Homemade Baked Macaroni and Cheese

I started making this for Thanksgiving and Christmas nearly ten years ago. Honestly, that's really the only time of year that I make it. In my mind, it's just one of those rich, special occasion foods. It's so creamy and cheesy and delicious, I just don't see how anyone can resist! Enjoy!

Homemade Baked Macaroni and Cheese

What You'll Need:

• 2 cups macaroni (dry), cooked and drained
  (You can substitute a similar pasta. I used Cellentani.)
• 2 Tablespoons butter, softened
• 2 Tablespoons flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 cup milk, warmed
• 1/2 pint heavy cream
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups shredded Sharp Cheddar cheese
• 3/4 - 1 cup Italian bread crumbs
  (regular or Panko)

Country Fried Steak and Gravy

Country Fried Steak and Gravy is one of those Southern dinners that easily falls into that wonderful "comfort food" category. Added bonus is that it's budget-friendly and easy to make. The homemade gravy made from the drippings is what really adds that extra something. We serve this with garlic mashed potatoes, corn and crescent rolls. Enjoy!

Country Fried Steak and Gravy

What You'll Need:

• 1 1/2 - 2 lbs Cubed Steak, cut into 8 portions
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Bad Byron's Butt Rub, plus additional to taste
  
  *You can get Bad Byron's Butt Rub from my friend's shop, Cajun Corner Spices.
  Otherwise, you can substitute seasoning salt.
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• Salt and Pepper, to taste
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
  
  For the Gravy:
• Reserve 2 Tablespoons oil after cooking the steaks
• 4 Tablespoons all purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

One of the first things I ever made for my husband was my mashed potatoes. You know how they say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach? Well, if that statement is true, then this dish is probably one of the main reasons I won his heart. ;) In all seriousness though, this is one of his favorites and it's one of my most requested recipes. Enjoy!

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

What You'll Need:

• 2-3 lbs red potatoes
• 6 Tablespoons Butter, softened
• 1/4 cup Sour Cream
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1-2 Tablespoons Milk, as needed
• Salt and Pepper, to taste

Salsa Chicken

As you may have noticed, I'm a huge fan of easy slow cooker recipes. This recipe for Salsa Chicken is probably one of my favorites. It's super easy and only four ingredients! We serve it over a bed of brown rice with a little cheese and sour cream but you could easily put it on a salad or wrap it up in a tortilla. Enjoy!

Salsa Chicken

What You'll Need:

•  1 package boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  *Note: You can substitute frozen chicken and just add an hour to the cook time.
• 1 can Cream of Chicken soup
• 1 packet Taco Seasoning
• 1 24 oz jar of salsa

Mushroom Ranch Shoulder Steaks

I ended up making this recipe due to circumstances completely beyond my control. I had gone grocery shopping armed with my planned menu for the week. I was going to make a slow cooker pork chop recipe that I had found online. Unfortunately, when I got to the commissary, there was no pork to be found because the barge carrying the pork and chicken failed to arrive for delivery. Oh, the joys of living in Alaska! After I thought about it for a minute and after looking over the beef selection, I decided to try substituting shoulder steaks into the recipe. The result was fantastic! My two year old exclaimed it was "Good meats!" and my husband said it melted in his mouth "like butter". Pretty good reviews if you ask me! Plus, you only need three ingredients! Enjoy!

Mushroom Ranch Shoulder Steaks

What You'll Need:

• 6 beef shoulder steaks
• 2 cans Cream of Mushroom soup
• 2 packets dry Ranch dressing mix
  

Simply Delicious Lasagna

This is a new recipe to our family. My friend Monica asked if I was looking for any new recipes and told me that she had a good lasagna recipe. I took her up on her offer and made it for the first time tonight. It really didn't take long to prepare or cook and it tastes so good! I am definitely adding this to my bag of tricks as my go-to lasagna. Thank you so much for sharing, Monica! Enjoy!

Simply Delicious Lasagna

Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken

This is a fairly simple recipe that requires only a handful of ingredients. It could easily be ready in 30 minutes or less. You have to love an easy weeknight recipe that looks like it took forever to prepare and tastes this delicious! Enjoy!

Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken

What You'll Need:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 4 thin slices prosciutto 
• 4 oz fresh mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes
  (packed in olive oil, drained)
• 2-3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and Pepper, to taste

Pepperoni Pizza Dip

This recipe has been requested specifically by several of my friends, so I had to share! One of my roommates in college used to make delicious pizza dip for us occasionally. I only made it with her a few times and we've since lost touch, so I had to do my best to recreate it. While it may not be the exact same, it's still hot, cheesy, gooey deliciousness that gets devoured at any party I bring it to! Enjoy!

Pepperoni Pizza Dip

What You'll Need:

• 2 8-oz packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup Pizza Sauce
• 1 package diced pepperonis
• 1 package pepperoni minis
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 (14-oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• Garlic Powder
• 2 cups Cheddar cheese
• 2 cups Mozzarella cheese
• 1/4-1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Chicken Bacon Ranch Bundles

I decided to try a new spin on the classic chicken bundle recipe. I combined it with one of our favorite pizza combinations, chicken bacon ranch, and voila! Chicken bacon ranch bundles! Enjoy!

Chicken Bacon Ranch Bundles

What You'll Need:

• 1 package (approx 1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 8-count cans refrigerated crescent rolls
• 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 2-3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 package dry Ranch dressing mix
• 6-8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
• Italian style bread crumbs
  (regular or Panko, your choice)

Balsamic Brown Sugar Glazed Pork Tenderloin

A while back, I was inspired to make a garlic and herb crusted pork tenderloin. What better place to cook it than in my Crock Pot? Add a sweet and tangy glaze near the end and you have a meal that will keep them coming back for seconds! Enjoy!

Balsamic Brown Sugar Glazed Pork Tenderloin

What You'll Need:

• 2 lb pork tenderloin
• 2-3 cloves Garlic, crushed
• 1 teaspoon Savory
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Pepper
• 1 cup chicken broth
  
  For the Glaze
• 1/2 cup Dark Brown Sugar
• 3 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
• 3 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 Tablespoon Corn Starch

Skillet Fried Potatoes and Onions

Growing up, this was one of my favorite dishes that my dad would cook for us. This isn't my dad's recipe, but it's my version of it. I first attempted this last summer and it turned out so good, that it has made it's way into our rotation. Enjoy!

Skillet Fried Potatoes and Onions

What You'll Need:

8-10 Red Potatoes
1 large sweet onion
4 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
Garlic Powder, to taste
Salt and Pepper, to taste

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

This recipe is so ridiculously easy! Sure, I have a recipe for pulled pork that takes nearly 24 hours, complete with homemade BBQ sauce, but you can't beat this recipe for an easy weeknight dinner! Best part is that it only requires a handful of ingredients! Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

What You'll Need:

• 2 lb Pork Loin 
• 12 oz can Dr. Pepper
• Garlic Powder and Pepper (to taste)
• A 16-18 oz bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce
• 8 sandwich rolls

Homemade BBQ Chicken Bacon Pizza

This isn't a complicated recipe, nor is it anywhere near "fancy". There is a great local pizza place here that we love but with two little ones, we just don't make it there as often as we'd like. Last year, I decided I could make my own versions of their pizzas at home. While they don't taste the exact same, our homemade versions are better than delivery or frozen and super easy to make! Enjoy!

Homemade BBQ Chicken Bacon Pizza

What You'll Need: 

• 1 can Pillsbury refrigerated pizza dough
  (We prefer the whole grain artisan dough.)
• Non-stick cooking spray
• 1/2 cup BBQ Sauce 
• Garlic Powder (to taste)
• 1 small onion, sliced into slivers
  (I use sweet Vidalia onion.)
• 2-4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 6 oz package grilled chicken breast strips
  (You can find this by the lunch meat.)
• 1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Savory Pot Roast and Vegetables

Recently, I've become obsessed with my Crock Pot and the delicious recipes that I've managed to create with it. I'm sure I will be adding more than a few slow cooker recipes to this blog!

My longtime friend, Lauren, sent me a recipe for a pot roast that sounded amazing! She had found it online (Pinterest, of course) and said it was delicious. Lauren had added red potatoes to hers and I decided to follow her lead and then throw some more vegetables into the mix...because, rarely do I get a recipe that I don't do something to in order to make it my own. So easy and so good! :)

Enjoy!

Savory Pot Roast and Vegetables

What you'll need:

• Beef Shoulder Pot Roast (approx 2-3 lbs)
• Red Potatoes, quartered (approx 12 potatoes)
• 2-3 Carrots, sliced 
• Small/Medium Red Onion, cut into 8 wedges
• 4 whole, peeled garlic cloves
• 1 packet dry Ranch Dressing mix
• 1 packet dry Zesty Italian Dressing mix
• 1 packet dry Brown Gravy mix
• 1/2 cup water

Green Bean Bundles

Keeping with the theme of the first recipe, I've decided to share my recipe for Green Bean Bundles. There are hundreds of recipes out there for this traditional Southern dish, but I think mine's best, of course.  ;)
This dish can be served up as a show-stealing side or you could serve it as an appetizer if you'd like. Enjoy!

Green Bean Bundles (Yield: 18-21 bundles)

What You'll Need: 

• 2 cans whole green beans, drained
• 6-7 slices of bacon, cut into thirds
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Dash of soy sauce
• Dash of Dale's Seasoning
• toothpicks

Chicken Bundles

There was no doubt, when I decided to create this blog, that chicken bundles would be the first recipe I would share. Anything wrapped in a crescent roll is a winner in my book...add chicken, cream cheese and garlic, and you really can't lose! After your friends and family taste this, I guarantee they will want the recipe and I'm happy to share! Enjoy!

Chicken Bundles (Yield: 8 bundles)

What You'll Need: 

• 1 package (approx 1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cans 8-count refrigerated crescent rolls 
• 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup green onions, diced
• 2 oz jar pimientos, drained
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and Pepper, to taste
• 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
• Italian seasoned bread crumbs
  (regular or Panko, your choice)