Archive for the ‘CASSEROLES’ Category
Easy Chicken Fajita Rice Bake
January 5, 2017 Lee
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Easy Chicken Fajita Rice Bake

Sounds really good. On my to cook list. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Tex-Mex
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 packet fajita seasoning mix, OR make from a shortcut on this site
  • 1/2 onion, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced into strips
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup white rice, uncooked
  • 2 cups chicken stock, fresh or make from powder
  • 750 grams chicken breasts, cut into large strips
  • tomatoes, chopped, for garnish
  • cilantro, chopped, for garnish
  • cheese, shredded, for garnish
  • limes, cut into wedges, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 190 C.
  • In a large bowl, toss together the chicken strips, onion, and bell peppers, then add the oil and seasoning mix and mix until everything is coated. In a casserole dish, add the rice and the chicken stock, then add on top the chicken and veggy mixture. Cover with foil and bake for 50-55 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked.
  • Serve topped with tomatoes, cilantro, cheese, and a lime wedge on the side if desired.

Notes

Chicken breasts will cost about 59 Baht/kilo. Using that number, for 6 servings, this is about 29 cents per serving.
Shortcut: Fajita Seasoning Mix.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES
Cheesy Smoked Sausage & Potato Casserole
January 4, 2017 Lee
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Cheesy Smoked Sausage & Potato Casserole

This sounds really good and is wide open to changes to suit your taste. This is basically a base recipe to tailor at will, you could make this many times and have it different each time.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups potatoes, cooked and cubed, skin on is fine
  • 500 grams smoked sausage links, cut into 1/4 inch slices
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded, divided

Instructions
 

  • Brown the sliced sausage in a pan for about 15 minutes, turning often to slightly brown the pieces.
  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. Place the cooked and cubed potatoes in a baking dish and add the browned sausage and mix together.
  • In a saucepan, mix together the butter, flour, milk, salt, pepper, and 1/2 cup of cheese, stir continuously until smooth. Pours the sauce over the casserole, then sprinkle the remaining cheese on the top and then sprinkle with the paprika. Bake for 35-45 minutes or until the top is golden brown, serve.

Notes

The smoked sausage is about 100 Baht/500 grams. For 4 servings this is about 74 cents per serving. When I go to Makro again I will get more accurate up to date pricing as well.
Variants. Think chopped bell peppers or cooked sliced mushrooms. Garnish with spring onions for a bit of color as well.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES
Tuna Casserole II
December 23, 2016 Lee
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Tuna Casserole II

Another variant to classic Tuna Casserole, sounds really good. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cans tuna, drained, or use 1 1/2 cups fresh cooked tuna made with a shortcut
  • 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup, OR make from a shortcut
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2-3 hard boiled eggs, chopped
  • 4 cups egg noodles, cooked
  • 4 cups bread, cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 3-4 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C.
  • Add tuna, soup, salt, and milk in a medium bowl and stir until combined. Fold in chopped eggs and egg noodles. Lightly grease a casserole dish with butter and pour the mixture into the dish.
  • Toss the cubed bread with melted butter and garlic salt, add to the top of the casserole dish. Bake at 180 C for 30-40 minutes or until the bread is golden brown. Serve.

Notes

Tuna is about 120 Baht, for 6 servings, this is about 59 cents per serving.
Variants: Add cooked frozen or canned peas. Add cooked sliced mushrooms.
Shortcuts: Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, Tuna.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES
Gourmet Potato and Barramundi Pie
December 7, 2016 Lee
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Gourmet Potato and Barramundi Pie

Sounds like a great recipe, I will have to try this for sure.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 kilos potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 600 grams Barramundi fillets
  • 1 1/3 cups milk
  • 1 bunch spring onions, thinly sliced, white and green parts
  • 200 grams sour cream
  • 1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 220 C. Cook the potatoes in pot with water until tender. about 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Place the barramundi in a shallow pan then pour over the milk and sprinkle over the spring onions. Cover, bring to a simmer for 5 to 8 minutes until the fish is cooked and flakes easily. Lift out the poached Barramundi fillets. Pour the warm milk and spring onions into a measuring cup to measure out just over 3/4 of cup and reserve.
  • Drain the potatoes well and mash until smooth. Mix in the reserved warm milk and spring onion followed by the sour cream. Season with salt and pepper to your liking.
  • For the fish, the original recipe is unclear if skinless or skin on, so flake the fish into bite size pieces and remove the skin.
  • Gently fold in the flaked fish and half of the cheese. Spoon the mixture into a large shallow oven proof dish and sprinkle over the remaining cheese. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown on the surface. Serve.

Notes

One large Barramundi would be a good 600 grams of fillets. The cheese would be 90-120 Baht. Figuring 68 Baht for the fish and 120 Baht for the cheese, for 6 servings, this is about 92 cents per serving. Less if Pangasius was used.
Variant: Add a cup of cooked peas or peas and carrots.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES
Mac & Beef Casserole
December 1, 2016 Lee
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Mac & Beef Casserole

Sounds really easy, and really good, on my to try list.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup dry elbow macaroni, or maccheroni
  • 500 grams ground beef
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 rib celery, import, or use 5-7 stalks of Thai celery plus leaves, chopped
  • 1 can whole peeled tomatoes, diced, with the juice
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • olive oil, as needed

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 230 C and lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter. Add the dry macaroni, tomatoes, milk, and Italian seasoning and stir to mix.
  • In a non stick skillet on medium heat with a splash of olive oil, add the beef, onion, celery, salt, and pepper and quickly brown the beef, no need to cook all the way through. Drain the fat and this to the macaroni mixture and mix together. Top this with the cheese. Bake for 45 minutes or until the pasta is tender. Serve.

Notes

Ground beef will run about 100 Baht/500 grams, possibly less if you grind it yourself. The cheese will run about 70 Baht for 1/2 block to make 1 cup of shredded cheese. For 4 servings, this is about $1.25 per serving.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,CASSEROLES
Broccoli Rice Casserole
November 18, 2016 Lee
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Broccoli Rice Casserole

Sounds really good, on my to cook list.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Dish, Side
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 6 cups fresh broccoli, cut into bite size pieces, including the stems
  • 2 cups cooked white rice

For the Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 small onion
  • 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 2 cups milk, cold
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 3 tablespoons Cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
  • salt, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. Get out a 2 quart baking dish and lightly grease with butter.
  • In a large non stick pan, melt the butter and cook onion on medium low heat until softened and translucent, then whisk in the in the flour, garlic powder, and pepper. Cook an additional 2 minutes. While whisking, gradually pour in the cold milk. Continue whisking over medium heat until thick and bubbly then remove from the heat and add stir in the mustard powder, paprika, cream cheese and 1½ cups cheddar cheese. Stir until melted, taste and adjust with salt if desired.
  • Cook broccoli in a pot of boiling water for about 2-3 minutes, does not need to be cooked through 100% as it will cook more in the oven. Drain broccoli, then stir together the rice, broccoli, and cheese sauce and pour into the prepared casserole dish, top with the rest of the cheese and bake for 30-35 or until bubbly and the cheese is starting to brown. Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes, serve.

Notes

The Cheddar cheese would run about 180 Baht for a 250 gram block, go with that. This is about a 67 cent meal.
For variants, try broccoli and cauliflower together, or just cauliflower. Add cooked cubed ham or chicken to make it a main dish vice a side dish.
Inspired by Spend With Pennies and the link to this recipe is here.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES
Tomato Beef Country Casserole
November 1, 2016 Lee
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Tomato Beef Country Casserole

Sounds really good, on my to make list. There is several shortcuts that will save you money as well with this recipe. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 350 grams dry egg noodles, OR go with Fettuccine like I will do
  • 500 grams ground beef
  • 1 can condensed tomato soup, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup onion, diced
  • 2 teaspoons Worcherstershire sauce
  • 1/2 to 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • salt, pepper, garlic powder, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C and lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter. Cook the egg noodles or pasta in a pot of boiling water until just tender, then drain.
  • Brown the ground beef and onion in a skillet with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to your liking, drain well, set aside.
  • In a large bowl, mix the soups, milk, Worcestershire sauce, and additional pepper if you like. Add the cooked and drained ground beef and cooked and drained egg noodles or pasta, stir to combine. Pour this into your baking dish and top with the cheese.
  • Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the cheese browned and bubbly, remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes, then serve.

Notes

Figure about 100 Baht for beef, cheese figure about 140 Baht for 1 cup. Make the soup yourself for additional savings. For 8 servings, this is about 89 cents per serving.
Shortcuts: Condensed Tomato Soup, Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES
Farmer Casserole
September 26, 2016 Lee
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Farmer Casserole

This sounds really good, has everything for a good breakfast. On my to cook list.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Breakfast, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 6 cups potatoes, diced, skin on or off is up to you
  • 1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded, this is one 250 gram block
  • 2 spring onions, sliced, white and green parts
  • 3 cups evaporated milk
  • 2 cups eggs, beaten, start with 8 eggs
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • olive oil
  • 2-3 cups ham, diced

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 190 C. Get out a large casserole dish, or two if all you have are small ones.
  • Heat a splash of olive oil in a large non stick or cast iron pan on medium heat, add potatoes and cook until lightly browned, then add the potatoes to the bottom of the casserole dish. Layer the ham, cheese, and spring onions over the potatoes.
  • In a large bowl, mix the eggs with the evaporated milk, salt and pepper. Pour this evenly into the casserole dish. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until the egg is set (use a butter knife inserted into the center, if it comes out clean, set, if there is runny egg on it, continue cooking). Serve.

Notes

Bacon and cheese would be most expensive here. Cheese figure 180 Baht/250 gram block, for the ham figure 100 Baht for 2 cups and 150 Baht for 3 cups. For 8 servings, this is about $1.22 per serving, not bad for a complete meal.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Mike Early.
United States.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,CASSEROLES
Ham and Potato Casserole
September 11, 2016 Lee
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Ham and Potato Casserole

Sounds really good and easy and common ingredients. On my to cook list.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3/4 cup onion, diced
  • 1/4 cup green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
  • salt and cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded, OR Swiss Cheese
  • 1/4 cup mayo
  • 3 cups potatoes, cooked and cubed
  • 2 cups ham, cooked and cubed

Instructions
 

  • Heat your oven to 180 C, get out a large backing dish, 9x13 should work, or use 2 smaller dishes.
  • In a large non stick pan, cook the onion and bell pepper in butter until tender, then stir in the flour and salt and pepper to your liking. Add the milk and bring to a boil stirring constantly, once it boils, reduce heat to a simmer and stir in the cheese and mayo and stir until the cheese melts. Stir in the potatoes and ham and stir to coat everything.
  • Pour into your baking dish and bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes, serve.

Notes

The ham would cost about 100 Baht for the 2 cups (think the thick sliced ham available at Makro), and the cheese would run about 90 Baht for 1 cup or about half a block of 250 grams. For 8 servings, this is about 70 cents per serving, excellent value for casserole with ham and cheese in it.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,CASSEROLES
5-Layer Breakfast Bake
September 9, 2016 Lee
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5-Layer Breakfast Bake

This is my type of meal, sounds very filling. Takes some time to prepare but I think this would be a big hit. On my to cook list. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Breakfast, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

For the Casserole

  • 3 cups hash brown potatoes, OR make from a shortcut on this site
  • 250 grams Cheddar cheese, shredded, this is 1 block
  • 3 cups scrambled eggs, 9 large eggs OR 12 medium eggs
  • salt and pepper, to taste

For the Sausage Gravy

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 500 grams breakfast sausage, bulk, OR make from a shortcut on this site
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 4 cups milk
  • salt and pepper, to taste

For the Biscuit Topping

  • 2 cups all purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup buttermilk, cold, OR make from a shortcut on this site
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted, plus 2 tablespoons melted for brushing
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • Some prep work first. First thing is to make the hash browns using the shortcut on this site if you are not using frozen (frozen must be thawed as well). After the hash browns have been made (just follow the steps to just before cooking) or frozen hash browns thawed out, now make the scrambled eggs, you may wish to do this in batches instead of all at once.
  • Preheat your oven to 200 C, lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter.
  • Spread the hash browns evenly in the bottom of the baking dish and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Now evenly layer the cheese over the hash browns. Now evenly layer the scrambled eggs over the cheese.
  • For the gravy, heat the butter in a large pan, and the sausage to the pan and break it up with a spatula and let it brown for a few minutes. Then add in the flour and give it is a mix and let it cook for 1 minute. Pour in the milk, stirring constantly until the mixture has thickened, about 8 minutes or so. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour the gravy on top of the eggs in the baking dish and spread evenly.
  • For the biscuit topping, combine the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a large bowl. Make well in the center of the flour.
  • Pour the melted butter into the cold buttermilk and stir gently with a spoon until the butter hardens and forms lumps. Pour the milk mixture into the flour and mix until well-combined.
  • Transfer the dough to a floured sheet of cling wrap and generously dust the dough with flour. Using a floured rolling pin, roll the dough into a rectangle that matches the size of your roasting pan. Roll the dough onto the rolling pin and transfer to the roasting pan, then brush with melted butter. Bake for 25-30 minutes and the biscuit topping should be golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before cutting, serve.

Notes

The cheese will cost about 180 Baht/250 gram block. The eggs will cost about 50-70 Baht depending on size, I will figure this as 70 Baht for large eggs. For the sausage, if you make yourself from minced pork, this is about 60 Baht/500 grams. For 8 servings, this is about $1.15 per serving, which is really not that bad a cost for a filling and complete meal.
Shortcuts: Hash Brown Potatoes, Breakfast Sausage, Buttermilk.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Mike Early.
United States.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,CASSEROLES