Cheese Tortellini Pasta Salad

I have made this a few times for showers or family parties and it is always a hit. I found the recipe on www.food.com

1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained, quartered
1 (10 ounce) cont. grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise
1 (6 ounce) can medium black olives, drained, sliced in half lengthwise
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 (20 ounce) package cheese-filled egg tortellini, cooked al dente, drained (fresh or frozen)
1/3 cup olive oil, more if needed
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, the kind in the can
1 (8 ounce) jar basil pesto
1/2 teaspoon salt, more if needed
2 teaspoons minced garlic
12 ounces mozzarella cheese, cubed
8 ounces half of a 1 lb. box rotini pasta, cooked al dente, drained

Directions:
Cook pastas, set aside to drain and cool a bit.
In large bowl or punch bowl, add rest of ingredients, folding gently til well mixed.
Gently fold in pastas well.
Adjust seasoning to taste, meaning, add more salt, parmesan, etc., til you like it.
Serve immediately, or refrigerate.
*If you make this say a day ahead of time, you'll need to "refresh" this. Just add a bit more olive oil, salt and parmesan before serving. This salad is best, though, room temp, or even slightly warm.

Lasagna (you don't have to precook the noodles!)

1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup onions
1 clove garlic
1 bottle spaghetti sauce
3/4 cup water
1 box of lasagna noodles
Large container cottage cheese
1/2 cup parmesan
3 cups mozzarella

Preheat oven to 375

9x13 pan

1st layer - sauce and beef mixture
2nd layer - lasagna noodles
3rd layer - mixture of cottage cheese, 1/2 of parm and all of mozzarella
Repeat
Top layer should be sauce

Cover with foil, bake 1 hour. Uncover, cook 5-10 minutes, sprinkle with the rest of the parmesan cheese and serve.

Baked Ziti

RecipeZaar #22176

1 lb lean ground beef
1 cup onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (32 ounce) jar meatless sauce
1 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta, cooked and drained
2 (8 ounce) cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large skillet, cook ground beef, onions, and garlic over medium-high heat for 6 to 8 minutes or until beef is browned; stirring frequently.
3. Stir in spaghetti sauce, chicken broth, and oregano.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Stir 1 cup of the sauce into the cooked ziti noodles.
6. Spoon 1/2 of the ziti mixture into a 13x9x2-inch baking dish.
7. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.
8. Top with 2 cups sauce, then remaining ziti mixture and remaining sauce.
9. Cover and bake 20 minutes.
10. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
11. Return to oven and bake uncovered for 10 minutes or until heated through.