Fast and Easy Pasta

Pasta has to be one of my favorite types of food. Economical, versatile, and just plain tasty. And if you're teaching the little ones to cook, it's a great start. While the little ones around here always like spaghetti and meatballs, I like to spice it up a little with some variety. Most of these dishes are intended for lunch or dinner, but if you have teen-age kids, then the leftovers may double as breakfast. (I just wish they'd at least heat it up first!)

*Spicy Southwestern Spaghetti* Very filling - and popular too!

12 ounces of spaghetti, cooked and drained 2 lbs of ground sausage 1 green pepper, chopped 1 onion, chopped 14 ounces of canned, diced tomatoes 8 ounces tomato sauce 1 T. brown sugar 1 t. chili powder 1 t. pepper 1 clove garlic, diced 1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

In a heavy skillet brown the sausage, pepper, and onion. Drain. Stir in the remaining ingredients except the cheese. Pour into a greased 13X9X2 baking dish. Cover and bake at 350 deg. for 30 minutes. Top with cheese and bake 5 minutes longer.

*Ham and Pasta Casserole* Kids can make this one, with some supervision from you

16 ounces of your favorite pasta, cooked and drained 2 cans condensed cream of mushroom soup 1 ¾ c. milk 1 onion, chopped 2 c. ham, chopped 1 green pepper, chopped

Mix all of the ingredients together. Pour into a greased 2 ½ qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and bake at 375 deg for 15 minutes. Uncover and bake for 5 minutes more.

*Exotic Asian Salad* You may need to look in a larger store for some of the ingredients, but it's a wonderful change

8 c. cold cooked linguine or spaghetti 2 c. chopped chicken 1 c. Asian peanut sauce 1 red pepper, chopped 1 c. papaya, chopped.

Mix the first four ingredients together. Serve on a plate and top with the chopped papaya.

*Light Noodle Kugel* A lower fat and less expensive version. Still delicious though!

5 c. cooked egg noodles 2 c. low or fat free cottage cheese ½ c. brown sugar 1 t. cinnamon ½ t. vanilla extract 8 ounces vanilla low or fat free yogurt 4 ounces Neufchatel cheese, chopped 2 egg whites, beaten 2 eggs, beaten

Mix all of the ingredients together. Pour into a 13X9X2 lightly greased baking dish. Cover and bake at 375 deg. for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 10 minutes.

*Baked Pasta and Sauce*

1 pound of your favorite pasta, cooked and drained 1 T. olive oil 2 cloves garlic, chopped 2 c. fresh mushrooms 20 ounces of canned tomatoes, chopped (stewed is also good) ½ c. ricotta cheese

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