Green Spaghetti

Green Spaghetti
from Kellie Dye's Instagram a few weeks ago
It's a weird name but that's what we call it.

1 box spaghetti, cooked to package directions (I like thin or angel hair)
Artichoke hearts, halves and quarters, in marinating oil, from Costco
Chicken chunks (usually leftovers from smoked thighs or rotiss chick)
Genovese basil pesto, from Costco
cherry tomatoes, halved
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Heat chicken with one jar of artichokes over low heat in dutch oven.  Add spaghetti noodles.  Add pesto and stir to coat - I usually use about half the jar of pesto.  Add tomatoes and stir again.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Sometimes we top with parmesan cheese.

Goes well with copycat Olive Garden salad and Costco baguettes.

Emma's Favorite Debbie's Macaroni and Cheese

Debbie's Macaroni and Cheese

1 lb elbow noodles (Barilla is my favorite)
18 slices Kraft American cheese
2-3 cups of milk
6 T butter
salt and pepper to taste

Cook noodles according to package directions; drain.  Over medium-low heat, add milk and butter to cooked noodles.  Gradually add 18 cheese slices, stirring often, until melted.  Mixture will be runny.  Add salt and pepper to taste - don't forget to season!
Bake in oven-safe dish at 325 for 20 minutes and serve to your favorite toddlers.

Baked Spaghetti

My mom found this recipe on a blog somewhere and made it, then gave it to me.  So thank you, recipe blogger, and I'm sorry I can't credit you here, but we love your recipe.

Baked Spaghetti

Mix these ingredients together and place in a 9x13 baking dish:

12 oz angel hair pasta, cooked

1 egg

1 cup parmesan cheese

2 T chopped basil

Mix these together and place on top of the pasta:

1 lb hamburger, cooked

1 (13 oz) container ricotta cheese

2 cups grated mozzarella cheese (save 1/2 c for the top)

1 jar pasta sauce

Sprinkle 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese over top of sauce.  Bake at 350 for about 35 minutes or until the cheese starts to bubble.

Manicotti

Manicotti

1 box manicotti shells

1 jar pasta sauce 

8 oz mozzarella

1 lb cottage cheese

1 c parmesan

2 T italian seasoning

1 T dried parsley flakes

2 eggs

1/2 lb ground beef, cooked (optional)

Put a little bit of sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 glass pan.  Combine cheeses, seasonings, eggs and beef in large bowl.  Stuff shells with cheese mixture and place in pan.  Cover with remaining sauce and sprinkle remaining cheese mixture over top.  Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 60 minutes.  Add water as needed -- do not let shells dry out while baking.   

Goes well with a green salad and garlic toast.