Ravioli with Black Bean Salsa

4 servings

Ingredients:
1 (9-ounce) package cheese ravioli
1 (16-ounce) jar mild salsa
1 (14-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

COOK pasta according to package directions.
HEAT salsa and black beans in medium saucepan; gently fold in pasta . Top with cheese and cilantro.

One-Pot Mexican Macaroni and Cheese

4 servings

Ingredients:
3 cups dry rotelle or wagonwheel pasta (8 ounces)
3 cups water
1 cup evaporated milk
1 small red bell pepper, chopped
4 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup sliced ripe olives
1 tablespoon Jalapeños, diced
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

BOIL pasta and water in large saucepan, stirring frequently, for 8 to 10 minutes or until pasta is tender and water is almost gone. Add evaporated milk, bell pepper, green onions, olives and jalapeños; bring to a boil.
REDUE heat to medium; cook, stirring frequently, until sauce has thickened slightly. Add cheese; stir until cheese is melted and sauce is thickened. Season with salt.

Tex Mex Lasagne

6 to 8 Servings

Ingredients:
12 pieces Lasagne, uncooked
3 cups tomato or spaghetti sauce
1 cup water
15 1/2 ounce can kidney beans, drained
10 ounce package frozen corn, thawed
1 package chili seasoning mix
2 cups part skim ricotta cheese
1 1/2 cups reduced fat Monterey Jack cheese, grated

STIR together the spaghetti sauce, water, beans, corn and chili seasoning mix in a medium bowl.
SPREAD 1 cup of the sauce mixture over the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Arrange 4 pieces of lasagne, 3 lengthwise, 1 widthwise over the sauce. Cover with 1 cup of sauce. Spread 1/2 of the ricotta on top. Arrange another 4 pieces of lasagne over the ricotta and top with another cup of sauce. Spread remaining ricotta on top. Arrange final 4 pieces of lasagne on top. Cover with remaining sauce. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
PREHEAT oven to 350F. Cover lasagne with foil and bake for 45 minutes covered. Uncover lasagne, sprinkle Monterey Jack cheese on top and bake an additional 15 minutes uncovered. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad

15 Minutes to prepare
10 Minutes to cook

4 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 (8 ounce) package farfalle (bow tie) pasta
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 pound cucumber, sliced
8 ounces smoked salmon, chopped
1 large cherry tomato, sliced
1 small red bell pepper, julienned
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
1/2 cup fat free blue cheese salad dressing


COOK pasta until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, and rinse under cold water. Transfer to a serving bowl, and gently toss with the olive oil until all the pasta is coated. Cover, and chill at least 30 minutes.

ADD the cucumber slices, top pasta with smoked salmon, tomato, and red bell pepper. Season with salt and pepper. Top with Monterey Jack cheese and salad dressing to serve.

Las Cruces Lasagne Rolls

6 servings

Ingredients:
12 pieces of lasagne, uncooked
15 ounce part skim Ricotta cheese
2 eggs
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped, or 1 tablespoon dried cilantro
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese

Sauce:
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped, or 2 teaspoons dried
1 tablespoons chili powder
2 of 16 ounce cans low sodium stewed tomatoes
4 ounce can chopped green chiles
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon oregano


COOK pasta according to the package directions.

Sauce:
SAUTE sauté onion and minced garlic in oil in a large skillet.

MIX tomatoes, chiles and remaining sauce ingredients in the skillet. Simmer for 15 minutes.

SET aside 1 cup of sauce for later.

Filling:
MIX ricotta cheese, beaten eggs and cilantro in a bowl. Reserve 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, add remainder to filling and mix well.

COVER bottom of 10 x 6 inch baking dish with 1/4 of sauce. Spread approximately 1/4 cup cheese filling on each noodle, and roll into a cylinder. Arrange rolls on top of sauce in baking dish. Cover with sauce. Sprinkle with reserved cheese. Cover and bake at 350F for approximately 45 minutes. Remove from oven.

POUR remaining of the sauce over lasagna.

The Ranch Pasta Salad

6 servings


INGREDIENTS
16 ounces pasta
1 (6 ounce) can black olives, drained and chopped
1 (5 ounce) jar stuffed green olives, sliced
8 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
8 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese
2 1/2 tablespoons bacon bits
1 (16 ounce) bottle ranch-style salad dressing
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

COOK pasta for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and reserve.

MIX black olives, green olives, Cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, bacon bits, dressing, onion, ground black pepper and pasta ina large bowl.

COVER and refrigerate the bowl to chill for one hour, and serve.