Almost as Easy as Drive-Thru: Ravioli Dinner

Like a lot of busy parents, most nights I'm just looking for a way to avoid the fast food drive thru or pizza delivery. This is especially true when I'm feeling tired or uninspired. One meal that often fits the bill is a ravioli bake.

I buy refrigerated ravioli, but rather than boil it as the directions state, I put it in a casserole dish and cover it with a jar of spaghetti sauce. I bake it until it's warmed through - about 30 minutes - and then sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top until melted. Paired with a bagged salad and some garlic bread it's easy, relatively inexpensive, and popular with all the members of my family.

Some of the ways I've made this meal healthier are:

• Go meatless - My family loves the spinach and cheese ravioli that Costco sells.
• Boost the fiber - Look for whole wheat varieties of garlic bread in the freezer section of your grocery store. Another option is to use whole wheat rolls and brush the tops with melted butter and garlic salt.
• Lighten it up - Dole offers a Caesar's salad kit in a light version. Frozen garlic breads and bread sticks can also be found with reduced calories and fat.