Vegetable Lasagna

Ingredients:
3 cups pasta sauce (like Classico Spicy Tomato and Pesto)
16 ounces 2% cottage cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan
9 whole wheat lasagna noodles
8 ounces mozzarella cheese
Approximately 4 cups mixed vegetables (I used spinach, carrots, sundried tomatoes, and zucchini)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400*.  Spray 11 X 8 glass casserole dish.
Combine cottage and parmesan cheeses.
Place 3 uncooked noodles in pan.
Cover with 1 cup pasta sauce, 1/3 cheese mixture, 1/3 vegetables, and 1/3 mozzarella.
Repeat 2 more times.
Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake one hour.

Breakfast Casserole

Serves 6
1 pkg “Little Smokies” or other mini pre-packaged mini sausage*

1 8ou can refrigerated crescent rolls 

2C grated cheese of choice (mozzarella, cheddar, Monterey jack, etc.)

4 beaten eggs - maybe more depending on how many servings you want

3/4C milk

¼ t salt

1/8t pepper

• Preheat oven to 425degrees.
• Unroll refrigerated crescent rolls (if not cool, they will get sticky and not unroll well) and line bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish, pressing perforations together to seal into one sheet.  This forms a bottom crust.
• Grate cheese.  
• Crumble meat (or use food processor).
• Sprinkle crust with meat and cheese, distributing evenly.
• Combine eggs, milk, salt and pepper - beat well (until slightly frothy).  
• Pour over meat and cheese mixture, distributing evenly throughout pan.
• Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes or until set and top is slightly brown.  
• Take out and sprinkle with fresh or canned parmesan cheese (optional: do this the last 5 minutes of cooking if you’d like parmesan to melt into casserole a bit)
• Let stand approximately 5 minutes to allow it to set up enough to cut.
• Cut into squares and serve immediately.  

*Note:  Cooked crumbled bacon, ham, bulk sausage (crumbled, cooked and well-drained) or other meat/protein of choice may be substituted for the sausage.

Popeye Chicken

INGREDIENTS:
chicken - 3 or 4 large chicken breasts
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 packages frozen spinach
2 cans cream of mushroom/asparagus/celery soup
1/2 - 1 cup mayo
lemon juice (half a lemon, to taste)
2-3 tbsp curry (to taste)
shredded cheddar cheese
bread crumbs or crushed corn flakes
white or brown rice

INGREDIENTS:
Cook chicken separately with garlic and olive oil (either boil or saute). Mostly defrost spinach, drain any water from it, and cover the bottom of a casserole dish. Mix up the cream of soups with the mayo and curry and lemon juice and some pepper to taste. Add cooked chicken to the mix and cover the spinach layer. Add layer of cheese and cover with foil. Cook in preheated 350 degree oven for 45 minutes. Remove foil and pour on bread crumbs or crushed corn flakes. Set oven to broil and cook until browned on top. Serve over rice.

Carmelized Onion and Goat Cheese Tart

from Shelterrific

DIRECTIONS
First, prepare a standard tart-crust recipe for a 9- or 10-inch tart pan. I used a cornmeal crust to add some heft and crunch to the dish, but a basic crust would be just as delicious. Make sure you pre-bake the tart crust to keep it from going soggy.

To make the filling: Caramelize 3 large onions in a pat of butter until meltingly sweet and tender; set aside. Next, puree a small log (mine was 4 ounces) of goat cheese, a couple of eggs, a pinch each of salt and pepper, a splash of milk, 1 to 2 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves, and a whole lotta grated parmesan in a food processor or blender. Pour the mixture into the pre-baked tart shell and top with the caramelized onions. Sprinkle with some more fresh thyme and some toasted pine nuts, then pop in a 350F oven until golden and set. Mine took just 25 minutes and it was ready to eat.

Mediterranean Tuna-Noodle Casserol

INGREDIENTS
1/3 cup olive oil, plus more for baking dishes
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 pound wide egg noodles
2 red bell peppers (ribs and seeds removed), thinly sliced lengthwise
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
5 cups whole milk
4 cans (6 ounces each) tuna in olive oil, drained
1 can (14 ounces) artichoke hearts, drained and thickly sliced
5 scallions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly oil two 8-inch square (or other shallow 2-quart) baking dishes. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook noodles until 2 minutes short of al dente, according to package instructions; drain, and return to pot.

2. Meanwhile, in a 5-quart Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat oil over medium. Add bell peppers; season with salt and pepper. Cook until crisp-tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Gradually add milk, stirring until smooth. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a simmer.

3. Remove from heat; add mixture to noodles in pot, along with tuna, artichoke hearts, and scallions. Season with salt and pepper, and toss. Divide between prepared baking dishes, and sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake until golden and bubbling, about 20 minutes.


To Freeze: Prepare through step 3; cool to room temperature. Cover tightly with aluminum foil, and freeze up to three months.


To Bake from Frozen: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake, covered with foil, until center is warm, about 2 hours. Uncover, and bake until top is browned, about 20 minutes more.


To Bake from Thawed: Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and bake, covered with foil, until center is warm, about 30 minutes. Uncover, and bake until top is browned, about 20 minutes more.

Russet Potato Gratin

INGREDIENTS
4 large or 5-6 medium russet potatoes, peeled and sliced to about 1/8" thick
2 medium yellow onions, sliced medium
6oz grated Gouda
2oz grated Romano
2 C half & half
3 T chopped fresh parsley
3 T chopped fresh chives
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp fresh ground pepper
3 T butter

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375F. Lightly oil a 9"x13" baking dish (you can use any shallow pan here--we used a larger one so the gratin would be thinner and crustier).

In a skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add onions and cook, without browning, until soft, about 7 minutes. Take pan off heat and allow to cool somewhat (the onions can be warm but shouldn't be hot to the touch).

While onions are cooking, whisk half & half, herbs, salt and pepper in a bowl until combined. Set aside.

Add sliced potatoes in a single layer, slightly overlapping.

Add half onions, scattering over potatoes. Add half of the grated cheese mixture.

Repeat with potatoes, onions and cheese mixture. Add herbed half & half mixture last, drizzling over the potatoes to evenly distribute the herbs.

Use your hands to press down onto the potatoes. The milk mixture should not cover the potatoes completely, but it should be a close call.

Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour. Remove foil and bake for another 20-30 minutes until very golden and bubbly. Allow to sit for ten minutes before serving.

{from Eating Seattle}

Shepherd's Pies

INGREDIENTS
Serves 8
2 pounds freshly ground lamb
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 carrots, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons flour
1 to 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Coarse salt and ground pepper
10 ounces frozen peas, thawed
2 1/2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 cup milk
6 tablespoons butter

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Heat a large skillet over high heat. In two batches, cook lamb until no longer pink, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer lamb to a colander set in a bowl; let fat drain off and discard.

2. Add 1/4 cup water to the skillet, scraping up browned bits with a wooden spoon. Reduce heat to medium; add onion and carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste. Add flour; cook, stirring, 2 minutes.

3. Add Worcestershire sauce, 2 cups water, and lamb. Season with 2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Simmer until thickened, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Stir in peas; cook 1 minute. Divide among eight 8-ounce ramekins or two 9-inch glass pie dishes.

4. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, cover potatoes with salted water by 1 inch; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer until fork-tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain.

5. In pan, bring milk and butter to a simmer; remove from heat. Return potatoes; mash. Season with 2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Spread over pies; use a fork to make peaks. Bake on a baking sheet until tops are browned, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool slightly; serve.

Baked Ziti

INGREDIENTS
Coarse salt and ground pepper
8 ounces ziti rigate (ridged) or other short pasta
1 cup part-skim ricotta
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella
1 jar (24 to 26 ounces) best-quality tomato sauce (about 3 1/2 cups)


DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions; drain and reserve.

2. In a small bowl, combine ricotta, egg, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and half the mozzarella; season with salt and pepper.
3. In the bottom of a shallow 2-quart casserole dish, spread half the tomato sauce. Top with ziti, then ricotta mixture and remaining sauce. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan and remaining mozzarella. Place casserole on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake until top is browned and sauce is bubbling, 20 to 25 minutes.

4. Bake garlic bread with ziti during last 10 minutes of baking.

Jack-O-Lantern Casserole

A delicious, festive Halloween dinner!
Submitted by Wendi.

INGREDIENTS
1 medium pumpkin
1 chopped onion
1-2 pounds ground beef
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 (4oz) can mushrooms (optional)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 ½ - 2 cups cooked rice
1 (8oz) can sliced water chestnuts

DIRECTIONS
Clean out pumpkin and decorate outside with black permanent marker, if desired. Brown hamburger and onion. Mix in remaining ingredients. Put pumpkin on cookie sheet. Fill pumpkin with mixture. Place in oven and bake pumpkin with lid on for 1 hour at 350F or until pumpkin is tender. Ladle onto plates out of the pumpkin!

Spinach and Mushroom Quiche

6 slices bacon
4 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups half and half
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups chopped fresh spinach
2 cups chopped fresh mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped shallots
1 Tbsp chopped garlic
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 (9 inch) deep dish pie crust

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
3. Saute mushrooms, garlic, and shallots in 1 Tbsp olive oil.
4. In a large bowl, whip together eggs, half and half, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Stir in bacon, spinach, mushrooms, shallots, garlic, 3/4 cup Swiss cheese, and 3/4 cup Cheddar cheese. Transfer to the pie crust. Top with remaining cheese.
5. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven 50 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned.

Smith Chicken Casserole

Chicken Casserole

Ingredients
2 cups cooked chicken, cubed
1 cup uncooked quick rice
1 cup chopped celery
3 hardboiled eggs, diced
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 cup cream of chicken soup (10 oz can)
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 small onion, chopped
salt to taste
Cornflakes, potato chips, or bread crumbs on the top
(usually I process 2 pieces of bread in the food processor)

Directions
Mix all ingredients and place in 9” x 13 “ baking dish, and cook at 375 for 35 - 40 minutes.

Hamburger Stroganoff

Hamburger Stroganoff

4 servings
1 lb hamburger
1 med onion, chopped (about ½ C)
¼ C margarine or butter
2 T flour
1 t salt
1 clove garlic, finely chopped or 1 t garlic salt
¼ t pepper
1 can (4 ou) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
1 can (10-3/4 ou) condensed cream of chicken soup
1 C dairy sour cream or unflavored yogurt
2 or 3 cups hot cooked noodles or rice

Cook and stir in 10-inch skillet until light brown: 1 lb hamburger, 1 med chopped onion, ¼ C butter or margarine

Measure the following into a small bowl: 2 T flour, 1 t salt, 1 chopped clove garlic (or 1 t garlic salt)

Stir into the hamburger mixture and cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly: bowl of flour, salt, garlic, 1 (4 ou) can mushroom pieces and stems

Stir in 1 can cream of chicken soup. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Reduce heat. Simmer uncovered 10 minutes.

Stir in approx. 1 C sour cream and heat through.

Serve over hot noodles and if desired, sprinkle with snipped parsley.

Green Bean Casserole

30 ounces green beans, canned, drained*
10 3/4 ounces cream of mushroom soup
3/4 cup milk
2 3/4 ounces french fried onions
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup bacon bits
1/2 cup chopped water chestnuts
1 tsp. soy sauce

Mix green beans, soup, milk, bacon bits, water chestnuts, soy sauce, pepper and 1/2 of the onions together.

Spread mixture in a 1 1/2- to 2-quart casserole dish. Bake at 350 F for 25 minutes. Top with remaining onions. Bake 5 minutes more.

Chicken Divan

Chicken Divan

*chicken (three or four big chicked breasts)
*broccoli uncooked (just enough to be a layer at the bottom of a caserole dish)
*3 cans cream of mushroom soup (condensed)
*1 1/2 cups mayo
*lemon juice (half a lemon, or more to taste)
*curry (to taste, usually 2-3 tablespoons)
*shredded cheddar cheese
*bread crumbs

Cook chicken separately (on the stovetop with garlic and olive oil). Cut up broccoli in to eatable sizes and cover the bottom of a caserole dish. Mix up the cream of mushroom soups with the mayo and curry and lemon juice. Mix chicken into that and pour over broccoli. Add layer of cheese and cover with foil. Cook in preheated over (350 degrees) for 45 minutes. Remove foil and pour on bread crumbs. Set oven to broil and cook until browned on top. Serve over rice.