Cheesy Potato Stuffed Shells

This recipe comes from my mom, who made these often when I was growing up. They’re perfect for a side dish at home or to take to barbecues or potlucks. Similar to a pierogi, they’re sure to win over the pickiest eaters. (Who doesn’t like a pierogi?) Plus, you can make them in advance and refrigerate — or even freeze — them until you’re ready to bake them.

Cheesy Potato Stuffed Shells
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Ingredients
  1. 24 uncooked jumbo pasta shells
  2. 3 1/2 cups peeled, diced potatoes
  3. 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
  4. 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  5. 1 tsp. salt
  6. 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
  7. 1 large onion, sliced
Instructions
  1. Cooked pasta in salted water according to box directions. Drain and let cool.
  2. Add diced potatoes to a pot of water. Cover, bring to a boil, and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain water.
  3. Add cheese, 2 tablespoons of butter, salt, and pepper to hot potatoes. Beat until smooth. Set aside.
  4. Meanwhile, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onion, and sauté for about 5-10 minutes, until soft and translucent. Remove from heat.
  5. Stuff a heaping tablespoon of potato mixture into each cooked shell and place in a greased casserole dish. Pour butter and onions over the shells.
  6. Cover and bake at 350 for 20 minutes, until hot.
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Vegetable Lasagna

What better way to use up the abundance of summer vegetables in your refrigerator than in a cheesy, crowd-pleasing pan of lasagna? No need to stick with the veggies I used; incorporate your favorites or whatever you have on-hand.

Vegetable Lasagna
Serves 8
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Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
30 min
Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
30 min
Ingredients
  1. 3 cups marinara sauce
  2. 16 sheets of lasagna noodles
  3. 24 oz. ricotta cheese
  4. 2 cups grated mozzarella, divided
  5. 1 large egg
  6. 1/2 teaspoon salt
  7. 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  8. 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  9. 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  10. 1 medium zucchini chopped, about 2 cups
  11. 1 yellow pepper chopped, about 1 cup
  12. 1/2 white onion chopped, about 1/2 cup
  13. 8 oz. white mushrooms chopped, about 2 cups
  14. 1 small eggplant chopped, about 2 cups
  15. 2 cups packed fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  16. 3 cloves minced garlic
  17. 1/2 cup good red wine (I used cabernet sauvignon)
  18. 1 teaspoon salt
  19. 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain in a colander, and let cool.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, egg, salt, pepper, and parley. Set aside.
  4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add all of the vegetables (zucchini, pepper, onion, mushrooms, eggplant, spinach, and garlic), and cover and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Remove lid and add the wine. Bring to a simmer and cook for an additional 5-8 minutes, until the wine has reduced and the vegetables are tender. Season with the salt and pepper.
  6. Grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish.
  7. Ladle about 3/4 cup of sauce to the bottom of the pan. Add four lasagna noodles, overlapping them slightly. Spread a third of the cheese mixture on the noodles. Top the cheese with a third of the vegetables, and then drizzle with about 1/2 cup of sauce. Repeat two more times.
  8. Add the final four lasagna noodles, and top with the remaining sauce.
  9. Cover and bake for 25 minutes.
  10. Remove from oven, uncover, and top with the remaining cup of mozzarella cheese. Return to the oven, and bake for 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
  11. Let cool for about 10 minutes before cutting.
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Chicken, Broccoli, and Brown Rice Bake

Chicken and broccoli casserole — rice, creamy sauce, chicken, broccoli, cheese, croutons — has always been one of my favorites. The cream of chicken soup that’s used to make the sauce is not. So I’ve recreated the casserole from scratch, and I think it’s even better the the original. 

Chicken, Broccoli, and Brown Rice Bake
Serves 4
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Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
25 min
Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
25 min
Ingredients
  1. 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  2. 1 cup finely diced onion
  3. 3 cloves minced garlic
  4. 2 cups milk
  5. 1 cup chicken broth
  6. 1 dried bay leaf
  7. 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  8. 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  9. 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  10. 1 cup dry brown rice, cooked according to package directions
  11. 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
  12. 3 cups frozen broccoli florets, cut into smaller pieces
  13. 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  14. 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Melt butter in a medium sauce pan over medium heat. Add the onion, and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds.
  3. Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, until lightly browned.
  4. Add the bay leaf, broth, and milk, and cook over medium to medium-high heat, stirring constantly until thickened, about 10 minutes.
  5. Remove the bay leaf. Stir in the dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
  6. Spray a 21/2 quart baking dish with cooking spray. Add the cooked rice and all but about 1 cup of the sauce. Stir to combine.
  7. Add an even layer of the broccoli, and then add the chicken evenly on top.
  8. Pour the remaining sauce over the top.
  9. In a small bowl, combine the Panko breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese. Sprinkle on top of casserole and spray lightly with cooking spray.
  10. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes, until bubbling and golden brown.
Seasoned to Impress https://seasonedtoimpress.com/