Category Archives: Casseroles

Casseroles, Cheese, Pasta, Vegetarian

Macaroni & Cheese

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1 (16 oz.) package elbow macaroni
1/2 pound sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 pound gouda, shredded
1/2 pound jack cheese, shredded
1/2 pound Colby cheese, shredded
1/2 stick butter or margarine
3 tablespoons flour 
2 cups milk, or 1 cup milk and 1 cup beer
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Boil macaroni according to package directions, drain and keep warm.  Melt butter in large pan, add flour and spices, cook for a couple minutes stirring constantly.  Whisk in milk.  Stir until thickened, over low heat.  Mix in cheeses, reserving 1/2 cup of cheese.  Stir until melted and smooth.  Mix in cooked macaroni.
*To make baked macaroni & cheese:
Pour into baking dish, top with reserved cheese and 1/4 cup bread crumbs.  Bake for 30 minutes at 350. 
12  Servings
Casseroles, Potatoes, Side Dishes

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

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5 1/2 cups mashed potatoes (about 4 pounds uncooked)
1/2 cup milk
1 package  (8 ounces)  regular or low-fat cream cheese
1 cup regular or low-fat sour cream
2 teaspoons Parsley Flakes
1 teaspoon Garlic Salt
3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup crispy cooked and crumbled bacon (about 12 slices)

Place all ingredients, except cheese and bacon, in a large bowl.  Beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until potatoes are fairly smooth and creamy.  Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 13×9-inch baking dish.  Sprinkle with cheese and bacon.  If you prefer extra crispy bacon, reserve bacon and sprinkle at the end of cooking.  Cover and bake in a 350°F oven 30 minutes or until heated through. 

Tip:  For faster preparation, start with instant or refrigerated prepared mashed potatoes.
Casseroles, Italian, Main Dish, Pasta, Vegetarian

Inside Out Ravioli

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1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 (16 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
1 (16 ounce) package pasta, of your choice cooked and drained
2 beaten eggs
1/2 cup soft breadcrumbs
2 cups shredded ricotta cheese
1 1/2 cups shreeded mozzarella cheese
2 garlic cloves, minced

Cook beef, onion, salt, pepper, and garlic cloves until onion is tender, drain.

Stir in spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, tomato paste  Simmer 10 minutes.
Combine spinach, noodles, eggs, bread crumbs, ricotta cheese.  Place 1/2 in a greased 13X9 baking dish.
Top with 1/2 of the meat sauce.   Repeat layers.
Cover and bake@ 350 degrees 40-45 minutes.  Sprinkle with mozzarella.  Let stand 10 minutes.

 8  Servings
Casseroles, Ham, Mushrooms, Pasta, Peas

Ham, Peas & Portabellos in Smoked Cheddar sauce over Bowtie Pasta

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1 (12 oz.) package bowtie or farfalle pasta
2 cups ham , cubed
1 cup frozen peas
1 1/2 cups mushrooms, portabella –  cubed
1 cup onions, chopped.
4 ounces cheddar cheese, smoked – shredded
8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons flour, plain
4 tablespoons butter, melted
dash mustard, dry
dash salt

dash pepper
dash cayenne pepper

1 cup bread crumbs
Melt 2 tbs. butter in frying pan, saute onions in butter over med-high heat until transluscent.  Add mushrooms and a splash of red wine, saute until mushrooms are softened.  Meanwhile, boil pasta according to pkg. directions.  Drain, and return pasta to pan.  Add ham, peas and mushroom mixture to pasta – toss.
Pour into oiled casserole dish.
In a saucepan, melt 2 tbs. butter, add flour, dried mustard, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper.  Slowly add in the milk with a whisk.  Stir until slightly thickened.  Whisk in the cheeses.  Stir over low heat until smooth. Pour over pasta-ham-veg. mixture. 
Bake for 20 minutes at 350º .  Sprinkle bread crumbs on top and bake an additional 10 minutes.

8  Servings
Casseroles, Potatoes, Side Dishes

Farmer’s Casserole

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2 cups hash brown potatoes
3/4 cup jack cheese, shredded
1/4 cup green onions, chopped
dash salt and pepper
4 eggs
1 (12 oz.) can evaporated low fat milk
Mix first 4 ingredients in large bowl.  Pour into prepared 8×8 casserole.  Mix eggs and milk, pour over potatoes.  Refrigerate at least 8 hrs.  Preheat oven to 350º F.  Let casserole come to room temperature – about 30 minutes.  Bake for 55-60 minutes.  When knife inserted comes out clean, it’s done.
8  Servings