I'm going to call this Summer Pasta

I'm calling it Summer Pasta because my Summer is almost over and I won't be able to cook this way in the middle of the day still in my PJs for very much longer at all.  I do have to say, as I always do, that I didn't get near as much done around the house as I planned to this Summer...but the one thing I did do was cook.  I really enjoyed having the time to go to the fresh markets around town for groceries because I actually had the time.  It's unbelievable what you can find out there, just if I had this kind of time all the time.  :)

So, anyways, I decided to throw a pasta lunch together from things I have on hand for one reason or another.  I had mini-pepperoni left from making a pizza dip for a friends party last Sunday and the rest of the stuff are things I usually just have on hand.  The pepperoni inspired me to cook something up since I only have one more week of lazy days.

I cut a chunk off a sweet onion and a section of green bell pepper, chopped them up and cooked them down in some Olive Oil.  I added S & P, basil, oregeno, garlic powder and parsely.  After they were all cooked down and yummy, I added the pepperoni and crisped them up a bit then reduced the mixture with a splash of good quality red wine.  I then added a can of basil, oregeno diced tomatoes and a jar of Giada's basil and tomato sauce (thank you Target).  I let the sauce simmer for an hour or so.

I cooked up two different pasta noodles; some rotini and penne and topped it with the sauce and shredded parm.  It was good, and who doesn't like cooking with wine in the middle of a friday in their PJs????

Mmmmm...meatloaf and semi-homemade mac

So this is not my regular meatloaf recipe, I tried something new...but it is EASY, homemade and delicious.

I chopped up 1/3 of a sweet onion (you can do more if you love onion) and added to a bowl of 1.5 lbs. of ground top sirloin.  Add about 3 Tbs of ketchup, 2 eggs, and S & P (I just grind right in).  Then just rip up 2 pieces of white bread (I used sliced french sandwich bread from the Publix deli) and mix with your hands.  I have learned from RR not to over mix meat...just make sure the eggs are all mixed in.  The french bread slices added a nice touch because when the meatloaf was cooking, the crust parts of the bread rose to the top due to the juices from the onion, kind of like a strada.  Yum.

Throw it in the oven at 350-375 (depending on your oven) for 30 minutes.  While that is cooking get a small bowl and mix up 1/4 C ketchup, a Tbs dijon mustard and 2 tsp of brown sugar. 

When the meatloaf has cooked for 30 minutes, spread this glaze on the top and cook for 30 more minutes.

That's it!!!  Just cut and serve, it's absolutely yummy for not being a lot of work!

This mac recipe is very unlike me but I was lazy this particular night and boxed mac was BOGO at Publix.
I took the Sharp Cheddar Kraft elbow mac (with the gooey cheese) and cooked the noodles al dente.  I mixed the cheese in and placed it in a 8X8 glass baking dish sprayed with OO Pam.  I then placed shredded cheddar and italian bread crumbs on the top and baked it for a few minutes then broiled the top until the bread crumbs were crispy.

Was it delicious?  It was okay, far from homemade, but good enough to throw on the plate with the meatloaf and a salad.  :)