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Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken

Thank you Idahoan® Mashed Potatoes for sponsoring this post. Idahoan® Mashed Potatoes are real potatoes, real easy, delivering homemade taste on demand.

Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken is made on the stove top with a shallot, chicken broth, bit of heavy cream, garlic, dijon mustard, honey, stone ground mustard and boneless chicken breasts served over Idahoan® Mashed Potatoes. Add some roasted broccoli for a simple, yet delicious, family meal any day of the week.

Feeding the family a good home cooked meal every night can feel like a chore at times, regardless if you enjoy cooking or not. I rely on dishes that are convenient with simple ingredients but still taste amazing. Chicken is staple and something you will always find in my refrigerator and freezer because there are so many recipe possibilities. A new family favorite is this Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken served with mashed potatoes.

The Potatoes

Another item that is always is my house are Idahoan Mashed Potatoes. Idahoan Mashed Potatoes are perfect for when you need a side delivering a homemade taste on demand for Real Potatoes, Real Easy. I like to cook them on stove top where you bring a pot of water to a boil, add the potatoes and in a snap you have the perfect side dish any day of week.

Why reach for Idahoan Mashed Potatoes? 

Idahoan Mashed Potatoes are made from 100% real Idaho® potatoes and can be on the dinner table in minutes. Idahoan Mashed Potatoes offer the best taste and texture compared to any other mashed potatoes, even earning the title of “America’s Favorite Mashed Potatoes” based in part on IRI sales data, 52 weeks ending Dec. 30, 2018.

Get more recipe ideas and check out all the amazing Idahoan Mashed Potatoes flavors by clicking HERE.

Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken

Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken is made with a sweet base with a that sharp mustard tone. The heavy cream makes the sauce smooth and shallots and thyme add a more complex flavor that is really quite delicious.

Honey Mustard

A good honey mustard has equal parts honey, dijon and yellow mustard. For this Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken, we swapped the yellow mustard for a stone ground mustard for a slightly more subtle taste, better texture and a more appetizing color in the sauce. A whole wheat mustard could also be substituted but may be more difficult to find.

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Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken

Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken is made on the stove top with a shallot, chicken broth, bit of heavy cream, garlic, dijon mustard, honey, stone ground mustard and boneless chicken breasts served over Idahoan® Mashed Potatoes. Add some roasted broccoli for a simple, yet delicious, family meal any day of the week.
Servings 4 people
Author Amber

Ingredients

  • 2 large boneless chicken breasts
  • 1 shallot finely diced
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup dijon mustard
  • 1/3 cup stone ground mustard
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 sprigs thyme
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 4 ounces Idahoan® Mashed Potatoes Buttery Homestyle®

Instructions

  • Filet two large boneless chicken breasts to make 4 pieces. Season each side of the chicken with salt and pepper. 
  • Mince the garlic and finely dice the shallot. 
  • Remove the leaves from a sprig of thyme. 
  • In small bow, mix together the honey, dijon mustard and stone ground mustard to make a honey mustard. 
  • On the stove top - heat up a skillet to a medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add a drizzle of olive oil to the bottom of the pan and add the chicken breasts. Cook for 14 minutes or until internal temperature has reached 165 degrees, flipping half way through. remove the chicken from pan and place onto a plate while you reduce the heat to a medium and begin the sauce. 
  • Add another drizzle of olive to the bottom of the pan and add your shallots. Season with salt and pepper. Stir and cook for 2 minutes. 
  • Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds making sure not to burn the garlic. 
  • Add the chicken broth, heavy cream, honey mustard mixture, thyme leaves and one thyme sprig to pan and bring to a simmer for 2 minutes. Add the chicken back to the pan and turn off heat. 
  • As the chicken cooks, start your Idahoan Mashed Potatoes in a pot. For the potatoes, add 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Remove the boiling water from heat and add pouch of potatoes. Mix with a fork and let stand 1 minute. 
  • Serve the chicken over a bed of Idahoan Mashed Potatoes with a spoonful of the honey mustard sauce. Roasted broccoli is also a great addition for a complete dinner. 

Idahoan Mashed Potatoes are available in a variety of delicious flavors from Bacon & Cheddar Chipotle to Four Cheese or Roasted Garlic. What is your favorite flavor and what does your family love to pair them with? Share in the comments below.

Crock-pot White Chicken Chili

Crock-pot White Chicken Chili is made with chicken breast,  Northern beans, yellow onion, chicken broth, salsa verde and seasonings. Top with sour cream , fresh avocado slices, tortilla strips and cilantro.

January is the month for soups and slow cooked meals. This time of year my crock-pot has a permanent spot on the kitchen counter so we use it daily – and we pretty much do just that! This Crock-pot White Chicken Chili

Crock-pot White Chicken Chili

Crock-pot White Chicken Chili is one of those really simple dump and go meals. Just make sure to soak the beans in a big bowl of water the night before so you can toss everything together in the morning. Cook on low all day, shred the chicken and serve with delicious toppings. We enjoy cilantro, fresh avocado, sour cream and crunchy tortilla strips.

If you want to thicken up the broth a bit, take your spoon or ladle and squish some of the cooked beans against the side of the crock-pot before serving! From time to time we also add extras in this soup. Put in whatever extras you have around the house like corn, carrots, celery, or herbs for more flavor and textures!

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White Chicken Chili

White Chicken Chili is made with chicken breast,  Northern beans, yellow onion, chicken broth, salsa verde and seasonings. Top with sour cream , fresh avocado slices, tortilla strips and cilantro. 
Course dinner
Keyword chicken, chili, crockpot, slow coooker, soup
Servings 6 people
Author Amber

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Northern beans soaked overnight
  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 12 ounces salsa verde
  • 48 ounces chicken broth
  • 1 yellow onion chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 sprig rosemary optional
  • sour cream topping
  • tortilla strips topping
  • fresh cilantro topping

Instructions

  • Soak the beans in water overnight. 
  • Place drained beans, chicken, salsa verde, and chicken broth into crock-pot. 
  • Dice the onion and mince the garlic cloves. Place into crock-pot along with 2 teaspoons cumin, 1 teaspoon pepper and a bay leaf. I also like to add a sprig of rosemary when I have it on hand. 
  • Cook on low 8-10 hours. 
  • Remove the rosemary sprig and bay leaf. 
  • Remove the chicken breasts, shred, and return to crock-pot. 
  • Mash some of the beans on the side the crock-pot with your ladle or spoon to thicken up the soup to your preference. 
  • Serve with your favorite toppings like sour cream, fresh cilantro and tortilla strips. 

What topping will you put on your Crock-pot White Chicken Chili?

Spicy Ramen Noodle Soup

This post is sponsored by Great Day Farms and Soapbox Influence. All opinions are mine alone.  #EggceptionallyGreat

Spicy Ramen Noodle Soup is made with fresh carrots, bok choy, onion, garlic, ginger, broth, sriracha, ramen noodles, chicken and topped with a Great Day Farms Hard-Boiled Egg for a family dinner packed full of goodness.

I am always looking for ways to feed my family more wholesome meals. More vegetables. More protein. More flavor. Not only do they need to be wholesome and filling but also simple and fairly quick. Spicy Ramen Noodle Soup hits all those things I am looking for in a quality meal.

Ramen Noodles

What are Ramen noodles? They are a Japanese dish made from wheat noodles in a broth. For a healthier Ramen, ditch those instant packets with seasonings and create your own delicious dish. Find these noodles at an Asian market or the ethnic food aisle at your grocer.

Great Day Farms Hard-Boiled Eggs

Obviously, you can’t have Spicy Ramen Noodle Soup without the noodle but another must-have for me is hard-boiled egg on top. Hard-boiled eggs are rich of high-quality proteins and healthy fats, plus supply your body with many essential vitamins and minerals. I recommend eating hard-boiled eggs as part of a healthy diet to keep you and your family on track this year. Great Day Farms Hard-Boiled Eggs are helping to make that goal easy with convenient, ready to eat packs.

Find tasty Great Day Farms Hard-Boiled Eggs in the deli section at your local Walmart in 2 and 6-packs. If you need a mid-morning snack at work, a post workout refuel or want to make meal prepping easier- Great Day Farms has you covered in the egg department.

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Earn $0.25 off of the 2-pack and $0.50 off of the 6-pack. 

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Spicy Ramen Noodle Soup

Spicy Ramen Noodle Soup has a great garlic-ginger broth base with carrots, onions and bok choy to add flavor and nutrients. A bit of sriracha adds some heat to the dish which you can make as spicy or mild as you would like. Ramen noodles, thinly sliced chicken and hard-boiled eggs make this soup hearty and comforting.

These Spicy Ramen Noodle Soup bowls are a great family meal to for its simplicity and possible variations. You can swap basically anything in this soup to cater to your own family. Here are a few ideas below but possibilities are endless.

Variations

  • Swap carrots for mushrooms.
  • Any meat can be used! Try steak or pork.
  • Add celery.
  • Chicken or vegetable stock tastes great.
  • Add miso paste for a different flavor.
  • Add peas.
  • Swap bok choy for kale.
  • Add fresh jalapeno slices for extra heat.

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Spicy Ramen Noodle Soup

Spicy Ramen Noodle Soup is made with fresh carrots, bok choy, onion, garlic, ginger, broth, sriracha, ramen noodles, chicken and topped with a Great Day Farms Hard-Boiled Egg for a family dinner packed full of goodness.
Servings 4 people
Author Amber

Ingredients

  • 1 chicken breast
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil plus more for cooking chicken
  • 3 garlic clvoes minced
  • 1 inch piece ginger peeled and chopped
  • 3 carrots peeled and chopped
  • 1/2 yellow onion diced
  • 3 cups bok choy chopped
  • 32 ounces low-sodium beef broth may substitute chicken or vegetable broth
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 Tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/2 Tablespoon Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon worcestershire sauce
  • 9.5 ounces ramen noodles (3 bundles)
  • 4 Great Day Farms Hard-Boiled Eggs cut in halves
  • 3 green onions chopped
  • optional red pepper flakes, cracked peppercorn, cilantro, sliced lime

Instructions

  • Start by cooking a chicken breast. Filet the breast and cook on a hot pan on the stove top with some olive oil for 7 minutes each side. Season with salt and pepper. Let rest and slice very thin. You may use leftover chicken breast. 
  • As the chicken cooks, prep all the vegetables and soup ingredients. 
  • Place a stockpot on the stove top on a medium high heat. Once the pot is hot, add a Tablespoon of olive oil with the chopped carrots and onion. Cook for 3 minutes. Stir often. 
  • Add minced garlic and ginger. Cook for 1 minute or until the garlic is fragrant. 
  • Add the chopped bok choy and cook for 2 minutes stirring often. 
  • Add 32 ounces broth ad 4 cups water. Bring to boil as you add in 1 Tablespoon soy sauce, 1 Tablespoon worcestershire sauce, and 1/2 Tablespoon sriracha. For extra kick, add an extra 1/2 Tablespoon sriracha. 
  • Once the broth is at a rolling boil, add in the ramen noodles for 4 minutes or as instructed on the package instructions. 
  • Serve. Build the Spicy Ramen Noodle Soup bowls by adding in some ramen noodles and broth. I like minimal broth- my kids love lots of broth. Make sure to get carrots and bok choy in each bowl. Top each bowl with some sliced chicken and a Great Day Farms Hard-Boiled Egg.  Add some green onions and anything else you would like. I did a sprinkle of red pepper flakes and a lime slice added over top. 

How does your family enjoy eating Great Day Farms Hard-Boiled Eggs? In the morning as part of breakfast? As an easy snack on the go? On a salad? Let me know in the comments below. So many “eggceptional” possibilities!

Hosting a Football Game with Crock-Pot Dr Pepper Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyDollarGeneralWin

Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Pulled Chicken Sandwiches are made with chicken slow cooked with onion, BBQ sauce and Dr Pepper® topped with a vinegar and oil coleslaw in a hamburger bun for a simple game day meal.

Ten-hut! Fall is officially here which means college football season is in full swing! Time to huddle up with your friends to plan the who, what, when and where for tailgating and football viewing parties for the season. These Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Pulled Chicken Sandwiches are guaranteed to make you the MVP among your friends and family for Saturday football, along with just a few hosting tips!

How to score a big WIN in hosting

  • Keep it simple and casual. Saturdays are for relaxing even if a big game is on. When hosting, let people kick their feet up and take it easy.
  • May your food be warm and drinks stay cold! Stock the fridge with Dr Pepper and serve something warm for the main dish.
  • Snacks galore! Chips, dips, pretzels, peanuts, and a cheese platter set out next to television are a must.
  • Clean and restock the bathroom. Toilet paper, hand soap, clean hand towels and some air freshener are on the Dollar General shopping list.
  • Make sure there is seating for everyone. Move the couch, bring in some extra chairs or whatever you need to do to make sure everyone has a comfortable seat.
  • More snacks. Make sure there is no way the snacks will run dry before the 4th quarter. Overestimate the amount of food and drink you will need and keep the snacks flowing.


The main stop for game day snacks, drinks, cleaning supplies and a few fun decor items is Dollar General for a quick, convenient shopping experience with great prices. I already had chicken in the freezer that just needed to be thawed out so this entire game day meal was a breeze.

Dollar General List

  • Plates
  • Napkins
  • Cups
  • Dr Pepper
  • Variety of snacks
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Toilet paper
  • Air freshener
  • Hand soap
  • Serving bowls and platters
  • Utensils
  • Football decorations
  • Ingredients: vinegar, vegetable oil, onion, carrots, cabbage/coleslaw mix, sugar, salt, celery seed and BBQ sauce.

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Stock up and save on  Dr Pepper each time you visit Dollar General!

Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

The mix of sweet Dr Pepper Pulled Chicken with the tang of a vinegar coleslaw are the perfect combination for a game day sandwich. These sandwiches are mouthwatering and just SO DARN DELICIOUS. The secret ingredient to these winning sandwiches are the Dr Pepper. Adding Dr Pepper with its rich, indulgent, one of a kind flavor makes meat so tender and adds that really nice sweetness that you and your friends are going to love. Dr Pepper is the official drink of college football fans and a great way to create yummy recipes with its 23 flavors packed inside every can.
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Crock-Pot Dr Pepper Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
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#ad, #MyDollarGeneralWin, Crock-Pot Dr Pepper Pulled Chicken Sandwiches, game day recipe, Dr Pepper recipe, football food, pulled chicken, vinegar and oil coleslaw, Dollar General

Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Pulled Chicken Sandwiches are made with chicken, slow cooked with onion, BBQ sauce and Dr Pepper® topped with a vinegar and oil coleslaw in a hamburger bun for a simple game day meal. 

  • Dr Pepper Pulled Chicken
  • 3-4 pounds chicken breast
  • 26 ounces your favorite BBQ sauce (2 bottles)
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 12 ounce can Dr Pepper®
  • Coleslaw
  • 2-3 carrots, peeled and shredded
  • 1 head cabbage, shredded (may substitute 2 bags coleslaw mix)
  • 3 green onions, sliced
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 3/4 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1.5 teaspoon celery seed
  • 8 hamburger buns
  1. Place chicken into the slow cooker.
  2. Dice a yellow onion and place on chicken.
  3. Pour in a bottle of BBQ sauce, followed by a can of Dr Pepper. Cook on low for 6 hours.
  4. As the chicken cooks, prep the coleslaw. Start by washing the vegetables well and peel the carrots.
  5. Quarter the cabbage head and put into a food processor. Pulse until the cabbage is shredded and place into a mixing bowl.
  6. Grate the carrots and slice the green onions. Add to cabbage. Dollar General has packaged coleslaw if you want to save time! Two bags will equal a head of cabbage.
  7. In a small bowl, add sugar, salt, celery seed, vinegar and oil. Mix well and add to the bowl of cabbage. Stir, cover and place in fridge until the chicken is fully cooked.
  8. Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred in a mixing bowl. The chicken should shred easily with just a fork.
  9. Add 1 cup of BBQ sauce and 1 cup of the liquid and onion from the crock-pot. Mix in with the shredded chicken.
  10. Place a heap of chicken on a hamburger bun, followed by some coleslaw.
  11. Serve with a side of coleslaw and a cold Dr Pepper.

 

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Game Day

Hosting game day is pretty relaxed. No need to be a perfectionist and scrub every inch of the house. Do a quick clean of the house making sure the bathrooms are stocked, set up the television viewing area with plenty of seating and prep some food. Begin your Dr Pepper Pulled Chicken Sandwiches 6 hours before kick off, make sure the drinks are cold and have plenty of snacks available! Do you have any hosting tips for game day? Share them in the comments below.

Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich is a delicious switch up from a classic grilled cheese sandwich made with pepperoni, Italian bread, pizza sauce and fresh mozzarella.

I am bringing out my inner child a bit with this recipe. Pepperoni pizza and grilled cheese are two items I loved as a kid and foods that my both children eat without complaints! Okay, minimal complaints. The fusion of the two is really fun and completely delicious.

Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich

The perfect grilled cheese starts with a properly heated pan. Make sure your pan is preheated on a medium heat before cooking. For that nice golden brown on the bread, let each side cook until you hear that sizzle stop. Once that sizzling stops, wait just a few seconds and then flip.

Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese
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Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich, mozzarella, pepperoni, pizza recipe, grilled cheese recipe, quick family dinner

Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese is a delicious switch up from a classic grilled cheese sandwich made with pepperoni, Italian bread, pizza sauce and fresh mozzarella. 

  • 2 slices Italian bread
  • 2 teaspoons butter
  • 12 slices pepperoni
  • 2 tablespoons pizza sauce
  • 2 ounces fresh mozzarella sliced cheese (2 slices)
  1. Place a non-stick pan on the stove top and preheat to a medium heat.
  2. Butter the slices of bread.
  3. Place a slice of bread onto pan butter side down.
  4. Add 6 slices pepperoni, 1 tablespoon pizza sauce, 2 ounces mozzarella cheese, 1 tablespoon pizza sauce, and 6 more slices of pepperoni - in that order.
  5. Place the other slice of bread on top with butter side up.
  6. Cook until the sizzling stops (2-3 minutes) and then flip. Cook another 2-3 minutes.
  7. Serve.

How do you eat your grilled cheese? Do you dip it in tomato soup, make it extra cheesy? Let me know in the comments below.

Carbonara with Peas

Carbonara with Peas

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ElevateYourMeal #CollectiveBias

Carbonara with Peas is a creamy pasta dish made with thick pieces of bacon, garlic, Parmesan cheese, egg and Barilla® Collezione Bucatini for a simple, yet elevated, weeknight meal.

Carbonara with Peas is a gourmet meal that isn’t too complex and requires just a few ingredients making it the perfect dish for busy nights or for a cook that is just dipping their toes into creating more artisanal foods at home.  For myself, creating artisanal meals starts with family tradition. The best traditional meals are the ones that supply comfort in every bite and have the power to bring families together around the dinner table. A carbonara is THAT meal for my family.

Barilla® is my go-to pasta to create all kinds of delicious meals for my family from spaghetti and meatballs to tuna casserole. When I want to create a more gourmet pasta dish, I reach for Barilla® Collezione. Barilla® Collezione is made with non-GMO ingredients and crafted using traditional Italian bronze plates for a homemade texture. The bronze cut taste and texture perfectly holds sauce and you can really taste the Collezione difference.

You can find Barilla® Collezione pasta shapes at your local grocer. I found mine on the pasta aisle at Kroger on my weekly shopping trip while picking up my other Carbonara with Peas ingredients.

Try all six artisanal Barilla® Collezione pasta shapes: 

  • Orecchiette
  • Bucatini
  • Penne
  • Spaghetti
  • Casarecce
  • Rigatoni

Click HERE to visit Saving Star to save on Barilla® !

Spend $15 on any Collezione products between 09/06/18 and 11/26/18 and receive a $5 reward.

Carbonara with Peas

Bring on the pasta! Carbonara with Peas is perfect when you want to put a great meal on the table quickly. Not many gourmet dishes have a 7 minute cook time and limited prep work needed like this carbonara. The rich, silky texture of this pasta dish with the garlicky peas and hint of bacon all over is going to put this recipe in your dinner line-up over and over again.

I feel that some people are intimidated by the egg in carbonara but don’t be. The trick to carbonara is to finish cooking the pasta and pan of bacon with peas at the exact same time so you can quickly drain the pasta and add all ingredients together while everything is hot. The hot ingredients is what cooks that raw egg well enough to consume. Make sure the eggs are pasteurized and fresh. After the first bite, your taste buds and tummy will be thanking you for making this dish!

Carbonara with Peas
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Carbonara with Peas is a creamy dish made with thick bacon pieces, garlic, Parmesan cheese, egg and Barilla® Collezione Bucatini for a simple, yet elevated, weeknight meal. 

  • 12 ounce box Barilla® Collezione Bucatini
  • 1 cup frozen peas, defrosted
  • 1/2 pound thick cut bacon (pancetta can be used)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 eggs, reccomend pasteurized
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese, shredded plus more for serving
  • cracked pepper
  • salt
  1. Chop bacon into 1 inch slices.
  2. In a small bowl, mix 4 eggs and 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese together.
  3. Finely mince the garlic cloves.
  4. Bring 4-6 quarts of water to a boil. Add salt and pasta.
  5. Boil pasta for 7 minutes.
  6. Timing is important with Carbonara so right when you put the pasta in to cook, add the bacon into a large preheated saute pan on the stove top. Cook the bacon for 5 minutes.
  7. Add the peas to the bacon for 1 minute.
  8. Push the bacon and peas to the side while you add the garlic. Let the garlic cook until it is aromatic (about 1 minute). Mix the garlic with the peas and bacon.
  9. Immediately drain the pasta as it finishes it 7 minute cook time reserving half a cup of the pasta water for later. Place the drained pasta into the bacon pan and stir ingredients together for 1 minute.
  10. Remove the pan from heat and add the egg mixture. Stir well and quickly. Add in the reserved pasta water as needed until you get a creamy consistency.
  11. Serve with some fresh ground pepper and parmesan cheese on top.

Have you ever made a carbonara at home? Let me know in the comments below and tell me how you elevate everyday dishes using Barilla® Collezione!

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** This recipe may contain raw egg. I recommend pasteurized eggs to reduce risk of food-born illness. 

 

 

Pan Seared Salmon

Pan Seared Salmon

Pan Seared Salmon is my go-to for throwing together a quick weeknight meal that is both healthy and delicious. Pair with some rice and oven Roasted Green Beans for a full family meal that is on the table in 20 minutes.

Salmon is one of those foods that just makes you feel good eating. With all the health benefits associated with salmon, it’s no wonder why.

Reasons you should put salmon in your healthy diet:

  • Rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids have a wide range of health benefits from managing heart disease and lowering blood pressure just to start.
  • Salmon is rich in protein.
  • High in the B vitamins which play a role in your body from head to toe.
  • Good source of potassium.
  • Contains the antioxidant, Astaxanthin, which benefits the heart, brain and skin.

Pan Seared Salmon

Today, I am just sharing how I pan sear salmon with some olive oil, salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon. You can take this basic recipe and create all kinds of different flavors from it. Make a creamy sauce, add herbs or honey or brown sugar. There are so many possibilities. Let me know what your favorite flavor combinations are in the comments below.

Also check out Lemon Garlic Salmon for a recipe to bake in the oven.

Pan Seared Salmon
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Pan Seared Salmon is my go-to for throwing together a quick weeknight meal that is both healthy and delicious. Pair with some rice and oven Roasted Green Beans for a full family meal that is on the table in 20 minutes. 

Yields: 4 servings

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound salmon, wild caught or farm raised (my favorite is wild caught sockeye)
  • Pinch of salt
  • Pinch of cracker pepper
  • 1/2 lemon
  1. Preheat a large non -stick pan on the stove top on a medium heat.
  2. Cut your salmon into 4 even portions. Leave skin on.
  3. Salt and pepper each side.
  4. Once the pan is hot, drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil in pan followed by your salmon placing it skin side up. Cook for 3 minutes.
  5. Flip the salmon and cook another 4 minutes.
  6. Squeeze a lemon wedge over each portion.
  7. Serve. The skin will still be on the salmon, you can easily remove it before serving or serve with skin on.
  • Preparation time: 2 minutes
  • Cook time: 7 minutes

Asian Meatballs

Asian Meatballs

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Asian Meatballs are a fun switch up from a classic meatball with loads of flavor from ginger, herbs and sweet chili sauce. Serve over rice and top with sesame seeds for a delicious dinner the whole family is going to enjoy.

We love making meatballs around here- maybe I love them because it is one of the few things my husband will voluntarily cook for everyone. A day off cooking is nice from time to time but seriously, these meatballs are delicious. These Asian Meatballs have a base of a basic meatball with the breadcrumbs and egg but the flavor really pulls through with the extras like fresh herb and sweet chili sauce actually mixed in.

Asian Meatballs

Tips for fantastic Asian Meatballs: 

  • Let the ground beef sit out for 30 minutes before forming meatballs.
  • Use gloves to really get in there and mash all the ingredients together.
  • A meatball press/baller does wonders to rolling the meatballs.
  • Use fresh ingredients- fresh ginger root, green onion, parsley.
  • Brown the meatballs before baking.

Some items that make these Asian Meatballs a breeze:


Asian Meatballs
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Asian Meatballs are a fun switch up from a classic meatball with loads of flavor from ginger, herbs and sweet chili sauce. Serve over rice and top with sesame seeds for a delicious dinner the whole family is going to enjoy. 

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/3 cup bread crumbs
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped
  • 3 green onions, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 12 ounces sweet chili sauce, divided (I like to Mae Ploy brand)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • sesame seeds
  1. Let the ground beef sit out at room temperature for 20 minutes before making meatballs.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, add the ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, chopped parsley, chopped green onion, minced ginger, salt and 1/4 cup of the sweet chili sauce. Put gloves on and mix the ingredients together well.
  3. Form the meatballs. I recommend a meatball press/baller to get them equally formed.
  4. Heat up a pan on a medium-high heat on stove top and preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  5. Add a tablespoon or so of olive oil, followed by the meatballs.
  6. Let all 4 sides of the meatball brown and then place into a foil covered baking sheet or casserole dish.
  7. Cook for 10 minutes.
  8. Flip meatballs and pour the remainder of sweet chili sauce on top. Bake another 10 minutes.
  9. Serve over rice and garnish with sesame seeds.

Moms 4-Ingredient Tater Tot Casserole

Moms 4-Ingredient Tater Tot Casserole

Moms 4-Ingredient Tater Tot Casserole is made with ground beef, condensed soups and tater tots for a really simple, family-friendly recipe that is both comforting and delicious.

This recipe comes from mom and has a funny back story as it is the first meal she made for my dad when they were teenagers many, many years ago. I’m just going to let you all know now – this isn’t really “first date” food. My dad was terrified to eat this – we can be honest that it doesn’t look like a fancy, beautiful meal but it does taste delicious. I promise. Over 30 years later, my mom still makes this casserole so it is a keeper.

Moms Tater 4-Ingredient Tot Casserole

Let’s get to cooking. This casserole is so easy to make. I like to start with a ground beef with 15 % fat content. I have tried leaner ground beef but it has a tendency to get too dry while cooking and any meat with higher fat content, soaks everything so I like that 15% for this particular dish. Just press the meat into the bottom of a medium sized casserole dish, sprinkle some pepper and cover with a layer of frozen tater tots.

Next, mix up the condensed soups and pour over top of tater tots and sprinkle a little more pepper. Cover and bake for 30 minutes and uncover to finish off cooking. Dinner time doesn’t get much easier than that!

Moms 4 Ingredient Tater Tot Casserole
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Tater Tot Casserole, Hamburger Casserole, Under 5 ingredients recipe, family friendly recipe, easy casserole

Moms 4-Ingredient Tater Tot Casserole is made with ground beef, condensed soups and tater tots for a really simple, family-friendly recipe that is both comforting and delicious. 

  • 1.5-2 pounds ground beef (85/15)
  • 1 pound tater tots, frozen
  • 1 can cream of mushroom condensed soup
  • 1 can cream of chicken condensed soup
  • pepper
  • parsley garnish (optional)
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. In a medium casserole dish (I use 33 x 25), press the ground beef into bottom.
  3. Pepper the top.
  4. Wash hands well after handling meat or use gloves.
  5. Line a layer of tater tots over top.
  6. In a small bowl, stir the cream of chicken and cream of mushroom together and pour over top of tater tots.
  7. Pepper the top.
  8. Cover and bake for 30 minutes.
  9. Remove cover and bake another 15 minutes.
  10. Serve.

Tuna Casserole

Tuna Casserole

Tuna Casserole is a classic family dinner that is affordable, crazy simple and absolutely dish made with tuna, egg noodles, cream of mushroom, corn and green beans topped with breadcrumbs for some extra crunch.

School starts back up in less than 2 weeks and I am gathering up my arsenal of simple recipes for the fall. I love this Tuna Casserole as a go-to for many different reasons but it is a great dinner that feeds a lot of people for very little money and it just tastes good and comforting. Plus, the kids love this meal!

Tuna Casserole

Pasta, pasta, pasta! You can go never go wrong with pasta. I like to use green beans and corn int his dish but you can easily swap those out for whatever vegetables your kids eat (if they happen to be picky like most). Peas taste great or even mushrooms.

Here is the cost breakdown: 

  • Can of corn- $0.79
  • Can of green beans- $0.79
  • 2 can of condensed soup- $1.78
  • Can of tuna- $3.89
  • Egg noodles- $1.69
  • Milk, butter and bread crumbs cost hardly anything at about $0.30

Tuna Casserole Total

$9.33 which equals $1.16 per serving

We always make a big batch for our family of 4 and enjoy leftovers the next day!

Tuna Casserole
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Tuna Casserole, #simpledinner, #casserole, kid friendly meals

Tuna Casserole is a classic family dinner that is affordable, crazy simple and absolutely dish made with tuna, egg noodles, cream of mushroom, corn and green beans topped with breadcrumbs for some extra crunch. 

Yields: 8 servinsg

  • 2 10 ounce cans cream of mushroom
  • 9 ounce can tuna, drained
  • 1 pound egg noodles
  • 15 ounce can corn, drained
  • 15 ounce can french-style green beans, drained
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 4 tablespoons breadcrumbs
  • salt
  • pepper
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Boil a large pot of water on stove top and cook egg noodles according to package directions.
  3. While the noodles cook, combine the cream of mushroom, tuna, corn, green beans, milk and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix ingredients well and combine the drained pasta once finished cooking.
  4. Place into a 3qt casserole dish.
  5. Cook in the oven for 20 minutes.
  6. Melt the butter and mix in breadcrumbs in a small bowl. Place the breadcrumb mixture on top of casserole.
  7. Cook another 5 minutes.
  8. Serve.
  • Preparation time: 15 minutes
  • Cook time: 25 minutes

What are some of your favorite affordable go-to dishes that your kids also love? Let me know in the comments below.