Seven Layer Gratin

A delicious, healthy comfort food casserole great for summer nights.  Makes a lot, but it is great for a large family dinner or company.  One of my favorite go-to dishes.


Submitted by:  Dana Newbrough
Taken from:  Family Circle

Preheat oven to:  350 degrees                                  Cook time:  50 minutes

Ingredients:
     -  3 medium zucchini, cut in 1/4 in. diagonal slices
     -  1 yellow squash, cut in 1/4 " diagonal slices
     -  1/4 c. plus 2 Tbl. dried bread crumbs
     -  1/2 tsp. dried sage
     -  1 Tbl flour
     -  1 1/4 tsp. salt
     -  1/2 tsp. black pepper
     -  1 can (8.5 oz) artichoke hearts, drained
     -  1 scallion, minced
     -  1 1/2 c. shredded Swiss cheese (or your favorite)
     -  3/4 c. light cream
     -  1 lb. ground turkey
     -  2 Tbl. grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
1)  Heat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, mix zucchini, yellow squash, 1/4 c. of the crumbs, sage, flour, 1 tsp. of the salt and black pepper.  In a blender, puree artichoke hearts, scallion, 1/2 c. of the Swiss cheese, 1/4 c. of the cream, remaining salt and a pinch of black pepper.
2)  Spread one-third of the squash mixture over bottom of a shallow 2-quart baking dish.  Spread half of the artichoke puree over the squash.  Top with half of the turkey.  Repeat layering; top with the remaining squash mixture.
3)  Toss together the remaining Swiss cheese and bread crumbs and Parmesan.  Sprinkle evenly over the gratin.  Drizzle with the remaining cream.
4)  Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes or until squash is tender and top is golden.  Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Chicken and Broccoli Mac-and-Cheese

A heartier version of your favorite Mac-and-cheese - makes a full meal.  A great family meal or pot luck!  So many alterations are available - so take the basics and make it your own.  Just be aware - this makes a lot, so consider halving the recipe for an intimate family meal.


Cook time:  30-40 min

Ingredients:
     -  2 Tbl. oil, to coat pan
     -  1 lb. chicken breast tenders, chopped
     -  Salt and pepper, to taste
     -  1 small onion, chopped
     -  1 lb. macaroni elbows or corkscrew pasta
     -  2 1/2 c. broccoli florets
     -  3 Tbl. butter
     -  3 Tbl all-purpose flour
     -  1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
     -  1 tsp. paprika
     -  2 c. milk
     -  1 can cream of mushroom soup
     -  3-4 c. sharp cheddar (or favorite cheese)
     -  1 Tbl prepared Dijon mustard


Directions:
1)  Place pot of water on to boil for macaroni
2)  Heat a medium pan over medium-high heat with oil.  Once hot, add chicken and season with salt and pepper.  Saute a couple of minutes, then add onion and cook another 5-7 minutes until onions are tender and chicken is cooked through.  Turn off heat and reserve.
3)  Add pasta to boiling water and salt (hint:  add about 1 Tbl. of olive oil to keep pasta from sticking).  Cook 5 minutes, then add broccoli and cook 3 more minutes, or until pasta is cooked to al dente and florets are just tender.
4)  While pasta cooks, heat a medium sauce pan over medium heat.  Add butter and melt, then add flour, cayenne and paprika.  Whish together over heat until roux bubbles - then cook a minute more.  Whisk in milk and soup.  Raise heat a little bit to bring sauce to a quick boil.  Simmer sauce to thicken about 5 minutes.
5)  Drain macaroni and broccoli.  Add back to pot and add chicken pasta/veg. 
6)  Add cheese to milk sauce and stir to melt it in, about a minute or so.  Stir in mustard and season sauce with salt and pepper.
7)  Pour sauce over chicken/pasta mix; stir to combine.  Adjust seasonings, transfer to a large serving platter and serve.

Cheesy Bacon and Ham Casserole

Rich, Southern goodness!  You can't say you don't like grits, until you have had this take on them!! YUM!  My husband swears he does not like grits, but he LOVES this (and so does my little girl). :)

Preheat oven to:  350 degrees                              Cooking time:  45 minutes
Makes 8 serving

Ingredients:

     -  1/2 lb bacon

     -  1/2 lb chopped, cooked ham

     -  3/4 c. quick-cooking grits
     -  1 (16 oz) velveeta, cubed
     -  1/4 cup butter or margarine
     -  6 large eggs, lightly beaten
     -  1/2 c. milk

     -  2 tsp. baking powder

     -  1/2 tsp. pepper

Directions:

1)  Cook bacon in large skillet until crisp.  Remove bacon and drain on paper towels, reserving 1 Tbl. of drippings in the skillet.  Crumble bacon and set aside.
2)  Cook ham in reserved drippings in skillet over medium heat, until brown.
3)  Cook grits according to package directions.  Remove from heat; stir in cheese and butter until melted.  Stir in bacon, ham, eggs and remaining ingredients.
4)  Pour into a lightly greased 13"x9" baking dish.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until set.

Note:  Casserole can be prepared a day ahead; just cover and chill.  Remove from refrigerator the next day and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.  Bake as directed.

Tator Tot Casserole

RIDICIOUSLY EASY AND LOVED BY ADULTS AND KIDS - MY 1 YEAR OLD COULDN'T GET ENOUGH OF THIS!

Created by:  Tammie Brooks

Preheat oven to:  400 degrees                            Cook time:  40-45 min

Ingredients:

     -  1 1/2 lb ground beef

     -  1/2 medium chopped onion

     -  1 can Cream of Chicken soup

     -  1 c. Cheddar cheese
     -  1 large bag of tator tots
     -  Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
1)  Brown beef and onions; drain
2)  Mix all ingredients together and spread in casserole dish.  Put tator tots on top (can be frozen)
3)  Bake at 400 degrees for 40-45 minutes, uncovered.

Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole

RIDICULOUSLY EASY!

Submitted by:  Karen Newbrough

Preheat oven to:  375 degrees                         Cook time:  45 min-1 hr

Ingredients:
     -  1 can Cream of Chicken soup
     -  1 1/3 c. water
     -  3/4 c. uncooked long grain white rice
     -  2 c. fresh or frozen mixed veggies
     -  1/2 tsp. onion powder
     -  4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (halved)
     -  1/2 c. shredded cheddar
     -  Salt, pepper or other favorite seasonings to taste

Directions:
1)  Stir soup, water, rice, vegs and onion powder in shallow baking dish.  Top with chicken (seasoned as desired)
2)  Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes
3)  Top with cheese and broil for a couple of minutes.

Chicken and Spinach Casserole

YUMMY and GUILT FREE!

Submitted by:  Dana Newbrough
Taken from:  http://www.delish.com/

Serves: 4                                                      Calories:  333/serving
Preheat oven to:  350 degrees                       Cook time:  40 minutes.

Ingredients:
     -  2 c. (cooked/skinless) chicken, diced
     -  1 pkg (10 oz) frozen spinach (thawed and drained)
     -  1/2 c. reduced-fat sour cream
     -  1/2 c. reduced-fat mayo
     -  1/4 tsp. garlic powder
     -  1/2 tsp. pepper
     -  3/4 c. parmesan
     -  1/4 c. shredded Mozzarella

Directions:
1)  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly coat a 8" square baking dish with PAM.
2)  Combine chicken and spinach in a dish.  In another bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients.
3)  Combine all, including 1/4 c. of Mozzarella cheese.  Mix well and spread in pan. 
4)  Sprinkle top with Parmesan cheese.  Bake in center of oven, uncovered for ~40 min (or until top is lightly browned)

Easy Sheperd's Pie

Submitted by:  Dana Newbrough (taken from Simply Recipes)

Preheat oven to:  400 degrees                         Cook time:  30 min

Ingredients:
     -  1 1/2 lbs. ground round beef (yes, traditional Sheperd's pie is made with lamb which you can use, but beef is much cheaper!)
     -  1 large onion, chopped
     -  1-2 c. vegetables (get bag frozen veg. mix)
     -  1 1/2 - 2 lbs potatoes (=3 large; or get container of Bob Evan's mashed potatoes, in the refrigerator section - still great and much less work!)
     -  8 Tbl. butter (1 stick)
     -  1/2 c. beef broth
     -  1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
     -  Salt, pepper and other seasonings of your choice

Directions:
1)  If preparing mashed potatoes - peel and quarter potatoes and boil in water ~20 min, until tender.  Mash with better and seasonings when done.  Set aside for later.
2)  Melt 4 Tbl. butter (1/2 stick) in a large frying pan.  Saute onions for ~10 min and add veggies according to cooking time.
3)  Add ground beef and saute until no longer pink.  Add salt and pepper, Worcestershire and 1/2 c. beef broth, and cook uncovered ~ 10 min.  Continue to add more broth to keep moist.
4)  Put meet and veggie mix in bottom of greased casserole dish and put mashed potatoes on top.  Rough up with fork.  Cook at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.

Toasty Cheese Bake

Submitted by:  Karen Newbrough

Preheat oven to:  350 degrees            Cook time:  30-35 min.

Ingredients:
      -  1 Tbl. oil
      -  1/2 lb. ground beef
      -  1/4 c. chopped onion
      -  1/2 c. shredded cheddar
      -  1 egg, slightly beaten
      -  1 tsp. salt
      -  1 Tbl. prepared mustard
      -  Olio
      -  8 slices white bread
      -  3/4 c. milk

Directions:
1)  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Heat oil in pan and add beef, onion and celery - cook until book and veggies tender.
2)  Add 1/2 tsp. salt and mustard; blend
3)  Toast bread and lightly butter on both sides.  In greased 4" square pan, place alternating layers of bread, meat and cheese; ending with bread
4)  In small bowl, combine remaining ingredients.  Pour over layers in pan and bake 30-35 min

Alteration:  Instead of celery can add cubed zucchini and squash - yum!

Easy Potato Hamburger Casserole

COMFORT FOOD!  MY HUSBAND EVEN WANTED THIRDS! :)

Submitted by:  Dana Newbrough

Taken from:  Cooks.com

Preheat oven to:  350 degrees                       Cook time:  45 min.

Ingredients:

     -  3 potatoes, sliced thin

     -  1 lb. hamburger
     -  1 small onion, sliced thin
     -  1/4 tsp. garlic salt
     -  1 (16 oz)  can green beans, drained
     -  1 can Cream of Celery soup
     -  1/2 can evaporated milk (or can use 1/2 c. of 2% milk)
     -  1/2 c - 1 c grated Cheddar cheese

Directions:
1)  Skin and slice potatoes.  Place on bottom of greased casserole dish. 
2)  Brown hamburger and onion; drain.
3)  Add garlic salt (and pepper to taste).  Next layer with drained green beans
4)  Mix celery soup and milk and pour over beans.  Top with grated cheese and bake, uncovered in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes.  Put lid on last 10 min. of baking.