Wishes Wednesday Could Go On Forever!!!! (Meat Stuffed Shells, Banana Pudding)

I love my Wednesday's off.. they are great.. it is a nice reprieve in the middle of the week.. sleeping past 5:30am,  taking my time in the morning, enjoying my coffee..  love it..   Today was a little different.. had to drive down to Marietta to trade out the dvr,  the one we had stopped working much to the dismay of Saundra who had every episode of The Vampire Diaries on it..  I had some things on it.. but ah well..  it's life..  she will just have to buy the dvd when it comes out,  which she had planned on doing,  but she is freaking because she can't have TVD marathons this summer..  lol..   poor girl.. 
My oldest son turned 25 the beginning of the month and I am just now getting around to making his birthday dinner..    he decided on Pasta Shells so I scoured the internet for some new recipes and I came up with one that is meat filled instead of cheese filled.. I love the cheese filled,  but I thought something different would be good,  so I chose this one and made a few adjustments to it..  as I usually do..   :)

 

Meat Stuffed Shells

1 lb ground beef,  I used an all natural ground chuck with no added hormones, grass fed
1 lb turkey Italian sausage
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 c seasoned bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
1 c shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 c grated parmesan cheese
1 box jumbo shells, cooked according to pkg directions
Marinara Sauce
Extra Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese

In a large skillet heat the olive oil,  add the chopped onion and cook for about 3 minutes,  add the garlic,  cook another minute then add the beef and Italian sausage..  cook until the meat is done,  remove from head,  put in a bowl and cool..  add the bread crumbs, egg and cheeses and mix well..  put about 1 c sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 pan and then stuff the shells with the meat mixture,  continue until all the shells are stuffed.. if you have extra meat left over just mix it in with your marinara sauce..  put about 1 1/2 to 2 c sauce over the top of the shells,  top with cheeses and cover in foil.. bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 to 45 minutes.. uncovering the last 10 to 15 minutes of baking..

Garlic Parmesan Bread

1/2 stick butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
grated parmesan cheese
1 loaf Italian bread

soften or melt the butter and add the garlic.  let sit for about 5 minutes..  split the bread in half lengthwise and put on a piece of foil,  brush the butter, garlic mixture over the bread,  sprinkle with parmesan cheese and put the bread back together...  wrap in foil and bake in oven for about 15 minutes.. unwrap and slice.. it is nice and crunchy.. 

Caesar Salad

1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
garlic parmesan croutons
Ceasar salad dressing
parmesan cheese

Mix all in big bowl..  yummy

Banana Pudding

1 1/2 c sugar
3/4 c flour
3 eggs
8 c milk
2 tsp vanilla
3 bananas
2 boxes vanilla wafers

In a large pan mix the sugar and flour together,  then add the eggs and stir well..  when well combined add the milk and heat over medium head, stirring constantly until it starts to boil and gets thick..  while it is heating in the beginning, layer sliced bananas and vanilla wafers in a large casserole dish,  pour the hot pudding over and let sit for a little while.. I like it warm...