Ground Chicken Casserole

Derf's Note:

A good tasting, quick weeknight supper casserole. See variation.

• Total Time: 55 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1 (225 g) box macaroni & cheese dinner mix (Kraft dinner)
• 3 tablespoons butter or 3 tablespoons margarine , for pasta dinner
• ¼ cup milk , for pasta dinner
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium walla walla onion , chopped (sweet)
• 1 (10 ounce) can sliced mushrooms , well drained
• 1 lb ground chicken
• fresh ground pepper
• 1 (14 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
• 1 cup fresh basil leaf , rolled and chopped in strips
• breadcrumbs (optional)
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Prepare pasta dinner as directed on package, with butter or margarine and milk.
3. Place in a 2 quart casserole.
4. Heat olive oil in large frypan, add chopped onion and sliced mushrooms, sauté till onions are just turning brown, 5 minutes.
5. Add ground chicken, pepper and scramble fry with onions and mushrooms turning often until no longer pink, 5 to 8 minutes.
6. Add stewed tomatoes, simmer for 3 or 4 minutes.
7. Add chicken/tomato mixture to casserole.
8. Stir to mix with pasta.
9. Add chopped basil, turn several times to distribute through casserole.
10. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over top of casserole and bread crumbs if using.
11. Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, until bubbling around edges and Parmesan is melted and crisp.
12. VARIATION:.
13. Use chopped veggies, any that you have and a half pound of very lean hamburger.

Reviews

[Ilysse]

We loved this. I used ground turkey and Mike didn't even notice, had he, he would have complained but intead, he raved. I also used fresh mushrooms, added 2 cloves of garlic and used an Italian seasoning blend rather than just the basil. I topped with Italian bread crumbs and left off the parm cheese. Also, rather than using milk I used sour cream for the mac and cheese. I just like it better for casseroles. Wont change a thing next time, and there will be many next times. Thanks for a great recipe. Goes nicely with the classic 'wedge' salad.

[stimied]

I found this better than the macaroni one pot type meal that I usually make. The baking helps to meld the flavors. I used ground turkey instead of chicken.