Million Dollar Mac Bake

This little recipe needs to be tucked away for that moment dinnertime has snuck up on you. A semi-stocked pantry and fridge should have just about everything you need to get this yummy, satisfying meal on the table in under an hour — AND with just the effort of boiling some pasta, mixing in a few ingredients and baking to bubbly, gooey perfection.

So here’s what you’ll need ::

• 1 lb pasta, slightly undercooked (I used strozzapreti)
• 2 c cottage cheese
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 2 c crushed tomatoes
• ½-1 t salt
• 3-4 T prepared pesto*
• 8 oz shredded cheddar
• 8 oz shredded monterey jack 
• 1 lb browned ground beef drained and lightly seasoned with s & p

I pretty much always have these ingredients on hand. If I happen to be missing one (like beef), then I just omit it. You could sub browned ground sausage, or rotisserie chicken for the ground beef if you prefer.

Rather than using the pesto, I used the leftover (unused) 10 Herb Marinade found HERE.

Drain the boiled pasta and then combine all ingredients (reserve about half of the cheese to sprinkle over the top) in a large bowl, stirring to combine.

Pour everything into a 9″x13″ prepared baker, sprinkle remaining cheeses on top and bake for 30-40 minutes (until bubbly) in a preheated 350° oven.

The combination of cheeses with the tangy crushed tomatoes and the fresh, flavorful garlic herb pesto turn a simple bag of dried pasta into a delicious dinnertime solution. Now, to this busy momma with a house full of hungry humans — that’s worth a million bucks. (not exactly a million bucks – but at least $30! hah!)