Loaded Baked Potato Casserole

I wouldn't wish the current Black Hills Bug on anyone! It's been making its way through the community, including our house.

I'm feeling better now, but for a few days last week I was ready to strangle anyone who dared to mention food. So our family - those who could eat - survived on peanut butter sandwiches, scrambled eggs and ramen noodles.

But even after the bug had run its course, none of us were willing to entertain the thought of  exotic meals like pizza or spaghetti. What we needed was comfort food!

That's when this dish came to mind -

Loaded Baked Potato Casserole

ingredients:

6-8 russet potatoes
2 Tablespoons finely minced onion
8-12 ounces frozen broccoli, thawed
3 cups cooked chicken (I used canned, but any style will do)
6 slices thick cut bacon or 8 slices regular bacon
1/2 cup sour cream
1 Tablespoon parsley flakes
2 Tablespoons butter
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Cook the bacon until crisp and chop or break into pieces. I baked mine in the oven.

Peel the potatoes and cut each one into 6-8 pieces. Boil in water for about 15-20 minutes.

Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them and put them in a large bowl with the butter and sour cream. Mash them slightly, or until the consistency of lumpy mashed potatoes. Add the rest of the ingredients (reserving 1/2 cup of the cheese) and mix well.

Transfer the mixture to your crock pot or a greased casserole dish. You can also bake it in individual ramekins. Top with the remaining cheese.

I cooked mine in the crock pot on low for 5 hours.

Or if you aren't using your crock pot, bake it in the oven at 350° for 20-25 minutes for the casserole, 15 minutes or so for the ramekins.

Serve with a salad or fruit.

You can also leave out the chicken and serve this as a side dish.

Or you can substitute frozen cauliflower for the potatoes for a low-carb version.

It was the perfect comfort food for recovering semi-invalids!

But even though both hubby and I are still trying to get our strength back, we just had to head up to the Hills on Saturday afternoon. There's something about spending time up there that restores a person, body and soul!

This time we headed for a spot off the beaten path. A place where few locals go and tourists only dream of. And no, I'm not disclosing the location!

There was beauty everywhere we looked...

...near...

...and far.

And October's colors still lingered around the bend in the road.

We came home ready to face life again, even if we still feel the effects of our recent illness once in a while.

What do you do when you need some refreshment and restoration?