TATOR TOT CASSEROLE

This yummy Tater Tot Casserole is one of our favorite freezer meals because it is so easy to mix up a double or triple batch of the meat mixture and layer with tater tots in disposable aluminum pans for freezing and simple reheating. If you freeze this meal for future use, make sure to label appropriately. If stored in an aluminum pan cover with plastic wrap and aluminum foil to seal properly and label well. This meal lasts for up to 4 months in the freezer. To heat, simply remove plastic wrap/foil/lid and place in oven at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Tater Tot Casserole

Ingredients:

1 Large Bag Tater Tots

1 Pound Ground Meat (we use turkey but you can use beef if you prefer)

2 Cups Shredded Cheddar

1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 Onion Chopped

1 Bell Pepper Chopped

1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

1 Teaspoon Onion Powder

1 Teasppon Paprika

1 Teaspoon Black Pepper

1 Teaspoon Salt (divided)

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

In a large skillet, heat olive oil and cook onion and bell pepper for 5-6 minutes or until tender.

Add ground meat and cook until browned and no longer pink.

Mix in cream soup, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper and half of salt cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Remove from heat.

Pour meat mixture into bottom of 9×13 casserole dish. 237.jpg37 Tater Tot Casserole (Freezer Cooking Meal)

Sprinkle half of cheese on top of meat mixture.

Place tater tots in even layer over meat mixture. (Great for kids to help with)

Sprinkle the top with remaining salt and cover with remaining shredded cheese. 336.jpg36 Tater Tot Casserole (Freezer Cooking Meal)

Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until bubbling and cheese is melted.

PEANUTBUTTER CHOCOLATE CHEESE CAKE

RIES, TRUST ME! THIS IS A TRUE PEANUT BUTTER LOVER’S TREAT! LET’S GET STARTED!

GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST:

1 STICK BUTTER

1/2C. SUGAR

1 1/2C. GRAHAM CRACKER CRUMBS

MELT THE BUTTER IN THE MICROWAVE IN A BOWL. STIR IN SUGAR AND CRUMBS. LINE AN 8 INCH PAN WITH NONSTICK FOIL AND PRESS THE CRUMB MIXTURE IN. BAKE ABOUT 9 MINS AT 350 AND LET COOL. ONCE COOL, LINE THE CRUST WITH SNACK SIZE PEANUT BUTTER CUPS TO COVER THE BOTTOM.

PEANUT BUTTER CHEESECAKE:

8 OUNCES CREAM CHEESE

1 EGG

1/2C. SUGAR

1/4C. PEANUT BUTTER

ELECTRIC MIX CREAM CHEESE AND SUGAR. ADD EGG AND PEANUT BUTTER. POUR OVER PEANUT BUTTER CUPS AND SPREAD OVER CRUST. BAKE 30 MINUTES AT 350. LET COOL COMPLETELY. 

PEANUT BUTTER GANACHE: 

In microwave, combine:

1/2c. heavy cream

8 Tablespoons butter until hot.

Stir in:

6 ounces peanut butter chips until melted and smooth. Stir in 2T. sifted powdered sugar and pour over the bars. Chill firm before cutting. Cut into 9 squares and drizzle melted dark chocolate chips on top of each bar. Keep chilled!

- See more at: http://hugsandcookiesxoxo.com/2012/11/peanut-butter-cheesecake-over-peanut.html#sthash.SR

BREAKFAST PIZZA

Let the rolls warm 15 minutes before using – this will make working the dough much easier.

*If using a pizza pan – be sure to place a lined cookie sheet under to catch drippings.

*I almost always double this recipe it is so good.

*If doubling, you can bake this in a casserole dish or a sheet-cake pan, but will need to bake a little longer.

*Feel free to add your favorite herbs, cheese, meats and vegetables.

*I often use cooked bacon, ham, sauteed onions, a little Gruyere Cheese.

get creative! 

Ingredients

1 pkg. Crescent Rolls

1 (16 oz) pkg. Jimmy Dean Sausage – (regular, hot or maple)

1 c. Shredded Hash Browns – thawed

1 c. Shredded Cheese – Mexican Blend or your favorite cheese.

5 eggs

¼ c. milk

½ t. salt

½ t. pepper

2 T. Parmesan – grated

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Take the Crescent Rolls out of the fridge 15 minutes before making.

Spray pizza pan or a sheet cake pan.

Brown the sausage in a skillet and drain.

Spread the rolls on prepared pan.

You will have to press and work the dough a little to make sure it covers the pan…pinch the pieces together.

Spoon sausage over the crust.

Spread the potatoes over the meat.

Spread the cheese over the potatoes.

Combine eggs, milk, salt, pepper, parmesan together in a separate bowl.

Spoon the egg mixture evenly over the cheese.

(TO RECAP THE LAYERING: ROLLS, MEAT, POTATOES, CHEESE, EGG MIXTURE)

Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

ENJOY!!

BROCCOLI CHEESE AND RICE CASAROLE

Broccoli rice casseroles are one of those standard kid-friendly broccoli recipes. My version of the broccoli rice casserole is kicked up a notch, because it uses jarred salsa con queso sauce for a slightly spicy twist on the traditional broccoli cheese rice casserole.

Ingredients:

2 cups water

1 cup medium-grain rice

2 cups broccoli florets

1 cup salsa con queso (such as Eat Smart)

Preparation:

Bring water to boil in a medium saucepan.

Add rice. Turn heat down to medium low and let simmer until nearly all the water is absorbed, 12-15 minutes.

Meanwhile, place broccoli florets in a micro-cooker (compare prices) or a microwave-safe bowl with a microwave-safe cover. Heat the broccoli in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until tender, but not totally soft.

Remove broccoli from microwave. When the rice is almost done, pour the broccoli into the pot over the rice. Immediately put the lid back on, and let the broccoli continue cooking with the rice, 2-3 minutes.

Turn off heat. Pour the cheese sauce over broccoli and rice. Cover the broccoli rice casserole immediately.

Let the heat from the broccoli and rice warm the cheese sauce, about 3 minutes. Serve broccoli rice casserole 

STRAWBERRY FRENCH TOAST CASSORALE

This French toast casserole relies on just a few simple ingredients, so the better-quality ingredients you can use, the better this recipe will taste. I like use a good-quality challah or Italian bread for this recipe and organic eggs. The best time to make this French toast dish is in the spring when strawberries are in season, because the homemade strawberry sauce is truly amazing.

If you want to make this recipe a little lighter, feel free to use 2% milk or low-fat milk.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Yield: 12 Servings

Ingredients:

For the Casserole:

1 loaf of day-old challah or Italian bread

1-1/2 cups ricotta cheese

3 oz. cream cheese

1/4 cup powdered sugar, divided

1 cup sliced strawberries

10 large eggs

3 cups whole milk or half and half

1 tsp. vanilla

pinch of salt

Strawberry Sauce:

4 cups sliced strawberries

2/3 cup sugar

2/3 cup water

Preparation:

Cut bread into cubes. Place half of the bread cubes in the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish.

With an electric mixer, beat ricotta cheese, cream cheese and 2 Tbsp. of the powdered sugar until smooth. Spread over bread cubes. Top with sliced strawberries. Top with remaining bread cubes.

In a blender, beat eggs, milk, vanilla, salt and remaining powdered sugar until smooth. Pour over casserole, making sure all of the bread cubes are coated.

Cover and refrigerate casserole overnight.

When ready to bake, bring the casserole to room temperature. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake 40-50 minutes.

While the casserole is baking, make the strawberry sauce: Place the strawberries, sugar and water in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the strawberry sauce simmer until it starts to thicken - it will take about 8-12 minutes. Transfer three-quarters of the strawberry sauce to a blender and puree until smooth (or use an immersion blender (compare prices) to puree three-quarters of the sauce). Return the pureed strawberry sauce to saucepan. Let it simmer until thick. Cut the French toast casserole into pieces and drizzle with the strawberry sauce.

BAKED CHICKEN AND POTATOES

This baked chicken and potatoes recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, because there isn't much prep time, and it's practically a meal in one dish. All you need to add to this baked chicken dish is a green salad or veggies

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:

3-4 large Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch dice
1/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1-1/2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Preparation:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray.

Toss potatoes, 1/4 cup of the olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder together. Spread into prepared baking dish in a single layer. Bake 10 minutes.

Place chicken on top of potatoes, arranging potatoes around chicken. Brush remaining tablespoon of olive oil on top of chicken. Season with salt and pepper. Return to oven and bake 18-20 minutes until juices of chicken run clear.

Top with shredded Parmesan cheese. Return to oven and bake until cheese melts, about 2 minutes.

4 LAYER PIZZA DIP

4 Layer Pizza Dip

8 ounces Philadelphia cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
8 ounces finely shredded Italian cheese blend
14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
12 slices pepperoni
4 slices cooked bacon, chopped (or 1/4 cup real bacon pieces)

Preheat oven to 350°.

In a blender combine tomatoes, garlic, onion, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.  Blend until pureed.  Set pizza sauce aside.

In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream and 2 ounces of shredded cheese.  Mix well until well combined.

Spread cream cheese mixture in an even layer over baking dish (pie plate or 8x8 works).

Pour blended pizza sauce (tomato mixture) over cream cheese mixture and evenly distribute with spatula.

Sprinkle remaining shredded cheese over pizza sauce.

Top pizza dip with bacon and pepperoni.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, until cheese is browned and bubbly.  Enjoy!  Serve with Parmesan Herb Bread Sticks.

SNICKERS CHEESECAKE BARS ON OREO CRUST

Snickers Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients:

Crust:

20 Oreo cookies, crushed in food processor

5 Tablespoons butter, melted

 

Filling:

16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

1 egg

1/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

13 fun size snickers, chopped (about 1.5 cups total)

1/3 cup chocolate chips, optional

(optional:melted chocolate chips to drizzle on top)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Line a 8×8 pan with nonstick foil leaving an overhang on the sides.

For the crust: Stir the cookie crumbs and melted butter together. Press into the pan. Bake for 9-10 minutes. Cool.

For the filling: Beat cream cheese, egg, sugar, and vanilla extract until creamy, about 3 minutes. Fold in the Snickers and spread the mixture over the cooled crust. Top with chocolate chips. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheesecake has set up and the edges are lightly browned. Cool for 30 minutes and then chill in fridge at least 3 hours. Cut into squares and drizzle with melted chocolate chips, if desired.

Enjoy

SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN TAKE-OUT STYLE

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Salt and pepper to taste

1 1/2 cups cornstarch

3 eggs, beaten

3 tablespoon canola oil

Sauce:

3/4 cup granulated sugar

4 tablespoons ketchup

1/4 cup white vinegar

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon fresh minced ginger

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Combine cornstarch, salt and pepper in a Ziploc bag. Cut chicken into small cubes and toss with cornstarch.

Beat eggs in a small bowl and dip each piece of chicken in the egg. Preheat oil over medium heat in a skillet and brown the chicken.

Combine all sauce ingredients. Place chicken in a 9x13 pan, pour sauce over top and bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes. Stir every 15 minutes.