Eating from the Pantry Challenge: Day 4

When our plans changed last minute we briefly considered going out to eat but frugality and full freezers won out. I grabbed a bag of Simply Potatoes and Jimmy Dean's Turkey Crumbles (bought on markdown for $1.22!) and made breakfast! Not only is that an easy dinner but it's usually a cheap one whether you're serving pancakes, oatmeal or eggs.

While the casserole was baking I was cleaning up around the kitchen and noticed that we had some apples that needed to be used so I made fried apples and baked a can of biscuits to go with the casserole. Note: This recipe uses Simply Potatoes Southwestern Style Hashbrowns, and while normally I would say "use what you have" this casserole is just not the same with plain hashbrowns. You might be able to doctor it up with some peppers & onions but my suggestion is to grab a pack or two of the Southwestern type next time they are on sale for $1!

Mexican Potato Sausage Casserole (adapted from this recipe)

1 bag Simply Potatoes Southwestern Style Hashbrowns
1 bag of Jimmy Dean's Turkey Crumbles (or 1 lb sausage browned & drained)
2 cups shredded cheese
1 cup milk
4 eggs

Preheat oven to 350. Layer potatoes in the bottom of a 8x8 pan; cover with half of the sausage and 3/4 of the cheese. Layer the remaining potatoes and sausage. Beat milk & eggs together; pour over potatoes.

Bake covered for 45 minutes. Top with the remaining cheese and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before eating

Fried Apples (adapted from this recipe)

5-8 Granny Smith apples, peeled & sliced

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp cinnamon

1/3 cup brown sugar

Melt butter in a skillet on med/high heat; add apples. Add nutmeg, cinnamon and brown sugar; stir. Cook for 20 minutes or until apples are tender.