Cheesy Potatoes with Smoked Sausage

     There's nothing I like better than a recipe I can mix in one bowl, pour into my dutch oven and bake.  These Cheesy Potatoes with Smoked Sausage come to us courtesy of Hillshire Farms.  In my 12 inch dutch oven they baked for a total of 45 minutes with 12 coals in a ring around the bottom of the oven with 28 briquettes spaced evenly on the lid.  If you can't find the refrigerated hash browns, use the frozen variety, just thaw before baking.  As a side dish or main course these cheesy, smoky, creamy potatoes are as good to eat as they are easy to prepare.

Cheesy Potatoes with Smoked Sausage
1 package Smoked Sausage (kielbasa)
2 cups (8 oz) shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
1 20 oz bag refrigerated OR frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
1 cup sour cream
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup butter OR margarine, melted
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

     Lightly oil or spray 12 inch dutch oven.
     Cut sausage into 1/2 inch cubes.
     Combine all ingredients except 1 cup Cheddar cheese in a large bowl.
     Spread mixture evenly in prepared oven.
     Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.
     Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup of cheese.
     Bake for 10 minutes more or until cheese has melted.
     Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
     Makes 4-6 servings.

Spread potato mixture in well oiled 12 inch dutch oven

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes adding remaining
cup of cheese during last 10 minutes of cooking time

An excellent camping recipe

Artichoke Chicken Casserole

     If you like Hellman's hot artichoke dip you are going to love this casserole from Betty Crocker.  It's ridiculously easy and sinfully delicious.  For the sake of convenience you could even make the chicken mixture at home, keep it cold in a Tupperware container then bake it at your destination.  Use low-fat ingredients if you're trying to cut the calories and if you can't find the refrigerated Alfredo sauce, use a heaping cup of the jarred variety.  In my 10 inch dutch oven, the casserole baked for 35 minutes with 10 briquettes around the base of the oven, 14 around the outside of the lid with 4 spaced evenly in the center.  Double the recipe and bake it in your 12 inch dutch oven if you're feeding a crowd.  Perfect for a ladies luncheon or a campfire feast, file this one away, it's a definite keeper.

Chicken Artichoke Casserole
1/3 cup roasted red bell pepper, from a jar, chopped
1/4 cup sliced green onions (4-5 medium )
3 cups cooked, chopped chicken
1 14 oz can artichoke hearts in water, drained and chopped
1 10 oz container refrigerated Alfredo pasta sauce
1 cup shredded refrigerated Asiago-Romano-Parmesan Italian cheese blend
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 5 oz bag cheese croutons, coarsely crushed

     Lightly oil or spray 10 inch dutch oven.
     In large bowl, combine all ingredients, except croutons.
     Spoon evenly into prepared oven.
     Top with croutons.
     Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
     Makes 4-5 servings.

Top chicken mixture with crushed, cheese flavored
salad croutons

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or
until hot and bubbly

Quite possibly my new favorite casserole