Italian Zucchini Crescent Pie

Recipe & picture courtesy of Pillsbury

Prep Time: 30 Min
Total Time: 55 Min
Makes: 6 servings

• 2 tablespoons LAND O LAKES® Butter
• 4 cups thinly sliced zucchini
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
• 2 Eggland’s Best eggs, well beaten
• 2 cups shredded Muenster or mozzarella cheese (8 oz)
• 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
• 2 teaspoons yellow mustard

1. Heat oven to 375°F. In 12-inch skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add zucchini and onions; cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Stir in parsley flakes, salt, pepper, garlic powder, basil and oregano.
2. In large bowl, mix eggs and cheese. Add cooked vegetable mixture; stir gently to mix.
3. Separate dough into 8 triangles. Place in ungreased 10-inch glass pie plate, 12×8-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish or 11-inch quiche pan; press over bottom and up sides to form crust. Firmly press perforations to seal. Spread crust with mustard. Pour egg mixture evenly into crust-lined pie plate.
4. Bake 18 to 22 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. If necessary, cover edge of crust with strips of foil during last 10 minutes of baking to prevent excessive browning. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

**Personal Review: No Review Yet**

Pesto Shrimp Mac & Cheese

Recipe & picture courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens

Serves 6
Prep: 20 minutes
Bake: 40 minutes

• 1 lb. fresh or frozen medium shrimp in shells
• 8 oz. dried elbow macaroni (2 cups)
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1-1/4 cups shredded fontina cheese (5 oz.)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Tbsp. pine nuts, toasted
• 1-1/2 cups lightly packed fresh basil leaves, chopped
• Fresh basil leaves

1. Thaw shrimp, if frozen. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Peel and devein shrimp, removing tails. Rinse shrimp; pat dry with paper towels. Chop shrimp and set aside.
2. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and keep warm.
3. In large bowl stir together eggs, butter, half-and-half, 1 cup of the fontina cheese, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese, garlic, pine nuts, chopped basil, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Stir in shrimp and macaroni. Transfer to buttered 2-quart casserole. Top with remaining cheeses.
4. Bake, uncovered, 40 to 45 minutes or until heated through and shrimp pieces are opaque. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Top with fresh basil leaves.

**Personal Review: No Review Yet**

Tex-Mex Chicken and Rice Casserole

Recipe & picture courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens

Serves 6
Prep: 20 minutes
Bake: 25 minutes

• 1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 6.9-ounce package chicken-flavored rice and vermicelli mix
• 1 14-ounce can chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups chopped cooked chicken or turkey
• 1 cup chopped seeded tomatoes (2 medium)
• 3 tablespoons canned diced green chile peppers, drained
• 1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
• 1-1/2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (2 ounces)

1. In a medium saucepan cook onion in hot oil over medium heat until tender. Stir in rice and vermicelli mix (including seasoning package); cook and stir for 2 minutes. Stir in broth and water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes (liquid will not be fully absorbed).
2. Transfer the rice mixture to a large bowl. Stir in chicken, tomatoes, chile peppers, basil, chili powder, cumin, and black pepper. Transfer to a 2-quart casserole.
3. Bake, covered, in a 425 degree F oven for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

**Personal Review: This came out great – I would add corn and black beans next time though.

Cheesy Meatballs

Recipe & picture courtesy of Rachael Ray

MAKES ABOUT 60
Prep Time: 30 min
Cook Time: 10 min

• 1 pound ground beef chuck
• 1 small onion, grated
• 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 3 tablespoons grated pecorino-romano cheese
• 3 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 4 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 large egg, beaten
• Extra-virgin olive oil

1. In a large mixing bowl, gently break apart the beef with a fork. Add the onion, breadcrumbs, parmesan, pecorino-romano, ketchup, parsley, basil, salt, Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder and stir gently to combine. Stir in the egg until just incorporated.
2. Using your hands, shape the meat into 1-inch balls, to make about 60 meatballs.
3. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the meatballs and cook, turning, until lightly browned, about 10 minutes, adding more oil when necessary. Drain on paper towels.

**Personal Review: No Review Yet**

Three Cheese Chicken Penne Pasta Bake

Recipe & picture courtesy of Kraft Foods

Prep Time: 20 min
Total Time: 43 min
Makes: 4 servings

• 1-1/2 cups multigrain penne pasta, uncooked
• 1 pkg. (9 oz.) fresh spinach leaves
• 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 tsp. dried basil leaves
• 1 jar (14-1/2 oz.) spaghetti sauce
• 1 can (14-1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes, drained
• 2 oz. (1/4 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese, cubed
• 1 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided
• 2 Tbsp. KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

1. Heat oven to 375ºF. Cook pasta as directed on package, adding spinach to the boiling water for the last 1 min.
2. Cook and stir chicken and basil in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat 3 min. Add spaghetti sauce and tomatoes; bring to boil. Simmer 3 min. or until chicken is done. Stir in Neufchatel cheese.
3. Drain pasta mixture; return to pan. Stir in chicken mixture and 1/2 cup mozzarella. Spoon into 2-qt. or 8-inch square baking dish.
4. Bake 20 min. Sprinkle with remaining cheeses. Bake 3 min.

**Personal Review: Really easy to make and it tasted wonderful!  Depending on the spaghetti sauce you’re using I would chop up some onions and add it to the mix.**

Roasted-Pepper-Pasta-Stuffed Peppers

Recipe & picture courtesy of Rachael Ray

Serves 4

• Salt
• 1/2 pound short whole wheat pasta
• 4 large red bell peppers, tops cut off and reserved, seeds
• Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), plus more for drizzling
• 4 jarred roasted red peppers
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 small portobello mushroom caps, chopped
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 2 sprigs rosemary, stems discarded and leaves chopped
• One 28-ounce can fire-roasted crushed or diced tomatoes
• 2 cups arugula or baby spinach (a few generous handfuls)
• 1 cup loosely packed basil leaves
• 1 cup grated pecorino-romano cheese

1. Preheat the oven to 425°. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, add the pasta and cook until al dente.
2. Trim the bottoms of the bell peppers, without cutting a hole, so that they stand. Season inside with salt and black pepper. Turn the peppers bottom side up in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, set the tops alongside and drizzle with EVOO. Roast for 20 minutes.
3. Using a food processor, puree the roasted red peppers. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons EVOO, 2 turns of the pan, over medium heat. Add the red onion, garlic, mushrooms, crushed red pepper and rosemary and cook until softened, 7 minutes. Stir in the pureed peppers and the fire-roasted tomatoes; season with salt and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add the pasta and toss. Add the arugula and basil and cook until wilted.
4. Preheat the broiler. Turn the peppers upright; fill with pasta. Top with the cheese and broil until melted, 2 minutes. Cover with the tops and serve with any extra pasta.

**Personal Review: No Review Yet**

Spaghetti Sauce

Recipe & picture courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens

Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Makes 4-6 servings

• 1 cup chopped onion (1 large)
• 1/2 cup chopped green sweet pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped celery
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 4 cups chopped, peeled tomato (6 large) or two 14.5-ounce cans diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 6-ounce can tomato paste
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 tablespoons snipped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon snipped fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
• 1 tablespoon snipped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
• 2 teaspoons snipped fresh marjoram or 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram, crushed
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 ounces dried spaghetti or linguine
• Finely shredded Parmesan cheese (optional)

1. In a Dutch oven cook onion, sweet pepper, celery, and garlic in hot oil until vegetables are tender.
2. Stir in the tomato, tomato paste, water, parsley, dried herbs (if using), sugar, salt, and black pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes. Uncover and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes more or to desired consistency, stirring occasionally. Stir in fresh herbs, if using.
3. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Serve sauce over hot cooked pasta. If desired, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Makes 4 to 6 servings.
4. Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef or Sausage: Prepare as above, except omit the oil. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven cook 12 ounces ground beef or pork sausage with the onion, sweet pepper, celery, and garlic until meat is brown. Drain. Continue as directed in Step 2.
5. Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs: Prepare sauce as above. Meanwhile, in a large bowl combine 1 egg; 3/4 cup soft bread crumbs (1 slice); 1/4 cup finely chopped onion; 2 tablespoons finely chopped green sweet pepper; 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed; and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add 12 ounces ground beef or bulk pork sausage; mix well. Shape into 24 meatballs. Arrange meatballs in a 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Bake in a 350 degrees F oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until done (160 degrees F). Drain. Serve with sauce and hot pasta.
6. Big-Batch Spaghetti Sauce: Prepare as above, except use a large Dutch oven and 2 cups chopped onion, 1 cup chopped sweet pepper, 1/2 cup chopped celery, 4 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons cooking oil, 8 cups tomato or two 28-ounce cans diced tomatoes, one 6-ounce can tomato paste, 2/3 cup water, 1/4 cup fresh parsley, 2 tablespoons fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried basil, 2 tablespoons fresh oregano or 2 teaspoons dried oregano, 1 tablespoon fresh marjoram or 1 teaspoon dried marjoram, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until desired consistency. Serve as directed.

To Freeze: Place sauce in freezer containers. Seal and freeze up to 3 months. To use, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Transfer to saucepan and heat through.

**Personal Review: No Review Yet**

Italian Steak Pinwheels

Recipe & picture courtesy of Rachael Ray

SERVES 4
Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 6 min

• One 1 1/2-pound flank steak
• Salt and pepper
• 3 jarred roasted bell peppers
• 20 fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 pound fresh mozzarella, sliced ¼ inch thick
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1. Soak 4 wooden skewers in water. Preheat a grill to medium. Lay the steak flat on a work surface and season with salt and pepper. Split the roasted peppers and lay flat on the meat, leaving a 1-inch border at both short ends. Layer the basil and mozzarella on top; season with salt and pepper. Roll up the steak, beginning with a short end, and secure with the skewers, pushed all the way through and evenly spaced apart. Cut the roll crosswise, between the skewers, into 4 equal pinwheels. Lay each one flat.
2. Drizzle the cut sides of each pinwheel with the olive oil; season with salt and pepper.
3. Grill, covered, turning once, for about 6 minutes.

**Personal Review: Ok – this was next to impossible to roll up, it was very entertaining to watch several different people try.  I would recommend using a meat mallet to flatten it, making it easier to roll or to slice the steak in half lenghtwise.  We ended up just cooking the steak on the grill and then putting everything else on top of it and broiling it until the cheese melted.  It tasted great though!**

Crustless Tomato-Ricotta Pie

Recipe & picture courtesy of Good Housekeeping

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total time 55 minutes
Serves 6

• 1 container(s) (15-ounce) part-skim ricotta cheese
• 4 large eggs
• 1/4 cup(s) freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
• 1/8 teaspoon(s) coarsely ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup(s) low-fat (1%) milk
• 1 tablespoon(s) cornstarch
• 1/2 cup(s) (loosely packed) fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1/2 cup(s) (loosely packed) fresh mint leaves, chopped
• 1 pound(s) ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In large bowl, whisk ricotta, eggs, Romano, salt, and pepper until blended.
2. In measuring cup, stir milk and cornstarch until smooth; whisk into cheese mixture. Stir in basil and mint.
3. Pour mixture into nonstick 10-inch skillet with oven-safe handle. Arrange tomatoes on top, overlapping slices if necessary. Bake pie 35 to 40 minutes or until lightly browned and set around edge and center is puffed. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

**Personal Review: No Review Yet**

Zucchini Casserole with Red-Pepper Aioli

Recipe & picture courtesy of My Recipes

Makes 4 servings

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 3 cups sliced onion
• 6 (1/2-inch-thick) slices diagonally cut Italian bread (about 6 ounces), toasted
• 2 (14.5-ounce) cans no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• Cooking spray
• 1 pound zucchini, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced (about 3 cups)
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1 (15.75-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup Red-Pepper Aioli (recipe to follow)

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 15 minutes or until golden brown.
3. Cut 2 bread slices into 1-inch cubes; set aside. Drain tomatoes in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1/2 cup liquid; discard remaining liquid. Place tomatoes in a medium bowl. Stir in basil, thyme, pepper, and garlic.
4. Place 1/2 cup onion in the bottom of a 3-quart casserole dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 2 bread slices, half of the remaining onion, half of the tomato mixture, half of the zucchini, and half of the cheese over onion in dish. Repeat layer; top with bread cubes. Pour 1/2 cup reserved tomato liquid and broth over casserole. Cover and bake at 375° for 30 minutes. Uncover casserole and bake an additional 25 minutes or until top begins to brown.
5. Spoon 2 cups casserole into each of 4 shallow bowls; top each serving with 1 tablespoon Red-Pepper Aioli.

Red-Pepper Aioli

Makes 1 cup

• 3 garlic cloves, peeled
• 1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 (7-ounce) bottle roasted red bell peppers, drained 

1. Drop garlic through food chute with food processor on. Process until finely minced. Add the remaining ingredients, and process until well-combined.

**Personal Review: No Review Yet**