Broccoli Casserole

• approximately 2 -4 cups fresh broccoli florets (steamed)
• 1 can cream of broccoli or broccoli cheese soup
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (omit cheese if using cheese soup)
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 ½ cups crushed cheese flavored crackers

In large covered sauce pan filled with about ¼ inch worth of water, steam broccoli florets until bright green and hot (approximately 3 to 5 minutes once water comes to a boil). Drain broccoli well.  Place into a sprayed 2 quart casserole.  In the mean time mix soup with mayonnaise, cheese and lemon juice.  Layer in casserole atop the broccoli florets.  Bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes.  Top with crushed cheese crackers and bake an additional 10 minutes.

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

• 4 medium potatoes Pealed halved and sliced thin
• 1  small ham steak chopped 
• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 2 Tablespoons Corn Starch 
• 1 cup Milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Pepper

Peel halve or quarter potatoes and slice them very thin. Toss into a 8x8 sprayed cake dish. Chop ham steak into small pieces. Sprinkle over potatoes and toss.  On Medium High heat in a small sauce pan, melt butter, add corn starch mix until pasty for about 1 minute. Slowly drizzle in milk while whisking to avoid lumps. allow to just thicken so that the white sauce is sticking to the pan sides slightly. Whisk in Salt and Pepper.  Bake covered for 1 hour at 350ºF . Remove cover and bake an additional 15 minutes. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Easy Healthy Mac-n-Cheese

1 Tablespoon butter
1 Tablespoon Corn Starch
3/4 cup milk
1/2 - 15oz can Pure Pumpkin (freeze the other half)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
8oz or 1/2 of a 1 pound package macaroni noodles

Optional Additions: 4 pieces bacon cooked and chopped,  hand full fresh green veggies or 1/2 bag thawed frozen veggies. 1 large cooked chicken breast shredded. 1 can white tuna.

Prepare noodles cooking per package instructions and drain.  In large saute pan melt butter on low Sprinkle with corn starch. Whisk in milk slowly until no lumps remain. Turn up heat to medium Whisk in pumpkin. When mixture is heated and just bubbling around edge turn off heat and mix in shredded cheese. Add veggies, tuna or chicken and pasta. Sprinkle with bacon (if desired). 

If you want to make this in advance and heat later. Place in sprayed casserole dish. Top with buttered crackers or panko crumbs (1 cup panko or 1 package ritz crackers mixed with 2 tablespoons melted butter tossed until coated and sprinkled on top of casserole) Bake at 350ºF for 30 to 40 minutes.

Tater Tot Casserole

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion
• 1/2 container fresh sliced mushrooms (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 bag mixed vegetables
• 1 can cream of mushroom garlic soup
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 bag tater tots

Brown ground beef with onion. Drain grease into a can. Mix meat with mushrooms, vegetables, soup & milk. Place meat mixture into a sprayed square pan or casserole. Top with tater tots. Bake 1 hour at 375ºF

You can make this a day in advance and bake when ready.