Cowboy Lasagna

This is a great and yummy version of the classic "Tater Tot Casserole." Its super easy too! I got this recipe from my bestie Molly!

Cowboy Lasagna

1lb of ground beef

minced onions- 4 TBSP

Worcestershire sauce- generous sprinkling

Parsley- roughly 3 TBSP divided

Can of tomato soup (10 ¾ ozs)

Can of corn (15.25 oz)

Dried ground mustard- 3 TBSP

Tater tots (32 oz)

Salt and pepper to taste

Mozzarella cheese (4 cups)

Directions

1)   brown ground beef with spices- drain. Add can of soup and can of corn, simmer for about 10 minutes.

2)   In a greased 9x13 baking dish, arrange tater tots in a single layer. Cover with 2 cups of cheese. Our ground beef mixture over top and cover with remaining cheese and 1 TBSP of parsley.

3)   Place in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

4)    

Loaded Baked Potato and Chicken Casserole

I recently made this and it is GREAT!  My husband loved it! So its definitely a keeper in our family!
There were a few times when I was following this recipe and I thought, "Really? Hmmm...well if the recipe says to do that..." and believe me- it was worth it!

Loaded Baked Potato and Chicken Casserole

Ingredients
2lbs chicken breast (or tenderloins)
10-12 potatoes (I used the red potatoes that come in the red bag)
1/2 cup Olive oil
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 TBSP fresh ground pepper
1 TBSP paprika
2 TBSP garlic powder
3 TBSP Hot Sauce

Topping mixture
2 cups Shredded Cheese ( I used Colby jack)
1 cup crumbled bacon, I used real bacon, it was worth it.
1 cup diced Green onion

1) Preheat oven to 500 degrees
2) In a large bowl mix olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika and hot sauce.
3) cube the potatoes and add to the bowl
4) coat a 9x13 dish with cooking spray
5) add potatoes, allow for excess sauce in the bowl
6) bake the potatoes for 45 minutes, stir every 15 minutes (DONT FOR GET TO STIR!)
7) meanwhile, cube the chicken and add it to the bowl with the left over sauce.
8) cook your bacon and crumble it after it has cooled
9) mix together cheese, bacon and green onion in a small separate bowl.
10) once the potatoes are done, add the uncooked marinated chicken and layer the topping mixture over the chicken.
11) Bake for 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked.  (I do just a tad longer.)

Dig in!

Best Cinnamon Waffles and/ or Pumpkin Spice Waffles

We love these. End of story. Its the only waffles we make. My husband especially loves the pumpkin spice version!

Cinnamon Waffles- makes 4 large waffles, this recipes easily doubles if you're feeding a crowd :) 

2 tsp baking powder


1 3/4 cups self rising flour       *if using all purpose flour: Start with 1 cup of all-purpose flour and subtract 2 tablespoons. Then add 1½ teaspoons of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of salt."

 2 tbsp granulated sugar


2 tsp ground cinnamon powder

2 eggs, beaten

1 tsp vanilla extract


2 tbsp melted and cooled (unsalted) butter


1 1/2 cups milk

1/2 cup brown sugar

*If making Pumpkin Spice Waffles add:

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1/3 cup pumpkin puree 

1. First, grease the plates of your waffle maker (with butter or oil spray), switch it on and choose whichever setting the instructions suggest for this type of recipe.


2. Sieve your baking powder and flour into one bowl, adding the sugars, salt and cinnamon powder afterwards.
 (and pumpkin spice and pumpkin) 

3. Beat the eggs, milk, vanilla extract and butter together in another bowl and then fold into the dry mixture.


4. Pour the mixture evenly into the heated waffle iron and cook as required.

Breakfast "Wreath"

Sometimes we like to have breakfast for dinner, and when we do we like to have this......

Breakfast Wreath

Ingredients:

1 can of crescents 8count

5 large eggs- scrambled and cooked

1 cup of shredded Colby and monterey jack cheese

8 slices of fully cooked bacon- and crumbled

Directions

1) Preheat oven to 375 F degrees.   2) Scramble your eggs on stove top.   3) Lay out crescent dough like the picture below:

4) layer 1/3 of your cheese (this is the bottom layer)  5) Add your eggs  6) sprinkle bacon and remaining cheese over the eggs 7) fold over the crescent dough over your eggs/cheese/ bacon.

8) bake for 17 minutes or until crescents are done and golden brown. YUM!   

Creamy Mac N Cheese

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe. I am kind of a Mac N Cheese connoisseur. If I ever see it on a menu I will most likely order it. I just love Mac N Cheese, from a pan, baked, with unusual ingredients, I even like it made from the box sometimes. My husband however likes his Mac N Cheese really creamy (whereas typically baked Mac N Cheese can be a little thicker). Anyways this is our "go to " recipe for creamy Mac N Cheese.

Ingredients

c. Macaroni noodles (I used elbow, but use any shape you like.)

6 Tbsp. Butter

2 Tbsp. Super Fine Flour (Like Wondra)

2 c. Half and Half (You can use fat-free)

3 oz. Velveeta  Cheese

1 c. Shredded Colby jack Cheese

1/2 c. Shredded Parmesan (Freshly shredded is best)

1- 2 tsp. Tonys

Pepper to taste

1) Cook the macaroni noodles according to box directions.  

2) While the macaroni is cooking, melt the butter (6TB) in a large sauce pan over medium heat.  

3) Sprinkle the flour (2TB) over the butter and whisk until blended.  4) Allow the roux to bubble a few minutes, stirring occasionally, and then slowly stir in the half and half (2c).

5) Turn the heat up to medium high, and cook until the mixture boils.  Be sure to stir frequently so the cream does not burn.

6) Allow the mixture to boil for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, and then remove from the heat. 

7) Add the Velveeta (3oz) cheese first, stirring until it melts.  

8) Add the Cheddar (1c) and Parmesan cheese (1/2 c), as well as the salt (1-1/2 tsp tonys), stirring until melted.

9) Drain the macaroni noodles, and immediately pour the cheese mixture over the noodles.

10) Mix well and eat up!