Tag: side dishes


Oct
2015

Garlic Mashed Potato Casserole

categories: Recipes, Side dishes

carlic-mashed-potato-casseroleSome of you are probably looking for the perfect side dish to take to a Halloween party. Well look no further, I have that perfect creamy, garlicky mashed potato recipe for you to take.  Let’s just say having potatoes topped with bacon alone will get you cheers from everyone at the party!  Everyone including my husband. He loves bacon!  Anytime I include it in a recipe he is excited.  He was happy when I made Easy Baked Beans with Bacon, Twice Baked Potatoes with Bacon, and Bacon-Wrapped Beef Filets. This recipe has the perfect blend of bacon, garlic, mashed potatoes, and cheese that will make you the culinary hero at any party.  So get out your potatoes and let’s start cooking..

Garlic-Mashed-Potatoes-Casserole-2Look at all of that cheese and bacon!

close up of casseroleFirst prepare the 8 slices of bacon in the microwave or the oven according to the package directions. When bacon is cooked set it aside. Then peel and quarter 5 lbs. (around 11 potatoes) of potatoes and place them in a pot and fill it with water so it just covers the potatoes. Now let the potatoes come to a boil and boil them for 20 minutes.

boiling potatoes

potatoes in water Drain the potatoes and place them in a mixer.

potatoes in the mixerAdd 1 (8 oz.) package of softened cream cheese and 4 tablespoons of butter.

adding cream cheese Add 1/2 cup of milk.

adding milkNext sprinkle in 2 teaspoons of dried parsley and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder. Now mix the potatoes until they are smooth and everything is combined.

mixing potatoesSpoon potatoes into a lightly greased 13″x 9″ baking dish.

potatoes in panTop with 1 cup of cheddar cheese and crumbled cooked bacon.

bacon and cheese toppingCover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10 more minutes or until the cheese is melted. 

Garlic Mashed Potaoes CasseroleNow you are ready to enjoy with all of you bacon loving Halloween guests.

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Garlic Mashed Potato Casserole

Ingredients

  • 5 pounds of potatoes (around 11 potatoes)
  • 1 (8 oz.) package of cream cheese (softened)
  • 1/2 cup of milk
  • 4 tablespoons of butter
  • 2 teaspoons of dried parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
  • 1 cup of shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • 8 slices of bacon (cooked until crisp and crumbled)

Instructions

  1. First prepare the 8 slices of bacon in the microwave or the oven according to the package directions. When bacon is cooked set it aside. Then peel and quarter 5 lbs. (around 11 potatoes) of potatoes and place them in a pot and fill it with water so it just covers the potatoes. Now let the potatoes come to a boil and boil them for 20 minutes.
  2. Drain the potatoes and place them in a mixer.
  3. Add 1/2 cup of milk.
  4. Next sprinkle in 2 teaspoons of dried parsley and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder. Now mix the potatoes until they are smooth and everything is combined.
  5. Spoon potatoes into a lightly greased 13"x 9" baking dish.
  6. Top with 1 cup of cheddar cheese and crumbled cooked bacon.
  7. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10 more minutes or until the cheese is melted.
https://www.cookingupcottage.com/2015/10/12/garlic-mashed-potato-casserole/

 

 

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Jul
2015

Ham and Dill Pasta Salad

categories: Recipes, Salads, Side dishes

pasta 4Today’s recipe is an easy pasta dish loaded with fresh tomatoes and dill.  It’s late July, which means you are going to start seeing ripe tomatoes in your garden.  And now all you need are some great recipes to use them up.  This is the perfect recipe for you to showcase your garden favorites.  And if you love dill, you are going to love this recipe’s incredibly creamy dill dressing.  Attention dill lovers: This will become your favorite summer picnic recipe.

pasta 6This dish is very easy to make.  Overall it’s about a 30 minute project with a delicious reward.  The first thing you will need to do is boil 3 cups of Rotini pasta according to the package directions.

boiling pastaDrain the pasta and let it cool. Now set the pasta to the side and chop up the 1 1/2 cups of tomatoes, then chop the 1 cup of ham, and chop 1/4 of a cup of onions.

tomaoteshamMix the tomatoes, ham, onions, and 1 cup of frozen peas in with the pasta.  Then chop 3 tablespoons of fresh dill and set it to the side.

dill

chopped dillNow whisk the dressing together. Take 1 cup of buttermilk and whisk it in a 1/2 cup of mayonnaise.  Then whisk in the chopped dill, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt and 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar.

buttermilk dressingNow mix the dressing into the pasta and vegetable mixture.

mixed pastaNow refrigerate until ready to serve.  You can always lighten the recipe up by using low-fat mayonnaise.

pasta 5

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Ham and Dill Pasta Salad

Ingredients

  • 3 cups of Rotini pasta
  • 1 1/2 cups of chopped tomatoes
  • 1 cup of chopped ham
  • 1/4 cup of chopped onions
  • 1 cup of frozen peas (thawed)
  • 3 tablespoons of fresh dill
  • 1 cup of buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup of mayonnaise
  • 1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt
  • 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar

Instructions

  1. The first thing you will need to do is boil 3 cups of Rotini pasta according to the package directions.
  2. Drain the pasta and let it cool. Now set the pasta to the side and chop up the 1 1/2 cups of tomatoes, then chop the 1 cup of ham, and chop 1/4 of a cup of onions.
  3. Mix the tomatoes, ham, onions, and 1 cup of frozen peas in with the pasta. Then chop 3 tablespoons of fresh dill and set it to the side.
  4. Now whisk the dressing together. Take 1 cup of buttermilk and whisk it in a 1/2 cup of mayonnaise. Then whisk in the chopped dill, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt and 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar.
  5. Now mix the dressing into the pasta and vegetable mixture.
  6. Now refrigerate until ready to serve. You can always lighten the recipe up by using low-fat mayonnaise.
https://www.cookingupcottage.com/2015/07/16/ham-and-dill-pasta-salad/

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Mar
2015

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

categories: Recipes, Side dishes

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

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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