Make Ahead Southwest Cattle Ranchers Pie Recipes

RANCH PIZZA PIE

Steps:

• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat; add the onions and cook until softened and slightly browned, about 20 minutes. Stir in the oregano, garlic and red and yellow peppers and cook for another 5 minutes. Set aside to cool for 20 minutes.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in another large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, using the back of a wooden spoon to break up the sausage meat into small bits, until browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside to cool for 20 minutes.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out each puff pastry sheet to about 13 inches long and 10 inches wide. Place one of the puff pastry pieces on each lined baking sheet; set aside the other two. Whisk the egg in a small bowl with 1 tablespoon water.
• Sprinkle 2 cups of the Monterey Jack cheese over one of the puff pastry sheets on a baking sheet, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges of the pastry. Continue layering with half the caramelized onions and peppers, sausage and pepperoni; finish with half the mozzarella slices. Brush the border of the puff pastry with the egg wash, lay one of the remaining puff pastry pieces over top and use a fork to crimp the edges. Using a sharp paring knife, cut three 1 1/2-inch vents in the top. Put the pie into the fridge to chill for 30 minutes before cooking. Repeat with the other puff pastry pieces and layering ingredients.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Brush one of the pies with the egg wash. Bake on the bottom rack until the pastry is nicely browned, about 20 minutes.
• Wrap the second pie in plastic wrap on the baking sheet, then in aluminum foil; freeze. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Unwrap the pie and brush it with egg wash. Bake from frozen on the bottom rack until the pastry is nicely browned, about 30 minutes.

MAKE-AHEAD SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat 4 minutes, stirring frequently. Add onion and carrots; cook 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is browned and onion and carrots are softened. Add flour, thyme, salt and pepper; cook 1 minute, stirring frequently.
• Gradually stir in broth; heat to boiling over medium-high heat. Cook until thickened, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; stir in frozen peas and corn; transfer mixture to baking dish.
• Make mashed potatoes as directed on pouch. Spread potatoes evenly over mixture in baking dish. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through (165°F in center) and top is lightly browned. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
• To freeze: Cook beef filling as directed in recipe, but do not add frozen peas and corn. Cover and refrigerate 30 to 40 minutes. Transfer to 1-quart freezer container; freeze up to 2 months. To bake: Heat oven to 400°F. Spray microwavable 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Place frozen beef filling container in large bowl filled with hot water about 5 minutes or until filling can be slid out of container into 8-inch square dish. Cover with plastic wrap; microwave on High 5 minutes; stir well. Cover and microwave 3 minutes longer; stir well. Continue heating another 3 to 4 minutes (checking and stirring every minute) until heated through. Stir in frozen peas and corn. Continue as directed in recipe.

MAKE-AHEAD CHEESY SOUTHWEST CHICKEN AND PASTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• In 4-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in onion, bell pepper, poblano and jalapeño chiles; cook about 6 minutes or until vegetables are softened. Stir in flour and taco seasoning mix; cook and stir 1 minute. Gradually beat in broth with whisk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly; boil and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in cream cheese and Cheddar cheese.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta as directed on package for minimum cook time. Drain; stir pasta into sauce with chicken, frozen corn and black beans. Pour pasta mixture into baking dish, and pour enchilada sauce over top.
• Bake 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and sprinkle with tortilla chips. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until heated through and sauce is bubbling around edges. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro and red onion just before serving.
• To freeze: Line 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with foil, making sure foil is as smooth as possible, as wrinkled foil may get stuck in sauce during freezing process. Leave enough overhang to lift casserole out of dish. Spray foil with cooking spray. Cover and refrigerate sauce 30 to 40 minutes before assembling casserole. Mix sauce with cooked pasta, chicken, frozen corn and beans; spread in lined baking dish (do not add enchilada sauce); cover tightly with another layer of foil. Freeze unbaked casserole about 8 hours or until completely frozen. Transfer frozen casserole to labeled 2-gallon resealable freezer plastic bag. Remove air; seal and freeze up to three months. To bake: Remove foil, and transfer to 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cover and thaw in refrigerator until completely thawed, at least 48 hours. Heat oven to 350°F. Remove cover, and top with enchilada sauce. Bake 20 minutes; top with crushed tortilla chips. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through and bubbly around edges (165°F in center). Let stand 15 minutes. Top with cilantro and red onion just before serving.

RANCHER PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Press pie crust pastry into a 9-inch pie pan.
• Combine crushed pineapple, sugar, coconut, margarine, eggs, and flour in a bowl; mix with a fork until well blended. Pour into pie crust pastry.
• Bake pie in the preheated oven until the middle is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour.

SOUTHWESTERN SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• 1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper; cook, stirring, for 10 minutes. Add garlic and jalapeño; cook for 2 minutes. Raise heat to medium-high; add beef and brown for 5 minutes.
• 2. Add tomato paste and spices; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add tomatoes; simmer until liquid reduces, 15 minutes. Add corn, beans, and 4 tablespoons cilantro. Spoon into a 9x9-inch baking dish.
• 3. Place sweet potatoes in a saucepan with water to cover. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. Drain; mash with butter and milk. Spread mash over the meat mixture. Bake in a 400°F oven until brown, 30 minutes. Garnish with more cilantro.

MAKE AHEAD SOUTHWEST CATTLE RANCHER'S PIE

Steps:

• In a large nonstick skillet, sauté the onion, garlic, carrot, and mushrooms over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are wilted and pan liquids are absorbed, about 6 minutes.
• Crumble in the ground sirloin and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is well browned, about 5 minutes.
• Drain off any excess fat.
• Add the oregano, thyme, cumin, and pepper.
• Sprinkle the flour over the beef mixture and stir.
• Add the beef broth, wine, and tomato paste.
• Stir until well combined.
• Line a 2-quart casserole with a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil large enough to completely enclose the casserole.
• Lightly spray the foil inside the casserole with cooking spray.
• Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared casserole.
• Set aside while you prepare the topping.
• Place the potatoes in a pot of boiling water to cover.
• Reduce the heat and simmer until tender when pierced with a fork, about 15 to 20 minutes; drain.
• Mash the potatoes, adding sufficient skim milk until the potatoes are fluffy.
• Stir in the salt (if using), minced jalapeño chiles, cilantro, and scallion.
• Spoon the potato mixture onto the top of the meat mixture, making swirls with the back of a spoon.
• Sprinkle with paprika and cheese.
• Cover the casserole and freeze until solid.
• Lift the food out of the casserole (the foil will adhere), wrap securely in the foil, then slip the package into a self-sealing plastic freezer bag or overwrap in additional foil or freezer paper.
• Label with the casserole name and the date.
• Use within 3 months.
• When ready to bake, unwrap the casserole and place back in the casserole dish to bake.
• Defrost completely.
• Then bake at 375°F for 40 to 45 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
• (Since the casserole will be full, it may bubble over, so place a sheet of aluminum foil under the casserole to catch any drips.) Serve hot.

SOUTHWESTERN SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the enchilada sauce, flour, chipotle peppers, cumin and oregano; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes., Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine the water, milk, butter and salt; bring to a boil. Remove from the heat. Stir in potato flakes until combined. Add chiles and 1/2 cup cheese., Transfer meat mixture to 2 greased 11x7-in. baking dishes. Layer with corn, mashed potato mixture and remaining cheese. Sprinkle with green onions. Cover and freeze 1 casserole for up to 3 months. , Cover and bake the remaining casserole at 375° for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 5-10 minutes longer or until bubbly. Sprinkle with paprika., Freeze option: Thaw casserole in the refrigerator overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. , Cover and bake at 375° for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until bubbly, or until a thermometer inserted in center reads 165°, 15-20 minutes longer. Sprinkle with paprika.

RANCHER'S BREAKFAST PIE

Steps:

• Combine eggs and milk in a large bowl. Stir in cheese, onion, pepper and bacon. Pour into a greased 9-in pie plate. Toss potatoes with salt and pepper; sprinkle over egg mixture. Drizzle butter over the potatoes; sprinkle with paprika.
• Bake at 325 degrees for 40 minuites or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.

SOUTHWEST-STYLE SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°. In a large skillet, cook turkey, onion, garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt over medium heat 8-10 minutes or until turkey is no longer pink and onion is tender, breaking up turkey into crumbles. Stir in corn, green chiles and, if desired, pepper sauce. Transfer to a greased 8-in. square baking dish. , Meanwhile, in a saucepan, bring water, butter, cream, pepper and remaining salt to a boil. Remove from heat. Stir in potato flakes. Spoon over turkey mixture, spreading to cover. Bake until bubbly and potatoes are light brown, 25-30 minutes., Freeze Option: Thaw unbaked casserole in the refrigerator overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake at 425° as directed until a thermometer inserted in center reads 165°.

MAKE-AHEAD SOUTHWESTERN BREAKFAST BURRITOS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray an 18x13-inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper, onion, salt, and pepper. Saute until vegetables begin to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Place eggs, cilantro, jalapeno pepper, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and paprika into the bowl of a food processor. Process on high until jalapeno has been finely chopped. Add tomatoes and process until finely chopped. Add onion-bell pepper mixture and salsa and pulse to combine. Pour egg mixture into the prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until eggs are set, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature in the refrigerator, about 20 minutes.
• Keep oven on; line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray paper with cooking spray.
• Slice chilled eggs into 20 equal-sized rectangles. Sprinkle 1 1/2 tablespoons Cheddar cheese in the center of each tortilla. Top each with 1 egg rectangle. Sprinkle egg with 1 1/2 tablespoons Cheddar cheese. Top with 1 1/2 tablespoons each of rice and black beans. Top rice and beans with another egg rectangle; fold tortilla into a burrito.
• Place burritos seam-side down onto the prepared baking sheet. Spray tops lightly with cooking spray.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes. Flip burritos over and bake for an additional 12 minutes. Let cool completely on a cooling rack before wrapping in foil or freezer paper and freezing in a freezer bag.