Italian Sausage Stew

1 1/2 lbs Italian sausage links, casings removed
3 cups water
4 medium potatoes, cut into bite sized pieces
2 medium carrots, sliced
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 medium onion, roughly chopped
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
3 beef bouillon cubes
1 teaspoon salt

In a Dutch oven or soup pot, brown sausage over medium heat, breaking up the sausage as it cooks. Add remaining ingredients to pot. Simmer over medium heat until veggies are tender and sauce has reduced and thickened, about 30-45 minutes.

Serves 4.

Cheater Baked Beans

2 (28 oz) cans Bush's original baked beans

2/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup ketchup

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1 small onion, chopped

1/2 lb. bacon

1. Cut bacon into bite size pieces.

2. Cook bacon, drain on paper towels, set aside. Note: Don't let it get too crispy.

3. Meanwhile mix all the remaining ingredients in a 9x13 baking dish or a 3 qt casserole.

4. Add in reserved bacon, and mix again.

5. Bake uncovered for 1 hour at 350 degrees. Let stand 1/2 hour to cool prior to serving.

Tex Mex Dip

1 can (16 oz) refried beans
16 oz sour cream
1 packet of taco seasoning
1 jar picante sauce
1 package of grated cheese
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 bunch of green scallions, chopped
1 small can (4 oz) sliced black olives

Spread the refried beans in the bottom of a 13x9 glass pan. Combine the sour cream and taco seasoning, then spread over the layer of refried beans. Next, spread the picante sauce as the next layer, then just add a layer of each of the remaining ingredients, cheese, tomatoes, scallions and olives.

Cover and refrigerate.

Cheesy Potato Casserole

1 Can (10.5 oz.) condensed cream of chicken soup

2 Cups sour cream

1/2 Teaspoon salt

1/4 Teaspoon ground black pepper

2 Cups shredded cheddar cheese

1/3 Cup finely chopped onion

1 Package (30 oz.) Ore-Ida Country -Style Hash Browns, thawed, or 6 cups, thawed

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat 13x9 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together soup, sour cream, salt and pepper. Stir in cheese, onion, and hash browns until well mixed. Spoon evenly into baking dish.

3. Baked uncovered for about 45 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.