My New Love: Philadelphia Italian Cheese and Herb Cooking Creme

Have you heard of  cooking creme?  I hadn't until I found a Baked Penne Pasta recipe from Kraft Foods that I wanted to try.  I really didn't even think I'd find it at the grocery store, but...there it was...waiting patiently next to the cream cheese.

I apologize, I already shared a recipe this week, the Black and Blue Burger for your Memorial Day Grilling.  But my family RAVED about this pasta dish, thank goodness I doubled the recipe!!!  It was easy and this new cooking creme was fantastic!  If you try a different flavor, be sure to share your thoughts with me!  Here's the recipe:

BAKED PENNE

What you need:

1/2 lb. extra-lean ground beef (I use 1/2 ground beef and half  Italian sausage)

1/2 c. each chopped onions and green peppers

1 (24 oz) jar of spaghetti sauce

1 (10 oz) tub of Philadelphia Italian Cheese & Herb Cooking Creme, divided

1 c.  shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided

3 c. cooked penne pasta

MAKE  IT

Heat oven to 350

Brown meat with veggies in large nonstick skillet.  Stir in spaghetti sauce, 3/4 c. cooking creme and 1/2 c. mozzarella;  cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted.  Add pasta, mix lightly.

Spoon into a 2 qt casserole; top with remaining cooking creme and mozzarella.  Cover.

Bake 20 minutes, or until heated through, uncovering after 15 minutes.

ENJOY!!!  I doubled the recipe because I added the Italian sausage and because my daughter's boyfriend was coming for dinner and he has a healthy appetite....it was a hit with all!!!