Easy homemade pimento cheese is a staple recipe for our house. I make a big batch on the weekend to enjoy on sandwiches or as a dip for a snack during the week. I was buying tubs of it at the store before realizing how easy it is to make at home! It's such a great condiment to have handy. How do you make this recipe? Start by grating a block of your favorite cheddar cheese. Drain a jar of pimentos to get out the extra liquid. Toss the grated cheddar cheese, a block of softened cream … [Read more...]
Cheez-It Chicken
Do you love Cheez-It crackers? Then you're gonna love this yummy Cheez-It recipe idea using chicken tenders. The great part is there’s no frying involved. Bake these chicken snacks in the oven and serve with honey mustard sauce! Reasons to love this recipe Ingredients Cheez-It crackers - The original or extra toasty cheez its are the way to go for this recipe. Put a few cups in a plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin until they resemble bread crumbs. Whole fat … [Read more...]
Easy Basmati Coconut Rice
This easy basmati coconut rice recipe is a simple way to mix up your side dish staples. The richness of the coconut milk give this rice an addictive flavor. Does coconut rice taste like coconut? Yes, it does have a subtle coconut flavor which compliments the nuttiness of the basmati rice. It's important to grab full fat unsweetened coconut milk. Otherwise this rice will be way to sweet! How do you make this rice? So easy and delicious! What can you eat with Coconut Rice? I love … [Read more...]
Pesto Chicken Meatballs and Vegetables
In need of a quick week night dinner recipe? These healthy pesto chicken meatballs are your answer! This recipe only takes 30 minutes to throw together and you only have to use one skillet. I make these chicken meatballs without breadcrumbs to cut down on my ingredient list, but feel free to modify the recipe to your liking. How do you make this 30 minute recipe? Start by mixing together 1/2 cup of pesto, 1 cup of parmesan cheese and a pound of ground chicken together. Heat up a large … [Read more...]
Broccoli Crunch Salad
Broccoli Crunch Salad is an easy recipe to bring to a potluck or serve at a cookout. Need a vegetable side dish to go alongside all those grilled meats or picnic sandwiches this season? This broccoli crunch salad has raw broccoli tossed in a creamy slaw sauce topped with crunchy bacon, sweet dried cranberries, red onion and any nut of your choice. It's pretty much a slaw with broccoli instead of cabbage, but the broccoli makes it so much better. What's in Broccoli Crunch … [Read more...]
30 Minute Mushroom Orzo Risotto
Have I mentioned how much I love mushrooms? Well I LOVE them. This 30 Minute Mushroom Orzo Risotto is perfect. It has mushrooms, pasta, and cheese. Technically risotto is made with Arborio rice, but you can substitute orzo pasta for a faster cooking time. This delicious one pot meal comes together in 30 minutes making it a perfect weeknight dinner option. How do you make 30 Minute Mushroom Orzo Risotto? To make mushroom orzo risotto, heat up some olive oil over medium high and add the … [Read more...]
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread with Streusel Topping
I know there are millions of banana bread recipes out there, but this Chocolate Chip Banana Bread recipe is the one I keep coming back to. The key is letting your bananas get super dark and over ripe (like on the verge of rotting). That way they are very sweet and almost caramelized. I like using semi sweet chocolate chips for this recipe because the slight bitterness of the chips offsets the sweet sugary streusel topping. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy this moist and delicious banana … [Read more...]
Copycat Chicken Caesar Pita
Looking for a healthy chicken pita recipe? This easy copycat chicken caesar pita is a must. The idea to make these easy pitas came from an old item on the Chili's menu from a few years back. This chicken pita can be made in less than thirty minutes and makes a great healthy lunch or dinner. Use store bought naan or pita bread and a bottle of Caesar dressing (we love Cardini's) as a shortcut for those busy week nights. The chicken breasts are tossed in blackened seasoning then grilled on … [Read more...]
Easy Italian Chicken Cutlets
This quick and easy Italian chicken cutlet recipe with panko breadcrumbs uses no flour and no egg mixture for an extra fast weeknight meal. Traditionally breaded Italian chicken cutlets are dredged in a coating of flour, then egg wash before coating them in bread crumbs. If you are a purist, you may scoff at this recipe, but I have found this breadcrumb mixture will stick to the chicken just fine without the extra dredging steps. It saves me time and dishes for when I need dinner on the … [Read more...]
Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits
Looking for the perfect fluffy homemade biscuit? These Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits are easy to make and delicious. The secret is in the flour! Down here in the south we have a very fine White Lily's flour and it makes all the difference in the texture of your biscuits. How do you make fluffy homemade buttermilk biscuits from scratch? To make the biscuits, mix together all your dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and salt) in a bowl. Cube a stick of very cold butter and crumble it … [Read more...]
Sweet Potato and White Bean Bowl
Need an easy, healthy grain bowl to get you through the week? This Vegan Sweet Potato and White Bean Bowl is a simple recipe and perfect for meal prepping. I like to make a big batch on the weekends and eat it as a healthy lunch throughout the week. Full disclosure, we are not vegan, but we enjoy eating and experimenting with meatless meals. The best part of this recipe is the homemade vegan pesto and fresh squeeze of lemon drizzled on top of everything. How do you make a Vegan Sweet … [Read more...]
Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
Learn how to make Corned Beef and Cabbage in a Crock Pot! It's very simple but it will take some time, so plan out about six hours for it to cook. But first, what exactly is corned beef? It is a beef brisket that has been salt-cured. This type of meat preservation has been around for centuries, but corned beef became associated with Ireland back in the 19th century during the British Industrial Revolution. American's associate corned beef and cabbage as an Irish dish but it was considered a … [Read more...]
Homemade Pesto in a Blender
Can you use a blender instead of a food processor for pesto? Short answer, yes. One of my favorite summer sauces is Homemade Pesto in a Blender. Why use a blender? Because I hate pulling out my food processor, and my blender is always out and ready for use (I am a lazy cook!). My mom always plants basil in her herb garden in the summer, so she always has a ton of fresh basil to use up. The best thing about pesto though is you don't have to just use basil. You can add spinach, sun-dried … [Read more...]
Beef Barbacoa with Pickled Red Onion and Cabbage
Beef Barbacoa with Pickled Red Onion and Cabbage is one of our staple recipes. It feels a little fancier than your quick everyday ground beef tacos. It does take about four hours to make on the stove but it's totally worth it. I have included a slow cooker version too! What kind of meat is barbacoa? Barbacoa is actually a cooking technique that originated in the Caribbean. Generally it's a term used for large fatty cuts of meat that have been slow cooked or steamed for long periods of time … [Read more...]
Homemade Tartar Sauce
(I have included affiliate links in this post. I do receive a commission from this link which will go towards more awesome content for you to enjoy!) Easy Homemade Tartar Sauce is so worth making instead of using the bottled stuff. Serve this alongside Homemade Crab Cakes, fried fish, fried shrimp and more! How do you make tartar sauce from scratch? Simple. Just chop up some red onion, chives (or green onion), capers and dill pickles. Then mix them all together with your … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker White Bean Chicken Chili
This easy Slow Cooker White Bean Chicken Chili melts in your mouth and warms up your soul during these cold winter nights. Using chicken thighs for this recipe makes all the difference! After slow cooking for several hours they fall apart and make the broth taste even richer. Chicken breasts tends to get dry and rubbery if cooked too long. You can substitute them, but just be aware the cooking time will be much shorter. How do you make Slow Cooker White Bean Chicken Chili? Dump chili … [Read more...]
White Bean and Kale Soup
Need something nutritious, delicious and fast for dinner tonight? This Vegan White Bean and Kale Soup only takes around 30 minutes and is full of healthy vegetables, beans and quinoa for some protein. It's one of my favorite detox soups for when I'm feeling a little vitamin deficient (or have had one too many desserts!). Full disclosure, we are not vegan but we enjoy eating a few meatless and non-dairy meals during the week. Sometimes you just need a good reset. This Vegan White Bean and … [Read more...]
Easy Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Danish
Looking for a way to use up cranberry sauce? This easy Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Danish pastry is a delightful treat. The best part? Use canned crescent dough as the base to make this recipe super simple! These cheesy Danish pastries can be filled with all types of jelly or jams if you don't have cranberry sauce on hand. Raspberry jelly is one of my favorite substitutions! How do you make a Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Danish pastry using crescent dough? Start by separating your … [Read more...]
Biscuits and Gravy without Sausage
In search for an amazing homemade biscuits and gravy recipe? We've got you covered! We make this Biscuits and Gravy without Sausage recipe probably twice a month. We leave out the sausage in my gravy because it keeps it a little lighter, it's a great option to share with all of our vegetarian friends, and we don't keep breakfast sausage on hand a lot. You could certainly add it to this gravy if you want though! How do you make biscuits and gravy from scratch? Easy! I know biscuits can be … [Read more...]
Grilled Pineapple Chicken Kabobs with Coconut Rice
Want to try a new grilling recipe? These Grilled Pineapple Chicken Kabobs are delicious! Serve them over coconut rice and you've got yourself a meal. I'm not going to lie, this recipe is a bit time consuming, but it's well worth the effort. Ever wonder where the U.S. version of kabobs came from? A few of the sources I have found say they originated in Turkey from soldiers cooking chunks of meat on sticks over open fire. Interesting fact: Only North Americans use the spelling kebob, it's … [Read more...]
Zucchini Boats with Farro and Sun Dried Tomatoes
Looking for ways to use up zucchini this summer? This Vegetarian Zucchini Boats with Sun Dried Tomatoes is a great 30 minute summer recipe. Topped with a drizzle of basil pesto, these boats are light, savory, and make great leftovers! How do you make Vegetarian Zucchini Boats? Cut 3 large zucchini in half, scoop out the insides, and bake for 20 minutes in a 400 degree oven.While the zucchini bakes, bring a couple cups of broth to a boil, add a cup of farro and some salt to the broth, cover … [Read more...]
Easy Summer Vegetable Skillet
In need of a summer side dish recipe? This Easy Summer Vegetable Skillet is the perfect side dish recipe to get in your dose of daily veggies. It's the perfect accompaniment to tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, or anything grilled! It's so versatile. How do you make this Easy Summer Vegetable Skillet? What is Cotija cheese? Cotija is one of my favorite cheeses to have on hand. It's a crumbly, salty cheese made of cow's milk and named after the Mexican town where it's named. It's delicious … [Read more...]
Sheet Pan Chicken and Gnocchi Pesto
This easy Sheet Pan Chicken and Gnocchi Pesto is a weeknight favorite in our house. All you have to do is chop up some chicken, throw it on a sheet pan with some vegetables and gnocchi, and bake it for 20 minutes! How do you make Sheet Pan Chicken and Gnocchi Pesto? Yum! I love adding the cherry tomatoes because when they burst they act as an additional sauce. I also love adding the whole garlic cloves because the garlic favor mellows out when you roast it. You can get creative with … [Read more...]
Breakfast Croissant Rolls
Using store-bought buttery croissants for breakfast is a fantastic way to save time while still enjoying a delicious and satisfying meal. These breakfast croissant rolls are easy and fun to make and the kids love them! Serve them with some fresh berries or fruit salad for the perfect balanced breakfast. These flaky croissants are stuffed with scrambled eggs, cheese, ham, and green onion, topped with Everything Bagel seasoning. Yum! I will suggest making a double batch if you are counting on … [Read more...]
One-Pot Mediterranean Vegetable Pasta
This healthy one pot pasta is the perfect pantry recipe. One-Pot Mediterranean Vegetable Pasta is a versatile recipe you can tweak with whatever ingredients you have on hand. For this version I used canned diced tomatoes, canned artichokes, Kalamata olives, frozen spinach, pine nuts and Parmesan over some rotini pasta. How do you make One-Pot Mediterranean Vegetable Pasta? Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 1 pound of pasta for 12-15 minutes.Carefully reserve 1 cup of the … [Read more...]
Kung Pao Chicken
Ever crave some good Chinese takeout, but want a healthier option? I love this semi authentic Kung Pao Chicken recipe. It's quick, easy, and comes together in 30 minutes which is ideal for a weeknight dinner. What does Kung Pao Chicken taste like? Kung Pao Chicken it a mixture of sauted chicken, bell peppers, onions, carrots, and green onion tossed in a spicy sauce topped with peanuts. You can serve it over white or brown rice, noodles, or even cauliflower rice if you want something low carb. … [Read more...]
Fettuccine Alfredo with Pancetta and Peas
In need of some comfort food? This creamy pasta with pancetta and peas is the perfect quick meal to satisfy your craving! Feel free to substitute ham or bacon if you don't have pancetta. What is pancetta you ask? Pancetta is simply pork belly that is salted and cured just like bacon but without the smoky flavor. You can find it near the deli section at your grocery store. How do you make Fettuccine Alfredo with Pancetta and Peas? This pasta with pancetta and peas with cream sauce is … [Read more...]
Homemade Vegetable Egg Rolls
We love eggrolls but couldn't find any decent frozen options at the store. So I decided to make my own, which turn out to be easier than expected! I like to fry these eggrolls, but you can also bake them. When I learned how to fry foods using my cast iron skillet our lives changed. Haha, a bit dramatic, but really frying food is not as hard as you think. I make these homemade vegetable egg rolls probably once a month when we are longing for some good takeout food. What are vegetable egg rolls … [Read more...]
Cubano Pizza Pinwheels
In need of an easy appetizer? These Cubano Pizza Pinwheels are a winner. I know it sounds weird, but trust me they are delicious. A traditional Cubano sandwich has roasted pork, ham, pickles, swiss cheese, and mustard. We kept this recipe easy and omitted the roast pork, but all the other ingredients are rolled up in some pizza dough. You could definatley add roast pork if you have some handy. How to make Cubano Pizza Pinwheels: Make some Homemade Pizza Dough or use store bought pizza … [Read more...]
Loaded Vegetable Beans and Rice
Vegan Loaded Vegetable Beans and Rice are a stand by when you are on tight budget. Not only are they cheap and convenient, they are hearty and comforting. I included zucchini, squash, peppers, and canned tomatoes and diced chili's. This easy beans and rice recipe is a staple in our house. How to make Vegan Loaded Vegetable Beans and Rice: Mix together the rice, broth, salt, and 1 Tablespoon olive oil in a medium pot.Turn the heat to high until the mixture comes to a boil.Once it's boiling … [Read more...]
Easy Mac and Cheese
Sometime you just need a big comforting bowl of Mac and Cheese. This recipe is so easy and only takes 30 minutes! Now this cheesy goodness is not what I would consider a healthy meal, but sometimes you just need a bowl of comfort! I try to eat a big salad or some veggies with it so I don't feel as guilty splurging. How to make Easy Mac and Cheese: In a large skillet heat up the garlic powder, pepper, salt, milk, and heavy cream over medium heat until it comes to a simmer.Turn down the … [Read more...]
Jalapeno Artichoke Dip
Who doesn't love a good dip? This Jalapeno Artichoke dip is a great easy appetizer to serve at your next party. All you have to do is mix all of the ingredients together and throw it in the oven. Does it get any easier? Here are some common questions about this recipe: Is this Jalapeno Artichoke Dip Keto? Yes it is, but don't serve it with chips obviously. You could serve it with bell peppers, celery, or carrots to keep it Keto. Is there a quick way to soften cream cheese? If I … [Read more...]
Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels
We eat pizza at least once a week, so to change it up a little I made these Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels. These pinwheels would make a great appetizer or main dinner. We like to have fun with the fillings, but I'd thought I would share a classic pepperoni version first. I like to make my own homemade pizza dough, but you can find quality pre-made dough at Publix or Trader Joes. I haven't tried canned dough, but in my experience homemade is best. You can prep the dough the night before and … [Read more...]
Easy Vegetable and Dumpling Soup
Need a cozy soup recipe to warm you up? I made this easy vegan vegetable and dumpling soup this week and it hit the spot. I cheat and use frozen vegetables because during the week the last thing I want to do is chop veggies. This soup comes together under an hour which is perfect for those busy nights. Full disclosure we are not vegan, but we enjoy eating plant based meals every so often ... well I do. I wouldn't say Nolan enjoys it, but he's a good sport. You may notice a strange … [Read more...]
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Breakfast Burritos
Sweet potatoes and black beans are my new favorite combination. I tried this combo out when we were eating vegetarian for a few months. It was a good run but we eventually started adding meat back into our diets. We still eat meatless meals quite often though, and I love the challenge of creating delicious vegetarian recipes. For these Vegan Sweet Potato and Black Bean Breakfast Burritos, I season the sweet potatoes with chili powder, cumin, and cayenne. This creates a sweet, salty, savory … [Read more...]
Roasted Breakfast Vegetables
I know what your thinking...vegetables for breakfast? Trust me when I say the combination of brussels, potatoes, onion, and bell peppers work for any time of day. I love serving these easy roasted vegetables alongside some eggs (scrambled, poached, or fried) during the week or to accompany a yummy breakfast casserole for brunch on the weekend. What is a good vegetable for breakfast? Technically you could eat any vegetable for breakfast, but my favorite blend is potatoes, bell peppers, … [Read more...]
Homemade White Pizza
How do you make white pizza at home? The hardest part about making pizza at home is making the crust. Don't worry! I've been testing this crust recipe for years now, and I've got it down pat. It does take over an hour to make since the dough needs to rise, so plan ahead! You can even make the dough the night before and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. There are several ways to make a white pizza, but I am lazy so I'll let you in on a secret: I use ricotta cheese as the white sauce. … [Read more...]
Same Day Pizza Dough (Quick and Easy)
Need a pizza dough recipe you can use the same day? While any good pizza dough recipe will take time, this same day pizza dough recipe only takes a minimum of two hours. Full disclosure - I am far from a master pizza maker. I love pizza and am well aware of the complexities of the perfect slice. This easy dough recipe is for the home cook who wants to have a fun bite to eat using ingredients they might have on hand. This same day recipe takes at minimum 2 hours to make which is doable for a … [Read more...]
Homemade Cheese Calzone
This homemade cheese calzone would make a perfect appetizer for a crowd. We like to slice them into strips and serve them with a side of marinara. I used mozzarella, cheddar, ricotta, and feta cheese and the combination is amazing! If you haven't tried feta cheese on pizza (or in calzones) you are truly missing out! How do you make a cheese calzone from scratch? It's simple! All you have to do is: Roll out some homemade pizza dough Place whatever toppings you like on half of the … [Read more...]
Freezer Friendly Cinnamon Rolls
Want to make a lot of friends? Tell them you make homemade cinnamon rolls for Christmas. I started making this cinnamon roll recipe from Paula Deen about four years ago (Click here for the original recipe), and now they are expected every Christmas morning. I have modified the recipe slightly because some year they didn't turn out. What I realized is the order you add the ingredients really matter. Why? Because salt will kill your yeast, and hot melted butter will scramble your egg. I found … [Read more...]
Spinach, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Burritos
These meal prep spinach, egg, and cheese breakfast burritos are a must for anyone on the go. They only take an hour to throw together, and you have breakfast all week! I used pretty simple ingredients, but you could add hash browns, cooked sausage, crispy bacon, or more vegetables if you want. Our favorite way to reheat them is in the toaster for a few minutes. Just make you flatten them a little so they will fit in your toaster. Can you freeze these breakfast burritos? Yes. Put … [Read more...]
Meatloaf with a Crispy Cracker Crust
I grew up on this meatloaf recipe. In our house my dad always made the meatloaf. It was his dish. My mom would try to replicate it, but it was never the same. It's my ultimate comfort dinner. He got this recipe from an old Joy of Cooking cookbook that had been passed down from my grandma. He says the key to a good meatloaf is the Ritz crackers and adding water to the sides of the pan before it bakes. First you mix all of the ingredients into a bowl then form it into a ball. Roll the … [Read more...]