Cheesy Stuffed Shells

Ingredients:

1 16oz container of low fat cottage cheese
1 10oz pkg. frozen chopped spinach (for our family we omit the spinach)
1 c. mozzarella cheese
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
20 jumbo pasta shells, cooked, drained
1 26oz jar of spaghetti sauce
1 large tomato chopped


Directions:

Heat oven to 400. Mix cottage cheese, spinach, 1/2 c. mozzarella, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning, spoon into shells. Mix sauce and tomatoes spoon 1/2 into 9x13 dish. Add filled shells, top with remaining sauce. Cover and bake 25 min. Top with remaining cheese and bake uncovered for 2 min.

Olive Oil and Garlic Sauce Pasta

The truth is, I haven't tried this one yet, but I am dying to, I don't really like heavy italian sauces, red or cream, so when I found this I got way excited, thinking I could finally do italian and have it be a little lighter and fresher. I thinking about combining it with some roasted cherry tomatoes, andor some bruschetta on the side!


1 pkg (16 oz) angel hair pasta
1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil
4 medium cloves garlic, minced
1/2 c. pecan halves, coarsley chopped
1/3 c. parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 c. fresh snipped parsley
ground black pepper to taste

Cook pasta according to package direstions. Meanwhile in skillet heat oil. Add garlic and pecans; satue 3 minutes. Drain pasta. In large serving bowl combine pasta, garlic-nut mixture, cheese, parselt and pepper; gently toss to caot. Serve immediately.

cheesy italian tortellini

I thought this was yummy. it is a meaty sauce which is what my husband likes, and the kids all ate it, so it is a keeper for me.

Cheesy Italian Tortellini

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 8 Hours 15 Minutes

Ready In: 8 Hours 30 Minutes
Servings: 6
"A delicious marinara sauce is cooked all day in the slow cooker. When it' s time for diner, just throw in some tortellini, and sprinkle with cheese. When the noodles are cooked -- pass around the bread, and enjoy!"
Ingredients:
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
1 (16 ounce) jar marinara sauce
1 (4.5 ounce) can sliced mushrooms
1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian-style diced

tomatoes, undrained
1 (9 ounce) package refrigerated or fresh
cheese tortellini
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions:
1. Crumble the ground beef and Italian sausage into a large skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until browned. Drain.
2. Combine the ground meats, marinara sauce, mushrooms, and tomatoes in a slow cooker. Cover, and cook on LOW heat for 7 to 8 hours.
3. Stir in the tortellini, and sprinkle the mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the top. Cover and cook for 15 more minutes on LOW, or until the tortellini is tender.

Baked Ziti

I am ashamed to say that I have never made baked ziti before. I know! I thought it was pretty much the same as lasagna, so I would just...you know, make lasagna. I made it tonight though and loved it!

• 1 pound dry ziti pasta
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
• 6 ounces provolone cheese, sliced
• 1 1/2 cups sour cream
• 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheesed

DIRECTIONS

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain.
2. In a large skillet, brown onion and ground beef over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer as follows: 1/2 of the ziti, Provolone cheese, sour cream, 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
4. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheeses are melted.

Okay, I used an "italian" blend of shredded cheese instead of just the provolone (gotta get whats on sale people), and I used penne instead of ziti because Target had absolutely no ziti...do they still make ziti, just not at target? No idea. Anyway...I layered the sauce on top of the noodles and then the cheese (according to reviewers that makes the noodles taste better). Oh and I used that parmasean in a tube shaker thingy, not shredded. Cheese is cheese. That's my motto.

It was a crowd pleaser and I might have to fight Blaine for the leftovers tomorrow.