Basil Chicken Lasagna

2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 container cottage cheese (16 ounce)
1 jar roasted red peppers, drained and cut into strip
4 cups chopped cooked chicken
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
pepper
9 no boil lasagna noodles
4 cups shredded Italian cheese, divided

Mix soup and next 6 ingredients in a large bowl.  Layer 3 lasagna noodles on bottom of lightly greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish.  Spoon and spread one third of the soup mixture on noodles. Sprinkle with 1  1/3 cups cheese.  Repeat layers three times.
Bake covered at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.  Uncover and bake 15 minutes.  Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Chicken Pot Pie

2 cups cooked chicken
1 can cream of chicken soup
cooked, cubed potatoes & carrots
chopped/grated onion
1/2 cup mild
ready frozen pie crust for botton shell
refrigerated pie crust for top
shredded or sliced cheese

Mix, pour into crust. Top with cheese and top crust. Pinch close around edges.  Cut 4 slits in top to vent. Bake 25-30 minutes at 425 degrees.

Kim's Turkey Meat Loaf

1-1 1/2 lb 85% lean ground turkey (I like Butterball)

Chopped onion

3 minced garlic cloves or freeze dried garlic

1 cup quick cooking dry oats

1-2 eggs

1/4 - 1/3 cup catsup

2 tsp worcestershire sauce

Salt & pepper

Dried parsley

*Sometimes I add diced red & green bell peppers and chopped fresh spinach)

Mix all together by hands and pat into a greased loaf pan.

Mix 1/3 cup catsup, 2 tbsp. Brown sugar, & 1 tbsp. Yellow prepared mustard and spread over the top of the loaf.

Bake at 350 degeees for 50-55 minutes.

Cathy Richards Round Steak Casserole

2 lbs round steak, cut into pieces
1 med. Onion, chopped
1 can of mushrooms, drained
Green olives, sliced
1 can tomato sauce
Ketchup
Worcestershire sauce
Egg noodles
Cheddar cheese

Cook steak in covered pan. Drain. Add mushrooms, olives, tomato sauce, ketchup, & Worcestershire sauce. Cover and cook on low for 1 hour.  Cook and drain noodles. Pour noodles into greased baking dish.  Pour steak mixture over and top with cheese.  Bake at 325 degrees for 30 min.

*I have substituted with penne pasta, pizza sauce, and Colby cheddar cheese (that's what I had on hand) and it was still delicious! I also only cooked the sauce for 30 minutes instead of 1 hr.

Sausage Fried Rice

2 cups cooked white rice
1 lb. Sausage cooked with chopped onions and 3 crushed/chopped garlic cloves, + diced red pepper, drained and set aside.
Steamed carrots & peas, or steamed mixed vegetables-chopped
4 eggs
Sesame oil
Canola oil
Soy sauce

To a hot pan with 1 tbsp sesame oil and 1 tbsp. Canola oil, add the vegetables and fry/cook for a couple minutes while stirring. Push to edge of pan and scramble eggs in middle.  Then add sausage mixture and rice. Add 3 tbsp. Soy sauce and black pepper. Stir and fry/cook for 5 - 10 minutes.

*I do double this recipe when the boys are home and add a few extra eggs.
*You can also use cooked chicken or pork in place of the sausage.

Chicken (or tuna) Broccoli-Rice Casserole

(I have been making this dish for as long as I can remember, way before Brian and I were married!)

1-2 cans chicken or tuna, drained
1-2 bags frozen broccoli florets (cooked & chopped)
2 small cans cream of mushroom soup
1 small can cream of chicken soup
chopped onion
2-3 cups cooked white rice
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 stick melted butter
1 tube ritz crackers
salt & pepper

Mix first 6 ingredients along with 1 1/2 cups cheese, salt and pepper.  Spread into baking dish.  Sprinkle on remaining cheese.  Crush crackers into melted butter and add to top  Bake for 35 minutes at 375 degrees.

Sloppy Joe Nachos

(My mom used to make this often when I was growing up, and now I make it for my family.)

Brown 1 lb. browned hamburger meat with chopped onions  Drain.  Add 1 large can Manwich sauce and 1 regular can kidney beans (drained).  Heat.
Layer on individual plate:
tortilla chips
shredded lettuce
chopped tomatoes
sliced black olives
taco cheese
meat mixture
taco sauce
sour cream
cilantro

Enjoy!

Chicken Nachos

5 chicken breast cooked and shredded
mild taco season pkg
chopped red pepper & green pepper
chopped onion
2 cans sliced black olives
2 diced tomatoes
olive oil
1/3 cup water

Saute onions and peppers in olive oil.  Saute shredded chicken in pan with seasoning and water.
Assemble nachos on individual plate.
Top with cheese, sour cream, and cilantro.

Grilled Chicken Tostadas

Season 4 small chicken breast with salt and pepper.  Grill.  Slice.

Make fresh Pico:
1 finely chopped white onion
3-4 large tomatoes, finely chopped
1 finely chopped green bell pepper
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
salt and pepper
Mix and let stand 30  minutes.
(store in fridge up to 3 days)

Mash 1 avocado with 2 tbls. each of sour cream and lime juice.  Season with salt and cayenne.  Spread on 4 tostada shells.  Top with chicken, shredded lettuce, sour cream, and fresh pico.

Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pork Loin

garlic
salt & pepper
1 1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tbs. dijion mustard
1 tbs. balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Coat loin with garlic, salt, & pepper.  Prick roast with fork or skewer all over.  In bowl, combine 1 cup brown sugar, mustard, & vinegar.  Rub on loin.  Cook 7-9 hours on low.  Pour off juice.  Combine remaining 1/3 cup brown sugar and cinnamon.  Spread over loin and cook 1 more hour.

Brian's Shrimp Boil

2 lemons, halved
Old Bay Seasoning
5 cloves garlic, smashed
1 large red onion, quartered
2-3 tsp. dried thyme
1 pound baby red potatoes
4 ears fresh corn, snapped in half
1 1/4 lbs. large shrimp, unpeeled
2 tbls. butter
Sausage, cut into 1 inch pieces
Hot sauce (optional)

Fill pot with 4 qts. water.  Squeeze lemon juice into water, and add squeezed lemon halves.  Add Old Bay Seasoning, garlic, onion, and thyme.  Cover and bring to boil, then reduce to simmer and cook 5 minutes.  Add potatoes and cook until just tender, about 10 minutes (depending on the size of the potatoes).  Add corn and sausage and cook 5-7 minutes.  Add shrimp.  Cover and cook until they curl and are opaque, 2-3 minutes. 
Transfer to a dish with a little broth and melted butter.  Serve with hot sauce and lemon wedges.   

*I double this recipe for my family!

Cheeseburger Macaroni

1 - 16 oz. box macaroni noodles (or Barilla cut spaghetti noodles)
1 lb. ground chuck or sirloin
1/4 - 1/2 cup ketchup
1 can tomato soup
2 cans petite diced tomatoes, undrained
chopped onion
chopped/minced garlic (optional)
fresh chopped baby spinach (optional)
1 tsp. ground red pepper
2 cups shredded cheese

Cook noodles and drain. Cook beef with onions and garlic. Drain. Add to beef mixture: tomatoes, soup, ketchup, red pepper, salt and pepper. Stir in macaroni and spinach. Pour into a baking dish and top with cheddar cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for 5 - 8 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Baked Ziti

1 lb. dry pasta (penne)
1 small onion
1 - 2 lbs. ground beef
2 24 oz. jars of Bertolli Tomato & Basil spaghetti sauce
8 oz. sliced provolone
16 oz. light sour cream
8 oz. shredded mozzarella
2 tbs. grated Parmesan

Brown onion and meat in 1-2 tbls. olive oil. Also prepare pasta, drain.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 10.5x14.75 (4 qt.) baking dish with cooking spray. Layer 1/2 ziti, all provolone, all sour cream, 1/2 meat, one jar of sauce, remaining ziti, 6 oz. mozzarella, remaining meat and 2nd jar of sauce. Top with remaining mozzarella and 2 tbs. Parmesan. Bake 35 minutes or until cheese is melted.
*You can make this in two smaller pans and freeze one, or give one away.

Hearty Spaghetti Casserole

8 oz. box spaghetti
8 oz. ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can condensed tomato soup
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

Cook ground beef, onion, and pepper in a large skillet. Drain. Stir in tomatoes, tomato soup, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Add 1 cup of cheddar, stirring until melted. Add bacon and pasta. Transfer to a greased baking dish.

Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheddar. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes.

Provolone and Pesto Quiche

1 frozen deep dish pie crust
1 pkg. of sliced provolone cheese
3 tablespoons refrigerated pesto
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
3 large eggs
3/4 cup milk

Heat oven to 425 degrees.

Remove crust and place 4 slices provolone cheese around bottom of crust.

Spread 3 tablespoons pesto on top of cheese. Sprinkle with Parmesan and chopped bell pepper.
Top with 4 more slices provolone cheese.

In large bowl, whisk eggs and milk until blended. Pour over cheese.

Bake 7 minutes. Reduce oven temp. to 325 degrees and bake for 15 minutes. Cover edge of crust with foil. Bake 23-28 minutes longer or until set and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

*I like to use sun dried tomato pesto and green bell peppers as another option. This one is my favorite.

Creamy Chicken and Noodles

*(My boys cleaned their plates and were fighting over what little was left in the pan!)

1 (0.6-oz.) envelope Italian Dressing Mix
1 (12-oz.) package wide egg noodles
2 Tbsp. butter, softened
3 cups chopped cooked chicken (I bake 3 chicken breast, uncovered, until done and lightly brown)
2 cups whipping cream
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh or dried parsley

Cook noodles according to package directions; drain well, and return noodles to pan.

Stir in 2 Tbsp. butter, and toss to coat. Stir in chopped chicken, next 3 ingredients, and the packet of dressing mix. Cook mixture over medium-high heat, tossing to coat evenly, 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Serve immediately.

Touch Down Taco Dip

Ground beef, browned and drained
1 can refried beans
1/4 cup chopped onion
1-2 fresh tomatoes, diced
1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1 can black olives, sliced
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 package of taco seasoning
1 bag shredded taco cheese
sour cream
tortilla or corn chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Layer beef, beans, cream cheese mixed with taco seasoning & garlic, tomatoes, olives, and onions in baking dish. Top with cheese. Bake 25-30 minutes. Serve with sour cream and chips.

Chicken and Dressing Casserole

2 Tbls. Butter
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup diced celery
3 cups shredded chicken
2 chopped boiled eggs
crumbled cornbread *(see recipe below - use the entire dish of cornbread in this recipe)
3 crumbled baked biscuits
3 1/2 cans chicken broth
2 tsp. sage

Cook chicken and shred. Saute onions and celery in butter until tender. Combine all ingredients and pour into greased baking dish. (This makes a very large amount. I bake mine in a 10.5 x 14.75 baking dish = to 4 qts. Or pour into two smaller dishes and freeze one for later.)
Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

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Taylor's Cornbread Recipe

2 cups milk
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 large eggs
1/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 cups cornmeal
2 cups self-rising flour

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly spray a 9 x 13 baking dish. Beat milk, butter, and eggs in large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients all at once just until flour is moistened. Pour into dish and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.

Tuscany Chicken and Tomatoes

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 small red onion, sliced
1 jar mushroom, drained
1 can Italian style stewed tomatoes
Heat and brown chicken in skillet. Add remaining ingredients. Cover and simmer for 5-7 minutes. Serve over cooked white rice.

Cheesy Nacho Bake

1 & 1/2 pounds ground beef (or 2 boneless chicken breast, cooked and shredded)
1 tbls. olive oil
2 garlic cloves (pressed, or finely chopped)
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can black olives, drained and sliced
1 package of taco or fajita seasoning mix
1 & 1/2 cups sour cream, divided
1 bag tortilla chips
1 package Colby Monterey Jack cheese, or taco cheese

Heat oil in skillet. Add garlic and onion. Cook for about 1 minute on medium heat. Add ground beef. Cook and drain. Add package of seasoning mix and tomatoes to the meat. Cook on low for 8 - 10 minutes. Turn off heat. Add 1 cup of sour cream and stir. In a large baking dish, layer 1/2 bag of tortilla chips with 1/2 of the meat mixture, black olives, and cheese. Repeat. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 - 25 minutes. Serve with additional sour cream.