Lotsa Pasta

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Instead of refried beans, try this.

MEXICALI PASTA TOSS

• 8 oz. package rotini, elbow, or shell macaroni (about 3.5 cups), cooked and drained

• 1 and ¼ cups prepared salsa

• 1 can (16 oz.) black beans, rinsed and drained

• 1 can (10 oz.) corn, drained

In a large bowl combine sea-shells, salsa, beans and corn. Serve at room temperature or cold. This is a great side dish with tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, etc.

This is Cheesy

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This is a great version of the traditional dish.

MACARONI AND CHEESE

• ½ pound macaroni

• ½ cup butter

• ¼ cup flour

• Pinch of salt

• Pepper

• 1 pint milk

• 10 ounces grated VELVEETA CHEESE

• 5 ounces grated Colby cheese

Cook macaroni in boiling water, according to package directions. Combine butter, flour, salt, pepper, and milk. Cook until thickened (use part of milk to mix with flour to thicken). Add grated VELVEETA CHEESE and heat until cheese is melted. Pour cheese sauce over macaroni and mix. Sprinkle Colby cheese on top of casserole. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until casserole bubbles.

Matt's Spicy Macaroni and Cheese

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This is a classic recipe with a new twist in flavor. I prefer to use the Crock Pot because of the clean up. This is what you are going to need:

• Elbow macaroni box
• Butter - large spoonful
• 1 Egg
• Velveeta cheese - small block, cut in cubes
• Jalapeno cheese - half block (I have only seen one size), cut in cubes
• Cheddar cheese - shredded
• Milk

You will notice that I don't mention specific measurements to the ingredients.  This is what makes cooking fun, go by your instinct.

Combine the elbow macaroni, butter, egg, Velveeta, jalapeno cheese, and cheddar cheese into the Crock Pot.  Pour the milk into the Crock Pot until you can see it above the other ingredients. Cook on high for about 3 hours stirring occasionally.  Enjoy!

Matt's Spicy Macaroni and Cheese

My Pasta Bake

Here is simple recipe that the whole family will like, Pasta Bake. You will need just a few ingredients:

• 1 box of your favorite pasta (I prefer rotini pasta)
• 1-2 jars of pasta sauce
• 4-5 links of your favorite Italian sausage
• 1 package of mozzarella cheese (the more the merrier)

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.  Boil your pasta and brown the sausage.  Once the pasta is cooked place into a casserole dish.  Cut the cooked sausage into bite sized pieces and add to the casserole dish.  Add the cheese and stir all ingredients in the dish.  Once the ingredients are stirred pour a generous amount of pasta sauce over the pasta. Bake for 45 minutes then let it cool for 5 minutes.  Enjoy!

Low and Slow - Pasta

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The following pasta recipe comes from the Fix-It and Forget-It series of cookbooks by Phyllis Pellman Good.  The particular book is called "5-Ingredient Favorites" which contains recipes to be made in the crock pot.  I hope you like it.

CREAMY COOKER DINNER

• 2 cups shredded cheese, your choice
• 2 cups macaroni, uncooked
• 3 cups milk
• 2 -10 ounce cans of cream of mushroom soup
• 2 cups cooked ham, or sliced hot dogs, or cooked cubed chicken, or ground beef

Place all ingredients in the crock pot.  Mix together gently, but until well blended.  Cover and cook on High for about 3 hours, or until macaroni is cooked but not not over done.  Enjoy!

Get Your Sausage

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This is a great recipe if you are looking for something different to do with sausage.  When you make this, you can't but to pick out the sausage before you pour it over the fettuccine.


SAUSAGE ALFRESCO


• 1-1 and ½ pounds HILLSHIRE FARM LITE sausage, sliced

• ½ pound fettuccine

• ¼ cup butter

• ¼ cup chopped onions

• 1 and ½ cups chopped veggies (carrots, red peppers, zucchini, and frozen peas)

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Prepare fettuccine and drain. Melt butter in a skillet. Add onion; then vegetables; cook until tender. Set aside. Brown sausage and drain. Combine sausage, vegetables, and cream. Simmer. Add cheese and parsley. Serve hot over fettuccine.

Mama Mia

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This is a recipe from APRON’S SIMPLE MEALS presented by PUBLIX (Publix Aprons).

CHICKEN RAVIOLI FLORENTINE

• 2-3 green onions, finely chopped
• 1 and ½ cups water
• 1 package (9 oz.) fresh four cheese ravioli
• 4 oz. pre-sliced fresh mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 package (9 oz.) cooked chicken strips
• 2 cups fresh spinach (1/2 bag)
• 1 tablespoon basil pesto
• 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese, optional

Combine water, ravioli, mushrooms, and butter in a large saucepan, then cover; bring to a boil on high.  When boiling, remove lid and reduce heat to medium-high; cook and stir 8-10 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed.

Stir in onions, chicken, spinach, and pesto; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until spinach is tender.  Sprinkle with cheese and serve.

The Mighty Pasta

These two dishes from my mother will stick to your ribs.  Both have meat and pasta to fill you up, perfect for game day.



GOULASH

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Brown 1 pound ground beef and onion together. Add ground pepper, garlic powder, celery salt, parsley, oregano, basil and Worcestershire sauce. Add tomato sauce until the right consistency is achieved. Add diced American cheese and melt. Cook macaroni (elbow, rotini, shells, penne, squiggly, or your choice). Add sauce. Place in a casserole dish with sliced cheese strips on top. Bake at 350 degrees for ½ hour to 45 minutes.

 
 
HOME STYLE PASTA ITALIANO


• 5 JOHNSONVILLE MILD ITALIAN LINKS, cooked and sliced

• 1-16 0z. package rigatoni pasta

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 large red pepper, chunked and sauteed

• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

• 1 large jar of your favorite pasta sauce

Cook sausage per package directions. Cook rigatoni in a large pot and keep warm. Place olive oil and garlic in a skilled t and saute for 1 minute. Add peppers and cook until crisp tender. Combine cooked sausage and pasta sauce with peppers and heat until warm. Serve on top of pasta and sprinkle with parsley and Parmesan cheese. Serve warm.

Hey Paula

I found a great packaged pasta salad  called the "Rich and Creamy Parmesan Pasta Salad" from the Paula Deen Collection.  You just have to add 1/3 cup of mayonnaise to the boiled pasta and seasoning.  I also included a can of sweet corn and a 10 ounce can of white chicken for additional heartiness.  I am looking forward to trying more of her products.  For more information visit Paula Deen.  Enjoy!

Please Pass the Salad

These two pasta salad recipes are great for any get together.  These make for a healthy alternative to any tailgate party.



ZITI SALAD


• 1 pound ziti, boil according to package directions

• 1 bunch broccoli (par boil for about 9 minutes)

• Sliced red onion

• 1 large can of tuna (white albacore packed in water)

• Sliced hard boiled eggs

• Sliced black olives

Mix altogether with VIVA HERBS AND SPICES DRESSING (16 oz.) or something similar.



PINE NUT PASTA


• ½ cup pine nuts

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• ¼ cup olive oil, divided

• 1 can (12 oz.) crushed tomatoes

• 4 cups torn fresh spinach

• 8 oz. penne pasta (small), cooked and drained

• 4-6 ozs. Feta cheese, crumbled

• Dash of black pepper

Cook nuts and garlic in 2 tablespoons oil for 3 minutes on medium heat, until slightly browned. Add tomatoes, spinach, and cook about 2 minutes until heated through. Pour over pasta; add cheese and 2 tablespoons oil. Toss lightly and add pepper.