Turtle Cookie Bars

 

Turtle Cookie Bars

Ingredients:

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker™ chocolate chip cookie mix

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 egg

1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans

24 caramels, unwrapped

1 tablespoon milk

3/4 cup pecan halves

3 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips

1 teaspoon shortening


Directions:

Heat oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, stir together cookie mix, butter, egg and 1/2 cup chopped pecans until soft dough forms. Press evenly in ungreased 8-inch square pan. Bake 28 to 33 minutes or until golden brown.

Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, heat caramels and milk over low heat, stirring frequently, until melted and smooth. Remove from heat.

Carefully spread melted caramels evenly over warm bars; sprinkle with pecan halves. Cool completely on cooling rack, about 1 hour.

In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and shortening uncovered on High 30 to 60 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds, until melted and smooth. Drizzle over bars. Let stand about 30 minutes or until chocolate is set. For bars, cut into 4 rows by 4 rows.

Spaghetti Casserole

 Spaghetti Casserole

Ingredients:

1 lb uncooked spaghetti

4 eggs

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup butter, cut into chunks

1 container (8 oz) cottage cheese

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

1 lb ground beef

1 jar tomato basil pasta sauce

1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

8 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded or sliced


Directions:

Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish.

Cook spaghetti to al dente as directed on package.

Meanwhile, in medium bowl, beat eggs, parsley and Parmesan cheese with whisk. Drain spaghetti, and add it right back to the hot pot. Add the butter and the egg mixture to the spaghetti, and quickly toss until evenly coated and the eggs have formed a sauce. Add mixture to baking dish.

Add cottage cheese and cream cheese to the pot you tossed the spaghetti in, and mix until combined. Pour the cheese mixture directly over the spaghetti mixture, spreading it out in an even layer.

Heat 10-inch skillet (or use the pot you cooked the spaghetti in) over medium heat, and brown the beef, 5 to 8 minutes; drain. Remove from heat, and stir in the pasta sauce and cream. Spread mixture over cheese layer. Then add the mozzarella cheese in an even layer over top.

Place baking dish on large cookie sheet. Bake 30 to 45 minutes or until the cheese is melted and lightly browned on top. Cool 5 minutes before serving. Serve with fresh mozzarella and basil, if desired.