Baked Italian Casserole

Ingredients:

8 ounces rotini pasta

1/2 lb. ground beef

1/4 onion, diced

1 tablespoon minced garlic

12 ounces spaghetti sauce

8 ounces cottage cheese

8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded

1 teaspoon italian seasoning

1/4 pound sliced pepperoni

1 can (2.25 ounce) sliced black olives with jalapenos, drained (optional)

1 can (4 ounce) mushrooms, drained (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook the pasta according to the package.  Brown the meat with onions and garlic. Drain noodles and meat.  Add spaghetti sauce and layer in bottom of greased 9x13 pan. If you would like to add the mushrooms or olives, mix in as well.  I chose not to add either.  Mix cottage cheese, Italian seasoning and shredded cheese together.   Spread on top of the noodle and meat mixture.  Top with pepperonis.  Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is brown and bubbling.

I didn’t have rotini noodles so I used elbow macaroni which tasted just fine.  The flavors tasted even better together the next day when warmed up for lunch.  

Cool as a cucumber

As spring finally rolls around, are you looking for a great new drink for the warm days of summer ahead? I recommend this delightful cocktail!

I admit, this sounds funky but it is amazing and smooth. And I don't even like cucumbers!

1 part cucumber vodka
1 part watermelon pucker
1 part lemonade
splash of 7-up or Sierra Mist

Mix, serve over ice and bring on summer!!

Oatmeal Cake

This is one of my favorite family recipes EVER. It reminds me of family reunions, loved ones and sunshine.  My mom makes this for me on special occasions.

Ingredients:

1 C. raw oatmeal                                                                             

2 eggs

1 1/2 C. boiling water                                                                     

1 1/2 C. flour

1 C. white sugar                                                                                               

1 tsp. baking soda

1 C. brown sugar                                                                             

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 C. shortening                                                                            

1 tsp. cinnamon

Mix the oatmeal and water.  Let stand 20 minutes.  Beat the two sugars and shortening together.  Add the eggs, one at a time.  Sift flour, soda, salt and cinnamon together and add to sugar and egg mixture.  Add oatmeal mixture last.  Bake at 325 degrees in 9 x 13 pan for 35-40 minutes.  While cake is still warm, spread with the frosting below:

Frosting for oatmeal cake:

6 Tbsp. butter                                                                                   

1 C. coconut

1/4 C. half & half or cream                                                           

1/2 C. brown sugar                                                                         

1 tsp. vanilla

Melt the butter, add other ingredients.  Spread on the cake and put under the broiler until brown.

For more of my family recipes, our cookbook is available on Amazon.