Country Pasta Crock Pot Lasagna

February 19th, 2013

I think I forgot the cheese...

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
1/2 onion, chopped
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
1 can sliced olives (if desired)
1 can sliced mushrooms (if desired)
Seasonings like oregano, basil, salt and pepper – to taste (just to jazz things up a bit and give it your own spin)
4 C. (16 oz.) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (I usually add a bit more cheese, too)
1 1/2 C. grated Parmesan cheese
1 lb. Country Pasta

Directions:
Cook pasta according to directions on package. Drain once cooked.

While pasta is cooking, in a skillet cook beef, onion and mushrooms over medium heat until meat is browned. Then add garlic and cook an additional minute. Drain the grease, and add the spaghetti sauce, olives, and seasonings. Stir all together.

In an ungreased 5 quart crock pot, spread 1/4 of the meat sauce on the bottom. Put 1/3 of the cooked and drained noodles on top of the sauce. Combine cheeses and spread 1/3 of the mixture on top of the noodles. Repeat layers, and end/top with remaining meat sauce. Cover and cook on low in the crock put for about 4-5 hours. Enjoy with a side of garlic bread (and a favorite red wine for you, with a big glass of milk for the kids).

Creamy Spinach Country Pasta

October 7th, 2011

Ingredients:

16 oz. Country Pasta

4 cloves garlic or 2 rounded tsp. minced garlic

2 ½ oz. Boursin Garlic & Herb spreadable cheese

1 ½ oz. cream cheese

1-1 ½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper

3 C. packed baby spinach leaves

½ C. freshly grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

Prepare Country Pasta according to package directions. Drain thoroughly and set aside.

Rinse and pat dry spinach leaves.  Combine 2 C. spinach, all the garlic, salt, pepper, cream cheese and Boursin in a food processor. Blend for approximately 2 minutes, or until well mixed and creamy.

Roughly chop remaining cup of spinach leaves, add to spinach mixture and pour over hot pasta. Add the freshly grated parmesan and mix until pasta is well coated.

*This dish can also be served with sautéed chicken breast or crumbled bacon for meat-lovers!

Prep time: 5-10 minutes     Total time: 20-25 minutes     Serves 4-6

Swedish Meat Balls over Country Pasta

August 31st, 2011

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
1/2 lb. ground pork (not sausage)
1/2 C. finely chopped onion
3/4 C. dry bread crumbs
1 Tbsp. dry parsley flakes
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 egg
1/2 C. milk
Directions:
Prepare Country Pasta according to package directions, drain and set aside.
Combine all these ingredients in a large bowl & mix well. Make small meat balls. Brown them in a frying pan with 1/4 C. oil. You may have to cook them in batches.
Remove just the meat balls from the fry pan and set aside. To the fry pan add 1/4 C. flour, 1 tsp. paprika, 1/2 tsp. salt & 1/2 tsp. pepper. Whisk it all together along with 2 C. boiling water. Whisk until thoroughly combined, then add 3/4 C. sour cream. Whisk until all blended.
Return the meatballs to the sauce & let simmer for 15 minutes. Serve proudly over Country Pasta noodles & ENJOY!!!!!

-Chris, Hingham, MT