Zuchini Tortellini Parmesean

Prep: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 Servings

1 package fresh or frozen cheese tortellini
1/2 lb lean ground beef
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 26 oz can spaghetti sauce
2 small zuchini
1/3 cup grated parmesean cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions; rinse and drain. While pasta is cooking, brown hamburger with onions, garlic and oregano in a large skillet, drain. Add spaghetti sauce & zuchini, cook 15 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Arrange half of pasta in a greased 2 quart microwaveable baking dish; top with half each of sauce & cheese. Repeat layers ending with cheese. Cover & microwave on high for 8 to 10 minutes or until heated through, rotating halfway through cooking time.

Tips & Tricks:
Ravioli or another filled pasta can be used in place of tortellini. Precrushed garlic or garlic powder can be used in place of garlic cloves. This recipe can be doubled & frozen, or can be made ahead, refrigerated & heated just before serving.

Baked Potato Bar

I know you don't need a recipe for this, but this is what we had for dinner last night. It's something my family loves, but I forget to make, so I'm putting it on here to remind myself! It's a great in a pinch meal that is quick & easy and can be thrown together with staples in the pantry.

Prep: 15-50 minutes

Scrub & prick potatoes. Bake potatoes in microwave (for quick prep) or cover with foil and bake until soft.

Top with any combination of the following:

Chili
Cream of Broccoli Soup
Cheddar Cheese Soup
Cream of Mushroom Soup
Sour Cream
Chives
Cottage Cheese
Diced Tomatoes
Avocados
Bacon
Cheese
Salsa
Mushrooms
Onions
Olives
Bell Peppers

....Or any other favorite potato topping.


Tips & Tricks
This is a hit with my family because like tacos, wraps & sandwiches, everyone is free to choose their favorite items. It works well with toddlers because they can eat their potato with toppings, or they can eat their potato & toppings separately. For an extra quick meal, microwave potatoes and use pre-shredded cheese and pre-cut veggies.

This is an easy meal for feeding a large group buffet style.

Make It Healthier
Skip creamy soups and sour cream and opt for (leftover) homemade chili or cottage cheese & salsa. Load up your potato with veggies and lean cheeses.

How Kids Can Help
Kids can help scrub & prick potatoes, push buttons on microwave, wrap potatoes in foil, cut veggies & great cheese. This is a meal that a school age child could make independently!

Chicken In Mushroom Sauce

Prep/Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 chopped green onions
1 TBSP butter
2 TBSP all-purpose flour
1/2 cup reduced-fat plain yogurt
1/4 cup water
2 TBSP reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 tsp reduced sodium chicken bouillon granules
1/8 tsp pepper
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (5 ounces each)

In a 2-qt microwave safe dish, combine the mushrooms and onions. Cover and microwave for 2-4 minutes or until mushrooms are tender; drain and set aside.In the same dish, melt the butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Add the yogurt, water, broth, bouillon and pepper. Stir in the mushroom mixture.

Arrange chicken in another 2-qt microwave-safe dish. Top with mushroom sauce. Cover and microwave and 50% power for 15-20 minutes or until juices run clear, stirring sauce twice.

Tips and Tricks
Use kitchen shears to slice the green onions, or substitute regular onions. Use pretrimmed chicken to save time. This is a great recipe because it uses the microwave to cook the entire dish. I make this on really hot summer days when I don't want to heat up the kitchen or when I've got a sick child that really needs my attention, since all it requires is pushing buttons and walking away. Since the chicken is cooked at half power, it comes out tender but not rubbery.
Make It Healthier
Use fat-free yogurt. Substitute margarine or trans-fat free spread for the butter.
How Kids Can Help
Push the buttons on the microwave. Combine the sauce ingredients.
Suggested Sides
salad, garlic bread