Ham and Cheese Biscuit Bombs

 

1 can refrigerated biscuits, flaky style

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 cup ham, chopped

¼ cup parmesan cheese grated

¼ cup cheddar cheese grated

1 teaspoon garlic powder

4 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder

In a medium sized mixing bowl, mix together cream cheese, ham, green onions, garlic powder, and parmesan cheese, mix well. 

Open biscuit dough and separate out each biscuit. Pull biscuits in half. 

Take a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture and place it in the center of one half of the biscuit dough. Top with the other half. Pinch the edges to seal. 

Place on a greased baking sheet and repeat until all the biscuit dough is filled. Sprinkled grated cheddar cheese on each biscuit before placing in the oven. In a saucepan, mix butter, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder. Brush the melted mixture over the biscuits. Bake at 350°F for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown.

Breakfast Loaf

 

I made French Bread Rounds and needed to create something to do with them. The hubby loved the idea of a big sandwich! So, I made Ham, Egg and Cheese, and I added a couple of slices of tomato! It was a hit! You can make your own or buy a round loaf of French Bread. I made mini loaves because we don't need an entire loaf. It's up to you.

Breakfast Loaf

6 eggs

1 T butter

Salt and Pepper, to taste

1 round loaf French Bread

6 oz sliced deli ham

1 cup Cheddar cheese

1 cup Monterey Jack cheese

1 tomato, thinly sliced*

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Whisk eggs together with salt and pepper to taste. In a large skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Pour eggs into the skillet and cook until no liquid remains. Set aside.

Cut the top of the loaf off and hollow out both sides. Save the insides for breadcrumbs.

Place a layer cheddar cheese in the bottom loaf. Layer with ham, eggs and tomato, top with Monterey Jack Cheese. Replace the top lid.

Wrap loaf tightly in foil. Bake until loaf is heated through, about 25-30 minutes. Let stand 5-10 minutes before cutting. Enjoy! 

* You can add some peppers and onions, but I would sauté them to remove some water first. I dried the tomato sliced off too. The cheese on top and bottom helps seal the bread and keeps them from getting soggy. 

Beef Taco Cups

Beef Taco Cups

1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, chopped

1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 oz taco seasoning mix (click this link for my recipe) 

1/4 salsa (your favorite)
1 cup cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
1 tube refrigerated Flaky Biscuit Dough

Suggested Toppings: Black Bean and Corn Salsa, Black Olives, Lettuce and Tomato, Sour Cream and Hot Sauce or Taco Sauce!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook the hamburger and onions until hamburger is no longer pink. Drain and return to pan. Add taco seasoning, salsa and cheese. Stir until heated through and set aside. 

Unwrap biscuits and pull each biscuit into 2 layers.* Line muffin tins with the biscuit layers. Fill with taco mixture. Top with a little more cheese and bake for 20 minutes. 

*I used jumbo muffin tins. I pulled the biscuits into 3 layers and arranged them in each muffin cup. 

Loaded Hashbrown Casserole

I bought a big box of dehydrated hashbrowns from Idaho Potato Company. They had 65 servings in one box for under $20! I've divided them into serving portions and vacuum sealed them for storage. Today, I made a hashbrown casserole with all the "fixins." I hope you try it! Enjoy! 

Loaded Hashbrown Casserole

32 ounces Hash Browns, frozen shredded, defrosted
½ cup Melted Butter
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup (or cream of mushroom)
1 cup Sour Cream
½ cup Onion, finely chopped

1 8oz packet Velveeta Cheese Sauce
1 cup Cheddar Cheese, grated and divided

4 pieces cooked bacon crumbled

1/4 tsp Garlic Powder

Salt and Pepper, to taste

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, setting aside half the cheese for topping. 
Place in a 9x13 greased pan and top with cheese. Bake for 45 minutes or until bubbling hot and golden brown on top. 

Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Foil Packs

 

Very simple and easy clean up! 

Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Foil Packs

 

2 chicken breasts, cubed

4 medium potatoes, cut in large cubes

1 medium onion, quartered

2 teaspoons oil

2 tablespoons ranch dip mix (from 1-oz package)

4 slices cooked bacon, coarsely chopped

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Cut 2 (18x12-inch) sheets of heavy-duty foil. Spray with cooking spray.

Add cut potatoes and onion to a medium bowl. Drizzle with oil; sprinkle with ranch dip mix. Add chicken; stir until evenly coated. Place an equal amount of mixture on the center of each sheet of foil. Evenly sprinkle with bacon.

Bring up 2 sides of foil so edges meet. Seal edges, making tight 1/2-inch fold; fold again, allowing space for heat circulation and expansion. Fold other sides to seal.

Place the packs on a cookie sheet. Bake at 375°F 30 to 40 minutes or until potatoes are tender and chicken is done. Remove packs from the oven and cut large X across top of each pack. Carefully fold back foil, (contents will be hot and will release steam) and sprinkle potatoes with cheese. Return to the oven and cook until the cheese is melted and starting to brown a little.

Bacon Ranch Cheddar Cheese Dip

I think if your baby's face looks like this, it's safe to say,

"That's some good dip right there!"

Bacon Ranch Cheddar Cheese Dip

8 ounces Sour Cream
8 ounces of Cream Cheese, room temperature

1 packet (1 ounce) Ranch Dip Mix

1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
4 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled

Mix together until well combined. 

I actually use ranch from a large batch shaker. I think I use more than an ounce. Check the taste and add more if you like! 

Also, if it is too thick to combine, microwave it for 30 seconds or so until you can get it smooth. 

Cheesy Hashbrown and Chicken Casserole

20 oz bag of southern style hash browns
1 cup of cooked, cubed chicken breast
1 can of cream of chicken soup
½ cup cream cheese
½ cup sour cream
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp minced garlic


Preheat oven to 400-degrees and grease a 9" x 13" casserole dish or a twelve inch skillet.

Add the soup, cream cheese and sour cream to a large bowl.

Next, add 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese to the bowl.

Add the hashbrowns, chicken, parmesan, salt, pepper and garlic to the bowl and mix well.

Pour the potato and chicken mixture into a casserole dish.

Sprinkle the remainder of the cheese on top and cover with foil.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, remove the foil, and bake 15-20 more minutes until bubbly and golden brown.

Cheesy Chicken and Potato Bake

Cheesy Chicken Potato Bake

2 large chicken breasts, cubed
2 Potatoes, cubed
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup Butter, melted

1/2 cup sour cream
8 oz cream cheese block, softened

2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese, more if you like
4 pieces bacon cooked crisp and crumbled

Place your cubed potatoes and chicken in a pan and pour in broth and butter.

In a small bowl, mix together sour cream, cream cheese and garlic with a fork until well combined.

Spread cream cheese mixture over chicken and potatoes.
Sprinkle cheese on top. Top with crumbled bacon.

Cook at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until the chicken is done and the cheese is golden and the casserole is bubbly.

Chicken Crack Pasta

Many food bloggers are sharing recipes of Crack Chicken Dips, Sliders and Buffalo style dips. I decided to make it more of a meal. I served it with pasta. In this case, spaghetti! You can make this in an instant pot in 8 minutes or a slow cooker on high for 4 hours. 

2 chicken breasts pounded thin
1 cup chicken broth
1 8 oz package cream cheese
1 package dry ranch seasoning, or 3T mix
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated

3-6 drops of hot sauce (I used 4 drops of Texas Pete)*
2-4 servings of spaghetti noodles

Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt pepper and garlic.
Add chicken breasts to an instant Pot.** In a glass bowl, microwave cream cheese for 1 minute to soften, then stir in ranch seasoning and chicken broth. Pour over chicken in the Instant Pot.

Place the lid on the instant pot, and press the pressure cook button. Select the high setting, then set to cook for 8 minutes. 

While the chicken is cooking, boil spaghetti noodles or your favorite pasta until done. 

When the chicken has finished cooking and pressure is released, open lid when safe to do so. Shred chicken inside pot with two forks.

Add pasta, hot sauce and cheese to chicken, and stir.

Garnish with scallions and crumbled bacon if desired.

* Taste the sauce after adding a little hot sauce, and adjust by adding more until you get the desired kick. 

** If you don't have an instant pot, you can use a crock pot/slow cooker. Cook on high for about 4 hours. 

Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pinwheels

 Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pinwheels

1 sheet Puff Pastry
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 
6 slices chopped cooked bacon 
1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt

Egg Wash:
1 egg
1 tablespoon water

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In large bowl, beat all ingredients except pastry with electric mixer on medium speed until well mixed.

Unfold puff pastry and smooth out. spread the filling evenly over the pastry. Roll in jelly roll form. Refrigerate until firm.

Slice and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Brush with the egg wash. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown and the pastry is cooked through. 

The Ultimate Shepherd's Pie

2 tablespoons olive oil 1 cup chopped yellow onion ½ cup chopped carrots 1 lb lean ground beef 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 2 teaspoons garlic minced 2 tablespoons all purpose flour 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2/3 cup beef broth 1/2 cup peas 1/2 cup corn

Prepared Mashed Potatoes (I use Idaho dehydrated flakes as a shortcut.) 

2 cups shredded Colby Jack Cheese(or your favorite)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Heat oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and carrots. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the ground beef (or ground lamb) to the skillet and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Add salt and pepper. Stir well. Cook for 6-8 minutes, until the meat is browned, stirring occasionally. Drain all but 2 tablespoons of oil/ pan drippings.

Add the Worcestershire sauce and garlic. Stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute. Add the flour and tomato paste. Stir until well incorporated. Add the broth, peas and corn. Bring the liquid to a boil then reduce to simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the mixture is too dry, add a little beef broth to your desired thickness. Set the meat mixture aside. 

Pour the meat mixture into a 9x9 (or 7x11) inch baking dish. Top meat mixture with mashed potatoes. Add cheese on top. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes. 

One Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta

 

2 tablespoons butter

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut in 1-inch pieces
1 cup diced onion 
1 cup diced bell pepper (optional)
1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy whipping cream
12 oz uncooked pasta, your favorite 
1 cup frozen sweet peas
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (8 oz)
1/4 cup sliced green onion 

In 5-quart Dutch oven, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 6 to 8 minutes, turning once, until chicken is no longer pink in center. Using slotted spoon, transfer to bowl; cover and keep warm. Add bell peppers, onions, pepper and salt to butter and drippings in pan; cook over medium-high heat 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened.

Stir in broth and whipping cream; heat to boiling. Stir in pasta; return to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 12 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in frozen peas and chicken; stir 3 to 4 minutes or until pasta is cooked to desired tenderness and sauce is thickened.

Remove from heat; stir in cheese until melted and smooth. Top with green onion.

Simple Cheeseburger Pie

 

• 
  
  
  
  
  Cheeseburger Pie
  
  
  
• 
  1 lb lean ground beef
  1 onion, chopped 
  1/2 teaspoon salt
  1 teaspoon garlic powder
  2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (or more if you like)
  1/2 cup Biscuit mix
  1 cup milk
  2 eggs
• 
  
  

Heat oven to 400°F. 

Spray 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray.
In a skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain. Stir in salt, garlic powder and Worcestershire sauce. Spread in pie plate. Sprinkle with cheese.
In small bowl, stir biscuit mix, milk and eggs with fork or wire whisk until blended. Pour into pie plate.
Bake about 25 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Porkchops for Two

2 thick cut boneless Porkchops
4 oz Cream Cheese
1/2 cup Cheddar Cheese
4 slices Bacon, cooked and crumbled
Green Onions or Minced Yellow Onion
1 teaspoon garlic powder

2/3 cup Flour
2 Eggs, whisked
1 cup Bread Crumbs
2 tablespoons of oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a small bowl stir together cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon, onion and garlic powder until combined. Set aside.

Place flour in a dish. Whisk eggs in a dish. Place bread crumbs in another dish. 

Cut a pocket in the side of the porkchop without going all the way through.  Leave the actual opening as small as you can, but cut the pocket to the edge. Season with salt and pepper. Stuff each pocket with the filling. Press the edges together as much as possible. (You can use tooth picks if you want.) 

Coat each chop with flour making sure to get the edges as well. Dip in egg and then bread crumbs. 

Heat oil in an oven safe skillet until oil shimmers a little. Brown the chops for a few minutes on all sides, or until golden brown. Transfer to the oven and cook for 20 minutes or until internal temp is 160 degrees. 

Chili Cheese Dog Casserole

This recipe is sure to have the kids (and grown-ups) asking for more! It is simple and easy to throw together. 

1 package of hot dogs*
1 (8oz) Cheddar Cheese, cut into one inch cubes
1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic minced
1 (15oz) Tomato Sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
3 teaspoons Chili Powder
1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper

1 can refrigerated Biscuit Dough
1/4 cup Butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/2 teaspoon Chili Powder
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a non-stick skillet, cook hamburger, onion and garlic until meat is no longer pink. Drain. Cut hot dogs into one inch pieces. Add to hamburger mixture. Stir in tomato sauce, Worcestershire, chili powder and pepper. Simmer for 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cubed cheese. Transfer to a 13x9 dish sprayed with oil. 

Cut biscuits into 6 pieces. Add butter, onion, chili and garlic powders into a gallon zip top bag. Add biscuits and shake to coat each piece. Place the biscuit pieces on top of meat mixture. Bake for about 30-45 minutes or until biscuits are cooked through and golden brown on top. If the biscuits are golden, but still not cooked in the middle, place a sheet of foil loosely across the top and continue to bake. When done, add the shredded cheese and return to the oven until melted. 

*Use your favorite brand.

Ham (Egg and Cheese) Steak

This year has been different to say the least. A lot of us have had to make do with what we have on hand because running to the store constantly was not an option. Luckily, I had the black-eyed peas and collards on hand in the pantry. My hubby hates collards. He won't even use the spoon in the collards to scoop up some peas. Since it was just the two of us, I used a large ham slice and decided to take an idea from a friend. 

Large Center Cut Ham Steak
Eggs
Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Salt and Pepper

I heated the ham under the broiler. (4 minutes on high for each side)

When it had rendered most of the fat, I cracked two eggs into the pockets that had puckered in the ham. I topped that with salt and pepper and sharp cheddar cheese. 

Cook for another 4 minutes. Check the eggs for the doneness you like. It takes a few minutes longer for the eggs to set firm.  

The hubby likes his egg yolks runny.

Homemade Breakfast Hot Pockets

 

You can make your own hot pockets and control your ingredients. No preservatives or processed cheese sauces. Simple four ingredient recipe!

Ingredients:

Crescent Roll Dough
Sliced Ham*
Cheddar Cheese
3 Eggs, scrambled

Scramble 3 eggs in a little butter and set aside.

Take two piece of crescent dough and pinch the seams together to make a rectangle. Layer one half with ham, eggs and cheese. Fold the dough over to make a square and pinch the edges closed.

                            

Bake them at 375 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes. Enjoy!

*I used deli ham and heated it in a frying pan to remove some of the water content. 

Southern Cornbread Salad

This is a great way to use that leftover cornbread, if you have any. I know it sounds and looks strange, but trust me, it is delicious! Everyone that has tried it has asked for the recipe!

Prepared 8x8 pan of Cornbread (I use 1 Jiffy mix, 1 egg and 1/3 cup milk)
1 package Hidden Valley Ranch dip mix
2 cups Sour Cream (or 1 1/2 cups Sour Cream and 1/2 cup Mayonnaise)
1 - 16 oz diced Tomatoes, drained
1 - 16 oz Black Beans, drained
1 - 16 oz Corn, drained
1/4 cup Bacon crumbles
1 cup Cheddar Cheese

(optional) ½ cup each Green Onions, Red Bell Pepper, Green Bell Pepper

Make Cornbread, and cool completely. Stir together HVR dressing mix, sour cream and mayo. Crumble cornbread into a 9X13 casserole dish. Top with beans, tomatoes, (optional onion and peppers), corn, bacon and cheese. Finally top with dressing. Cover and chill at least 3 hrs. When it is time to serve, take a spoon and stir a little section at a time to mix the ingredients to get a nice moist salad.

* I use twice as much dressing for mine, so it's not too dry.

Hamburger and Potato Casserole with a Bechamel Twist

I was trying to figure out what to cook for supper with the things I had on hand. The cabinets are getting pretty bare, and those that know me, know that "running to the store" is not an option out here. I need a couple of hours to be able to do the shopping. Well, I had ground beef in the freezer and thawed it out. I had a few potatoes, a couple of onions and some cheese. Most recipes would call for some cream of mushroom or broth next, but I didn't have any on hand. I decided to go with a bechamel with a garlic kick. Here's a step by step, and the recipe is at the end.

Layer potatoes and onions.

Next combine hamburger, spices and bechamel,

then top the potatoes and onions.

Next Cheese!

Another layer of potatoes and onions.

More meat mixture.

Continue layering.

After 4 hours cooking on high.

All plated and ready to gobble up! It went fast!

1 1/2 lbs ground beef

¼ cup flour

2 cups milk

2 garlic cloves, run through a garlic press

1 tsp salt

¼ tsp. Pepper

3 lbs. peeled russet potatoes, sliced

1 sliced onion

3 cups shredded sharp cheese

Salt and Pepper, to taste

Brown the ground beef on the stove top. Remove meat and reserve grease. Add flour to grease and stir to cook the flour to make a roux. Add a little butter if needed. Slowly whisk in milk until smooth. Bring to a boil. Sauce won’t thicken until mixture comes to a boil. Stir in meat and seasonings.

In a Crock Pot* base, layer 1/3 of the potatoes. Salt and Pepper the potatoes, to taste. Add 1/3 of the onions, 1/3 of the meat mixture, and 1 cup of the cheese. Repeat the layers ending with cheese.

Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or until the potatoes get soft.

*If you don’t have a crock pot, layer as instructed in a casserole deep dish and cook at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until potatoes are fork tender.