Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Jalapeños

 So excited to share this recipe on my blog!!! If you have seen me at a party this past month than you know that I probably prepared this appetizer. The flavors of seasoned cream cheese, salty bacon and spicy jalapeño peppers make this the perfect bite sized snack!!! 

To prepare stuffed jalapeños can be a little time consuming….but it is truly an easy recipe! Make sure that you have some cheap plastic gloves on your grocery list…..definitely important when you are cleaning out the jalapeños.  I usually line a large cookie sheet with aluminum foil. It helps to collect the grease during baking and makes clean up easier.  

Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Jalapeños 

25 jalapeños, sliced in 1/2; remove stem & seeds

1 package regular (mild) sausage

1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, cut into chunks

paprika

pepper

garlic powder

Italian Seasoning

1 package of bacon, cut into 1/3's

box of round toothpicks

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. While wearing plastic gloves; wash jalapeños, cut in half and remove stems/seeds….and then set aside. In a large skillet cook package of sausage until done. Turn to low heat and then stir in chunks of cream cheese and add seasoning (paprika, pepper, garlic powder & Italian seasoning) to taste.  (I usually add a few dashes of each) Remove from heat when all ingredients are blended together. Using a small spoon stuff each 1/2 of jalapeño with the cream cheese filling. Wrap 1/3 a slice of bacon around the stuffed pepper and secure with a toothpick. Continue filling and wrapping until all jalapeños are done and then place on a foil lined cookie sheet. Bake for 30 minutes or until bacon is crisp and done. Serve immediately and enjoy!!!

This delicious appetizer is worth the work!! They never last long anytime I bring them to a social gathering. It always seems to be a surprise whether I happen to buy hot or not so hot jalapeños….it just depends on the batch at the grocery store. Even the spicier jalapeños seem to be balanced out with the cream cheese and bacon. Either way these will be the hit of any party!!! 

Million Dollar Spaghetti

I've made different versions of this casserole for years now. While surfing Pinterest recently the name "Million Dollar Spaghetti" jumped out at me. One look at the list of ingredients and you can tell this is a delicious casserole perfect for serving dinner guests. It is always nice to have a great Italian casserole in your recipes files!!!

Of course I did adapt it a little to my own preference such as using Italian Sausage instead of hamburger meat. I also used an Italian Five Cheese Blend of shredded cheese instead of shredded cheddar cheese. 

Million Dollar Spaghetti

adapted from the blog Recipes We Love

1 pound Mild Italian Sausage

1 jar spaghetti sauce

1 (16 oz.) package of spaghetti

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

16 ounces cottage cheese

1/4 cup sour cream

1/2 stick butter, thinly sliced

1 (2 cup) bag of shredded Italian Cheese Blend

Cook Italian Sausage in a medium skillet until done.  Stir in spaghetti sauce with cooked sausage. In a large pot, boil spaghetti noodles according to package directions until firm; drain.  In a large bowl combine cream cheese, cottage cheese and sour cream until well blended. Layer 2 tablespoons of sliced butter in the bottom of a greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Put half of the cooked spaghetti on top of the butter slices. Spread all of the cream cheese mixture on top of the spaghetti.  Top with the remainder of the spaghetti and put the last 2 tablespoons of butter across the top. Spread the meat mixture evenly over the top of the casserole. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes and then sprinkle with 2 cups of cheese and return to the oven for another 15 minutes.  

Make sure to pin this recipe and save it in your files!!! The next time you need a casserole for friends coming over for dinner or your family is in town for a visit…..make this dish!!! It goes along well with a loaf of French bread, a crisp green salad and your choice of veggie. It also reheats perfectly for a quick meal the next day. If you want to freeze this casserole, double wrap it in heavy duty foil with the directions written on top. Thaw overnight in fridge and top with cheese the last 15 minutes of baking as directed. You could also make this recipe in two 8x8 inch pans; 1 to eat now and 1 to freeze for later. It would be a delicious meal to deliver to a new mom or a family in need. Enjoy!