Mexican Cornbread Casserole

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• Mexican Cornbread Casserole - copykat.com

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 package taco seasoning mix
• 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning (I suggest Beazell's Cajun seasoning)
• 2 boxes Jiffy corn muffin mix
• 1 can cream-style corn
• 1 can sweet corn, drained
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 3 tbs chopped green chiles (about 1/2 of a 4 oz can)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray.  Brown ground beef; drain fat.  Stir in taco seasoning and Cajun seasoning.

Mix the corn muffin batter as stated on the package directions.  Stir in half of the cream-style corn and half of the regular corn.

Spread half of the batter in the baking pan. Top with the meat. Mix the remaining cream-style corn and corn kernels and spread that over the meat. Sprinkle with half of the cheese, then the green chiles. Spread the remaining batter on top, and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the cornbread is baked through. Let sit for about 5 minutes, then cut into squares to serve.

Skinny Baked Mozzarella Sticks

Skinny Baked Mozzarella Sticks - adapted from Skinny Taste

12 sticks part-skim, reduced sodium mozzarella string cheese (Sargento)
1 large egg, beaten
1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 tsp Cajun seasoning
1 tbsp dried parsley
cooking spray


Cut cheese in half to give you 24 pieces. Place cheese in the freezer until cheese is frozen.  In small bowl, whisk the egg. Place the flour on another small dish. In separate bowl, combine bread crumbs, panko, Cajun seasoning, and dried parsley.

Dip the frozen sticks in flour, shaking off excess, then into the egg, then coat with the crumbs.  Repeat this process with the remaining cheese placing them on a tray with wax paper. Place cheese back into the freezer until ready to bake (this is a must or they will melt before the crumbs get golden).

When ready to bake preheat oven to 400° F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray with cooking spray.

Place frozen cheese sticks on baking sheet. Spray the tops of the mozzarella sticks with a little more cooking spray and bake in the bottom third of your oven until crisp, about 3 to 4 minutes. Turn and bake an additional 3 - 4 minutes watching them closely so they don't melt.

Makes 24 pieces.

Meatball Sliders

Meatball Sliders

Meatballs:
1 lb ground turkey
1 tsp Beazell's Cajun seasoning
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Sauce:
1 can tomato sauce
3 tbs brown sugar
1 tbs sugar
1 tsp Italian seasoning


12 Hawaiian rolls
sliced Swiss cheese
3 tbs light butter
1 tsp worcestershire sauce

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Combine all ingredients for meatballs. Mix well. Form into approximately 24 to 30 small meatballs and place in a baking pan sprayed with cooking spray.  Bake for 15 minutes, or until cooked through.

Meanwhile, combine ingredients for sauce in a large pot over medium heat. Reduce to low and simmer.  When meatballs are cooked through, add them to the pot.  Simmer the sauce and meatballs together for 30 minutes.

Melt butter in a microwave-proof dish in the microwave.  Stir in worcestershire sauce and set aside.  Cut each Hawaiian roll open and spoon a few meatballs onto each.  Top with half a slice of Swiss cheese and top half of roll.  Place in a 9" x 9" baking dish.  Brush tops of rolls with butter mixture.  Bake for 15 - 20 minutes at 350 degrees, until tops are brown and crispy.

Can't Leave 'Em Alone Bars

Can't Leave 'Em Alone Bars - Tasty Kitchen

1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
¼ cups Butter
1 can (14 Oz. Can) Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 box (18 Oz. Box) Chocolate Cake Mix
⅓ cups Vegetable Oil
2 whole Eggs

Microwave chocolate chips, butter and condensed milk in 1-minute increments, stirring after each one until smooth.

In a mixing bowl, stir together cake mix, oil and eggs. Put 2/3 of the cake mix dough in a 9×13 pan and press evenly over the bottom and slightly up the sides.

Pour the melted chocolate chip mixture evenly over the dough. Drop and press down the remaining 1/3 dough in clumps over the top.  Bake 20–25 minutes at 350ºF.

Fun Food for Kids

These are some super easy and fun kids lunches that I've made for my 4 year old daughter.  She is always willing to try new food if I make it fun.  

Oreo Brownies with Cookies and Cream Icing

Oreo Brownies with Cookies and Cream Icing - food.com

1/2 cup butter, melted 
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup crushed Oreos
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8" square pan or line with foil.  In a medium bowl, combine melted butter and cocoa; stir until cocoa is dissolved.  Add sugar and mix well.

Add eggs one at a time and stir until well combined.  Stir in vanilla, flour, and salt, until you no longer see flour.  Do not overmix.  Fold in chocolate chips and Oreos.


Spread in pan and bake for approximately 25 minutes.  Do not over bake. Cool completely.


Cookies and Cream Icing

3 oz cream cheese, softened
2 tbs butter, softened
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 - 3 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup crushed Oreos

Place cream cheese and butter in a bowl and mix on medium until fluffy, about 1 minute.  Add vanilla extract and powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, until icing reaches desired consistency.  Fold in Oreos.  Ice brownies.

Freezer Meals

All of these recipes can be made ahead and frozen.  These are great recipes to bring to a new mom, or to stock your freezer before welcoming a new baby.  If you really want to save time, double the recipe when you cook dinner and freeze half to eat later.  Enjoy! 

 

BBQ Turkey Meatballs

Whole Wheat Calzones

Venison Turkey Chili

Enchilada Casserole

Whole Wheat Pizza Dough

Tortilla Soup

Lasagna

Stuffed Shells

Sloppy Joes

Homemade Hot Pockets

Breakfast Burritos

Chicken Packets