Category: CASSEROLES & SIDES

FRENCH ONION PASTA BAKE

This recipe is for recipe experiment night.  I was looking for a tasty alternative that I could also use as leftovers for my lunches.  I am happy to report that it was a success!
FRENCH ONION PASTA BAKE
6 ounces penne pasta
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon avocado oil
8 ounces button mushrooms, 1/4 inch slices
1 large shallot, halved and sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons Better than Chicken bouillon
4 ounces heavy cream
2 tablespoons Marsala Wine
3-4 FRESH thyme sprigs
3/4 cup seasoned croutons, crushed
4 ounces shredded Mozzarella

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Spray baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Prepare pasta al dente.
  • Drain pasta WELL and set aside.
  • In a large skillet melt butter and avocado oil.
  • Add mushrooms, onions and garlic. Season with FRESH ground salt and pepper, stirring and cooking 10-12 minutes until caramelized and deep brown.
  • Whisk together the Marsala wine, cream, two-thirds of the thyme, and the bouillon base.  Add to the mushroom mixture stirring and blending together until heated through.
  • Fold in the pasta and then half the cheese.
  • Spread into prepared baking dish.
  • Top with remaining cheese and crushed croutons.
  • Bake 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.
  • Top with remaining thyme.

NOTE: Penne pasta works best, but any other similar sized pasta would work well too.

BAKED SOUTHWEST PORK CHOPS

BAKED SOUTHWEST PORK CHOPS
6 -8 boneless pork chops
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 small red onion (I use the purple because it gives it more flavor), halved and thinly sliced
1 can Campbell’s cream of sweet corn soup
1 small can green enchilada sauce
1 small can chopped green chiles, DRAINED WELL
1 can shoepeg corn, DRAINED WELL
4 ounces sour cream
1 package Laura Scudder’s green onion dip mix
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
2 large white potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
sliced mini peppers

  • Generously season pork chops with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Melt butter and avocado oil in skillet over medium high heat.
  • Sear your pork chops in a skillet.
  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Spray baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Whisk together the soup, sour cream and enchilada sauce.
  • Fold in the corn and green chilies.
  • Spread half the sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
  • Top with the potatoes slices.
  • Top with a thin layer of the sauce.
  • Place browned pork chops in the baking dish in a single layer on top.
  • Top with the sliced onions.
  • Pour remaining sauce over the top and spread even.
  • Top with sliced mini peppers.
  • Bake in the oven for about 60 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
  • Serve hot.

CHEDDAR CHICKEN POT PIE

Making this recipe as individual pies you can taste the homemade pastry and rich cheddar flavored sauce in EVERY bite. You can make this as rustic or as elegant as you’d like by cutting the crust into cute little decorative shapes or leave it as a single layer. We like to invert the individual pies so the crust is on the bottom absorbing all the yummy gravy.

CHEDDAR CHICKEN POT PIE – serves 6
CRUST
1 cup soft flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon FRESH ground sea salt
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
3 tablespoons cold vodka

  • 5 minutes before you begin the crust place the vodka and butter cubes in the freezer.
  • Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a mixing bowl.
  • Cut in butter until crumbly.
  • Gradually add vodka, mixing until forms a ball.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate AT LEAST 30 minutes.

FILLING
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 cups cubed peeled potatoes
1 cup sliced carrots
1/2 cup sliced celery
1 can petite peas, drained WELL
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup Wondra flour
1 1/2 cups milk
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
4 cups diced rotisserie chicken
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste

  • Bring the broth to a SLOW boil over medium high heat in a large saucepan.
  • Add vegetable and simmer 10-15 minutes until tender.
  • Whisk together the milk and Wondra flour.
  • Stir milk mixture into broth mixture and simmer 10 minutes more or until desired thickness.
  • Stir in cheese and chicken.
  • Fold in peas.
  • Season to taste.

ASSEMBLY

  • Spoon filling into baking dish(es). Set aside.
  • On a floured pastry mat roll crust 1 inch larger than baking dish.
  • Ease crust over dish, sealing the edges to the side of the dish.
  • Make several slits in the dough for steam to escape through.
  • Bake uncovered, for 40 minutes or until golden.

NOTE: DO NOT forget to cut slits in the crust to allow the steam to escape.

PEASANT CHICKEN


PEASANT CHICKEN – serves 4
1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders
1/4 cup WONDRA flour
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
3 carrots, peeled and diced
1/2 pound green beans, trimmed and cut
2 shallots, sliced thin
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup chicken broth
Juice of 1 lemon
rice or pasta, prepared per package directions using chicken broth as your water ingredient for more flavor

  • Heat oil and butter in large saute skillet over a medium-high heat.
  • Generously season chicken pieces with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Dredge chicken pieces in flour.
  • Add chicken pieces to skillet browning 2-3 minutes per side.  Remove chicken to platter and tent to keep warm.
  • Add carrots to pan and saute’ 5 minutes until beginning to soften.
  • Add green beans and saute’ 2-4 minutes more.
  • Add shallots and saute’ 2 minutes more.
  • Add garlic and saute’ 2 minutes more.
  • Stir in broth and lemon juice.
  • Add chicken back into skillet, simmering 5 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce is beginning to thicken.
  • Serve over rice or pasta.

 

CHICKEN & RICE CASSEROLE

I’ve been making this recipe for many years. It’s a really easy and delicious meal that can be pulled together quickly! It’s really great comfort food for a cool evening – warm, tasty, creamy AND crunchy!  My copy was handed down by grams and was probably a Campbell’s Soup label recipe originally that was shared by her grandmother’s club.  I’ve been seeing versions of it pop up around social media and pinterest A LOT lately.  My version has been changed up A LOT, but hubby ALL but licks his plate when I make it.

WEEKNIGHT CHICKEN CASSEROLE
3 cups of diced rotisserie chicken
1 can cream of chicken soup or soup substitute
2½ cups cooked rice
½ cup sliced almonds or cashews
½ cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup Frank’s Hot Sauce (optional)
¾ cup diced celery (about 3 stalks)
2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
3/4 cup crushed potato chips (see notes) OR corn flakes, crushed into small pieces
2-3 tablespoons butter, melted

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Toss chicken pieces with hot sauce.
  • Place carrots in a microwave safe bowl and add 2 tablespoons of water.  Cook 1 minute so carrots begin to soften.
  • Combine all ingredients together a spread into a greased 9×13 baking dish.
  • Combine the crushed chips with the melted butter and sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
  • Bake for 30-40 minutes or until casserole is heated through.

NOTES:

  • You can really change up the flavor by using different flavored rotisserie chicken or different flavored potato chips. I also like to use sweet potato chips 😀 or sometimes, crushed saltines or rice krispies or ANY combo of the above!
  • We like to serve it with either shoepeg corn or green beans to round out the veggies 😀

CHICKEN BLT CASSEROLE

CHICKEN BLT CASSEROLE serves 6
12 ounces Barilla cellentani or rotini pasta
6 slices bacon, chopped, cooked until crispy
3 cups rotisserie chicken pieces
2 cups alfredo sauce (homemade or jar** – your choice)
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 1/2 cups micro arugula
2 large green onions, sliced thin
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Spray 3 quart baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Cook pasta al dente per package directions. Drain well.
  • In a large mixing bowl toss pasta with chicken pieces.
  • Add alfredo sauce and toss until well coated.
  • Season to taste with FRESH ground salt and pepper.
  • Fold in green onions, bacon pieces and tomatoes.
  • Cover and bake 25 minutes.
  • Top with cheese and return to oven uncovered for 5-10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Enjoy.

NOTES:

  • This recipe is good leftover. BUT is BEST FRESH because of the lettuce and tomato. 
  • RAGU makes a basil alfredo that is super yummy!

ITALIAN DEVIL CHICKEN & TOMATO POTATO CASSEROLE

These two recipes go hand in hand for us.  The marinade on the chicken makes it sooooooooo tender and flavorful too. The tomato potato casserole is good, but add the sauce and it ALL comes together as GREAT & YUMMY! 😀

ITALIAN DEVIL CHICKEN & TOMATO POTATO CASSEROLE

ITALIAN DEVIL CHICKEN
1 pound Chicken tenders
2 ounces avocado oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon
2 tablespoons Frank’s Original Hot Sauce
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
Wondra flour for dredging
1 tablespoon butter

  • Whisk together the avocado oil, lemon juice, garlic and hot sauce.
  • Season chicken tenders generously with FRESH ground salt and pepper.
  • Add chicken pieces to a shallow dish and pour marinade over top.
  • Cover and chill 4-8 hours or overnight.

 

  • Melt butter in skillet over medium heat.
  • Drain marinade off chicken pieces.
  • Dredge chicken pieces in flour and add to skillet.
  • Sear chicken pieces 2-3 minutes each side until golden and cooked through.
  • Remove chicken pieces and keep warm while preparing sauce.

SAUCE
4 ounces tomato pesto
1 cup Marsala wine

  • In the same skillet add wine being sure to scrape up all the browned bits.
  • Whisk in tomato pesto and simmer on medium high 5-6 minutes until heated through and slightly reduced.
  • Serve sauce over chicken pieces.

TOMATO POTATO CASSEROLE
potatoes, peeled and sliced thin
Italian Roma tomatoes, sliced thin
Vidalia onion, sliced thin
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
Parmesan Cheese, grated
FRESH basil leaves, torn, to taste
5-6 tablespoons Avocado oil
1/4 cup water

  • Spray baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Arrange potatoes in a layer, followed by a layer of onions and then a layer of tomatoes.
  • Sprinkle with basil leaves, to taste.
  • Season each layer to taste.
  • Repeat layers ending with the Parmesan cheese.
  • Sprinkle oil over cheese layer evenly.
  • Pour water over top.
  • Bake covered for 30 minutes.
  • Bake for another 30 minutes or until tender and cheese is golden.

DUCHESS POTATO CASSEROLE

Duchess potatoes in the traditional sense can be a lot of work to make them look right so this casserole is a real time saving alternative that looks just as pretty!
DUCHESS POTATO CASSEROLE
3 1/2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/2 inch thick
2/3 cup half and half
1 LARGE egg separated plus 2 egg yolks
10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Pinch of ground nutmeg
1 3/4 teaspoons FRESH ground sea salt
Pinch of FRESH ground black pepper

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Grease a 13×9 baking dish.
  • Place potatoes in a large saucepan covered 1 inch by cold water. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and simmer 20 minutes or until tender.
  • Drain potatoes.
  • Whisk together the half and half, egg yolks, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Set aside.

 

  • Rice the potatoes into the sauce pan.
  • Stir in 8 tablespoons of the melted butter.
  • Stir in half and half mixture.
  • Transfer the potatoes to the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.
  • Combine the egg white with the remaining 2 tablespoons of melted butter and pinch of salt.
  • Pour over potato mixture, spread smooth. At this point you can draw a pattern or just leave plain.
  • Bake 45-50 minutes until golden brown. Rotate baking dish half way through.
  • Cool 10 minutes before serving.

ULTRA CREAMY MASHED POTATOES & FLAVORFUL GRAVY

I start the prep for my gravy 2 days before the holiday. I use whatever green veggies I have in my crisper to begin my gravy.

ULTRA CREAMY MASHED POTATOES & FLAVORFUL SCRATCH GRAVY

ULTRA CREAMY MASHED POTATOES
3 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup heavy cream
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon FRESH ground sea salt
1/4 teaspoon FRESH ground black pepper

  • In a large saucepan add potatoes, chicken broth and enough water to cover the potatoes.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer uncovered 15-20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
  • Drain.
  • In a large bowl combine the butter and cream.
  • Add potatoes to bowl and whip until creamy.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Serve immediately.

SCRATCH GRAVY
Turkey parts from the cavity
4 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 large onion (skin on), chopped
1 shallot (skin on), chopped
2-4 cloves garlic (skin on), crushed
1 large bunch thyme
1 large bunch oregano
FRESH ground sea salt, to taste
FRESH ground black pepper, to taste
any other greens (asparagus, snap peas…)
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup COLD water

  • In a large stock pot add all the above and bring to a SLOW boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 3-4 hours.
  • Strain broth and discard all bones and remnants.
  • Return broth to pan.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the cornstarch and water.
  • Whisk cornstarch mixture into the broth until thickened.
  • Season to taste.

TEX MEX BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

The beauty of this recipe for Thanksgiving day is that it can be prepared the day before and can be baked the next morning while you watch the parade.

TEX MEX BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground pork
1 medium onion, diced
1 jalapeno, diced
1 small can diced green chiles, drained
10 LARGE eggs
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup half and half
1/4 cup Cotija cheese
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
2 1/2 cups shredded hash browns
1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Salsa

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Grease a 9×13 baking dish. Set aside.
  • Heat a large skillet oven medium-high heat and brown ground beef and ground pork to a small crumble.
  • Using a slotted spoon transfer meat to a large mixing bowl.
  • In the same skillet reheat the grease and add the onion and jalapeno, sauteing until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain WELL and add to the mixing bowl.
  • Toss the shredded hash browns and sprinkle with a generous sprinkle of FRESH ground sea salt.
  • In another bowl whisk together the eggs, cream cheese, half and half, and 1/2 cup of the Monterey Jack cheese.
  • Pour over meat mixture and gently toss to coat.
  • Top with cheddar cheese.
  • Bake 20 minutes or until golden brown and eggs are set.
  • Serve with Salsa.

GREEN TABASCO CHICKEN & CORN RICE

One of the things I LOVE to do is sort through my boxes of old recipes.  I do this when I’m looking to spice up our menus every now and then.  I even throw some recipes out.  I mean I look at it and ask myself what I was thinking when I saved it!!  The other thing I LOVE to do is taken previously so-so recipes when the were made alone and combine them together to make a WHOLE new recipe.  Many times the new recipe does NOT resemble either of the original recipes in ANY way except the name and main ingredients.  Part of the beauty of this recipe is the almost charred onions and the flavor they lend to the chicken AND the rice!

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE RECIPES!  Inspiration hit me and turned 3 recipes (a so-so roast chicken Tabasco, a so-so slow cooked rice along with a so-so baked corn) into a super FLAVORFUL GREEN TABASCO CHICKEN & CORN RICE recipe.

GREEN TABASCO CHICKEN & CORN RICE serves 4
1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders or thin sliced chicken steaks
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 cup jasmine rice
1 1/2 cups chicken or beef broth
1 can Green Giant shoepeg corn
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Kitchen Bouquet )optional – for color)
1 Vidalia onion half sliced thin and half chopped
1 cup Sweet Baby Ray’s Sweet & Sour dipping sauce
1/4 cup Green Tabasco sauce
1 small can Hatch diced green chiles
1 1/4 cup white Moscato wine
2 teaspoons water
1 tablespoon cornstarch
WONDRA flour for dredging
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • In a saucepan combine the wine, sweet and sour sauce, hatch chiles and green Tabasco sauce.
  • Bring to a SLOW boil. Turn to low and simmer while you prepare everything else.
  • After you put the chicken pieces in the skillet make a slurry of the cornstarch and water.
  • Whisk into the sauce and simmer until begins to thicken.
  • JUST before serving you can strain out the larger chile pieces if your prefer.

 

  • In another sauce pan combine the broth, a few drops of green Tabasco sauce 1 teaspoon of the minced garlic and rice with a pinch of salt.
  • Bring to a quick boil. Immediately reduce to low and simmer 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until all the liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.

 

  • Add avocado oil to a HOT skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add onions and saute until soft and beginning to caramelize.
  • Add garlic, cooking a couple minutes more.
  • Add 1 tablespoon melted butter, stirring to combine.
  • Generously season chicken pieces with FRESH ground salt and pepper.
  • Dredge chicken pieces with WONDRA.
  • Add chicken pieces on top of onions and sear for several minutes before flipping to sear the other side.
  • Plate chicken.
  • Stir onions into the rice and add a scoop of rice to each plate.
  • Top with sauce!
  • ENJOY!

SPAM & TATERS – REVISITED & UPDATED

SO WHILE cleaning out the refrigerator the other evening hubby created a BETTER version of this dish.  He took a spoonful of SPAM & Taters and covered with with a spoonful of chili, topped it with chopped onions and more cheese and VOILE’ a better recipe is created! 

This is not the prettiest of pictures, but I guarantee you that your hubby won’t care what it looks like!  Super flavorful and rib sticking casserole dish for race or football day.

SPAM & TATERS
1 pound YUKON potatoes, washed and cubed
1 can spam, cubed
3 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 tablespoons WONDRA flour
3/4 cup milk
FRESH ground black pepper.
1 cup shredded EXTRA sharp cheddar cheese
2 thin slices cheddar cheese

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Lightly grease a 1 quart baking dish.
  • Add spam to hot skillet and cook until browned and crisp.
  • Remove from heat and cool slightly.
  • Boil potatoes in lightly salted water until tender.
  • Drain potatoes and cool.
  • In a large mixing bowl toss spam and potatoes.
  • Melt butter in saucepan.
  • Whisk in flour and cook until golden.
  • Slowly add milk, stirring constantly until thickens to a creamy texture.
  • Blend in cheese until melted.
  • Pour cheese sauce over and gently toss to coat.
  • Spread into prepared baking dish and top with cheese slices.
  • Bake 20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
  • Serve and enjoy!