Chicken Pot Pie

Photo source:  Pillsbury

One of my favorite comfort food meals is Chicken Pot Pie.  As a child, I would beg my mom to buy lots of those frozen chicken pot pies for lunch when I was home for the summer . . . and I would eat one every day if I had my say.  I still could!

I've given up the frozen pot pies and have moved up to semi-homemade chicken pot pie, using Campbell's Cream of Chicken Soup, chicken, vegetables and a refrigerated pie crust.  So much better than the frozen ones.

Even better is made from scratch chicken pot pie for those days you want to linger in the chicken and make something special.  Semi-homemade is awesome, but made from scratch is super awesome!

Here is a good semi-homemade . . .

Click here to go to Pillsbury's recipe page.

Cornbread Stuffing Chicken Casserole

ORIGINALLY POSTED JANUARY 24, 2014

This is comfort food at its best for me!  It doesn't get easier than the convenience of the "cream of" soups and cornbread stuffing mix for a quick and delicious meal.  This is also a very versatile recipe!

You will keep coming back to this chicken casserole over and over again . . . it is so good!   I make mine  with or without sour cream, but add one more can of my favorite type of "cream of" soup (chicken) if the sour cream is not used.

For some variation, add some steamed broccoli and substitute cream of broccoli soup for the listed soup.  Another variation for mushroom lovers would be cream of mushroom soup with fresh mushrooms.

In my opinion, the cream of celery and cream of chicken makes the best gravy, however, use what you like!  We found that using sour cream makes it even creamier.  Stove Top Stuffing Mix is what I prefer to use.

The prep work for this meal is so easy and a great recipe for a beginning cook who wants great results with little effort or cooking skills.  We used shredded precooked chicken, but it would be just as easy to pull out some frozen chicken tenderloins and quickly pan fry them before putting the casserole together.

The casserole itself is delicious with awesome creaminess, with or without sour cream.  The Captain mentioned that he loved the way the stuffing on the top made an awesome crunchy topping, while some of it blended in with the creamy mixture.  Very nice combination!

This casserole is perfect for pot luck meals!  Try it . . . you'll probably love it!

Ingredients

• Cooked chicken, cut up in bite sized pieces
•  (the equivalent of a whole chicken)
• 8 oz sour cream or another can of "Cream of" soup
• 1 can Cream of Chicken soup
• 1 can Cream of Celery soup
• 1 box cornbread stuffing, uncooked
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 stick melted butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 350.

Place chicken in the bottom of the dish (9 x 13).  

Mix the "cream of" soups and sour cream (if you choose to use the sour cream). Spread over the chicken.

Place the uncooked cornbread stuffing over the soup mixture.  Heat in the microwave . . . the broth and melted butter until butter is melted and pour over all of the casserole.

Bake uncovered at 350° for 30 minutes. Serves approximately 6 - 8.

Ham & Cheese Biscuit Quiches

 

Photo source:  Plain Chicken

"Mini Ham & Cheese Biscuit Quiche Recipe – an easy, grab-and-go breakfast everyone loves! Soft biscuit crusts filled with ham, melty cheese, and a creamy egg mixture bake up golden and fluffy. Perfect for busy mornings, brunch, meal prep, or feeding a crowd. Make them ahead, freeze them, and reheat for a quick homemade breakfast anytime."  Comment from Plain Chicken

Love these quick and easy mini quiches made with refrigerated biscuits.  

Click here to go to the Plain Chicken recipe page.

Shortcut Chicken Enchiladas

 

Photo source:  Food Network Kitchen

"Ready in under an hour, this version of the Mexican favorite subs in store-bought rotisserie chicken and salsa for homemade fillings. It's a great use for that leftover half of a chicken, but if you have a whole chicken, you can easily double the recipe to make 8 to 12 servings."  Comment from Food Network Kitchen

Love this shortcut version of chicken enchiladas!  Great use for leftover chicken or so convenient to use a rotisserie chicken.  Looks fast, easy and delicious!

Click here to go to the Food Network Kitchen recipe page.

Chocolate Whoopie Pies

 

Photo source:  One Sweet Appetite

"Indulge in these easy-to-make Chocolate Whoopie Pies, a perfect blend of convenience and deliciousness straight from a cake mix! Ideal for quick treats, these pies promise a chocolaty, homemade taste in every bite.

These whoopie pies are delicious all on their own OR you can serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! If you don’t have an ice cream maker, try my no-churn ice cream recipe."  Comment from One Sweet Appetite

Looks delicious and love that it is made with a cake mix.  Fast, easy and delicious sounds like a winner to me.

Click here to go to the One Sweet Appetite recipe page. 

Farmhouse Chicken Cornbread Casserole

 

Photo source:  The Seasoned Mom

"A creamy chicken filling meets a sweet, golden cornbread topping in this cozy chicken cornbread casserole. Best of all, it comes together quickly with simple pantry staples like canned soups, Jiffy mix, and rotisserie chicken!"  Comment from The Seasoned Mom

Looks delicious and love that it is semi-homemade with Jiffy Mix!

Click here to go to The Seasoned Mom recipe page.

Cream Cheese Squares

 

Photo source:  All Recipes

"These cream cheese bars are very easy and deliciously rich and gooey."  Comment from All Recipes

Semi-homemade recipes are my favorite at this time in my life.  It is more difficult to cook for one.  The use of canned biscuits and cream cheese makes me happy!  I will be trying these soon.

Click here to go to the All Recipes recipe page.

Mini Apple Pies

 

Recipe source:  Crazy For Crust

"These Mini Apple Pies are bite sized apple pies with crumb topping – they’re so easy to make from scratch and so good. With a buttery crust, perfectly cooked apples, and crumble topping, they’re the perfect apple pie recipe."  Comment from Crazy For Crust

Love this recipe since I love apple pie and appreciate the option to make it semi-homemade.

Click here to go to the Crazy For Crust recipe page.

Coconut Cake

 

Photo source:  Front Porch Life Magazine

"This old-fashioned 3-Day Coconut Cake is absolutely delicious. It’s made with a mix and just a few more ingredients, and it’s super simple. The hardest part is waiting three days to eat it!"  Comment from Front Porch Life Magazine

All I can say is "WOW". . . that photo leaves a taste of the cake in my mind and is driving me crazy!  Yes, I love coconut cake.  I am so happy to have found a semi-homemade version of one of my favorite cakes.

Click here to go to the Front Porch Life Magazine recipe page.

Jiffy Mix Recipes

 

Photo source:  Plain Chicken

"Discover the magic of Jiffy Mix with our mouthwatering recipes! From savory classics like Beef Tamale Casserole and Chicken Cornbread Casserole to creative delights like Taco Cornbread Muffins and Super Moist Mayonnaise Cornbread, our collection has something for everyone. Easy, delicious, and perfect for any occasion. Get ready to elevate your cooking game with Jiffy Mix!"  Comment from Plain Chicken

Love Jiffy Mix, use it all the time in various recipes and love to have more!  Check them out!

Click here to go to the Plain Chicken recipe page.

Easy Chocolate Desserts That Start With A Box Mix

 

Photo source:  Southern Living

"Not everyone is a baker, and that's okay. Plenty of great cooks hate making desserts, but not every dessert has to be French patisserie either. These easy chocolate recipes start with boxed mixes, which take a lot of the hard work and pitfalls out of baking. A few clever additions help bump up the flavor of these mixes and produce baked goods that are closer to homemade.

When it comes to chocolate mixes, whether cake or brownie, a chief complaint is that they're never chocolatey enough, which these recipes smartly address through extra helpings of chocolate that result in bakery-worthy sweets."  Comment from Southern Living

Although I love the process of baking from scratch, there are times when semi-homemade is appreciated.  Using a boxed mix doesn't always mean an inferior cake, but it depends on how you use additions to enhance the flavor.  This is an excellent article that not only takes you to an array of delicious cake recipes, but has tips on using box mixes.  Everything you always wanted to know about baking a cake with a boxed mix!

Click here to go to the Southern Living article.

Banana Coconut Cream Dessert

 

Photo source:  Betty Crocker

The Betty Crocker recipe page says this dessert is very similar to a Banana Cream Pie.  Looks like it is an easy semi-homemade dessert including Bisquick and instant pudding.  Bisquick is something I always have an extra box of because it makes almost everything you make with it seem like you spent hours on it.

Click here to go to the Betty Crocker recipe page.

Turtle Cake

Photo source:  Kraft

Love this recipe!  It is quick, easy and delicious.  Made easy by using a cake mix and Cool Whip.

I first found this recipe in a magazine back in the 80's, then found it on the Kraft website when I created this blog.  The website no longer lists this recipe.

This recipe was originally posted to this blog in 2011.

INGREDIENTS

1 tub (8 ounce) Cool Whip 

1 package (2-layer size) devil's food cake mix

1 package (3.9 ounce) Jello Chocolate Instant Pudding

38 Kraft Caramels

1-1/2 Tablespoons water

6 ounce (3/4 of 8 ounce package) Cream Cheese, softened

16 Vanilla Waters

16 Pecan Halves

5 squares Semi-Sweet Chocolate, divided

DIRECTIONS

Spoon half the Cool Whip into bowl, refrigerate to thaw.  

Return remaining Cool Whip to freezer.

Prepare cake batter and bake as directed on package for 2 9-inch round layers, adding dry pudding mix to cake mix before mixing with liquid ingredients.

Cool cakes in pans 10 minutes; invert onto wire racks.

Cool cakes completely.

While cakes are cooling, microwave caramels and water in microwaveable bowl on high 1-1/2 minutes or until smooth, stirring every 45 seconds.  Cool slightly.

Beat cream cheese in large bowl with mixer until creamy.

Add caramel sauce and mix well.

Blend in thawed Cool Whip.

Place 1 cake layer on plate, spread half of cream cheese mixture.

Cover with second cake layer, frost top with remaining cream cheese mixture.

Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Microwave frozen Cool Whip and 3 chocolate squares in microwaveable bowl for 3 minutes or until well blended, stirring after each minute.

Cool 10 minutes.

While cooling, melt the remaining chocolate squares as directed on package.  

Dip half of each vanilla wafer in chocolate and place on waxed paper covered baking sheet.  Top with nuts.  Refrigerate until ready to use.

Spread Cool Whip mixture onto top of cake.

Garnish with wafers.

Keep refrigerated.

Snickerdoodle Bundt Cake - 2 Versions - From Scratch and Semi-Homemade

 

Photo source:  Plain Chicken

You have a choice . . . semi-homemade using a cake mix or made from scratch

I hope you like having both versions!

VERSION 1 - SEMI-HOMEMADE

"Snickerdoodle Bundt Cake Recipe – all the cozy cinnamon-sugar goodness of your favorite cookie baked into a soft, tender cake! Cake mix, vanilla pudding, eggs, butter, sour cream, cinnamon, water, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Great for holidays, brunch, potlucks, or an anytime treat. A simple, comforting cake everyone will love!"  Comment from Plain Chicken

This cake looks and sounds delicious.  Love that it is semi-homemade starting off with a cake mix, making it quick and easy.

Click here to go to the Plain Chicken recipe page.

VERSION 2 - SCRATCH RECIPE

Photo source:  Recipe Girl

"Unlike traditional snickerdoodle cookies, this snickerdoodle bundt cake is drizzled with plenty of sweet cinnamon icing. This is the kind of cake you make when you’re looking for something new."  Comment from Recipe Girl

Click here to go to the Recipe Girl recipe page.

Sloppy Joe Bubble Up

 

Photo source:  Plain Chicken

"Sloppy Joe Bubble Up Recipe – homemade sloppy joe mixture tossed with chopped refrigerated biscuits and topped with cheese. Ground beef, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, biscuits, and cheese. A delicious twist to your usual sloppy joes. Kids and adults gobble this up!"  Comment from Plain Chicken

This recipe looks delicious!  The use of canned biscuits makes it faster and easier and the article has more ideas to make it even faster.  Love semi-homemade for busy times!

Click here to go to the Plain Chicken recipe page.

Garlic Parmesan Skillet Bread

 

Photo source:  Plain Chicken

"This Garlic Parmesan Skillet Bread is a great side dish to pasta or a simple party appetizer. Warm some pizza or marinara sauce up for dipping. YUM."  Comment from Plain Chicken

Stephanie always has awesome and delicious recipes!  Love the use of canned biscuits in this recipe to make it fast and easy when you are in a hurry to get a delicious meal together.

Click here to go to the Plain Chicken recipe.

Sausage Biscuit Pinwheels (With Canned Biscuits)

 

Photo source:  Plain Chicken

"These Sausage Biscuit Pinwheels are a staple at our house. We’ve been making these for years! They are effortless to make and taste fantastic! There are only two ingredients in this recipe – sausage and canned biscuits. SO simple yet SO delicious! People go crazy over these things whenever I take them to a party. I usually double the recipe and never have any leftovers. You must give these a try ASAP!"  Comment from Plain Chicken

Fast, easy and delicious pinwheels! Love another semi-homemade recipe made with canned biscuits.

Click here to go to the Plain Chicken recipe page.

Ghirardelli Brownie Mix Recipe

 

Photo source:  Food Lovin Family

"Chewy and fudgy, a box of Ghirardelli Brownie Mix makes delicious brownies. If you are looking for a fast way to make some of the best brownies, this Ghirardelli brownie mix recipe is the one for you. I have some important tips to follow to make sure your brownies turn out perfect every time."  Comment from Food Lovin Family

It makes sense that a Ghirardelli Brownie Mix would make a delicious brownie.  Love that it is semi-homemade to make it faster and easier.

Click here to go to the Food Lovin Family recipe page.

Cherry Dump Cake UPDATED

 

Photo source:  Food.com

This post was originally posted

 to this blog on July 30, 2016

It doesn't get easier than dumping three ingredients in a pan and baking it.

Can't wait to serve it warm with some ice cream!

Gotta love dump cakes!

UPDATE

After making this dump cake, I need to make a few notes to add to the recipe.

First of all, after dumping all ingredients into the pan, stir until the cake mix is moistened.  We found that just dumping them into the pan left some spots "floury" after baking and left too many crunchy pieces throughout the cake.

Otherwise, the taste was excellent, but was very sweet and almost needs whipped cream or vanilla ice cream to offset the sweetness.

We really liked it and will be making it again!

Click here to go to the Food.com recipe page.

Another recipe . . .

"While many dump cakes use cake mix, frozen or canned fruit, and pats of butter or a melted butter drizzle on top, this version switches things up a bit. It’s dump cake-inspired, but produces a treat that stands on its own."  Comment from Simply Recipes

Click here to go to the Simply Recipes recipe page.

Lobster Ravioli Bake

 

Photo source:  All Recipes

"This lobster ravioli bake is rich, creamy, and cheesy, and could not be easier, thanks to store bought lobster ravioli and lobster bisque."  Comment from All Recipes

Love the simplicity of this recipe which includes some of my favorite things.  Quick, easy and delicious is a winner for me.  Can't wait to try this one!

Click here to go to the All Recipes recipe page.