Easy Pierogi Lasagna Casserole: Busy families will love this!!

***Update: 6/15/2022

I used 6 medium skin removed potatoes ( cut in cubes and boil until tender in salted water.

When tender , drain add 2 T butter, approximately 3/4 cup or more milk and 2 cups cheddar cheese.  Beat until smooth. ****( easy short cut store bought mashed potatoes).

Save 1/4 cup for garnish.

I am working very hard at making some easy meals for all  busy families.  Today I was thinking about how Mom and Nana worked tirelessly making homemade dough for their Pierogi and as much as I love making their recipe; today I am making a Pierogi lasagna using Barilla pasta.  Using a few short steps you'll find this recipe to be a keeper.  Here goes!  You are going to love it!

You can substitute store bought mashed potatoes to make it more convenient.

A breeze using Barilla no boil noodles

Lay  noodles in warm water in a pan for approx. 5 minutes.  Drain well.  I pat each with paper towels before placing in dish.

Layer with butter, Barilla noodles, cheddar potatoes until all in box is used (13 x9) pan

Remove and pat to dry

Saute butter with onion until tender.

Layer

Ready to bake!

Happy Baking and Cooking from my kitchen to yours,

1 box(9 oz.) Barilla no boil lasagna noodles

1 pkg. refrigerated (22 oz.) Bob Evans Cheddar mashed potatoes(cooked according to directions)
Note:  For a fuller casserole use two pkgs. cheddar potatoes or you can cube 6 potatoes, boil until tender and season to your liking.

1 onion sliced thin

2 sticks butter or margarine
shredded cheddar cheese 

Place Barilla lasagna noodles in warm water for approx. 5 minutes.

In a sauce pan place butter and onion. Sauté until onion is tender.

In a 13 x 9 inch baking pan place 1/4 of butter onion mixture. Remove 3 sheets of noodles from water. Pat dry slightly. Place noodles in pan and top with 1/4 cheddar potatoes.**(Illustrations below) Continue layering and adding more cheddar potatoes and noodles until all is used. *Note: 1 box of  Barilla no boil noodles will make approximately  a 13 x9 inch pan.

Top with the remainder of butter onion mixture. Sprinkle some shredded cheddar on top and cover.

 Bake 350 degrees approx. 20 to 30 minutes. Set for a few minutes and enjoy!!!! 

Serve with a side salad if desired!!

Chicken Salad with grapes and pecans

 2 bone in or boneless chicken breasts 

Salt

Celery 

Carrots water

Place all ingredients in cold water and cook until chicken is fork tender.

Chicken salad

Chicken cooled and either shredded or cubed 

Equal amounts of mayonnaise and miracle whip

Pinch salt

Several pinches of onion powder 

Diced celery 

Halved red grapes

Chopped pecans 

I boil my chicken as it has duel

Purpose.  I get chicken broth and I use the chicken for recipes. I use bone in chicken breasts, but you could use boneless chicken, carrots , celery, salt to make broth.  Allow to cook until chicken is tender. 

 Remove chicken from broth.  

Allow to cool and I shred or cube the chicken.  Add diced celery, mayo and miracle whip combined to my taste . A pinch or two of onion powder and mix well.  I then add chopped pecans and red grapes cut 

in half and stir gently to combine.

Note:  You can also boil the chicken in water with a little salt until tender and discard liquid.  

Some may like to bake chicken but I like to boil and then cool.  You don’t have to do both that day. You can refrigerate the chicken until the next day if necessary.

  I find making large quantities and once the chicken is cooled and shredded I also freeze shredded chicken in bags for other meals.  

I have used my frozen and defrosted shredded chicken in chicken salad and other recipes that call for cooked chicken.  

Greece! Loved it!!!!!

We loved touring Greece so much I want to share it with you!

Original post 9/29/2011

Every port in Greece seemed to be more beautiful than the other..Most of these are from Santorini..The view was absolutely breathtaking..

Mostly white everywhere you would look

A local fisherman stopped by while we were having lunch

Villa's with a pool

Cruise ships in the background

A Greek yacht

The good life!

White cotton shirts, dresses are abundant and locally made

Local artists

Loved this plant

Sour cherry Jubiliee..I usually make mine with Bing cherries

Prime Rib ( no grape leaves for me)

Sunset

Greek salad..Usually large piece of feta adorns it and most Greek salads don't include lettuce..Tomatoes, peppers, red onion ..Tomatoes were in season and oh so sweet.

Yummy

Check out the blue water

Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seven ports to see!  Split Croatia, Corfu, Chania or Crete, Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, Katakalon....One of the most beautiful Santorini....Gorgeous scenery!  We toured Greece on  9/29/11.

Broccoli cauliflower chicken bake

Hi everyone:

I'll be re-posting some recipes that may interest you.

I've been asking friends on my group Facebook page for their favorite recipes and have actually been trying them for a change.  You are welcome to join.  It's called We like to bake and cook group.  Many different recipes that are very family friendly.

I've been doing my blog for 7 years and thought it might be a nice change now and again.  This particular recipe is how I made it.  My friend just suggested the ingredients.  Enjoy!  It's delicious...



A quick note:  You can easily substitute canned cream of chicken soup in this recipe.  I try to avoid any canned cream soups.  Too many additives for me but those who don't have the time it's an option.


2+ cups cauliflower and broccoli florets steamed
2 boneless chicken breasts sautéed in olive oil (cut into small slices)
Butter
Salt and pepper
1/2 to 3/4 cup orzo 
1/2 cup shredded Sharp cheese (I used white cheddar)


Steam broccoli and or cauliflower. Drain and allow to cool.  I used both in this recipe.

Cook orzo a' dente in salted water.  Rinse and drain.

In a small pan place a little olive oil.  Saute chicken until almost no pink in center.  Remove from pan and cut into slices or small pieces.  Set aside.

Butter a large size baking dish.  Layer vegetables,chicken, cheese and orzo until baking dish is 3/4 full. Pour below cream sauce over and garnish with a little cheese if you want. 
Bake 350° for 20 to 30 minutes uncovered.

The cream Sauce(I doubled recipe)

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup milk (I used 1%) you can use whole milk as well.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

In a small sauce pan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour and let cook for 1-2 minutes.

Slowly stir in chicken broth, then milk. Whisk until it begins to thicken. Let it simmer for a few minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

If sauce is too thick you can always add a little more of the chicken broth to thin. 

8/15/18 

QUICK MEALS OR SIDES, IT'S UP TO YOU!

Make it an easy day while making it healthy with lots of veggies and you can add some all wheat cooked pasta or brown rice to these dishes as well.

I love to quick stir fry or just put a few ingredients together and make some tasty meals or lunches.

    I had lots of veggies in my l refrigerator and thought today was a good day to make a skillet meal and one of our favorites cabbage and noodles with onions in olive oil .  I decided to add some cooked all wheat shell pasta to the cabbage to give it more substance.

In the second easy meal  after I had sautéed the the veggies in oil  as well until the were crisp but tender I added a package of 90 second Spanish rice to the carrots,  celery,  peppers, scallions, baby spinach and sliced zucchini  for the skillet meal. 

Right before you serve add the zucchini and toss for a crispy touch. Enjoy!

  Note:  in these easy meals adding some Rotisserie chicken might be a good choice.

 

 

Enjoy! 

2013 Feb. original