BBQ Mozzarella Meatballs

These little meatballs were so delicious! My kids are all about meatballs no matter the recipe. These little guys were a crowd pleaser which makes me a happy mama.

1 lb ground beef
1/3 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 tsp seasoning salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
1 egg
1 cup bbq sauce

Heat oven to 400. Grease a baking dish.  Combine the ground beef with the breadcrumbs. Add in the seasoning salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, shredded mozzarella and egg. Stir together until combined then form the meatballs. Place in the baking dish and bake for 20-24 minutes. Remove from oven and brush with bbq sauce then place back in the oven for 4 more minutes. Remove and brush with bbq sauce again then serve.

Warm Loaded Baked Potato Dip

Who doesn't love a baked potato?  This dip was such a yummy hearty dip and was enjoyed by all! This recipe is from Nutmeg Nanny.

8 oz sour cream
8 oz cream cheese (softened)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
6 strip bacon (cooked and crumbled)
3 green onions (chopped)

Heat oven to 350.  In a bowl combine the sour cream and cream cheese. Stir in 1 cup of cheese, the bacon and most of the green onion.  Pour into a 8x8 baking dish then top with the remaining cheese. Bake for 30 minutes. Top with the rest of the green onion. Serve with wavy chips.

Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili

I love a crock pot dinner, especially on a cold night.  This chili was a big hit with my family, my little guy took the leftovers for lunch for two days, a sure sign that he likes it!  It was super easy and had great flavor!  This recipe was adapted from The Magical Slow Cooker.

2 lbs skinless boneless chicken breasts
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tbsp chili powder
2 (15oz) cans pinto beans
1 (15oz) can diced tomatoes
1 tsp minced garlic
1 onion (diced)
3 tsp diced pickled jalapeno peppers
32oz chicken broth
8oz cream cheese
fritos, sour cream and cheese for serving

Place the chicken in the bottom of the crock pot. Sprinkle the salt, pepper and chili powder over the chicken. Add the pinto beans, diced tomatoes, garlic, onion, jalapenos and chicken broth. Cook on low for 7-9 hours. Shred the chicken and place back into the chili.  Cut the cream cheese into small cubes and stir into the chili. Let cook for 15 minutes then stir then cook for 15 more minutes. Serve with toppings.

Macaroni and Cheese with Garlicky Breadcrumbs

Neither of my children like mac and cheese. I feel like I am failing as a parents.  I was craving it so I decided to make it anyways and just made them spaghetti because sometimes mama just needs some mac and cheese! I adapted this recipe from Annie's Eats.

1 lbs pasta (I used mini rigatoni)
8 tbsp unsalted butter
5 tbsp flour
1 cups whole milk
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3 cups shredded gruyere cheese
2 cups shredded colby jack
2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
cayenne pepper to taste

1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
5 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tsp garlic salt
pinch of pepper

Heat oven to 425.  Boil pasta according to directions and drain.  In a pot melt the butter then whisk in the flour. Let cook for 5 minutes while whisking.  Slowly add the milk, whisking and letting thicken as you add. Turn off the heat once the mixture begins to bubble. Add the cheeses 1 cup at a time while stirring continually.  Mix the pasta and the cheese sauce together then pour into a greased 9x13 baking dish.  In a bowl melt the 5 tbsp unsalted butter then stir in the breadcrumbs, garlic salt and pepper.  Sprinkle over the top of the mac and cheese then back for 10-14 minutes or until the breadcrumbs begin to brown.

Apple Cider Doughnuts

Looking for a good breakfast recipe for Thanksgiving? This is it!  These sweet doughnuts are the perfect morning pick me up!  This recipe is from Foodie Misadventures.

2 cups flour
3/4 cup white sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp apple pie spice
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup apple cider
1/4 cup milk
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp melted butter

1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp cinammon
4 tbsp melted butter

Heat oven to 325 and grease doughnut pan.  In a large mixing bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, apple pie spice and salt.  Mix in the apple cider, milk, eggs, vanilla and melted butter. Whisk until combined.  Fill the doughnuts pan 3/4 of the way full. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Remove and let cool for 2 minutes before flipping out of the pan.  In a bowl whisk together the white sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon.  Keep the butter in a separate bowl.  Brush the doughnuts with the butter then dip in the cinnamon sugar mixture. 

 

Roasted Lemon Dill Red Potatoes

Roasted potatoes are always a hit in my house plus they are super easy to make. I made these potatoes along side of Falafel Burgers and they were a great side dish!This recipe is adapted from Rachel Cooks.

1 1/2 lbs baby red potatoes
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 tsp dried dill
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Heat oven to 425. Toss the potatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper and dill. Place the potatoes on baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes then stir and bake for 15 more or until the potatoes are tender. Remove from oven and toss in lemon juice.

Sheet Pan Pizza

A few weeks ago we had a few extra kids in the house while some friends were visiting colleges with their oldest children.  I needed to figure out something for lunch that would feed a crowd and what makes a bunch of kids happier than pizza? So I decided to try out this new recipe from Your Homebased Mom and I got a thumbs up from everyone!

1 3/4 cups warm water
1/2 cup olive oil plus 1 tbsp
1 tbsp sugar
5 cups flour
4 1/2 tsp instant yeast
2 tsp salt
1 jar pizza sauce
3 cups cheese
plus toppings of your choice

In a bowl combine the warm water,1/4 cup olive oil and sugar.  In a stand mixer using a dough hook, combine the flour, yeast and salt. On medium speed add in the water mixture and mix for several minutes or until the dough is combined and smooth. Place in a greased bowl and let rise for 60-90 minutes. Use 1/4 cup of olive oil to coat the sheet pan. On a floured service roll out the dough and place onto the sheet pan then cover and let rise for 20 minutes. Place the oven rack to the lowest position and heat oven to 450. Uncover the dough and dent the dough with your finger. Bake in the oven for 7-9 minutes. Remove from oven and top with sauce, cheese and toppings then place back in the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Crock Pot Garlic Brown Sugar Terikyaki Pork

I was personally excited about this recipe, I wasn't sure what my children would think though but they both devoured it! This will be one that I put into our regular rotation for sure. This recipe was adapted from Yellow Bliss Road.

2-3lb pork pork loin
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp minced garlic
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce

In a bowl whisk together the brown sugar, garlic and teriyaki sauce. Place the pork loin in the bottom of the crock pot then pour the sauce over. Cook on low for 6-7 hours.  Shred and serve over rice or mashed potatoes. 

Maple Glazed Pumpkin Scones

I wonder if we would love pumpkin as much as we do if it were something we ate year round? But since it only feels right to eat it during a certain time period I feel like I need to eat all things pumpkin during the fall months. These scones are now on my must make list for every fall season!

2 cups flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp salt
1 stick cold unsalted butter
1/2 cup pumpkin
3 tbsps whole milk
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
2-3 tbsp whole milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

 Heat oven to 425. Grease a sheet pan.  In a large mixing bowl combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Cut the butter into the dry ingredients until it is a crumbly mixture. In a separate bowl combine with pumpkin, milk, egg and vanilla extract. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet. On a floured surface pat the dough into a 1 inch thick rectangle. Cut into 4 squares then cut each square in half. Bake for 15-18 minutes.  Remove from oven and let cool. While the scones are cooling whisk together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk and vanilla extract. Dip each scone into the glaze and allow the glaze to set before eating. 
 

Bacon and Cheese Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

I love an easy breakfast casserole for dinner. I think I might enjoy it more than anyone else in my family, they like it but I love it. And sometimes the cook gets to make what she wants, haha!

6 cups shredded hash browns (thawed)
4 eggs
1/3 cup milk
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp salt
pinch of pepper
1 cup colby jack cheese
4 strips bacon (cooked and crumbled)

Heat oven to 350. Grease a 9x11 baking dish. Layer the hash browns in the bottom of the dish. Whisk together the eggs, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Pour the mixture over the hash browns.  Sprinkle the bacon over the top of the hash browns then top with the cheese. Bake in the oven for 45-55 minutes.

Buffalo Chicken Pizza Rolls

This is the last in the trio of pizza rolls that I made several weeks ago. I have to say I think these might have been my favorite of the three.

1/2 Thin Crust Pizza recipe
1 1/2 cups shredded chicken
1/2 cup buffalo sauce
1 cup mozzarella cheese

Heat oven to 425.  On a floured surface roll out the pizza dough into a thin rectangle. Mix together the chicken and buffalo sauce. Spread the chicken out on the pizza dough then top with mozzarella cheese. Roll up the dough and slice into 1 1/2 inch rolls. Place on a greased sheet pan and back for 15-18 minutes. Serve with a side of blue cheese or ranch.

Mounds Brownies

These brownies were a crazy creation after seeing something on a bakery website. I took these to dinner with friends and they were a huge hit! Plus they are super simple!

2 boxes brownie mix 
ingredients according to the box
4 cups shredded sweetened coconut
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 tbsp vanilla extract

Heat oven to 350. Grease a 9x13 baking dish. Mix together one of the brownie mixes according to the directions and pour into the bottom of the greased baking dish.  Mix together the shredded coconut, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract. Spread over the brownie mix. Mix together the second brownie mix and spread over the top of the coconut mixture. Bake for 45-55 minutes. Remove from oven and let cook before cutting.

Game Day Chili

I made this one night when we were keeping some friends' children for the weekend, I doubled the recipe for our crew and everyone enjoyed it! It was perfect for a cool crisp fall night while watching football on the tv. This recipe is adapted from Lisa's Dinnertime Dish.

1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 small onion (chopped)
1 tbsp diced pickled jalapenos
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1 (15oz) can black beans
1 (15oz) can kidney beans
1 (15oz ) can diced tomatoes
1 (28oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
3 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp cumin
cheese, corn chips, sour cream

In the bottom of a large pot brown the ground beef. When the beef is cooked stir in the onion and cook for several minutes then stir in the garlic, jalapenos and red pepper flakes. Drain the beans and add them to the pot along with the diced tomatoes and crusted tomatoes. When it starts to bubble stir in the salt, black pepper, chili powder and cumin. Let simmer for 30 minutes before serving.