Chicken Noodle Casserole

Recipe FILLS a 9x13 dish, so cut in half if you feed a smaller family.

4 large chicken breasts, boiled to tenderness & shredded
1 small onion, diced and sauteed in butter
6-7 small potatoes, diced (or other vegetable equivalent)
1 23 oz can of cream of chicken soup
8 oz. sour cream
1 1/2 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
6 oz. egg noodles, cooked in stock from chicken; drained
salt and pepper to taste
Ritz crackers, crumbled and sauteed in butter (crackers not pictured here... I went to make my casserole, thinking I had crackers in the pantry...but then low and behold I didn't!!!! ugh!!!...It was still good without them, though.)

*Broccoli or other veggies would be a great thing to add to this! However, I feed picky eaters. Hence, the plainness which you see here. ;) But, this is a great base to add a variety of things to. Be creative!

Mix all ingredients except sauteed crackers, and place in a casserole dish. Top with crackers and Bake at 350 degrees until potatoes are tender--around 1 hour 15 minutes. Use varying times according to the vegetable you put into it, though.

Layered Enchilada Bake

This is a recipe from Kraft magazine. My hubby loves it. He is a freak for Mexican. I like it b/c you can assemble it and freeze it uncooked for 3 months and pull it out for a rainy day that you don't feel like cooking. Hello food storage!

Yield: 8 servings

1 lb lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2c Think 'N Chunky salsa
1 (14 oz)can black beans, drained & rinsed
1/4c Zesty Italian Dressing
1 pkt Taco Seasoning mix
6 (8") flour tortillas
1c sour cream
1 pkg Mexican style shredded 4 cheese
cilantro


Preheat 400*. Line 13x9" baking dish with foil extending over sides, set aside. Brown meat with onions in large skillet on med-high heat; drain. Add salsa, beans, dressing and chili powder; mix well. Arrange 3 tortillas in single layer on bottom of prepared dish; cover with layers of half each of the meat mixture, sour cream, cheese & cilantro. Repeat all layers. Cover with foil. Bake 30 min. Remove foil, bake additional 10 min.


*If you are freezing it...Bake at 400* covered for 1 hour. Remove foil. Bake additional 15-20min.


Serving Suggestions: Top with chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, cilantro & crushed tortilla chips if you like a little crunch.