Lasagna Casserole

a Rachel Ray recipe

1 lb curly-shaped pasta
salt
3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1 lb ground beef & pork mix (would be good substituted with chicken, too)
1 carrot, grated
1 onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, grated
black pepper
1 can diced tomatoes
1 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup basil leaves, shredded or torn
handful of flat leaf parsley, coarsley chopped
2 cups ricotta cheese
1/2 cup Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Heat a pot of water to boil for the pasta.
Once at a boil, salt liberally and add pasta. Cook for 6-7 minutes.

While water comes to a boil, heat EVOO over medium-high heat. Add the meat and lightly brown for 3-4 minutes, breaking it up into small bits. Add carrot, onions and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and cook for a few minues. Drain tomatoes into a colander and crush up a bit. Add them to beef & veggies. Add chicken stock, bring to a bubble and simmer for 15 minutes. Fold in basil & parsley.

When the pasta is ready, drain it and return it to the pot. Add the ricotta chese and sauce, tossing to coat. Transfer to a casserole dish and top with Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.

Bake 15 minutes or so, until top crusts up a bit. Toss together a green salad to serve alongside while casserole is in the oven.

Cinnamon Spice Cake

Mom served this at a church function and says that the ladies all but licked the bowl clean.

1 box spice cake mix
1 lg package vanilla pudding mix, instant
1 pkg cinnamon chips

Spray inside of crockpot with cooking spray. Mix cake mix as directed on box and pour into greased crockpot. Then mix pudding as directed on box and pour over cake batter. Sprinkle with cinnamon chips. Cook on high 2 1/2-3 hours. Serve with cool whip or ice cream.

Dangerous Cake (Minute Chocolate Mug Cake)

sent in an e-mail to mom:

1 coffe mug
4 Tbsp flour
4 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp baking cocoa
1 egg
3 Tbsp milk
3 Tbsp oil
small splash of vanilla

Add dry ingredients to mug & mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil & mix well. Add vanilla & mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little and tip out onto a plate if desired. Eat!

Enchilada Casserole

A Wilcox recipe that my sister, Stephanie, gave to me

3 cups grated cheddar cheese or pkg of mexican cheese
1 doz corn tortillas (torn into pieces)
1 lg can green chile enchilada sauce
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
cooked chicken, turkey or 1 lb browned hamburger

Mix enchilada sauce and tomato sauce together. Add chicken.

In 9x13 pan, layer sauce, tortillas, & cheese. Repeat, ending with cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. 8 servings.