Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf

Source: What's Cookin', Chicago?

(Image borrowed from What's Cookin', Chicago?)

Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf

1.25 lbs ground turkey
1 egg
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 tsp minced garlic (refrigerated kind)
1 Tbsp dried minced onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup pasta sauce (homemade or store bought)
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a loaf pan with cooking spray, set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, thyme, oregano, basil, garlic, onion, salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese. Do not over handle the mixture otherwise it will get tough. Place the mixture in the greased loaf pan and form into a loaf. Top the meatloaf with pasta sauce.
3. Place filled loaf pan on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and sprinkle the top with the shredded mozzarella cheese. Place the meatloaf back in the oven and bake until the cheese is melted.
4. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving/slicing.

Freezer Directions: Prepare the meatloaf mixture as directed and place in a disposable loaf pan. Top the meatloaf with pasta sauce before freezing and then bake from frozen, uncovered for 55-60 minutes on a baking sheet. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and sprinkle the top with the remaining shredded cheese. Place the meatloaf back in the oven and bake until the cheese is melted. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving/slicing.

*This was wonderful and will definitely be a repeat in our household. Very yummy and easy to make and we already have a second batch in the freezer waiting to be cooked another day.

Meatball Sub Casserole

(Image borrowed from Semi Homemade Mom)

Meatball Sub Casserole
Source: Semi Homemade Mom

1 pkg frozen meatballs
1 loaf french bread, sliced 1 inch thick
1 jar pasta sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup mayo
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

Cook frozen meatballs according to package directions. Meanwhile, place bread slices on the bottom of a 9x13 baking pan. Mix cream cheese, mayo, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Spread cream cheese mixture over bread slices being generous. Place meatballs over bread slices, pour pasta sauce over meatballs, and top with shredded mozzarella. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

*I used one portion of homemade turkey meatballs instead of frozen. Since they were already cooked, I just thawed them and warmed them slightly first. I also used a "fat" loaf of french bread, which ended up making two pans (9x13) worth of bread slices, and the cream cheese mixture was plenty to cover all of the bread slices. I made one pan completely and baked it and we had it for dinner. Yummy! The other pan, I covered the bread slices with the cream cheese mixture and then topped with another batch of meatballs and proceeded to cover and freeze. I decided to add the pasta sauce and mozzarella when baking later. This was a very yummy meal and was a hit with all.

**Note: I was worried when I dug into this and some of the bread was notably soggy. This didn't affect the yumminess of the recipe at all.

French Toast Sticks

French Toast Sticks
Source: Once A Month Mom

30 slices bread (approximately 1 loaf of sandwich bread)
0.25 cups butter, melted
8 eggs
1.33 cups milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl mix all ingredients except sliced bread. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray. Dip bread, one by one, in the batter until coated and then place on the cookie sheet. Bake for 30 minutes turning over half-way through to ensure even cooking on both sides. When done, remove to cooling rack. Slice into thirds (I used a pizza cutter). Serve or freeze.

Freezing Directions:
Allow to cool on cooling rack completely or place on a cool cookie sheet and place in freezer for 10-15 minutes or until partially frozen (flash freezing). Place in Ziploc freezer bag and place in freezer until ready to use. To serve: microwave 30-45 seconds.

*The original recipe called for adding 1/3 cup of sugar, but I forgot to add that in and it wasn't missed by us, but I don't like my foods really sweet either. It also said to cut the bread into thirds before dipping them in the coating, but this didn't work for me. It was much easier to do the whole slices and then cut after baking. Same taste in the end.

Pizza Bake

Pizza Bake
Source: Six Sisters' Stuff

1-1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 (6 oz.) pkg. sliced turkey pepperoni, cut into quarter pieces
4 oz. (1 cup) shredded mozzarella cheese
8 oz. (2 cups) shredded cheddar cheese***
12 oz. mini penne noodles, cooked
15 oz. pizza sauce
26 oz. spaghetti sauce

Brown meat, onion and pepper in frying pan. Drain grease and add pizza sauce and spaghetti sauce. *Combine all ingredients in a large crock pot (spray with non-stick spray first). Cook on HIGH for 30 minutes and then LOW for 2 or 3 hours until the cheese melts.

*This can also be baked in the oven. I divided mine into two 8x8 pans (this was pushing it because they were both filled to the MAX), covered and baked for about 30-45 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted.

**This recipe makes a HUGE batch and is easily two meals. We baked one pan, and the other pan went into the freezer for later. There is still over half of a pan left after eating dinner.

***I forgot to add this in, and it wasn't missed. I'll probably add it in the next time I make it though to see how we like it when it's more cheesy.