Baked Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:

8oz of Macaroni
4 tbsp butter
4 tbsp flour
2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup of bread crumbs
1 cup of milk
1 cup of heavy whipping cream
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper


Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Cook the Macaroni in a pot according to the directions, and drain it.

In a large pot, melt the butter. Add the flour, salt, pepper, and whisk it all together.

Slowly pour in the milk and heavy whipping cream, constantly stirring.

Bring the mixture to a boil for around 2 minutes, continue to stir it throughout the process.

Reduce the heat, and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring it on and off.

Add the cheese slowly, simmering it until the cheese is completely melted. Then turn the burner off.

Add the macaroni & mix it all well so it all gets coated in the cheese sauce. Spread it into a 13x9 baking dish. Sprinkle the bread crumbs on top & Bake for about 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

Cover the dish with aluminum foil for the first 10 minutes, and then cook uncovered for the rest of the time. 

Spinach and Feta Pasta *Low Fat*

Ingredients:

8oz penne pasta
1 can of Hunt's Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic and Oregano, Not drained
10oz Fresh Spinach, washed and chopped
1 medium container of Fat Free Feta Cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste


Directions:

In a large pot, boil water and cook pasta according to directions. Drain them, and re-use the pot.

Pour the diced tomatoes, and chopped spinach in the pot, and cook on low until the spinach is wilted. Add the noodles and cook until they're heated.

When you get ready to serve the Pasta, add the container of Feta, and mix it in.

Serves around 6 people.

Pumpkin Pie Bread *Not Low Fat*

Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups of flour
3 cups of sugar
1 cup of vegetable oil (canola oil may be a good substitute?)
4 eggs (egg beaters can be used instead)
2 teaspoons of baking soda
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 cup of water
1 can (15oz) of pumpkin puree 

1 1/2 teaspoons of ground clove 
3 teaspoons of ground cinnamon        
     OR you can use instead of these two spices:
3 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice


Directions:

1. In a large bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together well. 

2. In a medium bowl, mix the oil, water, eggs, and pumpkin puree.

3. Add the puree mixture to the dry mix and stir well.

4. Oil and flour 2 9x5 bread pans, and dispense the batter between the two evenly. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 60 to 80 minutes, or until you can insert a toothpick or knife in the center of each and have it come out clean.

Homemade Applesauce *Low Fat*

Ingredients:
4 Apples, Chopped & peeled
3/4 cups of water
1/4 cup of sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
A dash of Ground Nutmeg & Ground clove

Directions:

Combine all of the ingredients in a deeper pan. Cover and cook over medium heat for up to 20 minutes or until the apples are soft & mashable.

Let them cool once you're at that point, then mash them.

Meatballs *Low Fat*

Ingredients:

1lb ground Turkey
1tsp Rosemary
2 tsp Parsley
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
1 pouch of Onion Soup Mix (Any brand is good)
1/2 cup of Bread Crumbs
2 eggs (I use egg beaters instead to keep it low fat)

Directions:

Put the ground turkey in a medium sized bowl.

Add the Rosemary, Parsley, Italian Seasoning, Onion Soup Mix, Bread Crumbs and Eggs, and mix it very well.

Roll 2 inch sized balls, and place in a microwave safe dish. Microwave them on high for 3 1/2 minutes or until they are no longer pink in the center.


When I make these meatballs, I usually have them with either Spaghetti, make Meatball subs, or have them with Gravy and Mashed Potatoes. They're really quite delicious. :)

Slow Cooker Beef Stew *Low Fat*

Ingredients:

1 1/2 - 2 lbs thin cut beef, all fat trimmed off of it
1/4 cup of Flour
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp ground Black Pepper
2 Garlic cloves, minced
2 Bay Leaves
1 tsp of Paprika
2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 large Onion, chopped
2 cups of Beef broth
4 Carrots, chopped
1 stalk of Celery, chopped
6 small Red Potatoes, chopped into 1" cubes
1 can of Stewed Tomatoes, drained


Directions:

Place the meat in the slow cooker.

In a small bowl mix together: Flour, Salt, & Pepper. Pour it on top of the meat and mix it up, so it coats it all.

Stir in the Garlic, Bay Leaves, Paprika, Worcestershire sauce, Onions, Potatoes, Celery, and Carrots.

Pour the Beef broth on top, put the lid on the crock pot, and cook it on low for 10-12 hours, or on High for 4-6 hours. Stir it occasionally.