skillet lasagna

This recipe is one of those great finds that I'm so thankful I tried!  I was looking for something easy and fast for a weeknight dinner, but I also wanted something full of flavor.  This fit the bill perfectly.  We love it with spicy tomato basil pasta sauce, but you could use whatever flavor you like best. 

Skillet Lasagna
from Gooseberry Patch's Foolproof Family Recipes

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 26-oz. jar pasta sauce, divided
• 16-oz. container cottage cheese
• 8-oz. package lasagna noodles, uncooked and broken 
• 8-oz package shredded mozzarella cheese
• Garnish: grated Parmesan cheese

In a large deep skillet over medium heat, brown beef and onion; drain.  Pour half of pasta sauce over beef; do not stir.  Drop cottage cheese by spoonfuls over sauce.  Layer uncooked noodles over cottage cheese.  Spread with remaining sauce; do not stir.  Cover and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.  Check to see if there is a lot of liquid in the pan; if so, leave uncovered and cook 15 minutes longer, or until noodles are tender.  If there isn't a lot of liquid, cover pan and cook 15 minutes longer, or until noodles are tender.  Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over top; cover and remove from heat.  Let stand 5 minutes.  Top with Parmesan cheese just before serving.  Serves 6.

ranch pasta dinner

Mommy's Kitchen once posted a recipe that immediately caught my eye - Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta.  It looked and sounded so delicious that I knew I had to try it.  I tweaked it a bit for my family, but the basic concept is the same.  We loved it!  And it was so, so easy and quick...the perfect weeknight meal.

Ranch Pasta Dinner

• 8 ounces whole grain egg noodles, uncooked
• 4-6 slices bacon, diced.
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 green pepper, diced
• 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into small pieces
• 2 T. flour
• 1 packet (1.0 oz.) dry ranch dressing and seasoning mix
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or cheddar cheese blend

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Meanwhile, cook bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until crispy; remove and keep warm.  Saute onion and green pepper in bacon grease until tender; remove and keep warm.  Saute chicken in remaining bacon grease until cooked through.  Stir in flour and ranch mix.  Add in cooked vegetables, milk, and cheese.  Cook until mixture starts to thicken.  Add the cooked pasta and bacon to mixture and stir to combine.  Serves 6.