Old Favorite With a New Twist

One of my family's favorite comfort foods is broccoli casserole.  It's my husband's specialty and he's forever tinkering with it.  Finally, he's come up with a recipe he actually had me write down.  We hope your family enjoys it as much as we do!

By the way, it freezes beautifully, so we make really big batches to freeze servings for later!

Savory Broccoli Casserole

1 stick of Kroger's Nice & Cheesy (2 pounds)
2 cans cream of chicken soup
6 cups of cooked rice (slightly underdone)
3 cups broccoli pieces
3 boneless/skinless chicken breasts, cubed and marinated in creamy Italian dressing
3 T. butter
3 T. Watkins Chicken Soup & Gravy Mix
1 T. Watkins Garlic & Parmesan Dip Mix
1 can French's Fried Onions

Cook chicken in skillet prepared with about 1 T. olive oil.  Save drippings to add to dish.  If you do not like chunks of broccoli, blend the broccoli and chicken soup until desired texture.  Cube cheese in large casserole dish with broccoli, cream of chicken soup, and butter.  Microwave until melted.  Add chicken and dripping and mix.  Add soup mix and dip mix and stir.  Add rice and stir until it begins to thicken.  Sprinkle onions on top & bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour.

Savory Home Made Mac and Cheese

With everyone's busy lifestyle, it's easy to become reliant on fast food.  It's not necessary, especially when comfort food is so easy and quick!

Home Made Mac and Cheese

16 oz. Kroger Nice-n-Cheesy (yes, it is better than Velveeta)
8 oz. evaporated milk
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
12 oz. small shell noodles
1 teaspoon salt

Fill stock pot with water and bring to a boil.  Add noodles and salt and stir.  Cook until al dente.

While the macaroni is cooking, cut the cheese into 1" cubes.  Put the cheese, the milk, the onion powder, and nutmeg into a covered casserole and microwave for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until smooth.

When noodles are cooked, add to cheese mixture, coating evenly.  Sprinkle paprika over top.  This is ready to eat now or can be browned in the oven at 350 degrees.

For a one dish-meal, add meat (ground beef, leftover roasted meat, bacon, even franks!) and a colorful vegetable (English peas, chopped sweet peppers, carrot).   Use your imagination!