Easy Family Dinners

 

 

Asian Chicken & Brown Rice

Prep time: 35 minutes
Ingredients
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
½ cup purchased stir-fry sauce
¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
1 tablespoon oil
1½ cups water
1 (8-oz.) can pineapple tidbits or chunks in unsweetened juice, drained, reserving liquid
2 tablespoons honey
1½ cups uncooked instant brown rice
2 cups Green Giant Select Frozen Sugar Snap Peas

1) Brush chicken breast halves with about 1 tablespoon of the stir-fry sauce; sprinkle with pepper. Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add chicken; cook 5 to 7 minutes or until browned on both sides. Remove chicken from skillet; cover to keep warm.

2) Add water, remaining stir-fry sauce, reserved pineapple liquid and honey to skillet; mix well. Bring to a boil. Add rice. Reduce heat to medium; cover and cook 10 minutes, stirring once.

3) Arrange sugar snap peas around edge of skillet. Place chicken over rice; top with pineapple. Cover; cook over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes or until peas and rice are tender, and chicken is fork-tender and juices run clear.

4 servings

Menu
Asian Chicken & Brown Rice
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Purchase Egg Rolls
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Apples with Vanilla Yogurt
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Brownies

 

 

Smoked Sausage & Pasta Stir-Fry
Fresh zucchini, available year round, contributes color, flavor & vitamins to this pasta and sausage dish.

Prep time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
6 oz. (1½ cups) uncooked rotini (spiral pasta)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, cut into thin wedges
½ lb. cooked smoked sausage, halved lengthwise, sliced
1 (14.5-oz.) can diced tomatoes, undrained
¼ teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 oz. (½ cup) shredded mozzarella cheese

1) Cook rotini to desired doneness as directed on package. Drain.

2) Meanwhile, heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add onion; cook and stir 1 to 2 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add sausage and zucchini; mix well. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 6 to 8 minutes or until zucchini is tender.

3) Stir in tomatoes, salt and pepper. Cook 3 to 4 minutes or until thoroughly heated; stirring occasionally. Add cooked rotini; stir gently to mix. Sprinkle with cheese; cover and cook over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese is melted.

4 (1½ cup) servings.

Menu
Smoked Sausage & Pasta Stir-Fry
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Cabbage Salad
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Soft Breadsticks
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Peach Cobbler with Frozen Yogurt

 

Pork Chops with Rice and Cranberries
Sweetened dried cranberries add a lively flavor twist to this herbed pork chop skillet supper.

Prep time: 20 minutes
Ready in 45 minutes
Ingredients
4 (½-inch-thick) bone-in pork chops
¼ teaspoon dried marjoram leaves
¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
1 (4.3-oz.) pkg. long grain and wild rice mix with herbs
1 cup water
2/3 cup apple juice
¼ cup sweetened dried cranberries
1½ cups Green Giant Frozen Cut Green Beans


1) Spray 12-inch nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Heat over medium-high heat until hot. Sprinkle both sides of pork chops with marjoram and pepper. Place in skillet; brown on both sides. Remove pork chops from skillet; cove to keep warm.

2) In the same skillet, combine rice, seasoning packet from rice mix, water and apple juice; mix well. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook 25 minutes.

3) Stir in cranberries and green beans. Return to a boil. Place pork chops over mixture. Cover; cook over medium heat for 4 to 6 minutes or until pork is no longer pink and rice and beans are tender.

4 servings.

Menu
Pork Chops with Rice and Cranberries
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Baked Squash
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Snappy Ginger-Maple Cheesecake Cups

 

Beef Enchilada Casserole
Layering this beef-corn-chili mixture in a baking pan converts a Mexican favorite into a family-pleasing casserole.

Prep time:10 minutes
Ready in 55 minutes
Ingredients
1 lb. lean ground beef
1½ cups Green Giant Niblets  Frozen Corn
1 (19-oz.) or 2 (10-oz) cans Old El Paso Enchilada Sauce
1 (4.5-oz.) can Old El Paso Chopped Green Chiles
1 (6-oz.) pkg. corn tortillas, cut into ½-inch strips
2 oz. (½ cup) finely shredded Cheddar cheese


1) Heat oven to 375º F. Spray 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Brown ground beef in large nonstick skillet over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until beef is thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain. Add corn enchilada sauce and green chiles; mix well.

2) Spoon ¼ of beef mixture into sprayed baking dish. Top with 1/3 of tortilla strips. Repeat layers 2 times ending with beef mixture. Cover with foil.

3) Bake at 375º F. for 40 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with cheese. Bake an additional 5 minutes or until casserole is bubbly and cheese is melted.

Makes 6 servings.

Menu
Beef Enchilada Casserole
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Spanish Rice
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Lettuce Salad
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Strawberry Ice Cream & Sugar Cookies

 

Hamburger and Potato Casserole
Au gratin potatoes get a flavor lift from pizza sauce in this tasty, country-style mean and potato casserole

Prep time: 25 minutes
Ready in 1 hour 10 minutes
Ingredients
1 lb lean ground beef
1 (7.8-oz.) pkg. Hungry Jack Au Gratin Potatoes
1 (8-oz.) can pizza sauce
2 cups water
1 cup milk
1 (4.5-oz.) jar Green Giant Sliced Mushrooms, drained
4 oz. (1 cup) finely shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup chopped green onions


1) Heat oven to 400º F. Brown ground beef in large nonstick skillet until thoroughly cooked, stirring occasionally.

2) Meanwhile, in ungreased 12x8-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish, combine potatoes and contents of sauce packet from potatoes.

3) In medium saucepan, combine pizza sauce and water. Bring to a boil. Pour over potato mixture; mix well. Add milk, mushrooms and beef mixture; mix well.

4) Bake at 400º F. for 30 minutes. Remove from oven; stir mixture gently. Sprinkle with cheese and onions. Return to oven; bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender and cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before serving to thicken sauce. 

Makes 6 servings.

Menu
Hamburger and Potato Casserole
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Deli Italian Salad
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Frightfully Easy Ghost Cookies
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Fish Stick and Potato Casserole
You'll consider this creamy fish stick casserole the catch of the day.

Prep time: 20 minutes
Ready in 55 minutes
Ingredients
12 oz. pasteurized prepared cheese product, cut into cubes
½ cup milk
4 cups frozen hash-brown potatoes, thawed
12 frozen fish sticks



1) Heat oven to 375º F. Spray 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In large saucepan, combine cheese product and milk; cook over low heat until cheese is melted, stirring occasionally.

2) Add hash-brown potatoes and mixed vegetables; mix well. Spoon mixture into sprayed baking dish. Arrange fish sticks over top.

3) Bake at 375º F. for 25 to 35 minutes or until casserole is thoroughly heated and bubbly around edges.

4 servings

Menu
Fish Stick and Potato Casserole
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Lettuce Salad
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Bananas and Strawberries with Chocolate Sauce

 

Philly Cheese Steak Crescent Pizza
You'll consider this creamy fish stick casserole the catch of the day.

Prep time: 30 minutes

Ingredients
1 (8- oz.) can Pillsbury Refrigerated Crescent Dinner Rolls
8 oz. thinly sliced cooked roast beef (from deli)
1 tablespoon purchased Italian salad dressing
4 oz. (1 cup) shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
1 cup coarsely chopped or thinly sliced green bell pepper
1 cup coarsely chopped or thinly sliced onions
½ teaspoon beef-flavor instant bouillon



1) Heat oven to 375º F. Unroll dough in ungreased 13x9-inch pan. Press over bottom and ½ inch up sides. Firmly press perforations to seal. Wrap beef tightly in foil. Place both crescent dough and beef in oven. Bake at 375º F. for 10 minutes or until crust is light golden brown.

2) Arrange warm beef over partially baked crust. Brush with salad dressing. Sprinkle with cheese. Return to oven; bake an additional 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of crust are golden brown and cheese is melted.

3) Meanwhile, heat oil in medium skillet over medium heat until hot. Add bell pepper, onions and bouillon; cook and stir 3 to 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring frequently. Spoon cooked vegetables over melted cheese.

8 servings

4 servings

Menu
Philly Cheese Steak Crescent Pizza
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Mixed Fruit Salad
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 Chocolate Pudding

 

Chicken-Broccoli Divan Pot Pie
Soothing casserole meals homestyle pot pie in this oven-baked twist on two classics.

Prep time: 20 minutes
Ready in 55 minutes
Ingredients
1 (15-oz.) pkg. Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crusts
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into ½-inch pieces
¼ teaspoon seasoned salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 (10 3/4-oz.) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 (14-oz.) pkg. Green Giant Select Frozen 100% Broccoli Florets
4 oz. (1 cup) shredded Cheddar cheese
¼ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard



1) Heat oven to 425º F. Prepare pie crust as directed on package for two-crust pie using 9-inch pie pan.

2) Spray 12-inch skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Heat over medium-high heat until hot. Add chicken; sprinkle with seasoned salt and pepper. Cook until no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Add soup; mix well. Add broccoli; stir gently to mix. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. If necessary, break up any large pieces of broccoli with spoon. Stir in cheese, mayonnaise and mustard.

3) Spoon mixture into crust-lined pan. If desired, with leaf-shaped canape or cookie cutter, cut 4 leaves from second crust. Top pie with second crust; seal edges and flute. Brush one side of cut-out leaves with water; place leaves, water side down, on crust between holes.

4) Bake at 425º F. for 25 to 35 minutes or until crust is deep golden brown. Cover edge of crust with strips of foil after 15 minutes of baking to prevent excessive browning. Let stand 10 minutes before eating.

6 servings

Menu
Chicken-Broccoli Divan Pot Pie
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Cottage Cheese with Sliced Pears
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Chocolate Cake with Cherry Frozen Yogurt
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Candy Corn Fudge

 

French Dip Burgers
Onion soup makes a zest change of pace from ketchup as a dip for these hamburgers.

Prep time: 25 minutes

Ingredients
1 cup water
1 (1-oz.) pkg. dry onion soup mix
2 tablespoons water
1 lb. lean ground beef
8 (½-inch-thick) diagonal slices French bread



1) In small saucepan, combine 1 cup water and 2 tablespoons of the soup mix. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer while preparing burgers.

2) In medium bowl, combine 2 tablespoons water and the remaining soup mix; mix well. Add ground beef; mix well. Shape mixture into 4 oval-shaped patties, ½ inch thick. Place patties on broiler pan.

3) Broil 4 to 6 inches from heat for 10 to 13 minutes or until patties are thoroughly cooked, turning once. During last 1 to 2 minutes of broiling, place bread slices on broiler pan; broil until lightly toasted, turning once. Place each patty between 2 slices of toasted bread. Serve with hot onion broth for dipping.

4 burgers

Menu
French Dip Burgers
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Deli Potato Salad
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Fresh Vegetables with Dip
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Spider-in-the-Web Cookies

 

Open-Faced Canadian Bacon and Provolone Sandwiches

Prep time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
1 (1 lb, 1.3-oz.) can Pillsbury Grands! Refrigerated Flaky Biscuits
8 tablespoons purchased sandwich spread
8 slices Canadian bacon
2 medium tomatoes, cut into 8 slices
2 (6-oz.) pkg. (8 slices) sliced provolone cheese



1) Heat oven to 350º F. Place biscuits on ungreased cookie sheet. Press or roll each biscuit to form 4-inch round. Bake at 350º F. for 14 to 18 minutes or until light golden brown.

2) Remove biscuits from oven. Spread each warm biscuit round with sandwich spread. Top each with Canadian bacon, tomato and cheese.

3) Return to oven; bake an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until biscuits are deep golden brown and cheese is melted.

8 sandwiches

Menu
Open-Faced Canadian Bacon and Provolone Sandwiches
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Soup
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Gingerbread Cookies

 

Corny Sloppy Joe Pizzas
Not your typical sloppy Joe, this pizza version goes one better with sweet corn and a whimsical face made from cheese triangles.

Prep time: 35 minutes
Ingredients
1 (1 lb, 1.3-oz.) can Pillsbury Grands! Refrigerated Golden Corn Biscuits
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 (15 to 16-oz) can sloppy Joe sauce
1 (11-oz.) can Green Giant Niblets Whole Kernel Sweet Corn, drained
8 (¾-oz.) slices American cheese
8 small pieces (1x½-inch) green bell pepper



1) Heat oven to 375º F. Separate dough into 8 biscuits. Place on ungreased large cookie sheet; Press each to form 4½-inch round. Bake at 375º F. for 12 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown.

2) Meanwhile, brown ground beef in large non-stick skillet over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain. Add sloppy Joe sauce and corn; mix well. Simmer 3 to 5 minutes. Cut each cheese slice into 3 triangles for eyes and nose, and 1 half-moon shape for teeth for mouth.

3) Remove biscuits rounds from oven. Spoon beef mixture evenly onto biscuit rounds. Arrange cheese pieces over beef mixture to resemble jack-o'-lanterns. Place bell pepper piece on top of each to resemble stem.

4) Return to oven; bake an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

8 pizzas

Menu
Corny Sloppy Joe Pizzas
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Vegetable Sticks

 

Pasta, Veggies, Cheese and Ham
Macaroni and cheese with veggies is a tried and true favorite that also sneaks in some nutritious foods before the candy binge begins.

Prep time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
2 cups water
1½ cups uncooked small pasta (Halloween shapes, small shell pasta or elbow macaroni)
2 (10-oz.) pkg. Green Giant Frozen Broccoli, Cauliflower and Carrots in cheese Flavored Sauce
1 cup cubed cooked ham
4 oz. (1 cup) shredded Cheddar cheese



1) Bring water to a boil in medium saucepan. Add pasta; cook 8 to 10 minutes or until tender.
DO NOT DRAIN.

2) Meanwhile cook vegetables in microwave as directed on package.

3) Add vegetables with sauce, ham and cheese to pasta; cook until mixture is thoroughly heated and sauce is of desired consistency.

3 (1 1/3-cup) servings

Menu
Pasta, Veggies, Cheese and Ham
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French Rolls

 

Creamy Turkey with Mashed Potatoes and Broccoli

Prep time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
Turkey
1 lb. fresh turkey tenderloins, halved lenghtwise, cut into bite-sized strips
¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
1 (12-oz.) jar roasted turkey gravy
¼ cup milk
1 (9-oz.) pkg. Green Giant Frozen Cut Broccoli, thawed
¼ cup sour cream
Potatoes
2 cups water
3 t ablespoons margarine or butter
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup milk
2 cups Hungry Jack Mashed Potato Flakes
Paprika, if desired


1) Spray large nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Heat over medium-high heat until hot. Add turkey; sprinkle with pepper. Cook and stir until browned and no longer ink. Remove turkey from skillet; cover to keep warm.

2) Add gravy, ¼ cup milk and broccoli to skillet. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook 6 to 9 minutes or until broccoli is tender.

3) Meanwhile, prepare potatoes as directed on package using water, margarine, salt, ¾ cup milk and potato flakes.

4) Add sour cream to gravy mixture; stir until smooth. Return turkey to skillet; stir to combine. Serve turkey mixture over potatoes. Sprinkle with paprika.

4 servings

Menu
Creamy Turkey with Mashed Potatoes and Broccoli
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Crusty French Bread with Garlic Butter