Need a Wholesome Family Meal for Tonight?

Disclosure / Disclaimer:  I received this info, free of charge,from Maria Zoitas , Westside Market NYC,, for blog posting purposes. I received compensation, for it's post. No other additional compensation,  monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post

Ackkkk, the holiday season.

You're running around liek crazy, and who has time to cook right?

But what about a wholesome meal you could throw together now, then put in the oven and while it cooks, you could wrap presents, sing carols and the like, and be able to sit down to a healthy meal?

Maria is back with some more great recipes for you!

How about Italian Meatloaf and 3 Cheese Macaroni and Cheese?

Italian Meatloaf 
(4 servings)

Note: You could double this recipe and make 2 loaves, then you would have leftovers for sandwiches!

INGREDIENTS

·         1 tablespoon olive oil

·         1 egg

·         ¼ cup finely chopped onions

·         2 garlic cloves, minced

·         1 pound ground chuck

·         ¾ cup plain bread crumbs

·         2 tablespoon grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

·         ¼ cup chopped Italian parsley

·         ¼ cup chopped basil

·         1 small can tomato sauce

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350˚F.
2. Heat the olive oil in a skillet.
3. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté until lightly browned.
4. Using your hands, mix together ground meat, bread crumbs, parmesan, egg, parsley and basil, and then mix in the cooked onion and garlic.
5. Shape mixture in a loaf and place in shallow pan.
6. Pour tomato sauce over loaf.
7. Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour.

The macaroni and cheese can be cooked at the same time, so you have a perfect side for the meatloaf!

3 Cheese Macaroni & Cheese 

(6-8 servings)

INGREDIENTS

·         1 16-ounce package elbow macaroni

·         ½ cup shredded Muenster

·         1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar

·         ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack

·         8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

·         1 ½ cups half-and-half

·         8 ounces cubed processed cheese food

·         2 eggs, beaten

·         ¼ teaspoon salt

·         1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350˚F. Bring large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add macaroni and cook for 6 to 8 minutes.
3. Drain the pasta in colander and return to cooking pot.
4. Combine Muenster, Cheddars, and Monterey Jack in a large bowl.
5. Stir 7 tablespoons melted butter into macaroni.
6. Add half-and-half, 1½ cups mixed cheeses, processed cheese food, and eggs to macaroni; mix together and season with salt and pepper.
7. Transfer to a shallow baking dish.
8. Sprinkle remaining cheese mixture on top. 
9. Bake for 35 minutes, or until hot and bubbling around the edges. 
10. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.