New Years Eve Meal

Last year we had dinner and evening with friends.  This year is the same.  We had lasagna last year made by our gracious hostess this year I offered to makie it. I will make a green version and a larger regular stand-by version. Here are the recipes I am making for dinner tonight with gluten free ziti/penne noodles. These recipes are delicious.

Baked Ziti

adapted from: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/ziti-bake

3 cups ziti/penne pasta, cooked to just under al dente

1 3/4 cups meatless spaghetti sauce

1/2 pound ground sausage

1/2 medium onion, chopped

1 cup cottage cheese

1 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 t dried spinach

1/2 t dried oregano

1/4 t garlic powder

1/8 t pepper

Preheat oven to  375.  Cook pasta; drain and set aside. Brown sausage with onion; drain off fat. In a bowl combine 3/4 cup sauce, cottage cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, egg and seasonings.  Stir in pasta and meat.  Put some reserved pasta sauce in the bottom of a well-greased 8x8pan. Top with remaining sauce and mozzarella cheese. Bake about 45minutes covered with foil.  Uncover and bake an additional 5-10minutes.

Spinach Alfredo Lasagna

adapted from: http://www.familytime.com/recipe/ShowRecipe.aspx?recipeid=13419

1 jar Alfredo sauce

1lb sausage, cooked with 1/2 large onion and drained

1 (10oz) package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

1/4 t black pepper

16oz ziti/penne pasta, cooked to just under al dente

1 egg

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

2 cups cottage cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 350. In a bowl combine Alfredo sauce, sausage, spinach and pepper.  In another bowl  half of the cheeses with the egg. Grease a large 13x9 pan. Place some of the sauce mixture on the bottom of the pan. Place 1/3 of the pasta in the bottom of the pan; next top with 1/3 cheese mixture then finally 1/3 sauce mixture. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used up.  Bake for about 45minutes, covered.  Uncover and bake an additional 5-10minutes.