Macaroni Bake with Ham and Peppers

Don't let the long list of ingredients scare you! This recipe is easy and tasty, great for a family sized meal or if you want leftovers.

1 lb elbow macaroni
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 red bell pepper
1 (14.5 oz) can chopped tomatoes
9 oz smoked ham, diced
3 Tbsp chicken stock
2 tsp dried oregano
1 Cup bread crumbs
3 Tbsp grated parmesean
2 Tbsp butter, melted
2 Cups spaghetti sauce

Preheat oven to 400. Cook macaroni noodles as directed and drain.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a saucepan. Add garlic and red bell pepper and cook for about 5 minutes until softened. Add the tomatoes, ham, chicken stock and oregano and simmer for about 3 minutes. Add all to the macaroni, stir, and season with salt and pepper.

Pour spaghetti sauce into a large baking dish and spread evenly. Add the macaroni mixture to the top of the sauce. Mix the bread crumbs, parmesean and butter and sprinkly on top.

Place on a baking sheet and bake for about 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

Mexican Baked Chicken and Rice

I got this recipe from my good friend at work, Stephanie Hill. It is so easy and very tasty. Enjoy!

4 Chicken Breasts
Cumin
Oregano
Garlic Salt
Pepper
1 can Corn (drained)
1 can Black Beans (drained)
Your favorite Salsa

Rice
Lime Juice
Cilantro

Preheat oven to 375. Use olive oil to barely line a baking dish. Sprinkle cumin, oregano, garlic salt and pepper on each chicken breast to your liking. Lay all chicken breasts in the baking dish. Poor entire can of corn and entire can of black beans over chicken. Pour desired amount of salsa over chicken (at least enough to cover chicken). Bake chicken for roughly 30 minutes or until cooked thoroughly.

While chicken is baking, fix rice, adding lime juice to your water. When complete, add chopped cilantro leaves to your rice. Serve with baked chicken. Healthy and surprisingly flavorful!

Cajun Chicken Breasts

This recipe is so easy and just made it for me and Ben for the first time and is delicious! Great if you're wanting something spicy with a little bite to it!

2 tbsp. Cajun seasoning
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
4 boneless chicken breast halves

Combine the seasonings and oil to form a paste, adding more oil if needed. Rub all over the chicken breasts; place in a food storage freezer bag and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Grill the chicken for about 5 to 7 mins on each side, depending on thickness. Serves 4.

Amish Breakfast Casserole

1 lb. Sausage/or Bacon
1 small onion chopped
4 cups frozen hash-browns
2 cups Sharp Cheddar
12 oz. Cottage Cheese
1 cup Swiss Cheese
Salt & Pepper
6 Eggs

First ground up sausage and cook with the chopped onion. Then whisk eggs and add: hash-browns, sharp cheddar, cottage cheese, swiss cheese, and salt & pepper. Mix well and then add the sausage and onions to the mix. Pour into a casserole dish and Bake @ 350 degrees for 35-40 mins.

Stuffed Chicken Breast

This recipe comes from a friend in college. So, there are no exact measurements. Don't worry though - it is a very easy meal to make and it taste great, too! One of my favorites :)

4 Chicken Breasts
Crumbled Feta
Fresh Spinach
Townhouse Crackers
Olive Oil
Lemon Juice
White Rice

Preheat oven to 400. Prepare a baking dish with a shallow layer of olive oil. Slice chicken breast open(starting on the side but not cutting all the way through) and place in baking dish.

Saute spinach on stove top. Mix together spinach, feta and crushed Townhouse crackers (I prefer a little more feta than spinach, with a good amount of crackers). Spoon mixture into chicken breast and top chicken with any leftover mixture. Lightly douse chicken with lemon juice. Bake for roughly 40 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Serve with white rice and vegetables.