Tag: #Recipes

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Hamburger Potato Casserole

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

This hamburger potato casserole recipe creates a potato crust with layers of seasoned ground beef and corn underneath a melty topping of cheese, offering a delicious twist on cottage pie. I have fond memories of classic cottage pie, a dish I’d never seen or heard of until I moved from New York City to rural Vermont. There, in the cafeteria at our tiny elementary school, I had my first taste of the savory pie alongside freshly made maple baked beans.

Unlike a classic cottage pie recipe, this hamburger and potato casserole features the layers in reverse. A crust of thinly sliced potatoes is topped with ground beef, corn, and a creamy combination of creamy celery soup, milk and cheddar. The resulting hamburger casserole with potatoes is fantastic for cozy cool-weather dinners, potluck parties and small, casual gatherings.

Ingredients for Hamburger Potato Casserole

  • Potatoes: Starchy russet potatoes are the best type of potato for a dish with a crispy ‘tater crust. Creamy all-purpose Yukon Gold potatoes also crisp up nicely. Waxy red-skinned potatoes wouldn’t be a first choice but can be used in a pinch.
  • Butter: Salted or unsalted butter works for this hamburger casserole with potatoes recipe.
  • Seasonings: Our hamburger and potato casserole recipe keeps seasonings simple with salt, black pepper and garlic powder. Check our recipe variations for ideas about how to spice up the recipe.
  • Ground beef: You can use any type of ground beef, such as lean ground sirloin or ground chuck. If you have access to freshly ground beef from a butcher’s shop or a farmers market, that will likely be the most flavorful option.
  • Frozen corn: Frozen corn preserves the deliciously sweet taste of corn year-round. However, if fresh corn happens to be in season when you make hamburger potato casserole, cut the kernels off the cob and throw them in.
  • Cream of celery soup: A casserole classic, cream of celery soup adds richness to hamburger casserole with potatoes. Not into celery? Swap in the creamy condensed soup of your choice.
  • Milk: The hamburger and potato casserole recipe calls for 2% milk, but you can use any milk you have on hand.
  • Chopped onion: We typically use white or yellow onions for this dish, but red onions are a great option to add a pop of color.
  • Cheddar cheese: Zingy cheddar cheese perks up the flavor of hamburger casserole with potatoes. If you enjoy bold cheese, don’t be afraid to go with extra-sharp cheddar.
  • Parsley: A smattering of minced parsley adds a bit of color and fresh flavor. Feel free to omit it if you don’t have any kicking around.

Taste of Home

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51 Smoothie Recipes That Will Satisfy Your Hunger

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

It’s tempting to think that making a smoothie is just throwing a bunch of ingredients into a blender. But, ask anyone who has ever had a chunky, icy or otherwise less-than-perfect sip and they’ll tell you there’s a real art to making a smoothie. Done right, smoothies boast a flavorful punch and an indulgent creaminess. Better yet, they can easily be health-ified—making them the perfect wholesome breakfast or lunch. You just need to know how to boost them with protein or other nourishing add-ins. That’s where these recipes come in.

You’ll find a myriad of options, perfect for every diet and preference (plus a few that are just downright delicious and worthy of being a midday snack or dessert). Each one is formulated to give you the perfect texture and flavor with just the push of a button. One of our favorites? You can never go wrong with a classic; strawberries and banana work together to give your drink just the right amount of sweetness and tang—and a rich, velvety consistency.

Food Network

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Shrimp Marinara

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Cue the Italian music, and prepare for a cozy night in with a shrimp marinara recipe that’s savory, satisfying and delightfully simple. Our homemade sauce for shrimp comes together in your slow cooker and tastes like you’ve been tending to it all day. The marinara is a no-fuss, tomato-based sauce with aromatics like garlic and herbs. Its bright, straightforward flavor complements the tender shrimp, which are added near the end of cooking.

As a great alternative to a heavy, red meat-based Italian gravy, shrimp marinara makes for a delicious weeknight dish or a weekend spread. Just add crusty bread and a Caesar salad. One bite, and this pasta dish will surely make your list of favorite Italian recipes.

Ingredients for Shrimp Marinara

  • Shrimp: Make sure your shrimp is fresh before you buy it. Avoid shrimp with a strong ammonia smell or shrimp that smells overly fishy. Pass on shrimp with shells that appear slimy or cloudy. Buying frozen shrimp is generally a safe bet as they are usually frozen immediately after harvesting, which preserves their fresh-from-the-sea flavor. Buy peeled and deveined shrimp to save time, or learn how to clean shrimp yourself.
  • Tomatoes: Canned Italian diced tomatoes are often steam-packed fresh and include aromatics like basil, oregano and garlic. You can even use the best San Marzano tomatoes and dice them up yourself.
  • Tomato paste: With its depth of umami flavor and thickening qualities, tomato paste adds richness to this slow-cooked sauce for shrimp.
  • Garlic: Fresh garlic is key to any great tomato sauce. Its pungent raw flavor softens after a few hours in the slow cooker, so feel free to add another clove or two if you’re a garlic lover. Make garlic prep a breeze with our hacks for peeling garlic.
  • Herbs: Parsley, oregano and basil are common herbs in Italian and Mediterranean cooking. This recipe uses a combination of fresh and dried. Fresh herbs are generally milder than their dried cousins, but you can usually use them interchangeably; our fresh-to-dried herb conversion guide can help.
  • Seasonings: Traditional marinara seasonings are very simple. This recipe is no different, as it only uses salt and pepper. For the best results, use kosher salt, which has a clean flavor, and freshly cracked black pepper.
  • Pasta: This recipe calls for easy-to-find spaghetti, but the sauce for shrimp would work over almost any pasta.
  • Parmesan cheese: The sprinkle of cheese is totally optional but highly recommended. That nutty, salty finish on warm, tomato-y sauce is the stuff dinner dreams are made of.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

18 Vintage Pies From Grandma’s Recipe Box

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Have a hankering for an old-fashioned pie just like Grandma used to make? Well, you’re in luck! Allrecipes community members have shared plenty of tried-and-true pie recipes from their grandmas’ kitchens through the years—and we’ve rounded up the very best ones right here. Whether you’re looking for a classic custard idea or a fruity favorite, you’ll find a new family tradition in this collection of grandmother-approved pie recipes.

Allrecipes

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Baked Shepherd’s Casserole

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

All my kids are grown and most are married, but they often come home for Sunday dinner, and their most requested meal is this casserole. When you get several people in the kitchen chopping, slicing and preparing, it comes together super fast—and you get to catch up on all the family happenings. —Beverly Matthews, Richland, Washington

Taste of Home

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39 Greek Recipes That Celebrate Mediterranean Cooking

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

From crispy spanakopita and juicy chicken souvlaki to flaky baklava, these authentic Greek recipes bring fresh Mediterranean flavors to your table.

My first introduction to authentic Greek food came during a late-night college craving. It was a gyro with soft pita, tender meat, crisp vegetables, cool tzatziki and a drizzle of hot sauce, and it instantly won me over. That balance of fresh, zesty and comforting tastes makes Greek recipes memorable, and our list of traditional Greek dishes celebrates these defining flavors.

This collection includes handheld street food favorites, like chicken souvlaki, lamb pitas and spanakopita, as well as hearty mains such as Greek chicken and potatoes, moussaka and kofta meatballs. These Greek cooking recipes are built on a few essentials, like the best olive oil, garlic, lemon and Mediterranean herbs and spices, such as oregano, dill and mint. Paired with tangy feta or creamy yogurt, these ingredients bring every dish to life.

Many of these dishes can also be adapted to dietary preferences. Replace grilled meat with falafel or roasted chickpeas for a vegetarian pita filling, or use vegan yogurt in sauces to keep them dairy-free. From a quick tomato feta salad to a carefully assembled dish of flaky baklava, these recipes capture the warmth and richness of the Mediterranean for a truly unforgettable Greek feast.

Taste of Home

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Philly Cheesesteak Casserole

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Nothing says comfort food like a casserole—and this Philly cheesesteak casserole recipe is definitely comfort food. With macaroni, ground beef, peppers, onions, a provolone cheese topping and a creamy sauce that holds everything together, this recipe has all the great flavors of a Philly cheesesteak transformed into one hearty make-ahead meal. Prep the bake for busy evenings when you don’t have time to linger in the kitchen, or share it with a friend who needs some home-cooked comfort food.

Philly Cheesesteak Casserole Ingredients

  • Macaroni: Elbow macaroni is the perfect pasta shape to sop up the sauce in this dish. The sauce will coat the outside and the inside of the noodles so each bite is as creamy as possible.
  • Ground beef: Use your personal preference of ground beef for this Philly steak casserole, whether it’s 70, 80 or 90% lean.
  • Peppers: Red and green peppers are the classic veggies in a cheesesteak, so we had to include them in this inspired recipe.
  • Onion: Onions are essential for this cheesesteak-inspired casserole as well, pairing perfectly with the bell peppers.
  • Butter: Although it’s not necessary to put fat in the pan to brown beef, butter gives the meat crumbles, peppers and onions some extra flavor.
  • Beef broth: A can of beef broth helps create a deep and rich flavor in the sauce. When you’re at the store, make sure you understand the difference between stock and broth to help decide which can to bring home.
  • Cream cheese: This recipe for Philly cheesesteak casserole calls for cream cheese to make the sauce extra creamy, tangy and rich.
  • Heavy whipping cream: Heavy whipping cream adds another creamy element to the sauce.
  • Garlic: Don’t skimp on fresh garlic here. Use your favorite method for mincing garlic to get the job done.
  • Seasonings: Use Italian seasoning, salt and pepper for some added flavor.
  • Provolone cheese: Slices of provolone are melted on top to create a cheesy casserole that everyone will love.

Taste of Home

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57 Big-Batch Recipes to Make When You Want to Stay In

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Need to hunker down at home? These big-batch recipes are perfect for dinner tonight and leftovers tomorrow (and maybe even the day after). Don’t worry—we’ve got big-batch sides, desserts and breakfasts, too!

Taste of Home

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Potato Chowder

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

When it comes to hearty, soul-warming dishes, few can rival a comforting bowl of potato chowder. This creamy concoction, rich with the earthy flavors of potatoes and savory bacon, is a tried-and-true classic that promises to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. Plus, the Crockpot does most of the work here, offering convenience without sacrificing flavor. Slow cookers are a game-changer for busy days, especially when you get to come home to the inviting aroma of creamy potato chowder that’s been simmering away all day.

Perfect for cozy weeknight meals or gatherings where a hungry crowd is involved (we’re looking at you, game day), this easy potato chowder recipe is a winner every time.

Ingredients for Potato Chowder

Taste Of Home Potato Chowder
Alejandro Monfort for Taste of Home
  • Potatoes: You can’t have potato chowder without potatoes, but the kind you reach for is entirely up to you. Classic chowder spuds that hold up well in liquids include waxy Yukon golds, French fingerlings and red bliss potatoes.
  • Chicken broth: Canned chicken broth will give this chowder lots of savory deep flavors, but bonus points if you make your own chicken broth or stock. You could also use veggie-based bone broth for a vegetarian chowder.
  • Cream of chicken soup: Along with the chicken broth, we used a can of undiluted, condensed cream of chicken soup to give our chowder the perfect creamy consistency.
  • Onion: Potatoes and onions are a classic chowder combo. Opt for white or yellow, finely chopped.
  • Cream cheese: The secret binder ingredient in this chowder is cream cheese, imparting a velvety, rich-as-can-be texture. You’ll need one package (8 ounces) of cream cheese, cubed and softened.
  • Bacon (optional): Is there anything better than potato chowder topped with crumbles of crispy crunchy bacon? No, we think not.
  • Chives (optional): Chopped chives add an oniony, herbaceous note to this chowder and taste great sprinkled on top with the crisped-up bacon.

Taste of Home

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52 Soups That Freeze Well

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

There’s a reason soup shows up in nearly every culture. Made with just a few humble ingredients, soup simmers away on the stovetop to become something shareable and deeply nourishing. Soups that freeze well carry that feeling even further, stepping in when you’re craving homemade goodness with a little more ease. Freezing soup means you’ll always have access to a spoonful of comfort and convenience, whether it’s a hearty beef stew or a light vegetable soup.

These freezer-friendly soups are the gifts that keep on giving, if you will. They’re designed for batch cooking and reheat beautifully, with textures and flavors that hold up after extended storage. You’ll find broth-based and blended soups that span the gamut from vegetarian soup recipes to meaty chilis and soups inspired by international recipes.

Whether you’re cooking ahead of time for a busy week or filling the best freezer containers for future comforting meals, these soups are up for the task. Simply thaw them in the fridge overnight, and all that’s left to think about is preparing the perfect sides for soup.

Taste of Home