Casual gatherings are perfect for potluck
Potluck parties are a great way to have a party and keep work to a minimum. When everyone brings their favorite dish, it is a wonderful way to taste each other’s much-loved recipes. If you use a recipe with a quick prep time, you’ll be all set! Cindy Ayers, vice president of the Campbell’s Kitchen, has spent more than 30 years in the culinary world and operated her own restaurant and catering company. Cindy offers a few quick tips for hosting a successful potluck party:
•As the host, provide the main dish and beverages, and guests can supplement all the extras.
•For a menu with variety, assign every guest a type of dish to bring.
•Keep things simple by choosing a recipe that can be made with ingredients you can frequently find in your pantry and fridge.
•Quick heat-and-serve dishes are best and require little last minute fussing.
•Make sure that there are plenty of plates, cups and utensils — the non-cooks in your crowd will be happy to bring some.
•Ask your guests to each bring ten copies of their recipe to share with others at the party.
Impress your guests with these surprisingly easy, crowd-pleasing casserole recipes that require minimal prep and clean up, but taste like you spent hours in the kitchen. For more popular potluck recipes, visit www.campbellskitchen.com.
Hearty Chicken & Noodle Casserole
Makes: 4 servings
Prep: 10 minutes / Bake: 25 minutes
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
2 cups medium egg noodles, cooked and drained
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (about 2 ounces)
1. Stir soup, milk, black pepper, vegetables, chicken, noodles and Parmesan cheese in 1 1/2 -quart casserole dish.
2. Bake at 400°F 25 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir chicken mixture. Top with Cheddar cheese.
Golden Onion Chicken & Noodle Casserole: Substitute 1/2 cup crushed French fried onions for Cheddar cheese.
Hearty Chicken Casserole with a Twist: Substitute 2 cups cooked corkscrew-shaped pasta for egg noodles.
Country Chicken Casserole
Makes: 5 servings
Prep: 10 minutes / Bake: 25 minutes
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) cream of celery soup
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) cream of potato soup
1 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 cups cooked cut-up vegetables*
2 cups cubed cooked chicken or turkey
4 cups prepared herb seasoned stuffing
1. Stir soups, milk, thyme, black pepper, vegetables and chicken in 3-quart shallow baking dish. Top with stuffing.
2. Bake at 400°F 25 minutes or until stuffing is golden brown.
*Use a combination of cut green beans and sliced carrots.
Hearty Sausage & Rice Casserole
Makes: 6 servings
Prep: 30 minutes / Bake: 1 hour
1 pound bulk pork sausage
1 package (8 ounces) sliced mushrooms
2 stalks celery, coarsely chopped
(about 1 cup)
1 large red pepper, coarsely
chopped (about 1 cup)
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
(about 1 cup)
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves,
crushed
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
leaves, crushed
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) cream of
mushroom soup
1 box (6 ounces) seasoned long-grain and wild rice mix
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)
1. Cook sausage in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until sausage is well browned, stirring often. Pour off any fat.
2. Add mushrooms, celery, pepper, onion, thyme, marjoram and seasoning packet from rice blend to skillet and cook until vegetables are tender-crisp.
3. Stir sausage mixture, broth, soup, rice blend and 1/2 cup cheese in 13 x 9 x 2-inch shallow baking dish. Cover baking dish.
4. Bake at 375°F 1 hour or until rice is tender. Stir rice mixture before serving. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
Easy Substitution: For an extra-special touch, substitute 1 package (8 ounces) baby Portobello mushrooms, sliced, for sliced mushrooms.
Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
Makes: 6 servings
Prep: 20 minutes / Bake: 40 minutes
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) cream of chicken soup
1 container (8 ounces) sour cream
1 cup picante sauce
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (about 4 ounces)
10 flour tortillas (6-inch), warmed
1 medium tomato, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 green onion, sliced (about 2 tablespoons)
1. Stir soup, sour cream, picante sauce and chili powder in medium bowl.
2. Stir 1 cup picante sauce mixture, chicken and cheese in large bowl.
3. Spread about 1/4 cup chicken mixture down center of each tortilla. Roll up and place seam-side down in 3-quart shallow baking dish. Pour remaining picante sauce mixture over filled tortillas. Cover baking dish.
4. Bake at 350°F 40 minutes or until enchiladas are hot and bubbling. Top with tomato and onion.
Tip for 2 cups of chopped cooked chicken: Heat 4 cups water in 3-quart saucepan over medium heat to a boil. Add 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cubed, and cook 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Drain and chop the chicken.
All materials courtesy of Campbell’s Cooking Soups