No Bake Cheesecake (my favorite version)

No Bake Cheesecake (my favorite)

This is my adaptation of a no bake cheesecake. It is lighter, creamier than most cheesecakes…just so you know…I know it is a little different.
You may have to add/double this recipe depending on how much you need. If I am doing a cheesecake that has a lot of add-in in an 8in it works good. If I need more then I will sometimes 1 1/2 half it.
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 C powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla (I like to add a few drops of coconut extract too)
1 C whipping cream
Whip cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Slowly pour in cream and continue to whip until fluffy and thick (mmm…so good)
Love it with an oreo crust with oreo crushed in it. Great with gram cracker crust and strawberries.

Spinach Mushroom Pasta

1 8oz cream cheese
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2-1 C milk
1/4 C dried onion
3 cloves garlic
1 tsp thyme (about)
1 tsp onion powder (about)
1 Tbsp parsley (about)
3-4 C spinach, chopped
1/2 - 1 C mushrooms, chopped (I use about 10 mushrooms)
1/4 - 1/2 C parmesan cheese

Pasta (about 12-14oz), cooked

Throw that in a pan everything in a pan and cook...if you want cook the garlic and onion first with a little butter. Then milk, cream cheese, mushrooms, spinach, spices. Cook until cream cheese is melted. Add parmesan cheese...serve over pasta

We thought it was so good we just dipped crackers into it waiting for the pasta to finish...

Spaghetti Pie

16-17 oz spaghetti (cooked and drained)
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans (15-16 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
1 can (small) tomato sauce
1 bunch asparagus, chopped (you can use broccoli or spinach or any veggie in a similar amount)
2 carrots, chopped
basil, oregano or Italian seasoning to taste - I often use fresh but dried probably about 1-2 tsp
1 C cottage cheese (or ricotta cheese)
-optional 4oz cream cheese (you might want to reduce the cottage cheese a bit if you use it)
1/2 Parmesan cheese
1 - 2 C Mozzarella (yes, I have used cheddar and it works great too)

Cook spaghetti. In sauce pan, saute onions and garlic in a little butter/oil. Add tomatoes, sauce, asparagus, carrots and herbs. Simmer till somewhat thick. Mix the cottage cheese and cream cheese in to the cooked, hot and drained spaghetti. Combine with sauce mixture and add cheese (you can save some for the top). Put in 9x13 and bake for about 20 minutes or until bubbly :)

Crockpot Soup Stroganoff

Yeah...that is my own title cause it tells me what it is and what it is not... :)

2 cans cream of cream of mushroom soup
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup onion, diced
1/4 - 1/2 cup italian dressing
1 small package mushrooms, sliced
milk (how ever much you want to make the consistancy you want)

I put the onions, mushrooms and dressing in the crockpot on high for awhile till they are cooked. Add the rest and turn to low or simmer. You can easily make it on the stove. Serve over noodles or rice.

Spring Pasta

1 onion, diced
4-6 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp butter
2 C asparagus, cut in 1 in
1 C peas
about 12 - 15 oz fettuccine, cooked
1/2 C chicken/veg broth
1 1/2 C milk
8 oz cream cheese
1/8 - 1/4 C parmigiano-reggiano
dash of pepper
1 Tbsp tarragon

In big saute pan, saute onion and garlic in butter. Boil asparagus and peas for 2-3 minutes. Add milk, cream cheese, broth to onion mixture and cook until melted and creamy. Add asparagus, peas, pasta, spices, and parm cheese.

Chili Cheesy Mac

1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp coriander
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (small) diced chiles
2 cup beef broth or veg broth
2 1/2 cup water (you can do all broth too)
12 oz macaroni, uncooked

1/2 - 1 cup milk
8 oz cream cheese
2-3 cups shredded sharp cheddar

Mix first set of ingredients in large pan and cook until the liquid is gone and the pasta is done. In a different pan mix milk and cream cheese, heat until melted, combined and smooth. Add cheese and melt.  Add cheese mixture to the mac...

You can add ground beef to this with beef broth if you are wanting a "meatier" meal...

Chocolate Yum Yum Cupcakes

1 pkg (8oz) cream cheese, soft
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
6 oz chocolate chips (I like the mini ones)
1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
dash of salt
1 cup water
1/3 cup oil
1 Tbsp vinegar
1/2 tsp vanilla

Combine the first set of ingredients in a bowl and blend in chips. In another bowl combine ingredients, sift the dry ones first and then add the liquids. Fill muffin cups 1/3 the way full with chocolate mixture. Drop 1 Tbsp of cream cheese mixture on top. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.

Zucchini Bars

3 eggs
1/2 C applesauce
1/2 C vegetable oil
1 1/2 C white sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2  all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
2 cups grated zucchini

3 Tbsp butter
4 oz (1/2 package) cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease 15 1/2 x 10 pan (a bar pan).

In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla until blended. 

Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Mix in the zucchini. Spread the batter into pan.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow bars to cool completely before frosting. To make the frosting, blend together the margarine, cream cheese and confectioners' sugar. Spread over cooled bars before cutting.

Grape Salad

GRAPE SALAD
*This is really more like a dessert

4 lbs of seedless grapes (green or purple)
1 (8oz) package of cream cheese
1 (8oz) container sour cream
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 ounces chopped pecans

1/4 C brown sugar 

Wash and dry grapes. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, vanilla, and white sugar. Add grapes and mix until evenly incorporated. Sprinkle with most of the brown sugar and pecans.  Mix and then cover with the left over brown sugar and pecans.  Refrigerate until serving. 

Note - I have seen this salad with a lot more brown sugar so if you feel like you need more....