Jesus Take The Meal

  This one was an online find and a "new to me" recipe. Apparently, it came from TikTok. The boys really liked it, and I can say that it reheats really well. It comes together in about 20 min if you have everything going at the same time like I did. I actually got it ready around lunchtime and popped it into the fridge to bake later that evening for dinner. Ingredients: 1 T olive oil 1/2 onion, diced 1 lb ground beef 1 T minced garlic 1 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper 28 oz jar marinara (I really like Carbone's) 2 cups mozzarella 1 lb spaghetti noodles Alfredo Sauce: 8 T salted butter (I used unsalted) 2 C heavy cream 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1 T Italian seasoning 2 C grated parmesan Instructions: Preheat oven to 350. Add oil to skillet and brown grown beef and onion. Once browned, add garlic, salt, and pepper and cook for one minute longer. Drain any fat then add marinara to meat mixture. While making alfredo sauce, boil water for noodle in a separate pot and cook according to direct...

I disappeared for a bit. Winter lighting and taking photos of food don't mix well, and since I tend to cook dinner at dinner time instead of during good lighting it has made taking pics of food challenging. But I'll be better. I saw this on Instagram last week and thought it looked good. My boys and husband love a good bowl, and this was easy. I added it on the fly while grocery shopping last Friday, and they all agreed it needed to be made again soon. You cook the chicken in the crockpot all day and the rest of the ingredients are quickly pulled together.  Ingredients: 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1 jar of Siete brand green enchilada sauce, 16oz 4 oz cream cheese 1 package taco seasoning (I used Siete brand) Rice, cooked (I cooked 4 c rice in rice cooker and then added salt, juice of 2 limes, and chopped cilantro) 2 cans of charro beans (Siete brand)**Side note - I had never heard of charro beans, so if you don't have them sub pinto beans or black beans, although t...

  It is COLD in the South right now. I made this soup a few weeks ago, and the boys all loved it. It was easy, and it was really good. I bought a roll of rosemary bread from the bakery section at Kroger, and it was perfect to soak up the liquid. Ingredients 2 T EVOO 2 T salted butter 1 yellow onion, chopped 2 shallots, chopped 2 ribs celery, chopped 6 carrots, chopped 2 T thyme leaves 1 T sage leaves chopped 1 T chopped rosemary 1 bay leaf 1/3 c dry sherry 8 c low sodium chicken broth 1 lb boneless chicken breasts or thighs, I used breasts because that is what I had 1/3 c shaved parmesan 2-3 cups egg noodles, I used a protein egg noodle 1/4 c chopped parsley, I omitted because I hate fresh parsley with a passion Directions: Recipe Link ▢

  Meet my oldest kid's favorite side dish. To his credit, they are delicious. These make a very large bowl, so feel free to half the recipe for a smaller family. These make an appearance every Thanksgiving, and someone asks for the recipe every year. I subbed Alouette Garlic and Herb cheese here because the store was out of Boursin and I was making them that evening. Use Boursin when you can find it - I prefer it over Alouette. Ingredients: 4 lbs. Yukon gold potatoes (I use the entire 5 lb bag) Fresh chopped chives 2 packages soft garlic herb cheese, such as Boursin 6 T Butter 1 3/4 - 2 1/4 cup whole buttermilk 1 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper (I use more) Directions: Preheat oven to 400. Cook peeled potatoes in salted water until fork tender. Drain and mash with potato masher. Add cheese, 4 T butter, salt, pepper, and chives until combined. Stir in buttermilk until well combined. The mixture should be slightly more liquid than you would want but not overly so.  Spoon into a ligh...

  My kids have never had Hamburger Helper. To be honest, I didn't have it a bunch growing up. But occasionally, my mom would buy it, and while it wasn't my favorite I will be the first to say this dish is pretty darn good. I could sit down and scarf down a huge bowl because it tastes like straight comfort food. And it all cooks in ONE POT!!!! Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef 2 T tomato paste 1 T Dijon mustard 1 T garlic powder 1 t onion powder 1 t dried thyme 1 t salt 1/2 t black pepper 1/4-1/2 t cayenne pepper 12 oz dried macaroni noodles 4 cups beef broth 1 c half and half 2 c shredded cheddar, take the time and shred your own Directions: https://www.aspicyperspective.com/homemade-hamburger-helper-cheeseburger-macaroni/?utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=social-pug

 I got this recipe from Southern Living years ago. Apparently, it's how Miranda Lambert's mom makes meatloaf. I usually half the recipe and make some mashed potatoes and broccoli to go with it. If you make the whole recipe, I would suggest shaping into 2 thin loaves before baking to cook all the way through a little better. Also, I ALWAYS bake the whole time with the sauce on vs putting it on at the end. Even if I half the recipe, I still use the same amount of pepper and onion. I usually add more if I make the whole recipe. I wish meatloaf made for a prettier picture, but let's face it - it ain't pretty. *I often make it ahead to the baking stage and pop into oven when preparing the rest of dinner Ingredients: 2 lbs ground beef 1 lb pork sausage, I use Italian 2 eggs, lightly beaten 18 saltine crackers, crushed 1/2 green pepper, diced 1/2 yellow onion, diced 1 T Worcestershire 1 t yellow mustard 1/2 c. brown sugar,  divided 1/2 c. ketchup Directions: https://www.sout h...

This is jokingly referred to as "my husband's favorite meal." He does, in fact, really like it. But it got its name when we were dating. I would often cook dinner after working a 12 hour shift, and this meal can be ready in less than 30 min. It was on a weekly rotation for that reason. There is nothing pretty about it, but it is yummy, easy, and fast. I kinda forgot about it because the boys didn't love it when they were little, but they will gobble it up now if I make it.  Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef 1 envelope taco seasoning 2 c shredded cheese (I use a Mexican blend most of the time) 1 can light red kidney beans, drained 1 small can chopped green chiles 1 16 oz jar picante sauce (you can use mild, medium, or hot) 8 oz cream cheese, softened Tortilla chips for scooping Directions: Preheat oven to 350. Spread cream cheese in an even layer in a 9x12 casserole dish. Brown ground beef and drain if needed. Add 1/2 package taco seasoning, green chiles, picante sauce, an...

This is a recipe that my kids love, and is perfect on nights when you don't have a ton of time to prepare dinner. The whole recipe can be done in the time it takes to get the pasta ready. Ingredients: 1 lb fettucine noodles 2 c heavy cream 1/4 cup diced sundried tomatoes (if using oil packed ones, then drain and chop) 1 T dried basil (or more) 1 lb chicken tenderloins, chopped into small pieces Cajun seasoning, to desired spice level 2 tsp garlic powder 1 1/2 c shredded parmesan cheese 2 T butter salt and pepper, to taste Directions: Boil water for pasta in one pot. While waiting on water to boil, melt butter in a large skillet on medium heat. Once butter has melted, put chicken in skillet and season with Cajun seasoning. If you prefer spice, season heavily. If you are sensitive to spice, just use enough to cover chicken on all sides. Cook until chicken is done, and then add heavy cream, basil, garlic powder, and sundried tomatoes to the skillet. The original recipe says that you c...

There is nothing like a bowl of chicken and dumplings. And that's just how I like mine. Chicken. Dumplings. Please don't try to sneak in veggies. It's called Chicken and Dumplings for a reason. I found this recipe years ago, and it just a good ole bowl of comfort food. Ingredients: Whole Chicken 2 32 oz containers of chicken stock 2 tsp salt  Pepper to taste For the dumplings:  2 cups all purpose flour 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 3 T shortening 3/4 c buttermilk Directions: Cook chicken in a large pot over medium heat with stock, salt, and pepper until falling off the bone. Usually this takes about an hour to an hour and a half depending on how high you have your heat. I usually do it slower and longer because I don't want to have to keep a close eye. Once the chicken is done, remove the chicken from pot and skim any solid pieces from the stock. Pick off chicken from bones and chop into small pieces. Set aside. To make the dumplings, combine flour, baking soda, salt...

This is not a pretty dish. There's no good way to make it pretty. So, I will just tell you it's good and stick with that. I did divide this one up before baking into a pan for the oven and a pan for the freezer.  Ingredients: 1 bag frozen shredded hashbrowns 1 bag of shredded cheese (2 c) 2 16 oz containers of sour cream 2 bags bacon pieces 1 package of Ranch seasoning Directions: Mix sour cream, Ranch, most of the cheese (save a little for top of dish), and bacon pieces. Stir in hashbrowns. Pour into casserole dish (I used an 8x8 square one, but the entire amount will fit into 9x11 dish). Top with a little shredded cheese. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.  *If freezing, prepare up to baking and cover with foil. When ready to bake, leave foil on top and bake for an hour. Remove foil and bake for another 15 min until cheese is melted and center of dish is hot. 

This week my youngest asked for ribs. These are easy and pretty quick if you have an instant pot. I added some baked beans (Bush's canned) and made a side of "Crack Hashbrown Casserole" (recipe coming soon). This time I bought the preseasoned ribs from Kroger, but I usually either make a rub or use one for ribs from the store. Ingredients:   Rib Rack(I usually buy baby back ribs) Rib Rub BBQ sauce of choice 1 c water 1/2 c cider vinegar 1 tsp liquid smoke Directions: Take ribs from packaging and rub if not preseasoned. Pour water, cider vinegar, and liquid smoke in instant pot. Place rack in instant pot and curl rib rack on its side. Seal top and set on Meat Setting for 25 min. Allow to natural release for 10 min and then release pressure. Place rib rack on sheet pan and brush with BBQ sauce of choice. Broil until the sauce is carmelized and bubbling. Enjoy!

  I bought these conversation cards on Amazon last week to keep at the table when we are all together for dinner (which is most nights unless my husband's schedule doesn't allow it). One of the questions was "If you could only eat 3 foods for the rest of your life what would they be?" Two of my three boys answered "crema tacos" if that tells you how much they love this recipe. This is a Half Baked Harvest recipe, and the actual name is Crispy Chipotle Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Lime Ranch. All I can say is that we love these. I always use ground chicken and will usually double the recipe to have for two nights + some lunches/snacks after school, etc. I didn't do that last night and we had about 5 tacos left after everyone ate. Don't be afraid to add the jalapenos to the ranch dressing/crema. This is not a spicy dish. Everyone who has ever had them has loved them, and I have served them to a LOT of people. Time savers and helpful hints: Make your cre...

We had this pasta for dinner last night, and it was a "new to us" recipe. It makes a large dish, so if you don't have a huge family to feed I would suggest dividing into two servings and freezing one. We could have done that to feed our crew of 5. Our youngest doesn't really enjoy most pasta dishes, so I did know  going in that he wasn't going to eat this. The other boys ate it and liked it. I served it with a bagged Caesar salad and garlic bread. Kate from Naptime Kitchen talks often about doubling a recipe and making one for dinner and one for the freezer. That's my goal with recipes like this that I know we will like. I will do that next time, or I will make an 8x8 dish for dinner and freeze one about the same size.  Ingredients: 2 tsp olive oil (I actually didn't use this) 1 lb ground beef (90% lean) 1 lb ground Italian sausage 1/2 c chopped onion 2 tsp minced garlic 24 oz jar marinara (Carbone's Tomato Basil is excellent) 8 oz can tomato sauce (I ...