Another Easy Mother's Day Meal---Perfectly Simple Pasta

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

26 Apr 2008 10:06 AM

Dads you can do this! Mother's Day is May 11th and all this week I have been guest blogging in FOOD sharing simple recipes that even the most culinary-challenged dad can whip up for that special woman who bore his children.

This next recipe is just as easy as the others and it comes with an added bonus: it's very affordable. There's no arguing that mom is worth all the money in the world, but if you are battling high gas prices, rising food costs and a shrinking household budget then you might consider cutting back on excessive Mother's Day celebrations. (Did I just write that?) Meaning that instead of going out for Mother's Day brunch and a fancy Mother's Day dinner why not pick one meal to eat out and treat mom to homemade delicacies for the other.

If you choose to eat out for breakfast or lunch then consider making this next recipe for dinner. As I mentioned earlier it is very easy to prepare and features ingredients that appeal to even the pickiest pint-sized diners. Throw in a green salad (you can buy the prepackaged kind if you are feeling overwhelmed) and a simple dessert and presto! a meal fit for a queen.

BEEF AND SPINACH LASAGNA ROLLS

Ingredients:

12 uncooked lasagna noodles

1 lb. ground beef

1 small onion, diced

2 teaspoons garlic salt

1 teaspoons black pepper

1 jar (16 oz.) spaghetti sauce

1/2 cup water

1 cup ricotta cheese

8 oz. softened cream cheese

1 beaten egg

1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen spinach, thawed and well drained

1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon dry ranch dressing mix

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook noodles as directed on package; drain. Cover noodles with cold water and set aside.

In a large skillet brown the ground beef and the onion. Add garlic salt and pepper. Stir in spaghetti sauce and water. Bring to a boil. Turn down heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes. (If the sauce is too thick just add a little more water.)

Pour 3/4 of the beef and spaghetti sauce into greased rectangular baking dish.

Mix together all remaining ingredients except the mozzarella cheese.

Drain noodles.

Spread 3 tablespoon of cheese mixture to edges of first noodle. Roll up. Repeat with remaining noodles.

Place rolls on top of beef and spaghetti sauce mixture.

Cover each with a little remaining sauce and some mozzarella cheese.

Cover and bake for 20 minutes.

Uncover and bake another 5-10 minutes.

Related Articles:

Easy Mother's Day Meals--Steak Stir Fry and Berry Parfaits

Rounding Out Your Mother's Day Feast---Tropical Shrimp Salad

Grilling Up a Mother's Day Feast

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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