Spaghetti Pie

My toddler gobbled this right up - she couldn't get enough of it!  It's very easy, and looks impressive.  Also, it allowed me to still feel like I was eating spaghetti without overdoing it on the carbs!  This recipe is from the Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book, and it can be found on page 353 in that book.  Enjoy!  I highly recommend!

What You'll Need:

4 ounces dried spaghetti

1 Tb. margarine or butter

1 beaten egg

1/4 c. grated Parmesan Cheese

8 ounces ground beef (or turkey)

1/2 c. chopped onion (1 medium)

1/2 c. chopped green sweet pepper (we didn't use this)

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. fennel seed, crushed

1 8oz. can tomato sauce

1 tsp. dried oregano, crushed

Nonstick spray coating

1 c. low-fat cottage cheese

1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

What to Do:

1.  Cook the spaghetti to an al dente texture. Drain the spaghetti and then return it to warm saucepan.  Stir in the margarine/butter until melted.  Stir in egg and Parmesan Cheese.

2.  Cook ground beef, onion, sweet pepper, garlic, and fennel seed until meat is brown and onion is tender.  Drain the fat.  Stir in the tomato sauce and oregano.  Heat through.

3.  Spray a 9-inch pie plate with nonstick cooking spray.  Press spaghetti mixture onto bottom and up sides of pie plate, forming a crust.  Spread cottage cheese on bottom and up sides of crust.  Spread meat mixture over cottage cheese.  Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.

4.  Bake at 350* for 20-25 minutes (until bubbly).  

Makes 6 servings.  Each serving contains 276 calories, 12g. fat, and 22g. carbs.

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Did you know that processed spaghetti sauce is a no-no when you have gestational diabetes?!!!?  Yeah, neither did I, and I love spaghetti sauce!  So, I went back to the good old homemade version that I got from my college roommate, Julianne.  When you make your own, you can control the sugars, and it's very yummy!  Thanks for the great recipe Jules!

What You Need:

1 1/2 - 2 lbs. Hamburger - cooked and drained

1 med. onion - chopped

2 (16 oz) cans tomato sauce

1 (6 oz) can tomato paste

2 bay leaves

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

3 Tb. Italian seasoning

2 (16 oz) cans diced tomatoes

Here's what you do:

Add together and simmer for at least 1 hour.  Serve!  Yummy and easy!
(You can heat this in your crock pot as well - just a few hours on low!)

Taco Soup

This is a slightly altered recipe I got from my Young Women's President, Connie Berner, back in the day.

What You'll Need:

1 lb. ground beef or turkey

1 small onion, diced

1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes

1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce

2 medium or 1 large can kidney beans

1 can corn, undrained

1 envelope taco seasoning

Your Favorite Garnishes (i.e. cheese, tortilla chips, shredded lettuce, olives, etc....)

What To Do:

1.  Brown beef and onion together in pan.  Drain.

2.  Combine remaining ingredients in saucepan over medium heat.  Add meat/onion mixture.  Heath thoroughly.

3.  Serve warm.  Top with your favorite garnishes.

Mexican Lasagna

I found this recipe at allrecipes, submitted by Alyce Voorhees. It did not disappoint! Yummmmmm!

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef or ground turkey
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
1 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes with juice
10 (6 in.) corn or flour tortillas
1 c. salsa
1 c. shredded cheese

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350*.
2. In a large skillet brown the ground beef, and stir in the taco seasoning and tomatoes.
3. Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with half the tortillas. Spoon the beef mixture into the dish. Cover with 1/2 c. of the shredded cheese. Then layer the remaining tortillas over the cheese. Spread salsa over the tortillas and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese.
4. Bake for 20 - 30 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Bubble Pizza

This is easy and yummy! I found this recipe posted by Lucy J. at Creative Cook Book. We made it for dinner last night, and LOVED it!

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef or turkey, cooked and drained
15 oz. pizza sauce (I would use more if you have it)
2 cans (12 oz.) buttermilk biscuits
1 c. mozzarella cheese

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400*.
2. Combine beef and sauce; heat.
3. Cut biscuits into quarters and put in greased 9x13 pan.

4. Spread meat sauce mixture over biscuits and cook for 20 minutes.

5. Sprinkle with cheese and bake 5-10 minutes more (or until cheese is melted).

Macaroni and Cheese Lasagna

This is a super yummy take on a recipe I found on kraftkitchen.com.

Ingredients
1 package macaroni and cheese
1/4 c. milk
2 tb. butter
1 can spaghetti sauce
1 lb. ground beef
1 1/2 c. mozzarella cheese

Instructions
1. Cook mac and cheese according to lite package directions (using the milk and butter to do so)
2. Cook turkey meat and drain any remaining fat.
3. Lightly grease 8x8 pan
4. Layer ingredients in the following order: macaroni and cheese, meat, sauce, cheese, repeat.
5. Cook in a 350* oven for 20 minutes