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Pressure Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast

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Pressure Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast is a family favorite dinner made with a roast, ranch seasoning, au jus gravy seasoning, butter and pepperoncinis that can easily be made in the pressure cooker or a crock-pot. 

The Mississippi Pot Roast is a recipe I came across many years ago on Pinterest. I don’t remember the original source I first saw the recipe from because it is ALL over the place! This recipe is not just a huge hit in my family but families everywhere. Typically, this roast is made in the crock-pot but today we are cutting back the cook time and cooking it in the pressure cooker. 

Pressure Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast

Pressure Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast is a bit salty with tender meat and a delicious gravy that is perfect over mashed potatoes. Pepperoncini’s add a little heat and more great flavor. 

Crock-Pot

Want to slow cook the roast? The crock-pot is probably my favorite way to make this meal. The pressure cooker is convenient and amazing in it’s own way but I am forever a crock-pot kind of girl. You want to start by seasoning the roast with salt and pepper, then searing each side on the stove top in some olive oil. Place the roast into a slow cooker and add a packet of Ranch, packet of au jus, 6-8 sliced pepperoncini’s, and a stick of butter. You will not need the beef broth this method. Cook on low for about 10 hours and then shred the meat. Serve over mashed potatoes. If you want it a little spicy, add in some of the pepperoncini juices straight from the jar while cooking. 

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Pressure Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast

Pressure Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast is a family favorite dinner made with a roast, ranch seasoning, au jus gravy seasoning, butter and pepperoncinis that can easily be made in the pressure cooker or a crock-pot. 

Course dinner
Keyword crockpot, Instant Pot, Pressure Cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Servings 4 Servings
Author Amber

Equipment

  • Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

  • 2 pound chuck roast rump can be used
  • 1 ounce au jus gravy packet
  • 1 ounce Ranch seasoning packet
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 6-8 pepperoncini sliced
  • 1 cup beef broth low sodium
  • olive oil
  • salt
  • ground pepper
  • parsley optional garnish

Instructions

  • Salt and pepper all sides of roast.
  • Heat a drizzle of olive oil in the bottom of the pressure cooker on a medium-high heat. Place roast inside and sear each side for about 3 minutes.
  • Remove roast. Deglaze the bottom of the pressure by adding 1 cup beef broth and scrape the bottom with a wooden spoon. Place the roast back in.
  • Add packet of Ranch, packet of au jus and stick of butter.
  • Slice 6-8 pepperoncinis and place on top of roast.
  • Cook for 60 minutes.
  • Depressurize and release lid. Shred meat. If the meat does not shred easily, cook another 15 minutes.
  • Serve over mashed potatoes, in a sandwich, on the side of roasted vegetables or however you please.

Chicken Bacon Caesar Salad

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

Chicken Bacon Caesar Salad is a delicious dinner salad made with romaine lettuce, tomatoes, crispy bacon, chicken, Parmesan cheese, croutons and Great Day Farms Hard-Boiled Eggs with a creamy yogurt based dressing. 

One of my favorite items to make through the summer are salads. Salads are refreshing, quick and easy to make so they are perfect for those hot days. Little salads won’t keep my family full and happy so we like them loaded and pumped full of flavor. Bring on the layers of deliciousness! From crunchy bacon to buttery croutons and creamy dressing to perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs. You are going to love this salad!

Great Day Farms Hard-Boiled Eggs

A great way to add more flavor and protein to any meal is with hard-boiled eggs. You can find Great Day Farms Hard-Boiled Eggs at Walmart conveniently located in the deli section next to the pre-made sandwiches and salads. Available in 2 and 6 pack pouches that are not just convenient but also tasty and a great value. 

Try this Spicy Ramen Noodle Soup for another great dinner recipe with hard-boiled eggs!

Chicken Bacon Caesar Salad

Chicken Bacon Caesar Salad is loaded with flavor! Beginning with the crispy bacon pieces and chicken cooked in some of the bacon grease. There are fresh tomatoes and crunchy croutons added over top a bed of Romaine lettuce. A nutty Parmesan cheese is sprinkled over top as well as in a creamy dressing of anchovies, Worcestershire and lemon juice blended with Greek yogurt and olive oil. The finishing touch are some Great Day Farms Hard-Boiled Eggs pre-cooked and ready to toss on the salad with their creamy centers. 

Yogurt Based Caesar Dressing

A classic Caesar dressing is made of anchovies, garlic, mustard and raw egg yolk. It is a simple dressing that is delicious and perfect but today I wanted to create an eggless Caesar dressing with the swap of Greek yogurt and it really works! The base is the same with anchovy and garlic. Salt, olive oil, Worcestershire, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese and plain Greek yogurt is then added. This dressing is super flavorful, thick and creamy. 

Tips & Tricks

Save Time

This meal can be on the table in less than 25 minutes. You just need to multi-task and get the bacon cooking ASAP. Followed by the chicken. While the bacon and chicken cooks, wash the produce, dice what needs to be diced and prepare the dressing. The Great Day Farms Hard-Boiled Eggs also help save time without the need to boil and peel any eggs. 

#ad @GreatDayFarms #EggceptionallyGreat, Chicken Bacon Caesar Salad, caesar dressing, yogurt based dressing, salad recipe, summer dinner recipe, how to make a caesar salad,
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Chicken Bacon Caesar Salad

Chicken Bacon Caesar Salad is a delicious dinner salad made with romaine lettuce, tomatoes, crispy bacon, chicken, Parmesan cheese, croutons and Great Day Farms Hard-Boiled Eggs with a creamy yogurt based dressing. 

Course dinner, lunch
Keyword bacon, caesar, chicken, dressing, Eggs, salad
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 people
Author Amber

Equipment

  • Food Processor

Ingredients

Caesar Dressing

  • 4 garlic cloves peeled
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon worcestershire
  • 3 anchovy flat fillet
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt plain
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese shredded

Chicken Bacon Caesar Salad

  • 2 chicken breasts fillet for 4 pieces
  • 6 bacon slices crispy and chopped
  • 2 heads Romaine lettuce
  • 1 cup croutons
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese shaved or shredded
  • 1 cup petite medley or cherry tomatoes halved
  • ground pepper
  • 4 Great Day Farms Hard-Boiled Eggs halved

Instructions

Caesar Dressing

  • Place salt, anchovy fillets and garlic cloves into food processor and blend for 1 minute.
  • Add the remaining dressing ingredients and blend until smooth and creamy.

Chicken Bacon Caesar Salad

  • Place bacon into a hot pan set on a medium-high heat. Cook until crispy (about 5 minutes) flipping often. Remove, let cool and then chop.
  • Drain most of the bacon grease from the pan leaving just a little to cook the chicken in.
  • Fillet 2 chicken breasts. Salt and pepper each side. Place into pan cooking 12-14 minutes on a medium-high flipping once. Remove from pan, cool and then slice.
  • Rinse and dry the tomatoes and lettuce.
  • Chop the Romaine lettuce and place into large bowl.
  • Add the sliced chicken and chopped crispy bacon.
  • Cut the tomatoes and Great Day Farms Hard-Boiled Eggs into halves. Add to salad.
  • Add Parmesan cheese, croutons and some fresh ground pepper.
  • Toss with desired amount of Caesar Dressing and serve.

Notes

Internal temperature of chicken needs to reach 165 degrees to consume. 

Have you tried Great Day Farms Hard-Boiled Eggs? Let me know how you enjoy eating them in the comments below!

 

 

Air Fryer Hot Dogs

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Air Fryer Hot Dogs are a simple kid friendly meal that can be on the table in 5 minutes! All you need is a air fryer, beef franks and hot dog buns. 

My daughter has recently decided that she is going to be a picky eater and living off mac ‘n’ cheese and hot dogs is totally doable. SOMEONE please tell me this phase will end soon in our lives! Needless to say, we have been eating hot dogs lately- lot’s of hot dogs so expect to some hot dog recipes in the future. 

Air Fryer Hot Dogs

Air Fryer Hot Dogs are so quick and easy! The hot dogs turn out plump and juicy and even get some nice marking on the outside like they have been grilled. I don’t think I will ever boil a hot dog again- only the air fryer or grill in this house now!

Air Fryer

You will find that each air fryer is a little different. They work off a different wattage and have different temperatures they can reach. All air fryer recipes may need tweaked just a little in temperature and time because of this. Find what works with your air fryer!



 

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Air Fryer Hot Dogs

Air Fryer Hot Dogs are a simple kid friendly meal that can be on the table in 5 minutes! All you need is a air fryer, beef franks and hot dog buns. 

Course dinner
Keyword air fryer, hot dogs
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings 4
Author Amber

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients

  • 4 beef franks
  • 4 hot dog buns
  • condiments

Instructions

  • Place 4 beef franks into air fryer.
  • Cook 3-4 minutes on 390 degrees flipping half-way between cooking.
  • Remove franks and put hot dog buns into air fryer for 1 minute.
  • Build your hot dogs with whatever condiments you enjoy- ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, relish.

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.

#ad #IdahoanMashed | Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken served over Idahoan® Mashed Potatoes for a weeknight family meal | chicken recipe | mashed potatoes
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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.

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!

#ad #ElevateYourMeal, Carbonara with Peas, weeknight dinner, how to make carbonara, Bucatini all Carbonara, quick recipe, bacon recipe

** 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. 

  • 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 and remove any bones.
  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.

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. 

  • 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 and remove any bones.
  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.

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.