This week I have decided to prepare for you a few recipes that are tried and true favorites in my family and have been for years and years. I would classify them as very super southern. The first recipe is a delightful take on mashed potatoes. This mashed potato “casserole” is simple to prepare, and it complements grilled pork chops, grilled chicken or grilled steak very well. Also, an interesting casserole that is easy to prepare is Sloppy Joe’s Casserole. This casserole takes less than one hour to prepare and is a great way to begin the tiring work week ahead. And if you have the time, prepare the recipe for cookie bars that I have provided you this week. You’ll love these. I’m sure of it. Enjoy, readers!
Mama’s Mashed Potato Casserole
Note: My family likes to make this dish when enjoying grilled pork chops or grilled steak. It is very delicious, and you almost cannot tell it’s “from a package”.
2 pkg. (4 oz. each) mashed potatoes (Idahoan Buttery Homestyle)
1 stick butter
2 cups water
2 cups whole milk
1 cup sour cream
1 pkg. dry Ranch seasoning mix
8 oz. grated mild cheddar cheese
Bring butter, water and milk to a rolling boil. Then add two packages of potatoes. Stir quickly. They will become very thick. Then add 8 oz. sour cream and the Ranch mix. Stir well. Pour into an 8x8 casserole dish. Top with grated cheese. Bake at 350 for about 20-25 min., or until cheese is bubbly. Serve with your favorite grilled meats.
Sloppy Joe’s Casserole
Note: This is the best casserole in the world! It’s so easy to prepare on a busy weeknight for the kids and for all the family! This is one of my favorites!
1 lb. ground beef
1 can Manwich sloppy joe sauce
Half tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
8 oz. Velveeta cheese, grated
2 pkgs. Pillsbury crescent roll seamless dough sheets
Half stick butter, melted
Cook ground beef, and drain very well. Add sloppy joe sauce, brown sugar, and salt. Heat through. Set aside. In a 13×9 casserole dish that has been greased, press down one sheet of the crescent dough to fit the surface of the dish. Then spread the beef mixture evenly on top of this. Sprinkle cheese on top of the meat mixture. Then cover all of this with the second sheet of crescent dough. Pour melted butter evenly over the sheet of dough. Bake covered with foil at 350 for about 40 min, or until the crust on top is completely done, and it is lightly golden brown. If the middle is not done, you will want to cook a little longer. Ovens may vary. Serve with a nice salad and some hot buttered rolls, and you have a wonderful and simple supper.
C.J.’s Cookie Dough Bars
Note: I used to make these for my students all the time at school, and they loved them.
Kids love these, and they would certainly love these after a good home-cooked supper! Try them out!
1 regular roll Pillsbury refrigerated peanut butter cookie dough
1 regular roll Pillsbury refrigerated sugar cookie dough
Miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups
On a large lightly sprayed cookie sheet, press the peanut butter dough to fit the size of the cookie sheet. Then on top of the pb dough, press the sugar cookie dough. Then press miniature pb cups all over the top of the dough. Space each mini Reese’s cup about an inch apart. Cover the entire surface. Bake at 350 for about 20-25 min, or until the dough is very lightly browned on the sides. Cut into bars. Make sure not to overcook and burn the bars. You want them to be done, but somewhat soft—not hard and crunchy.
Editor’s note: Brock W. Rogers is an award-winning southern food writer and has been writing about many topics for over thirty years. He is also a long-time educator, overseas traveler, human rights activist, and organist. E-mail comments at
brockrogers1@gmail.com
