Low(er) Fat Baked Mac n' Cheese

You need:
1/2 finely diced white onion
1 tbspn minced garlic
1 generous handful of spinach leaves, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup roasted red pepper strips, coarsely chopped
1 small handful of sliced mushrooms
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1 cup low fat cottage cheese
3/4 cup low fat sour cream
1/2 cup non fat or low fat milk
2 cups (8 oz) grated cheese- (i used a bag of reduced fat cheddar) you can use all cheddar or your favorite cheese or a combination whatever you have on hand
4 cups elbow noodles cooked (8oz uncooked)
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
pinch of salt, pepper, and paprika

Directions:
1. Boil and drain pasta according to directions on box.
2. Sauté onion and garlic in a small amount of butter. Add the spinach, red peppers, and mushrooms and continue to sauté over medium/low heat, until leaves are wilted (about 5 minutes).
3. In a bowl, combine cottage cheese, sour cream, milk, and shredded cheese in a bowl. Mix thoroughly.
4. Add sauteed veggies to the cheese mix, and mix together. Add the noodles and place into a casserole dish.
5. Sprinkle paprika over top of casserole (about 1-2 tsp), and then cover lightly with bread-crumbs.
6. Cover with foil, and bake at 350 for 30 minutes (or 45 if you make this the night before like I did).

Mexican Style Chicken Casserole

I N G R E D I E N T S :

1 large onion, chopped
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 spoonful chopped garlic
Vegetable cooking spray or olive oil
2 cups chopped and cooked chicken breasts (I got a rotisserie chicken and used the meat from it, no skin)
1 (10-oz) can cream of onion soup
1 (10-oz) can cream of mushroom soup
1 small container fat free sour cream
1 (10-oz) can diced tomato and green chiles (rotel or generic brand, mild or medium)
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 bag chili-cheese flavored Fritos
1 (8-oz) bag shredded cheddar cheese

D I R E C T I O N S :

Saute onion, garlic, and bell pepper in a large skillet coated with cooking spray or olive oil over medium-high heat 5 minutes, or until tender.

Stir in chicken and next 7 ingredients; remove from heat.

Layer Fritos on the bottom of a 13x9-inch (or 2 8x8-inch) baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with half of the chicken mixture and half of the cheese. Repeat layers, ending with cheese.

Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly.

Vegetable Casserole

You will need:
-1 diced red bell pepper
-1 diced onion
-4 stalks diced celery
-2-4 minced cloves of garlic

-1 packet Good Seasons brand italian dressing mix 

-1 can peas
-1 can of corn
-1 8oz carton of low fat sour cream
-1 can of cream of celery

-1 round of Ritz brand crackers

-half stick of butter

1.Sautee onion, garlic, red pepper, and celery in olive oil and italian dressing packet until all vegetables are soft (about 5 minutes)
2.Add entire cans of corn and peas, along with cream of celery and the sour cream. mix thoroughly, and place in a 9x12 casserole dish.
3.Melt butter in a pan and stir in crushed ritz crackers. Pour evenly over the top of the casserole.

4. Bake at 350 until bubbly (about 20 minutes)