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Recipe Box: Creamy Chicken Lasagna
This week we’ve been taking part in our Spring Pantry Challenge. Other than the mushrooms I actually had everything on hand to make this dinner. This lasagna recipe is a little unusual but it is delicious and very easy to make.
Creamy Chicken Lasagna
5 Tbsp butter (divided)
1 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (14.5 oz) can of diced tomatoes, drained
8 oz sliced mushrooms
½ tsp tarragon
½ tsp oregano
½ tsp basil
½ tsp sugar
1 ¼ tsp salt (divided)
2 ½ cups cooked chicken
3 Tbsp flour
2 cups half and half
½ cup dry white wine or chicken broth
3 cups shredded Swiss and/or mozzarella cheese (I used a combination)
8 oz lasagna noodles, cooked
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Heat oven to 350. Grease a 13 x 9 inch baking pan. Melt 2 Tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and the stir the onion and garlic for 3-5 minutes or until the onion is transparent. Add the tomatoes, mushrooms, tarragon, oregano, basil, sugar and ¼ tsp of the salt; simmer 4-6 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
Saute onions, garlic, mushrooms and tomatoes.
Stir in the chicken.
Melt the remaining 3 Tbsp of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and remaining 1 tsp salt; cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the half and half; cook and stir for 5-5 minutes or until slightly thickened. Stir in the wine; bring to a boil. Remove from the heat.
Spoon 1/3 of the tomato sauce into the bottom of the baking pan; cover with 1/3 of the white sauce. Top with 1 cup of the cheese; cover with ½ of the lasagna noodles. Repeat. Top with final 1/3 of the chicken sauce and the white sauce. Top with the remaining 1 cup of cheese and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese.
Bake 40-45 minutes or until heated through and light golden brown. Let stand for 15 minutes and then enjoy. Serves about 8.
Creamy Chicken Lasagna
Linked to: NotYourOrdinaryRecipes, WeekendKitchenCreations, MyTurnForUs, WeekendWonders, SimpleLivingAndEating, FoodieFriendsFriday, FoodieFriday, FridayFavorites, FoodOnFridays, JustWingingIt, WeekendPotluck, TheBestBlogRecipes, SaturdayShowAndTell, SeasonalInspiration, WeekendKitchenCreations, SweetSavorySaturday, TutusAndTeaparties, ScrumptiousSunday, ChurchSupper, TheWCFSAwardShow, HomemakerOnADime, MakeAheadMealsForBusyMoms, MixItUpMonday, SwapAndShareSunday, OurDelightfulHome, TheDedicatedHouse, TheGatheringSpot, InAndOutOfTheKitchen, RealFoodForager, LoveBakesGoodCakes, HearthAndSoulHop, TuesdaysTable, AHumbleBumble, KatheWithAnE, NaptimeCreations, TemptMyTummy, TotallyTastyTuesday, InsideBruCrew, NaturalsMothersNetwork, HungryLittleGirl, HousewifeHowTos, KellyTheKitchenKop, ThisChickCooks, WhatchaWhippedUp, WonderfulFoodWednesday, RivertonHousewivesRoundUp, SemiHomemadeMom, RaisingArrows, FrugalFollies, SevenAlive, FullPlateThursday, GooseberryPatch, HezziDsBooksAndCooks
Frugal Tips: Bargains for March
One of the best deals for today only is that the Prudent Living Market is offering FREE shipping today, March 5, only. If you’ve had your eye on something in the market today is the day to purchase!
In many parts of the country it still feels like winter. Even though it still feels like winter, home improvement centers haul out air conditioners in March and put them on sale.
Air conditioners often go on sale n March.
Other bargains to look for are winter sporting equipment and strangely enough, frozen foods. March is National Frozen Food month so plan to fill your freezer with great bargains from Birdseye and other frozen retailers.
Frozen Food Month
You can also find post-St. Patrick Day sales with items that would tickle the fancy of Irish folks on your Christmas list. Look also for green items such as tablecloths that could also work for Christmas.
You can often find deals on green tablecloths in March.
As the garage and rummage sale season gets underway, watch for “new” gifts like small appliances still in their boxes or nice items of clothing with their sales’ tags still intact. It’s amazing what you can find when you keep your eyes open.
Linked to: NaptimeCreations, FrugalTuesdayTip, TheThriftyHome, WeAreThatFamily, TheNYMelroseFamily, ALifeInBalance, SevenAlive
Recipe Box: Squash, Sausage, Apple and Onion Casserole with Cheese
We have good friends that live in North Carolina. As you might imagine we don’t see them very often but we have a wonderful time when we do get together. One thing we love about their friendship is that they love good food as much as we do. During one of our recipe exchanges they were gracious enough to share this delicious recipe with us.
I still have a few winter squash that need to be used to I used up a couple and made this for dinner. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
Butternut Squash
Butternut Squash, Sausage, Apple and Onion Casserole with Goat Cheese
2 to 2.5 pounds of butternut or acorn squash
8 ounces breakfast sausage
1 medium onion, diced
1 medium apple, diced
1 ½ Tbsp minced sage
¼tsp nutmeg
1 tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
2 ounces goat cheese (or your favorite crumbly white cheese such as feta, a mild blue or even a gouda, gruyere or parmesan)
Peel, cube, seed and roast squash in 425 oven till lightly browned–usually 40 minutes.
Peel, seed and dice squash.
Meanwhile, fry up sausage, breaking up. Once done, remove sausage, leaving 1 T of fat in frying pan. Add diced onions and apples.
Chopped onion and apple.
Cook 8 minutes till translucent. Add sausage and mix in sage, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Add cooked squash and toss to combine. 
Ready for the oven!
Put in 9×9 baking pan, top with crumbled cheese and bake 15 to 20 minutes @ 375 degrees.
Squash and Sausage Ready To Enjoy!
Linked to: NotYOurOrdinaryRecipe, FoodieFriendsFriday, SimplySweetHome, FoodieFriday, WeekendPotluck, FoodOnFridays, JustWingingIt, MyTurnforUs, NoOrdinaryHomestead, CheeriosAndLattes, CrumbsAndChaos, RattlebridgeFarm, IAmAddictedToRecipes, ChurchSupper, MakeAheadMealsForBusyMoms, FrugalFollies, DelightfullyDowling, FlourMeWithLove, CountrifiedHicks, NaptimeCreations, HearthAndSoulHop, BlessedWithGrace, InsideBruCrewLife, RealFoodForager, TheGatheringSpot, LoveBakesGoodCakes, TuesdaysTable, AtHomeTake2, HungryLittleGirl, NaturalMothersNetwork, SemiHomemadeMom, KellyTheKitchenKop, ThisChickCooks, HousewivesofRiverton, DJsSugarShack, GastronomicalSovereignty, MizHelensCountryCottage, AGlimpseInside, LifeAsMom, LiveRenewed, SimpleLivesThursday
Frugal Tips: Bargains for February
February sales include post-Valentine’s Day deals. Look for items such as red candles, pillows, and decorative items that can double as Christmas items.
Look for sales on red candles this month.
Red and white tissue paper wraps Christmas gifts too. Look also for winter clothing sales as retailers clear out old stock to gear up for spring. You can always buy a size or two larger for your children and be ready for next winter!
President’s Day is the cue for furniture retailers to offer blow-out bargains, especially on upholstered furniture. Watch for jewelry sales in honor of Valentine’s Day, and don’t be afraid to negotiate even the sale price on jewelry!
Watch for jewelry sales in honor of Valentine’s Day.
Be aware of what goes on sale each month and plan accordingly. You can save yourself a lot of money this way.
Be aware of the sales and save money!
Linked to: LearningTheFrugalLife, TALU Tuesday, CountrifiedHicks, TheThriftyHome, ThriftyThursday
Frugal Tips: Heading Toward Financial Disaster?
There is a very slim line between financial solvency and financial distress. You might not realize you are on the wrong side until it is too late! It is often easier to not think about you financial picture and just live day to day.
Are you saving or spending?
However the sooner you realize you are in trouble the better chance you’ll have of getting out of that situation. Here are some questions to ask yourself.
Are you constantly paying late fees or juggling your monthly bills by paying just enough to keep things going but never paying your balances on time and in full? Perhaps you are basing your plans for a secure future financially by counting on a future windfall, such as a large inheritance, a winning lottery ticket or a large tax refund. If you are thinking this way you are heading for a fall!
Are you counting on a winning lottery ticket?
How many credit cards do you have in your wallet? Credit cards are a convenient way to make purchases without having to carry cash. It is possible to be a savvy consumer and use credit cards to your advantage, earning reward points for purchases you make. If your credit card debt is constantly rising you should make it a priority to pay off your cards and get rid of them! Carry only one, which you only use for emergencies.
Credit Cards
Do you find yourself fighting with your spouse over your finances? If this is a constant practice you need to take a look at your income, perhaps there is just not enough disposable income to finance the family’s spending. If you can’t sleep at night perhaps it is time to seek a free, nonprofit credit counseling service.
There are many opportunities for free credit counseling.
Overdraft fees are similar to late charges. If you are constantly incurring fees for overdrawing your checking account this is another red flag that you may be heading toward financial disaster!
How is your savings rate? Think of your saving account as an expense and should be budgeted for just like any other household expense. It may be hard to save but not saving can put you at risk for financial hardship. You need to set aside money for unexpected emergencies and for your future retirement
Saving or spending?
If you do have a retirement fund are you covering your expenses with your retirement savings? This is not only a warning sign that you are living beyond your means but it could have severe consequences for your retirement.
Don’t use your home equity like a piggy bank! It used to be that you could count on your home gaining in value every year. This is no longer the case and your goal should be to pay off your mortgage, not to take on a home equity loan.
If any of these signs are speaking to you take a hard look at your finances and see where you can cut back so that you are living within your means. There are many free, nonprofit credit counseling services out there to help you. You can search for a free or low-cost counseling provider in your area by visiting the National Foundation for Credit Counselingwebsite or by calling (800) 338-2227.
Take a look at your finances now to be prepared for your retirement later!
Linked to: LearningTheFrugalLife , TheThriftyHome, WeAreThatFamily, AdornedFromAbove, TheWelcomingHome, FrugallySustainable, ThriftyThursday, LittleHouseInTheSuburbs
Keurig Giveaway
Seeing Double! Keurig Vue V700 Event
Hosted by Mom To Bed by 8 and Donna’s Deals and More
Brew with a Vue. Keurig has done it again with an entirely new brewing system that gives you more of the tasty beverages you love, exactly the way you want them. Now, you can decide how strong you want your coffee to taste and how hot, no matter how big or small your cup is! From creamy hot chocolate to delicious iced teas and frothy cafe beverages, the Keurig Vue V700 delivers the size, strength, and consistency you love, with every single-serving.
Still deliciously simple. At just the touch of a button, Keurig’s revolutionary Custom Brew Technology adjusts water pressure, timing, and airflow to deliver the perfect cup of coffee or tea every time. You’ll love the Vue’s quiet operation and shortened steep time, as it whips up cafe-quality treats in a matter of minutes. Plus, there’s no grinding beans, measuring, or cleanup needed–just add water and enjoy.
Countertop coffee shop. With the Keurig Vue system, you get the single-serve brewer with interactive touchscreen display, 66 Vue packs and a water filtration kit. And, for your convenience, it comes with two 16-oz iced coffee tumblers to get you started right out of the box.
Well, if that isn’t the pot calling the Keurig fabulous!
- Includes Keurig V700 Vue Brewer, 10 Variety Vue packs, 12 travel-sized Breakfast Vue packs, 12 Vue House Blend Vue packs, 16 Donut Shop Vue packs, 16 Celestial Iced Tea Vue packs, two 16-oz tumblers, and a water filter kit
- Variety pack includes one each of Gloria Jean Hazelnut Coffee, Timothy’s Decaf, Tully’s French Roast, Celestial Seasoning Southern Sweet Tea, Green Mountain Breakfast Blend travel-sized, Celestial Seasoning Sleepytime, Barista Prima Italian Roast, Cafe Escape Milk Chocolate, GMC Nantucket Blend, and Donut Shop
- Tumblers: plastic/acrylic construction
- Colored touchscreen user interface
- Eight brew sizes: 4 oz, 6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz, 12 oz, 14 oz, 16 oz, and 18 oz
- 74-oz water reservoir
- Brew coffee from 187F to 197F
- Strength selection for stronger flavor
- Removable drip tray with adjustable plate
- Vue packs are #5 recyclable plastic
One winner will receive a Keurig Vue V700 + V-Cups!
Giveaway ends February 7th at 11:59pm, open to US & Canada, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!
Special thank you to our co-hosts: Penny Auctions Canada, Homeschooling Mom 4 Two, Simply Sherryl, The Dragyn’s Lair, Spend With Pennies, Sparkles and a Stove, Freebie Spot, The Frugal Batavian, Cherished Handmade Treasures, Just Davey and Me, My Four Littles and Funny Postpartum Lady!
Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. On The Home Front is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. Please contact Mom Powered Media with questions or to see your business or blog featured on the next big event!
