Tag: easy casserole

Recipes and Cooking

Ravioli Lasagna with Leftover Tomato Bisque

Brandi C

Ravioli Lasagna with Leftover Tomato Bisque

Ravioli Lasagna with Leftover Tomato Bisque

Ravioli Lasagna with Leftover Tomato Bisque is something that I made this past week that was super easy and utilized leftovers. I am not one to waste food. Typically, my family doesn’t mind eating leftovers, so I’m pretty lucky in that department. We are doing some shelf-cooking and so I used (mainly) what I had on hand. I did have to go out and buy some fresh cheese filled ravioli. This is what I made but I am going to add in here what I will do the next time because it sounds good.

What I Actually Cooked

First, I utilized the bacon and fire roasted tomato bisque that I had leftover from a couple of nights ago. I could have just eaten it up, as soup again, but I wanted something a bit different. In my 13×9 greased dish, I put a layer of the fresh cheese filled ravioli, then the sauce, mozzarella, and repeated those layers. I cooked that, covered, at 350 for about 30 minutes. Then, I took the cover off and baked for another 10 minutes. I let it set for about 5 minutes before serving. It was delicious.

What I Will Do Next Time

This is where I get excited! Taking something I threw together to see if it would work and then expounding on it to make it even better. That way, I have 3 recipes in my arsenal of goodness. I have the tomato bisque, the easy ravioli bake, and then the adult version of that ravioli bake. Makes my heart happy.

I would like brown up some ground beef with garlic, onion, Italian seasoning, and my seasoning. Drain that off. In that same skillet, I would cook up some fresh portobello mushrooms, chopped up spinach, and some peppers (red, orange, and yellow). Add the meat back to that skillet and incorporate all of that together and then add your leftover soup to heat it all through.

In that greased 13×9 dish (oven set to 350 to preheat), layer a bit of the sauce on the bottom, then your ravioli (get 2 bags), then more of the sauce. Next add some mozzarella, fresh parmesan to the top and repeat the layers ending with the cheese. Cover and bake for the same time frame as before.

Does that not sound sublime??!!

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Recipes and Cooking

Twist on Frito Pie with Spanish Rice

Brandi C

Twist on Frito Pie with Spanish Rice

Twist on Frito Pie with Spanish Rice
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Here is a Twist on Frito Pie with Spanish Rice. I had some leftover chili from the week prior. It was not enough to fill four bowls, so I stretched it with some extra ingredients and rice. This was a winner for my family. I hope I can remember everything I did. Honestly, I tend to find joy in reinventing leftovers so we aren’t eating the same thing over and over. The downsize is, I don’t remember how I made it.

Frito Pie

Chili (leftover)

Chili cheese fritos

That’s about it LOL. Have I ever written out my exciting chili recipe? I dunno. Should I add it? I dunno. Chili isn’t hard. You can even buy it in a can, which I never knew until recently. Who buys chili in a can when you can make more, with ingredients you are familiar with, and it is cheaper. Mind boggling.

Spanish Rice

I did this in the instant pot.

2 c. rice

1 can crushed tomatoes

GF Taco Seasoning

Seasoning

Cilantro (gross and didn’t use)

Minced garlic

4 c. water

Chicken bouillon

Cheddar

Green Onions (optional)

Sour cream (optional)

Jalapenos (optional)

Salsa (optional)

Directions for Spanish Rice

I put the instant pot on saute and threw in the rice and garlic (with a bit of butter to keep it from sticking). Whirl that around until the rice is sauteed up and then add in the crushed tomatoes and seasoning. Whirl more. Add in chicken bouillon and water. Turn it off and then put on the lid. The knob needs to be on the sealing function and I hit the rice button. Once it is done, I did a quick release.

Assembling the Frito Pie

Grease a 13×9 dish. On the bottom, add the rice and then the leftover chili. I crushed the bag of fritos and poured that over the top. I baked this at 350 for about 30 minutes. Then, I pulled it out and added some cheddar. I popped it back in the oven for another 15 minutes. Serve with the optional toppings above.

Recipes and Cooking

Shelf-Cooking Co-Vid19 Style

Brandi C

Shelf-Cooking Co-Vid19 Style

Shelf-Cooking Co-Vid19 Style

Shelf-Cooking Co-Vid19 Style. With Co-Vid19 rearing its ugly head, I have not been out of the house. I lied. Twice. I have been out twice. Both of these times have been to take H to treatment in Nashville. So, grocery shopping is through pick-up, when my son works (at a grocery store) or my husband picks it up. Also, the school has been bringing food, for the week, for three kids. That helps tremendously.

Yet

There are some things my kids will not eat by themselves. Now, they are not picky eaters, but they prefer it to be cooked in something. So, I’ve been separating the breakfast foods, lunch foods, snacks, and fruit. They eat all the breakfast stuff throughout the week. Also, they eat most of the lunch food throughout the week. Yet, there are things like raw broccoli and cherry tomatoes that they will not eat unless I use them another way.

I do not waste food.

Plain and simple. I am not a short-order cook and do not throw things away. That is how I was raised, and that is how I raise my kids. With all that being said, I stockpile the carrots. For one, my kids do eat those. Secondly, I can cut those suckers and put them in any casserole. Thirdly, carrot bread or carrot cake. Yes, please. Fourthly, soup. Put them in any soup. Fifthly (I’m starting to giggle now because what do I do when I get up to tenthly? Is that even a word?), put them in a saute pan with some butter and brown sugar. It’s a good thing.

Next up, cherry tomatoes. Once I have a baggie, I give them to one of my older daughters, who both love them. Also, I juice them for chili or soup. I chop them up and saute them in any pasta dish. You can do a multitude of things with those things.

Now, onto this recipe and broccoli. My big girls love raw broccoli. Sadly, my other five kids do not. My son-in-law calls them “the trees of the devil.” He is a bit extra. You can make broccoli soup or Chicken and Broccoli Braid. Also, you can use it to make beef and broccoli stir fry—lots of things.

Odds and Ends

Today, however, I had a 1/2 bag of many things. N had brought home some leftover hamburgers and cooked bacon from work. I had a couple of bags of this and a bag of that. Then there was a 1/2 a bag of another thing. I put all those together, and I made 2 casseroles. Honestly, I didn’t think it would make that much. I’m cooking one casserole for tonight and freezing the other for another night. We also have leftover breadsticks from the pizza we ordered last night, so that is a side dish. I think I have a couple of cans of corn. Voila. Dinner is served.

Beef, Broccoli, & Extras Casserole

Two # ground beef

onion

garlic

seasoning mix

Worcestershire sauce

Brown all of this together, drain if needed.

In a 13×9 dish, grease it (preheat the oven to 350). On the bottom of the dish, place the meat mixture.

Step 2

Now, this is what I had on hand. Tweak this to what you have. Just have fun with it. If it sucks, you will remember what not to add!

2 c. chopped fresh spinach

carton of fresh mushrooms, chopped

fresh broccoli, chopped

cooked bacon, chopped

Cheddar cheese

Layer each of these components on your meat mixture.

Step 3

In a bowl, add 2 cans of cream of mushroom (can use chicken or celery) and 16 oz sour cream. Once combined, spread over casserole.

Next up, add cheddar cheese (any cheese will do, this is what I had).

Lastly, I had a 1/2 bag of leftover tater tots. I lined them on top. I wanted to get rid of the bag, mainly because I had no potatoes to cook up.

Bake at 350 for about 40 minutes, cover, and uncover for another 12 minutes until your tater tots are done. Now, I did not pre-blanch or steamed my broccoli. I was afraid it would get mushy.

On freezing this dish, I did not cook it first…again, the broccoli issue.

Other Options

Now, you can change up your cheese. Also, you can add in zucchini, squash, cauliflower, or carrots. You can change up your soups. Instead of tater tots, use instant or regular mashed potatoes to put on top. If you don’t want to do that, add egg noodles or rice at the bottom of the dish. The sky is the limit.

 

Recipes and Cooking

Tater Tot Casserole with Cheese

Brandi C

Tater Tot Casserole with Cheese

Tater Tot Casserole with Cheese

My OCD dictated my Tater Tot Casserole with Cheese. On a good day, I’d sling them on there. They each had a place tonight, and frankly, that makes me happy. I do believe I’m going insane. Insane, people. It’s fine. I am fine. We are all fine.

Tater Tot Casserole with Cheese

2# ground beef

Lipton onion soup mix

Worcestershire sauce

1 can cream of celery (I usually use cream of mushroom, but that’s what I had)

Sour cream, 1 c.

Seasoning

Cheddar

Spinach

Tater Tots

Directions

Brown beef with seasoning. Drain if necessary. Add in some Worcestershire sauce and the Lipton onion soup mix. I have a gluten-free, copycat Lipton onion soup mix recipe. Once that is done, add your chopped spinach and mix well.

In greased 13×9 dish, place the meat/spinach mixture on the bottom. Next, mix the sour cream and cream of celery. Pour that over the meat. Then add a layer of cheddar. End with the tater tots and be sure and season the tots.

Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes. You might want to add a few minutes if you put frozen tots on there. Mine were already thawed out. Again, it was good. My crew gobbled it up.

 

Recipes and Cooking

Mexican Casserole

Brandi C

Mexican Casserole

Mexican Casserole

Here is a simple Mexican Casserole that my family enjoys.  There is SO MUCH MORE than you can add (ie fresh ingredients) that would be yummy.

I will add, down at the bottom, would I do when food is more readily available.  For now, you do what you have to do to feed the people in your house!

Be safe.  Stay in.  Wash your hands!

Ingredients

2# ground beef

Seasoning

Chili powder

2 cans Rotel tomatoes and chilis

1 can cream of mushroom

1 can cream of chicken

Onion

Garlic

Colby/Jack Cheese

Fritos (chili cheese Fritos would be spectacular in this recipe)

Directions

Brown ground beef, onion, garlic, and seasoning.  Once cooked, drain if necessary.  Next, add chili powder.  Then add in soups and tomato/chilis with the liquid.  Stir well.

In greased 13×9 dish, layer crushed up tortilla chips, meat, cheese.  Repeat until all ingredients are used up.  End with cheese.  Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.

Additions

Cut up some fresh peppers and saute with onion, garlic, and beef.  You can also add in kidney beans, black beans, corn, cooked rice.  Ooh, or you could add a layer of rice so do chips, meat, rice, cheese.  That’d be good.  You could also a layer of refried beans!  Oh man, add in a can of nacho cheddar cheese soup.  Good grief.  So many options!

 

Recipes and Cooking

Easy Brunzi Baseball Casserole

Brandi C

Easy Brunzi Baseball Casserole

Easy Brunzi Baseball Casserole

This Easy Brunzi Baseball Casserole is something you can slip in SO many good things. You can mix regular rice with cauliflower rice. Also, add some spinach or kale to the mix. Chop up some fresh mushrooms. Use your imagination! I have started sprinkling a bit of nutritional yeast on top, along with some cheddar cheese. Also, cashew cheese would be good, although it would totally screw with my brain. I’m not sure I could use cauliflower rice and cashew cheese. That may be too much for my little heart to manage.

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • Sausage (1 lb)
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Seasoning
  • Green Pepper (optional)
  • Fresh mushrooms (optional)
  • Fresh spinach, chopped (optional)
  • Cauliflower rice (optional)
  • 2 c. rice
  • Cream of Chicken, 2 cans
  • 2 cans Chicken Noodle Soup
  • Cheddar
Easy Brunzi Baseball Casserole Directions

Fry sausage, beef, onion, garlic, seasoning, chopped-up peppers, and chopped-up mushrooms.  Drain.

In a large bowl, add meat and veggies, thawed out cauliflower, spinach, UNCOOKED rice, soups, and a handful of cheddar.

Pour into a greased 13×9 dish.  Sprinkle with a bit more cheese.

Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes.

 

Recipes and Cooking

Chicken Enchilada Lasagna

Brandi C

Chicken Enchilada Lasagna

This is a very good Chicken Enchilada Lasagna.  It was not without its challenges, but overall, it tasted really good.

Gluten-Free Tortillas

  • 2. c. gluten-free all-purpose flour
  • 4 T. oil
  • 2 c. water
  • Pinch salt

Put all of these in a food processor and I pulsed until mixed well.

Next, they were rolled into little balls and wrapped in plastic wrap.

Refrigerate until ready to use.

Once ready to use, put 1 ball on a floured surface.

Roll out thinly.

Cook on the griddle, be sure to flip halfway through.

These did NOT work well for rolling the chicken mixture into it BUT they did do well in a “lasagna” form.  I will be trying out other recipes, as well, to see which one I like the best.

Gluten-Free Enchilada Sauce Recipe

  • 1 can of tomato paste
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 3/4 tsp. cumin
  • 3 T. Chili powder
  • 2 c. chicken stock
  • Seasoning (I use a mixture of 1 c. kosher salt, 1/2 c. onion powder, and 1/8 c. pepper.  Normally, I would add 1/2 c. garlic powder, but my son is allergic so I eliminate that)
  • Instant potato flakes OR 3 T. Arrowroot OR Cornstarch to thicken it
  • 2/3 c. sour cream15

Saute onion in oil.

Add seasonings and tomato paste.

Whisk Well.

Add chicken stock and whatever thickening agent you choose.

Simmer until thick.

You may want to tweak the seasoning as needed.

Chicken Mixture

  • 3-4 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
  • Onion, chopped and sauteed
  • Seasoning (above)
  • 2 cans of green chilies
  • 15 ozs white beans, rinsed and drained
  • 8 oz. cream cheese, softened

Mix all this together in a giant bowl.

Also needed, was cooked rice (I cooked mine in my instant pot and the liquid I used was the liquid from cooking the chicken).  Also, Monterey Jack Cheese and green onions.

Chicken Enchilada Lasagna

I used 2 11×9 pans.  Spray them well.

First, do a good swirl of the enchilada sauce.

Second, tortillas.

Third, rice.

Fourth, chicken mixture.

Fifth, Enchilada Sauce.

Sixth, Cheese.

Repeat ending with cheese.

I placed my dish on a cookie sheet to prevent spillage and I covered it.

Baked at 350 for 30 minutes.

Removed aluminum and bake for another 20 minutes.

Served with extra cheese, green onions, or a splash more chili powder, if needed.

This Chicken Enchilada Lasagna was a big hit at our dinner table. The gluten-free tortillas worked better than I expected in a layered lasagna form, even though they were a bit tricky to roll with the chicken mixture. The homemade enchilada sauce added a rich, savory depth to the dish, and the combination of the creamy chicken mixture, seasoned rice, and Monterey Jack cheese made it melt in your mouth. The final result was a comforting, hearty meal that even those with gluten sensitivities could enjoy. This recipe is perfect for those looking to make a gluten-free twist on traditional enchiladas. Don’t forget to top with extra cheese and green onions for an added burst of flavor!

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