Southwestern Layered Beef Casserole

Southwestern Layered Beef Casserole
1 T vegetable oil
3/4 c uncooked rice
1- 10 oz can Rotel
1/2 c chicken broth
1 t salt, divided
1/2 t pepper, divided
1 lb ground beef
1 onion, finely chopped
1 bell pepper, finely chopped
1 T chili powder
2 cloves minced garlic
1 t cumin
1 t coriander
1- 8 oz can tomato sauce
1- 15 oz can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 c shredded Monterrey Jack cheese
1 c frozen corn, thawed
2 green onions, sliced

1. Preheat oven to 350* and grease a 9x13 pan.
2. Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat; add rice and cook, stirring frequently, until light brown, about 5 minutes.
3. Transfer rice to greased pan; stir in Rotel, broth, 1/2 t salt, and 1/4 t pepper.
4. Place beef, onion, bell pepper, 1/2 t salt, and 1/4 t pepper in the skillet and cook over medium heat until beef is cooked through and vegetables have softened.
5. Stir chili powder, garlic, cumin, and coriander in to the beef mixture and cook until fragrant, about a minute; stir in tomato sauce and cook until slightly thickened.
6. Add beef mixture to pan and spread evenly over rice mixture; layer on beans, cheese, and corn.
7. Cover dish tightly with foil and bake for 60-70 minutes, until liquid is absorbed. Uncover, sprinkle with onions, and let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Creamy Pumpkin Cheesecake

Creamy Pumpkin Cheesecake
Crust:
1 3/4 c graham cracker crumbs (about 1 sleeve)
3 T brown sugar
1/2 t cinnamon
1/2 c butter, melted
Filling:
3- 8 oz pkgs [light] cream cheese, softened
1- 15 oz can pure pumpkin
4 eggs, separated
1/4 c sour cream
1 1/2 c sugar
1/2 t cinnamon
1/2 t pumpkin pie spice
1 t vanilla
2 T flour

1. Preheat oven to 350*.
2. In a medium bowl, toss together crumbs, sugar, and cinnamon; stir in butter.
3. Press evenly in a 9" springform pan; set aside.
4. Beat cream cheese; add pumpkin, 3 whole eggs, 1 egg yolk, sour cream, sugar, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice.
5. Stir in vanilla and flour; beat until just combined.

6. Pour filling in to crust and bake for 1 hour. Remove from oven and let sit until cheesecake comes to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for at least 4 hours.

Broccoli Quinoa Casserole

Broccoli Quinoa Casserole
1- 10 oz can cream of broccoli (or mushroom) soup
1/3 c [light] mayonnaise
2 T milk
1 1/4 c shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 t sugar (or Truvia)
1/4 t black pepper
1/4 t nutmeg
2 c cooked broccoli
1 1/2 c cooked quinoa (3/4 c dry)
about 3 T Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350* and grease an 8x8 pan.
2. In a medium bowl, combine soup, mayonnaise, milk, Cheddar, sugar, pepper, and nutmeg; stir in broccoli and quinoa.
3. Pour in to greased pan and sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Serves 4-6.

Pesto Ranch Chicken

Pesto Ranch Chicken
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1- 8 oz jar of pesto
1 pkg ranch dressing mix
1/2 c chicken broth

1. Place chicken in a slow cooker.
2. In a separate bowl, mix pesto, ranch mix, and chicken broth; pour over chicken.
3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours (or on high for 3-4 hours).
*I use some of the extra liquid in the slow cooker to make quinoa.

French Bread Pizza

French Bread Pizza
2 loaves French bread
1 or 2- 14 oz jar(s) of pizza sauce (depending on how saucy you like it)
pizza toppings (pepperoni, Canadian bacon, bell peppers, onions, pineapple, mushrooms, olives, etc)
2 c shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat oven to 500* and line two cookie sheets with foil.
2. Cut each loaf of bread in half lengthwise, lay two halves on each cookie sheet cut-side up, and spread 1/4 of your sauce on each half.
3. Top each half with 1/2 c cheese and sprinkle with your favorite toppings.
4. Bake one cookie sheet at a time for 5-7 minutes each.

Spicy Sausage Pasta

Spicy Sausage Pasta
1 T olive oil
1 lb smoked sausage
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 c chicken broth
1- 10 oz can Rotel*
1/2 c heavy whipping cream [or 1/2 & 1/2]
2 c penne pasta
salt and pepper, to taste
1 c shredded Cheddar cheese
2-3 green onions, sliced

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and toss in sausage and onions; cook until onions are soft. Add garlic and heat until just warmed.
2. Stir in broth, Rotel, cream, pasta, salt, and pepper; bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer until pasta is tender, about 15 minutes.
3. Remove skillet from heat and stir in cheese; top with green onions and serve.

*This determines the heat level - original is plenty spicy, hot is almost unbearable; mild would also work well.

Black and White Cupcakes

Black and White Cupcakes
1 1/2 c flour
1 c sugar
1 c + 2 T cocoa
1 1/2 t baking soda
1 t salt
1/2 c sour cream
3 eggs
3/4 c chocolate pudding (or about 3 Snack Packs)
1/2 c butter, melted
1 c chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350* and line two muffin tins with cupcake liners.
2. In a large bowl, mix all of the dry ingredients together until well combined; add the wet ingredients and mix well, being sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Fold in the chocolate chips.
3. Fill each cupcake liner about 3/4 full and bake for 15-18 minutes, until they pass the toothpick test.
Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting.

White Chocolate Frosting
8 oz [light] cream cheese, softened
1/4 c butter, softened
1 t vanilla
1 c white chocolate chips, melted
2 1/3 c powdered sugar

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter together; add vanilla and melted chocolate; stir well.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar and whip until light and fluffy.