Stuffed Shells Recipe

Stuffed Shells

Stuffed Shells

Stuffed Shells

Stuffed Shells

Ingredients:

• 1 Package Jumbo Pasta Shells
• 1 Cup Diced Onion
• 3 Links Sweet Italian Sausage, Casings Removed
• 1 Clove Garlic, Minced
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 Large Egg
• 1 (16-ounce) Container of Ricotta Cheese
• 3 Cups Cooked Chopped Spinach
• 1 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1 Cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• Salt & Pepper

Topping:

• 1 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

Direction:

To make the filling: Heat the olive oil in a heavy frying pan. Cook the sausage meat until it is browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Add the onions and garlic and continue to cook until the onions are soft. Remove from the heat and drain off any excess fat. Allow to cool.

In a large bowl, mix together the sausage mixture with the ricotta cheese, egg, chopped spinach, mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta shells according to the instructions on the package until they are "al dente". Drain, rinse in cold water, and set aside.

Spread 1 cup tomato sauce over the bottom of an oven-proof baking or casserole dish large enough to hold all of the shells. Add a couple of teaspoons of water to the sauce and mix well. Stuff each shell with some of the filling mixture and lay the shells open side up into the casserole dish. Continue to fill all of the shells in this fashion.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spoon the tomato sauce on the shells leaving some areas exposed. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of Parmesan cheese on top. Bake for about 30 minutes or until the dish is bubbly and just beginning to brown. Serve immediately.

Note: This dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated. Before baking, allow the refrigerated dish to come to room temperature then bake as directed.

Kid's Spaghetti And Meatballs Recipe

Kid's Spaghetti And Meatballs

Kid's Spaghetti And Meatballs

Kid's Spaghetti And Meatballs

Kid's Spaghetti And Meatballs

Kid's Spaghetti And Meatballs

Ingredients For The Sauce::

• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 3 Cloves of Garlic, Minced
• 1/2 Cup Finely Chopped Onion
• Salt & Pepper
• 1/4 Cup Chopped Basil
• 1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
• 1/4 Cup Chopped Fresh Parsley
• Dash of Red Pepper Flakes (Optional)
• 1 (6oz) Can Tomato Paste
• 1 Large Can Pureed Tomatoes ( I use 1 box Pomi Tomatoes)
• About 2 to 2 1/2 Cups water
• 3 Tablespoons Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1 Pound Of Spaghetti or Pasta of Choice

Direction:

Heat the oil and add the garlic and onion. Saute until tender. Add the paste, tomatoes, water and herbs, and bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper to your own personal taste. Turn mixture down to a simmer, then drop the prepared meatballs into the sauce. Do not stir for the first 15 minutes or so until the meatballs begin to firm up.

Continue to cook for 2-3 hours over very low heat, stirring occasionally, and adding extra water as needed if the sauce becomes too thick. This sauce, with or without the meatballs can now be used over your pasta of choice. Just before serving, stir the 3 tablespoons of grated cheese into the sauce. Though most people would choose spaghetti, personally I prefer rigatoni or penne. Serve over pasta cooked al dente, and offer a little more parmesan cheese at the table. With the addition of a nice mixed salad and some crusty Italian bread, this pasta dish would easily make a complete meal.


Meatballs Ingredients:

• 1 lb. Ground Beef
• 1/2 lb. Ground Pork or Veal
• Salt & Pepper
• 2 Tablespoons Fresh Chopped Parsley
• 2 Tablespoons Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1 Egg
• 1 Cup Soft Bread Crumbs (best made from soft bread)
• 1/2 Cup Milk

Add the bread crumbs to the milk to moisten. Mix all the ingredients together with the bread crumb mixture. Shape into golf ball sized balls, and gently drop into the simmering sauce.

recipes for kids: chocolate chip banana muffins

chocolate chip banana muffins

chocolate chip banana muffins

chocolate chip banana muffins

chocolate chip banana muffins

Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins:

* 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 3/4 cup sugar
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 egg
* 1/2 cup vegetable oil
* 1/2 cup plain yogurt
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 cup mashed ripe bananas
* 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, combine the egg, oil, yogurt and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in bananas and chocolate chips. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350 degrees F for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.