Preparing side dishes can be time consuming. Save those precious minutes to enjoy the holidays by using refrigerated, never-frozen options like mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, baked apples and even macaroni and cheese that can be heated in the microwave and ready to serve in minutes.
Like many hosts, you are likely searching for perfection in your holiday get-togethers. With an ever-expanding guest list, each year may seem more and more difficult to pull off the perfect gathering. Make things easier and still delicious by serving ready-to-eat options like refrigerated macaroni and cheese made with real milk and cheese.
Find more ideas to make your holiday sides simply delicious at bobevansgrocery.com.
Fancy Mac
Prep time: 20 minutes. Cook time: 20 minutes. Serves: 4
Nonstick cooking spray
1 package Bob Evans Macaroni and Cheese
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 1/4 cups shredded Gouda cheese, divided
1 package Bob Evans Thick Sliced Hardwood Smoked Bacon, cooked and broken into pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 eggs, lightly beaten
Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray four ramekins with cooking spray. Heat macaroni and cheese according to package directions. Once cooked, stir in spinach, 1 cup cheese, bacon, salt and pepper. Let mixture stand 10 to 15 minutes to cool. Add eggs. Spoon evenly into ramekins. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 20 minutes, or until centers are set.
Sweet Potato Cookies
Prep time: 28 to 33 minutes. Cook time: 10 to 12 minutes. Serves: 36.
3/4 cup vegetable shortening
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 cup Bob Evans Mashed Sweet Potatoes
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 cup butter, unsalted
3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon maple extract
Chopped honey roasted pecans (optional)
Mini marshmallows (optional)
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. In large bowl, using hand mixer or paddle attachment, cream shortening and brown sugar. Add egg and sweet potatoes; mix until combined. In small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice. With mixer on low speed, slowly add flour mixture to egg mixture until well mixed. Using small cookie scoop, drop rounds onto greased baking sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool completely before frosting. In separate bowl, beat together butter, powdered sugar and maple extract until frosting is light and fluffy. Frost each cooled cookie with maple butter cream frosting. Sprinkle with pecans and mini marshmallows, if desired. Carefully toast marshmallows with culinary torch, if desired, while avoiding melting frosting.
Mini Hash Brown Casseroles
Prep time: 10 minutes. Cook time: 30 minutes. Serves: 24
1 pound Bob Evans Original Roll Sausage
4 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 package (20 ounces) Simply Potatoes Shredded Hash Browns
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup ham, cubed
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
In skillet, cook sausage according to package directions. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease two 12-cup muffin tins. In bowl, whisk eggs and milk. Add hash browns, butter, ham, black pepper and cheese; mix thoroughly. Fill muffin tins two-thirds full. Bake 27 to 30 minutes, or until toothpick or knife inserted in center comes out clean.
Substitution: For healthier alternative, substitute 1 cup All Whites liquid egg whites instead of eggs.
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
Prep time: 30 minutes. Cook time: 30 minutes. Serves: 40
2 packages Bob Evans Thick Sliced Hardwood Smoked Bacon, slices cut in half
1 package Bob Evans White Cheddar Mashed Potatoes
1 package garlic herb cheese spread
20 jalapeno peppers, halved, seeded with membranes removed
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Set bacon out to thaw to room temperature so it is pliable. In mixing bowl, use rubber spatula to combine mashed potatoes and garlic herb cheese. Stir until incorporated. Spread 1 teaspoon mashed potato mixture in each jalapeno half; level each with butter knife or spatula. Wrap each jalapeno with bacon; use three half slices for large jalapenos or two halves for smaller sizes. Be sure bacon is wrapped tightly, sealing in mashed potato mixture. In small mixing bowl, combine brown sugar and cayenne pepper. Generously sprinkle over bacon and pat gently to make it stick. Line cookie sheet with piece of parchment paper so sugar does not burn to pan. Bake until bacon reaches desired crispiness, around 25 to 35 minutes. Let peppers cool slightly before serving, about 5 minutes.
Perfect holiday potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a staple on many holiday menus, but all that peeling and mashing can take hours. This year, save time by using refrigerated, ready-to-eat mashed potatoes, such as Bob Evans Original Mashed Potatoes, which taste just like homemade.
Add your family’s special ingredient, like sage butter, and no one will know they aren’t homemade.
Microwave the mashed potatoes just before dinner or throw them in a crockpot on low and pitch the packaging so no one knows you didn’t make them ahead of time.
Buy a couple extra and store them in the fridge in case you have unexpected holiday guests.
Source: Family Features/Bob Evans
