I don’t enjoy cooking. I mean, I really don’t enjoy cooking. That’s how you know these recipes are truly very easy. They take awhile in the oven — that’s the only thing to keep in mind; otherwise you’ll end up with hangry kids on your hands. But they’re a snap to throw together and two of them are kid-pleasers containing cheese, pasta, and fresh veggies (the third is a chewy dessert treat — not healthy, but delicious). They also produce large quantities of food, so they work well for a potluck, Meal Train, bake sale, or your own family dinner.
Three-Cheese Spinach Lasagna
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour
Serves: 8
Ingredients
- 1 package oven-ready lasagna noodles
- 1 jar spaghetti sauce
- 12-16 ounces cottage cheese
- 2 packages sliced mozzarella
- 1 bag fresh spinach
- 1 egg
- shredded parmesan cheese to taste
- dried parsley to taste
Directions
Mix the cottage cheese, egg, parsley, and parmesan in a bowl.
In a 9×13 pan, lay down a layer of noodles. Pour 1/4 or so of the jar of spaghetti sauce on top of the noodles and spread it around with the back of a spoon to cover the noodles. Lay down a layer of spinach over that. Then dump 1/3 or so of the cottage cheese mixture atop that and spread it out with a spoon. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Then add a layer of the mozzarella cheese slices. Repeat layers until you run out of cottage cheese mixture. Lay down a layer of mozzarella cheese slices on top.
Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes covered and 5-10 minutes uncovered until the cheese on top is lightly browned, bubbly, and melted.
Cheesy Tomato-Tortellini Soup in the Crockpot
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours
Serves: 12
Ingredients
- 1 bag frozen tortellini
- 1 bag fresh spinach
- 2 cans Italian-style diced tomatoes, or fresh diced tomatoes
- 1 box or 3 cans vegetable broth, or homemade soup stock
- 1 block cream cheese
Directions
Put all ingredients in a Crockpot on low for 5 hours. Add frozen tortellini about 7 minutes before the end of the cooking time.
Gooey Oatmeal Chip Dessert Bars
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 12
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup lukewarm water
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup oil
- 2 cups oatmeal
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/4 cup chocolate chips
Directions
Mix all ingredients in a bowl and press into a 9×13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes.
