• Recipe: Spinach & Chicken Pasta Casserole

    I wanted to use up some pasta so I made up this delicious casserole for the crew.  Everyone enjoyed it.   It was a less messy and dryer than some of the other casseroles I have made in the past but the family gave it a thumbs up.  When I made the recipe I only put in 4 oz of Cream Cheese, I think it would taste a little better with the whole package to help give it a more creamy consistency.  I used whole wheat penne pasta since that is what we had on hand but you could really use any type.

    • 8 oz Pasta (regular or whole wheat)
    • 1 pound Chicken Breasts, diced
    • 1/4 cup Olive Oil
    • 1/2 teaspoon Minced Garlic
    • 1/2 cup Mushrooms
    • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
    • 1 (10 oz) package frozen Spinach (or you can use canned drained spinach)
    • 1/4 cup White Grape Juice
    • 8 oz Cream Cheese
    • 2 cups shredded Mozzarella Cheese

    Cook the pasta according to the directions on the box.  While pasta is cooking heat up olive oil in a skillet and add the chicken.  Preheat the oven to 350.   Brown the chicken and add the garlic and mushrooms.  Add the salt, spinach, and white grape juice and cook for 3 minutes.  Mix the pasta in with the chicken mixture, add the cream cheese and stir thoroughly.  Pour into a lightly greased casserole dish.  Sprinkle the mozzarella over the casserole and bake for 20 minutes.

    Starting the pasta

    Cooking the chicken

    Adding in the spinach

    Mixing the noodles and cream cheese in with the chicken & Spinach

    Topping with mozzarella cheese then putting it into oven to bake

  • Recipe: Ham & Potatoes Au Gratin

    This past weekend my husband made Ham & Potatoes Au Gratin for the family.  I had some leftover ham and potatoes from when our family was staying with us so he decided to utilize the leftovers by making Ham & Potatoes Au Gratin.  I am thankful for a husband that pitches in around the house and is an amazing cook in the kitchen.  The leftover ham and potatoes made 2 casseroles, one we ate right away and the other one to share or eat later (love having a deep freezer).

    Ham & Potatoes Au Gratin:

    • 4 cups peeled and cubed Potatoes
    • 2 cup diced cooked Ham
    • 2 tablespoon minced Onion
    • 2/3 cup Butter or Margarine
    • 6 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
    • 3 cups Milk
    • 8 ounces shredded Cheddar Cheese
    • 1 teaspoon Pepper

    Mix potatoes, ham and onion in a greased 9 x 13 pyrex casserole dish and set aside.  Melt the butter in a saucepan, stir in flour until smooth.  Gradually add milk and stir constantly until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble.  Add cheese and pepper.  Stir cheese mixture until all the cheese is melted.  Pour the cheese mixture over the potatoes.  Bake uncovered at 350 degrees 45 minutes to 1 hour (or until potatoes are tender).