Sunday, January 13, 2019

Supper in a Flash: Ravioli Lasagna from Elizabeth Craig/Riley Adams + #Bookgiveaway!



I have long admired Elizabeth Craig. She's a talented author of multiple bestselling mystery series, a busy mother of two, and a dedicated blogger who has offered online fellowship to the writing community for years. (Her Twitter feed is a marvel.) 

Elizabeth is also a beloved alumna of Mystery Lovers' Kitchen, and we're delighted that she's here for a visit. Please join me in welcoming Elizabeth back to the Kitchen! 

~ Cleo 







Hi everyone and Happy New Year! It’s good to be visiting at Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen today. As I’m visiting, I’m taking the opportunity to get some much-needed new ideas for suppertime in the Craig household.

2018 was a little crazy for me. I have a daughter who will be graduating from high school in a few months and last year was all about college visits and decision-making. There were also a lot of family visits, various events, a new book series for me, and a lot of other stuff going on. I seemed . . . I don’t know . . . distracted sometimes. And I just couldn’t figure out why.  I’ve pledged that 2019 will be less-distracting, but so far, it’s been just as hard to focus, somehow.


When I was selecting a recipe for today, I envisioned myself choosing one that was photogenic and something on the elaborate side. Then, after blinking at my recipe files on Evernote, I slowly realized, "I have been cooking fast and easy stuff.  Wow. I wonder why?"


With my attention completely shot, some of you might be wondering when I find the time to write (especially two books simultaneously, which I’ve been doing for a little while).  Maybe you have important things to do, too, and wonder how you can find the time to squeeze it in. It may not work for everyone, but I’ve found that getting up an hour before anyone else really helps. 

The key is: don’t check your email or social media! The second we do this is the moment our day belongs to someone else. Instead, I’ve tried to follow Mark Twain’s example: eat the frog first

Don’t worry—there are no frogs harmed in the Craig house at 5 a.m. (or any other time, yuck)! But I do tackle my most challenging task first thing in the day. Because otherwise, I somehow find myself getting derailed. 


Now for that recipe...


Quick and Easy Ravioli Lasagna 

(Not photogenic. But clean-your-plate tasty!!) 

Ingredients: 

A pound of lean ground beef
Garlic salt to taste
Pepper to taste
24 oz. spaghetti sauce
1.5 pounds of frozen cheese ravioli
6 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup shredded Parmesan
(If you’re feeling fancy, garnish with basil or parsley, optional)

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

While oven is warming, cook meat (I’ve also used ground turkey and you could even use sausage) with pepper and garlic salt over medium-high heat. Drain. 
In an 8x8 dish, add a quarter of a cup of the spaghetti sauce to the bottom of the dish. Then add a third of the frozen ravioli, the ground beef, sauce, and mozzarella cheese.  Repeat the layers twice more.

Spray some aluminum foil and cover the dish and bake for an hour. Remove foil, add Parmesan on the top, and put back in the oven without the foil for another 10 minutes. 

Garnish with basil or parsley, if desired.  If garnish not desired, go back to whatever it was you were doing.  If you can remember what that was.


Thanks to Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen for hosting me today!  

Do you have any special challenges that knock you off track sometimes? Do you have easy recipes as fallbacks? What are your resolutions this year? Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a print or eBook copy of Elizabeth’s latest release in the Southern Quilting Mysteries!



About Elizabeth

Elizabeth is the author of the Southern Quilting mysteries, the Myrtle Clover Cozy Mysteries, the upcoming Village Library Mysteries, and Memphis Barbeque mysteries for Penguin Random House, Midnight Ink, and independently. She lives in Matthews, North Carolina with her husband and is the mother of two. More about her books here, including her upcoming Village Library series!






Some new residents don’t deserve welcome baskets.

Small towns can be notoriously cliquey. Dappled Hills, however, wasn’t usually such a town. The residents ordinarily welcomed newcomers with open arms.  But when Annabelle Tremont moved to town, the usual cheery greetings became angry whispers. Annabelle could be difficult and it wasn’t a big surprise to anyone when she turned up dead.

Beatrice was surprised when Annabelle moved from Atlanta to Dappled Hills … but she wasn’t surprised when she made enemies. That’s because Beatrice knew Annabelle from her days as a museum curator. Now Beatrice must find the killer … and clear her own name.


Be sure to include an email address in your
comment to enter Elizabeth's giveaway.


This giveaway is now over. 

Congrats to the winner:

FAITH CREECH!


👇

117 comments:

  1. I do my best to do easy recipes especially now for chicken mainly, my challenge is multitudes of health problems, I do my best to move forward to keep going. I signed up for more activities to do at my library for this year.
    Clemmie.Jackson@yahoo.com

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    1. The library is my favorite place! I love that you're looking to it as a place to stay involved and active. Hope that 2019 is a good year for you and that your health problems improve!

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  2. That looks delicious and easy. It has been so long since I've had either ravioli or lasagna. I think it's time to fix that. mbradeen [at] yahoo [dot] com

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    1. This one is so easy that it stays on my rotation! Life gets so busy sometimes. And it's easy to double it when I have guests, which is great!

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  3. I love making casseroles. They are simple and fast, yet can be healthy!
    My big promise/resolution this year is to make sure that every book I read I review! I slacked on that last year and I am not doing that again!
    I love your books!
    debprice60@gmail.com

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    1. Thanks so much for the kind words, Deb! We eat a lot of casseroles at our house. And you'll be a writer favorite for sure if you review everything you read! That's an awesome resolution!

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  4. I love easy to make dishes as I don't have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen. I especially love using my crockpot. I can throw some stuff in there before work, and when I get home, dinner is done! Thanks for the chance to win your novel. JL_Minter (at) hotmail (dot) com

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    1. I used my crockpot last night! I made one of author Kaye Barley's favorite recipes...taco soup. It stayed in the crockpot all day on low and made us all feel warm despite the yucky NC weather we have right now!

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  5. That recipe sounds delicious! Now that it’s cooled off here in San Diego, I’ll give it a try. I luurve your corgis :)

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    1. Thanks! Corgis are awesome pets, but they can be distracting, ha! Hope you'll enjoy the recipe and your cooler temps!

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  6. I always keep either a frozen lasagna or eggplant palm in the freezer that I can just pull out. I also have a 20 minute chili recipe from Rachel Ray that’s easy.

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    1. Those all sound like easy solutions for busy nights (and for cold ones this winter!)

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  7. I love ravioli and lasagna, and your recipe sounds so simple and delicious and hearty! Thanks for coming to Mystery Lovers' Kitchen and sharing it with us ~ bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Celia! Hope you have a happy week!

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  8. Sounds great. Thanks for the giveaway. Janngrogan@yahoo.com

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  9. Always happy for new easy recipes! I try to do a lot of cooking prep on the weekends to make weeknights after a busy day easy.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. That's a great tip for making the rest of the week easier!

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  10. Forgot to leave my email! Jwhite410@yahoo.com

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  11. What a great recipe, I can't wait to try it! I am going to make Meatball Soup in my Instant Pot today, but plan to try this soon. Thank you for sharing it with us. ioncookbooks(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  12. I retired about a year ago but I still hate to cook. I'm always looking for new, tasty and easy recipes to make. I hope to do more knitting this year and work on some embroidery kits that were given to me when I retired. My special challenges the past several months has been having to do it all, as my husband fell and broke his shoulder, resulting in shoulder replacement surgery. dbahn(at)iw(dot)net

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    1. Hoping for quick healing for your husband and a creative and crafty 2019 for you with your knitting and embroidery!

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  13. I have a large clay container with lid that makes the best stew or chicken dishes - I add the right ingredients, and it does the hard work in 4 or 5 hours in the oven! Thank you for the giveaway. rebarger@bellsouth.net

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    1. Kitchen tools make all the difference, don't they? Thanks for sharing this one with us!

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  14. Quick and easy are part of the dinner quest in my house. But if we are looking for comfort food it will be pasta based. I have a very compact kitchen which means I don't have a prep chef and do it all myself. LOL

    I'd love to add your new book to my collection of your writings.

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    1. Wouldn't it be so nice to have a prep chef!? Glad I'm not the only one who wants quick and easy. :)

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  15. Thanks for the recipe! A must try for me! Love the book cover! Thanks for the chance! bernice-kennedy(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

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  16. Have to try this! thanks
    Love your pictures

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  17. Thanks for the chance and the recipe looks yummy. Welcome back.
    rainonlois@aol.com

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  18. My brother taught me skillet spaghetti years ago. One pan and 30 minutes. suefoster109 at gmail dot com. I enjoyed your BBQ series. I mostly read culinary mysteries so I haven’t read the others.

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  19. Quick and Easy Ravioli Lasagna sounds easy and delicious - a wonderful combination. Can't wait to try it.

    Thanks for the chance to win a copy of "On Pins and Needles". Can't wait for the opportunity to read this wonderful book on my TBR list to read more about Annabelle and Dabbled Hills. Adorable cover!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. Hope you'll enjoy it! And thanks for putting 'On Pins and Needles' on your TBR!

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  20. Your dog is so adorable! I love to cook, but baking is my specialty.
    Quick recipe for me is chicken and pasta. You can make that very quickly and even “fancy” it up if needed.
    My resolution for this year is to travel more since my husband has joined me in retirement.
    Thanks for the chance to win.

    donnaing1(at)gmail(dot) com

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    1. Chicken and pasta is a terrific standby meal and can be made so many ways!

      Hope you and your husband have a happy year of travel. :)

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  21. You can go really low effort and use a sauce with meat already in it!
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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  22. Your fur babies are precious. Thank you for the insight into "On Pins and Needles". Cooking is one of my jobs in our family. Although I'm no where near Chef level, I do keep my family from starving. lol! My resolution for this year lasted about a two week period. It was to eat healthier. Unfortunately I can't kick my addiction to Paydays. robeader53(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Thanks! They make me smile.

      Resolutions are tricky things, aren't they? :)

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  23. Pins and Needles sounds intriguing and unique. I make an easy roasted kale and salmon recipe which is delectable. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  24. When I want a quick and tasty meal I broil tilapia and steam broccoli and enjoy this healthy and appetizing supper. I have a resolution to stay healthy and happy. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. That's a great combination!

      I like your resolution. :)

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  25. My husband does much of the cooking (he enjoys combining recipes!) But if I need something relatively quick its tuna noodle casserole for the win! Plus all of my boys request it when they come home!

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    1. ooops, forgot the email, betcei@aol.com

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    2. That must be awesome, having your husband cook! And it's good to have a recipe in your back pocket that everyone loves! Thanks for the comment and email!

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  26. Your furbabies are adorable & I do love quick & easy recipes. My go to is chicken & pasta.
    turtle6422 at gmail dot com

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    1. And chicken and pasta can be fixed so many different ways! Thanks for stopping by.

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  27. Quick and easy Italian dinners are perfect on the cold winter days. They leave more time for reading books like yours.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmailcom

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    1. Today is the perfect day to read here! I'm about 20% of the way through a book that I'm hoping to make more headway on today. :)

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  28. Your recipe sounds great (and doable for a non-cook like myself). And, I your cat and dog look sweet. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of your book.
    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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    1. Thanks, Linda! And thanks for the kind words for Finn and Shadow. :)

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  29. My resolutions are to do well in my special Olympic events and read more less Netflix I don’t cook so I don’t have any recipes I fall back on and I’m a special needs adult so yes I do have challenges angelcake12@optonline.net

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    1. Good luck with your events, Tiffany! And I probably should cut down on my Netflix time, too. :)

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  30. I like quick and easy recipes, yours sounds delicious. I’ll be making it for sure. The title is awesome and the cover is too. Your book sounds interesting I do want to read it. Donakutska7@gmail.com

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  31. I thought when we moved closer to my workplace I'd have more time. Nope. Then thought when the kids were grown. Nope again. Then thought surely when I'm retired, but nope. So we just have to find the time to fit in what needs to be done. I've been making pizza from scratch since I was about 9 (for real) so that's always an easy go to, as is tuna casserole and a couple other things. I'll be adding your recipe to my list. Thanks for the giveaway.
    sallycootie(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. I keep hearing tales of everyone's busy retirements! Sounds like it's not the quiet time that we all used to think it was. :) Pizza from scratch and tuna casserole both sound like easy fall-backs!

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  32. Love to cook and try new recipes! I made turkey enchilada lasagna last night- first time, easy and delicious! Love to read too! Thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. That sounds amazing! I'll have to find a recipe online. :)

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  33. I love cooking, and quick, easy meals are the best! Thank you for sharing the recipe, and for this chance to win! areewekidding(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Thanks for entering, Robyn, and hope you have a great week!

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  34. I also like the fast and easy recipes as I am usually too tired to do much when I get home. One of my favorites is rice with sliced roast beef and cheese mixed with a bit of mayo and A1. I have given up on "New Years Resolutions" and just try to make the best of what happens. Thanks for the contest. trwilliams 69 at msn dot com

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    1. That sounds really good, Taylor! It's nice to have something tasty and filling available when the temptation would be to just scrounge something unhealthy up. :)

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  35. Raviloi Lasagna is one of my favorites, but I cheat and buy it at Costco. One of my resolutions is to cook more, so thanks for the recipe. Love the cover for your new book, can't wait to read it.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Costco has some great ready-to-eat stuff! We like their chicken penne here. :)

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  36. Your book looks very good. Thanks for the chance to win.
    faithdcreech at gmail dot com

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    1. Congratulations, Faith, on winning Elizabeth's giveaway! Thank you again, Elizabeth, for the wonderful post. We hope you'll come back and visit us again soon! ~ Cleo

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  37. The needs of a housemate can derail me rather unexpectedly and my time sometimes feels funneled away no matter how carefully I plan. Those plans are currently my goals for the year. They include incorporating more movement into my day and cooking healthily while keeping flavors appealing enough to tempt another's finicky palate. I am all for fast recipes.
    littlelamblst@yahoo.com

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    1. I love your proactive approach to a challenging situation and the way you're looking after yourself in 2019!

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  38. Love your pets and look forward to reading the new books. I use rotisserie chicken or frozen shrimp for stir fries.

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    1. Frozen shrimp is the best! I like to pick up rotisserie chicken at Costco when I'm there, too. :)

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  39. I use a variety of marinades for baked chicken.. My New Year's resolution has been to get better organized and de-clutter. It is going well so far! I love this series so thank you for the chance to win!! salvatoresmom71(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Best of wishes to you in your efforts to declutter and organize! I have 2 kitchen drawers that are calling out to me now... :)

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  40. I was obviously distracted the other night when I made Greek Chicken in my instant pot. I went to take it out and l’d used frozen salmon instead of chicken. It was absolutely delicious and I’ll make it again. Can’t wait to read this book. Jlsxstitch (at) gmail (dot) com.

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    1. Too funny! That's probably how some of the best recipes have come about, ha! I'll have to give that a go in my own Instant Pot!

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  41. I forgot about this recipe! I used to make it and somehowit slipped my mind! Thank you for reminding me. The end of 2017 we moved from Utah to Kentucky to be with my son and his family. This is a perfect grandkids meal! I've made it in the crockpot before and it was so easy. We have a 7, 5, and 3 yr old grandkids and preparing dinner can be distracting. Things that come together easily are always welcomed! Thank you!!! meg85242 at gmail dot com

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    1. That's a huge move! I know you are so happy to be closer to family. Yes, this one is a recipe that's very kid-friendly! Enjoy those grandbabies!

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  42. I need to try the recipie and read the book. Love the corgi!
    baileybounce2@att.net

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  43. Hi, Elizabeth! Just dropping in to thank you again for the lovely guest post and generous giveaway. I know how busy you are these days, but I hope you'll come back again soon to keep us all updated with your writing life. Warmest wishes and Happy New Year! ~ Cleo

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    1. Thanks so much to you for hosting me and the giveaway! It's been really fun. :)

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  44. You are definitely not the only one looking for quick and easy!! Love the dogs! Am missing mine but not ready to get another one. kec200@aol.com

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    1. I know what you mean: having dogs in the house is like having children!

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  45. Thanks for the recipe—quick and easy can be just what we need sometimes. Legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com

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  46. Love the recipe. Thanks for the giveaway. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  47. I just love your book cover! Happy New Year! No resolutions for me! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Happy New Year to you, Linda! Sometimes no resolutions is the best resolution of all!

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  48. Hi Elizabeth,
    Thanks for sharing this recipe.I've tried similar recipes, I can't wait to try yours.I'm a mom of two teens,I know they will definitely want try cooking and eating this recipe. They both love to bake and cook.
    Your fur babies are photogenic!They are so adorable!
    I want to do more meal planning,prepping ahead and make ahead baking/cooking.
    Happy New Year!
    BakingCookies32(at)Gmail(dot)com

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    1. I can attest that this is a good teen recipe! My picky 17 year old loves it. :) Thanks for the kind words for Finn and Shadow...they are great furbabies, but keep me busy!

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  49. New author for me. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Thanks for coming by and finding out more about my books, Kim!

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  50. Sounds yummy and easy . I am going to try thst tonight . Thank you for the receipt . Nancyhallenbeck@gmail.com

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  51. I've made something like that before, quick and easy and tasty too. pgenest57@aol.com

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    1. It's always good to have a recipe like this to fall back on, isn't it? Have a great week!

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  52. looks delish
    kckendler at gmail dot com

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  53. Your recipe sounds delicious! Thanks for it and the book giveaway! lclee59(at)centurylink(dot)net

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  54. I am a shift worker so my husband and I take turns cooking. My fallbacks are making extra meatloaves to keep in the freezer when we need a dinner idea, making spaghetti but tweaking the jarred sauce to make it more my own. I think I will give your recipe a try as my family is all about Italian meals when we can get them.
    I do enjoy your series. I feel a need to learn to quilt if I had any sewing capability in my genes. = )
    VWinship at aol dot com

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    1. I love having meals in the freezer! And your spaghetti sauce sounds like a better twist on the original. Thanks so much for reading!

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  55. Made this for dinner tonight! It was a HIT! Thanks so much! Delish : )

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  56. Beautiful corgi on that couch! Thanks for the opportunity.
    browninggloria(at)hotmail(dot) com

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  57. I look forward to reading On pins and needles ! I also am anxious to make and try your super easy ravioli lasagna!! What a fantastic way to quickly make a dinner.

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  58. Just dropping in to congratulate Faith Creech on winning author Elizabeth Craig's terrific Southern Quilting Mystery: ON PINS AND NEEDLES.

    I'd also like to thank Elizabeth once again for her wonderful post and generous giveaway. We all hope you'll come back and visit us again soon!

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