Zucchini Casserole

Zucchini Casserole

Begin by slicing 4 medium sized zucchini. You can add several more when you have more zucchini than you know what to do with. If you are having a 4th of July party, double this recipe because believe me..people are going to love it! Next, slice or dice a large onion and add it to the zucchini. I used a big sweet vidalia.

The original recipe calls for a bag of Stovetop stuffing. I don't use that so I threw in a sleeve of crushed Ritz crackers and added 3 T. of poultry seasoning (do not omit this seasoning).

Add 4 or 5 grated carrots.

Add 1 cup of sour cream. You can use low fat sour cream if you wish. This recipe easily adapts to low fat ingredients. Add a cup of grated cheddar cheese.

Add 1/2 cup of melted butter. pour it over top

Then add 2 cans of cream of chicken soup. You can see that I used fat free.

Add some cracked black pepper and a bit of salt. Stir it all around until thoroughly combined.

Place it in a casserole or heavy pot and bake it for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

It should be golden and bubbling around the edges. This can also be served at room temperature if you want to make it a bit in advance. Enjoy!

Mexican Stuffed Shells

Mexican Stuffed Shells

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
1 package low-sodium taco seasoning
4 oz. cream cheese
12-15 jumbo pasta shells
1 cup salsa
1 cup taco sauce
1 cup cheddar cheese
1 cup monterey jack cheese
1 1/2 cups crushed tortilla chips (we omitted)
3 green onions
Sour cream

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°.

In a frying pan cook ground beef; add taco seasoning and prepare according to package directions. Add cream cheese, cover and simmer until cheese is melted. Blend well. Set aside and cool completely. While ground beef is cooking, cook the pasta shells according to directions; drain. Set shells out individually on cutting board/baking sheet so that they don’t stick together.

Pour salsa on bottom of 9×13 baking dish. Stuff each shell with the meat mixture. Place shells in 9×13 pan open side up. Cover shells with taco sauce. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, add shredded cheese and bake for 10-15 more minutes. Top with any condiments you’d like (green onions, black olives, etc.) Serve with sour cream and/or more salsa.