chicken sausage summer squash lasagna

Calories: 295 / Protein:25 / Fat: 16 / Sugar: 7 / Sodium:570

1 package cooked chicken sausage
1 tbsp EVOO
2 tbsp fresh chopped garlic
¼ cup chopped yellow onion
½ cup chopped red bell pepper
¼ cup red wine (white works fine too)
1 cup pasta sauce
3 tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped
2 tbsp chopped fresh oregano (I used dried b/c I didn't have fresh)
2 large zucchini
8oz part-skim ricotta
¼ cup egg substitute
½ tsp black pepper
6oz baby spinach (chopped)
12 oz 2% mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese


Slice chicken sausage on the diagonal and set aside.

Wash zucchini, cut off ends and thinly slice lengthwise. Set aside.

Heat olive oil in medium skillet over medium heat. Saute the garlic, onion, red pepper in olive oil for 2-3 minutes. Add sliced chicken sausage and brown for 3-4 minutes. Add red wine and reduce over high heat, then add tomato sauce, basil & oregano and simmer for 10 minutes.

While simmering, preheat broiler to high. Prepare baking sheet (jelly roll pan works well) with cooking spray. Place zucchini slices on the pan and coat with more cooking spray (I forgot to top them with spray and they were fine). Broil on high for 4-5 minutes until lightly browned. Watch carefully so they don’t burn.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Using small mixing bowl, mix ricotta, egg substitute & black pepper.

Lightly spray a small baking dish (lasagna/brownie pan) with cooking spray.

Layer zucchini slices, ricotta/egg mix, spinach, 1/2 the mozzarella, then all of the sauce/sausage mixture, rest of the zucchini, ricotta/egg, remaining mozzarella, and top with parmesan cheese.

Bake, foil covered for 45 minutes. Remove foil and cook for an additional 15 minutes until lightly browned and bubbly. Serve hot.

Summer Shrimp Stir-fry

10-15 large shrimp - peeled, deviened, tails off
1 lemon
1-2 ears of corn (removed from ear)
1 pt. grape tomatoes (halved)
2-3 small zucchinis (sliced)
4 tbsp tbsp. evoo or butter
3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
salt & pepper to taste
optional: fresh herbs (basil, parsley)

melt 2 tbsp butter in pan & add garlic
add shrimp, cooking 3-4 mins. on each side, season with salt & pepper & remove from pan
melt remaining butter & add zucchini in a single layer, cook 1-2 mins while turning, then add corn, tomatoes & more salt & pepper. cook 1-2 more minutes
add shrimp just until warm, stir & remove from heat
squeeze lemon over & enjoy!

for step-by-step, picture directions, check out the recipe here

creamy taco mac

Ingredients:

1 lbs. ground beef or turkey
8 oz. dry pasta
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes, drained
4 tbsp. taco seasoning (or try this homemade version)
3 oz. cream cheese
½ cup sour cream
Salt and pepper
Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Directions:
Bring a large pot of water to boil.  Cook pasta according to the package directions.  Drain, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.  Set aside.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet or sauté pan, cook the ground turkey over medium-high heat until no longer pink.  A few minutes before the turkey is cooked through, add the chopped onion to the skillet.  Once the turkey is cooked through, mix in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.  Mix in the diced tomatoes and taco seasoning and let simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes.  Stir in the cooked pasta, cream cheese, sour cream and reserved pasta water, and continue stirring until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is well blended.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Simmer over medium-low heat 3-5 minutes to reduce the sauce a bit.  Remove from the heat and top with shredded cheddar cheese, if desired.

linguine in lemon cream sauce

*courtesy of vegetarian times

ingredients:
8 ounces dry linguine
1/2 cup light cream cheese
2 Tbsp. olive oil
approx. 1/2 lemon, juiced and 1 Tbsp. zest grated (i skipped the zest)
1/2 cup chopped parsley (i used 1/4c. instead & it was more than enough)

instructions:
1.  Cook linguine according to package directions in pot of boiling, salted water.
2.  Warm cream cheese, oil and 2 Tbsp. lemon juice in saucepan over low heat.
3.  Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of cooking water.  Stir reserved cooking water into cream cheese mixture.  4. Add pasta, lemon zest, and parsley; toss to coat.  Season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Cheesey Potato Breakfast Casserole

10 eggs
2 cups (1 pt.) half & half
1 bag shredded cheese, any kind
1 - 10 oz. bag shredded potatoes/has browns (I used "simply potato' southwestern style)
veggies of your choice (chopped peppers, onions, etc.)
meat of your choice (cubed ham, crispy, crumbled bacon, think-sliced sausage)
optional - parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Add shredded potatoes in greased 9x13 dish, press lightly to bottom of dish
3. Add meat & 1/2 of the bag of cheese
3. Pour eggs evenly over other ingredients & add remaining cheese & parmesan cheese, if desired.
5. Bake for 40-50 mins. until eggs are done (check center with toothpick)

amazing layered baked ziti

this may just be my new favorite pasta dish! yum!!!!

2 TBSP olive oil
1 small yellow onion chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 large clove garlic chopped
28 oz crushed canned tomatoes (drained)
1/2 tsp salt
dash of hot red pepper flakes

1 lb ziti pasta
1 cup whole mik ricotta
8 oz thin sliced mozzarella
1 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano or percornio cheese or combo
10 basil leaves torn small

Simmer olive oil, onion and garlic until onion is tender and garlic fragrant.
Add the tomatoes, salt, red pepper flakes, and basil leaves. Simmer 12 min.
Pre heat oven to 350
Cook pasta 2 min less than usual
Blend 2 TBSP tomato sauce with ricotta in bowl
Spread 3/4 cup of the sauce on bottom of 9x13 baking dish
Toss drained ziti w/ ricotta
Spread 1/2 of pasta mix in dish
Spoon 3/4 cup more sauce over pasta
Cover with sliced mozzarella, basil, and 1/2 of the grated cheese
Top with the rest of the pasta, rest of the sauce and 1/2 cup grated cheese
Bake 45 min, cool for 10 min

Penne Pasta with Chicken, Tomatoes & Zucchini

Ingredients

7.25oz. Penne Pasta (1/2 pkg Barrilla Plus Penne in nutritionals)
3 tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 tbsp. Smart Balance Light
1/2 c. onion, finely chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, sliced
2 chicken breasts, cubed
3/4 lb. zucchini, cubed 1/2" = 2cups
2 c. grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
pepper to taste
1 tsp. dried Basil
1/8 tsp chili powder (or to taste)
1/2 tsp salt

NOT IN NUTRITIONALS
2 oz Low Fat Shredded Cheese of choice
or grated parmesan cheese.


Directions

Heat oil over medium heat.
Add onion and garlic.
Cook until translucent.
Increase heat. Add cubed chicken. Stir briskly until white.
Add zucchini and halved tomatoes, salt, chili powder, and basil.
Reduce to low-med heat, cover, and cook 10 minutes.

Cook pasta according to directions.
Mix cooked, drained, hot pasta with 2 tablespoons softened butter.
Add chicken mixture (I like to smash/break up the tomatoes before mixing with pasta) and toss.

OPTIONAL
Serve with shredded cheese or grated parmesan cheese.

picky kid's chicken noodle soup

The last time Logan was sick, he got a little addicted to Campbell's Healthy Request Chicken Noodle Soup. Even though it is a low-sodium soup, it still has a lot of sodium.  So I came up with my own, healthier version.
This makes enough for about 6 kid servings. I split them up in freezer bags & freeze them, so I always have ome on hand.

Ingredients:

1 c. cooked chicken, cubed about 1 chicken breast, perdue shortcuts work well too)
1/2 lb. wide egg noodles
32 oz. low-sodium 100% natural chicken brother
1 c. peeled, sliced carrots
optional: 1/4 celery, chopped fine; pepper, onion powder to taste


Directions:


1. Add chicken broth to large sauce pan and bring to a slow boil; add carrots.
2. Meanwhile, cook noodles in large pot,  according to package; drain, return to pot
3. Once carrots are fork-tender, throw in chicken (& celery), cook 2-3 mins. For more broth, warm water can be added at this time.
4. Combine ingredients in large pot & heat 2 minutes.
5. Let cool completely before freezing

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 packet Ranch dressing mix (I like Hidden Valley)
1 1/2 bottles of your favorite wing sauce
optional: blue cheese and/or additional wing sauce for dipping

Directions:

1. Add chicken to slow cooker & top with ranch mix
2. Add wing sauce
3. Cover & cook on low 6-7 hrs.
4. Add 2 tbsp. butter & mix through
5. Remove chicken.  You can shred & add to rolls/buns or serve with noodles, rice, etc.


*Courtesy of AllRecipes.com

Ultimate Chicken Fingers

Ingredients:

3 boneless skinless chicken beasts, cut crosswise into 1/2 inch strips
2/3 cup Original Bisquick mix or Heart Smart Bisquick
1/2 cup grated parmesean cheese
1/2tsp salt or garlic salt
1/2 tsp paprika
1 egg, slightly beaten
3 Tbsp butter or margarine, melted

Directions:

HEAT oven to 450 degrees F. Line cookie sheet with foil; spray with w/ cooking spray. In 1-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag, mix Bisquick mix, cheese, salt, and paprika.

DIP half of the chicken strips into egg; place in bag. Seal bag; shake to coat. Place chicken on cookie sheet. Repeat to use up remaining chicken. Drizzle butter over chicken.

BAKE 12-14 min, turning halfway through bake time with pancake turner, until no longer pink in center.

4 servings.

Courtesy of Spiced Chefs

Chicken Lo Mein

Ingredients:

1/2 lb. spaghetti, uncooked

1/2 cup KRAFT Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 TBSP Italian Seasoning

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 red onion, cut into thin strips
1 pepper (any color), cut into strips

1/2 cup fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth

2 Tbsp. peanut butter

1/4 cup lite or low sodium soy sauce

Optional: red pepper flakes, sesame seeds

Directions:

1. Cook spaghetti in large saucepan as directed on package.
2. Meanwhile, heat dressing in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken and garlic, (sprinkle the Italian seasoning over the chicken as it cooks), stir-fry 3-5 min. or until chicken is no longer pink. Add peppers, onions, broth and peanut butter. Simmer on low-medium heat until the veggies are tender-crisp, stir occasionally.
3. Drain spaghetti; return to pan. Add chicken mixture. Add soy sauce; mix well.

*Courtesy of Spiced Chefs

Chicken Enchilladas (again!)

Ingredients:

2 tbsp oil
8 (6inch) tortillas
1c chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 can black beans
2 cup shredded cooked chicken
½ cup water
1 tsp cumin
1 (4oz) can chopped green chilies
1 (8oz) jar taco sauce
1cup shredded cheese

1. Heat oil in skillet cook onion and garlic until tender, stir in beans, shredded chicken, water, cumin and heat through.
2. Spoon about 1/3-cup mixture onto tortilla. Roll up, arrange tortillas in 12x8 baking dish. Pour taco sauce evenly over enchiladas. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover with foil.
3. Bake at 350 25 min covered, bake 5 more minutes uncovered.

Jersey Style Tuna Melt

:

Ingredients for 4 sandwiches:

• 2-3 (6 ounce) cans solid white tuna in water, drained
• approx. 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
• 1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (I used 1/4 tbsp. b/c we arent fans of parsley)
• 3/4 teaspoon red wine vinegar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch black pepper
• 4 slices seedless rye bread
• 8 slices ripe tomato
• 8 slices Swiss cheese
• optional: paprika, for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat the oven broiler.
2. In a bowl, mix the tuna, mayonnaise, celery, onion, parsley, and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Place the rye bread slices on a baking sheet, and broil 1 minute in the preheated oven, until lightly toasted. Remove from heat, and spread with the tuna salad. Place 1 cheese slice over the tuna salad on each piece of bread, layer with a tomato slice, and top with remaining cheese slices.
4. Return layered bread to the preheated oven, and broil 3 to 5 minutes, until cheese is melted.

Courtesy of All-Recipes

best baked ziti

Ingredients:

• 1 pound dry ziti pasta
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
• 6 ounces provolone cheese, sliced
• 1 1/2 cups sour cream
• 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain.
2. In a large skillet, brown onion and ground beef over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer as follows: 1/2 of the ziti, Provolone cheese, sour cream, 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
4. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheeses are melted.

Apple Pork Chops

Ingredients:

3-4 boneless pork loin chops
3-4 red delicious apples, peeled & sliced
4 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt

Directions:

Place pork in slow cooker, cover with sliced apples.
Mix remaining ingredients & sprinkle over contents.
Cook on LOW 6-7 hours.


What I did different:

We dont like cinnamon apples too mushy, so I cooked the pork (w/salt) for 3 hours, then tossed in the apples, brown sugar & cinnamon and cooked an additional 3 hours.

*Serves 2-3

Chicken Caesar

Ingredients:

2-3 boneless chicken breasts

2 bottles of Creamy Cesar dressing

2-3 cloves of freshly pressed garlic

grated parmesan cheese

romaine lettuce

Directions:

1. Add chicken to baking pan

2. Add 1 bottle of dressing & top with remaining ingredients

3. Bake uncovered at 400 for 45 min (30 min for tenderloins).

4. Make a salad with Romaine lettuce, grated parmesan cheese and croutons,

5. Slice the chicken and place on top of salad

(can also be served over pasta)

*This can also be prepared as a quick & easy freezer meal. Add all ingredients to a gallon size freezer bag & freeze. When ready to make, defrost for 24 hours, then bake as directed.

Pioneer Woman's Penna a la Betsy

*Courtesy of Pioneer Woman

Ingredients

• ¾ pounds Penne Pasta
• 1 pound Shrimp
• 3 Tablespoons Butter
• 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 whole Onion (small)
• 2 cloves Garlic
• ½ cups White Wine (or To Taste)
• 1 can Tomato Sauce (8 Oz)
• 1 cup Heavy Cream
• Fresh Parsley, to taste
• Fresh Basil - To Taste
• Salt To Taste
• Pepper To Taste

Instructions:

• Cook the penne pasta until al dente.
• Peel and rinse (under cool water) 1 pound of large shrimp.
  
• Heat about 1 tbsp. butter and olive oil in a skillet.
  
• Add the shrimp and cook for a couple minutes until just opaque. Do not overcook them.
  
• Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes.
• Finely dice one small onion.
  
• Mince two cloves of garlic.
• In a large skillet heat 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil.
  
• Add the garlic and onion and sauté, stirring occasionally.
  
• After the garlic and onions have cooked a bit add your white wine.
  
• Let the wine evaporate for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. If you would rather not use wine, you can use low-sodium chicken broth instead (about ½ cup).
• Now add an 8-ounce can of plain tomato sauce. Stir well until combined.
  
• Then add 1 cup of heavy cream. Continue stirring.
  
• Turn heat down to low and let simmer.
• Now chop your herbs, about a tablespoon of chopped parsley and about the same amount of chopped basil, or if you’re feeling very proper, chiffonaded.
• Now add your chopped shrimp back into the tomato cream sauce.
  
• Give it a stir and add salt and pepper to taste.
  
• Throw in your herbs and stir until combined.
  
• Finally add your cooked penne pasta and give it a good stir.

Super Easy Shrimp Scampi

Ingredients:

1 pkg pasta (I like using bow-ties)
1 lb. small-medium shrimp, tails off (I used de-veined, uncooked shrimp, but cooked is fine too)
3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
a few tbsp. olive oil
3/4-1 c. white wine (or cooking wine)
1/2 can chicken broth
1 tbsp. butter
1/2 c. parmesan cheese
salt & pepper to taste

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil & add pasta.
2. Meanwhile, add olive oil to a hot saucepan & saute garlic. When garlic is cooked, add salt, pepper & chicken broth.
3. Add butter & let it melt. Add parmesan cheese, wine & shrimp. Mix well & bring to a simmer. If you are using uncooked shrimp, be sure to simmer according to bag - or until well cooked (light orange in color).
4. Drain pasta & toss with scampi sauce or spoon over pasta.
5. Serve with fresh bread


*Courtesy of 3 Pugs & a Baby

*Serves 2-3

Best Ever Ribs

Ingredients:

4 pounds pork baby back ribs
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups honey BBQ (I used Sweet Baby Ray's Honey BBQ)
1 cup chili sauce
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
4 tablespoons vinegar
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 dash hot sauce

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Season ribs with salt and pepper. Place in a shallow baking pan. Brown in oven 15 minutes. Turn over, and brown another 15 minutes; drain fat.DO NOT SKIP THE BAKING!
   
3. In a medium bowl, mix together the ketchup, chili sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and salt and pepper. Place ribs in slow cooker. Pour sauce over ribs, and turn to coat.
4. Cover, and cook on Low 6 hours, or until ribs are tender.

Easy Tortilla Soup

Ingredients:
4-6 chicken breasts
taco seasoning packet
diced onion
1 can of chicken broth
diced tomato
fiesta corn (drained)
black beans (drained)
optional: shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips

Directions:

1. add first 4 ingredients to crock pot & cook on low for 2-3 hours.
2. add remaining ingredients, cook another 30m-1hr
3. top with optional ingredients.