Quick Lasagna Toss

** Recipe from Mr. Food **

* 12 lasagna noodles, broken into large pieces 
* 1 lb. hot Italian sausage, casing removed  (could use ground beef, etc.)
* 1 (26 oz.) jar spaghetti sauce 
* 1 c. ricotta cheese 
* 2 c. (8 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese
* 1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
* 1/2 tsp. dried basil
* 1/2 tsp. black pepper

Cook noodles according to package direction; drain.  Meanwhile, in a soup pot, cook sausage over med-high heat for 6-8 min, or til no pink remains, stirring to crumble sausage; drain.  Add noodles and remaining ingredients; mix well. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook 6 - 8 min, or until heated through and cheese has melted. Serve immediately.

Salted Nut Squares

** Recipe from Bake or Break **

* 3 c. salted peanuts (no skins), divided
* 2 1/2 Tbl. butter
* 2 c. peanut butter chips
* 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
* 2 c. miniature marshmallows
* kosher salt or sea salt, optional

Place 1 1/2 c. peanuts in the bottom of an ungreased 11″x 7″ pan.  Melt butter & peanut butter chips in a large saucepan over low heat. Stir until smooth.  Remove from heat. Stir in condensed milk and marshmallows. Continue stirring until smooth and well-blended.  Pour peanut butter mixture over peanuts in pan. Sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 c. peanuts over top of peanut butter mixture. If saltier bars are desired, sprinkle lightly with salt.  Cover & refrigerate until chilled. Then, cut into bars. Bars can be served chilled or at room temperature.

* Note:  These can be made in a 9″x 13″ pan. Use another cup of peanuts, divided between bottom of pan and top of bars. The same amount of filling will work and give you slightly thinner bars.

Apples in a Bag

** Recipe from Salad in a Jar **

* 1 sm. apple
* 1 packet of sweetener (i.e. Splenda), or a spoonful of sugar
* 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
* 1/4 tsp. cornstarch
* 1 Tbl. water
* small handful of raisins, optional

Peel or don’t peel apple, core and slice or dice. Place in freezer-quality plastic zippered bag along with remaining ingredients. Seal bag and shake well to mix ingredients.  Reopen bag just a touch to vent. Microwave on high for 2 minutes– longer if you use a big apple.  Carefully (it will be HOT and steamy) open bag and pour over plain or cinnamon-sugar pita chips, flour tortilla chips, oatmeal or ice cream.