Garlic Bread Spread

Here's a quick option for a garlic bread spread that is cheap and goes a long way. It sounds weird, but my in-laws now request that I make this whenever I'm in SLC.

Everything is approximate. Taste it and see what you need more of!

1 Cup mayonnaise (really and truly, it's good!)
1/4 Cup butter or margarine (just to flavor the spread like butter)
1/2 Cup parmesan cheese
2 tsp garlic powder (more or less depending on your love/hate of garlic)
1/2 tsp parsley (just for looks)

Combine all ingredients in bowl. Stir until well blended.
Spread over bread. Broil 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.


PS- I make this ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. Ryan loves it.
PPS - Thanks Aunt Mariann for the recipe!

Funeral Potatoes

Great side dish. Not for anyone on a diet!

8-10 medium potatoes (or a pkg of 'hashbrowns')
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 stick butter
2 Cups grated cheddar cheese
2 cups sour cream
2 TBS dehydrated onion
salt & pepper to taste
garlic powder to taste

Boil potatoes with the skins on. Cool and peel. (I grate them right into the bowl after everything else is mixed.)
Combine in large bowl: butter and soup. Heat in microwave until easily combined.
Add sour cream. cheese. onion & spices.
Mix together. Add grated potatoes or hashbrowns.
Put in 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 45-60 mins uncovered.

PS - I've found it turns out funny using hashbrowns, so this is the one place I take my time and do it right. It also turns out better if you refrigerate it overnight. You can add crumbled up crackers on top, but Ryan hates it so I don't.

Taco Soup

Amazing and yummy!

1 lb ground beef, browned & drained
1 quart whole tomatoes (or a couple cans of whatever you have)
2 Cups chopped celery
2 Cups sliced carrots
2 cans cream of potato soup
1 can beef bouillon
1 pkg taco seasoning mix
1 large can chili beans
1 large can kidney beans
1 small can tomato sauce

Mix and simmer for 2 hours (can even go in a crock pot).
Serve with grated cheese and crushed chips.

EZ Breakfast Casserole

I read a title of "Breakfast Casserole" and thought, I could put one of those together in a flash!


Heat oven to 400.

4 frozen hashbrown patties
4 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup ready to eat bacon crumbles or frozen sausage patties cut into pieces or cubed ham
salt & pepper to taste
some cheese for on top


Grease a 9x9 baking pan.
Put hashbrown patties in bottom of pan.
In small bowl, mix eggs, milk, salt and pepper.
Pour over hashbrowns.
Add ready to eat bacon if desired.
Top with cheese.
Bake at 400 for about 20 minutes until center is set.

(For bigger families, use a 9x13 pan, 6 frozen hashbrown patties, 6 eggs, etc)

Tuesday Night Lasagna

If anyone knows or hears me talk about Kyle's eating habits they know he is super picky and almost vegetarian. I make this lasagna a lot on Tuesday nights because Kyle loves it, and I can put it together and have it in the oven before I go to work. Super easy and maybe already common knowledge but here goes.

1 pack lasagna noodles any kind
1 container ricotta cheese
1 package Italian cheese mix (mozzarella works mix includes Parmesan)
1 big bottle prego spaghetti sauce
salt
pepper
oregano
basil

pour sauce in baking dish just enough to cover the bottom
spread ricotta on noodles and put one layer in pan
sprinkle cheese on layer
sprinkle seasonings to taste
pour sauce enough to barely cover noodles
repeat
repeat
repeat until pan is full

cover with tin foil and bake on 350 for 1 hour

I season every layer and put a lot of cheese on every layer this is super easy and tastes even better after it has cooled all the way off so you can cook it early to have for dinner.