Because sometimes spaghetti with meat sauce just gets old. Y'all. I love garlic. I love cooking with it and add it to anything that it makes sense to add to. Last year, when I was super-preggers with Cuatro, the entire family got the flu. I had had my flu shot so figured it wouldn't get it. After all 4 of my guys started to feel better, I was hit with it. I knew right … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Pasta E Fagioli
This recipe is part of our 6th Costco Meal Plan: 20 Slow Cooker Freezer Packs from Costco for $150! Pasta E Fagioli. Or "Pasta and Beans" in Italiano. This is a delicious and simple twist on the classic Italian soup. PLEASE...pay close attention to the directions on when to add the pasta into the slow cooker. It's not when you think it is! :) Couple notes about this … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Chili Mac
This recipe is part of our 6th Costco Meal Plan: 20 Slow Cooker Freezer Packs from Costco for $150! Stop. Before you go any further. YOU NEED TO READ THESE DIRECTIONS. (Ok, do I have your attention?) I don't want you to miss this. Do not. I repeat DO NOT. DON'T. DO.NOT. add the pasta when you start the slow cooker in the morning. It will turn to complete MUSH. … [Read more...]
Moroccan Homemade Hamburger Helper
The other day, I had a delicious lamb tagine. It was a lovingly made, braised dish that took the chef hours to prepare. Though I generally dislike lamb, the chef used Australian lamb (which is a bit less game) and added enough wonderful Moroccan flavours, that I thoroughly enjoyed the dish. Regardless of how delicious I found it, I knew that it would never appeal to my picky … [Read more...]
Pumpkin Pasta Casserole
This quick and easy recipe for Pumpkin Pasta Casserole is perfect for chilly, fall evenings. If you are a gardener, you may only have to buy 2 ingredients to make this recipe: pasta and cheese. If you aren't a gardener, it is still frugal as most of the produce is on sale right now. You can't taste the pumpkin in the casserole. It adds a natural sweetness, nutrients, … [Read more...]
Baked Mac & Cheese Balls
Have you ever had Baked Mac & Cheese Balls?! There's a small family owned restaurant near my house called Philly's. I am addicted to their mac & cheese bites and needed to find a way to make them at home because Philly's isn't open 24/7. I also try to bake instead of fry and these mac & cheese balls are perfect. I suppose they are supposed to be for an appetizer or … [Read more...]
Zucchini Meatballs
Summer is upon us. (Maybe, I did see a ton of sweater and coat comments in my FB feed over the weekend from my friends up north.) One of the things that I love about summer is the fresh produce, farmer's market and being able to get great prices on fruits and veggies throughout the summer. One veggie in particular is usually easy to find at super low prices...zucchini. Zucchini … [Read more...]
Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Lasagna
From Alea: My daughter says we "speed date" food because I love playing with ingredients and am constantly creating new recipes. My family becomes attached to certain recipes and wants me to make the same things over and over and over again. My daughter says that asking for spaghetti twice in one month is not asking for the same thing over and over again. :) It feels like it to … [Read more...]
Cajun Chicken Fettuccine
Here's a fun and zippy meal that your family is sure to enjoy. You can control the "heat" easily in this one...depending on your family's taste buds. This meal is hearty, filling and oh so tasty...it was enjoyed by everyone at our dinner table! Here are a couple of helpful posts to make this dinner a little quicker to prepare, and cheaper than buying pre-prepared … [Read more...]
Grocery Store Shortcuts for Homemade Meals
I really prefer to feed my family home cooked meals, but some days that just isn't as easy as others. For example, I like to prepare pizza dough ahead of time and keep it in the freezer for future meals, however there are days that the family wants pizza but I completely forget to take the dough out to thaw in time. Here are a few tips and tricks for using grocery store … [Read more...]