Creamy Chicken Casserole, and "Homemade" Breakfast Sausage

English: Egg noodles Source: Self Copyright: None (Photo credit: Wikipedia)I love cassseroles!!  This chicken casserole recipe is simple and tastes great.  The "Homemade" Breakfast Sausage recipe come the the blog of my friend Beth.  Her blog can be found at bethsfavoriterecipes.blogspot.com.  Check it out.  She has some really good stuff.
 
  Creamy Chicken Casserole


4 cups uncooked medium wide egg noodles
4 cups cubed cooked chicken (if you are short on time, you can use a store bought rotisserie chicken)
1 package (16 ounces) frozen peas and carrots
2 cups milk
2 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) condensed cream of celery soup
2 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

Cook noodles according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Drain noodles; add to chicken mixture.
Transfer to two greased 8-inch square baking dishes. Cover and freeze one casserole for up to 3 months. Cover and bake remaining casserole at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 10-15 minutes longer or until bubbling and heated through.

To use frozen casserole: Thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Cover and microwave on high for 10-12 minutes or until heated through, stirring twice, or use conventional oven set at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until bubbly and heated through.
*Tip....Line one 8-inch square baking dish with foil or plastic wrap with the edge of the foil or wrap hanging over the sides, before adding chicken mixture. Freeze overnight. Then in the morning, lift the frozen casserole from the pan and wrap for freezing. It gives you use of the pan instead of leaving it in the freezer. When ready to reheat, place in a microwave safe dish or the same 8 inch square pan to cook in conventional oven.

"Homemade" Breakfast Sausage

1 pound roll Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage
2 cloves garlic, smashed and chopped to a paste
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh sage or 1 tablespoon dried rubbed sage
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme, or 1-1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 tablespoons canola oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine pork sausage, garlic, onion powder, sage, thyme and oil in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper./ Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Mixture can be prepared in advance and refrigerated.
Form the sausage mixture into 8 patties. Heat a large, nonstick pan over high heat and cook patties until golden brown on both sides and just cook through, about 5 minutes per side.


Enoy
The Old Guy