
Winchendon CAC Recipe Submissions
Number of recipes found:
25
These recipes were shared by members of the Winchendon CAC community and are inspired by ingredients found in our CAC Food Pantry and Fresh ingredients provided by organizations like Growing Places, and the Winchendon Farmers Market. They highlight creative, affordable ways to make nutritious meals using accessible, seasonal items. Try one out and share your favorite!
Easy
Spinach Ricotta Pie
Submitted by:
Sandra Messina
A savory, cheesy spinach and ricotta pie that can be made with or without a crust. Perfect for a main dish or hearty side.
Ingredients
1 pie crust dough (optional), 1 lb frozen spinach (drained and chopped), 1 onion (chopped and sautéed), 1 clove garlic (minced), 2 cups ricotta cheese (part skim or whole milk), 3/4 cup grated cheese (parmesan or romano), 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella (or swiss/cheddar), 2 large eggs (or 3 small eggs, slightly beaten), salt and pepper to taste
Steps
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix spinach, sautéed onion, garlic, ricotta, grated cheese, mozzarella, eggs, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Pour mixture into a buttered pie dish or into a pie crust.
Easy
Toll House Marble Squares
Submitted by:
Lynn Murray
A buttery dessert bar swirled with chocolate chips and crunchy walnuts, baked to golden perfection—great for sharing or snacking.
Ingredients
½ cup softened butter; ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar; ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons brown sugar; ½ teaspoon vanilla; 1 egg; 1 cup flour; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional); 6 oz package chocolate chips
Steps
Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 13x9x2-inch pan. Mix butter, sugars, and vanilla until smooth. Beat in the egg. Blend in flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in chopped nuts. Spread mixture evenly into pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips over the top. Place in oven for 1 minute. Remove and swirl chocolate into dough using a knife. Return to oven and bake for 12–13 more minutes.
Easy
Easy Casserole
Submitted by:
Lynn Murray
A hearty and comforting baked casserole made with ground beef, noodles, creamy soups, and melted cheese—perfect for family dinners and easy to prepare with pantry staples.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef, 1 box of noodles, 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 1/2 cup butter, sharp cheese to taste
Steps
1. Scramble 1 lb of hamburger on the stove.
2. Cook 1 box of noodles on the stove.
3. Open and add 1 can cream of chicken soup and 1 can cream of mushroom soup.
Easy
Oven Baked Chicken Thighs with Squash, Zucchini & Brown Rice
Submitted by:
Sarah Bond
A comforting and flavorful meal featuring oven-baked chicken thighs seasoned with garlic and thyme, served with pan-seared squash and zucchini, and a side of brown rice—all made with ingredients from the CAC.
Ingredients
Chicken Thighs:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp butter (melted)
Steps
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix melted butter, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Brush over chicken thighs.
3. Place chicken in baking dish and bake 35–40 min or until internal temp is 165°F.
Easy
Slow Cooker Orange Chicken
Submitted by:
Jessica Inferrera
This flavorful slow cooker orange chicken is sweet, tangy, and easy to make—perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners.
Ingredients
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into chunks)
1/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
Steps
1. Toss chicken chunks with flour, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet and lightly brown the chicken (do not cook through).
3. In a bowl, mix orange marmalade, BBQ sauce, and soy sauce.
Easy
Blueberry Cornbread
Submitted by:
Christin Cruz
A lightly sweet, buttery cornbread bursting with fresh blueberries. Perfect with coffee, tea, or as a snack any time of day.
Ingredients
1.5 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cornmeal + 1.5 tbsp for dusting pan
3/4 cup sugar + 1 tbsp for topping
Steps
1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Grease a 9" cake pan with butter and dust with 1.5 tbsp cornmeal.
3. In a bowl, whisk flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Intermediate
Sweet Fried Plantains and Coconut-Peanut Butter Sauce
Submitted by:
Nick Pioli
Crispy, sweet fried plantains paired with a creamy coconut-peanut butter sauce, infused with cinnamon and honey. A warm, tropical dessert or snack.
Ingredients
3/4 cup coconut milk
3 tablespoons natural peanut butter
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Steps
1. Heat coconut milk in a small saucepan over low heat.
2. Stir in peanut butter until fully incorporated.
3. Add cinnamon and honey, stir until dissolved.
Intermediate
Rhubarb spice cake Muffins
Submitted by:
Christin Cruz
These moist, spiced muffins are bursting with tart rhubarb and warm flavors of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Whether topped with streusel or served plain, they’re a cozy, comforting treat perfect for any season.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
Steps
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line two 12-cup muffin pans.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
3. In a separate bowl, beat brown sugar with butter (or oil), buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
Easy
Pork Fried Rice
Submitted by:
Larry Bond
Savory pork fried rice with vegetables, flavored with Ah-So sauce and a touch of beef bouillon. A simple and delicious homemade takeout-style dish.
Ingredients
⅓ lb cooked pork (brush with Ah-So sauce)
1 onion
2 cups of rice
Steps
2. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
Easy
Best Macaroni and Cheese with Ham
Submitted by:
Larry Bond
A warm, hearty twist on classic mac and cheese—this baked dish combines creamy pasta, savory ham, and sweet stewed tomatoes, all topped with melty American cheese.
Ingredients
2 boxes of macaroni and cheese (preferably Kraft)
1 can of stewed tomatoes
1 one-pound can ham, or leftover ham, or ½ ham steak (cubed)
Steps
3. In a separate bowl, beat brown sugar with butter (or oil), buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
Easy
Pico de gallo
Submitted by:
Youth Changemakers In partnership with Growing Places
Mexican salsa fresca (fresh salsa).
Ingredients
1 medium white onion
1 clove garlic
1 serrano or jalapeño pepper (optional)
Steps
1. Rinse the tomato, cilantro, and peppers.
2. Peel and chop onion and garlic. Juice the lime.
3. Remove seeds from peppers (unless you want it hot) and roughly chop.
Intermediate
Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
Submitted by:
Jessica Inferrera
A creamy and savory mashed potato casserole loaded with cheese, bacon, and topped with fresh green onions—perfect for holidays or family dinners.
Ingredients
Russet Potatoes (or Yukon Gold), Canola Oil, Bacon, Salted Butter, Sour Cream, Whole Milk, Cheddar Cheese (shredded from a block), Seasoned Salt, Salt and Pepper, Green Onions (for garnish)
Steps
5. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling almost to the top.
Intermediate
Upside Down Plum Cake
Submitted by:
Janel Eagen
A beautiful and simple-to-make dessert featuring a caramelized plum topping and a fluffy vanilla cake base.
Ingredients
Plum Topping: 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 5–6 ripe plums (cut into 1/4 inch wedges); Cake Batter: 8 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 2 eggs (separated), 1½ cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 cup whole milk, 1/3 tsp cream of tartar; Optional Whipped Cream: 1 pint whipping cream, 1 tbsp powdered sugar, pinch of salt
Steps
6. Optional: Mix extra sugar, melted butter, cinnamon, oats, and/or walnuts to make streusel. Sprinkle ~1 tsp on each muffin.
Easy
Mangú (Dominican Mashed Plantain)
Submitted by:
Christine Racette
A creamy Dominican mashed plantain dish perfect for breakfast or casseroles, made with boiled and mashed plantains seasoned and mixed with butter.
I prefer to use very ripe plantains to make a “sweet” mangú because they are easier to peel, take less time to cook, taste sweeter, and make it more versatile. This “sweet” mangú is often used in/on dinner casserole (or shepherds pie) type dishes like pastelón de plátano maduro.
Ingredients
Plantains (same ripeness), Water (1.25 to 2+ cups depending on ripeness), Salt (optional), Pepper (optional), Up to 1 stick of butter
Steps
7. Bake for ~25 minutes or until muffin tops spring back when lightly pressed. Cool in pans at least 10 minutes before removing.
Easy
Spatchcock Chicken with Sautéed Squash & Zucchini
Submitted by:
Sarah Bond
A simple and flavorful dinner featuring juicy spatchcock chicken roasted to perfection, served with tender sautéed yellow squash and zucchini infused with garlic and butter.
Ingredients
For the Chicken: 1 whole chicken, 1–2 tbsp olive oil, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic (minced or powder), dried parsley, dried thyme. For the Sautéed Squash & Zucchini: 1 green zucchini, 1 yellow squash, 1–2 tbsp butter, 1 tsp minced garlic, salt & pepper to taste.
Steps
Note: Can also be baked in a glass loaf pan (~50 mins) or metal bundt pan (~35 mins).
Easy
Mild Chicken Buffalo Dip
Submitted by:
Adelina Bruso (Mini Maker)
A creamy, flavorful buffalo chicken dip with just the right kick—made with rotisserie chicken, hot sauce, cheese, and ranch. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or game day served with tortilla chips.
Ingredients
1 whole cooked rotisserie chicken, ½ cup cream cheese, 1 cup Frank’s Hot Sauce, ½ cup cheddar cheese, ½ cup ranch dressing
Steps
1. Wash hands.
2. Set crock pot to high.
3. Chop rotisserie chicken into small pieces.
Easy
Spaghetti Sauce with Scrambled Hamburger Over Pasta
Submitted by:
Larry Bond
A hearty and comforting pasta dish with savory hamburger, classic spaghetti sauce, and a touch of sweetness—topped with grated cheese for the perfect finish.
Ingredients
1 lb cooked scrambled hamburger, 1 large onion, 2 large cans spaghetti sauce, mushrooms (cooked) if desired, 1 stalk celery, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 lb box cooked pasta, grated cheese
Steps
Prepare pasta by directions (pot aside).
Cook hamburger & onions in frying pan.
Add celery & garlic.
Easy
Soup Pasta Fazool
Submitted by:
Larry Bond
A simple, satisfying one-pot soup blending pasta, beans, tomatoes, and ground beef—perfect for a quick and cozy meal.
Ingredients
1 lb hamburger, 1 onion, 1 lb elbow macaroni, 1 large can stewed tomatoes, 1 can red kidney beans
Steps
Fry hamburger and onion in frying pan.
Cook macaroni. Do not drain.
Add hamburger and onion.
Easy
Cucumber Blueberry Salad
Submitted by:
Marybeth Hayward
A refreshing summer salad made with crisp cucumbers, juicy blueberries, feta, and mint — perfect for picnics or light lunches.
Ingredients
2 seedless cucumbers, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
2 cups fresh blueberries
½ cup white balsamic vinaigrette
Steps
1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Toss gently to mix.
3. Serve immediately or chill until ready.
Easy
Texas Caviar
Submitted by:
Marybeth Hayward
A tangy and sweet bean salad served chilled — great with corn chips for parties or potlucks.
Ingredients
1 can black beans
1 can pinto beans
1 can corn
Steps
1. Drain and rinse the beans and corn.
2. In a large bowl, combine beans, corn, red pepper, and red onion.
3. In a small saucepan, heat the vinegar, sugar, and oil until the sugar dissolves.
Easy
Chili Cheese Dip
Submitted by:
Mandy Campbell
A warm, creamy, crowd-pleasing dip made with chili beans, cream cheese, and melted cheese — perfect for parties or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
2 cans of chili beans
2 blocks of cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
Optional: 1 lb cooked ground beef
Steps
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Spread softened cream cheese across the bottom of an 8"–10" baking dish.
Layer chili beans over the cream cheese.
Easy
Pizza Fondue
Submitted by:
Tina Nola
A cheesy, savory fondue with pizza sauce and toppings.
Ingredients
1 medium onion, chopped
1 lb ground beef
2 (10.5 oz) cans pizza sauce
Steps
1. Brown onion and beef together; drain grease.
2. Add all remaining ingredients and cook until cheese melts.
3. Serve in a fondue pot with French bread cubes.
Easy
Lentil Soup
Submitted by:
Christin Cruz
Comforting soup made with lentils, vegetables, and warm spices.
Ingredients
1 lb dry lentils
2 tbsp coarse salt
Diced onion
Steps
1. Brine lentils for 1 hour with salt.
2. Sauté onion, bell pepper, carrot, celery, garlic, spices, and baking soda.
3. Add lentils and stock.