Lasagna

In addition to having the best mom in the entire world, I also have the mom with the best lasagna recipe in the world.  Lasagna is a very popular food in Utah.  And everyone seems to thinks their mom’s lasagna is the best.  I, however, beg to differ because my mom’s truly is the best.  No offense to any of you who love your mom’s lasagna.  I’m sure it’s perfectly adequate.  I’ve yet to come across any lasagna that tastes better or even remotely as good as my mom’s. 

Robynne’s Lasagna

1 pkg pre-cooked lasagna noodles (it will save you a lot of time)

1 lb. Italian sausage

2 cans Hunts traditional tomato sauce

Three- 8oz packages of shredded mozzarella cheese

1 small container of sour cream

1 small container of cottage cheese.

Preheat oven to 350

Cook sausage thoroughly.  Don't drain the fat from the pan.  Add both cans of sauce and simmer on low for about 15 minutes.

Combine sour cream and cottage cheese together in a bowl.

In a glass baking dish, layer sauce on the bottom.  Then add a layer of noodles, sauce mixture, sour cream mixture and 1 of the packages of cheese.  Repeat this step for 2 more layers.

Bake covered in foil for about 20 minutes.  Then uncover foil and continue baking another 15 min.  

VERY IMPORTANT:  LET LASAGNE SIT FOR 10 MINUTES BEFORE SERVING.

Chicken Broccoli Bake

When I lived in Scotland one of my room mates made this chicken broccoli bake all the time.  It is so good! I made these cards back before I broke my computer and lost my adobe photoshop. Sigh.:(

Update 7/6: My mom just made this recipe and said this goes great with mashed potatoes.  I don't eat mashed potatoes so I'll take her word for it. :)

In case you can't read it... Here's the recipe. 

3 chicken breasts

1 can cream of chicken soup

3/4 can milk- (use empty soup can and fill it 3/4 way up with milk)

Juice from one lemon (don't skimp on the lemon!) 

2/3 cup salad cream or dressing (you can usually find this by the mayo) 

2/3 cup mayo

Salt and pepper

1 bag cheddar cheese

Broccoli **Note that if you use frozen broccoli- cook it before and drain well before placing it in the bake

Flavored Croutons

Cook chicken and cut into bite sized pieces.  Place broccoli into a glass baking dish and cover with cheddar cheese. In a bowl, mix soup, milk, lemon juice, mayo and dressing with the chicken.  Place mixture over broccoli. Place croutons on top.  Cover with foil.  Bake @ 350 for for 30 minutes. Remove foil for the last 10 minutes so croutons can brown.

Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

This casserole is the ultimate comfort food.  I don't want to know how many calories are in it... But I love it.  If you're not a huge chicken fan- you can leave out the chicken.  I do all the time, but it is good with it in.

Chicken and wild rice comfort casserole

1 box of Uncle Ben's rice and wild rice cooked according to directions
1 chicken diced in small pieces (I like the roasted chickens you buy at grocery stores)
1 large onion-diced
3/4 cup celery-diced
1 lb. of sliced mushrooms
3 Tbsp. butter
1 cup sour cream
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
Salt and pepper to taste

Sauté onion, celery and mushrooms in butter until cooked and a little brown.

When done add salt and pepper.

In bowl mix together chicken bits, cooked rice and sautéed ingredients.

Mix well with 1 cup of sour cream and one can of soup and pour in 9X9 baking dish.

Bake uncovered in oven at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes...or until brown and bubbly!
Serve with a green salad.

My go to meal for boys and children- Macaroni and Cheese Dinner

Being the snob that I am... I can't JUST eat mac and cheese (unless it's velveeta).  No. It has to be fancy.  This is my dad's recipe for mac and cheese.  I'm afraid I've been spoiled... Nothing else will do. 

I've yet to make this for boys or children and not have them enjoy it.  I certainly love it!

Macaroni and Cheese Dinner

Ingredients:

2 lb. ground beef
1 lb. elbow macaroni
1 onion chopped
I bell pepper chopped
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 can cheddar cheese soup
1 can milk (or cup)
2 cups cheddar or mixed cheese
Paprika

Cook macaroni.
Brown ground beef.
Combine all of the ingredients except ½ of the cheese and paprika. Mix well. Pour into a glass pan. Top with the remaining cheese and paprika.

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes

Aunt Michelle's Tomato Soup

My Auntie Michelle has a great blog and a great recipe for tomato soup... Enjoy! 

Take a large can of Campbell's tomato soup (the family-sized can- not the regular sized can), an 8 ounce block of cream cheese, and 2 cups of half-and-half. 

Heat all the ingredients on medium heat until the cream cheese melts and then increase the heat until right before the soup starts to boil. You can let it simmer, but don't let the soup boil. 

Right before you are ready to serve the soup, add 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder.