1small eggplantunpeeled, cut into ½-inch cubes (3 cups)
1mediumzucchinihalved lengthwise, cut into ¼-inch slices (1½ cups)
1can14.5 oz diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano, undrained
1can8 oz tomato sauce
1½cupsshredded mozzarella cheese6 oz
Instructies
Heat oven to 350°F.
Spray 12×8-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
Cook and drain pasta as directed on package, using minimum cook time.
Meanwhile, in 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat.
Add onion, eggplant and zucchini; cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until crisp-tender.
Stir in tomatoes and tomato sauce.
Spoon cooked pasta into baking dish.
Spoon vegetable sauce over pasta.
Cover tightly with foil.
Bake 20 minutes.
Uncover; sprinkle with cheese.
Bake uncovered 5 to 7 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Make it ahead
Put this together the night before you want to serve it. Then, bake it the next night for dinner. Since it will be cold, bake it about 30 minutes before topping with the cheese.
Arrange bacon between sheets of microwavable paper towels on microwavable dinner plate.
Microwave on High 3 to 4 minutes or until bacon is crisp.
Cool; crumble.
In 3-quart saucepan, melt ¼ cup butter over low heat.
Stir in flour, mustard, salt and pepper.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly.
Remove from heat.
Gradually stir in milk.
Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly; boil 1 minute.
Stir in cheese, ½ cup at a time, until melted.
Remove from heat.
Stir in uncooked macaroni.
Gently stir in kale, tomatoes and bacon; pour into casserole.
Bake uncovered 15 minutes; stir.
(If any macaroni is sticking up above surface, press down with back of spoon.
) Meanwhile, in small microwavable bowl, microwave 1 tablespoon butter uncovered on High about 40 seconds or until melted.
Stir in bread crumbs.
Sprinkle topping over macaroni mixture.
Bake 12 to 17 minutes longer or until macaroni is tender when pierced with fork and topping is light golden brown.
Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Time-saver We prefer hand-shredded cheese for this recipe because the coating on pre-shredded cheese causes the baked casserole sauce to not be quite as smooth — but in a time crunch, pre-shredded cheese will be just fine.
1bag30 oz frozen extra-spicy and crispy potato wedges
2cupschopped cooked ham
8slicesbaconcrisply cooked, crumbled
1mediumbell pepperany color, chopped (1 cup)
1cupchopped green onionsabout 16 medium
1jar15 oz cheese dip or process cheese sauce
½cupsour cream
Instructies
Heat oven to 375°F.
Spray 13×9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
Arrange potato wedges in baking dish.
Bake uncovered 10 to 15 minutes or until thawed and beginning to brown.
Top potatoes with half each of the ham, bacon, bell pepper and green onions.
Spread cheese dip on top.
Sprinkle with remaining ham, bacon and bell pepper.
Bake 20 to 30 minutes longer or until cheese dip is melted and potatoes are tender.
Top with dollops of sour cream and remaining green onions before serving.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Healthy twist
This “loaded” casserole is great at only 300 calories per serving! But if you want to reduce the calories a little more, use 6 slices bacon and fat-free sour cream.
1bag25 to 27½ oz frozen beef, cheese, chicken and herb, sausage or butternut squash–filled ravioli
2½cupsshredded mozzarella cheese10 oz
½cupshredded Asiago or Parmesan cheese2 oz
2tablespoonsgrated Parmesan cheese
Instructies
In 10-inch skillet, cook sausage over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink; drain.
In ungreased 13×9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish, spread ½ cup of the pasta sauce.
Arrange single layer of frozen ravioli over sauce; evenly pour 1 cup pasta sauce over ravioli.
Sprinkle evenly with 1½ cups sausage, 1 cup of the mozzarella and ¼ cup of the Asiago cheese.
Repeat layers with remaining ravioli, pasta sauce and sausage only.
Cover tightly with foil; refrigerate at least 8 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
Heat oven to 350°F.
Bake covered 45 minutes.
Remove foil; sprinkle with remaining 1½ cups mozzarella and ¼ cup Asiago cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese.
Bake 15 to 20 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and lasagna is hot in center.
Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Quick Variation
Stir in 1 can (2¼ ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained, and ¼ cup julienne-cut sun-dried tomatoes in oil and herbs, drained (from 8-ounce jar) into drained sausage in step 1. Continue as directed.