Category: Recipes

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Baked Macaroni and Cheese 4This is an easy pasta dish that’s simple, flavorful, and incredibly hearty.  And, all you need is a few minutes to whip it up.  With Easter quickly approaching this is the kind of creamy and cheesy side dish you will want to enjoy with your family.  The kids will all cheer when they see macaroni and cheese on the table. 

Baked Macaroni and CheeseThe adults will cheer too with the sharp cheddar flavor and  hint of garlic.  So move over Jello salad and deviled eggs the mac and cheese has come to Easter dinner and it’s going to be the star of the show.  We should get cooking soon, because Easter is April 5th this year and it’s just 18 days away.

Start by cooking the macaroni according to the package directions making sure to salt the water as suggested by the package.  This will make the noodles more flavorful. When the noodles are done, pour them in a greased baking dish.  I used a 13″x9″ oval baking dish.  

cooked macaroniIn a pan melt 1/4 of a cup of butter over medium heat.

melted butterWhen butter is melted, pull pan off the heat and mix in 2 1/2 tablespoons of flour to make a paste.

adding flourNow put the pan back on the heat and add 3 cups of milk stirring constantly.

adding milkWhen the milk is warm, stir in the 2 cups of sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.

adding cheeseCook on low stirring constantly until the cheese is melted and the sauce becomes a little thick.  Then pour sauce over the cooked macaroni in the dish and stir it around to mix it in.

pouring sauce over noodles Sprinkle the top with 1/4 cup of your favorite bread crumbs and 1/4 teaspoon paprika.

adding bread crumbsBake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.  Then let it sit for a few minutes before serving and it will thicken a little bit as it cools off.  Now sit back and enjoy this yummy mac and cheese with the whole family.

finished mac and cheese

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients

  • 7 ounces of elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups of shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cups of milk
  • 1/4 cup of butter
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons of flour
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 cup of bread crumbs
  • 1/4 teaspoon of paprika

Instructions

  1. Start by cooking the macaroni according to the package directions making sure to salt the water as suggested by the package. This will make the noodles more flavorful. When the noodles are done, pour them in a greased baking dish. I used a 13"x9" oval baking dish.
  2. In a pan melt 1/4 of a cup of butter over medium heat. When butter is melted, pull pan off the heat and mix in 2 1/2 tablespoons of flour to make a paste.
  3. Now put the pan back on the heat and add 3 cups of milk stirring constantly.
  4. When the milk is warm, stir in the 2 cups of sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
  5. Cook on low stirring constantly until the cheese is melted and the sauce becomes a little thick. Then pour sauce over the cooked macaroni in the dish and stir it around to mix it in.
  6. Sprinkle the top with 1/4 cup of your favorite bread crumbs and 1/4 teaspoon paprika.
  7. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Then let it sit for a few minutes before serving and it will thicken a little bit as it cools off.
https://www.cookingupcottage.com/2015/03/18/baked-macaroni-and-cheese/

Adapted from allrecipes.com

Baked Macaroni and Cheese 

 

Chicken Enchiladas with Sour Cream Sauce

chicken enchiladas with sour cream sauce 2We love tex-mex recipes around my house!  Today I have an easy homemade enchilada recipe for you.  If you have been following my blog, you may remember a few weeks ago I made Chicken Enchiladas with a homemade red sauce.  After making that recipe, I really wanted to try making chicken enchiladas using a homemade white sauce.  This recipe was exactly what I wanted with its creamy sauce, cheese topping, and yummy filling.

enchiladas 1It is also super simple and does not require many ingredients.  Making it an easy weeknight family favorite.  So if you are like me and can’t make enough enchilada recipes, give this delicious meal a try. 

Start by seasoning the chicken with salt and pepper.  Then bake it in the oven at 350 for 1 hour.  Your chicken might take less time since I used thick chicken breasts.  Make sure your chicken has an internal temperature of 165 degrees before taking it out of the oven.  Once it is cooked, shred the chicken and put it into a bowl that you will set aside.

shredded chickenNext chop the 1/2 of an onion and brown it in 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan.

browning onionMix the cooked onions with the shredded chicken.

mixing in onionNow add the one cup of Mexican blend cheese, 1/2 teaspoon of cumin, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the filling.

mixing in cheddar cheeseNow you can set this filling to the side and get started on the sauce.  Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a pan.

melting butterWhen the butter is melted, pull the pan off of the heat and add 3 tablespoons of flour.

adding flourWhisk the flour in to make a paste.

mixing in flour with wiskThen put the pan back on the heat and add 2 cups of chicken broth.

mixing in stockCook on medium heat until it’s thick and it bubbles up.  Then pull the pan off of the heat and add the 1 cup of sour cream.

adding sour cream Add 1 (4 oz. can) green chiles.

adding green chilisPour a small layer of sauce on the bottom of your baking dish.

sauce on the bottom of the panFill the tortillas with the filling and roll each one.  Then place them seam side down in a 9×13 pan.

filling shells

 

tortillias in panPour remaining sauce over the enchiladas and top with 1 cup of cheese.

adding cheeseCover the enchiladas with foil and bake in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes.  Then you will want to uncover the pan and broil for 3 minutes to brown the cheese.  Now it is time to sit back and enjoy!  

Chicken Enchiladas with Sour Cream Sauce

Ingredients

  • Filling
  • ---------
  • 1 lb. cooked chicken
  • 1/2 of an onion chopped
  • 1 cup Mexican blend shredded cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • ----------------------------------
  • Sauce
  • ---------
  • 3 tablespoons of butter
  • 3 tablespoon of flour
  • 2 cups of chicken stock
  • 1 cup of sour cream
  • 1 (4 oz.) can green chiles
  • -----------------------------------------
  • 8 flour tortillas
  • 1 cup of Mexican blend shredded cheese for the top

Instructions

  1. Start by seasoning the chicken with salt and pepper. Then bake it in the oven at 350 for 1 hour. Your chicken might take less time since I used thick chicken breasts. Make sure your chicken has an internal temperature of 165 degrees before taking it out of the oven. Once it is cooked, shred the chicken and put it into a bowl that you will set aside.
  2. Next chop the 1/2 of an onion and brown it in 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan.
  3. Mix the cooked onions with the shredded chicken.
  4. Now add the one cup of Mexican blend cheese, 1/2 teaspoon of cumin, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the filling.
  5. Now you can set this filling to the side and get started on the sauce. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a pan.
  6. When the butter is melted, pull the pan off of the heat and add 3 tablespoons of flour. Whisk the flour in to make a paste.
  7. Then put the pan back on the heat and add 2 cups of chicken broth.
  8. Cook on medium heat until it's thick and it bubbles up.
  9. Then pull the pan off of the heat and add the 1 cup of sour cream and add 1 (4 oz. can) green chiles.
  10. Pour a small layer of sauce on the bottom of your baking dish.
  11. Fill the tortillas with the filling and roll each one. Then place them seam side down in a 9x13 pan.
  12. Pour remaining sauce over the enchiladas and top with 1 cup of cheese.
  13. Cover the enchiladas with foil and bake in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes. Then you will want to uncover the pan and broil for 3 minutes to brown the cheese.
https://www.cookingupcottage.com/2015/03/11/chicken-enchiladas-with-sour-cream-sauce/

Adapted from Raining Hot Coupons 

Chicken Enchiladas with Sour Cream Sauce Long pin

Freezer-Friendly Pork Chops and Cheesy Potatoes

Pork Chops and Cheesy Potatoes 2This is one of the easiest, no fuss, most amazing pork chop recipes I have ever made.  And they are freezer friendly.  You can’t beat that!  I found this recipe in a cookbook that I bought 4 years ago called Dinner is Ready. This book is full of freezer recipes.  When I spotted this Pork Chops and Cheesy Potato recipe, I knew it would be the perfect a addition to the freezer meals I’m making for my sister (she is expecting her 3rd daughter in March and I want to fill up her freezer).

finifhed pork chopsHer family loves the crunchy onions, creamy potatoes and meaty pork chops that make this the perfect comfort food.  So let’s get started. Start by seasoning the pork chops with salt and pepper.  Then brown them in a pan with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.

browning pork chopsCombine 1 can of soup, 2/3 cup of evaporated milk, 1 cup of sour cream, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a bowl until smooth.

mixing ingredientsAdd 2/3 of a cup of French fried onions.

adding onionsPour in 1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese.

adding cheeseMix in 3 cups of frozen shredded hash brown potatoes (do not thaw) and then pour it in the bottom of a greased foil baking pan.  Arrange chops on top of potatoes and press them into the mixture.

pork chops in potatoesCover with foil then label and freeze.

foil covered pork chops and cheesy potatoesWhen you are ready to serve, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Then bake covered for 1 hour at 350 degrees. Then uncover and top with 1 cup of French fried onions and bake for an additional 10 minutes.  Now you’re all set with a great dish for a busy night when you don’t have time to cook.

Freezer-Friendly Pork Chops and Cheesy Potatoes

Ingredients

  • 6 boneless pork chops
  • salt to season chops
  • pepper to season chops
  • 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
  • 1 (10 1/2 oz) can of cream of chicken soup
  • 2/3 cup of evaporated milk
  • 1 cup of sour cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon of pepper
  • 1 cup of Monterey Jack cheese
  • 2/3 of a cup of French fried onions
  • 3 cups of frozen shredded hashbrowns (do not thaw)
  • -------------------------------------------------------
  • topping
  • -----------
  • 1 cup of French fried onions

Instructions

  1. Start by seasoning the pork chops with salt and pepper. Then brown them in a pan with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Combine 1 can of soup, 2/3 cup of evaporated milk, 1 cup of sour cream, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a bowl until smooth. Add 2/3 of a cup of French fried onions. Pour in 1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Mix in 3 cups of frozen shredded hash brown potatoes (do not thaw) and then pour it in the bottom of a greased foil baking pan. Arrange chops on top of potatoes and press them into the mixture. Cover with foil then label and freeze. When you are ready to serve, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Then bake covered for 1 hour at 350 degrees. Then uncover and top with 1 cup of French fried onions and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

Notes

Adapted from: Dinner is Ready.

https://www.cookingupcottage.com/2015/02/28/freezer-friendly-pork-chops-and-cheesy-potatoes/

 

Pork Chops and Cheesy Potatoes

 

Freezer-Friendly Meatballs and Sauce

Freezer Spaghetti and MeatballsThis meatball and sauce recipe is delicious, filling, frugal, and so freezer-friendly; which makes it the perfect recipe to fit in with the freezer meals I’m featuring this February.  So lets get out the onions and start chopping, because we need to fill the freezer up.

Start by chopping your onions up in small pieces and mixing them into the ground beef.

meat and onionsThen cut up the pieces of bread and mix them into the meat.

bread added to meatThen add in the milk.

pouring milk Add in the egg and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

add eggNext shape into 16-20 meatballs about 1 inch in diameter.  Place the meatballs on baking sheets lined with foil.

forming balls

 

meatballs on panBake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes or until the meatballs reach 160 degrees on a meat thermometer.

cooked meatballsLet the meatballs cool and mix them into a jar of your favorite sauce.

meatballs in saucePour the meatballs and sauce into a freezer bag and label.

sauce in bagNow you have an easy meal to add to your freezer meal collection.  When you are ready to use this freezer meal, put the bag in the refrigerator to thaw the day before you want to make it.  Then the day you cook it pour it into a skillet and simmer for 15 minutes.  Serve over your favorite pasta.

Freezer-Friendly Meatballs and Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1 pound of ground beef
  • 3/4 cups of soft bread crumbs (1 1/2 slices of bread)
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 eggs
  • 1/2 of a teaspoon of salt
  • 1 jar of your favorite tomato pasta sauce

Instructions

  1. Start by chopping your onions up in small pieces and mixing them into the ground beef. Then cut up the pieces of bread and mix them into the meat. Then add in the milk. Add in the egg and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Next shape into 16-20 meatballs about 1 inch in diameter. Place the meatballs on baking sheets lined with foil. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes or until the meatballs reach 160 degrees on a meat thermometer. Let the meatballs cool and mix them into a jar of your favorite sauce. Pour the meatballs and sauce into a freezer bag and label. When you are ready to use this freezer meal, put the bag in the refrigerator to thaw the day before you want to make it. Then the day you cook it pour it into a skillet and simmer for 15 minutes. Serve over your favorite pasta.
https://www.cookingupcottage.com/2015/02/23/freezer-friendly-meatballs-and-sauce/