Black Bean Salsa

This is not very Thanksgiving-y but if you're making an appetizer this is always a crowd pleaser! This Paula Deen recipe is one of my very favorites. It's made with all fresh ingredients so it tastes fantastic and the best part is that it is SUPPOSED to be made the day before!


Black Bean Salsa
Two 15 oz cans Black Beans, rinsed and drained
One 17 oz package frozen whole-kernel corn, thawed
2 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1/8 to ¼ c Chopped Fresh Cilantro
3 to 4 T Lime Juice
1 T Red Wine Vinegar
Salt and Pepper to Taste
Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a large bowl. Cover and chill overnight. Taste and add salt, pepper, or more lime juice as necessary. Serve with tortilla chips as an appetizer or with grilled chicken breast as a meal.

Pizza Spaghetti Casserole

This is another Southern Living recipe that I made last week. It was very good!


Pizza Spaghetti Casserole
Makes 1 9x13 casserole

12 ounces uncooked spaghetti
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 1-lb package mild ground pork sausage
2 ounces turkey pepperoni slices (about 30), cut in half
1 26 ounce jard tomato-and-basil pasta sauce
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 8 ounce package shredded Italian three-cheese blend

1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions in water with salt. Drain well and placed in a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish.
2. Brown sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until meat crumbles and is no longer pink. Drain and set aside. Wipe skillet clean. Add pepperoni, and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, 4 minutes or until slightly crisp.
3. Top spaghetti in baking dish with sausage; pour pasta sauce over sausage. Arrange half of pepperoni slices evenly over pasta sauce. Sprinkle evenly with cheeses. Arrange remaining half of pepperoni slices evenly over cheese. Cover with nonstick or lightly greased aluminum foil.
4. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes; remove foil, and bake 10 more minutes or until cheese is melted and just begins to brown.

Onion Topped Sausage 'n Mashed Potato Casserole

I found this recipe in a Southern Living Casserole email that I got last week and I made if for Jason last Wednesday. My version is a little different than the original Southern Living recipe because I couldn't find all of the requested ingredients in the grocery store. But the modified version was yummy and so I know the original would be too! And pretty easy and quick! It's a good fall/winter meal because it's hearty and warm. It made a full 9x13 dish so it would also be easy to split in two and freeze half. Here's my version:

Onion Topped Sausage 'n Mashed Potato Casserole


1 package sweet Sausage links (pre-cooked kind)
2 14.5 oz cans Diced Tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon dried Basil
1 teaspoon Garlic and Herb Seasoning (Mrs. Dash's)
1 pkg Steam and Mash potatoes (frozen section)
1 8 oz package Italian five cheese blend
1/4 teaspoon Dried Italian Seasoning
1 cup French Fried Onions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cut sausage into small slices. Warm slices in skillet 2-3 minutes.
3. Stir in tomatoes, basil, and Garlic and Herb Seasoning. Cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes.
Transfer sausage to a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish.
4. Meanwhile, cook potatoes in microwave as directed. Only microwave, don't mash.
5. Stir together mashed potatoes, cheese, and Italian seasoning in a large bowl. (Mixture will be dry.) Spread potato mixture over sausage mixture in baking dish.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly. Top with fried onions and bake for an additional 5 minutes.