M.j. ‘s Chicken Farfalle casserole

Here I am today playing with food.

This is a meal I put together with a little imagination.  We liked it .  Hubby ate his as is. I added pepper flakes to mine to give it a little heat!

I had a little accident involving my back so I may have bruised a few ribs so I’m up 20 minutes laying 20 minutes hoping to recover quickly but hubby refuses to cook and I’m hungry so here goes.  I had the chicken in my freezer so I thawed it out planning on cooking something so this is my something dinner.

NOTE: I  do buy and store extras I may need in my recipes.They come in handy for these kind of days.

2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
1 can Cream of chicken soup

1/2 can milk

4 T ranch salad dressing 

1 tablespoon onion powder

I - 14.5 can drained diced tomatoes ( reserve 1/4 cup in case you need to thin mixture)

About 1/2 tsp.  salt, pepper and parsley (to taste)

1/2 lb. Cooked farfalle ( I salted the water) cooked a’dente and drained( I did not rinse farfalle)

Mild cheddar cheese( about 1 cup)(you can either top to casserole before baking or mix the cheese in before baking.  I topped the casserole then stirred when I removed it from oven.

Hot pepper flakes( optional)

Parsley to garnish

Set oven to 350°.

Mix chicken soup, milk, ranch dressing,onion powder and  drained tomatoes, salt, pepper and parsley and I then added the 1/4 cup Of reserved juice( I felt it needed some more liquid to bake and allow to be creamy.

Place chicken in casserole dish , cooked farfalle and add soup mixture and cheese.  Stir to combine.( Or top the casserole if preferred)

Cover casserole and bake 15 minutes. Remove cover bake another 10 minutes more. Make sure the casserole is heated through.  You may have to stir it to make sure.

Serve and add a sprinkle or two of pepper flakes if using. I liked the little bit if heat.

Serve alone or with a side salad.

Enjoy cooking my way!

Cooyright iliketobakeandcook.blogdpot.com 2026

Chickpea and tomato salad

• Here’s some photos of a great summer salad made with variegated cherry tomatoes.

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  I only had crumbled feta and it worked out fine.  I heated my pitas in my toaster and oh so yummy it was.  

  
  

  A first using garlic paste.  It’s so easy to blend in.  I’ll use it again.  Thank you Aldi. That’s where I found it.

  
  

  2 (15-ounce) cans no-salt-added chickpeas, rinsed 

• 3 cups multicolored cherry tomatoes (about 16 ounces)

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary leaves

• 2 teaspoons red-wine vinegar

• 2 teaspoons garlic paste 

• 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

• 1 (6-ounce) block feta cheese in brine, drained(I used crumbled feta)

• 1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves

• 2 (6-inch) whole-wheat pita rounds, split and warmed) I used small garlic pitas.  They fit in my toaster perfectly.

Directions

1. Position oven rack in top third; preheat to 425°F. Combine chickpeas, tomatoes, oil, rosemary, vinegar, garlic paste and pepper in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish; stir well. Nestle feta in the center of the mixture.

Bake until most of the tomatoes have split and the feta is very creamy, about 20 minutes. Tear basil leaves and sprinkle them over the mixture. If desired, stir the feta into the chickpea mixture until creamy. Serve with pita.

Note:  the crumbled feta slightly browned and I was able to toss it or leave as in crumbles.  Delicious!

Adapted to my liking.

Crushed Tortillas and chicken casserole

• 
  

  I have started to cook a little more and this recipe was involved a little more 😔 than I realized but I managed a delicious meal for tonight without being exhausted and the result was just what I had imagined. Creamy inside , a teeny bit of heat and a nice crunchy top.

  
  

  I followed the recipe but did change a few things.

  
  

  After it was baked I opted for sliced peaches as a side since we were still not sure about the dangerous lettuce outbreak.

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  ****Note: I used minute rice for convenience 

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Heat oven to 375°. Spray 9 x 13”

  Baking dish with cooking spray 

  Ingredients:

  2/3 cup sour cream

• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese

• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened

• 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded

• 3 cups cooked white rice ****

• 2 cups shredded pepper Jack cheese

• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

• 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chiles, such as Rotel®

• 1 (7 ounce) can green chiles( eliminated)

• 1 teaspoon garlic salt, or to taste

• 1 cup crumbled tortilla chips ( I crushed sea salt tortillas)

Whisk sour cream, ricotta, and cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth. Stir in chicken, rice, pepper Jack cheese, black beans, tomatoes, green chiles, and garlic salt. Add mixture to the casserole dish, and sprinkle tortilla chips over the top.

Bake in the preheated oven until it starts to firm up, 25 to 35 minutes. ***Garnish with parsley or cilantro, and serve. 

My recipes 

Panko chicken coated in yogurt

Simple, quick and tasty 

About 3/4 lb. Thin sliced boneless chicken breasts 

Panko Breadcrumbs.  Add 

Salt 

White pepper

Parsley

Onion powder

Garlic powder 

***All seasonings were guestimates.

Vanilla yogurt or plain yogurt 

Coat chicken breasts in yogurt. ( I used vanilla yogurt and I liked it.)  It gave the chicken a slightly sweet taste which both hubby and I liked it.

Place in seasoned panko breadcrumbs.

In a large frying pan heat a few tablespoons of vegetable or canola oil. Place chicken in warm oil and brown on each side.

Place in a sprayed baking dish.

Bake 350° convection oven for approximately 20 minutes covered.

Enjoy!

Stuffed and breaded chicken breasts

2 thick boneless chicken breasts ( cut a deep pocket in center of each breast).

Plain yogurt 

1/4 cup drained seasoned spinach( I used leftover spinach I had) or can use fresh.

Moderate amount mozzarella or cheese of choice 

Mix spinach and cheese

After stuffing chicken breast spread plain yogurt over breast s.

Turn over  and spread equally.

Now on a large piece of waxed paper add 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs. I season my own with salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder, dried parsley and Parmesan cheese..

NOTE:Frozen spinach drained and squeezed. You could use fresh. Very little mozzarella just enough to hold it together. (Incidentally this spinach was seasoned that I had leftover). 

I flavored the breadcrumbs as well with Parmesan cheese, dried parsley salt, pepper,onion and garlic powder.

Enjoy!

 

 

Sweet and slighty spicy chicken kabobs

Approximately I lb. Chicken chunks ) I placed on 2 wooden skewers 

I make a sauce ( similar to a marinade)with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, sugar,soy sauce ,red pepper and a few tablespoons vegetable oil.  I didn’t have sesame oil but would have used it.

Placed chicken cubes in a large zip lock bag and added the sauce. Moved the chicken around to coat and refrigerated it until I decided either to bake, broil or use my grille pan.

I decided to bake at 350°for approximately 15 to

25 minutes. ***I then broiled them for a few minutes more to try to brown them some. Note: I turned them over at 15 minutes and baked 10 minutes more. I then broiled them. I hope that’s clear… there was no pink inside.

I sprinkled after with parsley before serving.

I’m a bit under the weather so excuse any confusion in directions.

Stove top grilled flank steak

We don’t own a grille and don’t miss it.  My grille pan is awesome. This week I’m making most meals with this quality grille pan.  I find it’s very useful especially now that the weather has warmed,

Tonight dinner!  

Grilled flank steak grilled on each side 4 to 6 minutes depending on your desired wellness.

.

.Boiled potatoes and green beans seasoned with oo and red wine vinegar .  Chunky cucs and sweet onion.

SEASONING:

I allow steak to marinate several hours in refrigerator in a large zip lock bag before using.

1/4 cup Soy sauce

3 tablespoons Olive oil

2 teaspoons Red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar 

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce( optional) I’m

****Not fond of Worcestershire sauce 

2 teaspoons Brown sugar or honey

3 cloves Garlic, minced

Black pepper to taste 

Easy meal and perfect warm weather meal.

Pepper chicken

I 1/4 lb. Boneless chicken breasts sliced lengthwise across t***They cook much quicker. Pound to thin if desired.

 About 1 tsp. Salt, heavily ground pepper.) I placed all in a large zip lock bag.along with about 5 tablespoons vegetable oil.

Note: add lots of ground pepper. I did not add enough imo.

Lock bag after  ground peppercorns ,adding a few whole peppercorns and some vegetable oil to bag.

. Allow to marinate about 1/2 hour.

Corn and rice and veggie mix as sides.

I’m using my grill Pan since we do not have a grill.

Place grill pan on stove to heat thoroughly.

Place chicken on heated grill pan 

with vegetable oil.  Grill

 for approximately 5 minutes each side . Repeat on lower heat and as long as there isn’t any pink it’s ready to serve.

Angel food cake with strawberry pie filling between layer and real whipped cream to cover top and sides of cake.

One pan stuffed pepper casserole

• Hi. The below recipe is as is in all recipes.  I adjusted recipe and ingredients to my liking.  They were almost spot on.
  
  
  ***Note: I par cooked my rice before adding it to sauce mixture.
  
  
  ****Also make note I substituted crushed tomatoes for what was called for and used green peppers as it was all I had available.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  This was definitely delicious.  A little thinner than if I had cooked the rice in the sauce.  I personally prefer  a casserole looser than too thick. This is Very similar to stuffed pepper soup. 
• If I had cooked the rice in the sauce as the recipe called for it would have been more casserole like.
• Enjoy!
  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1 onion, diced

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  
  

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt

  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1 pinch cayenne

  • 2 green bell peppers, seeded, cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 1 red bell peppers, seeded, cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 1 orange bell pepper, seeded, cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 1 cup raw basmati or other long grain white rice

  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

     2 cups tomato sauce or puree

  • Note: I used crushed tomatoes 

  • 1 1/2 cups beef broth 

  • 6 ounces Cheddar cheese, shredded, divided( I used a cheese blend and it was milder than a cheddar.  Delish!

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees .  I baked mine at 350° since my rice was par cooked.

1. Place an ovenproof pan over high heat, add olive oil, then the beef, and a big pinch of salt, and cook for about 1 minute, breaking the meat into smaller pieces. Add onions, and continue cooking, crumbling the meat, until it starts to brown and onions turn translucent. about 5 minutes. Brown the meat deeply for the best flavor.

2. Reduce heat to medium-high, or to medium if the pan seems very hot, and add butter and garlic. Cook, stirring, until butter melts, about 1 minute. Add black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne. Cook and stir for about 1 minute. Add bell peppers, and cook and stir until just heated through, 2 to 3 minutes.

3. Add rice and stir until it is coated with the fats from the pan, about 1 minute. Add remaining salt, Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, and beef broth, and raise the heat to high. Stir together and wait for the mixture to simmer. Turn off heat, and sprinkle with some of the cheese, saving about 1/2 cup for the top. Use a spoon to poke and stir the cheese in evenly. Cover the pan tightly.

   
   

   Note; Cooking time for me was 30 minutes covered.  Allow to set and add about 1/4 cup mixed cheese blend!

4. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove from the oven, uncover, and check rice for tenderness in a few spots. If rice is not tender, cover and continue to bake. Once rice is tender, remove the casserole, uncover, sprinkle over the rest of the cheese, and turn on the oven’s broiler. 

   
   

   Adapted my recipe to All recipes.