Meatless Meals

Lenten Fridays are a great opportunity to enjoy some of my favorite meatless, Americanized Italian dishes. (No fish and no beans!)

Italian Macaroni and Cheese
3 cups tomato sauce
2 cups ricotta cheese
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
8 oz. mostaccioli (or other pasta), cooked
Spread ½ cup sauce over bottom of a microwaveable, 8”-square baking dish (or similar size that fits in your microwave). Sprinkle with ¼ cup Parmesan cheese. Layer with half each of the cooked mostaccioli, ricotta cheese, sauce, and half of remaining Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers using remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on Medium 10 min. Remove cover; rotate dish ½ turn. Cook on Medium 10 to 15 min longer or until hot and bubbly. Brown under broiler 6 min, or until golden brown.
Serves 6.

Spinach Orzo
2 tsp. margarine
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
½ cup shredded carrot
4 cups vegetable broth
2 cups uncooked rosamarina pasta
1 pkg. frozen spinach, thawed and drained
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. dried basil leaves
salt and pepper to taste
Melt margarine in 2 qt. saucepan over medium heat. Cook garlic and carrot in margarine 2 min, stirring, until carrot is tender. Stir in broth, pasta and spinach. Heat until boiling, then reduce heat. Simmer 15 to 20 min, or until broth is absorbed. Stir in remaining ingredients before serving.
Serves 8.

Thanks to Faith and Family Live for the opportunity to exchange meatless recipes just in time for Lent.