mexican style lasagne

everyday food magazine

*1c fresh cilantro leaves
*4 green onions, chopped
*salt and pepper
*10oz fresh baby spinach
*non-stick cooking spray
*8 corn tortillas (6 inch)
*1 can pinto beans
*1 cup salsa
*8oz pepper jack cheese, shredded

1. preheat oven to 425*. In a food processor, combin cilantro, scallions, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper with as much spinach as will fit; pulse, adding remaining spinach in batches, until coarsely chopped.

2. coat an 8" square baking dish with cooking spray. lay 4 tortillas in bottom of dish (they will overlap). layer with half of beans, salsa, spinach mixture, and cheese; repeat with remaining ingredients ending with cheese.

3. cover dish with tinfoil; place on a rimmed baking sheet. bake until bubbling, 25-30 minutes; removefoil and continue baking till cheese is golden, 15-20 minutes more. cool 5-10 minutes before serving

servings: 4
prep time: 20 minutes
total time: 1 hour 20 minutes

cheesy chicken and rice casserole

*1 can cream of chicken
*1 1/3c water
*3/4c uncooked rice
*2c fresh/frozen mixed vegetables
*1/2 teaspoon onion powder
*4 chicken breasts
*1/2c shredded cheese

1. mix the cream of chicken, water, rice, vegetables in a 12x8 baking dish. lay chicken on top in a single layer.

2. bake at 375* for 45 minutes. add cheese to top and return to over 3-5 more minutes till cheese is melted.

servings: 4
prep time: 5 minutes
total time 55 minutes

company casserole

*1 lb hamburger
*1 tablespoon butter
*1 (16oz) can diced tomatoes
*8oz egg noodles
*8oz cottage cheese
*8oz cream cheese
*1/4 c. sour cream
*1/3 c. sliced green onions
*1 tablespoon chopped green peppers
*2 tablespoons melted butter

1. preheat oven to 350*. brown beef in 1 tablespoon butter; drain excess grease. stir in tomatoes; remove from heat.

2. boil noodles in salted water for 10 minutes, or till tender; drain.

3. combine cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, onions, and green peppers.

4. in a buttered 2-qt casserole dish, spread 1/2 of the noodles into bottom of dish. cover with cheese mixture then top with the remaining noodles. spoon burger sauce over top, pressing down with the back of a spoon.

5. bake covered 20-30 minutes. let set for 10 minutes before serving.

serves: 4
prep time: 15 minutes
total time: 55 minutes

awesome lasagne

*1 lb hamburger
*1 onion, chopped
*2 (6oz) cans tomato paste
*1 (14.5oz) can crushed tomatoes
*2-3 c. water
*1 tablespoon each oregano & basil
*2 teaspoons each salt & garlic powder
*1/4 teaspoon black pepper
*1 tablespoon sugar
*1 1/2 tablespoon parsley
*12 oz cottage cheese
*1/2 c parmesan cheese
*1-2 eggs
*12 +/- lasagne noodles
*1 lb mozarella cheese, shredded

1. cook hamburger and onion together in large pot till brown and cooked through. drain excess oil and add tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, all spices, water, sugar, salt and pepper. mix thoroughly. heat to a boil, lower heat to med-low and simmer for 1 hour.

2. mix cottage cheese, parmesan, and eggs. preheat oven 350*

3. layer 9x13" pan in this order:

(bottom of pan)
-1c. sauce
- 3-4(cover bottom of pan) noodles
-1/3 remaining sauce
-1/2 mozarella
-3-4 noodles
-1/3 sauce
-all cottage cheese mixture
-3-5 noodles
-1/3 sauce
(top of pan)

4. bake 30 minutes. add remaining mozarella cheese to top of lasagne and bake for another 15 minutes. let set 10-15 minutes before serving.

serves: lots
prep time: 1hr 30min
total time: 2hr 30min

to freeze: follow above directions. allow to fully cool overnight in fridge. place layer tinfoil over top and cover tightly with plastic or lid. freeze. to thaw: let lasagne thaw overnight/all day in fridge, then either rebake at 350* for 30 minutes or cut into individual servings and heat in microwave.