Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Casserole

A hearty casserole with nutritious ingredients is a great way to fuel your family with energy.  Plus this casserole tastes great on a cool autumn day.

When it comes to preparing dinner for my family I like to make casseroles because they will provide my family with a balanced meal and the preparation is in on pan, less mess, easy cleanup. Tonight I am making a chicken casserole that is hearty, filling and tastes great.

Ingredients needed for casserole

• 3 eight ounce chicken breast filets (pre-cooked)
• ½ pound egg noodles (pre-cooked)
• Sea salt, fresh cracked pepper
• 12-ounce jar of artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 9 ounce frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained and excess liquid removed.
• 2 garlic cloves diced
• 1 cup fresh Italian cheese, I use Kraft natural cheese, five cheese blend; mozzarella, Parmesan, provolone, Asiago and Romano
• 3 tablespoons fresh parsley minced
• 1/4 cup Mayonnaise ( I use Kraft olive oil Mayonnaise)
• ¼ cup low-fat sour cream
• ½ cup low-fat milk

*** you can substitute chicken with turkey.

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 then lightly grease a 2-quart casserole dish
2. Dice the chicken breast and put in small mixing bowl
3. Add the chopped artichoke hearts, spinach, and egg-noodle to the chicken, then mix all ingredients.
4. Next add the garlic, parsley and ½ cup of the Italian cheeses, salt, and pepper and mix into the chicken and vegetables.
5. Using a whisk mix mayonnaise, sour cream and milk together in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth. Then add cream sauce to the pasta, chicken, and vegetables and blend all ingredients.
6. Add the casserole ingredients to the baking dish. Smooth out the top so that the surface is flat. Garnish the casserole remaining Italian cheese.
7. Put in the oven and bake for 18 minutes.
8. Remove and let the casserole rest before cutting. I serve this casserole with a side salad and dinner rolls.

Here is another chicken casserole recipe that you may like.

Best Garage Sales are in Autumn

Autumn is the perfect season to go antiquing or hit the area garage sales. I know in my city we tend to shop for bargains in the spring and the autumn because summer is too hot. Normally I do not go to garage sales in the spring but autumn is a must on my to-do list. This is the time of year when you can bargain shop for autumn and Christmas decorations.

People tend to do a fall cleaning of their house and stored items and want to earn some extra cash for the holidays. I found some home décor products including a stained glass lamp at an autumn garage sale and there was nothing wrong with it. 

Here is a photo of my best buy at an autumn garage sale.

It is best to know what you are shopping for and to check out the newspaper on Wednesday and look for garage sales that offer a list of products that they are selling. Then make a list of the garage sales that you want to check out.

The night before the garage sale I will do a drive-by. If they are setting I will park get out and ask if I can take a quick look. Many times if you find something that you love you can buy it ahead of time. Otherwise, plan to go to the garage sale at the crack of dawn. In my experience, everyone has the same idea so if you want something special then it is best to get to the sale early.

Things that I look for at garage sales; vintage china, leaded glass ceiling light covers, sterling silver flatware, vintage table lamps, table linens, trivets, crystal or cut glass perfume bottles, hat boxes, vintage dolls, art deco jewelry, bag and gloves and holiday decorations and ornaments. My husband shops for vintage cameras, 1970s Peter Max posters and autumn season posters or prints, antique door knobs or knockers and antique train sets.

Going to garage sales in autumn is something my husband and I enjoy, we think of it as entertainment because it is a fun thing to do. Plus when we find something of value and it is a good price we are ecstatic.