Slimmed-down Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

FB Source: 

Carl Barbaro

Ingredients:
1 bunch broccoli
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 medium red-skinned potato, diced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups vegetable broth
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 cup grated extra-sharp Cheddar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
One 12-ounce can fat-free evaporated milk
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 scallions, thinly sliced

Directions:

1. Separate the stems and the florets from the broccoli. Trim and discard the bottom of the broccoli stems and peel the tough outer layers. Finely chop the stems and coarsely chop the florets and set aside separately (in separate bowls).
2. Mist a large pot with nonstick cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add the broccoli stems, onions and potatoes and cook, stirring, until softened, 7 to 10 minutes.
3. Add the flour and cook, stirring, until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes.
4. Stir in the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened and the vegetables are tender, 12 to 15 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, combine the reserved florets and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover and continue to steam until the florets are bright green and crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
6. Add the entire contents of the pot with the florets to the soup along with the nutmeg. Stir to combine and remove from the heat. 
7. Stir in the Cheddar, Worcestershire and milk. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with the scallions.

Recipe adapted from http://www.foodnetwork.com/

Chicken Pot Pie Cupcakes

ORIGINAL Source: Sunny Slide Up

Ingredients:
2 cups of cooked chicken breasts diced
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup frozen mixed veggies
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 tablespoon of dried thyme
1/2 tablespoon of dried basil
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic salt
2 (10 oz) cans Pillsbury biscuits

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400.
2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, frozen veggies, cheese, herbs and spices.
3. Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin and place the Pillsbury biscuits into each cup, pressing into the bottom and up the sides.
4. Evenly spoon the pot pie mixture into each biscuit cup. Slide into the oven and bake for about 15 minutes. Check at the 12 minute mark.
5. Let rest for about 3 minutes and dig in!

Breakfast Bites

FB Source: Heather Pettit

Ingredients:

1 package of pre-shredded potatoes (refrigerated section next to the eggs)

3 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 finely chopped onion (optional)

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

 salt and pepper to taste. 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a mini muffin pan. 
2. Pour potatoes into a bowl, add the salt, garlic powder and onion, stir to combine. 
3. Pour in the egg and give it another stir, then add the cheese and mix it all up. 
4. Spoon into mini muffin tins and bake for 20 – 25 minutes or until golden brown and tops and edges begin to get crispy. 

Eat warm, or cool and freeze into individual packs and heat for about 20 seconds in the microwave. 

Breakfast is made for the whole week!

Stacie says: "Add crumbled bacon or sausage and other fun add-ins to this before you bake them. YUM!"

The Cheese Dip That Will Make You Famous!

FB Source: Donja Lewis Roberts

Ingredients:
1 8 oz. package cream cheese
2 cups grated cheddar cheese OR grated jalapeño jack
1 cup mayonnaise
1 small purple onion, diced (you can use chopped green onions as well or omit onions if you don’t like them)
◦Serve with Wheat Thins or Frito’s Scoops for dipping or evenVeggies

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a shallow baking dish (a 9″ square pan or round quiche pan will be perfect!)
2. Microwave on high for about 2 minutes or until the ingredients are melted enough to stir together.
3. Stir until combined.
4. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
5. Serve with Wheat Thins or Frito’s Scoops for dipping

I call this The Cheese Dip that will make you famous because it’s guaranteed to be the hit of the party! Serve it at your Super Bowl Party, serve it at a cocktail party, serve it anywhere and you’ll get rave reviews! It’s super easy, and you’ll have everyone asking for the recipe. Try it with jalapeño jack or chipotle seasonings if you like a kick…otherwise, stick to the cheddar.

Amy's Cheese-Ball

FB Source: John M Simmons

Ingredients:

Cheese Ball:
16 oz cream cheese
4 oz onion dip (like for potato chips)
2 cups shredded colby and monterey jack cheese combined
(you may substitute cheese of your choice)
1/2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 Tbsp A-1 steak sauce
Juice of 1/2 lemon
2 Tbsp Mrs. Dash* original salt substitute.
1 celery stalk finely chopped
1 green onion finely chopped
1/4 cup carrots finely chopped or shredded
Ritz cracker crumbs or seasoned bread crumbs.

Turkey:
small piece of red bell pepper or tomato (for turkey wattle)
Pepperidge Farms Cracker Trio

Directions:

Cheese Ball:

1. Set aside cracker crumbs. (They will be used to coat the outside of the finished cheese ball.)
2. Mix together Worcestershire sauce, A-1 and lemon juice. Combine ingredients and cream together by hand. Form into desired shape. Coat with cracker crumbs, or more shredded cheese. 

Turkey:

1. Shape your cheese ball into a turkey shape, using the picture as a guide.
2. Use cracker crumbs to coat body and use Pepperidge Farm Cracker Trio for tail feathers and wings. Use chopped nuts for the eyes, a sliver of cheese for the beak and red bell pepper or tomato for the wattle.

*For our friends outside the U.S.- Mrs. Dash is a salt free seasoning blend of herbs and spices.

Amy said I could share her cheese ball recipe with you. It's awesome. Today she made it in the shape of a turkey.

Jalapeño Popper Dip

FB Source: Tammy Smith Griffiths

Original Source: Spend with Pennies

Ingredients:
1 4 oz can diced jalapenos, well drained OR 4-6 fresh jalapenos, roasted and diced (include seeds if you like it really spicy)
1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 cup + 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
4 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1 tablespoon dried parsley

Directions:

1. In a mixer or by hand, combine cream cheese and sour cream.
2. Add cheddar cheese, 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, and diced jalapenos, mix well.
3. Spoon into 8x8 baking dish, spreading evenly.
4. Blend bread crumbs, melted butter, 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese, and dried parsley, using a fork or your fingers, until crumbly.
5. Sprinkle the buttery crumb topping evenly over the cream cheese mixture.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, or until hot and breadcrumbs are golden brown. Do not overcook.
7. Serve with bread or crackers.

Mexican Stuffed Shells

FB Source: Heather Armstrong

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
1 package taco seasoning
4 oz cream cheese
16 jumbo pasta shells
1 1/2 cups salsa
1 cup taco sauce
1 cup cheddar cheese
1 cup Monterrey jack cheese
3 green onions

Black olives, sliced

Sour cream

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. In a pan brown the ground beef; add taco seasoning and prepare according to package directions.
3. Add cream cheese, cover and simmer until cheese is melted. Stir together and mix well. Set aside and cool completely.
4. While ground beef is cooking, cook the pasta shells according to package directions; drain. Set shells out individually on cutting board or baking sheet so that they don’t stick together.
5. Pour salsa on bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Stuff each shell with 1-2 tablespoons of the meat mixture. Place shells in 9×13 pan open side up. Evenly cover shells with taco sauce. Cover dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
6. After 30 minutes, add shredded cheese and bake for 10-15 more minutes with the foil removed. Top with green onions or olives if desired. Serve with sour cream and/or more salsa!

Yield: 16 shells

Chile Rellenos Casserole

FB Source: SkinnyWrapCowgirl

Original Source: Hello-Homebody

Ingredients:
1/2 lb. ground beef
1/4 onion (chopped)
10 oz. can whole green chiles
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese
2 eggs
3/4 cups milk
1/8 cup flour
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375F.
2. Cook ground beef and onion. Drain, then add cumin, salt, and pepper. 
3. Line the bottom of your pan with whole green chiles (chop extra green chiles for later).
4. Layer meat over green chiles. 
5. Top with cheese and chopped green chiles. 
6. Whisk together eggs and milk, then add flour and mix well. Pour this mixture over dish. 
7. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes.

Serve right away while everything is hot and cheese is melted. Yum!

Stuffed Meatloaf Roll

FB Source: Terry Quinn

Ingredients:

2 pounds lean ground beef
1 cup dry bread crumbs
2 eggs beaten
1 chopped onion
1 chopped bell pepper
1 cup chopped mushrooms
1 cup chopped black olives
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon leaf oregano
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 cans crescent rolls

Directions:

1. In large bowl, combine beef, crumbs, egg, onion, salt and oregano. Stir in 1/2 tomato sauce; set aside.
2. Cut 2 pieces of waxed paper 15 inches long. Unroll crescent roll dough and don't separate. Lay end to end on top of wax paper and place second piece of wax paper on top. Now take rolling pin and roll the dough out till it's half the thickness that it was originally. Discard top sheet of waxed paper.
3. Place meat mixture in center and spread out over dough.
4. Sprinkle meat with cheese, bell pepper mushrooms and olives, and top with remaining tomato sauce. 
5. Roll up meat, jelly-roll fashion, starting at narrow end; use wax paper to help. Discard waxed paper after rolling.
6. Place seam side down in non-stick 9 x 5" loaf pan. 
7. Bake at 375 degrees F for 30 minutes. Drain off any fat that accumulates; return to oven for 30 minutes.

Crispy Southwest Chicken Wraps

FB Source: Pampered Chef with Cathy Zastoupil

Ingredients:
1 cup cooked rice, warm or at room temperature 
1 cup cooked, shredded chicken (or other leftover meat, like shredded pork or beef)
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 green onion, finely sliced (white and green parts)
1/2 red or green pepper, diced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
juice of 1 lime
1/2 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
2 cups shredded cheese (I use a combination of Monterey jack and sharp cheddar)
Sour cream (optional)
6 burrito-sized flour tortillas

Directions:

1. Mix rice together with chili powder, cumin and garlic salt. Add remaining ingredients except for cheese and sour cream. 
2. Sprinkle cheese over tortillas, leaving 1/2-inch border around edges, then arrange chicken and rice mixture down the center of each tortilla. (Optional: I like to dollop little bits of sour cream over the cheese before arranging chicken and rice mixture down the center – it makes the wraps delightfully creamy.)
3. Roll stuffed tortillas, leaving edges open and slightly flatten the wraps with the palm of your hand. 
4. Spray seam-side of the wrap lightly with cooking spray.
5. Heat a large non-stick skillet (or griddle) over medium heat for 1 minute. 
6. Arrange wraps, seam-side down, in pan or griddle and cook until golden brown and crisp, about 2-3 minutes per side. Cooking them seam-side down first helps seal the long edge so they don’t fall apart. 
7. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining wraps. Serve warm.

Yield: 6 wraps

No-Carb Stuffed Tomatoes

FB Source: Denice Duszynski

Ingredients:

4 large tomatoes
1 finely chopped white onion
1 green pepper chopped bite-size
¼ pound extra-lean ground beef
½ cup finely chopped celery
Salt/pepper to taste
parsley, chopped or dried
Cheese for topping (about 1-2tbsp each tomato) Mozzarella, Parmesan, Cheddar, etc

Directions:

1. Preheat oven at 350.
2. Cut tops off tomatoes like you would a pumpkin and save. Scoop out tomato pulp with a spoon or melon baller.
3. Combine tomato pulp, ground beef, onion, celery, green pepper, salt and pepper in a large skillet. Brown the meat, stirring frequently.
4. Fill tomato shells with the meat mixture, and sprinkle with parsley and grated or shredded cheese.
5. Put the tomato tops back on and place in a shallow baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes, cheese should be bubbly or melted. 

Chili Relleno Casserole

FB Source: Marcine Jenis

Ingredients:
2 (7 ounce) cans whole green chile peppers, drained
8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
8 ounces Longhorn or Cheddar cheese, shredded
2 eggs, beaten
1 (5 ounce) can evaporated milk
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup milk
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Lay half of the chilies evenly in bottom of baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the Jack and Cheddar cheeses, and cover with remaining chilies. In a bowl, mix together the eggs, milk, and flour, and pour over the top of the chilies.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove from oven, pour tomato sauce evenly over the top, and continue baking another 15 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining Jack and Cheddar cheeses, and serve.

I added ground turkey. Cook the turkey like you would cook meat for taco's. I placed a layer of pepper then the turkey, the Monterey Jack cheese, Peppers, cheddar then egg mixture.

If you like Chili Rellenos, This is a great recipe!

Ranch Potatoes

FB Source: Easy Recipes

Ingredients:
8 -10 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 1/4 cups milk
1 envelope ranch dressing mix
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
salt and pepper
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Directions:

1. Add the potatoes to a saucepan. Add water to cover. Bring to a boil; cook about 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are almost tender; drain.
2. Place drained potatoes into a greased 13x9 inch baking dish.
3. In a bowl, mix together the soup, milk, salad dressing mix, 1 cup cheese, salt and pepper to taste; pour over potatoes.
4. Sprinkle crumbled bacon and the remaining cheese over the top.
5. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

This was very simple to make. I did mix potatoes with main ingredients before putting them in the pan and topping with the additional cheese and bacon. I had a ton of potatoes from the garden so I made up 4 13x9 pans of them. When completely cooled in fridge, I bagged up in quart-sized freezer bags and froze the rest. We just had some last night again from the freezer and they're as good as freshly made!

Green Bean Casserole - No-Soup Method

FB Source: Teresa Bradley

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp white sugar
1/4 cup onion, diced
1 cup sour cream
3 (14.5 ounce) cans French style green beans, drained
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup crumbled buttery round crackers
1 Tbsp butter, melted

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth, and cook for one minute. Stir in the salt, sugar, onion, and sour cream. Add green beans, and stir to coat.
3. Transfer the mixture to a 2 1/2 quart casserole dish. Spread shredded cheese over the top. In a small bowl, toss together cracker crumbs and remaining butter, and sprinkle over the cheese.
4. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the top is golden and cheese is bubbly.

Green Bean casserole.... One bite and you will never go back to the "old way" of making green bean casserole ever again. No "cream of something" soup in this baby. This recipe is much better than the standard mushroom soup and French fried onion version

Fall Cheese Ball

Source: Claudette Duncan

Ingredients:

6oz cream cheese, room temp
2 cups cheddar cheese
3 Tbsp minced onion
3 Tbsp salsa
1 tsp ground cumin
2 cups nacho cheese chips, crumbled
top of 1 bell pepper for stem garnish

Directions:

1. With a mixer, combine cream cheese, cheddar, onion, salsa and cumin. Mix until creamy.
2. Scoop mixture onto plastic wrap and use wrap to form a ball and chill for at least 2 hours.
3. When ready to serve, roll ball into the crushed nacho chips and place bell pepper stem on top.

Serve with chips, vegetables or pretzels!
Enjoy!

Broccoli Patties

Source: Ty Jackson

Ingredients:
2 tsp vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic - minced
1/2 onion - chopped
1 (12 ounce) bag frozen broccoli - defrosted
3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
2 eggs - beaten
salt/pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
2. Heat the oil in a small pan over medium heat, add in the garlic and onions. Season with salt/pepper to taste. Sauté until onions are garlic are tender, set aside to cool.
3. Add the broccoli to a kitchen towel. Wrap the towel around the broccoli and squeeze out the extra moisture. Pour the drained broccoli into a large bowl.
4. To the same bowl, add the panko, the cheeses, eggs, sauteed onion and garlic, and salt/pepper to taste.
5. Mix together and form into patties, place on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Flip and bake for another 15 minutes or until browned and crispy.

Zucchini Tots

Source: Delicous, Easy, Fast & Healthy Recipes for Cooks at Home

Ingredients:
1 cup zucchini, grated
1 large egg
1/4 medium onion, diced
1/4 cup reduced sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
salt & pepper to taste
cooking spray

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray mini muffin tin with cooking spray.
2. Grate zucchini into a clean dish towel. Wring all of the excess water out of the zucchini. In a medium bowl, combine all of the ingredients and season with salt & pepper to taste.
3. Fill each muffin section to the top, pushing down on the filling with your spoon so it's nice and compacted so they don't fall apart when you take them out of the tin.
4. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes or until the tops are golden.
5. Use a plastic knife or rubber spatula around the edges of each tot to remove them from the muffin tin. Enjoy!

Nutritional Information:
Servings per recipe 3, Serving size is 4 tots, Old Points: 2 pts, Points+: 3 pts, Calories 108 per serving (4 tots) , Fat 4.3 g, Protein 6.8 g, Carb 11.5 g , Sugar 2 g, Sodium 262 mg (if you do not use salt)

Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin

Source: Heather Armstrong

Ingredients:

1 medium spaghetti squash
2 Tbsp butter
1 small yellow onion, cut in half and very thinly sliced
¼ tsp red pepper flakes, or more if you like it spicy
1 tsp fresh thyme
½ cup sour cream
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Cut the spaghetti squash in half and remove the seeds. Place in a covered dish with a ¼ inch of water and microwave for 10 -12 minutes.
2. In a medium sized skillet over medium heat, add the butter, onions, red pepper and thyme and cook until the onions are slightly brown in color. Salt and pepper to taste.
3. Using a fork, scrape the insides of the squash and transfer to a small bowl. Combine the squash, onions, sour cream and half the cheese together and mix well. Transfer the mixture to a buttered baking dish and top with remaining cheese.
4. Place into a 375º oven for 15 – 20 minutes until golden brown on top.

Tastes like Hash Brown Casserole without all the calories and carbs

Homemade Pimiento Cheese

Julie Branstetter

Ingredients:
2 Cups of Sharp Cheddar
8 oz. of softened Cream Cheese
1/2 Cup of Mayo
1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
1/4 tsp of Onion Powder
1 Jalapeno Pepper, seeded and minced (more or less to taste)
1 (4 oz.) Jar of Pimento, drained
Salt & Black Pepper (to taste)

Directions:

1. Put all the ingredients in a bowl together and mix on medium speed with a mixer until mixed together well. 
2. Keep in an airtight container in the fridge.

Tips:

• I like to mix everything together without the shredded cheese and then add the cheese shred and mix again.
• You can eat it right away or store it covered in the fridge for sandwiches or dip over the next couple of days.
• Toast a couple of slices of bread and make a warm toasted pimento cheese sandwich to go along with soup for dinner.

I'm making this to take on vacation this weekend for lunches on the beach! So good!

This is one delicious recipe; full flavored, not bland like some of the store bought pimento cheeses. Pack a few of these in zip bags the next time you pack a cooler and go to the beach or a game. You will be glad you did. You can also use this for grilled cheese sandwiches or on toasted bread sandwiches.

Julie Branstetter

Baked Potato Casserole

Jarron Remington

Ingredients:
8 medium potatoes (about 2 ½ to 3 lbs total weight, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks)
1 cup evaporated milk
½ cup light sour cream
1 tsp salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
6 slices bacon (cooked until crispy and crumbled)
sliced green onions

Directions:

1. Place the potato chunks in a large pot. Fill with enough water to cover the potatoes. Bring to a boil. Cook over medium-high heat for 15 to 20 minutes or until tender. Drain.
2. Preheat the oven to 350⁰F. Grease a 2 ½-3 quart casserole dish.
3. Return potatoes to the pot. Add evaporated milk, sour cream, salt and pepper. Beat with a hand held mixer until smooth. 
4. Stir in 1 ½ cups of cheddar cheese and half of the bacon.
5. Spoon the potato mixture into prepared casserole dish. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through.
6. Top with remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese, remaining bacon, and green onions.
7. Bake for an additional 3 minutes or until the cheese has melted.