Good Dinner Mrs. Mellen

Some days when the wind is cold and bitting with no sun in sight I know making a hearty pasta dish is just perfect comfort food for dinner. All the ingredients for my Baked Penne I purchased at Trader Joe's except I made my own Pomodoro sauce. Trader Joe's has a tasty prepared Pomodoro sauce which will cut down the time to make an easy home cooked meal. Put the casserole together the night before and  bake for dinner the next day. Delicious, easy and a quick home cooked meal! 1 pound penne pasta, cooked according to package directions 8 ounces part skim Ricotta cheese 8 ounces Burrata mozzarella, two balls chopped 1/4 cup parmesan cheese 2 teaspoon dry oregano   Pomodoro Sauce* or Trader Joe's Rustico  8 ounce cooked chicken sausage, slice 1/4 inch thick Preheat oven to 375 F. Combine ricotta, 1/2 burrata, parmesan cheese, oregano in medium size bowl. Cook pasta according to package instructions, drain and set aside. Place 1/4 cup of Pomo...

Christmas morning is a special time in our home where we all gather around the tree to open gifts while remembering all our Christmas pasts. I want to be with my family celebrating not having to prepare breakfast. Which is why  I am a big fan of make ahead breakfast casseroles to pop into the oven as I join my family under the tree. Cheese Grits and Sausage so tasty, easy to make and get ready the night before refrigerating until the next morning. Cheese Grits and Sausage Casserole Ingredients 6 cups vegetable broth 2 cups uncooked grits 1/2 cup butter, divided 3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided 1 pound chicken sausage links ...

 Summer vegetable are so plentiful and beautifully fresh, just right for a vegetable casserole that can be served as a side dish or a light main meal with salad and fresh bread. I love going to our town's farmers market gathering fresh picked veggies to combine for a delicious casserole. I usually choice three different vegetables to combine for an interesting casserole layer with a cheese and fresh herb mixture. You can change it up all the time with different veggies! Ingredients     1 1/2 cups grated Cheddar cheese     1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese     2 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped     1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped     2 cloves garlic, minced     salt and pepper to taste     1 eggplant, pealed, thinly sliced     2 medium zucchinis, thinly sliced     1 cup cherry tomatoes, chopped     1/4 cup butter, melte...

      Easy casseroles can be prepared ahead for quick tasty meals even if you have no time. My spring Pasta bake can be assembled the day before, refrigerated, then baked the next day. Or you can bake, freeze and reheat. Either option gives you a easy delicious meal. And I just love spring asparagus! Ingredients PASTA 2 tablespoon olive oil 2 cloves garlic 1 shallot, minced 1 bunch asparagus, cut into 1" pieces  1/2 cup (4 oz.) salted butter 1/2 cup (2 oz.) all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons dry mustard 1 teaspoon table salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 cups half-and-half 2 cups whole milk 1 (16-oz.) block Swiss cheese, shredded 2/3 ounces Parmesan cheese, shredded 1 (16-oz.) pkg. rainbow bow-tie pasta, prepared according to pkg. directions TOPPING ...

We New Englanders live for the summer months when all the area CSAs and farm markets products are local, fresh and available. Perfect for a vegetable lover and cook. Here is my problem, I get carried away by the bountiful beauty at my local Farmer's Market going overboard with my purchases. I just can't help myself, I'm like a kid in a candy shop! What to do when I return home with my bags bursting with all kinds of produce; Cook up all the veggie casseroles that just pop up in my brain. This week I was loving the large local tomatoes along with the deep purple eggplant. I picked up locally grown onions and fresh local mozzarella to finish creating my Tomato Eggplant Bake with Mozzarella. I just added olive oil with my home grown herbs for a flavor bursting veggie dish, quick, easy and delicious. Farm Fresh Tomato Eggplant Bake with Mozzarella 1/2 cup olive oil 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 large eggplant, pee...