Easy Lasagna Rollups

I made these Lasagna Roll Ups for the first time today and we loved them!

I ran out of mozzarella cheese so I topped them with Cheddar Jack instead. They were still yummy. And I made enough to put one casserole dish full in the freezer for another meal. 

1 (26 oz ) can meat flavored pasta sauce

18 lasagna noodles

1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese

1 egg, beaten

2 cups mozzarella cheese

1 cup Parmesan cheese, divided

Bring large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna in boiling water until just barely tender (8-10 minutes).

Preheat oven to 375° F. 

Spread thin layer of meat sauce on bottom of pan. 

Mix ricotta cheese, egg and 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese together in bowl. 

Lay out lasagna noodle. Spread one layer ricotta cheese mixture, one layer meat sauce and one layer mozzarella cheese over noodle. Roll up and place in casserole dish. Repeat with remaining noodles. 

Top with remaining meat sauce, mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. 

Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbling.

LINKING HERE
FRIDAY - From the Farm Hop

Pinto Beans and Pork Over Rice

  1 lb dry pinto beans, soaked and cooked

12 - 16 ounce pork tenderloin, 

4 Tablespoons butter

1 large onion, chopped

3 stalks celery, chopped

2 carrots, grated

1 cup whole corn

2 teaspoons garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Grated cheese, optional

Heat four tablespoons butter in large skillet. Add chopped vegetables and cook several minutes until the are slightly tender. Add cubed pork, and cook until well browned. 

To the soaked, cooked beans add the corn, garlic powder, salt, pepper and meat and vegetable mixture. Add water if needed. 

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cook for 20+30 minutes. 

Add grated cheese or sprinkle over top when serving if desired.

Serve over hot cooked rice.

LINKING HERE
THURSDAY - Create it Thursday, Think Tank Thursday

Baked Spaghetti

Yesterday in the Menu Plan Monday post I had a link to the Baked Spaghetti recipe I planned to use for dinner Monday evening. I made the spaghetti with a few modifications to the recipe and it was SO good. I actually tripled this recipe and had enough for our dinner, two casseroles for the freezer and a very small pan of it to take to a couple from church. 

Here is the modified recipe I used.

1 package (16 ounces) spaghetti 

1 lb ground beef

1 medium onion, chopped

1 jar (32 ounce) spaghetti sauce

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

2 eggs

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

3 tablespoons butter, melted

 1 container (16 ounces) ricotta cheese

3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Cook spaghetti according to directions. While spaghetti is cooking brown meat and onions in large skillet until meat is no longer pink. Stir in spaghetti sauce, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.  

In a large bowl, mix the eggs, butter and Parmesan cheese. Add drained spaghetti to egg mixture and toss to coat. 

Place half the spaghetti mixture in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with half the ricotta cheese, sauce and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. 

Cover and bake at 350° F for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for 10 additional minutes or until cheese is melted. 

LINKING HERE
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Banana Carrot Bread

2-3 very ripe bananas, mashed

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1 1/2 cups melted butter

4 eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups whole wheat flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg

3 cups finely grated carrot

Beat together bananas, brown sugar, melted butter and eggs. Stir together all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add to banana mixture, mix well. Fold in carrots. Spoon batter into two greased and floured loaf pans. Bake in preheated oven at 350° F for 45-50 minutes or until done.

LINKING HERE
TUESDAY - Awesome Things Tuesday, Tell It To Me Tuesday WEDNESDAY -The Mommy Club, Homemaking Linkup

Cheesy Onion Garlic Bread

This is a bread we had for dinner Monday evening along with lasagna and a salad. It would also be really good with soup or stew. 

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 cups sugar

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/3 cup butter

1 onion, chopped

1 1/2 cups milk

1 egg

Saute chopped onion in butter until onion is translucent.

In large bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and sugar. 

In separate bowl whisk together milk and egg. Stir in onion and butter. 

Add wet ingredients to dry and stir just until combined. 

Pour into greased 9 in. x 5 in. Loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 55-65 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. 

Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan.

LINKING HERE
SUNDAY - Sunday Features ,Share It One More Time , DIY Showoff WEDNESDAY - Homemaking Linkup

Macaroni and Cheese Pancakes

Are you ready to try something different? Remember the saying "Variety is the spice of life?" Well, here's a bit of variety to spice up your life. When I saw this recipe I knew I had to try it for Amanda because she loves all things macaroni. I originally found this recipe on Misc, Kitchen and changed it up to suit our tastes.

1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
2 teaspoons parsley
2 1/3 cups milk
2 eggs
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
2 1/2 cups cooked macaroni
1 1/2 cups grated cheese (I used Cheddar Jack, simply because that's what I had on hand)


In a large bowl mix the dry ingredients.
In a separate bowl mix together the milk, eggs and melted butter. Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Fold in the macaroni and grated cheese.
Shape spoonfuls of batter in lightly greased skillet or griddle. Fry until golden brown. Flip and fry until lightly browned on other side as well.
Enjoy!

Notes: When I make these again I will probably either leave out the garlic powder, onion powder and parsley and serve with butter and syrup or leave those seasonings in and serve with sausage gravy. Amamnda, my macaroni and cheese lover did not like them at all, Austin liked them plain, and Doug and Michael liked them with syrup. 

LINKING HERE

SUNDAY - Sunday Features, Sunday's Best WEDNESDAY - Raising Homemakers Friday - Friendship Friday, Friday Feature Linky Party, Home Sweet Home SATURDAY - Inspiration Spotlight, TGI Saturdays

Sausage Corn Chowder

This is a delicious comfort food perfect for cold snowy days like we are having here in Virginia today!

SAUSAGE CORN CHOWDER

 1lb ground sausage

1 stalk celery, diced

1 onion, chopped

1 carrot, peeled and grated

6 cups water

2 1/2 cups milk, divided

2 cups frozen corn

2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar,etc)

4 tablespoons flour

1 tablespoon parsley

1 teaspoon garlic powder

salt and pepper to taste

In a large soup pot brown sausage with celery, onion, and carrot. Add the water, 1 1/2 cups milk, and corn. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Combine remaining 1 cup milk, flour and seasonings in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth. Pour the flower and milk mixture into the simmering soup, stirring continuously. Cook on low heat for 10-15 minutes more. Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheese. 

This recipe is simple to adjust to fit your preferences. From the flavor of sausage (or even use turkey sausage), to the kinds of vegetables, to the seasonings, and even the kind of cheese, the ingredients are very flexible. So make it your own and enjoy!

LINKING HERE

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Banana Cookies

Almost every week I buy lots of bananas. Some weeks the kids eat them all up in the first few days and other weeks they just sit on the shelf until they start to turn brown. This was a sit on the shelf and turn brown week so I ended up with a lot of bananas to find ways to use. So I made a batch of these banana cookies for the kid to eat for snacks. Here's the recipe

Banana Cookies

1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 very ripe bananas, mashed
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour*
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. (180 degrees C)

Cream butter, add brown sugar, beating well. Add eggs, vanilla and bananas, beating well.

Stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. Add to creamed mixture; mix well.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoons full on top greased cookie sheets, about 2 inches apart. Bake for 12 minutes. Place on wire racks to cool.

*I replaced 1/2 cup of white flour with wheat flour.

I also used a bunch of bananas in this Banana Berry Bread.

A few other good things from the kitchen recently were Veggie Tuna Noodle Casserole, Homemade Bread, and Cheese Pizza.

READING AROUND THE WEB

12+ Healthy Breakfast Ideas

One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese
30 Frugal Meal Ideas (For When You're Broke)


LINKING HERE
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Homemade Hot Pockets

I love hot pockets and so do the kids but I do not love how much I have to pay for them in the store. So every now and then I make a batch of homemade hot pockets and put in the freezer what we don't eat right away.

They an be filled with a variety of fillings. The last ones I made I filled with a mixture of browned ground chicken, chopped onions and Queso Blanco Velveeta cheese. I've also filled them with pepperoni, sliced deli meat, browned ground beef,  and various types of cheese. 

 Here is the bread recipe I used the last time I made hot pockets and it's my favorite so far. 

2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast (5 teaspoons)

3 tablespoons white sugar

3 1/2 cups warm water

3 tablespoons vegetable oil (or lard or butter)

1 tablespoon salt

1 tablespoon dried parsley

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

7 - 8 cups all purpose flour

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Stir in vegetable oil, salt, dried parsley, garlic powder, parmesan cheese and 2 cups flour. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. (I mix the dough in my KitchenAid mixer and use the dough hooks when the dough begins getting stiff and also to knead it.

Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about an hour.

Deflate the dough and divide into 12 -14 individual balls of dough. Flatten each ball of dough and top with hot pocket fillings. 

Fold sides and ends over, pressing together to seal and place seam side down on greased baking sheet.

Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

Enjoy!

~ Linking Here ~
No Ordinary Blog Hop Tuesday - Titus 2sday Link-up Party, Tweak It Tuesday, Tuesday's Treasures, Heart + Home Weekly Link Up, Creatively Tuesday, Domestically Divine Tuesday Wednesday - Wise Woman Linkup, Homemaking Link Up Thursday - Home and Garden Thursday, It's a Party Friday - Womanhood With Purpose,

The Walnut Acre Daily - Tuesday May 8, 2012

Walking With the King

Now we ask you brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13

MORE HERE

We Are Learning

We are continuing with the Pretty Bugs theme as we will all week and possibly next week as well. We read our stories, songs and reviewed our memory verse that goes with this theme and then played a Pretty Bugs memory game.

We also worked on our Bb worksheets from here.

We Are Reading

Two of the books the kids chose for me to read to them today are 

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss 

and Read to Your Bunny by Rosemary Wells.

Homemaking Joys

Once again not much to report here. So far this week I'm barely keeping up with the basics. In fact, this evening Doug cleaned up the playroom for me because I just couldn't seem to get to the end of the work. Thank you, Dear.

And my kitchen still needs help. I should run another load of dishes in the dishwasher. But I'm too tired and it's not going to happen. And it's okay, they'll still be there in the morning.

In the Kitchen

We had pizza bread and fruit for lunch.

For dinner I made baked chicken with cheese sauce

salad with lettuce and radishes from the garden

 boiled radishes with butter

and macaroni and cheese. 

The boiled radishes were a new dish for us and both Doug and I really liked them. I had read a suggestion that putting a little lemon juice in the water when I boil them would help them keep their color but I forgot to do it. I simply boiled them with water and a little salt until they were tender. After I drained the water I added some butter and let it melt before I served them. This simple recipe is one I will definitely be making again. 

In the Garden

I finally got to work in the garden again today. 

I cut some of the lettuce that is growing like crazy.

I also pulled a LOT of radishes and also thinned out two rows of radishes that are coming along.

Now if I can just get to some of the weeds that are growing almost as fast as the lettuce and radishes I'll be glad. 

On Our Nature Walk

We continued our bug theme today on our nature walk. Khristian picked up several rocks that had interesting ant nurseries underneath them. We watched them for awhile and then carefully placed the rock back over them so they would be safe. It was interesting to watch the ants scurry to carry the larva somewhere safe as soon as the rock was moved.

We also found a spot we hadn't explored before and had fun finding the little "secret clearing" and "secret doorways" in it.

Other Outdoor Fun

We had a lot of other fun outside today as well.

Like climbing trees . . .

. . . finding caterpillars . . .

. . . and robin's egg shells . . .

. . . and just simply running as hard and fast as possible.

Doug even had the "fun" of changing the oil in all three vehicles this evening after he got home from work. He has recently become an AMSOIL dealer and since the vehicles were due for oil changes he ordered AMSOIL.

Out and About

Since my parents are on vacation this week they asked if I would gather the eggs while they are gone. This morning Amanda and I took the little kids down there and let them watch the chickens and play while I gathered eggs.

Oh, and Amanda told me that she'd better not be in any of these pictures so, like any good mother would, I took one while she yelled at me to stop!

Here are the eggs I gathered today. The six in the top row are duck eggs. We've never had duck eggs before and I'm looking forward to trying them.

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