Just A Pinch Crazy Good Casserole Recipes

RISE AND SHINE BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Spray a large casserole dish with non-stick spray.
• Tear the 6-12 slices of bread into pieces about the size of a half-dollar. Line the bottom of the pan with the bread. Make sure the bottom of the pan is completely covered. Set aside.
• Fully cook the bacon (or sausage) in a skillet. Remove and pat dry with a paper towel to get rid of the extra grease. **Note: You can use as much or as little meat as you want. If you have a meat lover in the family you might want to try both bacon and sausage together in this recipe.**
• Spread the meat generously over the bread, making sure the meat is evenly distributed. Sprinkle 1/2 the bag of cheese on top of the bacon/bread layer. Set aside.
• Bake tater tots as directed on package. Once they are crispy & golden brown, place them on top of the cheese layer. Using a fork, run over tater tots to break some open so there will be potatoes in every bite. Set aside.
• In a medium/large bowl, crack 8 eggs (if making a smaller casserole you may have to use 6; or if a larger about 10+) Scramble the eggs with a fork. Add 2 1/2 cups milk and 1/2 cup heavy cream to the egg mixture and whisk well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. **Note: Again if you do not have these on hand or want to trim the calories just substitute for an additional 1/2 cup milk.***
• Pour egg/milk over the casserole, paying special attention to the corners and sides as they tend to dry out if they don't have enough liquid.
• Sprinkle the other 1/2 bag of shredded cheese on the top of the casserole.
• Cover with foil and let refrigerate overnight. (You don't necessarily have to do this step but it makes the casserole a hundred times better! Really easy to make it the night beforehand and just pop it in the oven in the morning!)
• Remove from refrigerator. Remove tin foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes depending on your oven. **Note: You can always put the foil back over the dish to prevent premature browning/burning.**
• Let cool for about 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy! :)

CRAZY GOOD CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Cook and crumble bacon.
• While bacon is cooking, cut chicken into bite sized chunks.
• Set cooked bacon aside for later use.
• In the same pan, cook chicken in bacon drippings.
• Add garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste.
• While chicken is cooking, prepare pasta according to directions.
• Spray a 9 x 13 pan with non-stick cooking spray.
• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Drain pasta, return to pot.
• Add chicken, both cans of cream of chicken soup, 1 cup of Monterrey Jack cheese.
• Stir to mix well.
• Pour into prepared baking pan.
• Top with crumbled bacon and remaining Monterrey Jack cheese.
• Bake at 400°F for about 20 minutes, just until cheese is melted and beginning to brown on top.

COUNTRY GENTLEMEN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Cook celery and onions in butter till tender. Add the next 7 ingredients.
• Place in a 9x13 casserole dish. Crush the corn flakes and mix with the butter and add to top of casserole.
• Bake 350 degrees for 40 min.

SOUTHERN HASH BROWN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• As mentioned above, thaw hash browns (or use refrigerator style hash browns).
• In a large bowl, mix together hash browns, cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup melted butter, salt, onion, soup, and sour cream. Stir until evenly mixed.
• Spray a 9 x 11 or 9 x 13-inch pan or casserole dish with Pam or lightly grease the dish. This helps with clean up.
• Pour mixture from the bowl into the pan and spread evenly with a spoon. Do not pack down tightly.
• In a small bowl, mix together Corn Flakes and 1/4 cup melted butter. Mix together and spread on top of casserole.
• Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes without a lid. The top should be lightly browned when done.

ITALIAN BAKE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• In large skillet, cook Italian sausage until slices are no longer pink, about 10 minutes.
• Remove sausage from the skillet and reserve about 2 tablespoons of the drippings.
• In skillet, saute mushrooms, onions, bell pepper and garlic just under tender-crisp.
• In large bowl, combine sausage, mushrooms, bell pepper mixture, stewed tomatoes, Italian seasoning.
• Place a layer of pasta on the bottom of dish. Spoon mixture into a greased 3-quart or 9x13 baking dish. Add half of the mozzarella cheese and repeat layers.
• Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle remaining cheese over top of casserole and return to oven for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted on top.
• Variation: I always use spaghetti sauce instead of the Italian stewed tomatoes and season to my taste. I cook the sausage, onions, peppers and add to the spaghetti sauce. The sauce is cooked for 4 to 5 hours in the crock-pot and then layered in a casserole or 9x13 baking dish. I tend to use 2 cups of cheese because we are cheese lovers. To change the taste I will vary the cheese with the shredded Italian blend cheese along with the mozzarella cheese. I cook this until the casserole is heated throughout and the cheese is bubbling and melted.