Archive for the ‘CASSEROLES’ Category
Chicken Alfredo Baked Ziti
June 15, 2017 Lee
Leave a comment

Chicken Alfredo Baked Ziti

Sounds very good. On my to cook list.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 340 grams dry ziti pasta, or penne pasta
  • 2 cups fresh broccoli, cut int bite size pieces
  • 2 cups chicken, cooked, shredded or chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated, for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

For the Alfredo Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 5 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1 3/4 cups chicken broth, from the boiled chicken
  • 1 3/4 cups milk
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 teaspoon salt, more or less to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • The best way to prepare your chicken is to just boil it, when cooked through, allow the chicken to remain in the water until cooled to room temperature, this will give juicy chicken. The liquid is now broth, use that when making the sauce.
  • Preheat your oven to 200 C. Grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter, set the dish aside.
  • Prepare the Alfredo sauce; heat butter oil in a large non stick pan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for one minute, stirring occasionally, until fragrant. Sprinkle with flour, and stir to combine. Cook for an additional minute to cook the flour, stirring occasionally.
  • Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, whisk until smooth and no lumps. Whisk in milk, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let cook for an additional minute until thickened.
  • Add Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper, and stir until cheese melts. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Cook the pasta until it’s just tender. Drain and add it to the pan with the Alfredo sauce. Add the chicken and broccoli florets. Toss until everything is evenly coated.
  • Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the pasta layer. Next, layer the remaining half of the pasta mixture and sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and just barely starts to turn golden. Remove and serve immediately, sprinkled with optional garnishes if desired.

Notes

The chicken, about 40 Baht, think 2-3 breasts or 4 thighs. The cheeses however, are costly. Figure Mozzarella at 142 Baht/200 grams, and Parmesan at 150 Baht/100 grams. For 6 servings, this is about $1.63 per serving.
Adapted from an internet recipe. 
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,CASSEROLES
Chicken Tomato Pasta Bake
June 15, 2017 Lee
Leave a comment

Chicken Tomato Pasta Bake

Sounds good. On my to cook list for sure. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, vut into bite size pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 can whole peeled tomatoes, drained, chopped
  • 2 cups pasta sauce, OR make from a shortcut
  • 62 grams Cream cheese, 1/4 of a 250 gram block
  • 250 grams fresh spinach, chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups Penne pasta, cooked and drained
  • 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 190 C. Get out a 8 inch or 7x11 baking dish.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and brown on both sides, then remove from the pan. It’s OK if it’s not quite cooked through because it will be baked later. To the same pan, add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, then add the diced tomatoes and spaghetti sauce.
  • Add the cream cheese and stir to melt into the sauce. Add the spinach and stir to coat in the sauce. Add the browned chicken back in then add the pasta. Stir and coat with the sauce.
  • Spoon everything into the baking dish. Top with the mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake for 20 minutes.

Notes

The chicken will cost about 40 Baht/500 grams. The Mozzarella will cost about 60 Baht. For 4 servings, this is about 75 cents per serving.
Shortcut: Pasta Sauce.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES
Chicken Noodle Casserole I
June 15, 2017 Lee
Leave a comment

Chicken Noodle Casserole I

Sounds delicious. Easy ingredients, on my to cook list. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups egg noodles, cooked and drained
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken, cooked and chopped
  • 1 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed
  • 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/4 cup sour cream, OR make from a shortcut
  • 3/4 cup milk

For the Crunchy Topping, optional

  • 1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted
  • slat and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 200 C. Grease an 8 inch or 7x11 baking dish with butter.
  • To the casserole dish, add the egg noodles, chicken, peas and carrots, soup, sour cream, and milk. Mix together.
  • If you like your casserole with a crunchy topping, mix together the breadcrumbs, melted butter, pepper, and salt in a medium bowl. Sprinkle the top of the casserole with the breadcrumb mixture.
  • Bake the casserole for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the top is bubbling and the breadcrumbs (if using) are toasted. Serve.

Notes

For the chicken, use any parts you like, bake or boiled is fine. If you boil, reserve the broth for use in another recipe. Maybe 40 to 50 Baht worth of chicken in this recipe. For 4 servings, this is about 37 cents per serving.
Variant: Double the recipe and use a 9x13 baking dish.
Shortcuts: Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup, Sour Cream, Italian Bread Crumbs.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES
Breakfast Casserole I
June 3, 2017 Lee
Leave a comment

Breakfast Casserole I

Sounds very good, would be good when having house guests for sure.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup butter, melted, 1/2 of a standard block
  • 16 slices white bread, crusts cut off
  • 16 slices Canadian bacon, or ham
  • 16 slices Cheddar cheese
  • 6 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 2-4 drops tobasco sauce, or to taste
  • black pepper, to taste
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup green bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup spring onion, finely sliced
  • 2 cups corn flakes, crushed

Instructions
 

  • Melt butter and brush inside a 9x13 inch baking dish with some of it.
  • Assemble 8 "sandwiches" in this order, bread, slice of meat, slice of cheese, slice of meat, slice of cheese, then bread and fit them into the baking dish in one layer. Brush the top layer with some of the melted butter.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs with the Worcestershire sauce, salt, mustard, hot sauce, and black pepper. Whisk in the milk and pour over the bread layers in the casserole. Sprinkle the top with red and green bell pepper, and the spring onion.
  • Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight to absorb the custard mixture.
  • When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 180 C. Melt the remaining butter and mix with the crushed cereal. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the casserole and bake for 1 hour until the center is set. Let stand for at least 10 minutes before cutting into squares to serve.

Notes

The cheese would cost about 180 Baht, think slicing a block of cheese or using pre-sliced (real cheese), and for the ham or Canadian bacon, figure about 100 Baht. For 12 servings this is about 70 cents per serving.
If I was a betting man, I would say assemble this the night before and put in the fridge overnight, however, very important, let the baking dish if using Pyrex to come up to room temp before placing in the oven.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES
Potato & Chicken Casserole II
June 1, 2017 Lee
Leave a comment

Potato & Chicken Casserole II

This is a scalloped potatoes dish with chicken added and french fry cut potatoes, sounds good, on my to cook list.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4-5 strips bacon, cooked crispy, crumbled
  • 4-6 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
  • 5-6 medium potatoes
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup butter, this is 1/2 of a regular block
  • 2 cups whipping cream
  • 2 teaspoons dried parsley
  • 2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat a skillet with the butter. In a shallow dish, add the flour and season that with salt and pepper to your liking, roll chicken in the flour to coat well. Cook the chicken in the skillet until golden brown on each side.
  • Place browned chicken in a 9x13 glass baking pan.
  • Preheat your oven to 200 C. Line a baking sheet with foil.
  • Cut your potatoes into thin french fry strips, and lay the fries around and on the chicken. Pour all of the cream over the top of the fries and the chicken. Salt and pepper a bit more. Sprinkle the bacon on the top.
  • Sprinkle at least 2 cups grated Cheddar Cheese over the top. Sprinkle parsley flakes on top of the cheese.
  • Cover with foil and poke the foil with a fork in a few places to release some steam so the cream does not boil over.
  • Place the baking dish on a foil covered baking sheet and bake for about 1 hour or until the potatoes are tender.
  • Serve.

Notes

Chicken will cost about 75 Baht/kilo, that should be 5-6 breasts. For 4 servings, this is about 55 cents per serving.
Variants: Use browned pork chops or thick ham slices.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES
Crescent Casserole
May 31, 2017 Lee
Leave a comment

Crescent Casserole

Sounds good, minimal ingredients. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground beef
  • 1/4 cup onion, finely diced
  • 1 cup pasta sauce, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup sour cream, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 can crescent rolls, OR make from a shortcut
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 190 C.
  • In a skillet, brown ground beef with chopped onions, season to taste with salt and black pepper. Drain any fat. Pour beef into a 9-inch deep-dish pie pan.
  • Pour pasta sauce over the meat, then the sour cream over the top. Top with the shredded cheese.
  • Cover the top of the dish with crescent rolls, making sure all edges are sealed. Combine the butter, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning in a small bowl. Brush over the top of the pie.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and cooked through. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Figure 100 Baht/500 grams of beef. The Mozzarella cheese about 120 Baht. For 4 servings, this is about $1.62 per serving.
Shortcuts: Crescent Rolls (Bread Machine), Pasta Sauce, Sour Cream.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,CASSEROLES
Potato Casserole I
May 29, 2017 Lee
Leave a comment

Potato Casserole I

This is a classic casserole that you dress up with spices, herbs and additional fillings of your choice.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 500 grams ground beef
  • 3 teaspoons paprika
  • 4-5 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
  • salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups evaporated milk
  • 3 eggs

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 190 C. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter.
  • Heat olive oil in heavy skillet and add onion and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until translucent. Add ground beef and paprika, cook until beef is browned. Remove from heat, drain fat, and set aside.
  • Layer half of the sliced potatoes in the bottom of the prepared baking dish and season with salt and pepper to your liking. Top the potatoes with the ground beef. Layer remaining potatoes over beef, and season with salt and pepper to your liking.
  • Whisk together the milk and eggs until fully combined. Pour the mixture into dish to cover potatoes, cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes, or until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Remove foil and continue to bake until top is brown and bubbly, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes, serve.

Notes

The beef will cost about 100 Baht/500 grams, for 8 servings this is about 37 cents per serving.
Variants: Add leftover cooked chopped vegetables, add shredded cheese.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES
New Mexico Tamale Casserole
May 28, 2017 Lee
Leave a comment

New Mexico Tamale Casserole

This sounds really good! If you live in a place where there is no New Mexico green or red chilies, use any large green and red chilies that have been roasted, peeled, and chopped.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 10 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup yellow cornmeal, plus 2 tablespoons
  • 1/2 cup black olives, pitted, chopped
  • 1 cup New Mexico green chilies, roasted, peeled, chopped
  • 1 cup New Mexico red chilies, roasted, peeled, chopped
  • 1 3/4 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 clove garlic, smashed and minced
  • 500 grams ground beef
  • 125 grams ground pork
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup onion, chopped
  • 2 cups tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 cups water

Instructions
 

  • Fry ground beef and pork in a medium-sized skillet at medium heat until beef is browned. Add onion and garlic to meat mixture and cook until onion is tender. Drain.
  • To the meat, add tomatoes, olives, green chile, salt, and pepper and simmer for approximately 20 minutes. Water may be added to the mixture if a thinner consistency is desired.
  • While that is simmering, preheat your oven to 180 C and grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter.
  • Add 1/4 cup of cheese and the 2 tablespoons of cornmeal to the meat mixture, cook for 2-3 minutes, remove from heat and set mixture aside.
  • Place remaining 1 cup of cornmeal and 2 cups of water in a medium sized saucepan. Cook cornmeal, stirring occasionally, until cornmeal is thick.
  • Spread half of cornmeal mixture in bottom of a greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Place meat mixture over top of cornmeal and spread remaining half of cornmeal over top of filling. Top with remaining cheese.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, remove from oven and let rest for 2 minutes, serve.

Notes

For the beef, figure about 100 Baht/500 grams. For the cheese, go with 180 Baht for a block of 250 grams and shred that. For 10 servings, this is about 82 cents per serving.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Jerry Juliana.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES
Swiss Chicken Supreme
May 27, 2017 Lee
Leave a comment

Swiss Chicken Supreme

Sounds good, chicken and Swiss cheese go together well. On my to cook list. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4-6 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
  • 1-2 tablespoons onion, grated
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, smashed and finely minced
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 4-6 slices Swiss cheese
  • 2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/2 cup sour cream, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 cups butter crackers, Magic brand, crushed, about 50
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter.
  • Place the chicken in the baking dish. Sprinkle with grated onion, minced garlic and season with salt and pepper as desired. Top each with a slice of cheese.
  • In a large bowl, combine the soup, sour cream, and water, pour over the chicken. Toss the cracker crumbs and butter, sprinkle over chicken.
  • Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes or until chicken juices run clear and crumbs are golden brown. Serve over pasta.

Notes

Chicken will cost about 75 Baht/kilo, that would be 4 to 6 pieces. For 4 servings, this is about 55 cents per serving.
Shortcuts: Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup, Sour Cream.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES
Mexican Tortilla Casserole
May 25, 2017 Lee
Leave a comment

Mexican Tortilla Casserole

Sounds really good and I would say it makes a lot as well. On my to cook list. Plenty of shortcuts to use here for good savings. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground beef
  • 1/2 cup onion, diced
  • 1 packet taco seasoning mix, OR make from a shortcut
  • 2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 can refried beans, OR make from a shortcut, 2 cups
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1 cup Mexican corn, OR make from a shortcut
  • 4 large flour tortillas, 8 inches, or even corn tortillas
  • 1 cup thick salsa, OR make from a shortcut

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. Grease a 8 inch spring form cake pan with butter or olive oil spray.
  • Brown ground beef and onion, drain, then add the taco seasoning and cook according to package direction.
  • To assemble, place 1 tortilla in the bottom of the cake pan, spread 1/3 of the refried beans on it, top with 1/3 of the meat and sprinkle on some cheese.
  • Add the 2nd tortilla, top that with 1/2 the rice, 1/2 the salsa, 1/2 the corn and cheese.
  • Add the 3rd tortilla, top that with 1/3 of the refried beans, 1/3 the meat, and sprinkle on some cheese.
  • Add the 4th tortilla, top with the remaining refried beans, then the meat, then the corn, then rice, then the salsa and top with the cheese.
  • Bake covered with foil for about 40 minutes, uncover and bake 10-15 minutes longer, let sit 5 minutes before cutting. After baking top with sour cream, diced onion, and shredded lettuce if desired.

Notes

The beef will cost about 100 Baht, the cheese about 180 Baht. The tortillas would cost about 120 Baht for 4. Make the shortcuts for savings as well. For 6 servings, this is about $1.96 per serving.
Shortcuts: Taco Seasoning, Refried Beans, Mexican Corn, Salsa, Sour Cream.
Variants: Very easy to use leftover chili in place of the refried beans, or to use cooked chopped red bell pepper, use corn tortillas in place of flour tortillas, use cottage cheese in place of the salsa, you get the idea. You could make this a different meal each time you make it.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* High Cost $1.51+ per Serving,CASSEROLES