Our house goes into Sam’s Club mode when we know the family is coming. This is what our kitchen counter looks like when we get ready for a crowd. I am always on the look out for large family recipes and here are a couple favorites:
Cordon Blue Casserole
simplier version of the classic dish; perfect “wow them” recipe for company
4# boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2” chunks and well rinsed and patted dry
1# chopped ham
1# Swiss cheese cut in bite size pieces
2 eggs
bread crumbs (I have used Panko or seasoned)
olive oil
salt and fresh ground black pepper
1 Tbs. parsley flakes
8 cups white sauce
Whisk eggs until smooth. Dip chicken in eggs; roll in bread crumbs that have been seasoned with salt and pepper. Fry in oil until golden brown. Place in bottom of large baking pan. Sprinkle with cheese and ham; cover all with white sauce. Sprinkle with parsley flakes. Bake in 350 oven for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Serve over rice or alongside a potato dish or pasta. Very rich so can serve many people. A simple fresh leaf salad and crusty bread are the perfect complement to this meal.
White Sauce
1 stick butter
½ cup white flour
8 cups milk or combination milk and chicken broth
Melt butter over medium heat, stir in flour until absorbed. Stir in milk and whisk until you have a lovely, creamy sauce.
Linda’s Rotini Salad
My friend, Linda, who passed away many years ago, created this delicious recipe and shared it with me. I think of her fondly every time I serve it.
1# rotini pasta cooked al dente and well drained
1 small jar salad olives with all the brine
1 can black olives with all the juice
1 large red onion chopped
1 large red pepper chopped
1 large green pepper chopped
1 large cucumber chopped
½ cup olive oil
Toss all ingredients together, mix well. Chill for several hours before serving.

Thanks for sharing – both sound delicious!
This is a fantastic recipe. I made it for my family of 10 this evening, and had enough leftover to bring a dinner to another family tomorrow. The best compliment was from my 12 year old son who avowed that it “was as good as restaurant food!” Thanks for sharing.