Mexican Stuffed Shells

Mexican Stuffed Shells

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
1 package taco seasoning (see below)
4 oz. cream cheese
14-16 jumbo pasta shells
1.5 cup Salsa
1 cup taco sauce
1 cup cheddar cheese
1 cup monterey jack cheese
3 green onions

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, with the foil removed.  Top with any condiments you’d like (green onions, black olives, sour cream etc.)


Taco Seasoning
2 Tbsp chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp oregano
1 tsp paprika
1 Tbsp cumin
2 1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp pepper

Put all ingredients in a container and shake. Use 2 tables spoons of mix for ever pound of meat.  Mix 2 Tbsp cornstarch with 1 cup cold water and add to meat mixture.

BLT Pasta

BLT Pasta

                                                                  Ingredients

1 (12oz) package of fettuccini

5 strips of bacon

2 cloves of garlic, chopped

1/3 cup sliced sun dried tomatoes

1/4 cup olive oil

2 cups arugula or baby spinach

parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper

Directions

Heat water to a boil for pasta, salt water and cook pasta to al dente. Put aside 1 cup pasta water and drain pasta.

Cut bacon into half inch strips and cook over medium heat until crisp. Drain grease; add garlic and sundried tomatoes. Cook for 1 minute stirring constantly. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add oil and remove from heat. Start by adding ½ cup reserved pasta water. Keep adding water till you reach desired consistency. Stir in pasta. Add arugula and sprinkle with parmesan cheese

Optional- Add arugula with pasta and stir together.