What's Cookin' Wednesday

Cheese and Hamburger Casserole

Now, what if I told you this lisalicious recipe is actually pretty wholesome and only 6 WEIGHT WATCHER points per serving??? Yep, now I've got your attention.

1 lb. extra lean ground beef (96% lean) - btw, this is leaner than ground turkey!

1 cup chopped onion

3 garlic cloves, crushed - I used minced garlic cause I don't have the time to be crushin' cloves

1 - 8 oz. package sliced fresh mushrooms - I cut them up kinda small to hide them from Megan - she is a fungus snob

6 tablespoon tomato paste

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon of dried thyme

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 - 28 oz. can whole tomatoes, undrained and chopped

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

2 1/2 cups fat free milk

1 cup (4 oz.) crumbled feta cheese - reduced fat

3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella

4 cups (measure uncooked) of whole-wheat penne pasta - your husband will never know the difference

1. Combine ground beef, chopped onion, and garlic in a large nonstick skillet, and cook over medium-high heat until beef is browned, stirring to crumble. Add mushrooms, and cook 5 minutes or until tender. Add tomato paste and next 5 ingredients, and stir well. Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes. Set aside.

2. Cook the whole-wheat pasta according to package directions.

(Do both step 1 and 2 at the same time or you'll be in the kitchen as long as a 1930's housewife.)

3. Place flour in a medium saucepan. Gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk until blended. Place over medium heat; cook 10 minutes or until thick, stirring constantly. Stir in cheeses, and cook 3 minutes or until cheeses melt, stirring constantly. Reserve 1/2 cup cheese sauce. Pour remaining cheese sauce, beef mixture, and pasta into a 13x9 inch baking dish, and stir gently. Drizzle the reserved cheese sauce over pasta mixture.

4. Bake in (preheated) oven at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until hot.

Yield: 8 servings

Serve with some sliced cucumbers or a nice, green salad.

Eating healthy tastes so good, doesn't it?????

And . . . some music to shake your rump to while cooking . . .

Don't forget - do your little turn on the catwalk. Shake your little tush on the catwalk.

Isn't cooking with Lisa fun????????