more delicious when you begin with a frozen bag of our Almost Homemade Spaghetti Sauce.

1 - 24 ounce jar spaghetti sauce
1 pound ground beef
1 4 ounce jar sliced mushrooms
2 eggs
1-1/2 cups cottage cheese
2 Tbsp. parsley flakes
12 ounces mozzarella cheese
12 frozen Italian meatballs
3 Tbsp. Love

Brown ground beef; drain. Add spaghetti sauce and mushrooms; heat.
Stir eggs, cottage cheese and parsley in a bowls.
In a 13 x 9 inch glass dish place 3 uncooked noodles; spread 1 cup sauce, then half of egg mixture, some mozzarella cheese and 1 Tbsp of love.

 Second layer: noodles, 1 cup sauce, remaining egg mixture, some mozzarella cheese, more love.

 Third layer: noodles, 12 frozen Italian meatballs, remaining sauce, mozzarella cheese, and love.

 Pour 3/4 cup of HOT water in the 4 corners of dish. 

Cover with foil. Bake at 375 for 1-1/2 hours or until pasta is tender when tested with a fork.

Almost Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

This is the spaghetti sauce we've been making for years and would never change this recipe now that
it's perfected. We make a large batch in the crock pot and then freeze in quart zip lock bags.

2 pounds ground beef
Large onion, chopped

1 tsp fresh garlic, minced

1 Tbsp Italian seasoning

1 large can mushrooms, sliced

3-6 Tbsp Brown sugar

3 - 24 ounce jars Ragu Robust
A pinch of Love

Brown ground beef with onion and seasoning. Place all ingredients in crock pot. Add brown sugar, starting with 3 Tbsp. Slow-cook for 4 – 6 hours. Check flavor, add more brown sugar if preferred.  Use enough sauce for dinner. Cool, then freeze remaining sauce in quart Ziploc freezer bags.

Pasta Salad

1 lb. Rotini, cooked and cooled

1 red onion, chopped

1 green/red pepper, chopped

1 bunch broccoli, chopped

cubed cheese

salami & pepperoni

jar of salad supreme

Italian Dressing

Ranch Dressing, to taste

Homemade Macaroni & Cheese

2 cups uncooked macaroni

1 TBSP onion, finely chopped (optional)

¼ cup butter, melted

¼ cup flour

2 cup milk

2 cup cheddar cheese, grated

Make White Sauce with butter, flour and milk, add cheese, stir until melted. Make sure white sauce is thin by adding a little more milk. Cook macaroni, drain then add all ingredients in 9 x 13 casserole, use Pam spray. Bake at 325˚ for 35 - 45 minutes.

Easy Lasagna

1 - 15 oz jar spaghetti sauce                      

1 lb. ground beef

1 - 4 oz jar mushrooms

2 eggs

1 ½ cup cottage cheese

1 Tbsp. parsley flakes

9 uncooked lasagna noodles

8 oz mozzarella cheese, grated

 Brown ground beef; drain. Add sauce and mushrooms; heat. Mix eggs, cottage cheese, parsley in bowl.  In 13 x 9 inch pan Place 3 uncooked noodles; spread 1 cup sauce and half egg mixture, some mozzarella cheese.  Repeat layers 2 more times.  Pour 3/4 cup hot water in each corner of dish.  Cover with foil.  Bake 1 ½   hr at 375˚

Chili Mac

1 - 2 lbs. ground beef

1 green & red pepper, chopped

1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1 large can tomato sauce

2 - 14 oz Italian stewed tomatoes
salt & pepper to taste
1 tablespoon brown sugar

2 cups macaroni, uncooked

Brown ground beef, with green & red peppers, onion and garlic, salt, pepper.
Drain fat from meat.

Add tomato sauce and stewed tomatoes and brown sugar. Simmer 30 minutes. Cook 2 cups macaroni according to directions. Drain. Add macaroni to chili.  Let set for 5 minutes. Optional:  top with shredded cheese.