Cooking Method: Baking

Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole with Broccoli

This Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole with Broccoli is a family-friendly meal. I have to say, it's my new favorite casserole. The combination of chicken, bacon, pasta ranch dressing and cheese is delicious.

By Leslie Blythe

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Chipotle Orange Butter

Growing up in the '60s, my mother made canned yams that had 1 pound of butter and 1 pound of brown sugar!!!! Don't get me wrong, I loved it.

Now that I am a grownup, I prefer my sweet potatoes, less sweet and a bit spicy! This recipe for Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Chipotle Orange Butter is from Ina Garten's new cookbook called Modern Comfort Food. I love roasting sweet potatoes. There is a touch of maple syrup, orange juice and some chipotle chile in adobo sauce mixed into the butter. Orange juice brightens up the flavor. It's a winning combination. You can make the butter days ahead. 

By Leslie Blythe

Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Flatbread

I made this quick Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Flatbread last night. I used store-bought naan, but you can use any type of flatbread. You can use crumbled goat cheese, blue cheese or feta cheese and it can be made about 20 minutes ahead and then popped in the oven before serving.

By Leslie Blythe

Acorn Squash with Sausage, Peas & Onions

This Acorn Squash with Sausage, Peas & Onions is surprisingly simple, inexpensive, and delicious. It's also very versatile given that you can add anything that you have on hand, like mushrooms, broccoli. etc. This is one of our favorite dinners. My mother-in-law used to make this for us. It reminds me of her every time I make it.

By Leslie Blythe

Chicken & Stuffing Casserole

I made this Chicken & Stuffing Casserole for my Dad. It's a bit of a jump start on Thanksgiving. You can use chicken or turkey. I used chicken thighs. It's covered in stuffing and baked until it's golden brown and crunchy on top. There are no cans of condensed soup involved in this recipe. You can make it ahead and put it in the oven later in the day. Usually, you would make something like this to use up leftovers, but I threw caution to the wind and made it now. Oh, and I also made him a pumpkin pie. If only i could wear a sweater and go out for a walk through some piles of fallen leaves!  This is the one thing I truly hate about living in Los Angeles in the autumn, I feel like I've been robbed! That will change in February!

By Leslie Blythe

Baked Ziti

My daughter Grace made this classic Baked Ziti recipe. Unfortunately, I got the photo and recipe, but not the dinner invitation! Her version is vegetarian, but you could add ground beef or sausage if you want. It's kind of a freeform lasagna. It's inexpensive to make, family-friendly and doesn't require all the layering that lasagna does. I can also be made ahead to be ready to pop in the oven later in the day. It looks SO good, maybe she'll bring me some leftovers!

By Leslie Blythe

Tomato, Zucchini, Corn Tart in a Cornmeal Crust

This Tomato, Zucchini, Corn Tart in a Cornmeal Crust is the perfect thing to make if you still have a few tomatoes and zucchini left in your garden. You can actually put any herbs or vegetables you like and make it your own.

By Leslie Blythe

Creamed Corn-Stuffed Peppers with Pickled Jalapeño

This Creamed Corn-Stuffed Peppers with Pickled Jalapeño recipe is from Yotam Ottolenghi that was published in The Guardian. The creamy corn polenta stuffing is wonderfully satisfying and works really well in peppers. You can use any type of pepper that you like. Serve it with a mixed green salad for dinner tonight!

By Leslie Blythe

Bacon Wrapped Pickle and Cheese Stuffed Hot Dogs

I know this Bacon Wrapped Pickle and Cheese Stuffed Hot Dog is a tad over the top! My husband likes anything that involves pickles, so I decided to make it for him. You can grill it or cook it in the oven. If you ditch the bun you have a Keto-friendly meal.

By Leslie Blythe

Pizza Spaghetti

This Pizza Spaghetti is my new favorite casserole. If you have kids, this is a must-try. You can add your favorite toppings to the "noodle crust" to make it your own. The next day I reheated it in a cast-iron skillet for lunch. It's so good, I want to make it again, but I probably should wait at least a week!

By Leslie Blythe