Week 8 and 9 Recipes - Cheesy, Bacon Potatoes AND Pasta Vodka!

I had to combine this week and next week's blog because I will be unavailable to blog next Sunday since I will be working the New York Marathon! 

Ellie had a great day on Sunday Funday - she's our little movie star!

I have two GREAT recipes to share today - The first recipe is for Cheese and Bacon Potato Rounds - http://allrecipes.com/recipe/cheese-and-bacon-potato-rounds/

Ingredients:

• 4 baking potatoes cut into 1/2 inch slices
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 8 slices bacon - cooked and crumbled
• 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).  Brush both side of potato slices with butter; place them on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in the preheated oven at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until lightly browned on both sides, turning once.

When potatoes are ready, top with bacon, cheese, and green onion; continue baking until the cheese has melted

I've always wanted to make Pasta with Vodka sauce and finally decided to do it with this easy recipe I found - http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Penne-and-Vodka-Sauce/Detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Thumb&e11=penne%20and%20vodka%20sauce&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 package of pasta
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/3 cup vodka
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
2. Meanwhile, melt butter or margarine in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add vodka and stir until it is reduced by half, about 4 to 5 minutes. 
   
3. Stir in tomato sauce and cream. Simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes. Stir every few minutes.
   
4. Stir in pasta, and heat through. Serve with Parmesan cheese.
   
   
   
   Both dishes were a great hit with the family tonight especially the Pasta and Vodka! I will definitely make both of these dishes again. 
   
   
   I'll be back blogging in 2 weeks! Stay tuned for Stuffed Pizza Bites, Chicken Quesadilla Pie, Crockpot Cheesy Chicken, Upside-Down Chicken Pot Pie, Crockpot Creamy Spaghetti and MORE!

Week 7 - EASY Baked Ravioli

This is definitely one of my new favorite recipes! Not only is it easy, but DELICIOUS too!!

I actually made the recipe harder than it was supposed to be. I cooked the ravioli first instead of using them frozen. It really only added a few extra minutes to the process though so either way I would consider easy to do.

Link to recipe - http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/baked-ravioli/

Ingredients: 

• 1 bag (25 Oz. Bag) Frozen Ravioli
• 1 jar (26 Oz. Jar) Marinara Sauce
• 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• Parmesan Cheese, For Sprinkling

Preparation Instructions

Heat oven to 400°F. Spray bottom and sides of a 9×13 rectangular baking dish with cooking spray.

Spread 3/4 cup of the pasta sauce in baking dish. Arrange half of the frozen/unfrozen ravioli in a single layer over the sauce; top with half of the remaining pasta sauce and half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers once, starting with ravioli. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil; bake uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes longer or until bubbly and hot in the center. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. (Definitely do this because it makes it easier to serve) ** I baked for half the time noted here since ravioli was already cooked through. 

ENJOY!! We did!! :)

Week 5 and 6 Crockpot Mac & Cheese AND Taco Casserole

Since life has been pretty busy I combined 2 recipes into this week since I missed last week's blog

Crockpot Mac&Cheese - http://www.cupcakediariesblog.com/2013/08/crock-pot-mac-and-cheese-as-seen-on-mom.html

Ingredients:

• 1 box pasta 
• 2 cup milk 
• 1 Can (14 oz) evaporated milk 
• 1/4 cup butter ( melted and cooled to room temperature ) 
• 3 eggs 
• 3 cups cheddar cheese 
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese 
• 2 tablespoons butter 
• 1/4 cup bread crumbs, plain 

Cook pasta for 5 minutes

Combine both milk, eggs and butter and whisk until smooth. 

Place mixture into the crockpot and add cheddar cheese and pasta. 

Sprinkle parmesan cheese. Cook on low 2.5 hours.

Enjoy!

Taco Casserole - http://www.keyingredient.com/recipes/14292036/taco-casserole/

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup salsa
• 2 cups broken tortilla chips
• 4 medium peppers chopped
• 3 tomates chopped
• 1 cup cheddar cheese

Heat oven to 350°F. In 10-inch skillet, cook beef over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain.

Stir in 1 cup salsa. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. In ungreased 2-quart casserole, place broken tortilla chips. 

Top with beef mixture. Sprinkle with peppers, tomato and cheese.

Bake uncovered 20 to 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. 

I hope you enjoy our 2 recipes - we enjoyed eating both of these dishes very much!! Until next time....