Vickie - Simple savory meals: our favorite recipes for easy-to-prepare meals, using your favorite cuts of meat

CHAPTER ONE Chicken Minestrone Italian Salad Bowl Tegan Reeves, Auburndale, FL Dinner in a jiffy...so quick to whip up! Makes 6 servings 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 10-3/4 oz. can cream of chicken soup 8-oz. pkg. shredded Cheddar cheese, divided 1-1/4 oz. pkg. barbecue corn chips, crushed Arrange chicken in an ungreased 13"x9" baking pan; set aside. barbecue corn chips, crushed Arrange chicken in an ungreased 13"x9" baking pan; set aside.

Combine soup, one cup cheese and taco seasoning together; spread over chicken. Bake, uncovered, at 450 degrees for 45 minutes; sprinkle with corn chips and remaining cheese. Return to oven; bake until cheese melts, about 5 minutes. Dianne Young, South Jordan, UT

So yummy topped with sour cream or even salsa! Makes 8 servings 3 eggs, beaten 1 c. whipping cream 1 c. ground beef, browned 9-inch pie crust Mix eggs, cream, cheese and beef together; spread into pie crust. ground beef, browned 9-inch pie crust Mix eggs, cream, cheese and beef together; spread into pie crust.

Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes; lower oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking for 15 minutes. TIME-SAVING SHORTCUT Check your pantry for toppings that will dress up a casserole. Finely crushed potato chips, cheese crackers and stuffing mix add great flavor and crunch to top any casserole. Tamatha Knauber, Lancaster, NY

Delicious...a real all-in-one meal. Makes 6 servings 2 7-oz. ground beef 1/2 c. onion, chopped 10-oz. pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained 4-oz. can sliced mushrooms, drained 1 c. crumbled feta cheese or shredded Monterey Jack cheese 1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese 1-1/2 t. garlic powder salt and pepper to taste 2 T. butter, melted Press and flatten biscuits into the bottom and sides of a greased 11"x7" baking pan; set aside. butter, melted Press and flatten biscuits into the bottom and sides of a greased 11"x7" baking pan; set aside.

Brown beef and onion in a skillet over medium heat; drain. Combine spinach and mushrooms in a bowl; mix well. Stir in cheeses, seasonings and beef mixture. Spoon into prepared crust. Drizzle with melted butter. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, until bubbly and crust is lightly golden.

SIMPLE INGREDIENT SWAP In recipes calling for cheese, feel free to swap out most cheeses for what you have on hand. Mixing and matching cheese can add a whole new flavor to tried & true recipes. Sandy Rowe, Bellevue, OH

Any type of pasta works in this recipe...even rotini! Makes 4 servings 8-oz. pkg. fine egg noodles, cooked 2 c. beef pot roast, cooked and chopped 2 c.

Alfredo sauce 1 c. sliced mushrooms 1/4 c. dry bread crumbs Mix noodles, pot roast, Alfredo sauce and mushrooms in an ungreased 2-quart casserole dish; sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes, until crumbs are golden. Julie Davis, Columbus, OH

Jars of Alfredo sauce and artichokes make this dish an easy and delicious weeknight favorite! Makes 4 servings 16-oz. frozen grilled chicken breast strips 1 T. chicken bouillon granules 1/4 c. water 17-oz. jar Alfredo sauce 6-1/2 oz. jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained 6-oz. pkg. angel hair pasta, cooked Optional: chopped fresh parsley Place chicken strips in a slow cooker with bouillon and water. angel hair pasta, cooked Optional: chopped fresh parsley Place chicken strips in a slow cooker with bouillon and water.

Cover and cook on low setting for 2 to 3 hours. Stir in sauce and artichokes; turn slow cooker to high setting and cook an additional 30 minutes. Serve over cooked pasta; sprinkle with parsley, if desired. Jessica Wantland, Napoleon, OH

Just six ingredients, but so yummy! Jazz it up with your favorite flavor of pasta sauce...there are lots to choose from. Makes 4 servings 1 egg, beaten 3/4 c. jar pasta sauce 1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese cooked spaghetti Place egg and bread crumbs in separate shallow dishes. shredded mozzarella cheese cooked spaghetti Place egg and bread crumbs in separate shallow dishes.

Dip chicken into egg, then into bread crumbs. Arrange chicken in a greased 13"x9" baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Spoon pasta sauce over chicken and top with cheese. Bake another 15 minutes, or until chicken juices run clear. Jana Warnell, Kalispell, MT

I was always on the lookout for a good chicken pot pie...finally I found this one in a cookbook for kids. Jana Warnell, Kalispell, MT I was always on the lookout for a good chicken pot pie...finally I found this one in a cookbook for kids.

Now its a family staple! Serves 4 to 6 2 9-inch pie crusts 2 10-3/4 oz. cans cream of potato soup 2 c. cooked chicken, cubed 15-oz. can mixed vegetables, drained 2 c. shredded Cheddar cheese Line an ungreased 9" pie plate with one crust; set aside. Mix soup, chicken, vegetables and cheese together; spoon into pie crust.

Top with remaining crust; seal and flute the edges. Cut vents in the top; bake at 350 degrees for one hour. Brenda Hager, Nancy, KY

My husband really enjoys this delicious dish, and hes not a big fan of chicken. The caramelized onions give it a great flavor! Makes 4 servings 4 c. sourdough bread, cubed 6 T. grated Parmesan cheese 2 T. fresh parsley, chopped 2 sweet onions, sliced 8-oz. pkg. sliced mushrooms 10-3/4 oz. can cream of mushroom soup 1 c. white wine or buttermilk 2-1/2 c. cooked chicken, shredded 1/2 c. roasted red peppers, drained and chopped 1/2 t. salt 1/4 t. pepper Toss together bread cubes, 1/4 cup butter, cheese and parsley in a large bowl; set aside. pepper Toss together bread cubes, 1/4 cup butter, cheese and parsley in a large bowl; set aside.