Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

5 1/2 c mashed potatos (can use real or instant)
1/2 c milk
1 8oz pkg cream cheese (can use lite)
1 c sour cream (can use lite)
2 t parsley flakes
1 t garlic salt
1/4 t nutmeg
3/4 c cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 c cooked/crumbled bacon

Beat the first 7 ingredients until smooth. Pour into a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese and bacon. Cover and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. If you like your bacon extra crispy, wait and sprinkle it on the last 5-10min of baking.

Broccoli Casserole

...or another way for Kristine to use up her 9 cans of Cream of Mushroom soup!

2 cups herb seasoned croutons or stuffing, slightly crushed
3 Tbl butter, melted
2 10 oz. packages of frozen chopped broccoli (could always sub fresh)
1 cup water
1 tsp salt
4 oz shredded cheddar cheese or Velveeta
1 10.5 oz can cream of mushroom soup

Toss croutons & butter and set aside. Place broccoli, water and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil, separating pieces with a fork. Remove from heat, drain well and set aside.

Place cheese in saucepan with soup. Cook over medium heat until cheese melts, stirring frequently. Stir in broccoli. Pour into greased, shallow 1.5 quart baking dish. Sprinkle crouton mixture around edge of dish. Bake in 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until bubbly and hot.

Make Ahead Mashed Potato Casserole

These are our favorite for the holidays.

5 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
8 oz cream cheese, room temp
8 oz sour cream, room temp
1/2 cup milk, warm
1 stick butter, softened
2 tsp onion powder, or garlic powder if you prefer
Salt & Pepper to taste

Add quartered potatoes to large pot of cold water and bring to boil .Cook for 20 min or until tender. Drain and transfer to large bowl. Beat potatoes and then beat in remaining ingredients. Transfer to greased 9x13 pan.

From here you can do either:
1. bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes until lightly golden on top & serve immediately.
2. Allow to cool 1/2 hour, cover and refrigerate for later. Then bake for 45min to 1 hour at 350 degrees prior to serving. or
3. Freeze and then defrost in fridge and follow 2.

serves 10-15

Bobby Flay's Cranberry Mango Sauce

1 bag fresh cranberries
2 mangoes, diced
2 cups maple syrup
1/2 cup orange juice
salt and pepper to taste

Combine first four ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 12 minutes. Season to taste. Let cool. Serve at room temperature.

This was so delicious!!

Hungry Girl's Butternut Squash Fries

To me, these were even better than sweet potato fries!

Ingredients:
1/2 butternut squash
kosher salt
any seasoning of your choice, optional

Directions: Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees. Peel and de-seed your butternut squash. Slice it in half. Then cut it up into french fry shapes. We like to use a crinkle cutter to make authentic looking crinkle cut fries, but they'll work any way you slice 'em. Place on a cookie sheet sprayed with non-stick spray. Cover lightly with kosher salt (regular salt works, too, but we prefer kosher salt). Place tray in your pre-heated oven and bake for 40 minutes or so, flipping halfway through baking process. Fries are done when they are starting to brown on the edges and get crispy. Serve with ketchup, or however else you enjoy fries your sweet potato fries!

Make Ahead Mashed Potato Casserole

5 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
8 oz cream cheese, room temp
8 oz sour cream, room temp
1/2 cup milk, warm
1 stick butter, softened
2 tsp onion powder, or garlic powder if you prefer
Salt & Pepper to taste

Add quartered potatoes to large pot of cold water and bring to boil.Cook for 20 min or until tender. Drain and transfer to large bowl. Mash potatoes and then mix in remaining ingredients. Transfer to greased 9x13 pan.

From here you can do either: 1. bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes until lightly golden on top & serve immediately. 2. Allow to cool 1/2 hour, cover and refrigerate. Then bake for 45min to 1 hour at 350 prior to serving. or 3. Freeze and then defrost in fridge and follow 2.

serves 10-15