Tag: easy dinner recipe

Recipes and Cooking

Simple Sheet Pan Recipe

Brandi C

Simple Sheet Pan Recipe

Simple Sheet Pan Recipe

This Simple Sheet Pan Recipe is proclaimed as my husband’s “most favorite thing” I make. Let’s all realize that I have made it twice. That’s it. I have made it two times in the history of ever. Honestly, it has been an adjustment from cooking for so many people to just a few that I really have to step outside of my box. This recipe can be switched up, added to, ingredients taken away, change up the protein, and seasonings as well. You can mold this to whatever you would like.

Ingredients

Kielbasa

Onion

Garlic

Herbed Butter

Seasoning

Dan’O’s Cheesoning mix

Baby potatoes

Broccoli

Fresh Mushrooms

Oil

Parmesan

Zucchini would be really good in this but I didn’t have any

Directions

Preheat your oven to 450 and get a big sheet pan out. In a large bowl, add in your baby potatoes, I cut mine in half to make them cook quicker. Once they are all cut up, add a dash of oil, some seasoning mix, and your Dan’O’s. Mix well and throw it on your sheet pan. Place in preheated oven to cook while you work on your protein.

In a skillet, add your herbed butter, garlic, and chopped up kielbasa. Sear that down. In the same bowl that had your potatoes, add in the rest of your washed and chopped up veggies. Add a bit more oil, if needed, and more seasoning and Dan’O’s. Mix well.

When the potatoes are fork tender, pull them out of the oven and throw on the rest of your veggies and your protein. Dash some parmesan on top because I love parmesan and it makes everything taste better. Pop back in the oven for about 10 minutes and  you are done.

There are so many more veggies you can add. You can make this completely vegan or vegetarian, you can add different or more protein to bulk it up. There are just so many things that you can do and it is so simple. Enjoy.

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Recipes and Cooking

Pizza Spaghetti Bake

Brandi C

Pizza Spaghetti Bake

Pizza Spaghetti Bake

I will write down what I did in this Pizza Spaghetti Bake because it was good! Yet, I will also write what I will add/do differently. I feel like all recipes need to be tweaked in some form or fashion, so this is pretty typical.

Ingredients

Beef

Onion

Minced Garlic

Pepperoni, chopped (and some whole for the top)

Next time, do a pound of beef and a pound of sausage.

Seasoning

Italian Seasoning

Rosemary

2 packets of spaghetti mix

1 jar of spaghetti sauce

Next time, I will add a jar of pizza sauce.

2 cans of mushrooms, drained

Chopped spinach

Panko

Parmesan

Cottage Cheese

1 egg

Mozzarella

Penne Noodles

Directions

Boil noodles and drain according to directions.

Cook beef, chopped pepperoni, onion, garlic, and seasoning (sausage if used) and drain. Put back in the pot. Next, add mushrooms and chopped spinach. Then, add the Italian seasoning, Rosemary, and spaghetti packets. Mix well.

Next up, add the spaghetti sauce (and about a quarter of that same jar, put some water to add). If you are also using pizza sauce, add it. Mix well. Add in some panko, parmesan, a couple of handfuls of mozzarella, cottage cheese, and the egg. Stir and keep warm until your noodles are done.

Finally, mix the meat mixture with the noodles and spread it in a greased 13×9 dish. Top with mozzarella and whole pepperoni—Bake at 350 for about 40 minutes.

 

 

Recipes and Cooking

Healthy Chicken and Rice Recipe

Brandi C

Healthy Chicken and Rice Recipe

Let me say that there is SO much you can add to this! When I make this again, and I will, there are several things that I will add. The reason why I didn’t this time is that I am “shelf” cooking. We desperately needed to go to the grocery, so I used what I had on hand.

I will put “optional” on each thing I will use next time. The recipe can be loaded up with veggies and goodness. There was one mistake that I made. I put the rice in raw, which did not cook well. This is a technique that I use with Easy Brunzi Baseball Casserole. That always works well. However, I had to add more chicken broth, cover, and cook it longer this time.

Lesson learned.

Healthy Chicken and Rice Casserole

Use 3 chicken breasts (I cooked these in 1 c. of water, with seasoning and minced onions in my instant pot). Once it was cooked, I cut it up into chunks. I used 1.5 c. of the chicken stock. Next time, I will use 2 cups of chicken stock.

In a big bowl, I put all my chicken, broth, 1 can of cream of chicken, a block of cream cheese, seasoning mix, 2 packets of the dry ranch, 1 c. rice (COOK THAT FIRST), and some cheddar.

Next time, I will add 1 steamed bag of cauliflower rice, possibly broccoli, fresh mushrooms, and chopped-up spinach. Oh, that would be so good.

I put all of that in a greased 13×9 dish. The topping was 2 sleeves of ritz crackers with some butter in them. I ran that through the food processor. Spread that over the top of the casserole and add a bit more cheddar.

Cook at 350 for 30 minutes, covered. Then, I uncovered it for about 20 minutes. It was delicious.

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Recipes and Cooking

Chicken and Orzo Recipe

Brandi C

Chicken and Orzo Recipe

This Chicken and Orzo Recipe made more than I had anticipated. I made one 13×9 pan for tonight and a smaller pan to freeze for later.

Chicken and Orzo Recipe

  • 3 chicken breasts
  • Seasoning
  • 30 ozs chicken broth (can be broth or water/chicken bouillon)
  • 2 c. spinach, chopped
  • Cauliflower rice, 2 c. (I buy it frozen and thaw it)
  • 28 oz. diced tomatoes
  • 2 c. orzo, uncooked
  • Minced onion
  • 2 c. cheddar (reserve some for the top)
  • 1 can cream of chicken
  • 2 packets of Italian dressing mix

Directions

Cook the chicken and then cut it up. Mix everything in a giant bowl. Place in a 13×9 greased dish. This amount made that 13×9 and an 11×8 pan. Sprinkle reserved cheese on top. Bake at 350, uncovered, for about 40 minutes.

I didn’t have many children here; only 5 kids ate here. We were able to eat the entire smaller dish. The 13×9 dish I wrapped and froze for next week!

Substitutions

You can substitute Ranch packets instead of Italian packets. Also, taco seasoning can be used as a substitute, and maybe add a can of corn to that and make it Mexican-flavored. This chicken and orzo recipe was delicious. It is one I will make again because I can sneak so much goodness into it without my family thinking I’m killing them.

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Recipes and Cooking

Philly Cheesesteak Hoagie Sandwich

Brandi C

Philly Cheesesteak Hoagie Sandwich

Hot on the heels of returning from Pittsburgh, this Philly Cheesesteak Hoagie Sandwich is still on my mind. I ate one there, and now I’m making it here! However, I made fries with the sandwich cause my brain is still too tired to do anything else. Fries are easy, plus Big Daddy handled the deep fryer.

Philly Cheesesteak Hoagie Sandwich

Round steak (I think I had about 4 in each package)

Worcestershire Sauce

Seasoning Mix (Combine 1 c. kosher salt, 1/2 c. garlic powder, 1/2 c. onion powder, 1/8 c. pepper in an old parmesan container. Mix well. I use this seasoning mix for all my recipes).

Bacon Grease (or some other type of oil for cooking the meat)

Green pepper, yellow pepper, 2 orange peppers, and red pepper (this is what I had on hand)

Onion

Minced garlic

2 packs Hoagie Rolls (scoop out the inside of the bottom 1/2 of the roll. I save this in a baggie and freeze. Reuse when you need bread crumbs)

2 packages provolone

Remember, this recipe has to feed my whole family, and there are 10 on any given day, so adjust accordingly.

Directions

First, I slice my round steak very thinly. Next, I place it in a bowl with a sprinkle of seasoning and some Worcestershire sauce. Stir well and let marinate for about 30 minutes to an hour. This helps soften up the steak.

Once that is done, I get out my mandolin and thinly slice the peppers and onions. I get them in my big skillet with some bacon grease (and extra virgin olive oil). Also, I add minced garlic. I season this a bit too. You can add mushrooms if you want; that would be good too.

I scoop out all the veggies. Then, I start working on my meat (in the same skillet). Once that cooks up, I taste test to ensure it is seasoned well.

I take the hoagie’s bottom half and scoop out the innards. The bottom needs to be toasted, just a bit at 350 for about 5 minutes or so. If you don’t do that, then your bun will get soggy.

Once toasted, I place 1 piece of provolone on top of that toasted bottom bun. Next, I place some meat on top of the cheese layer. Then, I add the veggies. Lastly, I put another slice of provolone on top.

I place it in the oven at 350 for about 10-12 minutes. Just making sure the cheese is melted. For the last couple of minutes on the timer, I will add the top of my rolls to get them toasted.

They turned out well!

 

 

Recipes and Cooking

Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese Recipe

Brandi C

Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese Recipe

I made A TON of this Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese Recipe, so I will try and trim down my recipe. I’m certain no one, but my family needs 2 – 13×9 pans of this. We are freezing one of the pans, so there is supper for another day.

Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese Recipe

Round steak

Water

Seasoning Mix

Beef Bouillon Granules

Montreal Steak Seasoning

In my Instant Pot, I put my trivet. My round steak comes with about 3 in each pack. I take that apart, and I place one on my trivet. Then I add some seasoning mix and some Montreal Steak seasoning. I repeat until all my steaks are in the instant pot.

Next, I get about 2 cups of water (I will use this broth later on) and mix in about 2 teaspoons of the beef granules. I pour that over the steaks. Place the lid; seal the manual for 30 minutes (my steaks were mainly frozen).

Next Step

While the steaks were cooking, I got my elbow noodles going. Again, I used the Instant Pot. When I throw my noodles in there, I add a 1/2 stick of butter, seasoning, and enough water to cover however many noodles you use. Now, pop on the lid, place on the seal, manual, and I set it for 8 minutes.

While Waiting

3 cups finely chopped fresh spinach

2 tsp Montreal Seasoning

Seasoning Mix

Fresh mushrooms, finely chopped

1 T. minced garlic

1 onion, finely chopped

Orange, Red, and Yellow pepper, finely chopped

2 T. butter

2 T. Quinoa Flour (or any type of flour)

1 c. beef broth (from the meat)

1 c. milk

Provolone, 2 c. chopped up

Mozzarella, 2 c.

2 cups cheddar (with more for topping cause I like cheese)

Saute up the first 8 ingredients.  Add flour and broth.  Stir till mixed well.  Add milk.  Boil till thick.  Once thick, add cheese.

Finishing It Up

When your noodles are done, you should not need to drain them.  If they need it, though, drain off excess liquid.  Mix the noodles in the cheese sauce.  Place in a 13×9 greased baking dish.  Top with French Fried onions and cheddar.  Next time, however, I will use Panko for my topping.

Bake at 350 for about 40 minutes.

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Recipes and Cooking

Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Brandi C

Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Chicken and Broccoli Casserole – An Easy, Family-Friendly Meal

Need a warm, hearty dinner that’s packed with flavor and sneaky veggies? This Chicken and Broccoli Casserole checks all the boxes. It’s comforting, cheesy, and simple to pull together. You can even make one for now and freeze another for later—mom win!

If you’ve got picky eaters in the house (don’t we all?), this is the perfect dish to sneak in some extra nutrients. I like to toss in finely chopped cauliflower and spinach—thanks to the creamy cheese sauce and seasonings, they’ll never know the difference!

The key to pulling this off? Have it baked and cleaned up before your crew comes flying into the kitchen asking, “What’s for dinner?” 😉

Ingredients

  • Cooked chicken (see tips below)

  • 32 oz. broccoli, steamed and chopped

  • 1 large onion, chopped and sautéed

  • Fresh garlic to taste

  • 2 cans mushrooms, drained

  • 16 oz. pasta, cooked and drained

  • 1 tsp. lemon pepper

  • 1 tsp. dried basil

  • 1/3 cup milk

  • 8 oz. Velveeta

  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup

  • 1 can cream of chicken soup

Optional Add-Ins:

  • Chopped cauliflower

  • Chopped spinach

  • Minced onion

Topping

  • 2 sleeves of Ritz crackers

  • A bit of butter for browning

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken
    You can cook and shred chicken breasts in broth, use rotisserie chicken for a shortcut, or even go with canned chicken in a pinch (just drain and season it up).

  2. Flavor the Broccoli
    After steaming and chopping your broccoli, stir in a little seasoning and minced onion for added flavor. This step makes a big difference!

  3. Mix It All Together
    In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the topping. Stir, stir, stir—until everything is creamy and well mixed.

  4. Assemble the Casserole
    Pour the mixture into a greased 13×9 baking dish.

  5. Prepare the Topping
    Brown the Ritz crackers in a little butter, then sprinkle them over the casserole.

  6. Bake
    Bake at 350°F for 35–45 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.

Results & Leftovers

This recipe makes enough for two full 13×9 pans! We enjoyed one for dinner (with plenty of leftovers), and I popped the second into the freezer for a busy day. I love having meals on hand that I know everyone will eat—without fuss.

Let me know if you try it—and if your picky eaters notice those sneaky veggies! 😉

 

Recipes and Cooking

Cheesy Chicken Lasagna

Brandi C

Cheesy Chicken Lasagna

Here is my Cheesy Chicken Lasagna recipe. The recipe is a different spin on regular lasagna. Cheesy Chicken Lasagna is so easy to make. I keep an extra can of evaporated milk if it needs more liquid. Typically, I make more sauce than I realize. I end up needing a smaller dish to make a smaller lasagna. The recipe is something that I wrap well and freeze. Be sure and always label/date your freezer meals. Sadly, I have made that mistake. Then, we end up just guessing what is cooked. We know it has cheese, at least.

Cheesy Chicken Lasagna

3 1/2 c. cooked, shredded chicken

2 – 12 oz. cans of evaporated milk

1 packet ranch mix

Mozzarella

Cheddar

No boil lasagna noodles

Directions

Heat milk, cooked chicken, and a ranch packet in a saucepan. Boil for 3 minutes (stir to prevent burning) and then simmer for 25 minutes.

In a 13×9 greased dish spread a small spoonful on the bottom of the dish: layer noodles, chicken mixture, mozzarella, and cheddar. Continue to layer and end with cheeses. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 45 minutes. Cover with aluminum and cook for another 15 minutes until cheese is gooey. Let sit for about 5 minutes before serving.

Then, you can slap yo mama 🙂 This recipe is so good and so simple.