Marvelous Recipes

A delightfully different way to enjoy the taste of pizza! Be sure to grab a fork, since this is not your usual finger-food pizza!

3 cups rotini pasta, uncooked
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup water
4 ounces sliced pepperoni
1 (14-15 oz.) jar pizza sauce
1 (4 oz.) can sliced mushrooms, drained
1 cup shredded pizza cheese blend

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 3 quart casserole dish with cooking spray. Set aside. In a 3 quart saucepan, cook pasta according to package directions; drain and return to the saucepan.

2. In a 10 inch skillet over medium heat, cook sausage until no longer pink; drain. Stir sausage, bell pepper, water, pepperoni, pizza sauce and mushrooms into pasta in saucepan. Spoon pasta mixture into the casserole dish and sprinkle with cheese.

3. Cover casserole and bake for 30-35 minutes or until hot and cheese is melted. Yields 6 servings.

Dish up some good taste with this delicious, complete meal your family will eagerly come to the table to enjoy.

2 cups small shells pasta, uncooked (or any small pasta)
3 cups cooked chicken, cut into cubes
2 jars (12 oz. each) chicken gravy
1 bag (16 oz.) frozen broccoli, carrots and cauliflower mix
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup herb-seasoned stuffing crumbs
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Cook pasta according to package directions and drain. Pour into an ungreased 2-1/2 or 3 quart casserole. Add chicken, gravy, vegetables, thyme, salt and pepper. Mix well.

2. Cover casserole with aluminum foil and bake 20 minutes. Uncover and stir. In a small bowl, mix stuffing crumbs and melted butter; sprinkle on top of casserole.

3. Bake uncovered for 10 minutes longer or until hot and topping is browned. Serves 6.

This awesome tasting apple cake will earn you many compliments on your cooking skills. “Simply marvelous” is the only way to describe this delicious creation!

For Cake:

1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
1/2 cup applesauce*
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon ( or 1 teaspoon apple pie spice)
3 cups peeled, chopped fresh apples

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat oil, applesauce and sugar until creamy. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Add vanilla and mix well.

2. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon ( or apple pie spice) until well blended. Add dry ingredients to oil mixture a little at a time until well mixed. Stir in apples. Pour into a greased 13×9x2 inch baking pan.

3. Bake at 300 degrees F for 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in middle of cake comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool completely. Serves 8-10.

For Topping:

1 cup brown sugar, tightly packed
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup coconut

In a large heavy saucepan, combine brown sugar and milk. Cook over medium-low heat until sugar is dissolved. Stir in butter or margarine and vanilla. Continue cooking until thickened. Add pecans and coconut; mix well. Spread over cooled cake.

* You may omit the applesauce and increase the oil to 1 cup. I prefer using half oil and half applesauce. The cake will still be moist but have a lighter texture.

After a hard day on the job, you want dinner quick and easy. This beefy pasta recipe is not only quick and easy, but delicious as well. Try it with a quick bagged salad with your favorite dressing and toasted garlic bread.

1 pound ground beef chuck
3 cups mostaccioli, uncooked
1- 28 ounce jar spaghetti sauce
1- 8 ounce package shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground beef until meat is cooked through; drain and return to the skillet. Add 2-1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in the pasta; cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.

2. Stir in spaghetti sauce and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and the 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Cover and cook 3 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serves 6.

Making tasty meals requires fresh and flavorful spices. Follow these tips to ensure your spices don’t lose their flavor.

Store spices in tightly closed glass or heavy-duty plastic containers in a cool, dry place. Avoid storing them in direct sunlight, over the stove or near other sources of heat.

For best flavor, keep ground spices for up to 6 months. They can be used if they are older, but the flavors may not be as intense. Whole spices can be stored for 1 to 2 years.