LONDON

Recipes from the Middlesex-London Health Unit

Published Wednesday, December 16, 2015 3:58PM EST

Text:

Crowd Pleasin’ Pasta Bake
Makes 4-6 servings

Ingredients

2 cups dry pasta
1 cup milk (or skim milk powder and water)
2 tablespoons butter, margarine or oil
2 tablespoons flour
1-2 cans vegetables, rinsed and drained (such as mushrooms, mixed vegetables, peas)
1-2 cans meat, drained (such as tuna, salmon, chicken)
Black pepper

You may also add

Fresh or frozen vegetables instead of canned
Shredded cheese
Other seasonings (such as basil, onion powder, garlic powder, chives)
Bread crumbs

Steps

1. Cook pasta using the directions on the package. Drain.

2. Warm milk on low heat on stove until bubbles start to form at the edges.

3. In separate pan, melt butter on low heat.*

4. Add flour to melted butter and stir for 2 minutes.

5. Add milk to flour and butter. Cook on medium low heat and stir constantly just until it starts to boil (first bubbles break).

6. Lower heat to low and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often.

7. Mix sauce, pasta, vegetables, meat and seasonings in an oven safe baking dish.

8. Top with shredded cheese and bread crumbs (if using).

9. Bake covered in the oven for 30 minutes at 350 F.

10. Take cover off and cook on a high broil for about 2 minutes. Be careful not to burn the top.

* If you use margarine that has water in the ingredients, you will need to heat the margarine for longer to cook off the water. If you don’t, the flour won’t mix in smoothly in step 4.

Mexican Bean Casserole

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked grain (such as brown rice, quinoa, couscous)
1 can tomatoes
1 can beans (such as black beans)
1 can vegetable (such as corn)
1 1/2 tablespoons melted butter, margarine or oil
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

You may also add

Other fresh or frozen vegetables (such as green pepper, zucchini, onion)
1/4 teaspoon salt OR shredded cheese
Lime juice
Avocado

Steps

1. Cook the grain following the directions on the package. For added flavour, use the juice from the canned tomatoes or chicken broth to cook the grain.

2. Mix together in an oven safe dish the tomatoes, beans, vegetables, butter and seasonings.

3. Mix in the cooked grain.

4. Top with shredded cheese (if using).

5. Bake covered in the oven at 350 F for 30 minutes.

6. Take cover off and cook on a high broil for about 2 minutes if using shredded cheese. Be careful not to burn the top.

7. Top with lime juice and avocado (if using).

Money Saving Tip

Buy seasonings (chili powder, oregano, garlic powder and black pepper) at a bulk store. It is often cheaper than at a grocery store and you can buy small amounts.

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Balls

Ingredients