Try some warm comfort food before Spring is officially here...

Tuna Noodle Casserole All the great taste, but much healthier than the average recipe

Ingredients:

8 ounces wide egg noodles

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 cup chopped yellow onion

1/3 cup chopped carrot

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 3/4 cups fat-free milk

1/2 cup (4 ounces) 1/3 less-fat cream cheese, softened

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided

2 5-ounce cans albacore tuna in water, drained and flaked

Cooking spray

Directions:

-Preheat boiler.
-Cook noodles according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add onion and carrot; cook 6 minutes or until carrot is almost tender, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually stir in milk; cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly with a whisk until slightly thick. Stir in cream cheese, mustard, salt and pepper; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
-Remove pan from heat. Stir in noodles, 1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and tuna. Spoon mixture into a shallow broiler-safe 2-quart baking dish coated with cooking spray; top with remaining 1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Broil 3 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Yields 6 servings.

Nutrition info: 422 calories per serving.

Cheers! How 'bout a dry white wine? I'm not a huge fan of Chardonnay, but it sounds perfect here...

Origin: I'm embarrassed to say it. Cooking Light.

Notes: The original recipe called for peas, but I left them out. If you are a fan of peas, have at it. Also, you can buy tuna in a package rather than a can; it seems easier, but make sure it's proportionate to the recipe.

Not Your Ordinary Meat Loaf...

Cheesy Meat Loaf Minis A light version of a homemade staple

Ingredients:

1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs (about one ounce)

Cooking spray

1 cup chopped onion

3 garlic cloves, chopped

1/2 cup ketchup

3 ounces white cheddar or pepper jack cheese, diced

1/4 cup chopped parsley

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon prepared horseradish

1 tablespoon dijon mustard

3/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 1/2 pounds ground sirloin

1 large egg, lightly beaten

Directions:

-Preheat oven to 425.

-Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add breadcrumbs; cook 3 minutes or until toasted, stirring frequently.
-While breadcrumbs cook, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion and garlic; saute 3 minutes. Combine onion mixture, breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup ketchup and remaining ingredients. Shape into 6 (4 x 2 inch) loaves on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray; spread 2 teaspoons ketchup over each. Bake at 425 for 25 minutes or until done. Yields 6 servings.

Nutrition info: 256 calories per serving.

Cheers! How 'bout a good old fashioned beer? Perhaps Summit or Fat Tire.

Origin: Our favorite, Cooking Light.

Notes: This is a pretty easy recipe, really. Feel free to add extra garlic, or different herbs other than parsley; whatever tastes good to you. The original recipe calls for white cheddar cheese, but I find pepper jack is great too. You can buy single sticks of it at your local grocery, and that usually is sufficient.