Famous Cowboy Casserole

This is a recipe I originally published over a year ago.

Sometimes, recalling the days when I was first struggling to figure out how to blog and post a recipe is, heartwarming seeing how far I've come and all the wonderful people that have helped to pave the way.

And...

This is a really great dish--worth making again and again. And I still have a handful of tomatoes from our garden hanging around. hee-hee.

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I absolutely love a fresh tomato pie, made during the summer when tomatoes from our garden are at their peak. 

*sigh* 

We may get another dusting of snow tomorrow. My oldest daughter says it's punishment for having so many "Gingers". 
I have 4 children and the oldest three are redheads. Not just red headed, but fiery red, red headed. 

Haha. It's made for an interesting parenthood, you get lots of comments with red heads. 

I hope having so many of them isn't the driving factor on our weather or my community may just ostracize me. gulp!

Seriously, I am still craving that tomato pie-but I found a great alternative surfing Pinterest and I decided to riff on that to satisfy my cravings. 

So I found a recipe that Mercedes of The Kitchen Life of a Navy Wife called her John Wayne Casserole, that I adapted this recipe from. 

So my riff on this recipe I decided to call.....

And although the recipe isn't "famous" yet (hehe!!), the Cowboy it's named after most definitely is!  

Easy Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Bake

My oven is starting to get it's workout this time of year.

We love the Bakes and casseroles that are so popular in the Midwest....but,
I just can't bring myself to like the processed cheese that comes in a block.

Bleh, it melts beautifully, but to me it tastes just a few molecules from melted plastic. So while the original recipe for this called for using that particular type of cheese, I subbed in a shredded Sharp Cheddar---YES!!!

This is one of those super fast meals that you'll have on the table in under 35 minutes (and that's with baking it for 25 minutes!).

Use pre-cooked chicken (I had a big roasted chicken breast, but you could use meat from a rotisserie chicken or even canned), jarred salsa (I used the last of my own fresh made), canned beans and your basic baking mix and this meal is in the bag...

Once baked, top it with your favorite condiments, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, etc.

Here is the "dressed" version--

Greek Ravioli Bake

 This is one of those dishes that literally just brings two different tastes crashing together in a totally delicious way.

I did a riff on the Greek dish, Pastitsio, which has a tubular pasta tossed with egg and cheese, a layer of meat sauce and then a creamy Bechemal sauce poured over it all and baked. 

I used frozen meat filled ravioli's, a favorite jarred marinara and made an easy Bechemal sauce.Layer these with mozzarella cheese and you've got ooey-gooey goodness!

No one will be walking away from this super-easy cheesy, creamy dish.

Easy Hard Cider Apple Dumplings

You want these...

you really do. 

They are so EASY and SO GOOD....

 Luscious, syrupy, appley, and it has all the crunch and gooey yummy-ness of a really great dessert.

You have to make this, this Fall.

Add  a little ice cream, vanilla-yah mon!- and you have Apple a la Mode-coma...

 This is the easiest, most delectable dessert you will EVER make.

SERIOUSLY!

It takes minimal ingredients and you will WOW your family or guests. I used ONE bottle of a Hard Apple Cider, you could easily sub a can or bottle of lemon soda.

Either way, you have a dessert that is winner, winner..........

Your guests will say invite me over for dinner, but serve this for dessert.

Slow Cooker Navy Bean & Ham Soup

I love this time of year.........

Leaves are turning, it's cool enough to wear fleece or a sweater, pumpkins and Mums are on display in everyone's yards. 

It's FALL!!

Time to ramp up the slow cooker and this recipe is hands down, one of my family's favorites. 

Easily made with a big slice of Ham, cooked bacon or even better, a smoked Ham Hock. I throw this all together at noon, turn it on High and walk away. I come home after work to a delicious, hearty meal ready made!! It can be prepped the night before and started in the morning on Low as well.

Eggplant Ragu

This is such an awesome sauce to make. Chock full of eggplant and other veggies. Served over any kind of pasta it will warm your belly and your heart!

This is the kind of Fall meal that simmers away on the stove, making your home smell so wonderful. This can be totally vegetarian, or do what I did and add leftover shredded roast pork-delicious!

Creamy Sour Cream Hotdish

Back here in the Midwest, comfort foods are a really big thing.

Especially this time of year, when the nights are cool, leaves are turning, pumpkins and mums pop up on everyone's doorsteps and fleece come out of storage. 

This dish is one of the most requested of my family when Fall begins. In fact it is so popular, everyone I work with has requested and makes this recipe. 

Who wouldn't want to eat the creamy, corny, noodle-y goodness that this dish brings to the table???

Maybe someone that's a true Vegan....then just sub in TVP or tofu. Works for me. 

Ultimate Easy Chicken and Noodles

The weather is finally turning much cooler, especially in the evenings and we are getting close to our first Frost this fall.

Usher in the beginnings of those wonderful, comforting, yummy foods of the Fall and Winter seasons.

To start I made a super easy take on a "Grandma" classic: Chicken and Noodles.

It has all the creamy, comforting goodness of a long simmered stew, but this baby is made in a FLASH!  I also added carrots, onion and celery which you could omit but I think adds not only to the taste but nutritional value.

I opted for dry egg noodles, which I almost always have on hand, but feel free to sub your favorite frozen noodle.

Sloppy Buffalo Betty's

My teenage daughters are obsessed with anything "buffalo" sauced.

The other night I came up with a super simple idea to make a riff on the traditional "Sloppy Joe" that everyone remembers; use Buffalo sauce instead of ketchup.

I also lightened it up by using ground chicken breast, which in itself can stand up to bold flavor additions.

It's got a kick to it, but is not too spicy even for  the younger ones due to the addition of Ranch dressing in the sauce and also drizzled on top!

Served alongside a cooling Cucumber salad, your family will start asking for Buffalo in all kinds of dishes.

  

Ingredients:

2 tbsp Butter

½ onion-small dice

1 clove of garlic, pressed or micro-planed

¼ cup minced celery

1 lb ground chicken or turkey breast

1/3 cup Buffalo wing sauce

¼ cup prepared Ranch dressing (plus more for drizzling)

Crumbled Bleu cheese or bleu cheese dressing-opt.

6-8 Soft Split buns

Directions:

1.    In a sauté pan heat the butter over medium high heat and sauté the onion for 3-4 minutes, add garlic, and celery. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.

2.    Add in ground Chicken or Turkey and cook and crumble until cooked through and no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes.

3.    Pour in buffalo sauce and ranch dressing. Lower heat to simmer and simmer uncovered for another 8-10 minutes.

4.    Serve heaped onto soft buns and drizzle with additional ranch or bleu cheese/dressing. 

Enjoy!!

This recipe is shared on My Link Parties

Also shared on Weekend Potluck 
and FoodieFriendsFriday