Pizza Casseroel

Shared by some friend who make it often. Haven't tried it yet, but made a note of some changes/shortcuts I may take...

1lb ground beef
1 cup onion chopped
1 (2oz) can sliced black olives,drained
1 (15oz) can pizza sauce
1/4 lb pepperoni coarsely chopped
1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1 (4oz) can sliced mushrooms, drained
6 oz mozzarella cheese,thinly sliced

Biscuit Topping.
 1 cup milk
1 tbs oil
2 eggs
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup Parmesan

DIRECTIONS:
preheat oven to 400 degrees and prepare baking dish
(1.75 qt oval baking dish works nicely)
Over medium heat, combine the ground beef, onion, and garlic in a large skillet until beef is browned
add mushrooms, olives, pepperoni and tomato sauce and heat through
pour mixture into prepared baking dish.
sprinkle with mozzarella cheese
Top randomly with biscuit pieces
bake 15-18 minutes until biscuit are browned and casserole is bubbly..

NOTES:  May try whipping up some Bisquick and dropping lumps of it on top with the Parmesan cheese mixed in . I'm not sure if "prepared" dish means non stick spray?- I will probably do that.. also would most likely drain the grease from the beef before adding in the mushrooms..etc.

Cheese and Cracker bites

Spicy Cheese & Cracker Bites
Taken from a Rachael Ray Magazine..and then just did my own thing with it.

In a bowl, mix 4 oz. softened goat cheese,
2 oz. softened cream cheese
and 2 tbsp. grated Parmesan.
Stir in 1⁄4 cup crushed *Triscuit crackers
**  and 3 tbsp. seeded, minced jalapeño.

Chill mixture until firm, about 30 minutes. Roll into 1⁄2 -inch balls; coat with 1⁄2 cup crushed crackers and 1⁄4 cup chopped parsley. Makes 30.

- See more at: http://www.rachaelraymag.com/blogs/rachael-ray/2015/04/14/great-snack-ideas/

*  I used Herb Triscuits- they were very tasty!
* * I do NOT like spicy so I used fresh red pepper chopped fine and mixed that in. It worked VERY well
Got rave reviews  :)

Goat Cheese / Gorgonzola Truffles

4 ounces cream cheese, softened 
1 (4-oz.) container crumbled Gorgonzola cheese or Goat Cheese
2 teaspoons finely chopped onion 
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon 

Apple and pear slices
Grapes]

Preparation

1. Beat first 5 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until well combined. Cover tightly, and chill at least 1 hour or until firm (can chill up to 3 days).

2. Roll cheese mixture into 3/4-inch-round balls. Roll each ball in bacon. Serve immediately, or cover and chill until ready to serve. If chilled, let stand 30 minutes before serving. Serve with apple and pear slices and grapes.


*NOTE I have made these then skewered them with a green grape on toothpicks for an appetizer. It went really well with wine tasting too! 

Mini- cheese cakes

I searched through several recipes and each one was slightly different then the others... so this is what I came up with adding different components of other's recipes

.. I've gotten rave reviews on how little a bite packs alot of flavor!!

1 8oz package cream cheese

24 vanilla wafers

1 egg

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 c sour cream

1 tsp vanilla 1/4 tsp almond

1/4 tsp nut meg

1/2 tbs lemon juice

375 for 20-25m -tops get a light golden....

in mini-muffin tin- I used the mini-cup cake papers - place 1 vanilla wafer in the bottom of each cup.

In medium bowl, mix softened cream cheese, sugar and sour cream with beater on low to medium, add egg. Mix well until creamy. Add all other ingredients & mix thoroughly. Spoon cream cheese mix by rounded teaspoon full on top of each vanilla wafer. Should make 24 easily, may have a little extra, go back and fill in if you think a few need a little more.

Bake as directed above until light golden brown on top.

Serve with jelly- I put three different kinds of jelly in small dishes with a spoon for guest to choose which fruit they would like. My fav is red raspberry ( seedless jam!) , Blueberry, and Cherry. Have of course used strawberry too and even spooned apple pie filling & drizzled with caramel- that was a huge hit!!

infinite cheese sauce

This recipe comes form supper weekly- a great blog - you really should subscribe to it!!!

http://supperweekly.blogspot.com/2011/04/infinite-cheese-sauce.html

I'm stashing it here for future reference because it truly is a versatile recipe that will come in handy!

You start with 2 table spoons of butter melted in a soup pot. Add 1/4 cup flour and whisk until smooth. Next, add 2 cups of milk. Once milk sauce thickens, you can add 1-2 cups of ANY kind of cheese: Parmesan, Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Provolone, Blue Cheese... Once the cheese melts, you will have a gooey, cheesy sauce that you can pour over ANY kind of pasta, vegetable, sliced potatoes, rice, enchilada, burrito... endless possibilities!!

Cheesy baked rice

Made by Robin- very yummy!

2tbsp unsalted butter(1/4 stick) plus extra to coat baking dish.

6 scallions- end trimmed and white & light green parts thinly sliced

1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

3 medium garlic cloves finely chopped

2 1/2 tsp kosher salt (we used sea salt I had in a grinder)

1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 3/4 cups long grain rice

3 cups low sodium chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream

1 1/2 cup shredded extra sharp white cheddar cheese

Heat oven to 350 degrees and arrange a rack in the middle. Coat a 13x9 inch baking dish with butter and set aside..

Melt butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. When it foams, add scallions, yellow onions, garlic and 1/2 tsp salt and pepper. cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender but not browned- about 7 minutes.

Add rice and stir to coat in butter. Add broth, cream, and remaining 2 tsp of salt. Bring to simmer, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, stir in 1 cup of cheese, pour in prepared dish and spread evenly. Cover with foil and bake until most of the liquid has been absorbed and rice is cooked thoroughly. About 30 minutes.

Uncover, evenly sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheese over top and continue baking until rice is tender and cheese is golden, about 15-20 minutes more.

Macaroni Sausage Supper Recipe

Macaroni Sausage Supper Recipe

* 2 Servings
* Prep: 15 min. Bake: 20 min.

Ingredients

* 3/4 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
* 1/3 pound bulk Italian sausage
* 2 tablespoons chopped onion
* 1 tablespoon chopped green pepper
* 1/4 cup sliced ripe olives, drained
* 2/3 cup condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
* 1/4 cup 2% milk
* 1/8 teaspoon pepper
* 2 ounces process cheese (Velveeta)

Directions

* Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, cook the sausage, onion and green pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.
* Drain macaroni; stir into sausage mixture. Add olives. Transfer to a 1-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray.
* In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the soup, milk and pepper. Gradually stir in cheese until melted. Pour over sausage mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until heated through. Yield: 2 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups (prepared with reduced-fat turkey sausage, reduced-fat soup, fat-free milk and reduced-fat cheese) equals 410 calories, 16 g fat (6 g saturated fat), 65 mg cholesterol, 1,664 mg sodium, 42 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 24 g protein.


TIP: Add a few fresh mushrooms or substitute cream of celery soup and a stalk of diced celery for extra flavor and nutrition. heat up leftover soup for lunch next day.

Cheesy pepperoni strata

cheesy pepperoni strata- family circle nov 09
makes 8 servings prep 15minutes refrigertate 3-4hours bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes


6eggs
1-3/4 cups milk
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1 loaf crusty Italian bread (12 ounces)
cut into 1/2 inch thick slices
6 ounces sliced pepperoni , chopped
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach - thawed
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese


instructions:
in a large bowl , whisk eggs, milk, and garlic salt.set aside.. Coat a 13x9x2 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. set aside.

Arrange half the bread slices in bottom of prepared baking dish. Scatter half the pepperoni , spinach and cheese over the bread, repeat layers. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the top. Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours.

heat oven to 375 degress, cover baking dish with foil . Bake at 3755 for 15 minutes.
Uncover , bake 25 minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned. cool slightly before serving

Per sercing: 430 calories, 25g fat(13g sat.) 22g protien, 26g carbohydrates 2g fiber 927 mg sodium, 220mg cholesterl

Swiss & Gouda fondue

Swiss & Gouda Fondue- nov'09 family circle

Makes 31/2 cups , prep 10 minutes, cook 2 minutes


1~1/2 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
3/4 pound Jarlsberg cheese, shredded
1/2 pound Gouda ,shredded
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
pinch of ground nutmeg
pinch of cayenne pepper


serve fondue with cored and sliced apples, crackers, or bread toasts

DIRECTIONS:

place wine and lemon juice in a medium=size non aluminum sauce pan over medium heat. bring to a simmer.

in a large bow, toss together the shredded cheeses and cornstarch. Add cheese to wine mixture , one handful at a time, stirring with a wooden spoon until melted. stir in garlic powder, nutmeg, and cayenne. simmer over medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until smooth and thickened. serve warm with your choice of items to dip

Rosemary-Cheese Spritz Cookies

Rosemary-Cheese Spritz Cookies

These cookies are great to freeze- individually freeze them ,then transger to a bag- you can pull out the right amount for any size crowd

Prep 20 min Inactive Prep 20 min Cook 30 min
Total: 1 hr 10 min
Level: Easy Yield:about 4 dozen cookies


Ingredients

* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
* 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
* 1 large egg yolk
* 6 tablespoons heavy cream
* 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 3/4 cup finely grated Pecorino cheese
* 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
* 1 tablespoon sugar
* 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary leaves
* 1 teaspoons fine salt
* Pinch freshly ground nutmeg
* Special Equipment: Cookie Press

Directions

Bring all ingredients to room temperature.

Beat the butter and lemon zest with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth, about 30 seconds. Slowly beat in the egg yolk and cream.

Whisk the flour, pecorino, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, sugar, rosemary, salt, and nutmeg together in a bowl. Gradually add the flour mixture into the butter mixture while mixing slowly. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then beat on medium speed to make a slightly sticky dough.

Fill the cookie press with the dough. Assemble the press with the desired disk shape (see cook's note), and press cookies onto ungreased baking sheets. Leave about one inch between cookies. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan and refrigerate cookies for 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Bake cookies, rotating pan halfway through, until golden, the cheese browns a bit, and the cookies smell nutty, about 20 to 25 minutes. Briefly cool the cookies on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool. Serve or store in a tightly sealed container for up to 1 month.

Cook's Notes: These freeze beautifully. Press the cookies out into desired shapes on cookie sheets and freeze. Transfer frozen cookies to a plastic bag, seal, and keep frozen for up to 1 month. When ready to bake, lay out frozen cookies on cookie trays and bake from frozen for 25 minutes.

Some disk shapes work better than others. Since this is savory cookie, we liked the cutters that result in a cracker shape cookie, like the ribbon, clover. Stars and and snowflakes work, too.

Copyright 2005 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved.

Gouda Fondue

Gouda Fondue - great with whatever you have on hand, bread slices, vegetables, apples, pears...




Prep 10 min Cook 30 min Total:40 min
Level: Easy Yield: 2 cups fondue, serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

* 1 cup dry white wine
* 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
* 12 ounces Gouda cheese, (rind trimmed), shredded
* 4 ounces aged Gouda cheese, (rind trimmed), shredded
* 2 tablespoons cornstarch
* 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg
* 1 pinch cayenne pepper

Dippers:

* Cubed or torn bread, boiled small red potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, and/or sliced apples or pears

Directions

Combine wine and lemon juice in a small pot over medium heat. Toss together both cheeses and cornstarch in a large bowl. When the wine comes to a boil, slowly add the cheese and cornstarch mixture, whisking continuously until smooth. Season with nutmeg and cayenne. Transfer to a small slow cooker set to low and serve with the selection of dippers. Fondue should hold on low setting for up to 1 hour.

Dressed-Up Bacon Mac and Cheese

Dressed-Up Bacon Mac and Cheese -food network magazine

Cook Time:55 min
Level:Intermediate
Yield:4 to 6

Ingredients

* Unsalted butter, for greasing
* 8 ounces macaroni
* 2 1/2 cups cold milk
* 4 ounces provolone cheese, coarsely grated
* 4 ounces aged Asiago cheese, coarsely grated
* 2 large eggs
* 2 scallions, white and green parts, chopped
* 3 slices white sandwich bread, torn into small pieces
* 3 strips bacon
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
* Kosher salt

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart shallow casserole dish. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the macaroni until al dente, about 5 minutes. Drain; transfer the pasta to the prepared casserole dish along with 1/4 cup of the cold milk. (This will cool the pasta and prevent it from becoming gummy.)

Meanwhile, mix the cheeses together in a small bowl. Beat the eggs with 1/4 cup of the milk in a medium bowl. Add the scallions, bread and half of the cheese to the egg mixture; set aside.

Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp; transfer to paper towels to drain. Discard all but 2 tablespoons drippings from the pan. Add the onion and garlic; cook, stirring, until just brown, about 4 minutes. Stir in the flour, cayenne pepper and 1 teaspoon salt; cook for 2 minutes. Slowly add the remaining 1 3/4 cups milk and 3/4 cup water to the skillet. Bring to a boil, whisking until thick. Remove the sauce from the heat and whisk to cool slightly. Whisk in the remaining cheese. Add the sauce to the macaroni; stir to combine.

Crumble up the bacon and add it to the egg/bread mixture. Spread evenly over the pasta. Place the casserole dish on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown, about 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven; let sit 5 minutes before serving.

Milanese Fettuccini Alfredo

Milanese Fettuccini Alfredo from Rachel Ray

Level:Easy
Yield:4-6 servings

Times:Prep 5 min
Cook 20 min Total:25 min



Ingredients

* 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads, 2 pinches
* 1 to 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
* Salt
* 1 pound fettuccine
* 6 tablespoons butter, cut into pats
* 8 ounces (2 1/2 to 3 cups loosely packed), finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Directions

Bring large pot of water to a boil over medium heat.

Preheat the oven to warm, about 200 degrees F. Put a large serving bowl or a platter, for the pasta, into the oven to warm.

In a small pot over low heat, add the saffron threads and the stock. Let steep until ready to use.

When the water boils, season with salt, add the pasta and cook to al dente. Just before draining, add a ladle of the starchy pasta water to the pot with the saffron stock. Drain the pasta.

Remove the bowl or platter from the oven and scatter with the butter pats. Add the pasta and pour in the saffron liquid. Sprinkle with half of the cheese and toss for 1 minute. Add more cheese and continue to toss for another 1 to 2 minutes. Keep tossing until the pasta is evenly coated and cheese has melted into the saffron broth forming a creamy, lightly golden sauce. Serve immediately.

Salsa Cheddar Chicken

Salsa Cheddar Chicken (compliments Kraft)
Prep Time: 10 min Total Time: 40 min Makes: 4 servings

2 Tbsp. KRAFT Light Zesty Italian Dressing
4 small boneless skinless chicken breast
halves (1 lb.)
1 large green pepper, cut into thin strips
1 large tomato, chopped
1 cup salsa
1 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Mild
Cheddar Cheese
2 cups cooked brown rice


HEAT dressing in large skillet on medium heat. Add chicken;
cover. Cook 4 to 5 min. on each side or until lightly
browned. Remove from skillet; cover to keep warm.
ADD peppers to skillet; cook 5 min., stirring frequently.
Stir in tomatoes and salsa. Return chicken to skillet;
simmer, covered, on medium-low heat 10 min. or until
chicken is done (165ºF).
TOP with cheese; cook, covered, 4 to 5 min. or until
melted. Serve over rice.

Spinach and Bacon Mac n Cheese

compliments of kraft foods

Spinach-Bacon Macaroni & Cheese
Prep Time: 20 min Total Time: 40 min Makes: 6 servings

Ingredients needed :
3 cups medium shell macaroni, uncooked
1 pkg. (6 oz. ) fresh baby spinach leaves
4 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon, chopped
2 Tbsp. flour
2 cups milk
1 pkg. KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/4 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

Procedure:
HEAT oven to 350°F.
COOK macaroni as directed on pkg., adding spinach for
the last min. Cook bacon in large saucepan. Remove
bacon; save drippings in pan.
ADD flour to drippings; cook and stir until bubbly. Gradually
stir in milk. Bring to boil, stirring constantly; cook and
stir 3 to 5 min. or until thickened.
STIR in 1 cup Cheddar and Parmesan; cook and stir until
melted. Add bacon and macaroni mixture; mix well.
SPOON into 1-1/2-qt. casserole; top with remaining
Cheddar. Bake 20 min.

3 step mini cheese cakes

mini cheese cakes made with cream cheese.

2pkg (8oz each) Cream cheese- softened.
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
12 oreo cookies ( Vanilla wafers work too)

1 kiwi peeled , cut into 6 slices
36 blueberries(1/2 cup)
12 raspberries or blackberries ( about 1/3 cup)
( suggested serving- you can use whatever fruit in season you'd like!)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed- until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until blended.
Place 1 cooke in bottom of each of 12 medium paper lined muffin cups. Fill evenly with batter.
Bake 20 minutes or until centers are almost set. Cool. Refrigerate 3 hours or overnight. Cut kiwi slices in half. Top each cheesecake with seasonal fruit just before serving.

Cheesy Velveeta dip

Most everyone knows this dip recipe- quick and easy. At the bottom are some suggestions to add in.

1 lb Velveeta
1 cup picante sauce or salsa

microwave cut up cheese and sauce/salsa in 1 1/2/ quart microwaveable bowl on high for 5-8 mintues or until cheese is melted, stirring every 3 minutes. Serve with yor favorite chips or crackers.

EASY ADDITIONS
1 can (15oz) chili

1/2lb cooked ground beef plus
1 can(10oz) dice tomatoes with green chilies, drained.

1 cup each ranch dressing and sour cream

Peirogi casserole

PIEROGI CASSEROLE

1 LB. BOW TIE NOODLES OR ELBOWS prepare as directed.
2 LBS POTATOES
1 LB.. SLICED AMERICAN CHEESE save 6 slices for the top
2 LBS. ONIONS chopped
1/2 LB. BUTTER
1/2 LB. MARGARINE.

Saute' onions in butter/margarine. Cook noodles as directed on box. Boil the potatoes to prepare them to be mashed. Mix half of onions/butter with potatoes as you mash them- also mix the cheese with the potatoes * except for the 6 slices for the top. Add a little milk to help cream the mash potatoes. Spread the remaining half of the butter and onion mix on the bottom of an 11x13 pan. Spread noodles over the onion mix, then spread a layer of mashed potato mix - layer like you would lasgna. Put remaining 6 slices of cheese on top of casserole. Cover with foil.

BAKE AT 350 DEGREES FOR 45 MINUTES.

Augratin Cheese soup

1 box/package of AuGratin potatoes with sauce mix
1 can chicken broth
3 cups water
2/3 cup diced carrots
2/3 cup diced celery
1/2 cup half and half

combine potato slices, cheese sauce mix, chicken brothe, water, carrots, celery in large saucepan. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 25-30 minutes or until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat , stir in cream. Garnish with parsley if desired.