Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Casserole in a Jiffy!

Hello 2012!
Nothing like starting a new year full of hope and plans to do great things. I had my list of resolutions ready since Christmas and I am very excited to be able to complete each one. This year I have 12, one for each month. Now I know it may sound a little OCD but fear of failure is NOT an option.... Life is too short and this year it's all about making a difference somehow and really just being happy. With that said- I am happy to report that I received a little note from one of the recipients of my home made cookies to an oversears military hospital. It feels fantastic to know that so many soldiers enjoyed themselves with goodies from back home. Thanks to my friends at Operation Baking Gals for making this happen. Totally worth all the baking hours! Please look them up and join us in this humbling experience.

Now the good stuff....
Here is a recipe that is so simple it will leave you wondering…how the heck?? Well, sometimes we need a little help from the store to put something together. This one is great for both a quick dinner or for a dinner party. You can also make it your own by adding more veggies or using cooked chicken breast, or turkey. You can even do it with whole wheat pasta to put a healthier twist on it. Try it! You won’t be disappointed…
Ham and Pasta Casserole
What you need:
One box of spaghetti – cooked
¾ c sour cream
1 (10oz) can of condensed cream of chicken soup
About 8 thick slices of ham (brown sugar glazed preferred)- cut in cubes
1 bag of Shredded Cheddar Cheese
½ can of Corn Kernels (add more if you want)
Parmesan Cheese
¼ c Italian Bread Crumbs
Lemon Pepper
Garlic Powder

How to Make:
Once the pasta is cooked, add the ham, the cheddar cheese, the corn, sour cream and the soup and combine well. If it looks too dry, refill the soup can with water and add to pasta. Season with lemon pepper and garlic powder to taste. Pour into a casserole-oven safe container, top with bread crumbs and as parmesan cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Uncover and broil on high for 5-7 minutes until golden brown.

Enjoy!