Deconstructed Lasagna Soup

Deconstructed Lasagna Soup

Soup:

1 lb ground chicken, turkey, or beef

1 onion, diced

1 pepper, diced

3 tablespoons minced garlic

1 large can crushed tomatoes

1 jar spaghetti sauce

½ box of oven ready lasagna noodles, broken

Cheese topping:

1 block cream cheese, softened

½ cup parmesan cheese

½ cup mozzarella cheese

½ cup bread crumbs

Brown the meat in a large sauce pan. Add the onions, peppers, and garlic. Pour this mixture into a crockpot, set to low for 8 hours or high for 8 hours. Add a can of crushed tomatoes and a jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce. Fill the jar with water, shake, and pour into the crockpot. Break a half a box of oven ready lasagna noodles, stir in so the noodles are covered. Season with Italian seasoning.

Make the cheese filling: in a bowl add all ingredients and cream together with a mixer. Set aside.

When the soup is ready (noodles soft) Scoop a tablespoon or 2 of the cheese mixture into the center of your bowl. Pour the hot soup over top so the cheese mixture melts and breaks apart throughout.

Serve with crusty bread and a salad for a complete, easy meal!

Glazed Pork Chops with Apple Stuffing

Glazed Pork Chops with Apple Stuffing

Stuffing:

3 cups diced bread

2 cups diced apples

½ onion, diced

½ cup celery diced

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 stick of butter

10 thinly sliced pork chops OR 5-6 bone in, thick cut pork chops

Salt, pepper, maple syrup

Begin by searing each pork chop in a hot pan for 2-3 minutes on each side. Season with salt and pepper. (If you are using the bone in chops, slice a thick cut in the center of each to stuff it.

Dice all your ingredients for the stuffing. Melt the stick of butter in a large pan, add the onion, garlic and celery. Season with salt and pepper. Next, add the apple and finally the bread. Stir everything together as the bread absorbs the butter. Place a layer of pork chops in a 13x9 inch pan. Scoop the stuffing into each, and top with another chop. I secured the top and bottom chop with tooth picks. Drizzle with maple syrup and bake covered for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove the foil and finish baking for an additional 20-30 minutes.

Five Cheese Baked Ziti

Five Cheese Baked Ziti

I made this meal for my mother-in-law, Dominica, the first time she met my mother! It was a huge hit with Caesar salad and garlic bread! (Be warned, it makes A LOT!)

1 box penne pasta

1 16 oz container of ricotta cheese

1 8 oz pkg cream cheese

2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

1 cup parmesan cheese, shredded

1 cup cottage cheese

1 pkg frozen spinach, thawed and drained

1 pint cherry tomatoes, diced

3 heaping tablespoons minced garlic

Bread crumbs for topping

Prepare the penne to al dente (still firm, but cooked). Drain. Combine all the cheeses in a large mixing bowl. Add the spinach, tomatoes, and garlic. In a LARGE, DEEP baking dish (I use a 3 quart baking/roasting pottery dish I have) combine the penne with the cheese and veggie mix.

Make sure the pasta and cheese mix is combined well. Top with breadcrumbs for an extra crunch. Season with Italian seasoning to taste. (Or use seasoned breadcrumbs)

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes, or until the pasta is soft and the cheese it all melted. Remove the foil for the last 5-10 minutes to make sure you get a crispy topping!

Homemade bruschetta and pesto on baguettes

Here is a great tasting appetizer that also happens to be red and green for the holidays :)

Homemade Pesto sauce and Bruschetta

Pesto:

1 basil plant from the produce section (strip all leaves)
2 Tablespoons fresh or minced garlic in a jar
1 pkg Pine Nuts (usually 5 oz)
Olive oil
Parmesan cheese (grated)

In a food processor, place all basil leaves and drizzle generously with olive oil. Add 2 table spoons of garlic, drizzle again. Add pine nuts and top with just a touch more oil. Process until smooth.  Now add the cheese. It should have a creamy, thick consistency. If you would like it thinner add more oil or garlic and blend again. If you would like it thicker, add more parmesan cheese.

Slice a baguette into thin slices (on an angle) drizzle with oil, and bake at 425 degrees until slightly brown.

Now that the pesto is made and the bread is toasting, make your bruschetta.

Bruschetta

2 large tomatoes, diced
Olive oil
dried basil
Minced garlic
balsamic vinegar

In a small bowl, add the tomatoes, top it with balsamic vinegar until they are coated. Add 1 tablespoon of garlic and 1 tablespoon of basil. Stir.

Sprinkle with more parmesan cheese. When the baguettes are toasted, spread with the pesto and top with bruschetta. Serve with freshly chopped basil and parmesan on top.

Garlic Smashed Potatoes

These are quick and easy mashed potatoes that always turn out great :)

Garlic Smashed Potatoes

4-6 large potatoes, diced with the skin on

8 oz cream cheese, softened

½ cup milk

Fresh parsley

3 tablespoons fresh garlic, chopped thin

1 cup parmesan cheese, grated or finely sliced

Bring the potatoes to a boil. In the meantime, cube the cream cheese and set aside to soften. Chop the fresh garlic and parsley very finely. Quickly sautee the garlic in a little oil to cook off the raw flavor.

Once the potatoes are tender, transfer them to a large mixing bowl. I use my kitchen aid mixer or a hand mixer. Add the milk and start on low. Next, add the cream cheese, cooked garlic, parmesan and parsley. Add each ingredient slowly and turn the mixer higher as you go. The potatoes will NOT be smooth, the skin is still on so they will be a little lumpy. Season with salt and ground pepper to taste.

Pumpkin Pie Pudding Shots

I made these pudding shots for a Halloween party last month. They were a huge hit :) Keep these in mind for a holiday get together!

Pumpkin Pie Pudding Shots

1 package pumpkin spice instant pudding

¾ cup milk

¾ cup vodka (I used whipped cream)

1 package softened Cool Whip (I used French Vanilla)

Mix it all together very well and pour into tiny cups! They are best if put in the freezer a full day before. Substitute any combination of pudding mix, vodka, and cool whip for some new flavor combos (chocolate-chocolate, raspberry-cheesecake, strawberry, etc)