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Cheesy Spaghetti Casserole

By 2 Comments

Well we’re in the busiest season of the year aren’t we?!  Rushing here and there, trying to make sure our house stays clean and our family is fed, along with parties and shopping.  I don’t know about you, but I get overwhelmed by all of this rushing about!

Know matter how busy I get though, one of my top priorities is making sure that we sit down for a nice meal together in the evening.  I want to see my teens faces and talk about the day and the only way to do that is…FOOD!

I love super easy recipes so this weekend I created this simple Cheesy Spaghetti Casserole and the kids all loved it, I wanted to be sure and share with you since it only took a few ingredients and a short time to make.

cheesy spaghetti casserole 1

Ingredients:

  • 1 package of cooked Spaghetti Noodles (of course you could use any shape you like)
  • 1 lb. ground beef cooked thoroughly ~ no pink
  • 1 24 oz. can/jar of Spaghetti Sauce of your choice
  • 1 10 3/4 oz. canned Cheddar Cheese Soup undiluted (I used Campbell’s)
  • 1 10 oz. can Tomato Soup (undiluted)
  • 2 cups Cheddar Cheese
  • 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese
  • 1 small can mild Green Chile’s

Directions:

In a large bowl mix together all ingredients except Cheese’s

spaghetti

Spray a 9 X 13 size baking dish and then pour the Spaghetti mixture into it.  Top with Cheese and bake at 375 for 20 min.

Cheesy Spaghetti Casserole

You can double and triple this recipe to freeze for later or give to a friend that needs a little break!  I LOVE to do freezer meals, it just makes my life so much easier!

Have a great week and enjoy!

More Easy Recipes and Freezer Meals

Crockpot Ravioli

Easy Freezer Meal Ideas and Recipes

Dijon Steak Kabobs with Mushroom Rice

Easy Ground Beef Recipes for the Freezer

Christmas Gumdrop Cookies

By 2 Comments

Do you have traditions at this time of year?  Well for us, it’s the time of year when we begin our baking tradition.  Christmas is a time for easy recipes, yummy sweets and crazy busyness.   Time to get out all of my old tried and true recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation.  This is one of the few “healthy” traditions that were passed down to me and I am thankful for that!

These Christmas Gumdrop Cookies are one of those old recipes.  I think you will love them… I know your kids will!

Just a word of caution though…these are fattening, sugaring and oh so YUM!

Christmas Gumdrop Cookies

Christmas Gumdrop cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 Cup Shortening
  • 1 Cup White Sugar
  • 1 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 2 eggs (lightly beaten)
  • 2 Cups Flour
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 Tbsp..  Vanilla
  • 2 Cups Oatmeal
  • 1 Cup Shredded Coconut
  • 1 Cup Gumdrops

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 ~ Mix together in bowl white and brown sugars.  Beat in the shortening and eggs with a mixer.

Christmas Gumdrop Cookies

Add all of the dry ingredients and mix with spoon, not mixer.  Then add gum drops.

Roll into 1 1/2 inch balls and flatten with a fork, or you can just use your hand.

Cookie balls

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 – 12 min per batch.  Makes 3 dozen cookies.

gumdrop cookies 1

YUM!

Enjoy and be Blessed this Holiday Season!

Do you have traditional recipes that you bake?

5.0 from 1 reviews
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Christmas Gumdrop Cookies
: cookies
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: 
: 
 
Ingredients
  • 1 Cup Shortening
  • 1 Cup White Sugar
  • 1 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 2 eggs (lightly beaten)
  • 2 Cups Flour
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 Tbsp.. Vanilla
  • 2 Cups Oatmeal
  • 1 Cup Shredded Coconut
  • 1 Cup Gumdrops
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 ~ Mix together in bowl white and brown sugars. Beat in the shortening and eggs with a mixer.
  2. Add all of the dry ingredients and mix with spoon, not mixer. Then add gum drops.
  3. Roll into 1½ inch balls and flatten with a fork, or you can just use your hand.
  4. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 – 12 min per batch. Makes 3 dozen cookies.
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More Christmas Cookie Recipes ~

Holiday Thumbprint Cookies

Snowball Cookies

Santa’s Favorite Cookies

Coco Lemon Meringue Cookies

 

Mexican Chicken Corn Casserole

By 9 Comments

I just got my bulk order of chicken this week and I was so pumped to be creating some easy recipes for freezer meals!  Just before the holidays is a great time to really get down with some meal planning, as this is such a busy time of year!

While I was cooking, cutting, bagging and getting my chicken ready for the freezer I created this super easy meal out of some foods that I already had on hand.  Do you like to do that?  This one turned out so great and  was so simple that I knew you’d want to have for yourself!

Mexican Chicken Corn Casserole

Mexican Chicken Corn Casserole

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups cooked chopped chicken
  • 2 cups cooked rice
  • 1 1/2 – 2 cups corn
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 1/2 chopped onion
  • 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup cheese (any kind)
  • 1 T  taco seasoning (you can add more if you like)
  • black beans (optional)

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together, except 1/2 cup cheese.

Mexican Chicken Corn Casserole

Put into a 2 quart size and top with remaining cheese.  Add more cheese if you like.

Mexican Chicken Corn Casserole 2

 

Bake at 350 for about 20-25 minutes.

Done!   Serve with corn chips and veggies!

You can make so many quick and easy dinners from pre cooked chicken and that is why I love to buy in bulk and then cook and freeze!

Enjoy!

Need more Chicken or Freezer Meal Ideas?

 

5.0 from 1 reviews
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Mexican Chicken Corn Casserole
: Easy Recipe
Cuisine: Mexican
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: 
: 
: 5
 
Ingredients
  • 1½ cups Cooked Chopped Chicken
  • 2 Cups Cooked Rice
  • 1½ – 2 cups Corn
  • ½ Cup Tomato Sauce
  • ½ Chopped Onion
  • 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
  • 1 Cup cheese (any kind)
  • 1 Tblsp. Taco Seasoning (you can add more if you like)
  • Black Beans (optional)
Instructions
  1. Mix all ingredients together, except ½ cup cheese
  2. Put into a 2 quart pan and top with remaining cheese
  3. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 - 25 min
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Roasted Garlic and Cherry Baked Brie Appetizer

By 8 Comments

With the holidays just around the corner I’m beginning to dream up some new and tasty appetizers for my guests.  I think that appetizers are one of my favorite foodie things to make, because you can be so creative and the sky is the limit on flavor mixtures, textures and visual fun.

This weekend I was looking for some inspiration in a couple of cookbooks I have and ran across a recipe for Baked Brie.  Then I got the idea to put it into a sourdough bread loaf that I had with roasted garlic and dried cherries.  It turned out oh so YUM! I love easy recipes like this! Perfect for your Thanksgiving and Christmas crowd!

So here you go!

Roasted Garlic and Cherry Baked Brie

Garlic Cherry Baked Brie

Ingredients:

  • 1 Whole Garlic Bulb
  • 1/4 cup Dried Cherries
  • 1/2 tsp dried Rosemary
  • 1 Small Round Loaf Sourdough Bread
  • 1 Round (8 ounces) Brie (I used a triangle because that’s what I had on hand)
  • Olive oil
  • 1 baguette, sliced (optional)

Directions:

Remove the papery outer layer off of the Garlic Bulb and cut the end off for roasting.  Not the end with the root.

how to cook a garlic bulb

Brush top of Garlic with Olive Oil and sprinkle the Rosemary on top.  Cover with foil and roast in 425 degree oven for about 30-35 min.

foil garlic

While the Garlic is Roasting, cut the top off of Sourdough Loaf and gently cut around edges of inside to hollow out bread.  Your pieces won’t be perfect.  This is where the baguette comes in if you want something a little more elegant and uniform.  If I had had a round Brie I could have just set it into the loaf, but mine was triangle so I just cut into pieces.

Baked Brie

Spread Roasted Garlic onto Brie and then add chopped Dried Cherries.

Garlic on Brie

Put the top of bread back onto bread and wrap in foil.  Bake in 375 oven for 45-50 min.  Or until cheese is melted.

This was deelish and way more simple than it looks!  Impress you company by serving toasted baguette slices if you wish.  The colors were festive and pretty too.

Garlic and Cherry Baked Brie

HINT:  You can use dried cranberries for a more red color on top.  My family doesn’t really like cranberries and that is why I used cherries instead.

Enjoy!

More Appetizer Recipes:

4.0 from 1 reviews
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Roasted Garlic and Cherry Baked Brie Appetizer
: 
: Appetizer
: 
: 
: 
 
Ingredients
  • 1 Whole Garlic Bulb
  • ¼ cup Dried Cherries
  • ½ tsp dried Rosemary
  • 1 Small Round Loaf Sourdough Bread
  • 1 Round (8 ounces) Brie (I used a triangle because that’s what I had on hand)
  • Olive oil
  • 1 baguette, sliced (optional
Instructions
  1. Remove the papery outer layer off of the Garlic Bulb and cut the end off for roasting. Not the end with the root.
  2. Brush top of Garlic with Olive Oil and sprinkle the Rosemary on top. Cover with foil and roast in 425 degree oven for about 30-35 min.
  3. While the Garlic is Roasting, cut the top off of Sourdough Loaf and gently cut around edges of inside to hollow out bread. Your pieces won’t be perfect. This is where the baguette comes in if you want something a little more elegant and uniform.
  4. If I had had a round Brie I could have just set it into the loaf, but mine was triangle so I just cut into pieces.
  5. Spread Roasted Garlic onto Brie and then add chopped Dried Cherries.
  6. Put the top of bread back onto bread and wrap in foil. Bake in 375 oven for 45-50 min. Or until cheese is melted.
  7. This was deelish and way more simple than it looks! Impress you company by serving toasted baguette slices if you wish. The colors were festive and pretty too.
  8. HINT: You can use dried cranberries for a more red color on top. My family doesn’t really like cranberries and that is why I used cherries instead.
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Easy Chicken Wraps

By 4 Comments

This weekend was super busy for us, as we had multiple basketball games AND our grand kids came over and spent the night.  This Mom/Grammy gets pretty tired sometimes, so to satisfy my hungry family and to make my job easier, I have an arsenal of super easy recipes. These literally take only a short amount of time and energy to put together and the best part, everyone loves them.

I make most of my meals from scratch, mostly because its less expensive and more economical.  Let’s face it though, it does take time, energy and a certain amount of clean up to create a homemade meal.   So I turn to healthy pre packaged foods sometimes to create a simple meal.

Easy Chicken Wraps

When we are on the way home from a sporting event, everyone is always super hungry.  I bring along snacks for this occasion, but the fam starts begging for Fast Food.  If I can hold them off for just 20 minutes, I can make the exact same meal at home in minutes and for less money.

 

Easy Chicken Wraps

Ingredients:

  • Chicken Strips (breaded or grilled)
  • Lettuce (packaged or not)
  • Dressing (any kind)
  • Cheese (any kind)
  • Tortillas

Directions:

Microwave Chicken Strips according to package directions.  Layout all of your ingredients and let everyone put there own dressing and cheese on.

Chicken Wrap

Fold like a burrito and eat!

Super Easy Chicken Wraps

How is that for easy?!

Enjoy!

More Easy Meal Recipes:

Activities for Kids: Pudding Paint

By 2 Comments

When my kids were younger we used to do all sorts of fun things in the kitchen for homeschooling.  We also did a lot of fun kitchen learning just by experimenting with different textures, flavors and utensils.  I’m a firm believer that cooking with kids and letting them do fun things in the kitchen, is what sparks their interest for cooking as they grow older.

The kitchen and all of it’s utensils, pots and pans and special bake ware should not be a mystery to kids.  Teaching them what each basic utensil is used for and how it functions in the kitchen creates an atmosphere of confidence in our kids.

Experimenting with Pudding Paint is a super easy way to get started with this kind of learning for older kids.  No, pudding paint is not just for babies.

(While you’re here, check out all of our activities for kids, we have tons!)

Pudding Painting

You can create all different kinds of colors of pudding paint by using Vanilla Pudding and putting Food Coloring in it.  We used to always use Instant Chocolate Pudding for our crazy experiments and learning in the kitchen because that’s what my kids liked.

So create the pudding any way that suits your children best.

Items needed:

After you make your pudding you can immediately start the fun!  This shouldn’t be too controlling, just enough to have the kids try some different ways of using the kitchen utensils or do their homework…LOL

Kitchen Utensils

  • Cake Icing Spatula – Have the kids smooth the Pudding over the surface of the Freezer Paper as smooth as they can.
  • Pizza Cutter – Have the kids cut the Pudding in 1/2, 1/4, 1/8  What ever level they are at in Math
  • Whisk – To make fun designs
  • Turner – Move the Pudding to one side of the paper.   See how many times it takes to move the Pudding from one side of the paper to the other.
  • Tongs – Have them see if they can pick up the pudding with Tongs (this can be a little messy)
  • Potato Masher – Use to make designs and you can use as a pudding stamp too!
  • Look through your kitchen and see what you have that would be fun!

Potato Masher

Math

  • Smooth out the pudding and then draw you Math equations in the Pudding.  For every answer they get right they can lick their fingers.  (not good of they are sharing paper, they need individual paper for this one…germs)
  • Shapes – See what they can draw out of the different shapes you are learning

Games

  • Either you or a sibling/friend can begin to draw and the other guesses what they are drawing
  • Blind folded drawing.  Tell them what to draw, blind fold them and see what it looks like when done!
  • Just let them have fun making whatever they want…and licking their fingers.
  • When you get to the end of your fun, add some sprinkles and EAT!

sprinkles

The most important thing, in my opinion is that kids have fun while learning.  I’m kind of a stickler about fun!

Pudding Paint

What ideas do you have for learning in the kitchen?

More Activities for Kids

Creamy Mushroom and Broccoli Bow Tie Pasta

By 14 Comments

With the high price of meat lately I have been trying to find alternatives to the traditional meals that my family is use to.  So once or twice a week I’ve been creating meatless meals and so far they have been met with smiles and “oh yums!”  Serving up meatless meals is one great way to cut back on your food budget.   Simply by adding a little cheese, eggs or rice and beans to your meals you will have a complete protein and you’ll feel confident that your family is getting the nutrition they need.

I must admit that I have been surprised at the openness my family has had since I have quite the picky eaters…hmm maybe they are finally growing up!  Yes my husband too! LOL  Actually he’s usually pretty supportive, but he does love his meat.  I was super happy when I served these delicious easy recipes and everyone said deelish!

Here is one I served up the other day..

Creamy Mushroom and Broccoli Bow Tie Pasta

Creamy Mushroom and Broccoli Pasta

Ingredients:

  • 1 Package of dry Bow Tie Pasta (any kind will do)
  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 12 oz. of sliced fresh Mushrooms
  • 1 1/2 cups Broccoli (more if you like)
  • 1/4 cup chopped Onion (optional)
  • 1 or 2 minced Garlic Cloves (depending on taste)
  • 1/4 cup Chicken Broth
  • 1/2 cup and half and half
  • 1/2 cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese (or you can use grated)
  • 1/4 tsp.  Thyme
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Begin cooking Pasta.  Chop Mushrooms, Broccoli and Onion (if using).

Creamy Mushroom and Broccoli Bow Tie Pasta

Heat Olive Oil in a large skillet and stir fry Mushrooms, Broccoli and Onion.  Add Garlic.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Stir Fry until Mushrooms are golden brown.

Creamy Mushroom and Broccoli Bow Tie Pasta 1

Add Chicken Broth and Thyme and cook till broth evaporates.  This will only take a couple minutes.

Now add Cooked Bow Tie Pasta, Half  and Half and Parmesan Cheese.  Stir!

That is it!  This meal took me about 20 min. to make.  I also sprinkled some Bacon Pieces over the top when I was done because I wanted to use them up.

Enjoy with a nice piece of Homemade French Bread!

Creamy Mushroom and Broccoli Bow Tie Pasta 2

More 20 Minute Easy Recipes

 

5.0 from 1 reviews
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Creamy Mushroom and Broccoli Bow Tie Pasta
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: 6
 
Ingredients
  • 1 Package of dry Bow Tie Pasta (any kind will do)
  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 12 oz. of sliced fresh Mushrooms
  • 1½ cups Broccoli (more if you like)
  • ¼ cup chopped Onion (optional)
  • 1 or 2 minced Garlic Cloves (depending on taste)
  • ¼ cup Chicken Broth
  • ½ cup and half and half
  • ½ cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese (or you can use grated)
  • ¼ tsp. Thyme
  • salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Begin cooking Pasta. Chop Mushrooms, Broccoli and Onion (if using).
  2. Heat Olive Oil in a large skillet and stir fry Mushrooms, Broccoli and Onion. Add Garlic. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir Fry until Mushrooms are golden brown.
  3. Add Chicken Broth and Thyme and cook till broth evaporates. This will only take a couple minutes.
  4. Now add Cooked Bow Tie Pasta, Half and Half and Parmesan Cheese. Stir!
  5. That is it! This meal took me about 20 min. to make.
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Easy Chicken Potato Casserole

By 12 Comments

Are you looking for the perfect comfort meal? Easy chicken casserole recipes are something I like to make on busy weeknights. They are affordable, filling and hit the spot.

Easy Recipes is what it takes to keep Mom happy and the family rolling along with out a hitch.  Well…almost!

Chicken Potato Casserole

One of the easiest ways I can think of to have a quick healthy meal, is to use a store bought Rotisserie Chicken, you can make a ton of recipes out of it!  Use this easy chicken potato casserole for those cozy blustery days and busy nights!

 Ingredients:

  • 2 Cups Rotisserie Chicken
  • 1 28 ounce Pkg. Frozen Potato’s or Fresh Potato’s (1 – 1 1/2 per person)
  • 1 8 oz. carton Sour Cream
  • 1 can of Cream of Chicken Soup
  • 1/2 Cup Milk
  • 2 Cups Shredded Cheese (your fave!)
  • 1/3 Cup Bacon Pieces (I use real but you don’t have to)
  • 1/3 Cup Green Onion Chopped
  • 1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • 2 Tblsp. Melted Butter

Directions:

Mix together in a bowl –  Everything except Melted Butter, 1/2 cup Cheese, half of the Bacon Pieces, and Green Onions.

Chicken Potato Casserole

 

Spray 13 x 9 inch baking dish with cooking oil and put ingredients into the pan.  Drizzle Butter over the mixture…

Chicken and Potato Casserole

 

Cover with foil and bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 45 min. for frozen potato’s and 1 hour for small cut fresh potato’s.

Take Casserole out of oven and sprinkle with remaining Cheese, Bacon and Green Onion.  Put back in over to melt cheese.

And that’s it!!

Easy Chicken Potato Casserole

Enjoy..

 

By the way, I used real potato’s in this recipe only because my husband used up my frozen potato’s and didn’t tell me!  Either way..it’s a deelish and easy recipe!

Freezer Meal Plans

If you are a busy mom wanting to simplify dinner and eat a homemade meal together- freezer meal planning is what you need in your life! Our freezer meal plans offer seven delicious meals the entire family will love. Get the grocery list, assembly instructions and recipes for seven different meals in an instant download and start making dinnertime easier immediately! Everything can be assembled in less than an hour!

More Easy Chicken Recipes:

5.0 from 2 reviews
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Easy Chicken Potato Casserole
: 
: Easy Recipe
: 
: 
: 
: 8
 
Ingredients
  • 2 Cups Rotisserie Chicken
  • 1 28 ounce Pkg. Frozen Potato’s or Fresh Potato’s (1 – 1½ per person)
  • 1 8 oz. carton Sour Cream
  • 1 can of Cream of Chicken Soup
  • ½ Cup Milk
  • 2 Cups Shredded Cheese (your fave!)
  • ⅓ Cup Bacon Pieces (I use real but you don’t have to)
  • ⅓ Cup Green Onion Chopped
  • ½ tsp. Garlic Powder
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • 2 Tblsp. Melted Butter
Instructions
  1. Mix together in a bowl – Everything except Melted Butter, ½ cup Cheese, half of the Bacon Pieces, and Green Onions.
  2. Spray 13 x 9 inch baking dish with cooking oil and put ingredients into the pan. Drizzle Butter over the mixture…
  3. Cover with foil and bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 45 min. for frozen potato’s and 1 hour for small cut fresh potato’s.
  4. Take Casserole out of oven and sprinkle with remaining Cheese, Bacon and Green Onion. Put back in over to melt cheese.
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Crockpot Pork Roast with Cinnamon Apples

By 4 Comments

The Fall is upon us and the busy weeknights and weekends with kids school projects, sports and just plain fun are here!   I’m a super stickler about eating healthy meals with your family even if it’s a quick one.  It’s a time for each member to look each other in the eye and share their stories and heartaches of the day. (Easy recipes are perfect for this!)

The dinner hour must be intentional and sometimes that can be difficult to manage, except when you have super easy meals planned ahead of time!  I created this Crockpot Pork Roast with Cinnamon Apples for a yummy Fall dinner meal and believe me, it’s super easy!  I spent this weekend in 4 Basketball games and we were still able to come home to a nice meal with minimal effort.

crockpot prok roast apples

 

Ingredients:

  • Pork Roast (size depends on your family) I use 1 ½ lb.
  • 5 Apples – Any kind sliced and peeled
  • ½ Tsp. Onion Powder or Fresh Sliced Onions
  • ¼ Tsp. Nutmeg
  • ½ Tsp. Cinnamon

apple pork roast

(My roast looks white because it’s frozen.)

Directions:

Spray Crockpot with cooking spray.

Add Pork Roast and Apples.

Sprinkle Roast with Onion Powder or top with Onions

Sprinkle Nutmeg and Cinnamon on Apples and Pork

Add 1 cup water.

Cover and bake on low for 4-5 hours (this is for an unfrozen roast)

Cover and Bake on low for 6-7 hours (for frozen)

That’s it!  Come home to a house that smells and tastes deelish!

Enjoy!

 

More Easy Crockpot Recipes:

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Crystal VanTassel