Ma What's For Dinner?

Yes I’ve been on a casserole kick.

I can’t help it.

I just love the fact that they can be made in advance!

And with school starting and activities heating up I just like to know that a yummy dinner the boys will like can get on the table fast.

There is nothing not to like in this dish.

I toss in some protein and veggies to make it a complete meal in one.

Not to mention the fact the boys like all the stirring help they get to do.

Now let’s get to the good stuff!!

Cheesy Macaroni Surprise

Serves: 8  Prep Time:  10 minutes  Cook time: 35 minutes

1 lb wagon wheel pasta

3 T  butter unsalted

3 T all purpose flour

3 cups whole milk

1/2  t fresh grated nutmeg

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded swiss cheese

1/2 kielbasa link, diced

1 10 oz box frozen peas

S&P

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Set a large pot of water over high heat to boil.  In a large saucepan melt butter over medium high heat.  Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.  Slowly whisk in milk, and bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly.  Once the milk has thickened add in nutmeg and season with S&P.  Reduce to medium low heat and melt in cheddar and swiss cheeses.  Allow to cook on low for a few minutes.

When water is boiling season water with salt and add pasta.  Note package cooking time and reduce by 2 minutes, the macaroni will continue cooking in the oven later.  Once pasta is cooked, drain and return to pot.

Add your peas and sliced kielbasa to your cheese sauce and pour over the pasta.  Mix well.  Transfer to a greased 13×9 baking  dish and top with additional cheese if desired.  Bake in a 375 degree oven for 30 minutes.

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Serves: 6  Prep Time:  1 hour  Cook Time: 20 minutes

8 bacon strips, diced

1 cup onion, chopped

1 16 ounce can sauerkraut, rinsed and drained well

1/2 pound kielbasa, roughly chopped

2 T brown sugar

1/2 t salt

1/2 t pepper

1/4 t caraway seeds

1 16 ounce package hot roll mix

2 eggs, divided

1 cup hot water

2 T butter, softened

poppy seeds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large skillet heat your bacon over medium high heat until crisp.  Remove with slotted spoon to a paper towel.  Set aside.  Add onion to the bacon drippings and cook until soft, about 6-7 minutes.  Stir in sauerkraut, kielbasa, brown sugar, garlic salt, caraway seeds, and S&P.  Cook and stir for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and allow to cool.

While that is cooling, get started on your rolls.  In a bowl, combine contents of hot roll mix.  Stir in one egg, water, and butter to form a soft dough.  Turn out onto a floured surface.  Knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.  Cover dough with a large bowl and let it rest for 5 more minutes.

Divide dough into 16 equal pieces.  On a floured surface, roll out each piece into a 4 inch circle.  Top each circle with 1/4 cup filling.  Fold dough, forming a ball; pinch edges to seal.  place seam side down on a greased baking sheet.  Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm place for 15 minutes.  

Beat remaining egg.  Brush over bundles and sprinkle with poppy seeds, salt, and garlic powder.  Bake at 350 degrees for 17-20 minutes or until golden brown.  Serve with soup or salad.  YUMMMMMMMY!!!!

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Serves: 6   Prep time: 20 minutes  Cook time:  1 hr 5 minutes

1 package (about 3 cups) shredded hash browns

1 T extra virgin olive oil

3 T butter

4  eggs, beaten

1 cup half-and-half

½ polska kielbasa link sliced

½ cup scallions, diced

½ cup sliced mushrooms

1 cup shredded cheddar

½ t paprika

S&P

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.  Heat a large skillet over medium high heat.  Add in your sliced kielbasa and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.  Remove kielbasa with a slotted spoon and place allow to cool on a plate.  In the same pan add in the olive oil and butter.  Once the butter has melted, add in your hash brows.  Toss to coat well with butter mixture and season with paprika and salt & pepper.

Grab a 9 inch pie plate and pour in the potato mixture  Press them into the bottom and up the sides to form a crust. Bake until golden brown and just starting to crisp, about 25 mintues.

Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, half & half, kielbasa, scallions,  mushrooms, cheese, and season with salt and pepper. When your hash brown crust is ready ladle the egg mixture over the crust and return it to the oven.  Drop the temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 40-45 minutes until golden and puffy.

Tasty Tidbit:  Feel free to add lots of yummy veggie mixins to this one.  Try chopped broccoli or even spinach.  Delicious!

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Serves: 12  Prep Time: 5 minutes  Cook time:  5 minutes

2 links polska kielbasa smoked sausage, sliced

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup grape jelly

1/2 cup ketchup

Combine all ingredients in a large microwave safe bowl.  Stir to combine.  Microwave on high for 2 minutes.  Remove from microwave and stir.  Return to microwave and cook on high for 2 more minutes.  Remove and stir.  Return to microwave and cook for an additional minute or until sauce is thick and rich and bubbly.

Pour onto serving platter and serve with toothpicks.  Soooo sinful, so good!

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