Rotini Bake

Rotini Bake


1 onion, chopped
1/2 red or green bell pepper, diced (optional)
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 lb ground beef

1 can (28 ounce) crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon parsley
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasonings
1 teaspoon chili powder

1 box (12 ounce) tri-color Rotini pasta
2 cups Ricotta
1/4 cup Romano cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 egg
2 teaspoons parsley
1/4 teaspoon basil

1/3 cup water

1/4 cup Romano cheese
1 cup Mozzarella cheese



I a medium pot cook onion and bell pepper in a little olive oil and/or margarine until onions are clear

Add garlic and ground beef; cook until beef is no longer pink

Stir in crushed tomatoes, 1/2 cup water, parsley, sugar, salt, black pepper, Italian seasonings and chili powder; bring to a boil. Turn down heat and allow to simmer for 1 hour.

Mix together Ricotta, Romano, Cheddar, egg, parsley and basil

Cook Rotini according to directions on package; drain and toss with cheese mixture

Place 3/4 cup of the meat sauce in a large (at least 9 x 9 inch) baking dish; mix in 1/3 cup water

Place pasta and cheese mixture on top of sauce in baking dish

Spread at least 1 cup of meat sauce over the top; be sure to cover the entire top of pasta

Cover with foil and Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes

Sprinkle 1/4 cup Romano cheese and 1 cup Mozzarella cheese evenly.

Place back in the oven, uncovered, until cheese has melted (approx 5 min)

Allow to sit 5-10 minutes before serving





An old traditional pasta dish for us! :) And one that we always look forward to. I most often use regular Rotini, but the tri-colored Rotini adds some fun and color to the dish. :)

Beefy Lasagna

Beefy Lasagna


1 (8 ounce) package lasagna noodles

1 lb ground beef

1 med onion, chopped

1/2 red or green bell pepper, chopped

6 mushrooms, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 (15 ounce) can Manwich

1/2 cup water

1/2 teaspoon basil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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2 cups ricotta

1/4 cup Romano (or Parmesan)

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 tablespoon parsley

1/2 teaspoon oregano

2 cups Mozzarella cheese, divided



Brown beef in a little olive oil along with onion, bell pepper and mushrooms and cook, stir often, until beef is browned... stir in garlic

Stir in Manwich, water, basil, salt and pepper; simmer for 20 minutes


Meanwhile boil and drain lasagna noodles

Mix Ricotta, Romano, egg, parsley, oregano and half of Mozzarella

Put approximately a 1/2 cup of meat sauce in the bottom of your baking dish before starting your layers..

Place half of noodles in baking dish

Top with half of cheese mixture

Then layer half of meat mixture

Repeat layers



Cover with foil and Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes

Top with remaining Mozzarella and return to oven

Bake for an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted


Let stand 10 minutes before serving...





Made this a couple of times over the past year and it is very yummy and fairly simple to make :)

Taco Stuffed Shells

Taco Stuffed Shells

1 lb ground beef

1 small onion, chopped

1/2 red bell pepper, chopped

1 envelope taco seasoning

20 Jumbo pasta shells

1 cup Salsa

2 cups Tomato sauce

2 cups shredded Mexican blend shredded cheese, divided

1/2 cup sour cream

1 cup Crushed tortilla chips






Brown beef with onions and red bell peppers


Add taco seasoning and cook according to package


Stir in sour cream and half of Mexican cheese.


In a sauce pan bring tomato sauce and salsa to a simmer; simmer 5-10 minutes (season to your liking)

Cook pasta, drain and toss with butter


Pour approximately 3/4 cup sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish/pan


Fill each shell with taco meat and place in pan


Top with more salsa sauce


Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees


Sprinkle with cheese and crushed chips and return to oven, uncovered


Bake 15 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and bubbly




** Serve with sour cream and extra sauce if desired






Tried this one for the first time tonight and it was very yummy! I love tacos and this was a fun and unique way to make them. :)