Grandma's Bundles...with a twist

We all have that one meal we remember from our childhood, the quintessential "Moms cookin" meal that we equate with comfort and family,  for me that meal was "Bundles Casserole". Bundles Casserole was a recipe  from my grandmother on my Dad's side, there was a story behind how it got its name, one I cannot remember at the moment, but it had something to do with a family friend with the last name  Bundles...apparently this was his favorite...as it is mine. The original recipe is very much like Shepherds Pie, being topped with mashed potatoes and then a layer of shredded cheese (feel free to make it this way as well) but for the blog post I am making "Bundles Bundles" YUM YUM!

In hindsight the presentation of this would have been much better on an actual plate...but I was hungry and it was either this or eat it directly off the cookie sheet.

You will need:
1 pound ground round
1/2 can cut green beans (drained)
1/2 can whole kernel corn (drained)
1/2 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 small 8oz can of tomato sauce
2 cups shredded cheese of your choice (I suggest colby jack)
2 cans of crescent rolls

*Note since I made freezer meals I doubled the meat and used the full can of each* 

Step One:
 Brown your hamburger and drain the grease
 
 Step Two:
After you have drained the grease from your pan add the beans,corn,cream of chicken soup, tomato sauce, and cheese to the meat and stir until all is mingling.

Looks like slop but it is the perfect combination of yummy

 Step Three: 
  Unroll a tube of crescent rolls and separate into four rectangles pinching the diagonal seams closed.

 Step Four:
 Just like the Chicken crescent bundles spoon mixture into center of rectangles, i use a cookie scoop and add two scoops each (about two tablespoons)
 Grab opposite corners and give them a swirl at the center of the bundle. Repeat with the other corners, tucking in any openings on the sides to seal it up. Repeat steps 3-4 for second can of crescent rolls and place all 8 bundles on a cookie sheet.

bottom left shows amount of filling,top left shows bundle

To Freeze:

If you intend to make this a freezer meal, put the baking sheet in the freezer and flash freeze. Once frozen, place in labeled Ziploc bag.

To Bake:

If you are preparing these right away simply pop into the oven, 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until crescent roll is cooked completely and is golden brown.

If you are preparing them from the freezer, thaw completely overnight or during the day before baking 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. 

TA-DA! Bundles with a twist

Chicken Crescent Bundles (kid friendly freezer meal)

I had to start this blog out with a bang so I decided the first recipe that I had to post was the Chicken Crescent Bundles. I originally found this recipe on one of my absolute favorite blogs, The Virtuous Wife , if you have not checked out her blog you should, she is amazing. All props go to her for this recipe it is one of the only recipes I have found online that didn't need much tweaking to meet my family's needs.

You will need:

1 package (8 ounces) Cream Cheese (softened) OR 8 oz flavored Philadelphia cream cheese (garden vegetable,chive & onion, sun-dried tomato & basil...if your family likes one of these go for it!)
4 tablespoons butter, melted, divided
1 tablespoon favorite seasoning blend (most families have a go to seasoning,omit if using flavored cream cheese)
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups shredded cooked chicken
1/2 can cream of chicken soup
2 tubes (8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent rolls
1-2 cups stuffing mix or croutons


 Step One:

Beat: Cream cheese, 2 Tbsp melted butter, seasoning, and milk. Do this with a mixer or your arm will fall off...I've seen it happen, its not pretty.

 Step Two:

Mix In: Shredded chicken and cream of chicken soup until everything is mingling nicely.

Step Three:

Unroll a tube of crescent rolls and separate into four rectangles pinching the diagonal seams closed.

Step Four:

 Glob (technical terms here) mixture into center of rectangles, i use a cookie scoop and add two scoops each (about two tablespoons).

 Step Five:

Grab opposite corners and give them a swirl at the center of the bundle. Repeat with the other corners, tucking in any openings on the sides to seal it up. Repeat steps 3-5 for second can of crescent rolls and place all 8 bundles on a cookie sheet.

It's sort of like swirled icecream...only with chicken, NUMMY

Step Six:

Don't worry if all your bundles aren't the exact same, they will still taste amazing besides this blog is for tackling sensory issues, address OCD problems while doing something less important like laundry.

Drizzle: each bundle with the remaining melted butter, top with a handful of dry stuffing mix or croutons and press down gently to make sure they are secured to the bundle.

To Freeze:

If you intend to make this a freezer meal, put the baking sheet in the freezer and flash freeze. Once frozen, place in labeled Ziploc bag.

To Bake:

If you are preparing these right away simply pop into the oven, 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until crescent roll is cooked completely and is golden brown.

If you are preparing them from the freezer, thaw completely overnight or during the day before baking 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. 

 ENJOY!!