Ketchup Spaghetti (inspired by Japanese Neapolitan Spaghetti)

2 TBSP butter
8 oz of white mushrooms, sliced
~1/4 pound of ham, cubed (or 2 hot dogs or sausages, sliced)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
5-6 TBSP ketchup
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
~3 TBSP of pasta cooking water
8 oz of spaghetti
salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese for topping

Boil 8 oz of spaghetti as directed on package. While spaghetti is boiling, saute mushrooms in butter. Once mushrooms are softened, add ham and garlic and saute for 1-2 more minutes. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce. Once spaghetti is cooked, add it to the frying pan with the sauce and toss to coat. Add pasta cooking water to thin out the sauce. Season with salt and pepper if needed. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese.

TIP: Can add onion and bell pepper to make it healthier.

Macaroni & Cheese

2 c. macaroni or pasta
3 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
1 1/2 c. milk
2/3 pkg. cream cheese
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 1/4 tsp dijon mustard
1 1/3 c. shredded cheddar cheese
optional: dash Worcestershire, dash garlic powder, dash hot sauce

Preheat oven to 400.
Cook macaroni as directed on package. Drain.
Heat butter in saucepan over med heat. Add flour to make a paste and cook for about 2 min.
Slowly stir in milk. Add cream cheese, salt, pepper, mustard, and other seasonings. Cook until thick.
Stir in macaroni and cheddar.
Pour into 2qt baking dish.
Bake at 400 for 15 to 20 min.

Chicken & Pesto Pasta

2 chicken breast halves
2 tbsp Italian dressing
8-10 mushrooms, sliced
1/4 c. chicken broth
1/8 c. sun-dried tomatoes
1 clove garlic, minced
dash of crushed red pepper
1/4-1/2 c. pesto
2-3 tbsp feta
8 oz. spaghetti or pasta, cooked

Cut chicken breast halves into bite-sized pieces. Pour Italian dressing over chicken and let it marinate while you slice mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes, and mince garlic.
Heat frying pan over medium heat. Add chicken and dressing to the pan along with garlic, mushrooms, crushed red pepper and sun-dried tomatoes (with some of the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes). Cook until chicken is brown (about 10 min).
Add chicken broth to pan and heat until boiling. Turn heat to low. Stir in pesto.
Stir spaghetti into pesto sauce. Serve with feta sprinkled on top.

TIP: White wine, or a combo of wine and broth can be substituted for the chicken broth.
TIP: For more flavor, try sun-dried tomato and basil flavored feta.