Sorry I missed last week! With Easter, and traveling, and sick babies....it just didn't happen! But I'm back! This week is comfort food....who am I kidding, most weeks I tend to go the comfort food route. My kids love it, My husband loves it, I love to cook it.
Sunday: Meatloaf and Mashed Sweet Potatoes
*I attempt to make my mom's meatloaf all the time, and I never quite get it right. I am attempting again this week. The biggest problem is that there is no "real" recipe. So I have to just add a pinch and a dash...which can get me into trouble. So I have no recipe to share here...but I'm sure you may have a family favorite of your own!
Monday: Mexican Skillet Pasta
* This is a new recipe for us this week. I'll let you know how it goes!
Tuesday: Beef Burgers & French Fries
* An old standby. Beef burgers are the ultimate quick weeknight meal! In case you don't know how to make them: I usually brown a pound of beef, drain, add some brown sugar, ketchup, and mustard to taste. THAT SIMPLE! It's great!
Wednesday: Chicken Pot Pie
* This is one of the first meals I made when we got married, and it quickly became a favorite. It is a little timely, but I can usually make it ahead of time and then pop it in the oven when I'm ready for it. :)
Thursday: Crockpot Cowboy Casserole
*This is a yummy, hearty, easy recipe. What more could you need? My kiddo's gobbled it up last time I made it! Hooray!
Friday: Eat Out Night
Let me know what you try and what you think!! Have a great week!
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Saturday, April 12, 2014
This Week's Meal Plan
Here is this week. Because of the holiday this weekend, we are heading out to the farm. So I am not planning meals for Thursday or Friday :) Also, since we won't be home this weekend to eat our leftovers, most of these meals are of the quick and easy variety!
Sunday: Taco Night
**This family loves tacos!
Monday: Fried Potatoes and Ham
** Please don't judge me :) I know there is nothing really that nutritional about this meal. But this was the meal my dad would always make growing up, and I just really love it. In case you need the recipe here it is:
What you need: (there are no set numbers because I just kind of throw in whatever)
Handful of potatoes
Ham
Onion
Assorted Vegetables
Directions:
In a large frying pan, coat bottom with oil of choice :)
Slice up potatoes to fill the pan, add sliced or cubed ham, diced onion, and chopped vegetables. (whatever you have leftover in the fridge).
Cover, stirring occasionally.
Cook until potatoes are tender (20-30 minutes)
Tuesday: Stir Fry
** Another old stand-by! :)
What you need:
Brown Rice
1 bag of frozen stir-fry vegetables
soy sauce
catalina
Directions:
Cook rice according to box (enough for 4 servings)
In a large skillet put bag of veggies with about 1 TBSP of olive oil, cover and let cook until vegetables are tender.
When vegetables are tender, mix in rice, add a dash of soy sauce and about 1/4 C of Catalina. Stir together and serve.
Wednesday: Spaghetti Pie
** This is a new recipe for us this week....straight out of our old church cookbook :) I'm excited to try it!
What you need:
1 (8oz) pkg spaghetti, broken into 2 inch pieces
2 TBSP butter
1/3 C shredded cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 egg, well beaten
1 1/2 lb ground beef
1/4 C chopped green pepper
1/2 C chopped onion
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp oregano
1 tsp sugar
2 TBSP vegetable oil
1 (15 1/2 oz) jar thick spaghetti sauce
8 oz cottage cheese
Directions:
~Boil Spaghetti according to package. Put in 9x13 pan, stir in next 5 ingredients until thoroughly mixed. Spread evenly
~ Saute ground beef, onion, and pepper in oil. Drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce, sugar, oregano, and garlic salt.
~ Spread cottage cheese over spaghetti. Top with meat mixture.
~ Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with Mozzarella cheese till cheese melts, approximately 10 minutes. Let set for 15 minutes before cutting.
Hope you enjoy! Let me know what you try and how it goes!
Sunday: Taco Night
**This family loves tacos!
Monday: Fried Potatoes and Ham
** Please don't judge me :) I know there is nothing really that nutritional about this meal. But this was the meal my dad would always make growing up, and I just really love it. In case you need the recipe here it is:
What you need: (there are no set numbers because I just kind of throw in whatever)
Handful of potatoes
Ham
Onion
Assorted Vegetables
Directions:
In a large frying pan, coat bottom with oil of choice :)
Slice up potatoes to fill the pan, add sliced or cubed ham, diced onion, and chopped vegetables. (whatever you have leftover in the fridge).
Cover, stirring occasionally.
Cook until potatoes are tender (20-30 minutes)
Tuesday: Stir Fry
** Another old stand-by! :)
What you need:
Brown Rice
1 bag of frozen stir-fry vegetables
soy sauce
catalina
Directions:
Cook rice according to box (enough for 4 servings)
In a large skillet put bag of veggies with about 1 TBSP of olive oil, cover and let cook until vegetables are tender.
When vegetables are tender, mix in rice, add a dash of soy sauce and about 1/4 C of Catalina. Stir together and serve.
Wednesday: Spaghetti Pie
** This is a new recipe for us this week....straight out of our old church cookbook :) I'm excited to try it!
What you need:
1 (8oz) pkg spaghetti, broken into 2 inch pieces
2 TBSP butter
1/3 C shredded cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 egg, well beaten
1 1/2 lb ground beef
1/4 C chopped green pepper
1/2 C chopped onion
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp oregano
1 tsp sugar
2 TBSP vegetable oil
1 (15 1/2 oz) jar thick spaghetti sauce
8 oz cottage cheese
Directions:
~Boil Spaghetti according to package. Put in 9x13 pan, stir in next 5 ingredients until thoroughly mixed. Spread evenly
~ Saute ground beef, onion, and pepper in oil. Drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce, sugar, oregano, and garlic salt.
~ Spread cottage cheese over spaghetti. Top with meat mixture.
~ Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with Mozzarella cheese till cheese melts, approximately 10 minutes. Let set for 15 minutes before cutting.
Hope you enjoy! Let me know what you try and how it goes!
Saturday, April 5, 2014
My Week of Meals
Here is my meal plan for this week! The theme is old favorites :) Hope you enjoy.
Sunday: Taco Soup
* This is another "old stand-by" for us. I made it all. the. time in college. I love that you can dump a bunch of stuff in the crockpot and let it go! Here is the recipe I use:
What you need:
1lb ground beef or turkey
1 lg onion, chopped
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 pkg ranch
1 can pinto beans
1 can chili beans
1 can corn
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 can rotel
Directions:
~Brown Meat and Drain
~Mix Ranch and Taco seasonings in meat
~ Add all other ingredients without draining
~ Cook on low in crockpot (I usually let it cook all day...really meld the flavors, but honestly once it's heated through you could eat it! :))
Monday: Bubble Pizza
* I know what you are thinking, "Um, wasn't this on last week's menu?" and the answer is, "yes." But like all families, life happens. We decided to have a spontaneous family date night to our town's street fair and enjoy food trucks one night, so I saved my bubble pizza ingredients for this week!
Tuesday: Zucchini and Beef Casserole
* We love this recipe over rice! Super easy to make!
Wednesday: Pulled Pork Sandwiches
* Another beloved crockpot recipe (see a pattern??). I put a pork roast in the crockpot, slice a whole onion, and pour in 1 Cup of Root Beer. Let it cook on low about 5-6 hours. Pull out Roast, shred, and cover in your favorite barbecue sauce! Easy Peasy!
Thursday: Lasagna (With uncooked noodles)
* This is a newer recipe for us, but has become a favorite. The trick is really to make it the night before and let it sit in the fridge. That helps the noodles become soft! Plus it's nice to have it ready to just pop in the oven!
Friday: Taco Bake
* Another favorite of ours and probably one of the easiest weeknight meals! Here is the recipe:
What you need:
1 lb ground beef
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 can chili w/beans (15.5 oz)
1 pkg shredded colby & jack cheese
2 pkg corn muffin mix (8.5 oz each)
1 can mexicorn
Chopped tomatoes, sliced olives, and sour cream for garnish if desired
Directions:
~ Brown Meat and drain
~ add seasoning, chili, cheese, and mexicorn
~ put beef mixture in bottom of casserole dish (9x13)
~Mix cornbread according to directions on the box, pour cornbread batter on top of beef mixture
~Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees
Hope you enjoy! Let me know what you try and what you think!
Sunday: Taco Soup
* This is another "old stand-by" for us. I made it all. the. time in college. I love that you can dump a bunch of stuff in the crockpot and let it go! Here is the recipe I use:
What you need:
1lb ground beef or turkey
1 lg onion, chopped
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 pkg ranch
1 can pinto beans
1 can chili beans
1 can corn
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 can rotel
Directions:
~Brown Meat and Drain
~Mix Ranch and Taco seasonings in meat
~ Add all other ingredients without draining
~ Cook on low in crockpot (I usually let it cook all day...really meld the flavors, but honestly once it's heated through you could eat it! :))
Monday: Bubble Pizza
* I know what you are thinking, "Um, wasn't this on last week's menu?" and the answer is, "yes." But like all families, life happens. We decided to have a spontaneous family date night to our town's street fair and enjoy food trucks one night, so I saved my bubble pizza ingredients for this week!
Tuesday: Zucchini and Beef Casserole
* We love this recipe over rice! Super easy to make!
Wednesday: Pulled Pork Sandwiches
* Another beloved crockpot recipe (see a pattern??). I put a pork roast in the crockpot, slice a whole onion, and pour in 1 Cup of Root Beer. Let it cook on low about 5-6 hours. Pull out Roast, shred, and cover in your favorite barbecue sauce! Easy Peasy!
Thursday: Lasagna (With uncooked noodles)
* This is a newer recipe for us, but has become a favorite. The trick is really to make it the night before and let it sit in the fridge. That helps the noodles become soft! Plus it's nice to have it ready to just pop in the oven!
Friday: Taco Bake
* Another favorite of ours and probably one of the easiest weeknight meals! Here is the recipe:
What you need:
1 lb ground beef
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 can chili w/beans (15.5 oz)
1 pkg shredded colby & jack cheese
2 pkg corn muffin mix (8.5 oz each)
1 can mexicorn
Chopped tomatoes, sliced olives, and sour cream for garnish if desired
Directions:
~ Brown Meat and drain
~ add seasoning, chili, cheese, and mexicorn
~ put beef mixture in bottom of casserole dish (9x13)
~Mix cornbread according to directions on the box, pour cornbread batter on top of beef mixture
~Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees
Hope you enjoy! Let me know what you try and what you think!
Friday, April 4, 2014
Crockpot Creamy Chicken and Corn Soup Review
Well, here is the review of our second "new" recipe of the week. I love using my crockpot. I try to use it as much as I can during the week...so the fact that this is a slow cooker recipe makes it all the better :).
This recipe is pretty much a true "dump and go" crockpot recipe, which I greatly appreciate. In fact Milo enjoyed being able to help "make" our dinner and did an excellent job pouring all the ingredients into the crockpot.
I felt like it needed more in it when it was done, so I added frozen egg noodles and let them cook for about 30 minutes to an hour before we ate it. I think that helped a lot!
The recipe was really good, but really it's just a "chicken noodle soup," In all actuality it tasted almost identical to our "standard" chicken and noodle crockpot recipe. I liked the sweetness the can of creamed corn added...but really that was the only major difference. All in all, because of ease and taste I would give it a 9 out of 10.
My husband and both kids cleaned their plates and the kids each had a second helping. So I would say that they all give it a 10 out of 10. :) PLUS, it made so much that I packaged up "milo size" helpings in ziploc bags to freeze and have ready for quick lunches during the week! Hooray!
Here is what ours looked like (sorry the picture isn't great) I would recommend it! But definitely add some noodles!!!
This recipe is pretty much a true "dump and go" crockpot recipe, which I greatly appreciate. In fact Milo enjoyed being able to help "make" our dinner and did an excellent job pouring all the ingredients into the crockpot.
I felt like it needed more in it when it was done, so I added frozen egg noodles and let them cook for about 30 minutes to an hour before we ate it. I think that helped a lot!
The recipe was really good, but really it's just a "chicken noodle soup," In all actuality it tasted almost identical to our "standard" chicken and noodle crockpot recipe. I liked the sweetness the can of creamed corn added...but really that was the only major difference. All in all, because of ease and taste I would give it a 9 out of 10.
My husband and both kids cleaned their plates and the kids each had a second helping. So I would say that they all give it a 10 out of 10. :) PLUS, it made so much that I packaged up "milo size" helpings in ziploc bags to freeze and have ready for quick lunches during the week! Hooray!
Here is what ours looked like (sorry the picture isn't great) I would recommend it! But definitely add some noodles!!!
Click Here to get to the recipe
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Santa Fe Casserole Review
Here is my family's opinion on the Santa Fe Casserole we tried out this week. :)
My Opinion: It was pretty simple and quick to throw together and put in the oven. I was able to do it with both kids at my feet and without any major meltdowns...so that's a perk! I cut back the seasonings a little bit because I didn't want it to be too hard on my little ones' stomachs. Looking back I don't know that I would do that...it needed a bit more punch. It is definitely a keeper and a good "non-meat" quick weeknight meal! I would give it a 7 out of 10
My Husband's Opinion: He said it needed a bit more "spice" but the texture was really good. Throughout the meal he repeated that he definitely would eat it again. Hubs gives it an 8 out of 10
My Kids' Opinion: Well, both plates were empty. Enough Said. I'd say that means a 10 out of 10
Here is what it looked like when it was done baking! Definitely a recipe to try!!! Let me know what you think when you taste it for yourself!
My Opinion: It was pretty simple and quick to throw together and put in the oven. I was able to do it with both kids at my feet and without any major meltdowns...so that's a perk! I cut back the seasonings a little bit because I didn't want it to be too hard on my little ones' stomachs. Looking back I don't know that I would do that...it needed a bit more punch. It is definitely a keeper and a good "non-meat" quick weeknight meal! I would give it a 7 out of 10
My Husband's Opinion: He said it needed a bit more "spice" but the texture was really good. Throughout the meal he repeated that he definitely would eat it again. Hubs gives it an 8 out of 10
My Kids' Opinion: Well, both plates were empty. Enough Said. I'd say that means a 10 out of 10
Here is what it looked like when it was done baking! Definitely a recipe to try!!! Let me know what you think when you taste it for yourself!
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