- My Family
Today I want to bring you a great recipe recycling leftovers into a delicious new dish, but I also want to share my heart with you a little bit and I know you’ll indulge me like you always do.
For many of us, times are more difficult now than we can remember them ever being. Even if your lifestyle hasn’t changed the impact of others having changed so much is still there. This is something that weighs heavily on my heart because I see so many people filled with worry but on the same token, I also see so many positive changes coming about as a result.
You see, sometimes bad things only exist to pave the way for good things and these days, I feel that is just what is happening. It’s all in your perspective for the most part.
So maybe we have less. So maybe we eat at home more, as a family around a dinner table filled with something cooked from scratch by someone who loves us. Maybe we have a few less preservatives and Red Dye #40 and have a little more biscuits and milk gravy. Maybe we sit and drink our coffee at the breakfast table instead of in a paper cup handed to us through a drive in window.
So maybe we buy kids a few less toys. When I was little I had the best rocket ships, doll cradles, and telephone system around – all made from empty oatmeal canisters. I’d spend hours crafting them, gluing paper on them to cover up the labels and then designing the new look with crayons. Mama would give me old wash rags to use as blankets and then she and I would take scraps and sew little pillows by hand for my dolls (or astronauts) to use.
Folks would pay good money for that kind of entertainment for their kids these days and yet it still sits in the same place it has for generations, on the pantry shelf just waiting to offer up a nutritious breakfast and comfy nap space for dolly.
Sometimes we need to realize that something bad can come along to help us take our eyes off of something worse, and realize that what we have at the core of things is something really, really good.
I’m not saying we don’t appreciate the good things in life or that we’ve lost our sense of values, just that perhaps now that the glaring, beeping things before us have toned down a bit , in the silence it’s not quite so hard to hear when a child whispers your name or to see the expectant smile aimed in your direction.
I’m not saying I don’t hope that everyone gets more money and those without don’t become those with again. Of course I wish the best of the best for everyone. But chances are, there’s something pretty darn good right there with you now. It might even be waiting to curl up in your lap or for you to simply look up and take notice.
All my life I dreamed of having a family. I have two gorgeous, happy, and healthy kids and a husband who loves us all. Just because the price of groceries has gone up doesn’t make my dream any less realized.
I don’t know if I’m willing to go out on a limb as an authority and state that there is good in everything bad, but I can tell you there has been good in everything I’ve seen so far.
Today’s recipe is a delicious use for leftover meatloaf. Most folks I know just recycle it into meatloaf sandwiches but I’m a casserole person myself and this is a casserole my husband and I really enjoy with leftover sloppy joe meat so I decided to give it a go with meatloaf and meatloaf sauce instead. It was every bit as good as we hoped it would be and then some.
Very much like a meatloaf lasagna, ingredients include pasta, a blend of ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, crumbled meatloaf, and sauce. An interesting and delicious twist that is sure to please.
You’ll need: small shell pasta, mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, and a can of meatloaf sauce. Y’all know I love this Hunts stuff, I could just about drink it from the can, but you can make your own if you like. You’ll need about two cups or so either way you go.
You’ll also need leftover meatloaf and it doesn’t matter how much or how little you have. I’d go for at least two cups of crumbled meatloaf.
Cook and drain your pasta according to directions. Place in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Combine your cheeses in a bowl and stir until they’re mixed up good.
Spread half of your cheese mixture over your pasta.
Top that with half the can of meatloaf sauce, spread it a little to make it go over the whole top.
Top that with all of your crumbled meatloaf. Yumm!
(My meatloaf was straight from the fridge, in case anyone is wondering)
Top that with the rest of your cheese mixture.
Spread remaining sauce over it.
Bake, uncovered, at 350 for thirty minutes or until bubbly.
Hand a good serving of this out and watch your husband’s eyes bug out of his head!
Meatloaf Casserole Ingredients- Leftover Meatloaf (2-4 cups, crumbled)
- 1 Can Meatloaf Sauce (Hunt's comes in a can of about 16 ounce size - you can also use your own meatloaf sauce)
- 2 Cups uncooked small shell pasta
- 2 Cups Ricotta Cheese
- 2 Cups mozzarella cheese
Instructions- Cook pasta according to package directions and drain. Place in bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. In medium sized bowl, stir together cheeses until well combined. Top pasta with half of cheese mixture. Spread half the meatloaf sauce over the top. Top with crumbled meatloaf. Add remaining cheese and top with remaining sauce, spreading to cover the top. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for thirty minutes, or until bubbly.
- Leftover Meatloaf (2-4 cups, crumbled)
- 1 Can Meatloaf Sauce (Hunt's comes in a can of about 16 ounce size - you can also use your own meatloaf sauce)
- 2 Cups uncooked small shell pasta
- 2 Cups Ricotta Cheese
- 2 Cups mozzarella cheese
- Cook pasta according to package directions and drain. Place in bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. In medium sized bowl, stir together cheeses until well combined. Top pasta with half of cheese mixture. Spread half the meatloaf sauce over the top. Top with crumbled meatloaf. Add remaining cheese and top with remaining sauce, spreading to cover the top. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for thirty minutes, or until bubbly.
Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family:
Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.
~Jane Howard. Submit your quote here.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go wrangle up some oatmeal canisters…
Gratefully,
Christy 🙂
Yum 
I’m first! Loving that recipe Christy. The story is dead on in todays world.
Thank you so much, Cherrill. I kinda feel relieved that I finally got it out of me! lol
Gratefully,
Christy
I JUST LOVE UR WEBSITE… ITS GREAT.. I JUST LOVE YOU’RE RECIPES..
Amen, sister! Preach it!
Yes, sir!
Thank you, sometimes when times change and things get rough, we forget to be thankful for what we have.
I love your receipes-please keep them coming.
Thank you so much, Kathi. I’ll keep ’em coming as long as good people like you are kind enough to read!
Gratefully,
Christy 🙂
AMEN to the story!! you are a fabulous writer(and cook of course)
Thanks for the recipe-looks and sounds deelish!!
Joey, you are too good to me! thank you!
I love writing…even more than I love talking! lol To have folks actually read what is in my heart means the world to me.
Thank you so much for that.
Hope you are all set for a fabulous week!
Gratefully,
Christy 🙂
The recipe looks good and it follows my philosophy in life. Use it up, make do, take it in , let it out. cut it up, sew it up and on and on. I was raised in a different generation than most of your readers and we had five kids and a low income but we were happy and I never once felt deprived. Maybe a little jealous when I saw saddle shoe son my friends feet and I had brown oxfords becasue they were long wearing, but even then I knew my mom and dad were doing their best for us and loved us wholeheartedly.I have always felt a sense of accomplishment that I could manage on what I had because of life’s lessons learned early. I still don’t like to waste and if I can’t use something I try to pass it on to someone who can instead of today’s throw away society. I am not wanting to go back to “old times” but I have to admit when I watch Walton’d Mountain or Little house reruns I wish some of those values would once again prevail. I just learned this week that my grandkids were asking for laptops and ipods for Christmas and while it is not my business and I don’t interfere, it saddens to see that in kids who should be thinking babydolls and baseball bats. By the way leftover meatloaf is good in spahetti sauce or I make a hash with meatloaf ,potatoes, and onions all fried together.
The recipe looks good and it follows my philosophy in life. Use it up, make do, take it in , let it out. cut it up, sew it up and on and on. I was raised in a different generation than most of your readers and we had five kids and a low income but we were happy and I never once felt deprived. Maybe a little jealous when I saw saddle shoes on my friends feet and I had brown oxfords because they were long wearing, but even then I knew my mom and dad were doing their best for us and loved us wholeheartedly.I have always felt a sense of accomplishment that I could manage on what I had because of life’s lessons learned early. I still don’t like to waste and if I can’t use something I try to pass it on to someone who can instead of today’s throw away society. I am not wanting to go back to “old times” but I have to admit when I watch Walton’s Mountain or Little house reruns I wish some of those values would once again prevail. I just learned this week that my grandkids were asking for laptops and ipods for Christmas and while it is not my business and I don’t interfere, it saddens me to see that in kids who should be thinking babydolls and baseball bats. By the way leftover meatloaf is good in spaghetti sauce or I make a hash with leftover cubed meatloaf , diced potatoes, and onions all fried together.
Dear Ms. Christy,
These are wonderful thoughts. Hope you don’t mind that I forwarded them to a local group here in lovely Lago Vista TX, commenting that these good thoughts come “from a woman who looks way too young to be as wise as she is”. (Of course I ended the forward with an invitation to all to check out your website.)
Gratitude is what makes life go from bearable to splendid in the space of one thought. Thank you!
Your fan, friend, and sister-woman,
Mrs. Welch
Dear Mrs. Welch,
I’m deeply honored that you would consider something I wrote to be worthy of forwarding, thank you so very much for giving me such a wonderful gift.
When I hit send on todays post, I did it with a little bit of trepidation. I had something in my heart and needed to speak it but I try to be careful with y’all’s time and was hoping I didn’t get too high up on my soap box as I tend to do when I feel passionately about something.
My ancestors taught me that things like gratitude and blessings are always something to feel passionate about.
Your comment came into my phone while I was out with my daughter getting some ingredients to make cookies and as soon as I read it I just had to stop and hug her.
I am likely the most talkative person I know, but I’m unable to tell you what a gift you gave me today.
Grateful to have such wonderful people in my life,
Christy
I apologize for the double post.
It’s always good to see you. If a technical glitch allows me to see you twice back to back, thats just a bonus!!
🙂
Gratefully,
Christy
Left over meatloaf? Never in my house! LOL I have to make two at a time and it’s only DH and myself. I always send goodie packages to my Mom and In laws. I don’t know how to cook just for two! I LUV LUV LUV your site Christy! The apple cake is a big hit. Please keep doing what you’re doing. I so look forward to seeing your e-mails.
Big hugs to you and yours
Shannon Mammone
Malvern Ohio
Of all days today was the very day I NEEDED to read something like this. Life has kind of thrown me and my family some curveballs lately but through it all we’ve said we really are blessed. Believe it or not, we’re having meatloaf for dinner tonight too! Thanks so much for the wonderful post — and the recipe too!!!
This sounds great..I just happen to have leftover meatloaft from Tuesday so I’ll try this tonight. I use the meatloaf sauce in my meatloaf so I guess I’ll just go ahead and use another can for my sauce and see how it turns out this time, we like things sometimes a little spicey.
I may try one of Elaine’s ideas with meatloaf leftover next time. It’s great to have a few options, even for us old folks who thought we knew it all and we don’t.
Thanks for all your recipes, I have not been disappointed one time.
Thanks for the recipe. You know, I never knew that they sold meatloaf sauce in a can! LOL Guess you can tell I am a “make from scratch” type person. Although we do love meatloaf sandwiches and I always make an extra big meatloaf so we will have leftovers, I am thinking on a cool crisp night that this would be good.
Hey, Christy! Leftover meatloaf? I have to make meatloaf every now and then JUST SO hubby can have his meatloaf sandwiches, with mustard, of course. This recipe sounds delicious, though.
Your comments on simple things are right on. It seems we sometimes need to retrain ourselves to look for what is really important in life. God really does work all things together for our good. I think sometimes He allows us to do without so that we slow down and remember that He is the one providing, and not ourselves. I have found that what God provides is always the best for me and am constantly amazed at the many ways He uses to show His love and care.
Christy, I hope your back is all better and that your whole family is well and happy! God bless you all. Have a great day! Mary C
Christy, I hope you don’t mind me using your blog to ask a question on. I am looking for some canning or food preserving bloggers and wondered if you or anyone else might have some.
Thats perfectly fine, who better to ask than your neighbors? 🙂
I have several canning recipes on Southern Plate, including a complete canning tutorial.
But the moment I read this comment a woman came to mind. Her name is Laura Williams and she is just a lovely person all around. She runs a blog and also a blog carnival dedicated to food preservation. You can read her blog to get all sorts of wonderful links to articles on different types of canning and other preservation methods. I’ve put a few Southern Plate things in it from time to time. Her blog address is:
http://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com/2008/10/carnival-of-home-preserving-for-week-of.html
I would think her blog would be the perfect starting point for you to find tons of blogger resources. Hope this helps!
Gratefully,
Christy
P.S. Tell Laura I said hi!
Ya know, you look up Southern Plate thinking you are just gonna find recipes, but Christy always brings us a wonderful perspective on life, traditions and focus on our family. I “get” Christy, with her love of her family and the treasures that they are in a fast-paced world because we have the same values.
Christy, I hope life brings you all the real joys and happiness your heart can hold. Thanks for the reminders to appreciate what we have and to feel blessed in so much of our lives. Love ya! Your biggest cheerleader. (Thanks for another great recipe/post)
One hundred percent in agreement with everthing you said! We raised our kids that way even though it wasn’t ‘in style’. Our baby is in college now and I wouldn’t trade a single day of being home and eating together every night in our own kitchen.
Thank you for that! Just what I’ve been thinking … but you say it so well! I am thankful that we are slowing down and really choosing the things that are important. Thanks for all you do – you are a blessing!
Christy your thoughts are wonderful and the recipe looks delicious….but What is meatloaf sauce? I have never seen or heard of it.
I wonder if it’a a regional thing? Do you find it with the canned tomatoes? What would you use in place of it? TIA for your help.
Hey Barn! Hunts makes it and it is with all of the other tomato sauce products. In its place I’d use tomato sauce (or ketchup) seasoned as you normally do for your personal meatloaf. I go into more depth about this sauce in my original meatloaf post here
https://www.southernplate.com/2009/01/meatloaf-making-freezing-and-small-batch-options.html
I hope this helps! Even where I am I sometimes have to look to find it. Grocery chains (Kroger, Publix, Piggy Wiggly, etc) tend to carry it more than the big box folks like Wally World and such.
If you find it, you are in for a treat! I Love this stuff!!
Gratefully,
Christy 🙂
Everything about this one is nostalgic. My mom could turn anything into a delicious casserole. It reminds me of my childhood. And toys back in the day, I say AMEN to ya! My Barbies were the best dressed around because my mom handmade all their clothes. She usually made me outfits to match, too. (Why didn’t she think of American Girl??) Thanks for the walk down Memory Lane! ***
I wish the whole world could read what you wrote today. I’m retired now, but was high up in corporate world. People would look at me so strangely when I would tell them the best job I ever had, or the experience that gave me the most joy, was always my children and being a mom. It was and is my life’s dream. I stayed at home with my guys. I babysat to support us, and it still is my grown children that bring me joy. My kids dragged their friends over, and still do, for some of Mom’s cooking. Which is now includes many of Christy’s recipes..even Lane’s. What better gift is their than making something with love for those you love, who then love it and their love and joy fills you up? I feel blessed that I found your web page. You shine, girl!!! p.s. What the heck is meatloaf sauce…I live in Canada?
This recipe looks great, as all of your recipes do! 🙂
As someone who lives alone now, though, and cooks for herself, I’d like to make a little request — can you post how many people each recipe serves? I often take favorite recipes and cut the ingredients in half so I can make them for myself (with leftovers, usually, if the recipe serves 3 or 4 after halving the amounts)…knowing how many servings a recipe will make helps to make that easier.
Thanks so much!
Diane in PA
Yes…life IS good and some of the sweetest things are the simplest! Thanks for another great post! Your recipe sounds great. I have leftover meatloaf from last night but it will have to be sandwiches tonight since I don’t have some of the ingredients needed for the meatloaf casserole!! I will be better prepared next time!!!
Loved Lane’s tutorial!
Bountiful Blessings!
As always you have a way with words! 🙂 Oh, yes, and your recipes are good too! 😉 Thanks for the reminder to be grateful and to remember that the little things in life can be the most profound- it doesn’t take much of money to have a great time. You look like you are having the time of your life. Enjoy! 🙂
I love this post! There really are so many things that you can celebrate instead of bemoaning if you set your mind to it. I love having home-cooked meals around the table instead of burgers at a crowded fast food joint. I love watching my kids play with the simple toys that they have, and they love playing with oatmeal canisters (usually as drums or to tote smaller toys around in). Life really can and should be good without spending a lot of money. 🙂
Amen Christy!!
The only thing I would add is to have our lost loved ones back in our lives again.
The recipe looks awesome- I’ll try it out next week when I’m off work!!
I can’t tell you all the times I have made your recipes and had leftovers that I froze and took to work later in the week. I’ve quickly learned to bring TWO servings tho- usually someone at work forgot their dinner and I have some to share.
Happy Autumn!!!!
Oh Sunny, what a wonderful thought to add our lost loved ones again. Yes!
Very good post, thank you so much for this website, I am so thankful to have found it, you are wise beyond your years and I know your mama is proud of you. I too think I will forward this on to my friends and suggest they check out this great site, I shouldn’t keep something so good all to myself. Have a blessed day!
Carol
Thank you Christy. I needed this post today.
I was just telling my girls yesterday, when we finished up the oatmeal making no bakes, how my Grandma used to make us little doll cradles out of those used up containers with a handmade dolly and blanket and pillow. It didn’t get much better than that. Amazing memories, thanks Christy
Yum! My family loves meatloaf! I’m going to try this with the extra! Thanks!
When I read your comment about the empty oatmeal containers, It reminded me of when me and my sisters were younger and would play “Store”. We would save different containers and set them up In our pretend shop. I was the big store owner and my sisters were the customers. lol We incorporated this Into playing “House” when our cousins or friends came over and played/stayed all night with us.
By the way, I know I can’t be the only guy who played “House” when he was younger! lol
I love this leftover recipe Christy! I always wonder what to do with my leftover meatloaf at times and this would be a great way to get rid of those leftovers! (Meatload sandwiches get old after awhile! hehe) I bet It taste just as good as It looks! 🙂