Brussels Sprouts Gratin

About 1.5 pounds of Brussels sprouts, halved
2 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons flour
1.5 cups milk
1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup mayo
black pepper to taste

Pre-heat oven to 350
Clean, trim stems of Brussels sprouts. Cut in half and keep all of loose leaves that fall off. Fill medium stock pot half way with water, bring to boil. Add Brussels sprouts, stirring in hot water and blanch quickly for about 2 minutes or until they turn bright green. Immediately drain. Do not cook Brussels sprouts and make them soft!
In large pan melt butter, then add flour and quickly stir with whisk to combine and remove clumps. Turn off heat.
Add milk, salt, cheese, mayo and black pepper. Stir until cheese is melted.
Add Brussels sprouts and combine with cheese mixture. Pour into baking dish and bake for about 30-45 minutes or until Brussels sprouts are tender.
For extra cheese crust, sprinkle cheese on about 10 minutes before Brussels sprouts are finished.

Chicken Ranch Pasta

8 ounces penne pasta
1 Tablespoon butter
1 Tbsp flour
2 Tbsp dry ranch dressing seasoning mix
2 cups milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup cooked, chopped bacon
2 cups cooked, chopped chicken

In a large pot, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.  Meanwhile, boil chicken in water (can use broth for more flavor) until completely cooked through.  Fry bacon.  Shred both, set aside.

In same pot (while pasta is draining) melt butter. Add flour and stir. Cook flour for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk. Continue cooking until sauce thickens. Stir in ranch dressing mix and cheese. Stir until cheese melts. Add chicken, bacon and pasta. Stir to coat.

Braided Spaghetti Bread

1 Loaf Rhodes Bread Dough or 12 Rhodes Dinner Rolls, thawed to room temperature
6 oz spaghetti, cooked
1 cup thick spaghetti sauce
8 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2 –inch cubes
1 egg white
Parmesan cheese
Parsley flakes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray counter lightly with non-stick cooking spray (or use parchment paper).  Roll loaf or combined dinner rolls into a 12x16-inch rectangle. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 10-15 minutes.  Cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and let cool slightly.  Remove wrap from dough. Place spaghetti lengthwise in a 4-inch strip down the center of dough. Top with sauce and cheese cubes. (I mixed my spaghetti and sauce together and added a ½ pound of cooked Italian Sausage)  Make cuts 1 ½-inches apart on long sides of dough to within ½-inch of filling.  Begin braid by folding top and bottom strips toward filling. Then braid strips left over right, right over left. Finish by pulling last strip over and tucking under braid.  Lift braid with both hands and place on large sprayed baking sheet. (or transfer parchment paper to baking sheet). Brush with egg white and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and parsley (I added garlic powder).  Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly and slice to serve.

Crockpot Italian Chicken & Vegetables

4 boneless skinless chicken breast
1 bottle Italian dressing
1 pkg Italian seasoning
1/2 c. parmesan cheese
4-6 potatoes, peeled and wedged
1/2 bag mini carrots

Combine all ingredients in crockpot, layering vegetables over chicken.  Cook low 8-10 hours until chicken is cooked through.