Chicken, Mushroom, Spinach Gnocchi Casserole

A simple healthish dish that surprised me and my family.  Everything about this dish I knew I would love but would everyone else I have little girls and a fiance that hates Alfredo so I was so up in the air to make this and let me tell you I am so glad I did.

The gnocchi is something that everyone loves and it is so soft and tender, the mushrooms give it that amazing taste the the spinach melts right in and that sauce is just like an Alfredo sauce so you will not want to miss out on this dish.  It just might surprise you

Ingredients:

2 Cups Mushrooms

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

2 Tablespoons Butter

2 Tablespoons Flour

3/4 Cup Heavy Cream

3/4 Cup Milk

1 Cup Chicken Stock

2 Cups Chicken *diced*

1 Garlic Clove *minced*

16oz Gnocchi *frozen,fresh, or in pasta aisle*

1 Cup spinach

1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese

*salt and pepper to taste*

Instructions:

Preheat oven 425*

Cook chicken in pan, drain out liquid and place aside in bowl.  Place olive oil, garlic and mushrooms into pan and cook down for 15 minutes or until mushrooms are soft, place into bowl with chicken.

Melt butter in a skillet, add flour and whisk until mixture boils. Whisk in cream, milk and stock on medium heat until thickened, season with salt and pepper.

Add Gnocchi,spinach and Parmesan cheese to your mushroom and chicken bowl and add in cream.  Mix and place into casserole dish.

Bake for 30 minutes 

Adapted by:

http://www.realhomecook.com/

Chicken Spinach Pasta Bake

A quick easy healthy-ish casserole that is warm to heart and soul.  The entire family loved this and it will be a new addition to our dinner menu.  It is a creamy cheesy casserole with the fresh taste of spinach and tomatoes.  So make this for your family and devour the heck out of it.

8 oz uncooked rigatoni

1 T olive oil

1 c chopped onion

1 (10 oz) pack frozen spinach, thawed

3 c cubed, cooked chicken breasts

1 (14 oz) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained

1 (8 oz) container chive & onion cream cheese

½ t salt, ½ t pepper

1½ c shredded mozzarella cheese

Prepare rigatoni according to package directions.

Bake at 375 for 15 minutes or just until tender.

Transfer onion to large bowl, set aside.

Drain chopped spinach well

Stir in rigatoni, onion, spinach, chicken, & next 4 ingredients casserole dish

sprinkle evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese.

Bake covered at 375 for 30 minutes.

Uncover & bake 15 more minutes or until bubbly.

Recipe by

http://mylifewellloved.com

Breakfast Casserole

What else is better in the morning than a delicious breakfast casserole.  The flavor is amazing, peppers, Italian sausage, eggs, cheese and more.  Everything in this casserole is amazing and will make the bellies happy in the morning.

1 pound Italian sausage 

1 medium white onion, peeled and diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 red bell pepper, cored and diced 

6 eggs

1/3 cup milk

1 (20 ounce) bag frozen hash browns, thawed

2 cups shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese

1/4 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper

Heat oven to 375 degrees F.

Add the sausage to a medium saute pan. Cook over medium-high heat until browned, crumbling the sausage with a spoon as it cooks. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of sausage grease in the saute pan, discarding the rest.

Add the onion and red pepper to the saute pan, and saute for 5 minutes until cooked. Add the garlic and saute for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant. (If using the jarred roasted red peppers, wait to stir them until after the garlic.) Pour the vegetable mixture into the mixing bowl with the sausage.

Add the hash browns and 1 1/2 cups cheese to the mixing bowl with the sausage and veggies. Stir to combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and black pepper until combined. Then add them to the hash brown mixture, and stir to combine.

Pour the mixture into a baking dish, and top with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then remove the aluminum foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes and the top of the potatoes begin to slightly brown.

Remove and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with green onions and serve!

Recipe From

http://www.gimmesomeoven.com

Easy One Pot Chicken Alfredo

Oh how I love alfredo, creamy white size glazed over amazing pasta and mixed in with chicken, who couldn't love it?!

If you are on my Facebook page you might have seen my discussion about what cook you look up to.  Mine is Julia Child, the woman was a a gentle giant genius!  She changed the way of cooking and she had such an over powering love of food it was insane.  Now my cooking probably will never live up to her but my main goal is do master her beef bourguignon and serve it up to amazing crowd of family.

Who do you look up to?

1 1/2 pound chicken breast *cubed*

3 Tablespoons Olive Oil

3 cloves Garlic *minced*

2 14oz Cans Chicken Broth

2 Cups Heavy Cream

1 Pound Penne Pasta (or any bite sized pasta of your choice)

2 Cups Parmesan Cheese

Salt and Pepper to taste

2 Tablespoon Parsley

Cut up chicken breast into cubes, place oil into pan along with the chicken breast cubes, salt and pepper and cook until brown.  Does not have to be fully cooked, chicken will finish cooking in sauce.

In same pot as chicken add in garlic and cook on low for 2 minutes.

Add in chicken broth,heavy cream and uncooked pasta, bring to a boil and then reduce to a low heat for 20 minutes or until pasta is done.

Remove from heat and mix in cheese and top with parsley.

Chicken Potato Casserole

So this is one of the best quick inventions ever the whole family swallowed it whole within 10 mins or less.  Everyone has seconds and everyone wanted thirds.  If you love casseroles you will love this creamy crunchy creation. 

1 lb Chicken Breast *cooked and cubed*

2 Russet Potatoes *cubed*

2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup

1 1/2 Cup Mixed veggies *frozen*

1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

1/4 Teaspoon Salt and Pepper

1 Stick of butter *Melted*

2 1/2 Cups Corn Flakes

Preheat oven to 375*

Cook your chicken breasts and cube and put into a bowl.  Peel and cube potatoes and add to the bowl with the chicken.  Mix in soup, veggies, garlic, salt and pepper and mix.  Put mixture into your casserole dish.  Mix your melted butter and corn flakes together and stir gently and pour on top of your chicken mixture.

Bake in oven for 40-45 mins or until potatoes are done and it is bubbly.

Burrito Casserole

Almost every week we have a taco night but I can never make just tacos because well tacos just get kinda old so I like to play around with taco night and this 

creation was one of the best.  It was simple just a throw it all together dish and the whole family will loved it.  If you are the mood for delicious creamy burrito and don't want the hassle of putting them all together, make this casserole.

1 lb Ground beef

1/2 onion,chopped

1 Package Taco Seasoning

6 Large Soft Shells,ripped apart

1 can refried beans

3 Cups Shredded Cheese

1 Can Cream of mushroom soup

1/2 Cup Sour Cream

Preheat oven to 350*

Brown meat and onion, make taco seasoning as says on package and mix into the meat and add in refried beans.  Mix sour cream and soup into a bowl separately.  

Spread the cream mixture on the bottom of a casserole dish, tear apart 3 soft shells and place over cream mixture.  Place half meat mixture on top of ripped shells, add a layer of cheese and repeat the layers.

Ending layer should end with cheese and bake for 25 minutes. 

Recipe From

http://www.justapinch.com

Chili Pasta Bake

My first attempt for my Stacy Challenge Month.  This has everything that was on her list so I am pretty darn proud because this turned out amazing that the whole family was ranting about it.  In this cold weather who doesn't love chili? 

You knows what even better?  Taking Frito's and dipping them to eat this instead of a fork.  Yes I just went there.

½ Tablespoons Olive Oil

1 pound Ground Beef

1/2 Onion Minced

1 dash Salt

1 dash Black Pepper

½ pounds Cooked Pasta shells, small 

15 ounces Tomato Sauce

14-½ ouncesDiced Tomatoes And Green Chilies

15 ounces weight Kidney Beans Rinsed

1-½ Tablespoon Chili Powder

2 teaspoons Cumin

1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Powder

¼ cups Water

2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Sour Cream for topping, optional

Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees.

Drizzle the oil in a large skillet on medium high heat. Add the onions and sauté for about 3 minutes. Add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook until no longer pink.

While the ground beef is cooking, cook your pasta to firm al dente. Once cooked, drain and set aside for now.

After the ground beef is cooked, add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and green chiles, beans chili powder, cumin, cayenne and water. Give it a stir and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes, stir in the cooked pasta. Stir to combine.

Pour the chili pasta mixture into a 9×13 pan. Flatten out with a spatula and sprinkle with cheese. Place in the oven for 30 minutes or until the edges are bubbling and the cheese has fully melted.

Spoon into serving dishes and top with sour cream 

Pasta Shell Bake

Everything made with pasta is heaven sent.  This dish is amazing enough and lighter because it is made with turkey. Pasta is also only one of the things all my kids will eat.  It doesn't matter what is in it, if it has pasta they will eat!  

So hunker down on a cold day and make this wonderful recipe that will warm your soul.

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

2 large garlic cloves, minced

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

3/4 pound ground turkey (10% fat)

1 box of large pasta shells

2 1/2 cups marinara sauce (bottled or homemade)

3 Tablespoon chopped/dried parsley

1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (divided)

1/4 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese

 Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 3-quart casserole dish with nonstick spray.

 In a large pan, heat the oil over medium-heat and add onion, garlic and red pepper flakes. Saute until onions have softened, about 4 minutes. Crumble in the ground turkey and cook until the turkey is browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in the pasta, marinara sauce, parsley and 1 cup of the cheese. Spoon the pasta mixture into the prepared dish. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup of cheese on top and the Parmesan cheese too.

 Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 20 minutes.

Recipe Adapted by

http://www.recipegirl.com

Scallop Potatoes and Ham

I love comfort food mostly in fall and winter and since it is that season you will be seeing tons of it.  This is an oldie but a goodie and I cannot believe it has been over 3 years since I made it.  I was looking through my old recipes and came across this and I totally forgot about this recipe!  I had to make it!

6 MED Potatoes thinly sliced

3 Tablespoons Butter

2 Tablespoons Flour

1 Teaspoon Salt

1/4 Teaspoon Pepper

2 1/2 Cups Milk

1 Small onion finely chopped

2 Cups Chopped Ham

Preheat  Oven 350*

Heat butter into pan until melted.  Blend in flour,salt and pepper, cook on a low heat.  Stir in milk, heat to boil and stir constantly for 1 min.  Mix ham and onions into sauce. 

Cut potatoes thin into greased 2 QT casserole into 3 layers.  Potatoes and sauce.  Keep rotating until you end with Sauce.

Cook for 30 mins covered and then uncover and bake 45 min uncovered 

Taco Casserole

There is one thing about me and I could live off casseroles!  Call me old fashioned but I love any of them except the green bean one.  Tacos are a favorite in this house so I like to experiment with different types of taco dishes instead of having regular tacos why not mix it up a bit and this did turn out great!  It is of course a simple dish that is quick to make on a busy night.  Seriously you cannot turn down anything that has the word taco in it.

1 pound ground beef

1 cup water

2 packages taco seasoning

1 can black beans, rinsed & drained

1 15oz can diced tomatoes

1 can corn, drained

1 cup Bisquick

1/2 cup sour cream

3 eggs

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese + 1 additional cup

1/2 cup tortilla chips or taco shells, crumbled into small pieces

 Brown your ground beef and  add water and taco seasoning, then add tomatoes, black beans, & corn.  Stir until well blended then remove from heat.

Mix Bisquick, sour cream, eggs, & 2 cups shredded cheese in bowl until well blended

Grease 9×13″ pan; pour in bean mixture.  Spread out Bisquick mixture evenly over beans.  Bake in 375 degree oven for approximately 30 minutes, until top is golden.

Remove from oven; sprinkle crumbled tortilla chips and remaining shredded cheese; bake 5 more minutes until cheese is melted.  Top with sour cream and salsa, if desired.

Adapted by

http://www.livingwellspendingless.com

Hamburger Surprise *Casserole*

When I was a child my mom made this dish called hamburger surprise she just said she called it that so I could eat it and to this day I still love it,it is one of my favorite dishes and my kids also request it a lot! It is super simple and I hope your family enjoys this little meal like my family does.

*Note: I put my onions in a food processor so the kids cannot find them =)

1 lb of Hamburger

1/2 box of Large Elbow Macaroni

1 Can Cream of mushroom

1 Can Cream of Chicken

1/2 half onion chopped

1 Cup of frozen corn

pre heat your oven to 350*

Cook your elbow macaroni to al dente

Cook your hamburger until done

Put everything is casserole dish I use a round and mix everything together

Put in oven for 30 mins until fully hot and stir and serve

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

Today Is

So this is more of a side dish but i couldn't help but post it!  I could eat this just as a meal!  You will never want to make regular mashed potatoes again! =)

5 1/2 cups mashed potatoes (around 6-7 large baking potatoes)
1/2 cup milk
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
2 teaspoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
8 slices bacon crispy cooked and crumbled

Preheat oven 350 degrees.

Peel, quarter, and boil potatoes for 15-20 minutes or until soft. Drain potatoes and and beat with a mixer until smooth. Add milk, cream cheese, sour cream, parsley, garlic salt, and nutmeg. Beat at a medium-high speed until nice and creamy. Add salt to taste keeping in mind that the cheese and bacon will add a little salt later.

Spoon into a 9x13 baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Top with cheddar cheese and bacon. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until cheese melts.

Photo and Recipe from

http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com

Mexican Chicken

Today Is

Another great easy recipe the whole family will enjoy!  It was even better that my three year old ate it!!

1 10 3/4 -ounce can cream of chicken soup
1 10 3/4 -ounce can cheddar cheese soup
1 10 3/4 -ounce can cream of mushroom soup
1 10-ounce can tomatoes
1 whole chicken, cooked, boned, and chopped or 4 cups leftover cooked chicken
11 1/2-ounce package flour tortillas
2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, stir together the three kinds of soup and the tomatoes. Stir in the chicken.

In a greased 13 x 9- inch pan, layer the tortillas and the chicken mixture, beginning and ending with tortillas. Sprinkle the cheese over the casserole and bake for 30 minutes

Enjoy!

Photo and Recipe from

http://www.pauladeen.com

Dorito Casserole

12 OZ Doritos *chips*
3 Shredded Chicken Breast
1 Can Chopped Tomatoes
1 Can Cream of Chicken
2 Can Cream of Mushroom
1/2 pound shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 Med Onion

*Mix Soups and tomatoes together in bowl*

*How to layer*

Crushed Chips
Chicken
Onions
Soup Mix
Cheese

Layer 2X in Casserole Dish

Bake at 350 until cheese is melted and bubbly