Ham Bake

This is a fabulous dinner to make with left over Easter ham!  Personally, our family doesn't eat ham, so feel free to substiture chicken, turkey, or beef (such as roast or steak).  This is one of our kids all time favorites because of the fun wagon wheel noodles!!

1 1/2 c diced cooked ham (or any other meat of your choice)
2 Tbs chopped onion
1/8 tsp tarragon
2 Tbs butter
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 c water
2 c cooked noodles (look for Wagon Wheels noodles, otherwise, use your favorite)
1 c cooked french style greenbeans
2 Tbs fine dried bread crumbs (you can use seasoned or non, totally up to your family)
1 small minced garlic clove
Chedder Cheese

In a saucepan, brown ham & onion with tarragon in 1 Tbs butter till tender.  Stir in soup, water, cooked noodles, and green beans.
Pour into a 1 qt casserole dish. 
Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.  Stir. 
Meanwhile, lightly brown crumbs with garlic in 1 Tbs butter.  Sprinkle on casserole & bake for 5 more minutes.

***You can add 1-2 c shredded chedder cheese to soup to add richness

We triple this & use a lasagna pan for our family, the left overs, if you get any, are fantastic the next day!!

Rice & Beef Casserole

So, this is one I def. made up when I looked in the cupboards & panicked!  Turns out, its a pretty good "comfort food" for those times when a tummy could use some settling & everyone is in need of something warm & "cozy".  I like to serve it with some canned cranberry sauce that has been good & chilled.

4 cups (or more) of cooked rice
1 lb of browned ground beef
1 pkg frozen broccoli
1 2c pkg of shredded cheese
1 lg can cream of mushroom soup
1 t tarragon
1 t cayenne

mix everthing except 1c cheese together in a big bowl (or pan) then pour into a greased 13x9 (if it feels too thick, add some milk) & top w/the rest of the cheese.  Cover, toss into the oven at 375 for about 30 min, uncover & finish baking till its hot through (about 15 more minutes.