Sunday, February 5, 2012

Easy Crockpot Lasagna


  • 1 pound (16 ounces) ground beef

  • 1/2 cup diced white onion

  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic

  • 1 (24 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce

  • 1/2 cup water

  • 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese

  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese

  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1 whole egg

  • 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley or 2 teaspoons dried parsley

  • 6 uncooked lasagna noodles


    1. In a large skillet brown beef and onion. Add garlic and cook for one minute. Drain.

    Add spaghetti sauce and water and simmer for about 5 minutes.

    Mix ricotta, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, 2 Tablespoons Parmesan, egg and parsley.

    Pour 1 cup of spaghetti meat sauce into a 4 to 6 quart sized slow cooker. Place half of the noodles and half of the ricotta mixture on top of the sauce. Cover with 2 cups meat sauce. Top with remaining noodles (If the noodles don't fit exactly break them to fit) and cheese mixture and meat sauce.

    Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or until noodles are soft. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of mozzarella and remaining parmesan.

     Cover with the lid to melt the cheese and let it sit for 10 minutes before serving.

    Do not overcook and don't try to speed up the process by cooking it on high.
    Works best with a 4 to 6 quart size slow cooker

    Saturday, February 4, 2012

    Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

    These are super easy and super delicous!  A wholesome snack for the family or a treat to take to share.

    Ingredients

    • 1 3/4 sticks salted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for greasing pan
    • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 1/2 cup oats
    • 1 cup packed brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • One 10 to 12-ounce jar strawberry preserves
    • 1/2 cup chopped pecans

    Directions

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch rectangular pan.
    Mix together the butter, flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. Press half the oat mixture into the prepared pan. Spread with the strawberry preserves. Sprinkle the other half of the oat mixture over the top and pat lightly. Bake until light brown, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely, and then cut into squares.