Get me to the Greek

Very vaguely associated with Greek Pastichio....definitely Americanized and speedy cooking techniques.  Get me to the table quick is the name of the game in this house...a little something different from our usual baked ziti.


1 package of fat rotini noodles, boiled al dente and drained
1 lb. package of lean ground lamb
1 fat yellow onion chopped
handful of frozen chopped peppers (from a stirfry mix)
3 fat garlic cloves minced
1 cup of parmesan grated
1/2 cup of grated mozzarella
1/2 cup of cottage cheese
2 beaten eggs, using one at a time in recipe
1 tsp of ground pepper
1/2 tsp of salt
1 tsp of dill weed
1/2 tsp of dried rosemary
pinch of cinnamon
1/2 jar of light alfredo sauce
1/4 cup of  milk
1/2 cup (generous) crumbled feta

browning in the pan

Boil noodles, drain and cool.
Brown lamb, breaking up chunks.
Brown onions, peppers, garlic and seasonings with lamb.  Allow to cool

Mix noodles with mozzarella, cottage cheese, 1/3 cup of parmesan and one beaten egg.
Spread into a glass baking dish sprayed with non stick spray.

Top with meat mixture evenly.

Add milk, remaining parmesan cheese to jarred Alfredo Sauce with one more beaten egg.
Pour over meat and noodles.

Put in 350 degree oven and bake for 20 minutes.
Pull out of oven, remember you forgot the feta cheese.

Sprinkle casserole with feta and run under the broiler for 2 minutes.
Serve with Pita Panzanella.  Pat yourself on the back for not calling out for take-out.  Take a picture for your friends.

Bacon Clam Pizza

On the hunt for tasty fast food...this will fit the bill. Very easy and delicious. Almost tastes like a smoky clam chowder on a bread crust. Quick to put together and the flavor very good.

1 thin Boboli prepared pizza crust
1/2 cup of light Alfredo sauce
1 10 ounce can of chopped clams well drained
1/2 red onion, slivered
2 tbsp of olive oil
2 tsp of minced garlic
one package of precooked bacon 8 slices used
sprinkle of fresh minced parsley
pinch of red pepper flakes, if you like a bit of heat
1 cup of shredded mozzarella
1/4 cup of parmesan cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Heat your pizza stone, (you have one, don't you?) for twenty minutes
While the stone is heating, make your toppings.
In a tbsp of the olive oil, sweat the red onion slivers and minced garlic until fragrant.
When the stone is super hot, top with prepared pizza crust, spread with the light alfredo sauce within 1/2 inch of the edge, sprinkle with chopped cooked bacon, sprinkle with clams, top with cooked slivered onion and garlic.
Brush edge of crust with reserved oil.
Cover pizza with the cheeses, sprinkle with red pepper flakes and parsley.
Bake 15 minutes until hot and bubbly.