Loaded Mac N Cheese

My co-worker Anndrea gave me the idea for this recipe.  I paired it with my baked mac n cheese and added some extra cheese.  This is incredible and is a meal in itself!  Try this one soon!

Ingredients:

- 1 16oz box of Elbow Macaroni
- 2 cans of Cheddar Cheese Soup
- 1 soup can of Milk
- 5 slices of thick cut ham, cut into cubes
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 1/2 cups (give or take) of shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1.  Begin by heating a tablespoon of butter in a frying pan.  Toss in your ham, onion, and bell pepper and salt and pepper to taste.  Saute until browned and set aside.

2.  Now begin boiling your macaroni until done.  I don't salt my water because the ham is pretty salty as it is.  But you can if you want to.  Boil until done, drain, and add back into pan.

3.  Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.  Toss your two cans of cheese soup into your macaroni along with your soup can of milk.  Stir.

4.  Now add in your ham/onion/green pepper mixture.  Toss in a half a cup of cheese and stir well to combine.

5.  Add macaroni mixture to a 13X9inch pan and spread evenly.  Sprinkle with about 2 cups of your shredded cheese and bake for 15 minutes.  After 15 minutes are up, leave under the broiler for additional 2 minutes until cheese is bubbly and browned.

Here's the final product....

Once you try this, you'll crave it!  Enjoy!

Spicy Meatballs

These are perfect alone or with pasta and sauce, which is the most common way I serve them!  They would also work with BBQ sauce! 

Ingredients:

- 1 1/2 lbs. Ground Beef
- 1/2 Cup Italian Bread Crumbs
- 1/4 Cup Milk
- 1/2 of an Onion, diced finely
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Garlic
- 1/2 tsp. Oregano
- 1 tsp. Basil
- 1 tsp. Red Pepper Flakes
- 1/2 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
- Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

1.  Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.  Toss all of your ingredients into a large bowl.  Using your hands, incorporate all ingredients into your meat.  Don't over mix though!

2.  Still using your hands, roll the ground beef into golf ball sized balls and place on a sheet tray. 

3.  Place your meatballs into the oven and bake for approximately 20-25 minutes.  Test one to make sure it is completely done inside.

4.  Toss meatballs into sauce and stir to coat.  Serve with pasta.

Here's the final product....

Um...YUM!  Enjoy! :-)

Creamy Chicken Casserole

This dish can be served as a side or a main coarse.  It's creamy, simple, and pretty tasty!  We especially enjoyed the cracker topping!  Try this one on a busy weekday evening!

Ingredients:

- 2 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chopped (or 6 tenders such as I used)
- 1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 cup Sour Cream
- 1 sleeve of Ritz Crackers
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon parsley
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped Garlic

Directions:

1.  Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Chop up your cooked chicken and your onion.  Toss into a bowl. 

2.  Add in your soup, sour cream, parsley, garlic, and pepper.  Mix well.

3.  Spread into a baking dish.  Crush your crackers finely and sprinkle them over your chicken mixture. 

4.  Bake for 30 minutes until browned and heated through.

Here's the final product....

I served this aside some mixed veggies.  It was super creamy and I will definitely be making it again!  Enjoy!

Red Velvet Cupcakes w/Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting

I made these for Valentines Day for my family.  They were divine!  I actually put them together early since I worked a long day on the actual Valentine's Day, but no one seemed to mind! ;-)  Make these for a special occasion, or anytime and no one will be disappointed!  I ate 3 throughout the day and I don't even LIKE cake!

Ingredients:  (Cupcakes)

- 2 1/2 Cups Flour
- 1/2 Cup Cocoa Powder
- 1 tsp. Baking Soda
- 1/2 tsp. Salt
- 1 Cup Butter, softened
- 2 Cups Sugar
- 4 Eggs
- 1 Cup Sour Cream
- 1/2 Cup Milk
- 2 Tablespoons Red Food Coloring
- 2 tsp. Vanilla

Ingredients:  (Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting)

-  1 (8oz) pkg of Cream Cheese, softened
- 1/4 Cup Butter, softened
- 2 Tablespoons Sour Cream
- 2 tsp. Vanilla
- 2 Cups Powdered Sugar

Directions:

1.  Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, whisk together your flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.  Set aside.

2.  In a separate bowl, cream together your butter and sugar.

3.  Once mixed well, add your eggs in one at a time and mix until incorporated.  Now add your sour cream, milk, food coloring, and vanilla.  Mix well until you have a thin batter.

4.  Begin adding your dry ingredients to your wet ingredients until you have a thick cake batter.  Using an ice cream scoop, add your batter into your cupcake liners and bake for approximately 25 minutes.  Check the doneness of the cake by inserting a toothpick into the center.  The toothpick should come out clean.  Set them aside to cool before frosting.

5.  Now it's time to make your frosting!  In a large bowl, cream together your cream cheese and butter.  Add your sour cream and vanilla.  Now add your sugar.  Cream until smooth.

6.  Frost and decorate your cupcakes however you wish!

Here's the final product....

Hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day!!!!  Enjoy!

Cheesy Chicken and Pasta Bake

This recipe came about thanks to my husband.  I was discussing my menu for the following week with him and he mentioned that he was craving a pasta bake, but with chicken.  So, this is what I tossed together and boy was it amazing!  He was quite happy as was the kids and I!  Try this one out soon...it's too good not to! 

Ingredients:

- 2 Chicken breasts, cooked and seasoned with salt and pepper
- 1 lb bag of Bowtie Pasta (or any pasta really!)
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 large tablespoon of garlic
- 2 jars of Pasta sauce
- Mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1.  Begin boiling your pasta in salted water. 

2.  Chop up your onion and bell pepper and begin to saute them in a bit of butter or olive oil along with your garlic. 

3.  While your veggies are sauteing and your pasta is boiling, chop up your chicken and set aside.

4.  Once your pasta is al-dente, drain and place in a 13X9inch baking dish.  Toss the peppers/onion/garlic on top along with the chicken.  Add the jars of sauce and stir to combine.  Evenly spread your pasta mixture out.

5.  Sprinkle on your mozzarella cheese, completely covering your pasta dish.  Place into a 400 degree oven for about 20 minutes or until your cheese is browned and bubbly. 

Here's the final product....

I served this with a side salad and some bread.  The perfect weeknight meal since it's simple, filling, satisfying, and is PERFECT for leftovers the next day!  Enjoy!