Sausage Macaroni Bake

Nothing spectacular, but good, easy, and fast (especially when using previously chopped and frozen onion and pepper).

Sausage Macaroni Bake

1 ½ cups uncooked elbow macaroni
¾ pound bulk Italian sausage
1 small onion chopped
¼ cup chopped green pepper
1 (8oz) can tomato sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated parmesan cheese (divided)
2 TB fresh parsley
1 clove garlic, minced
½ tsp dried oregano
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp basil
¼ tsp pepper

Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in large skillet, cook the sausage, onion, and green pepper over medium heat until meat mixture is no longer pink; drain. Drain macaroni. Combine macaroni, sausage mixture, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, ¼ cup parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, oregano, salt, basil, and pepper. Transfer to a greased 2 qt baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered at 350* for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.

click here for original recipe from allrecipes

Cake Decorating

Dakota wanted a train cake for his birthday, so I used a picture of Thomas and drew it on the cake, and then filled it in. The train is green because Dakota wanted a Percy cake, not a Thomas cake. I figured a green Thomas was close enough. (And I didn't know there was much of difference other than color).



I made farm cupcakes for a joint birthday party. I found most of the ideas on the internet, but improvised on the pigs snout & ears and liked my version better! (I used melting chocolate to make them. The version I saw used pink candy melts and cut them in half for the ears. I didn't have pink, and in my quest to make pink ones out of white, I accidentally made "ears" when trying to drop my quickly cooling chocolate on waxed paper. Then I decided they looked better, and made more). The pigs were my favorite, but the sheep got rave reviews too.

Honey Mustard Chicken

Honey Mustard Chicken

½ cup miracle whip or mayo
2 TB Dijon mustard
1 TB honey
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Mix salad dressing, mustard, and honey. Place chicken on grill or rack of broiler pan. Brush with ½ of sauce. Grill or broil 8-10 minutes; turn & brush with remaining sauce. Continue grilling or broiling 8-10 minutes or until tender.

Parmesan Chicken

Tender Baked Parmesan Chicken

½ cup mayo
1/3 cup grated or shredded parmesan cheese
½ tsp garlic powder
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
½ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs

1. Combine mayo, cheese, & garlic powder.
2. Spread chicken with mayo mixture, then coat with crumbs. Arrange chicken on baking sheet.
3. Bake at 425 for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned & tender.

Ratatouille

Ratatouille

½ cup finely chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 TB olive oil or cooking oil
2 cups cubed, peeled eggplant
1 small zucchini or yellow summer squash, cut up (1 cup)
1 cup peeled, chopped tomatoes or one 7.5 oz can
½ cup chopped green sweet pepper
2 TB water
1 ½ tsp snipped fresh basil or ½ tsp dried basil, crushed
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
½ cup shredded Swiss cheese (optional)

In a large skillet cook onion and garlic in hot oil till onion is tender. Stir in veggies, water, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 20 minutes or till tender. Uncover; cook 5-10 minutes or till thickened, stirring occasionally. If desired, sprinkle with cheese.