A crisp layer of bread crumbs tops a filling blend of spinach, sausage, and beans. Evaporated milk makes it rich and creamy.
Prep: 25 minutes
Bake: 35 minutes
Ingredients
3/4 pound fresh Italian sausage links
2 10-ounce packages fresh spinach, cooked and well drained, or two 10-ounce packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
1 19- or 15-ounce can white kidney beans (cannellini) or great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 small red onion, finely chopped
3/4 cup evaporated skim milk
1/2 cup grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup fine dry bread crumbs
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 teaspoons margarine or butter, melted
Directions
1. In a large skillet cook sausage over medium heat about 8 minutes or until no pink remains, turning often. Drain on paper towels. Slice into bite-size pieces.
2. In a large mixing bowl combine cooked sausage, spinach, beans, onion, milk, 1/4 cup of the Romano or Parmesan cheese, lemon peel, lemon juice, nutmeg, and pepper. Transfer mixture to a greased 2-quart oval or square baking dish.
3. For topping, in a small mixing bowl combine bread crumbs, remaining 1/4 cup of the Romano or Parmesan cheese, garlic, and melted margarine or butter; sprinkle atop casserole. Bake, uncovered, in a 375 degrees F oven for 35 minutes or until heated through. Makes 6 servings.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Monterey Tortilla Casseroles
Filled with chicken, corn, Mexican cheese, and salsa verde, these individual casseroles are nice and hearty. Make them ahead for a microwaveable meal that's just right for hectic nights.
Prep: 15 minutes
Bake: 25 minutes
Ingredients
Nonstick spray coating
6 6-inch corn tortillas, each cut into 6 wedges
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 cup loose-pack frozen whole kernel corn
1 16-ounce jar salsa verde
3 tablespoons light dairy sour cream
3 tablespoons snipped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup crumbled Mexican Chihuahua® cheese or crumbled farmer cheese (4 ounces)
Light dairy sour cream (optional)
Snipped fresh cilantro (optional)
Chopped tomato (optional)
Jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
Directions
1. Spray four 10- to 12-ounce baking dishes with nonstick coating. Place 5 tortilla wedges in the bottom of each dish. Place remaining tortilla pieces on a baking sheet; bake in a 350 degree F oven about 10 minutes or until crisp and golden. Meanwhile, combine chicken, corn, salsa, the 3 tablespoons sour cream, cilantro, and flour. Divide mixture among dishes.
2. Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F oven for 20 minutes. Arrange baked tortilla pieces atop casseroles. Top with cheese; bake for 5 to 10 minutes more or until heated through. If desired, garnish with additional sour cream, jalapeno slices, cilantro, and tomato. Makes 4 servings.
3. To bake frozen casseroles: Bake, covered, in a 350 degree F oven for 25 minutes. Uncover; bake about 20 minutes more or until heated through. Top with tortilla pieces and cheese; bake for 5 to 10 minutes more or until heated through. Garnish as above.
4. To micro-cook frozen casseroles: Cover microwave-safe casseroles with waxed paper; micro-cook on 30% power, allowing 4 minutes for 1 casserole and 5 minutes for 2 casseroles. Continue cooking, covered, on 100% power until heated through, allowing 2 to 4 minutes for 1 casserole or 3 to 6 minutes for 2 casseroles, rotating the dishes once. Top with baked tortilla pieces and cheese; micro-cook, uncovered, about 30 seconds more or until cheese is melted. Garnish as above.
Make-Ahead Tip: Assemble casseroles as directed above, except do not top with baked tortilla pieces; place baked pieces in a moisture- and vapor-proof plastic bag. Freeze casseroles and tortilla pieces up to 1 month.
Prep: 15 minutes
Bake: 25 minutes
Ingredients
Nonstick spray coating
6 6-inch corn tortillas, each cut into 6 wedges
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 cup loose-pack frozen whole kernel corn
1 16-ounce jar salsa verde
3 tablespoons light dairy sour cream
3 tablespoons snipped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup crumbled Mexican Chihuahua® cheese or crumbled farmer cheese (4 ounces)
Light dairy sour cream (optional)
Snipped fresh cilantro (optional)
Chopped tomato (optional)
Jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
Directions
1. Spray four 10- to 12-ounce baking dishes with nonstick coating. Place 5 tortilla wedges in the bottom of each dish. Place remaining tortilla pieces on a baking sheet; bake in a 350 degree F oven about 10 minutes or until crisp and golden. Meanwhile, combine chicken, corn, salsa, the 3 tablespoons sour cream, cilantro, and flour. Divide mixture among dishes.
2. Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F oven for 20 minutes. Arrange baked tortilla pieces atop casseroles. Top with cheese; bake for 5 to 10 minutes more or until heated through. If desired, garnish with additional sour cream, jalapeno slices, cilantro, and tomato. Makes 4 servings.
3. To bake frozen casseroles: Bake, covered, in a 350 degree F oven for 25 minutes. Uncover; bake about 20 minutes more or until heated through. Top with tortilla pieces and cheese; bake for 5 to 10 minutes more or until heated through. Garnish as above.
4. To micro-cook frozen casseroles: Cover microwave-safe casseroles with waxed paper; micro-cook on 30% power, allowing 4 minutes for 1 casserole and 5 minutes for 2 casseroles. Continue cooking, covered, on 100% power until heated through, allowing 2 to 4 minutes for 1 casserole or 3 to 6 minutes for 2 casseroles, rotating the dishes once. Top with baked tortilla pieces and cheese; micro-cook, uncovered, about 30 seconds more or until cheese is melted. Garnish as above.
Make-Ahead Tip: Assemble casseroles as directed above, except do not top with baked tortilla pieces; place baked pieces in a moisture- and vapor-proof plastic bag. Freeze casseroles and tortilla pieces up to 1 month.
Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
This ultra-hearty spin on classic mac 'n' cheese features blue and mozzarella cheeses, bacon, and onion. Try it with cavatelli or campanelle for a change of pace from elbow macaroni.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Bake: 30 minutes
Ingredients
4 strips bacon
1 large sweet onion, thinly sliced
6 oz. dry elbow macaroni
8 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded (2 cups)
2 to 4 oz. blue cheese, crumbled
1 cup half-and-half or light cream
1/8 tsp. pepper
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large skillet cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, turning once. Drain bacon on paper towels; crumble. Reserve bacon drippings in skillet.
2. Cook onion in reserved bacon drippings for 5 to 8 minutes or until onion is tender and golden brown. Set aside.
3. Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions. Drain and place in a 1-1/2-quart casserole. Add the crumbled bacon, onions, 1-1/2 cups of the mozzarella cheese, the blue cheese, half-and half, and pepper. Toss gently to combine.
4. Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Stir gently. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake for 10 minutes more or until top of casserole is brown and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Bake: 30 minutes
Ingredients
4 strips bacon
1 large sweet onion, thinly sliced
6 oz. dry elbow macaroni
8 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded (2 cups)
2 to 4 oz. blue cheese, crumbled
1 cup half-and-half or light cream
1/8 tsp. pepper
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large skillet cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, turning once. Drain bacon on paper towels; crumble. Reserve bacon drippings in skillet.
2. Cook onion in reserved bacon drippings for 5 to 8 minutes or until onion is tender and golden brown. Set aside.
3. Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions. Drain and place in a 1-1/2-quart casserole. Add the crumbled bacon, onions, 1-1/2 cups of the mozzarella cheese, the blue cheese, half-and half, and pepper. Toss gently to combine.
4. Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Stir gently. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake for 10 minutes more or until top of casserole is brown and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes.
Deep-Dish Chicken Pot Pie
It's hard to go wrong with this crowd pleaser -- it's as delicious as the dish grandma used to make. Here, buttery pastry tops a creamy blend of veggies, mushrooms, butter, and chicken.
Prep: 50 minutes
Bake: 30 minutes
Ingredients
1 recipe Pastry Topper
1 cup chopped leek (3 medium) or onion (1 large)
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
3/4 cup sliced celery (1-1/2 stalks)
1/2 cup chopped red sweet pepper (1 small)
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1-1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup half-and-half, light cream, or milk
2-1/2 cups chopped, cooked chicken
1 cup loose-pack frozen peas or frozen peas and carrots
1 egg, beaten
Directions
1. Prepare Pastry Topper; set aside.
2. In a large saucepan cook leek, mushrooms, celery, and sweet pepper in hot butter over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in the flour, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add broth and half-and-half all at once. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Stir in chicken and peas. Pour into a 2-quart rectangular baking dish.
3. Place pastry over chicken mixture in dish. Turn edges of pastry under; flute to edges of dish. Brush pastry with some of the egg. If desired, place cut-out pastry shapes on top of pastry. Brush again with egg.
4. Bake, uncovered, in a 400 degree F oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Let stand for 20 minutes before serving. Makes 6 servings.
Pastry Topper: In a medium bowl stir together 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in 1/3 cup shortening until dough pieces are pea-size. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon cold water over part of the mixture; gently toss with a fork. Push moistened dough to side of bowl. Sprinkle an additional 3 to 4 tablespoons cold water over remaining flour mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork until all dough is moistened. Form into a ball. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 13x9-inch rectangle. Using a sharp knife, cut slits in pastry to allow steam to escape, or, if desired, use a small cookie cutter to cut shapes from pastry.
Prep: 50 minutes
Bake: 30 minutes
Ingredients
1 recipe Pastry Topper
1 cup chopped leek (3 medium) or onion (1 large)
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
3/4 cup sliced celery (1-1/2 stalks)
1/2 cup chopped red sweet pepper (1 small)
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1-1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup half-and-half, light cream, or milk
2-1/2 cups chopped, cooked chicken
1 cup loose-pack frozen peas or frozen peas and carrots
1 egg, beaten
Directions
1. Prepare Pastry Topper; set aside.
2. In a large saucepan cook leek, mushrooms, celery, and sweet pepper in hot butter over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in the flour, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add broth and half-and-half all at once. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Stir in chicken and peas. Pour into a 2-quart rectangular baking dish.
3. Place pastry over chicken mixture in dish. Turn edges of pastry under; flute to edges of dish. Brush pastry with some of the egg. If desired, place cut-out pastry shapes on top of pastry. Brush again with egg.
4. Bake, uncovered, in a 400 degree F oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Let stand for 20 minutes before serving. Makes 6 servings.
Pastry Topper: In a medium bowl stir together 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in 1/3 cup shortening until dough pieces are pea-size. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon cold water over part of the mixture; gently toss with a fork. Push moistened dough to side of bowl. Sprinkle an additional 3 to 4 tablespoons cold water over remaining flour mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork until all dough is moistened. Form into a ball. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 13x9-inch rectangle. Using a sharp knife, cut slits in pastry to allow steam to escape, or, if desired, use a small cookie cutter to cut shapes from pastry.
Lemony Tuna and Pasta
The classic tuna noodle casserole gets an update with pickly little capers, rigatoni, fresh dill, and lemon peel.
Prep: 30 minutes
Bake: 20 minutes
Ingredients
2 cups dried rigatoni or penne pasta (6 oz.)
1 cup coarsely chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped onion2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp. Dijon-style mustard
1 Tbsp. snipped fresh dill or 1 tsp. dried dill
1 tsp. finely shredded lemon peel
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 5.5-oz. cans chunk tuna (packed in olive oil), drained
1/2 cup finely crushed herb-seasoned croutons
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
1 small lemon, thinly sliced
1 Tbsp. capers (optional)
Dill sprigs (optional)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease 1-1/2-quart baking dish; set aside. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
2. In medium saucepan cook celery, onion, and garlic in hot oil until tender. Stir in flour, mustard, dill, lemon peel, and pepper. Add broth all at once. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly, whisking to remove any lumps. Stir in tuna and pasta. Transfer to prepared baking dish.
3. In small bowl stir together croutons and melted butter. Sprinkle on tuna mixture. Bake, covered, for 15 minutes. Uncover. Top with lemon slices, bake, uncovered, 5 minutes more or until heated through. Let stand 5 minutes. Sprinkle with capers and dill sprigs. Serves 4 to 6.
Prep: 30 minutes
Bake: 20 minutes
Ingredients
2 cups dried rigatoni or penne pasta (6 oz.)
1 cup coarsely chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped onion2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp. Dijon-style mustard
1 Tbsp. snipped fresh dill or 1 tsp. dried dill
1 tsp. finely shredded lemon peel
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 5.5-oz. cans chunk tuna (packed in olive oil), drained
1/2 cup finely crushed herb-seasoned croutons
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
1 small lemon, thinly sliced
1 Tbsp. capers (optional)
Dill sprigs (optional)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease 1-1/2-quart baking dish; set aside. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
2. In medium saucepan cook celery, onion, and garlic in hot oil until tender. Stir in flour, mustard, dill, lemon peel, and pepper. Add broth all at once. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly, whisking to remove any lumps. Stir in tuna and pasta. Transfer to prepared baking dish.
3. In small bowl stir together croutons and melted butter. Sprinkle on tuna mixture. Bake, covered, for 15 minutes. Uncover. Top with lemon slices, bake, uncovered, 5 minutes more or until heated through. Let stand 5 minutes. Sprinkle with capers and dill sprigs. Serves 4 to 6.
Mexali Hamburger Casserole
Ground beef and pantry-ready ingredients like salsa and canned corn make this one-dish dinner nice and easy. A corn bread topper adds a homey touch.
Prep: 30 minutes
Bake: 30 minutes
Ingredients
1-1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1 15-oz. can Mexican-style diced tomatoes
1-1/2 cups frozen whole kernel corn, thawed
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons finely shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1 Tbsp. sugar
1-1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 egg, beaten
2/3 cup milk
2 Tbsp. cooking oil
1 Recipe Fresh Tomato Toss, (see recipe)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In 12-inch skillet cook and brown beef; drain off fat. Stir in undrained tomatoes and 1 cup of the corn; heat through. Transfer to greased 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of cheese.
2. For corn bread topping, in medium bowl combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir in egg, milk, and oil. Evenly spread on beef mixture. Sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons cheese. Bake, uncovered, 30 minutes or until topping is set. Let stand 5 minutes.
3. Fresh Tomato Toss: In bowl stir together 1 cup red grape tomatoes, halved, 1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro, remaining 1/2 cup corn, and if desired, 1/3 cup green olives, halved; spoon over servings. Serves 6.
Prep: 30 minutes
Bake: 30 minutes
Ingredients
1-1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1 15-oz. can Mexican-style diced tomatoes
1-1/2 cups frozen whole kernel corn, thawed
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons finely shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1 Tbsp. sugar
1-1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 egg, beaten
2/3 cup milk
2 Tbsp. cooking oil
1 Recipe Fresh Tomato Toss, (see recipe)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In 12-inch skillet cook and brown beef; drain off fat. Stir in undrained tomatoes and 1 cup of the corn; heat through. Transfer to greased 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of cheese.
2. For corn bread topping, in medium bowl combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir in egg, milk, and oil. Evenly spread on beef mixture. Sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons cheese. Bake, uncovered, 30 minutes or until topping is set. Let stand 5 minutes.
3. Fresh Tomato Toss: In bowl stir together 1 cup red grape tomatoes, halved, 1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro, remaining 1/2 cup corn, and if desired, 1/3 cup green olives, halved; spoon over servings. Serves 6.
Chicken Alfredo and Rice Casserole
This traditional chicken and rice casserole is quick and easy. Refrigerated pasta sauce trades place with soup as a rich, no-fuss base, while leftover cubed chicken -- roasted or fried -- keeps the whole dish simple.
Prep: 25 minutes
Bake: 50 minutes
Ingredients
1 10-oz. container refrigerated light Alfredo pasta sauce
1/2 cup milk
2-1/2 cups cooked white rice or wild rice
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 cup frozen peas
1/3 cup chopped bottled roasted red sweet peppers
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted (optional)
1 Tbsp. snipped fresh basil or 1/2 tsp. dried basil, crushed
1 cup soft bread crumbs
1 Tbsp. butter, melted
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In large bowl combine pasta sauce and milk. Stir in rice, chicken, peas, sweet peppers, nuts, and basil. Transfer to 1-1/2-quart baking dish.
2. Bake, covered, 30 minutes. Uncover and stir. Combine bread crumbs and melted butter; sprinkle atop. Bake, uncovered, 20 to 25 minutes more or until heated through and crumbs are golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Serves 4.
Prep: 25 minutes
Bake: 50 minutes
Ingredients
1 10-oz. container refrigerated light Alfredo pasta sauce
1/2 cup milk
2-1/2 cups cooked white rice or wild rice
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 cup frozen peas
1/3 cup chopped bottled roasted red sweet peppers
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted (optional)
1 Tbsp. snipped fresh basil or 1/2 tsp. dried basil, crushed
1 cup soft bread crumbs
1 Tbsp. butter, melted
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In large bowl combine pasta sauce and milk. Stir in rice, chicken, peas, sweet peppers, nuts, and basil. Transfer to 1-1/2-quart baking dish.
2. Bake, covered, 30 minutes. Uncover and stir. Combine bread crumbs and melted butter; sprinkle atop. Bake, uncovered, 20 to 25 minutes more or until heated through and crumbs are golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Serves 4.
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