Chicken Spaghetti

Yummy, yummy! I was cooking again and it came out so well I had to share it with you guys!!! VERY busy week at work... will have to update all y'all later!

Courtesy of the most amazing Paul Deen

Chicken Spaghetti
Makes 10 to 12 servings

2 tablespoons butter
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 (14-ounce) can chicken broth
1 (10.75-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
1 (10.75-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
1 (4.25-ounce) can chopped black olives, drained
1 (4-ounce) jar sliced mushrooms, drained
1⁄2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon salt
31⁄2 cups chopped cooked chicken
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (16-ounce) package angel hair pasta, cooked according to package directions
3⁄4 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350˚. Spray a 13x9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

In a medium skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add onion and celery; cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.

In a large bowl, combine onion mixture, broth, soups, tomatoes, olives, mushrooms, sour cream, and salt. Stir in chicken and cheese. Add pasta, tossing gently to coat. Spoon mixture into prepared baking dish.

In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over casserole. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Serve immediately.

 

I also added these breadsticks on the side... very yummy!

 

Smoky Parmesan Breadsticks:

• 1 (11 ounce) can refrigerated breadstick dough
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. On a clean, flat surface, unroll breadstick dough.
3. Separate dough into breadsticks.
4. Brush each evenly with melted butter.
5. In small bowl, combine cheese and paprika; sprinkle evenly over prepared dough.
6. Gently twist each breadstick.
7. Place on prepared baking sheet, and bake for 11-13 minutes, or until golden brown.
8. Serve immediately.

Pictures

Ok, so I know I have been promising pictures for like a whole year... hahahaha

This is just a snippet of my last year....

This is a pic from the crazy group of people that I hang out with.... Yeah, we are a very special bunch of people. We had taken over the zoo on this day.

Me and my mom at Christmas... No, we did not plan to match that day! lol

Me and my very good friend and former roommate at the happiest place on earth! We just got back a few weeks ago. Good times!

More of the crazy bunch of people.... Dolphin cruise this time!

Hope you enjoyed!

Laura Story - Blessings

Stronger by Mandisa (From the Upcoming Album "What If We Were Real")

I'm back.... :)

I apologize for the absence y'all. But paying your way through college, packing all of your possessions, moving 1200 miles, starting a new job and then meeting your new roommate and getting settled into your new place takes a little time. :)

God has been soooo good! He has provided in ways that I never could have imagined. I have learned so much from this experience. I have learned a whole lot about trust. I never thought that I had an issue with trusting God, but boy have I been tested with that! :) I have lived since December without knowing where I would get the money to do my laundry, not to mention paying a school bill, car payment, gas, health insurance or in more recent months... groceries! lol God has always provided though. Usually at the very last minute, but always on time.

I had no idea where I was going work when I graduated. In November though, I received a job offer in the mail. I said no way and actually tossed the offer in the trash. :) I received a phone call about 2 weeks later to come interview for the job. I ignored the phone call and went on with my school. (Hey I had finals!) God really started working on me to at least listen to what they had to say so I went in and heard them out, I told them that I wasn't interested but that I would pray about it over the Christmas break. Over the break God really gave me a change of heart, I told God that if they offered me a certain amount of money that I would take the job. I got back to school to have a contract waiting for my signature for $100 more a month than I had prayed for.

I have now been at my new job for 2 months. I am actually really enjoying it! It uses more of my previous work experience than my college degree, but I really don't mind. :) I am working at a school, running the Business Office. (It's actually a lot less important than it sounds... I'm the only one who works in the Business Office! hehe)

My apartment mate is another totally amazing story that only God could have coordinated, but that is a story for another day.... :) Let's just say that I think there are going to be a whole lot more recipes and crazy fun times ahead... :) So until next time, I am going to leave you with two songs that God has used to encourage me these last few months. :) Enjoy!

Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

This is for Tammy.... :) Here's the recipe! I got it from a Paula Deen magazine.

Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
Makes 6 to 8 servings

10 slices bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 lbs ground chuck
1 onion, chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
32 oz chicken broth
1 can petite diced tomatoes
1 can of Cheddar cheese soup
1/4 cup dill pickle relish
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Garnish: french-fried onions

Cook bacon until crisp, drain. Cook ground chuck, onion, and garlic until brown and crumbly. Drain well. Add chicken broth, tomatoes, soup, relish, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until heated through. Garnish with french-fried onions.

I used a little cornstarch to thicken it up a little. :)

It is very good with these hamburger bun toasts...

3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
4 hamburger buns, split
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic salt with parsley

Combine melted butter, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Spread on cut side of buns. Top with cheese. Sprinkle with garlic salt. Put under broiler until cheese is melted and buns are toasted.

Graduation!

Ta Da! I am officially graduated! I have just gotten home after a 20 hour car drive, but I wanted to get on and let everyone know that I have internet again I will be blogging again!
Also, big news on future plans! I have a job! I start in June and will be moving many miles away from my parents. I am currently packing all my belongings to head to my new place! Details to follow!