Slow Cooker Italian Chicken

This is another great Pinterest recipe.  It's super easy and makes a delicious slow cooker meal.  I hope you enjoy!

Slow Cooker Italian Chicken

3 chicken breasts
1 8oz box cream cheese, softened
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 packet dry Italian dressing mix
Soften cream cheese.  Mix cream cheese, dressing mix, and cream of chicken soup in slow cooker.  Heat on low about 30 minutes, or until smooth.  Add chicken and cook on high 4 hours or on low for 8 hours.  Serve over rice.
Adapted from http://forkinit.blogspot.com/

Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake

I am loving Pinterest!  If you haven't checked it out and you like to cook, you should!  All of the recipes I've tried so far from there have been great.  This is another recipe from Pinterest with a few changes of my own.  Enjoy!

Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake

3 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
1 small onion, chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp minced garlic
1 8oz container chive & onion cream cheese
1 can Italian style tomatoes, drained
1 pkg frozen spinach, thawed
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp Italian seasoning
8oz rigatoni pasta
3 cups mozzarella cheese
Cook chicken.  Cook pasta according to package directions.  Place olive oil in large 9x13 baking dish.  Add chopped onions, toss in oil.  Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes.  Add 1 tsp garlic, place back in oven for 5 more minutes or until onions are soft.  Meanwhile, drain thawed spinach on paper towels.  Place onions and garlic in large bowl, add cream cheese, spinach, tomatoes, and seasoning.  Add 1 1/2 cups mozzarella in bowl.  Add in chicken and pasta, stir until well mixed.  Spoon mixture in baking dish, sprinkle evenly with remaining mozzarella.  Bake covered on 375 for 30 minutes, then uncover and continue cooking 15 minutes.  Serves 4-6.
Adapted from http://www.savingmoneylivinglife.com/

Cajun Baked Catfish

Like many other New Year's resolutions, my household is trying to be healthier this year.  That means there will be even more fish on our table.  This weekend, I ate at an Atlanta restaurant and had the best catfish I'd ever had, so I was inspired to come home and make some myself.  This is a great recipe with items that you probably already have in your pantry.

Cajun Baked Catfish

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 teaspoons garlic salt

2 teaspoons dried thyme

2 teaspoons paprika

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup bread crumbs

4 catfish filets (1 lb)

In a small bowl, combine first 7 ingredients.  Brush over one side of fish.  Sprinkle bread crumbs over the fish, pat down.  Repeat on the other side.  Place fish in a greased 9x13 baking dish, skin side down.  Bake at 450 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until fish is flaky.

Green Bean Casserole

Green Bean Casserole is such a classic dish.  This is my version of the classic recipe with just a few changes to make it the way we like it at our household. 

Green Bean Casserole

2 cans french-style green beans, drained
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp black ground pepper
1 1/3 cup french fried onions, separated
After draining green beans, mix green beans, milk, soup, and pepper.  Add 2/3 cup of french fried onions.  Pour into ungreased baking dish.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until bubbly.  Top with remaining 2/3 cup french fried onions, bake 5 more minutes until golden brown.

Mediterranean Dip

I made this dip for a Christmas party at school and it was a huge hit!  It was gone by the end of lunch and everyone was asking for the recipe.  You must try this one!

Mediterranean Dip

1 pkg cream cheese, softened

1 4oz jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped

½ cup kalamata olives, chopped

¼ cup balsamic vinaigrette

6 oz feta cheese

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

1 tsp basil

Spread cream cheese in bottom of dish.  Mix all other ingredients, spread over top of cream cheese.  Top with more fresh parsley.  Serve cold with crackers.

Tangy Pork Chop Bake

This is a good recipe that is quick and easy to put together and stick in the oven.  It makes a great, easy weeknight meal.

Tangy Pork Chop Bake

1 box Stove Top stuffing mix for Pork
4 tbsp butter
1 can whole berry cranberry sauce
3/4 cup barbecue sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
4 bone-in pork chops
In a large skillet, brown pork chops over medium heat (about 5 minutes per side).  Meanwhile, prepare stuffing mix according to package directions.  Place browned pork chops in 9x13 baking dish.  Lightly mix cranberry sauce, brown sugar, and BBQ sauce into stuffing.  Top pork chops with stuffing mix.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until pork is cooked through.  Serve with vegetables or a salad.

Hot Pimento Cheese Crab Dip

This is my variation of a Paula Deen recipe.  This pimento cheese dip would be great even without the crab if you aren't a fan of seafood, but the crab adds a nice touch.  Serve it hot with crackers.

Hot Pimento Cheese Crab Dip

1/4 cup (2 oz) brie
1/4 cup (2 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup pepper jack cheese
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 tbsp hot sauce
1/2 lb lump crab meat, chopped small
1/2 small onion, grated and drained
1/4 cup pimentos, undrained
dash of salt and pepper
In a food processor, mix cream cheese, brie, grated onion, mayonnaise, salt/pepper, and hot sauce until well blended.  Add 1/2 cup cheddar, 1/2 cup pepper jack, pimentos, and crab to food processor and mix well.  Remove from food processor and place in medium bowl, stir in rest of cheddar and pepper jack.  Place in well greased shallow baking dish (I used a pie plate).  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until hot and bubbly.  Serve with crackers.