LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — It's summer time and that means it's time to break out your best cookout and get-together recipes.

Kroger's Kaylee Bliss and CP Smith with Jake's Country Sausage visited WDRB Mornings on Thursday to make some recipes that they think you should include on your menu. 

Classic Cheesy Sausage Dip

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound Ground Sausage
  • 2 pounds Cheese that melts nicely (i.e. Velveeta)
  • 2 cans diced tomatoes with green chiles, 14 oz. each
  • Garnish:
  • 1 jalapeno, diced or slivered coins
  • 1 dash crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 small bunch cilantro
  • Serve with:
  • Tortilla chips and fresh cut vegetables

Directions:

  1. In a large nonstick skillet add ground sausage and cook over medium high heat until cooked through. Break up the meat as it cooks.
  2. Drain the fat from the skillet and reduce heat to medium. Add the Cheesy Melt and diced tomatoes (not drained). Continue cooking until the cheese has melted and ingredients are well mixed and warmed through.
  3. Transfer to a serving bowl, crock pot or slow cooker set to WARM.
  4. Garnish as desired and serve with chips and/or vegetables.

Grilled Summer Nachos

Ingredients:

  • 1 bag (13 oz.) Tostitos®
  • 12 ounces Eckrich® Smoked Sausage, coarsely chopped
  • 3⁄4 cup corn kernels
  • 1 small red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 tomato, chopped
  • 1⁄2 small zucchini, chopped
  • 1⁄2 small yellow summer squash, chopped
  • 1 package (8 oz.) Mexican-blend cheese
  • 1⁄3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Salsa, sour cream and avocados for topping, if desired

Directions:

  1. Heat grill. Stack 2 large disposable foil pizza or lasagna pans together; coat inside pan with cooking spray.
  2. Arrange ⅓ of the chips over the pan; layer with ⅓ of the sausage, corn, onion, bell pepper, tomato, zucchini, summer squash and cheese. Repeat layers twice.
  3. Grill, covered, over medium-low heat 5-8 minutes or until cheese is melted and chips are lightly toasted. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve with salsa, sour cream and avocados, if desired.
  4. Refrigerate leftovers.
  5. Note: For extra-support, place foil pans on metal baking sheet when removing from grill.

Jake’s Sausage Casserole

Ingredients:

  • 1 large roll (2 ¼ lb) of Jake’s Sausage (hot or mild)
  • 1 bag of hash browns (30 oz bag)
  • 1 bag of shredded mild cheddar (16 oz)
  • 16 oz of sour cream
  • 2 cups of cream of mushroom soup

Directions:

  1. Brown Jake’s sausage. Break sausage into bits as you cook it. Drain when brown.
  2. Combine the ingredients listed.
  3. Spread in a greased 13×9 casserole dish.
  4. Melt 1 stick of butter and stir in one crushed sleeve of Ritz crackers.
  5. Spread crackers over the casserole.
  6. Cover with aluminum foil.
  7. Bake at 400 degrees for 1 hour.
  8. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until golden brown.

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