quick weeknight hamburger helper but not dish

quick easy & stuff always in the house

1 lb ground beef
1 can (10 oz) cheddar cheese soup we prefer the fiesta cheddar
1 can (10 oz) tomato bisque soup
1 1/2 cups water
2 cups shell pasta

-brown beef and then drain
-put beef back in pan
-add soups, water and pasta to pan boil then cover for 10-12 minutes or till pasta is done

creamed onions

new to my repertoire this holiday season they have been received quite well with the family

3 lbs pearl onions honestly save yourself time buy frozen & ready to cook
kosher salt
pepper
1/4 cup butter
5 tbsp flour
2 cups milk
hot sauce

-prepare onions according to package
-melt butter blend in flour and kosher salt suppose to be about 1 tsp but I know I used more. We like things on the spicier side so I added a bunch of black pepper too.
-once blended add milk and stir constantly until mixture thickens & comes to a boil
-stir in hot sauce again we like it spicy so I added a few really good shakes enough to make the white sauce pink
-combine onions & sauce and heat through
-

chicken florentine

a Paula Deen classic

2 boxed frozen spinach
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 cup mayo
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup white wine or chicken stock
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp curry powder
1 1/2 of cooked chicken shredded
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
salt & pepper to taste

-preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 13 x 9 casserole dish
-cook & drain spinach
-in a bowl mix the mayo, sour cream, the soups, cheddar cheese, wine, lemon juice, curry powder, salt & pepper
-spread chicken in casserole dish, cover with spinach then with soup mixture
-combine Parmesan cheese & bread crumbs then top casserole
-bake for about 30 minutes

broccoli casserole

1 bag chopped broccoli the kind you can microwave in the bag
2 cups cooked white rice
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 stick butter of margarine at room temp
8 oz Velveeta or cheese whiz
pepper to taste
french fried onions just enough to cover top of casserole

-preheat oven to 325 degrees
-microwave broccoli according to directions on package
-combine all but french fried onions stir until well blended
-transfer to a greased casserole dish and bake for about 30 minutes
-top with french fried onions bake another 5 minutes

spicy spinach dip

1 cup of water
1 medium sized diced red pepper
1 8oz package cream cheese
2 tbsp milk
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
pack of frozen spinach about 1/2 to 3/4 of it
crushed red pepper flakes
salt & pepper to taste
hot sauce

-boil water in a saucepan add red pepper & spinach bring the water back to a boil lower heat and simmer for about 10 minutes
-drain and squeeze out as much liquid as possible
-combine cream cheese & milk in the saucepan over medium heat until the cheese is hot and melty. stir in red peppers & spinach add Parmesan cheese and salt & pepper. Red pepper flakes the recipes called for 1/2 tsp I used more I don't exactly know how much probably at the very least 1 1/2 tbsp and a dash of hot sauce. The folks around my house tend to like things spicy and with a bit of a kick but you can doctor the spicing to your own tastes. Combine all of this and heat then serve.
-this sort of dip always looks great in a bread bowl

tortellini & pesto thingy

quick & easy appetizer I have added to my repertoire

1 10 oz package tortellini I used the green spinach kind personally
1 cup mayo
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 to 1/2 cup prepared pesto (according to taste I did not measure precisely)
garlic powder, kosher salt & pepper to taste
1 pint grape tomatoes
1 tbsp olive oil
toothpicks

-in a bowl combine mayo, pesto, cheese, garlic powder, salt & pepper then refrigerate for about an hour
-cook tortellini according to package directions, rinse in cold water, then toss with about 1 tbsp olive oil
-on toothpicks place 1 totellini & 1 tomato then put on a platter with dip in the middle

super yummy, super easy and it proved to be a huge hit at the New Years Eve party