Tamale Pie

 

Photo source:  The Pioneer Woman

"Tamales are a traditional Mexican dish often made on special occasions, like New Year's Day. This twist on the classic is made with corn muffin mix so it's even easier to make."  Comment from The Pioneer Woman.

There aren't enough texmex type of recipes on my blog and they are some of my favorites.  This one is semi-homemade which is a good thing.

Click here to go to The Pioneer Woman's recipe page.

Bisquick Chicken and Dumplings

 

Photo source:  centslessdeals.com

"This Bisquick chicken and dumplings recipe is made in minutes but tastes like it’s been simmering all day. With a ready-made soup base, cooked chicken, and veggies, Bisquick chicken and dumplings deliver creamy, cozy flavor in every bowl."  Comment from centslessdeals.com.

There are many chicken and dumplings recipes on my blog since they are one of my favorites and I like to have lots of versions, especially one that is semi-homemade.  Love Bisquick meals!  Between Bisquick and a rotisserie chicken, that is saving a lot of time in the kitchen. 

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

Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls

 

Photo source:  All Recipes

"These ooey gooey Hawaiian roll cinnamon rolls have a buttery sweet cinnamon layer in the middle, and a sweet icing glaze on top after baking. The best part is that you didn't need all day and a night to make them!"  Comment from All Recipes

What a great idea!  Quick, easy and delicious . . . love it!  When you are in a hurry, this semi-homemade version of cinnamon rolls has no rolling, rising, or yeast required, is perfect.

Click here to go to the All Recipes recipes page.

Easy Oreo Dump Cake

 

Photo source:  Better Homes and Gardens

"This Oreo dump cake recipe is our easiest chocolate dessert yet. It's as simple to assemble as layering a few ingredients and baking until set. The finished dump cake is fudgy and rich with the flavor of Oreo cookies and Devil's Food cake. Our recipe tasters loved the warm cake topped with vanilla ice cream but it's great on its own as well. Read on for everything you need to know about making homemade Oreo cake."  Comment from Better Homes and Gardens

Thank you to Better Homes and Gardens for sharing all these fabulous dump cake recipes.  Just when I thought I could not find any more good ones, I come across this Oreo Dump Cake.  It is easy and uses common ingredients that I know are delicious.

Click here to go to the Better Homes and Gardens recipe pages.

https://www.bhg.com/oreo-dump-cake-8373900

Banana Bread Dump Cake

 

Photo source:  Better Homes and Gardens

"Skip the slices of banana bread at breakfast, and make this easy dump cake recipe for dessert instead. We've kept the ripe bananas and chopped pecans but added in yellow cake mix and a brown sugar sauce. You can have this entire shortcut dessert prepped and baked in an hour. Top the finished dessert with homemade whipped cream, ice cream, or yogurt. It's also delicious with a drizzle of caramel sauce."  Comment from Better Homes and Gardens

Love this semi-homemade dump cake!!

Click here to go to the Better Homes and Gardens recipe page.

Lasagna Casserole

 

Photo source: Taste of Home

"All the traditional flavor of lasagna, with none of the fuss. We've simplified the layers in this lasagna casserole so the dish comes together more quickly.

Lasagna is already a one-dish casserole, so you might be wondering what’s new about this lasagna casserole recipe. It all boils down to prep time. A traditional lasagna can take up to an hour to prepare, which doesn’t exactly capture the ease I usually associate with casseroles. In this version, the layers are simplified to bring that prep time down to 15 minutes."  Comment from Taste of Home

Love the simplicity of using jarred sauce or the option of homemade pasta sauce.  The only thing I would substitute is ricotta for the cottage cheese.  All in a casserole is a great idea.  Love it!

Click here to go to the Taste of Home recipe page.

Ham Ravioli Bake

 

Photo source:  Taste of  Home

"With shortcuts ingredients like leftover cooked ham, frozen cheese ravioli and jarred Alfredo sauce, this family-friendly ham ravioli bake comes together in a flash."  Comment from Taste of Home

This recipe is truly a semi-homemade meal that looks like you spent hours making.  Love that it is a great meal for using leftover ham, too.  Looks delicious!

Click here to go to the Taste of Home recipe page.

Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding

 

Photo source: Simply Recipes

Since the bread pudding starts with a can of cinnamon rolls, it falls in my category of semi-homemade which I love on a busy day.  The only thing I don't like is the eggnog and I will substitute with milk.  Looks delicious and easy!

Click here to go to the Simply Recipes recipe page.

Cake Mix Cookies

 

Photo source:  Crazy For Crust

"There ain't no shame in the semi-homemade game: I love a cake mix cookie. They're actually one of my favorites - always soft, so much flavor, and SOOOOO easy. PLUS you can make them so many different ways."  Comment from Crazy For Crust

Love the versatility and so easy.  Perfect for beginning bakers.

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

Cannoli Cake Semi-Homemade

 

Photo source:  Taste of Home

"A luscious, chocolate-studded cannoli filling separates the tender layers of this rich cannoli cake, which (surprise!) starts with a packaged mix."  Comment from Taste of Home

This is going to be my new favorite cake.  That chocolate-studded cannoli filling sold me.

Click here to go to the Taste of Home recipe page.

Pecan Pie Dump Cake

 

Photo source:  Southern Living

"With a tender yellow cake base, buttery pecan filling, and a hint of spice, this pecan pie dump cake is a fall-inspired twist on a classic."  Comment from Southern Living

Judging by the number of "pecan pie" inspired desserts I post, I guess you could say it is one of my favorite pies since they really seem to catch my attention.  This dessert is semi-homemade since it uses a boxed cake mix, which is great if you have lots of desserts to make or if you are just in a hurry.  I'd love to try this one out, it sounds easy and delicious!

Click here to go to the Southern Living recipe page.

Chocolate Walnut Strudel

Puff pastry has got to be one of my favorite tricks for semi-homemade cooking . . . actually, The Captain introduced me to cooking with puff pastry.

It is an awesome versatile product that can be used in so many ways.  The result is a very quick, easy and delicious dessert, like this recipe from Pepperidge Farm, that makes such a beautiful and impressive presentation.  But puff pastry is not just for desserts.

Puff pastry has become a regular on my grocery list and I will be posting more recipes from Pepperidge Farm and other sources, as well as those recipes that I create.

Click here to go to the source recipe page and check out more awesome recipes on the website.

Quick and Easy Apple Tart

I guess you could follow The Pioneer Woman's recipe . . . but make it easy for yourself and use this recipe as inspiration and use the frozen puff pastry with canned apple pie filling (Comstock is excellent).  Talk about some awesome convenience foods!

Ingredients

1 whole Sheet Puffed Pastry, Thawed And Cut In Half
4 whole Apples, Cored, Halved And Sliced Very Thin
1 cup Brown Sugar
1 dash Salt
Powdered Sugar, For Serving
Caramel Sauce, For Serving

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Place puffed pastry rectangles onto a baking pan that’s been sprayed with nonstick spray. Add sugar and salt to apples. Stir to combine. Allow to sit for a few minutes.

Arrange apple slices on the pastry rectangles in a straight line, overlapping as you go. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until pastry is puffed and golden brown.

Remove from pan immediately and place on a serving platter. Serve plain, with caramel topping, whipped cream, and/or a sprinkling of powdered sugar. 

Photo and Recipe Source 

Chive and Onion Hash Browns

This hash brown casserole sounds and looks seriously delicious!

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups half-and-half cream
1 container (8 ounces) spreadable chive and onion cream cheese
2 tablespoons dried minced onion
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 packages (20 ounces each) refrigerated shredded hash brown potatoes
2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
3 tablespoons minced fresh chives, divided
2 tablespoons butter, cubed



Directions

Preheat oven to 375°. 

Combine the first five ingredients in a Dutch oven, cook and stir over medium heat until blended. Stir in potatoes.

Grease a 13x9-in. or 3-qt. baking dish.  

Layer 1/3 of the hash brown mixture and 2/3 cup Swiss cheese and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon chives. Repeat layers. 

Top with remaining hash brown mixture and cheese; dot with butter.

Bake, covered for 35 minutes. 

Bake, uncovered for 10-20 minutes longer or until edges begin to brown and potatoes are heated through. 

Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with remaining chives. 

Yield: 12 servings (3/4 cup each)

Photo and recipe source

Originally published as Chive & Onion Hash Brown Potatoes in Taste of Home December/January 2012, p35

Semi-homemade versatility of cake mixes

Grocery store shelves are filled with all types of products that cater to those cooks who are looking for convenience and saving time in the kitchen.  

Cake mixes are one of those products that make semi-homemade baking so fast and easy.  

Discount stores like Big Lots have a permanent place on their shelves for cake mix.  For example, many are meant for other countries, therefore the instructions are in another language.  You can buy cake mix for a fraction of the cost if the language is different.

Tiffany at Eat At Home.com has perfected it a science.  Click here to go to Tiffany's article . . . don't forget to check out the comments for even more ideas and recipes from her followers!  

Huffington Post has posted an article on cakes you can make with cake mix and soda . . . you would not believe the variety!  Click here to go to the article.

You will be amazed!

Easy Fajita Pasta Bake

Love these economical, quick and easy semi-homemade meals!

This is one of those recipes that will stretch your leftover chicken another day.  

How about using some of that leftover turkey?

This recipe comes from Pillsbury, so you know it has got to be good!

Ingredients

2 cups thinly sliced red and green bell peppers

1 small white onion, chopped

2 cups uncooked penne pasta (6 oz)

1 lb shredded cooked chicken breast 

1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix

1 cup whipping cream

1 cup shredded Colby-Monterey jack cheese blend (4 oz)

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F.

Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.

Spray 10- to 12-inch skillet with cooking spray. Heat over medium heat.

Add 2 cups thinly sliced red and green bell peppers and 1 chopped small white onion to skillet. cook and stir about 10 minutes or until tender.

Cook 2 cups uncooked penne pasta as directed. Drain

Toss together until combined . . . cooked pasta, bell peppers and onion, 1 lb shredded cooked chicken breast, 1 package Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix and 1 cup whipping cream.

Pour into baking dish.

Sprinkle 1 cup shredded Colby-Monterey jack cheese blend (4 oz) evenly over top.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until thoroughly heated and cheese is melted.


Source:  Pillsbury.com

Garlic Butter Bread Sticks

Would you believe these delicious looking bread sticks are made with puff pastry?

Puff pastry is an easy convenience food that we use often to make desserts and savory treats.

Ingredients

• 1 sheet thawed puff pastry (leave out on the counter for 30-40 minutes)
• 3 tbsp Italian garlic butter (or other compound butter)
• 3-5 pinches shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Lay out thawed puff pastry sheet on parchment lined baking sheet
3. Cut into ½ inch strips using a pastry cutter or pizza wheel 
4. Brush melted butter over all the strips
5. Separate & twist each piece; place back on parchment
6. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese
7. Bake 10-12 minutes
8. Allow to cool before moving from baking sheet

This recipe and photo comes from Gina from Kleinworth & Co. 

You can connect with Gina via

Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram & Pinterest. 

Thank you for creating these awesome bread sticks Gina, your creativity is amazing!

Pumpkin Praline Bars

Quick, easy, semi-homemade and delicious

Pumpkin Praline Bars from Pillsbury!

Ingredients

• Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
• 1 (17.5 oz.) package Pillsbury® Perfectly Pumpkin Cookie Mix
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup dark corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions

HEAT oven to 350°F. 

Prepare a 8 x 8-inch baking pan with foil.  Extend foil over edge of pan and coat with no-stick cooking spray.

Combine cookie mix and 1/2 cup melted butter in medium bowl with fork until evenly mixed.

Press cookie mix into prepared pan. 

Bake 10 minutes.

WHISK egg in medium bowl, then whisk in corn syrup, 2 tablespoons melted butter and vanilla until blended. Stir in pecans. 

Spread evenly over partially baked cookie mix layer.

BAKE 23 to 25 minutes, until topping is set and golden brown. 

Cool 15 minutes.  Using edges of foil, remove from pan.

Place on cutting board and pull foil away from sides of bars. 

Cool completely. 

Trim outer edge before cutting into bars.



Nutritional Information Per Serving

Serving Size (1 bar of 20), Calories 200 (Calories from Fat 100), Total Fat 11g (Saturated Fat 4g, Trans Fat 0g), Cholesterol 25mg, Sodium 170mg, Total Carbohydrate 25g (Dietary Fiber 0g, Sugars 13g), Protein 2g; Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 4%, Vitamin C 2%, Calcium 0%, Iron 4%.

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Source:  Pillsbury.com

Broccoli and Chicken Casserole

These type of casseroles have become a favorite for us . . . quick, easy, versatile . . . semi-homemade!

The original recipe is from Better Homes and Gardens.

Ingredients

• 4 ounces dried medium noodles
• 2 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken or turkey
• 1 10 ounce package frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
• 1/2 cup sliced green onions
• 1 10 3/4 ounce can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup skim milk
• 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese (2 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• Paprika

Directions

Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain well.

In a 2-quart casserole stir together noodles, chicken or turkey, broccoli, and green onions.

In a medium mixing bowl stir together soup, milk, cheese, basil, and pepper. Stir into noodle mixture.

Bake, covered, in a 350 degree F oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until heated through. 

Sprinkle with paprika. 

Makes 6 servings.


Make Ahead Tip
Prepare casserole; cover and chill up to 24 hours. Bake as above.


Nutrition Information
Per Serving: cal. (kcal) 290, Fat, total (g) 11, chol. (mg) 61, carb. (g) 22, pro. (g) 25, sodium (mg) 508, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Source

Spinach and Ravioli Lasagna

Love this quick and easy lasagna!  One of our favorite things to make easy and delicious meals is frozen ravioli . . . also economical.

This is one of those semi-homemade recipes for busy times with not so much time for cooking.  No one will ever know it was so easy!

The photo and recipe is Pillsbury.com, which  is one of the best sources for semi-homemade recipes!

Ingredients

• 1 bag (6 oz) fresh baby spinach leaves, chopped
• 1/3 cup refrigerated basil pesto
• 1 jar (15 oz) Alfredo pasta sauce
• 1/4 cup vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 package (25 oz) frozen cheese-filled ravioli (do not thaw)
• 1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend (4 oz)
• Chopped fresh basil leaves, if desired
• Paprika, if desired

Directions

Heat oven to 375°F. 

Spray 11x7-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.

In medium bowl, toss spinach and pesto. 

In another bowl, mix Alfredo sauce and broth. 

Spoon one-third of sauce mixture (about 1/2 cup) into baking dish. 

Top with half of spinach mixture. 

Arrange half of ravioli in single layer over spinach mixture. Repeat layers. 

Top with remaining sauce mixture.

Bake uncovered 30 minutes. 

Sprinkle with cheese. 

Bake 5 minutes longer or until bubbly. 

Garnish with basil and paprika.

Tip from Pillsbury

Although this dish calls for frozen ravioli, you can let the ravioli sit on the countertop about 5 minutes before preparing the recipe to allow the frozen ravioli to separate more easily.