Pop It In The Oven

Sometimes, "pop it in" meals are my favorite.  You make a casserole or other dish in advance, and when the time comes all you have to do is "pop in in" the oven.  I especially like doing this on days that my husband is gone.  I can out everything together, and when he gets home and ready, it's easy to just pop the meal into the oven.

It's always fun for me to "create" a new casserole recipe.  Tuesday's was exceptionally tasty, in my opinion.

First, bake two boneless skinless chicken breasts.  When they are cooked, cut them into little pieces and line the bottom of a casserole dish with them. 

While the chicken is cooking, cook a box of macaroni according to the instructions.  When the noodles are cooked and drained, add 1/5 of a box of velveta (chopped), a can of cream of  mushroom soup, and broccoli.

Stir the mixture until everything is melted and warm.  (You might add some milk if it looks like it is getting too dry.)  I also added some mushrooms, because, I LOVE mushrooms!  When it all gets mixed and melted together, it looks like this.

Then pour the macaroni mixture over the chicken.

Not all of my cheese got melted in the pan, and it still tasted ok, but it would have been better all melted and mixed in.  After watching Emeril that day (one of my new favorites) I decided to try making a bread crumb topping.  It was delicious!

Simply tear bread (I used 3 pieces) into little bitty bits.  Then mix in parmesan cheese and parsley.

Sprinkle the crumbs on top of the casserole and then bake until the crumbs start to get crispy and the middle of the casserole is hot.

Enjoy!