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:  30 minutes  Cook time: 15 minutes

1 ¾ c  All Purpose Flour

3  1/2 t  Baking Powder

¾ t        Kosher salt

3/4 t     cinnamon

1/2 t     all spice

1/2 t    ground nutmeg

3 T         Granulated sugar

1 1/2  c  Milk

1 large    Egg

1 t            Real Vanilla Extract

3/4 can real pumpkin puree

In a medium size bowl combine the dry ingredients.  Make a well in the center and add in the egg, milk, and vanilla extract.  Mix until smooth.

Fold in pumpkin puree being sure not to overmix, this will toughen the pancakes.  Let your batter rest for 15 minutes before you cook them.

Preheat your frying pan to medium heat.  You’ll know it’s hot enough when a drop of water skips along the surface.  Melt a bit of butter on the pan.  Using a ladle drop about 1/3 cup batter onto your buttered pan for each pancake.  When you see bubbles all over the top of the pancake, it’s time to flip.  Flip only once and don’t press down on your pancake or they won’t be light and fluffy.  When the second side is browned pull them off and keep them warm under some tinfoil on a plate.

Top with butter and syrup or sprinkle with powdered sugar.  The kids will devour these!  Mine do!

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Serves: 4   Prep time:  15 minutes   Cook Time:  1 hour

2 acorn squash, cut in half, and seeds cleaned out

1 lb turkey sausage diced

1 cup cooked brown rice

1 tart apple (I used granny smith) peeled, cored, and chopped

1 pear, peeled, cored and chopped

1 T brown sugar

1 T maple syrup

½ cup chopped walnuts

½ cup craisins

½ cup golden raisins

1 t cinnamon

1 clove garlic chopped

½ t nutmeg

¼ cup apple juice

S&P

Unsalted butter

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.  Place your squash on a baking sheet flesh side up.  Pierce the squash with a fork several times.  Sprinkle with olive oil and salt and pepper.

In a large skillet over medium heat brown your turkey sausage, about 7 minutes.  Meanwhile, in a large bowl combine rice, apples, pears, sugar, syrup, walnuts, craisins, raisins, cinnamon, garlic, nutmeg and apple juice.  Stir to combine.  When the sausage is browned add it to the stuffing mixture and season with S&P.

Distribute stuffing mixture evenly among your squash.  Top with a pat of butter and bake for one hour.

Tasty Tidbit:  You could make this dish with butternut squash or even a small pumpkin!

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