Oven Roasted Meatball Subs

When childcare arrangements shift for illnesses and holiday weeks, I need to have easy to prepare food on hand for my family.  Grandparents can't be expected to make anything more than a bowl of cold cereal when dealing with three young, energetic children or whiny, sick kids craving comfort.

I made these meatball subs on a Sunday afternoon so that my mother-in-law could have a hot meal before heading home Monday afternoon. I wrapped the subs in foil using Sharpie marker to identify toppings or the lack of topping.  Everyone was thrilled with the yummy, quick dinner.  Since I made the entire bag of meatballs, I saved the extra in the sauce and will use with pasta later in the week.


INGREDIENTS:

• 1 bag of precooked frozen meatballs
• 8 pre-sliced hot sausage rolls
• Pasta sauce
• Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Fire roasted peppers
• Italian seasoning

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.  Throw sauce and meatballs in pot and cook through on low.
2. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray.  Open roll, put 4-5 meatballs, top with sauce and cheese; sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Wrap in foil if desired. Place on baking sheet.
3. Bake 10 minutes or until cheese is hot and bubbly.

Difficulty: Easy
Time:30 minutes prep; 10 minutes baking time
Source: Pinterest

Sausage and Broccoli Skillet

A few months back, I came across a Cambpell's cookbook that my mom had given me years ago and in briefly flipping through, this recipe jumped off of the page at me.  It was one for which I already had all of the ingredients and it looked like something my family would love.  I was right - my daughter, who has been eating dinner at a snail's pace recently, gobbled it up in (for her) record time.  My son asked for seconds with no hesitation, and I had to restrain myself from not overeating, it was so yummy.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 lbs sweet Italian pork sausage, casing removed OR ground sweet Italian pork sausage
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed cream of broccoli soup (can be 98% fat free kind)
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 bag (14-16 oz) frozen broccoli cuts or florets 
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 lb Rotini or Cavatappi pasta 

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Microwave broccoli with a tablespoon of water for 4 minutes.
3. Brown sausage in large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring to separate meat.
4. Add onion and garlic.  Cook until tender.  Drain fat.
5. Add soup, milk, broccoli and 1/4 cup of the cheese.  Heat to boiling.  Cover and cook over low heat for 5 minutes, or until broccoli done to desired tenderness, stirring occasionally.
6. Toss with pasta.  Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Difficulty: easy
Time: 25-30 minutes, start to finish
Source: slightly adapted from Campbell's Casseroles and One-Dish Meals cookbook