PASTA SALAD AND FOOD HANGUPS

fusilli, tuna, corn and egg salad

CATS ‘N CHEESE

Cats ‘n Cheese:  Caramelized onions, sundried tomatoes, creamy cheese sauce and toasty breadcrumbs with Cats Ears.



What? you thought this was going to be a recipe for something else?


Besides, I’m allergic to cats.


meow.


CAKEBRAIN’S CATS ‘N CHEESE RECIPE


Actually, I'm just pulling your leg...this isn’t really a recipe--just a bunch of general instructions.  You're smart.  You can figure it out.  I made up this sophisticated version of Mac 'n Cheese along the way.  Add whatever else you want…sauteed mushrooms, asparagus, artichokes.  MMMM.   Grab a bag of orecchiette; cook according to package instructions and drain.  Make a Bechamel (white sauce) and stir in 4 cups of grated cheddar cheese (I used half white and half orange).   In a saute pan, add 1/4 cup chopped sundried tomatoes (packed in olive oil) and 1  finely chopped onion.  Saute gently until the onions are transparent.  Buzz up a slice of good white sandwich bread in your handy dandy food processor; drizzle crumbs with EVOO and toss to mix thoroughly.  Pour the pasta, the onions & sundried tomatoes mixture and sauce into a large shallow casserole.  Sprinkle the crumbs over the surface.  Bake for 30 minutes  at 350 degrees F. or until crumbs are golden and sauce  is bubbly.

SPAGHETTI PIE

1 lb ground beef
1/4 t salt
1/4 t black pepper
2 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups low-fat sour cream
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup (2 oz) 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened
4 cups hot cooked spaghetti (about 8 oz uncooked pasta)
1 1/3 cups (5 oz) shredded reduced extra-sharp cheddar cheese
cooking spray

1. Preheat oven to 350F
2. Cook meat in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until browned, stirring to crumble. Drain well, and return meat to pan. Stir in salt, pepper, and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Combine sour cream, green onions, and cream cheese in a small bowl, and set aside
4. Place the spaghetti noodles in a 2 quart casserole dish coated with cooking spray. Spread the sour cream mixture over spaghetti noodles. Top with meat mixture. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
5. Cover and bake at 350F for 25 minutes.
6. Uncover; bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is bubbly

Yield: 6 servings

Calories: 408/serving