Cheesy Ham and Hash Brown Casserole

If you are someone, like me, that is constantly on the go and don't have a lot of time to make anything for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Well here you go, Cheesy Ham and Hash Brown Casserole is something quick and easy for any meal. My family loves to eat this casserole for any meal. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 (32 oz) pkg frozen hash brown potatoes (I used potatoe rounds)
8 oz cooked, diced ham (may also use cubed ham instead of diced)
2 (10.75 oz) cans condensed cream of celery soup
16 oz sour cream
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (I used colby and monterey jack cheese)
1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese

                                                                   (what you will need)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Next, lightly grease a 9 x 13" baking dish.

2. In a large bowl, mix harsh browns (potato rounds), ham, cream of celery soup, sour cream and cheddar cheese.

(in a large bowl, mix together all ingredients)

 



3. Spread mixture evenly into prepared baking dish.

(spread mixture evenly in baking dish)

4. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and the rest of shredded cheese on top of mixture.

(sprinkle Parmesan cheese and shredded cheese on top)

5. Then bake for 1 hour, or until bubbly and lightly brown. Serve immediately.

(Looks Yummy!)

 

Cooking Tip:

Depending on the oven, the casserole may not take an hour to bake. Check frequently so the casserole does not burn.

Recipe credit to:
Taste and See Recipe Collection Cook Book

Photo credit to:
Amanda Del Toro

Rice, (Hamburger) & Bean Casserole

When even I go to the grocery store I always pick a package of shredded cheese just to have on hand. The other day I picked up a package of Kroger brand shredded colby jack cheese. I noticed on the front of the package that it said, "Recipe on Back!" The recipe was called Rice & Bean Casserole. I read through the ingredients that the recipe called for and it sounded very good! So, I decided to make it for lunch today. It was very delicious, if I don't say so myself.

Ingredients:

1 small onion, chopped (I already had an onion chopped that I froze)
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp chopped garlic (I used minced garlic)
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp cumin
1 (15oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (22oz) can black beans, drained
1 cup rice, uncooked
1 lb hamburger (optional)
2 cups shredded colby jack cheese

Serves: 6

(what you will need)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown hamburger and drain.

(brown hamburger and drain)

2. In a skillet saute onion in vegetable oil.

(saute onion in vegetable oil)

 

3. Add garlic, oregano, cumin, tomatoes and beans to onion. Cover and cook on medium heat for 15 minutes.

(add garlic oregano cumin, tomatoes and beans to onion)

4. While the mixture is cooking in the skillet, cook the rice according to the directions on the box.

 

(measure rice and water)

(pour in water)

5. Once the rice is fully cooked, add the rice to the cooked mixture and mix well.

 

(add cooked rice to mixture)

 

 

6. After rice is mix well, add hamburger to mixture and mix well.

(mix hamburger with mixture)

7. When the mixture is mix thoroughly, spoon the mixture into a casserole dish.

 

(spoon mixture into casserole dish)

8. Next, spread 2 cups of colby jack cheese over the top.

(spread  2 cups colby jack cheese over the top)

9. Place the dish in the over for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.

(Delicious!!!!)

Cooking Tip:

The reason I added hamburger to this dish was to give it a little more texture. I also served this dish with tortilla chips and queso.

Recipe credit to:
Kroger: All Natural Cheese, colby jack cheese

Photo credit to:
Amanda Del Toro

Chocolate Dirt Dessert

Dirt dessert is a dessert that one of my friends' mom would always make when I was little. I always remember how delicious and rich tasting this dessert was. My friends' mom would make the dessert with vanilla pudding, however I make mine with either chocolate or vanilla depending on what my taste buds are craving! This time that I made Dirt Dessert I made it with chocolate pudding.

Ingredients:

1 package (8oz.) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
4 cups cold milk (I used Vitamin D)
2 packages (3.4oz. each, small boxes) instant vanilla or chocolate pudding mix
1 carton (12oz.) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 package (15-1/2oz.) Oreo cookies
1 package of gummy worms (optional)

(what you will need)

 

Instructions:

1. In a gallon size bag, crush Oreos with a rolling pin.

(crush Oreos with rolling pin)

 



2. In a medium size bowl make chocolate pudding as directed on the back of the pudding box. After the pudding is mixed place the bowl of chocolate pudding mix in the refrigerator for about 2 minutes or until soft-set.

(pudding mix and 4 cups of milk)

 

(pour 4 cups of milk into medium size bowl)

 

(mix together)

 

3. In a large bowl beat together cream cheese, butter and confectioners' sugar until smooth.

(mix together cream cheese, butter and confectioners' sugar)

 

(mix together until smooth)

 

4. Once cream cheese, butter and confectioners' sugar is smooth, gradually stir in chocolate pudding.

(gradually stir in pudding mix)

 

(mix together thoroughly)

 

 

5. Next, fold in whipped topping and mix in thoroughly.

(fold in whipped topping and mix together thoroughly)

 

 

6. Once everything is mixed together, layer the bottom of pan with the crushed Oreos.

(layer bottom of pan with Oreos)

 

7. Then pour the mixture in the large bowl on top of the layer of Oreos.

(pour in mixture on top of layer of Oreos)

 

 

8. Now, place a couple of gummy worms on top of mixture.

(place a couple of gummy worms on top of mixture)

 

 

9. Repeat steps 6-8 until finished.

 

10. Top of the pan with a few more gummy worms and the left over crushed Oreos. Next, place the pan in the refrigerator to chill for about an hour.

 

(Yummy!!! Chocolate Dirt Dessert)

 

 

Cooking Tip:

 

Make sure that cream cheese and butter are fully softened.

 

 

Recipe credit to:

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Dirt-Dessert

 

Photo credit to:

Amanda Del Toro

 

 



Pizza "Bread" Roll

Instead of making just plain old pizza, why not twist it up a little!? The recipe below is something that I created myself, I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:

1lb. Hamburger
1 pkg of pepperoni (I used Turkey Pepperoni)
1 pkg of Shredded Pizza Cheese
1 jar of Ragu Sauce (Marinara)
1 can of Refrigerated Pizza Dough
1 tsp of Olive Oil (to brown the top of dough)

(What you will need)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brown hamburger in a skillet, rinse and drain.

(Brown hamburger in skillet)

2. Take pizza dough out of can and roll it out on the counter top. I sprinkled out flour on the counter top before rolling out the pizza dough. However, you can use parchment paper instead of flour, I just did not having any on hand.

(Roll out dough on counter top)

3. Spoon and spread sauce on pizza dough.

(Spread out pizza sauce on to dough)

4. Sprinkle pizza cheese (optional), pepperoni, hamburger and then top with pizza cheese.

(Sprinkle cheese and pepperoni)

(Sprinkle hamburger and top with pizza cheese)

5. Next, roll the pizza dough into the shape of a loaf of bread.

(Roll into a loaf)

6. After you roll the dough into a shape of a loaf of bread, spray cookie sheet with cooking oil (Note: if you use parchment paper you will not have to spray the cookie sheet). Next, carefully place the roll on to the cookie sheet and brush on Olive Oil (this is just to make the top golden brown) and then top with the remaining pizza cheese. Place the cookie sheet into the preheated oven and cook for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

(Place roll on cookie sheet and place in oven)

6. Once the Pizza "Bread" Roll is done baking, let stand to cool and cut to serve.

(Yummy... Enjoy!)

Cooking Tip:

Sometimes when baking the Pizza "Bread" Roll directly on the pan without parchment paper, it may  burn on the bottom a little. By checking the bottom of the Pizza "Bread" Roll every once in a while will help with the bottom not to burn.

Recipe credit to:

Amanda Del Toro

Photo credit to:

Amanda Del Toro









Country Living Vanilla Ice Cream

Summer is about having fun in the sun, going swimming, playing in the sprinkler and eating ice cream! Making homemade ice cream is something that my mother and I did every summer when I was a little girl. Now that I am an adult making homemade ice cream brings back memories of my mother "slaving" away in the heat of the summer making homemade ice cream for our family. The recipe that I am sharing with you below is my favorite homemade vanilla ice cream. 
 
Ingredients:

2 cups whole milk

1 cup sugar

4 egg yolks

pinch of salt

2 cups half and half

2 cups whipping cream

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Whisk together milk, sugar, egg yolks, and salt in a medium sauce pan.

Heat ingredients on medium high and whisk until mixture reaches a simmer. Then lower heat to medium and whisk for 5 minutes or until mixture begins to thicken.

(2 cups whole milk and 1 cup sugar in medium sauce pan)

(mix in 4 egg yolks)

(medium heat- whisk until mixture summers)

2. After mixture is thick, strain the mixture into a large bowl. Then whisk in half-and-half, whipping cream, and vanilla. Then cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.

(pour mixture into a large bowl)

(pour in half-and-half)

(pour in whipping cream)

(measure 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract)

(whisk together)

3. Once mixture is chilled, uncover bowl and pour mixture into ice cream maker can, so the ice cream can be made.

(pour mixture into ice cream maker can)

4. Once the ice cream is done, you can serve it immediately or freeze it. Which ever way you decide enjoy your ice cream with any toppings of your choice or eat it just as it is!

(Enjoy!)

Cooking Tip:

Make sure you allow enough time for the ice cream mixture to chill in the refrigerator. Do not rush the process of making the homemade ice cream. Take your time in order for the ice cream to turn out very yummy! 

Ice cream recipe credit to:

 http://www.countryliving.com/recipefinder/vanilla-ice-cream-recipe-clv0610

Picture credit to:

Amanda Del Toro