Baked Ziti

*1 pound ground turkey (you could also use ground beef or ground chicken)
*1 zucchini, chopped
*1 yellow squash, chopped
*1 cup mushrooms, chopped or sliced (matter of preference)
*½ cup chopped onion
*1-16ounce package penne
*1 jar marinara sauce (or make your own)
*1½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
*Spices to taste: oregano, basil, and garlic
*Parmesan cheese (optional)
*Extra-virgin olive oil

Preheat oven to 350°. Cook penne according to package directions until done to preferred consistency (I can't stand mushy noodles...al dente is the only way to go around here!). While noodles are cooking, sauté meat in olive oil, oregano, basil, and garlic until done. In a separate pan, sauté veggies in olive oil (or steam them) until soft, usually 10 minutes or so (you can cook the veggies in the same pan as the meat, just add them in once meat is done-I cook them separately so they are done around the same time). Mix noodles, meat, marinara sauce, & 1cup of the mozzarella cheese & pour into 9"×13" baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese & Parmesan, and bake until cheese is melted & sauce is bubbly (about 25-30minutes).

*Other yummy veggies to add if desired: tomatoes, bell peppers (red, yellow, orange, or green), etc. I just cook them with all the rest of the veggies and reduce the amount of noodles to compensate for the extra volume!

Stuffed Green Peppers

*1 pound of lean ground beef (or turkey)
*4 green bell peppers
*1 cup of cooked rice
*1/3 cup of chopped onion
*1/2 cup of canned corn
*1 15 ounce can of diced tomatoes
*1 tsp. salt (optional)
*1 tsp. garlic powder
*salsa
*Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350°
Cut tops off of green peppers, clean well, & set aside.
Brown meat & onion...once browned, add corn, tomatoes, salt, & garlic powder, and simmer for a few minutes.
Take peppers, stuff with rice & meat mixture...place in a baking dish...pour salsa all over, and bake until peppers have softened a bit (~15-20 minutes).

Sprinkle with parmesan & enjoy!

Chicken, Rice, & Green Bean Casserole

*3 cups cut up chicken (4 breasts or canned chicken)
*1 can french cut green beans
*1 package of uncle beans wild & long grain rice (cooks in 5 minutes)
*1 can cream of celery soup
*1/2 cup of mayonnaise
*1/2 cup of half/half (or milk)...I use milk
*1 can of water chestnuts
*2 tsp. pimento (optional)
*2 tbsp. chopped onion

Layer rice on bottom of a 9x9 pan, drain beans & layer on top of rice, add chicken.
Mix soup, milk, & mayo in a bowl, and pour half of it over first 3 layers.
Add water chestnuts, pimento, & onion, and then pour remainder of the soup mixture over top.

Bake uncovered 25-30 minutes @ 350

Sprinkle cheddar cheese over casserole, and put back in for another minute or two...until cheese is melted.

MoMo's Spinach Squares

*2-10 ounce packages frozen chopped spinach
*⅓ cup Feta or shredded cheddar cheese
*1 pound small curd cottage cheese
*16 ounces egg substitute
*½ cup chopped scallions or small onion
*3 tablespoons melted butter
*2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
*1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
*1 teaspoon dill
*1 teaspoon white pepper
*1 chopped jalapeño (optional)

Preheat oven to 350; lightly coat 9" x 9" pan or baking dish with cooking spray.

Thaw, drain, and pat down chopped spinach to remove liquid. In a large bowl, mix egg substitute, cottage cheese, feta or cheddar, and onions. Add melted butter, flour, dill, pepper, & jalapeños (if you are using them). Mix well. Fold in spinach. Pour mixture into pan and even out. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top, and bake for 50 minutes. Allow to cool, then cut into squares.

Best served warm, & really tasty with green Tabasco sauce!

Apricot Chicken

*4-6 chicken breasts
*1 packet onion soup mix
*½ jar apricot preserves
*½ bottle Russian dressing
*½ cup chicken broth

Place chicken in 9"x13" baking dish. Mix all other ingredients together & pour over chicken. Bake @ 350° until chicken is done (approximately 25minutes if thawed or an hour if frozen).

Spanish Rice

*1½ cups rice
*½ onion, chopped
*1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
*1 can diced tomatoes
*1 cup corn
*1 7oz. can diced green chilis
*1 tablespoon chili powder
*1 tablespoon cumin
*2¼ cups water

Sauté uncooked rice & onion in olive oil or butter in a sauce pan until brown. Add all other ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium/medium-low & simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.

This makes a ton of rice! Increase or reduce amounts of chili powder & cumin depending on how spicy you like it.