Tag: healthy dinner

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

Keto-Friendly Enchilada Casserole

Brandi C

Keto-Friendly Enchilada CasseroleKeto-Friendly Enchilada Casserole

This is a recipe that I needed to be able to throw together quickly.  Actually, my #2 kid is making the Keto-Friendly Enchilada Casserole.  Now, she knows how to cook but according to my husband…nothing tastes as good as my food.  #browniepointsforhim

Next time, we will go lighter on the cilantro EO or maybe use fresh.  I’m not a big fan of cilantro but I know that it is supposed to “bring the flavors together.”  Oh, and be a “bright note” on a heavy dish LOL.  Clearly, I’m watching too much Guy’s Grocery Games.

Ingredients

4 cans of chicken, drained (you can use fresh, but I didn’t have any)

1 can chile peppers

Cilantro (I used 4 drops of doTerra essential oil)

Cheddar

Enchilada Sauce

Olive oil

Onion

Minced garlic

Seasoning

6 T. chili powder (or to taste start with less and add as your palate can handle)

Cumin

2 cans tomato sauce

1 c. water

Directions

In a pan, bring together the oil, onion, garlic, and seasoning.  Saute till the onion is cooked through.  Add the chili powder, cumin, tomato sauce, and water.  Simmer till it thickens up.

In a bowl, add chicken, sauce, chile peppers, cilantro, cheddar, and the sauce.  Stir well.  Place in 13×9 greased dish.  Add more cheddar on top.  Cook at 350 for 15 minutes.  Serve with cauliflower rice.

 

Recipes and Cooking

Keto-Friendly Philly Cheesesteak

Brandi C

Keto-Friendly Philly CheesesteakKeto-Friendly Philly Cheesesteak

This is a really good Keto-Friendly Philly Cheesesteak recipe.

Ingredients

Round steak

Montreal steak seasoning

Onion

Garlic

3 green peppers

Fresh mushrooms

Bacon grease

1 block of cream cheese

2 c. cheddar

1/2 c. mayo

2 T. Worcestershire sauce

Provolone

Directions

In an electric skillet, get bacon grease hot.  Cut round steak into strips and then I cut those strips in half.  Throw them in the skillet.  Add your onion, garlic, mushrooms, Montreal seasoning, and sliced-up peppers.  Saute this until you have sweated out the veggies and they are tender but not mushy.

In Bowl

Add the cream cheese, cheddar, mayo, and Worcestershire sauce.  Mix this well and pour over the meat and veggies.  In a greased baking dish, add your meat/veggies.  Then layer on TONS of provolone…cause ya know…cheese.

Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.  Let sit for a minute.  This can be served with “burnt” rice cauliflower.

This Keto-Friendly Philly Cheesesteak is a delicious twist on the classic, combining the savory flavors of round steak, sautéed veggies, and melty cheese for a satisfying low-carb dish. The use of cream cheese and cheddar creates a creamy, rich sauce that coats the steak and vegetables perfectly, while the provolone on top adds an extra layer of gooey, cheesy goodness. The bacon grease infuses the steak with extra flavor, making each bite even more indulgent. Serve this dish alongside some “burnt” rice cauliflower to keep things low-carb and add a bit of texture to your meal. It’s an easy, flavorful, and keto-approved dinner the whole family will love!

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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

Gluten-Free Beef Scalloped Potato Casserole

Brandi C

Gluten-Free Beef Scalloped Potato Casserole

Gluten-Free Beef Scalloped Potato Casserole

Oh, this Gluten-Free Beef Scalloped Potato Casserole is so good! I have also used a roast that I had cut up and marinated. It was equally as good!

2 pounds ground beef cooked with chopped-up onion and some seasoning.

Once that is cooked up, drain. Add in 1 c. beef broth or vegetable broth. Sprinkle over 2 Tablespoons gluten-free flour. Stir until it is thick.

Place this in a greased 13×9 dish.

Cut up some fresh mushrooms and sprinkle them over top of beef.

Next, cut some kale (can use spinach) and sprinkle it over mushrooms. Add a bit of seasoning.

Grate up some smoked gouda cheese (you can use any cheese, this is just what I had on hand).

Scalloped Potatoes

Take 8 small-medium-sized potatoes. Peel and Wash. Use a mandolin to slice them up very thin. In an instant pot, put potatoes and add enough water to cover the top of the potatoes. I also added 3 tsp. Gluten-free chicken bouillon cubes. Manual for 2 minutes. Quick pressure release and drain.

Layer on top of kale. Add some seasoning and thyme. Place 1 c. milk, 1/2 stick of butter, and the rest of your gouda cheese in a pot. Allow to melt, and then pour over your potatoes.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, then place under the broiler for about 5 minutes to crisp up the cheese.

It was yummy!

Side Note:

I will say that I have made this several times. I have substituted the ground beef for chicken, as well as ham. The recipe was delicious, no matter the meat used. You can also substitute homemade scalloped potatoes for the boxed kind, though that doesn’t do much for me. I try to stay away from processed food as much as possible. You could also sneak in shred-up zucchini or squash for even more nutrients. These items take on the taste of whatever you are cooking.

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Recipes and Cooking

Healthy Beef with Chinese Vegetables and Rice

Brandi C

Healthy Beef with Chinese Vegetables and Rice

Healthy Beef with Chinese Vegetables and Rice

Healthy Beef with Chinese Vegetables and Rice is not a recipe my kids are thrilled about when I make it.  I have learned some tricks and how to season the meat, in order for them to enjoy it.  This is a quick and easy recipe in that you can substitute Cauliflower Rice instead of traditional rice.

1 lb. stew meat (I cut this into small pieces and I marinate it all day in Teriyaki sauce)

1 c. broccoli

2 cans of water chestnuts

1 can mushrooms

32 oz. stir-fry vegetables

Seasoning

2 T. soy sauce

6 c. white rice, cooked

This serves about 12

Calories per serving:  203

Fat per serving:  4

Love

I love the robustness (is that a word) of beef stew.  It is so warming to my belly and my heart.  This reminds me of growing up and smelling it in the kitchen.  We didn’t have a lot of money, but this was one where you could use tons of veggies and little meat.  It would still fill you up on a cold day.  Now, my mom didn’t cook her beef stew with rice.  She used tried and true potatoes!

This dish has become a go-to for me when I want something hearty and nutritious without a ton of fuss. One of the best things about Healthy Beef with Chinese Vegetables and Rice is that you can really make it your own. Swap out veggies based on what you have or what’s in season. If you’re low on time, using frozen stir-fry vegetables is a game-changer. The marinade really helps the beef stay tender, and that punch of flavor wins the kids over—even if they still grumble about the water chestnuts. It’s a budget-friendly way to stretch meat and sneak in extra vegetables. Win-win!

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Recipes and Cooking

Minestrone Soup

Brandi C

Minestrone Soup

Minestrone Soup

Minestrone Soup is one that Big Daddy loves, but I am not fond of, sadly. I made it anyway cause I love him like that! Honestly, I can’t get behind this one. I have tried but can’t do it. Now, I can slurp up the broth like no one is watching. That brings me peace. Maybe it is the beans. Just not my jam.

Four c. vegetable broth (vegetarian)

Two cans of stewed tomatoes

kidney beans, one can

zucchini, cubed

One potato, large, cubed

onion, chopped

Two celery stalks, chopped

Three c. corn

Two cloves of garlic, minced

One head of cabbage, finely chopped (I put it through the food processor)

pasta, around 1 c.

Seasoning

2 T. Italian Seasoning

Mix all together in a large pot (minus the pasta). Bring to a boil and then reduce heat, cover and simmer until the vegetables are all tender. In the last 15 minutes, add the pasta. You certainly do not want to overcook the pasta. It still needs a bite to it or al dente. The fancy people say that. We Southerners don’t say fancy words like that. It is easy to overcook pasta.

I may not be wild about Minestrone Soup, but I do love that it’s packed full of veggies and goodness. It’s also a great “clean out the fridge” kind of meal, where you can toss in any vegetables that need to be used up. This is one of those soups that gets better the next day, once all the flavors have had time to marry and deepen. Big Daddy says it’s even better reheated! You can also swap out the pasta for a gluten-free option or skip it entirely if you’re watching carbs. It’s a super adaptable recipe, even if it’s not my favorite.

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