Chicken Cannelloni With Roasted Red Bell Pepper Sauce

This is from my Southern Living Complete Quick and Easy Cookbook, although it really isn't quick and easy to make but it is worth it! It is an easy one to half and bake in an 8x8 in. pan. You could probably use one 9x13 in. pan too.

prep time: 30 min, cook:  30 min

1 -( 8 oz.) pkg. cannelloni or manicotti shells
4 c finely chopped cooked chicken
2 - (8 oz. ea.) containers chive-and-onion cream cheese
1 (10 oz.) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
1 c (4 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 c Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs (I usually grind up croutons in my food processor)
3/4 t garlic salt
1 t seasoned pepper (I used lemon pepper because that's all I had)
Roasted Red Bell Pepper Sauce
Garnish:  chopped fresh basil or parsley

1.  Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.
2.  Stir together chicken and next 6 ingredients in a large bowl - you may want to use your hand to mix..
3.  Cut 1 side of pasta shells lengthwise, opening each shell.
4.  Spoon 1/2 c chicken mixture into each shell, gently pressing cut sides together. Place shells seam side down, in 2 lightly greased 11x7 baking dishes.
5.  Pour Roasted Red Bell Pepper Sauce evenly over shells.
6.  Bake, covered at 350 degrees for 25 -30 min. or until thoroughly heated.  Garnish, if desired.  Makes 6 to 8 servings

Roasted  Red Bell Pepper Sauce:
Savor this rich sauce over your favorite pasta or grilled meats.
prep: 5 min

2 (7 oz. ea.) jars roasted red bell peppers, drained
1 (16 oz.) jar creamy Alfredo sauce
1 (3 oz.) pkg. shredded Parmesan cheese

Process all ingredients in a blender until smooth, stopping occasionally to scrape down sides.  Makes 3 1/2 c. (I used my food processor.)

Marinara Spaghetti Sauce

This is a recipe I got long time ago from the McDougall Plan, a book that had heart healthy recipes. I haven't made it for a long time, but I remember that it was really good.

2 onions, chopped
4 coves garlic, crushed
1/2 lb mushrooms, chopped
4 c tomato sauce
2 c canned or fresh tomatoes
2 t oregano
1 t basil
1 1/2 T parsley flakes

Saute onions, garlic, and mushrooms in 1/4 c water until slightly tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce, tomatoes, and spices, breaking up tomatoes with a fork. Simmer over low heat about 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Do not cover. Serve over whole wheat spaghetti or vegetable spaghetti.

Helpful Hints: May be made ahead and reheated. Freezes well. May be cooked longer than 1 hour if you like sauces thicker. Also try over whole grains, whole wheat macaroni, or whole wheat shells. This recipe may be doubled easily for guests or to have leftovers to freeze. Makes a good topping for baked potatoes.

Chocolate Syrup

Here's the chocolate syrup mom often made (like Hershey's fat free):

Mix:

1/2 C sugar
1/4 C cocoa
Dash salt
1/2 C water

Bring above to a boil and simmer for one minute.  Remove from heat and add 1 t vanilla.  I think mom said it was from the Better Homes and Gardens book.