Italian Meatloaf

 Ingredients:

1/2 lb. ground beef

1 lb. ground mild Italian sausage

1 small onion, finely chopped

1/2 C. chopped bell pepper

1 tsp. olive oil

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp. basil

1/2 tsp. parsley

1 egg, beaten

3/4 C. crushed ritz crackers (or you could use Italian bread crumbs)

2 slices white bread, crumbled

1 T. milk

8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese, reserve 3/4 C. for topping (I used colby jack) 

1/4 C. parmesan cheese

1 C. marinara sauce, plus 1/2 -3/4 C. more for topping

In a small skillet, heat the olive oil over med. high heat and sauté the onion and bell pepper for 3-4 minutes, remove from heat. In a large bowl, add the meats, onion and peppers along with all remaining ingredients reserving 3/4 C. mozzarella cheese for topping. Combine everything well. Once it has all come together, place and mold the mixture in a baking dish of your choice.

Spoon 1/2 to 3/4 C. of the marinara sauce on top and spread around. Place in a 400 degree oven for 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with the remaining cheese and sprinkle a little dry basil over the top. Return to the oven for 10 more minutes. Make sure the meat is not pink before serving, baking time will vary depending on the thickness of your loaf.

I've never been a meatloaf fan but this was phenomenal. Almost like a noodle free lasagna. 

Peanut Butter Explosion Cookies

Ingredients:

3/4 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 Tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 1/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3.4 oz. box instant vanilla pudding

1 cup chocolate chips

1 1/4 cups halved Reese's mini peanut butter cups, divided

1 cup mini Reese's Pieces, divided (or peanut butter M&M's) 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Beat the butter until creamy. Add the peanut butter and sugars and beat again. Add the eggs, honey, and vanilla and beat until mixed in.

Stir together the flour, baking soda, salt, and pudding mix. Slowly add to the butter mixture until everything is mixed in.  Stir in the chocolate chips, 1 cup peanut butter cups, and 3/4 cup Reese's Pieces gently.

Use a 2 Tablespoon cookie scoop to make 36 dough balls. Press the remaining candy into the tops of the dough balls.  Place the dough balls on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Let rest on the hot cookie sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a piece of parchment paper. Let the cookies cool completely before storing in a tightly sealed container.