Fettucine with tomato sauce

Ok, so I know I do a lot of pastas, but since I cook meat free, they are one of the more filling, cheap things to make! Also, they usually don't taste too bad either :) This pasta is from the Pioneer Woman Cooks, and she hasn't let me down yet with a recipe!

1 lb. fettucine noodles cooked
28 oz tomato sauce
1 small onion diced
4 garlic cloves minced
2 Tbs. butter
2 Tbs. olive oil
pepper
salt
dash of sugar
1 cup of heavy cream
shredded parmesan cheese
fresh basil (or dry)

Saute onion and garlic in olive oil and butter. Add tomato sauce, pepper and salt to taste, and a dash of sugar. Mix well and then let simmer on low for 20-25 min. Stirring occasionally. When your pasta is done cooking, take tomato mixture off heat and add cream, parmesan cheese (I used about 3/4 cup), and basil. Pour your noodles into you sauce and mix well. You can top with more parmesan cheese if you want!

Margherita Pizza

This pizza I adapted from sisterscafe.blogspot.com. It was a HUGE hit with my family and I have requests to make it again already even though I just made it last week. It was simple, and delicious!

Pizza Dough (You could always buy pre-made, and I ususally do, but I actually made the dough for this one and it turned out great!)

1 1/2 cups very warm water

1 Tbs sugar

1 Tbs yeast

1/2 tsp salt

2 Tbs olive oil

4 cups flour

In a large mixing bowl dissolve sugar and yeast in warm water. Let stand for 10 min. Whisk in salt, olive, oil, and 1 cup flour. Whisk in 2nd cup of flour. If you have a mixer, put on dough hook turn speed to low, and slowly add the last 2 cups of flour. Knead for 5 min. (or 10 min by hand). Place dough in an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise for 1 hr. It should double in size. Punch dough down and divide into 2 parts. Roll one out to use, and put the other in a freezer bag you have sprayed with cooking oil and save for another day.

Pizza

After you have rolled out your dough you will need:

1 cup mozarella cheese

1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese

2 ripe tomatoes chopped

1 large clove garlic minced or pressed

1/3 cup basil leaves thinly sliced

Srinkle the cup of mozarella over your bread dough. Combine tomatoes, garlic, and basil in a bowl and mix well. Spoon mixture on top of pizza dough, then sprinkle parmesan over the top. Bake on 450 for 10-12 minutes.

Sweet and Savory Summer Sandwhich

This sandwhich is extremely easy and wonderful for summertime. I was a little skeptical at first but it's definitely worth trying.

1 loaf raisin bread
sprouts
2-3 large carrots grated
2 avacados mashed
salt

Toast the raisin bread and set aside to cool off. Spread avacado on both sides of bread and sprinkle with salt. Take one slice and put a layer of grated carrots on top of the avacado, then add a layer of sprouts. Place other slice on top and enjoy!

Bowtie Lasagna

We just tried this recipe out this week and it was super easy and yummy. It was one of those meals that I liked even better the next day! I got it from the Tasty Kitchen on The Pioneer Woman Cooks. I did substitute the hamburger used in the original recipe for soy crumbles. Hope you enjoy it!

1 12 oz. box bowtie noodles cooked to pkg. directions
1 pkg. frozen Morningstar Grillers crumbles heated through until defrosted
1 Tbs. olive oil
1 can sliced olives (optional)
1 jar of your favorite spaghetti or marinara sauce
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mozarella cheese
1/4 to 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Pour cooked noodles over crumbles and drizzle with olive oil. Stir to combine. Next pour sauce on top, add your seasonings, sour cream, and cheeses. Stir to combine everything until well mixed. Heat on low for a few minutes until it's warmed through and the cheese is melted.

Chili Relleno Casserole

1/2 cup butter
2 cans green chili's (I used the chopped 7 oz ones)
2 cups shredded cheese
3 eggs
3/4 tsp. salt
2 cups milk
1 cup Bisquick or biscuit mix

Melt butter in a 9x13 dish. Arrange chiles in a layer over the bottom of the dish. Cover with cheese. Blend eggs, milk, salt and bisquick mix and pour over chiles and cheese. Bake at 350 for 35-40 min, or until golden.

Baked Quesadillas (Maridyn Weatherly)

1 can black beans drained
1 can corn drained
1 small can chilis (optional)
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1/2 cup salsa
1 to 1 and 1/2 cups fiesta blend cheese (or cheddar, or whatever really) and more for sprinkling.
6 taco sized tortillas

Mix together all the ingredients except for the tortillas, and save some of the cheese. I like to check the consistency and see if I think it needs more salsa, ranch, or cheese. Spread mixture on to half of each tortilla, sprinkle with a little more cheese, then fold in half and place on a cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 12-15 min. until the tortillas have gotten crispy and golden.

It is also really easy to add cooked chicken to this for all of you aren't vegetarian. I sometimes add canned chicken to half for me and the kids!

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

This recipe turned out great and was really easy! We will definitely be making it in the future.

Meatballs:
4 eggs
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1 tsp dry basil
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs

Sauce:
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup white vinegar
3/4 cup apricot jam
1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup minced onion
1 tsp dry oregano
1 dash hot pepper sauce

Mix eggs, cottage cheese, and cheddar cheese together in a large bowl until well combined. Add half cup onion, pecans, basil and salt. Mix well. Stir in bread crumbs. Form into 2 inch balls and put into 9x13 baking dish. In another bowl whisk all ingredients together for the sauce and pour evenly over the meatballs. Bake 35 min. on 350.

Serve with white or brown rice cooked in vegetable or chicken stock.