Baked Veggie Pasta

Ingredients:

• 1 TBS olive oil
• 1/2 green pepper, diced
• 1/2 red pepper, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 12 oz whole wheat penne pasta
• About 12 oz pasta sauce
• 1 c shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375.  Prepare pasta according to package directions.
• Heat olive oil in skillet over medium-low heat.  Saute peppers, onions, and garlic just until softened.  Add ground beef and brown, keeping drippings in the pan for flavor.  Remove from heat and add pasta and pasta sauce, stirring until well-coated.
• Spoon half of the mixture into a 2-qt baking dish, cover with half of the cheese.  Repeat with remaining pasta and cheese.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Beef Enchiladas

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground or shredded beef (great way to use up leftover roast!)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 pkg dry enchilada sauce mix
• 10 10" flour tortillas
• 1 1/2 + 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Cook meat with onion in a skillet. Drain.
• Prepare enchilada sauce according to package directions. Pour 1/4 cup of sauce in a 9" x 13" pan.
• Divide the meat and cheese evenly amongst the flour tortillas. Roll tortillas tightly and place seam-side down in baking dish.
• Pour remaining sauce over tortillas and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
• Bake 20 minutes. Serve with your favorite toppings (i.e., lettuce, cilantro, olives, sour cream, etc.)

String Pie

Ingredients:

• 8 oz spaghetti noodles
• 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 TBS butter, melted
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 24 oz spaghetti sauce
• 1 lb ground beef, cooked
• mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9"x13" pan.
• Cook noodles according to package instructions.
• Combine Parmesan cheese, butter, and eggs. Stir into the cooked and drained noodles. Spread in the bottom of the pan.
• Layer cottage cheese, spaghetti sauce, and ground beef on top of the noodles.
• Bake about 50 minutes. Sprinkle mozzarella on top and continue baking for 10-15 minutes.

Stuffed Fiesta Burgers

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 pkg taco seasoning mix
• 1/4 cup chive & onion cream cheese spread
• 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 hamburger buns, split, and lightly toasted
• Salsa
• Sliced avocado

Instructions:

• Mix meat and seasoning mix.  Shape into 8 thin patties.
• Mix cream cheese spread and shredded cheese.  Spoon about 2 TBS of the cheese mixture onto the center of each of 4 patties; top with second patty.  Pinch edges of patties together to seal.
• Grill patties 7-9 minutes per side over medium heat.
• Serve with toasted hamburger buns, salsa, and avocado.