Let’s Cook! – May 22, 2025
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LINDA HOSKINS
Recently I had a few friends over for dinner, and I fixed a family favorite dish “Three Cheese Chicken Bake”. I got great reviews, and I knew they really liked the dish when they got up for second helpings. One of my friends asked for the recipe, and even though I have printed this in the past, I will run it again for you new readers and those who did not save it before. This is a test for my friend “G” that asked for the recipe, now I will know if she reads my column or not!! It is quite delicious, and can be made earlier in the day and refrigerated until ready to bake.
THREE CHEESE CHICKEN BAKE
■ 8 oz lasagna noodles
■ 1/2 cup onion, chopped
■ 1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
■ 3 Tbsp butter
■ 2 cans cream of chicken soup
■ 6 oz can sliced mushrooms, drained
■ 1/2 cup diced pimiento, drained
■ 1/3 cup milk
■ 1/2 tsp basil
■ 1 1/2 cup cottage cheese
■ 2 to 3 cups cooked, diced chicken
■ 2 cups shredded American cheese
■ 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
Cook lasagna as directed on the package. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large skillet, cook onions and green pepper in butter until tender. Remove from heat. Stir in soup, mushrooms, pimiento, milk and basil.
Layer half the noodles in a 9×13 casserole dish. Top with half of the sauce, half the cottage cheese, half the chicken and half of the American and Parmesan cheeses. Repeat the layers except for the cheeses. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes. Top with the cheeses, bake until the cheese melted, 5 to 10 minutes.
Allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before cutting.
I like to serve this with garlic bread, and a bright colored vegetable such as carrots or beets. The above recipe calls for American cheese, but I have made it with shredded mild Cheddar cheese before.
Did you know that according to the FDA, American cheese is not “real” cheese? American cheese is a mild, creamy processed cheese that is popular for its meltability. It is a processed cheese product made by blending milk, dairy fats and some other ingredients. Unlike traditional cheese, American cheese is not made directly from milk but from a combination of cheeses, usually cheddar, Colby and/or Swiss. FDA guidelines state that American cheese needs only a minimum of 51% real cheese combined with other ingredients such as milk, cream and or whey proteins.
While on the subject of cheese, real or not, let’s talk about Velveeta. This brand is not the same as American cheese. Velveeta is a “pasteurized prepared cheese product” while American cheese is a “pasteurized process cheese”. Velveeta includes ingredients not found in real cheese such as milk protein concentrate and emulsifiers. Velveeta was invented in 1918 by Emil Frey, and the name comes from its velvet-like texture.
If you have a recipe to share, please send to [email protected] or mail to Mascoutah Herald, PO Box C, Mascoutah IL 62258. Thanks and Happy Cooking!
