Cheese Ravioli with Tomato Cream Sauce

This recipe with serves 12 with pretty hefty servings. This is my mom's recipe and it is delish and did I mention super-duper easy!!

Ingredients:

· 3 jars alfredo sauce
· 2 cans tomatoes with olive oil and garlic already included (or with italian seasoning)
· Parsley
· Shredded Parmesan or Assiagio cheese
· 2 bags ravioli (small square kind of ravioli)

1. Combine the sauce and the tomatoes. Simmer on low heat until heated through. Be careful it sticks and scorches easily.

2. Follow the directions for cooking the frozen ravioli. It only takes a few minutes to cook after you drop it into the boiling water. The ravioli will float to the top when it is ready.

3. After you get the ravioli out of the pot, you need to add some sauce very soon. It will get sticky...really fast. Just add some sauce to wet it down and keep it from sticking together.

4. When you are ready to make the pans of the ravioli, start with sauce on the bottom, then some ravioli, (You may have to separate the ravioli with your hands if it has stuck together.) then some cheese and a little parsley, then more sauce, then more ravioli, then more cheese and parsley… 3 layers of ravioli is perfect.

5. Top it off with parsley and cheese.

6. Cover and bake for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees, then uncover to brown the top (about 5 minutes)

7. When scooping out onto the plates, garnish with the cheese and the parsley again.

8. EAT!!! :)

Chicken and Veggie Tortellini

Ingredients:
4 zucchini, cut in 1/2 lengthwise
2 chicken breasts
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
1 pkg frozen, cheese tortellini
1 pkg (7oz) pesto (can omit if you are allergic to pine nuts like yours truly), just add creamy italian dressing
2 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped
Top with grated parm cheese

1. Preheat grill to 300-350. Sprinkle chicken and zucchini with italian seasoning. Grill chicken and zucchini.
2. Cook tortellini according to package instructions
3. Coarsely chop chicken and zucchini. Toss with tomatoes. tortellini, pesto (or dressing). Serve immediately.

Macaroni Ham Salad

I love cold salads, even in the dead of winter. This is an easy one from a southern lady from Baton Rouge. :)

Ingredients:
3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup chopped cooked ham
1 cucumber, seeded, peeled and diced
1 tomato, seeded and diced
1 red pepper, diced
1 yellow pepper, diced
1 green pepper, diced
1 1/4 cups mayo (yes I know, sooooo bad! )
1 1/2 tsp creole seasoning
2 tsp lemon juice
salt to taste

Cook the mac according to package instructions then add all other ingredients. Chill and serve.

Chili Style Spaghetti and Meatballs

Ya'll know that I just love my carbs. I am a pasta and bread girl. Any way to re-do spaghetti is a winner in my book. This is a re-vamped Southern Living recipe. Need I say more?

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lb ground beef
1 Tbsp grated onion
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cumin
12oz cooked spaghetti
1 Tbsp Chili powder
2 tsp olive oil
1 14oz can diced tomatoes
1 14oz can beef broth
1 6oz can tomato paste
1 4oz can chopped green chiles
1 15oz can black beans, rinsed and drained

Cheddar cheese, sour cream and such to top.

1. Combine first 4 ingredients until blended. Shape 1 1/2 inch meatballs. On a lightly greased broiler pan, arrange meatballs. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.
2. Prepare pasta according to package instructions.
3. Cook chili powder and olive oil in a dutch oven over medium heat, stirring constantly. Stir in tomatoes and the next 3 ingredients. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. cover. Simmer for about 10 minutes, then add beans and cook for 3 more minutes.
4.Serve over spaghetti with meatballs. use whatever topping you like. Enjoy. :)

Chimichurri Sauce

One of our favorite places on earth is Texas De Brazil. The last time we went they brought Chimichurri sauce for the meat. Absolutely fabulous! I found this recipe in Family Circle not too long ago and it is almost the same. :)

Ingredients:
1 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped
1 shallot, coarsely chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
3 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Mix all ingredients in a food processor, then pulse to combine. Serve over a nice juicy steak. :)

Cajun Burgers

Love these bold flavored burgers. They have just enough kick for our family. If you didn't know- julia loves spicy food...so needless to say she loves these burgers. :)

Ingredients:

3/4 lb ground chuck
1/4 lb pork sausage
3/4 cup frozen onion and pepper mix (tricolor peppers--Kroger carries this)
1 Tbsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1 tsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp red pepper
1/4 tsp black pepper

Combine everything and pat into 4 burgers. Grill and enjoy!!

Pizza Dough

We are definitely on a pizza kick around here. I have to admit that we do not always make our own dough. Kroger has a great dough in the deli case for about a dollar. However, on the rare occasion I am feeling extra "Betty Crocker-ish" we make our own. Recipe makes 6 dough rounds (8-inches each)

Ingredients:

1 cup warm water 100-110 degrees
1/4 cup olive oil
1 (1/4oz) pkg of dry yeast
2 tsp honey
3 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
PAM spray

1. Add the first 4 ingredients in a food processor for 20 seconds or until yeast is dissolved.
2. Add flour and salt, pulse about 6-8 times until the dough forms into a ball.
3. Place dough in a large bowl coated with PAM, also lightly coat the dough.
4. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours, up to 24 hours.

*** you can freeze this dough and it lasts 3 months.