Zucchinni Linguini

Zucchini Linguini
This is a quick and easy dish I made up while trying to think of something good to make with our zuchinni and yellow squash.  There are other dishes out there with this name, but this is something that I came up with on my own, and our family loves it.

(This is not my picture by the way, but my dish looks just like this) 
Ingredients:
2-3 Tbspns of olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
3-4 tspns Italian seasoning (We like Mrs. Dash's Italian blend)
1 medium fresh zucchini sliced
1 medium fresh yellow squash sliced
1 can rotel diced tomatoes and green chilis: Mild
4 oz. cream cheese softened (you may leave this out to lighten the recipe)
1 pkg of Linguini noodles
1 tsp salt (may need more depending on your taste)
Parmesan cheese to taste
     
1. Cook the linguini according to package directions while cooking the rest of the dish.
2. Heat the olive oil, garlic, and Italian seasoning in a large skillet. Add the rotel tomatoes, zucchini and yellow squash, and saute about 5-7 minutes.
3. Blend in the cream cheese with the oil and vegetables until sauce is smooth and creamy. Let simmer on medium low about 5 minutes or until vegetables are just cooked. (Soft, but not wilted, with still a slight firmness to their bite)
4. Drain the cooked linguini noodles and combine with the vegetables and sauce.
5. Serve with parmesan cheese if desired.

Cheeseburger Bacon Pasta

I can't believe I haven't posted this yet. We usually make this for company because it's easy and makes a lot. Plus it's yummy!

8 oz. any fun noodles you want
1 lb. hamburger
5 slices of bacon
1 can tomato soup (I actually had to use tomato sauce once, with a dash of sugar it tasted the same)
1 cup cheddar cheese

Cook noodles. Cook hamburger, drain, cook bacon. Cut bacon into tiny pieces. When noodles are drained put everything together until cheese melts. Serve with BBQ sauce and mustard.

Mac N' Cheese

For some reason I get a lot of requests for this from family and friends. So those of you that don't know it, here it is:

Macaroni noodles
heavy whipping cream
assorted cheeses

It's just something I put together so I don't know how much to tell you to use besides...whatever feels good. I would guess 1/2 cup whipping cream and 1 cup cheese. We like combinations of cheeses. Our favorites are cheddar with swiss, or cheddar with fresh parmesan.
Testimonials:
"Thats some good stuff.....mmmmm...mmmm" Uncle Tom
"I Lub noodo" Robby
"Wheres the beef?" Bruce Lee
"Me like cheesey." Chris Farley
"I pitty the foo who doesn't like Net's mac and cheese; sucka!" Mr. T
"All I do is sit and eat, sit and eat." Whistler's mother


written by the J MAN

Tuna Pasta Salad

My sister wanted me to post this.It is a yummy summer salad. I think it's best to make ahead of time and let it sit in the fridge awhile.

8 oz. uncooked bow tie pasta (farfalle)
2 (6 oz.) cans tuna, drained---I only use one can---
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup sliced celery
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup Italian salad dressing

Cook pasta to desired tenderness as directed on package, adding peas during the last 3 minutes of cooking time. Drain and rinse with cold water.In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta and all remaining ingredients; stir gently to coat. Refrigerate until serving time.

Fettuccine Alfedo

I made this for my family in Idaho and they have been wanting the recipe, so here it goes.

8 oz uncooked fettuccine
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper

Cook fettuccine. Meanwhile, heat butter and whipping cream over low stirring until butter is melted. Stir in cheese, salt and pepper. Drain fettuccine. Pour sauce over.

It's also good to add parsley, tomatoes and chunks of chicken. I don't always use fettuccine noodles, sometime I use elbow or penne.

Breadbowl Pasta

This is more an idea than a recipe. We got the Domino's ad the other day and their breadbowl pasta looks so good. So I tried to make my own. I just made the pizza dough and folded it up into a bowl shape and cooked it for about 8 minutes. Then I added some mac-n-cheese, that I had made and cooked it for a couple more minutes. It was really good! We want to try and make the Italian sausage marinara next.

Crockpot Lasagna with White Sauce

This is one of our favorite crockpot recipes. Just add a nice side salad and some garlic bread and it's great for inviting friends over for dinner! If you can't find mini lasagna noodles, a 16 0z. package of wide egg noodles work fine.

1 pound ground beef
1 onion --chopped
1 can diced tomatoes - (14 1/2 oz)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 beef bouillon cube
1 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 package mini lasagna noodles - (8 oz) --cooked and drained

***WHITE SAUCE***
2 tablespoons butter or margarine --melted
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese --divided

Directions:

1. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 5 minutes. Drain.
2.In a skillet, brown ground beef and onion, until onion is tender. Drain fat. Transfer meat mixture to crockpot.
3.Stir into crockpot: tomatoes, tomato paste, bouillon, and seasonings. Add cooked lasagna noodles.
4.In a small bowl, mix melted margarine, flour, salt, pepper, milk, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Stir into crockpot.
5.Cover and cook on LOW 4 to 6 hours or on HIGH 2 to 3 hours.
6.In the last 30 minutes, turn crockpot to HIGH, if cooking on LOW. Top with remainder of mozzarella cheese. Serve when cheese is melted.

Creamy Basil and Tomato Pasta

I thought since there are only goodies on here so far that I would break out and start on entrees. This is my abosolute favorite. It takes some time but it is to die for.

2 lbs tomatoes, chopped (abt 3c)
1 pkg (8oz) Cream Cheese cubed
¼ c Kraft sun-dried Tomato Vinaigrette Dressing
½ c chopped fresh basil
1 pkg (16oz) linguine
½ c toasted pine nuts

Toss tomatoes w cream cheese and dressing, cover and refrigerate 2hrs. Add cooked pasta, tomato mix, and pine nuts in large bowl. Toss lightly and serve