I’m always looking for frugal and easy ways to feed my family of seven. And, quite honestly, I look to the slow cooker often just so I won’t have to mess with fixing anything during those busy evening hours. This is a variation of the three packet slow cooker roast because all I had on hand was the one packet of ranch dressing mix. I also added some freshly chopped … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Taco Rice Soup
When life is busy it is even more important for my family to find time to eat together. There is something so relaxing about sitting around the table together chatting, laughing, and reconnecting. However, it can be rough to throw together a family dinner when we walk in the door a few minutes before dinner time. Yes, I can throw together a pretty decent meal in 10 minutes, … [Read more...]
When Life Gives You Craziness, Respond by Making…
{Imagine a countertop with 10 gallon size baggies. If you're curious, they look like this.} In order to prepare for all the craziness that will become my life in the next 4 weeks, I've decided to take the stress out of at least 1 area of my life...dinner. Between the contracts, earnest money checks, meetings, inspections, bubble wrap and packing tape, there's the last week … [Read more...]
Grilled Beef Fajita Taquitos with Avocado Ranch Sauce
I just love getting crazy in the kitchen, working hard to be creative with ingredients that I have in my pantry or freezer, to come up with a delicious and nutritious dinner for my guys! This meal is one of those! I chose tortillas. Flour tortillas specifically, because I have a weakness for them. They hold a special place in my heart. Whether they're stuffed with breakfast … [Read more...]
Cheeseburger & Fries Kebabs
I'm in love with these. In a lotta love with these. Really. They are so so so easy to put together, make very little mess and there was not a clean plate at the table. As we approach the September release of my third cookbook (gah!!!), I'll be sharing more recipes over on OneDishDinners.com this summer...starting with these! ($5 Dinner Challenge link up will return … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Goulash
Last week I decided to tack onto my batch cooking plan...doubling up on browning some ground beef. I ended up doing spaghetti for dinner one night and saved the other half of the beef I ground. I thought I'd use it later this week or next week...but ended up making this goulash over the weekend. I had all the other ingredients on hand...and it was perfect for a chilly, dreary … [Read more...]
Saucy Roast Beef
When beef roasts go on sale I always make sure to pick one up to make this delicious roast. It's incredibly simple, allergy friendly, and sure to please your family. This recipe takes a little bit of forethought as it takes a few hours to roast, but it's worth it. As it cooks, it makes a lovely gravy that you can pour on some mashed potatoes when you serve up … [Read more...]
Spicy 15 Bean Chili
You know what I love about chili. Everything, really. The versatility. The simplicity. The "fill-icity." (How filling it is...and how it satisfies the bottomless pit bellies that sit around my dinner table every night.) The cost effect-icity. (Yay for making up new words!) See why I love it so much. So many needs met in just one bowl! This Spicy 15 Bean Chili … [Read more...]
Stuffing Meatloaf
In my clear out the pantry, cupboards and freezer efforts, I ran across a half used bag of herb seasoned stuffing. Must have been leftover from the holidays. (Side note - I highly recommend spending 4-6 weeks each year, doing a "pretend like you are moving" clean out of your pantry and freezer. Highly. Recommend.) Every so often this bag of half used stuffing would give … [Read more...]
Marvelous Meatballs
We do LOTS of bulk cooking because our family of seven always seems to be eating but momma doesn't always want to be cooking, and it's important to us (and to our budget) to prepare home cooked meals as often as possible. Our five kiddos are pretty picky and all seem to have different tastes so it feels a lot like hitting the lottery when we find a dish that always … [Read more...]