Don't let people tell you that noodles are bad for you.  They provide protein, fiber, nutrients and let's face it; they also fill us up, giving us that satisfying feel we look forward to after eating a meal.  I am providing you with some easy, inexpensive and fast noodle dishes that your whole family will love.  My two children, who are known to be picky eaters, have grown to love vegetables because of how I use them in my noodle dishes.  Enjoy!

Killer Lasagna

Curly lasagna noodles, cooked al dente                                                               

Meat of choice: ground sausage, ground turkey or ground beef (2 pounds)

Fresh baby spinach leaves, fresh mushrooms, peeled and sliced, 1 medium onion chopped, 1 quarter each of red, yellow and orange peppers, chopped

2 jars/cans of spaghetti sauce

3 TB each garlic powder, parsley flakes, Italian seasoning

1 container each of small curd cottage cheese, low-fat ricotta cheese

16 oz bag of shredded mozzarella (save a large handful for later)

1 cup parmesean cheese

In a very large sided skillet, with a bit of olive oil, cook meat, vegetables and spices over medium heat until meat is cooked through and vegetables are tender.  The spinach will shrink and become dark in color.

In a bowl, while you are cooking the above ingredients, mix together the cheeses and set aside. 

To assemble, spoon a bit of sauce on bottom of greased lasagna or elongated baking pan and place a layer of lasagna noodles for the base.  Over the noodles, spoon the cheese mixture first, the meat/vegetable mixture next and the sauce last.  Continue layering the lasagna noodles, but alternate the direction of the noodles (horizontal then vertical) for each layer and top with ingredients in the same fashion.  Top with a coating of mozzarella cheese that you had saved earlier.  Cover lightly with aluminum foil and bake in 350 degree oven for 40 minutes.  Serve with garlic bread. 

Raucous Ramen

1 12oz. pkg. of frozen shrimp; tail off

2 pkgs of creamy chicken Ramen- including the spice packet as well

2 cups of chicken broth

1 cup of frozen vegetables of your choice

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Mix all ingredients in large saucepan and bring to a boil.  Continue stirring until while turning heat to med/low in temperature.  Let noodles simmer for 10 minutes on low.  Serve.

Chicken Linguine Alfredo

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup low fat sour cream

3 cups cubed chicken breast

1 small onion, chopped

1 can of drained sweet peas

1 box of linguine, cooked al dente

In a skillet, with a bit of olive oil, cook chicken and onion until chicken is done and onion is soft.  Add broth, sour cream and soup.  Mix well and simmer over low heat (covered) for 10 minutes.  Add peas.  Simmer 5 more minutes.

Serve skillet mixture over noodles.  Tastes great with cresent rolls or italian bread.

Chili Mac

1 large can chili beans with chili sauce

1 medium onion, chopped

1 TB each cumin, garlic powder

1/2 TB each chili powder, parsley flakes

1 small box of elbow macaroni, cooked until tender

1 small can of garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

1 can italian stewed tomatoes

1 pound of ground beef, chicken or turkey

In a skillet, cook meat and onion together in a bit of olive oil until done.

Pour this and other ingredients (except noodles) into large soup pot and simmer on med/low heat for 20 minutes until bubbling.  Stir occasionally.  Add noodles and simmer for 5 more minutes.

Cut up small cubes of colby cheese and drop into bowls, then pour chili on top. Serve with corn bread or crackers.

All of these recipes can be made with low fat ingredients if you wish, making them not only healthy but just as delicious.  Enjoy!