Oven Baked Meatball Sandwiches

I threw these together on a whim one night when we were craving meatball sandwiches. 

1 recipe Italian Meatballs (cooked)
1 jar Marinara Sauce
Sliced Mozzarella Cheese
Italian Bread or Sandwich Rolls

Heat oven to 400. Make sure the meatballs and sauce are both warmed. Slice the bread or rolls. Place several meatballs inside of the bread and top with sauce and then two slices of cheese.  Wrap the sandwich in tin foil and place in the oven for 5-8 minutes. Remove from oven and serve.

Crock Pot Fiesta Ranch Chicken

I love anything I can throw in the crock pot and not have to really think about again until dinner time.  With my oldest in school and a very busy toddler, my crock pot has quickly become my best friend again.  This chicken was tasty and easy! The recipe is from Chef In Training.


4 large chicken breasts
1 package ranch mix
1 package taco mix
2 cups chicken broth

Place the chicken in the crock pot. Pour the ranch and taco seasoning over the chicken then add the chicken broth. Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours. Shred and place in taco shells with fixings. 

One Hour Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing

I love cinnamon rolls.  I love when we go to some fancy brunch place and they have cinnamon rolls on the menu even better if they are the huge ones! Anyways, I was craving cinnamon rolls one morning and decided to make these. They were amazing, did not disappoint one single bit.  This recipe is from Averie Cooks.

Dough
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus extra flour if needed
1 cup buttermilk
2 1/4 tsp instant dry yeast
2 tbsp canola
2 tbsp granulated sugar
1/4 tsp salt

Filling
1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup light brown sugar (packed)
3 tbsp cinnamon

Frosting
4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
1 1/2 to 3 cups confectioners' sugar
 2-3 tbsp of cream, half and half or milk

Heat oven to 350. Grease a 9x13 dish.  Fit a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment.  Warm the buttermilk using the directions on the package. Mix together all of the ingredients for the dough and let them mix for 7-8 minutes until the dough is a soft, smooth ball. If the dough is still sticky add a small amounts of flour and mix until it is smooth. Flour your (clean!!!) counter top and lay the dough on the counter. Roll the dough out until it is about the size of the pan.  In a small bowl combine the sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon for the filling.  Spread the butter out over the dough leaving a small amount unbuttered on the edges. Sprinkle with the cinnamon mixture and slightly press it into the dough. Tightly roll up the dough and seal the edges gently.  Carefully slice into 1 inch cinnamon rolls either using unflavored dental floss or a serrated knife letting the knife do the work and not pressing to hard. Place the cinnamon rolls in the pan. Bake for 20-22 minutes. Place all of the frosting ingredients into a medium mixing bowl and beat together with an electric mixer until it is smooth and fluffy.  Remove the cinnamon rolls from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes before topping with the frosting.

Skillet Cheesy Beef Pasta

This pasta was an excellent warm meal that was fairly easy to put together.  My oldest loved it and took what was left to school the next day for lunch.  That's always a good sign, he's a pretty picky eater who is slowly branching out! This recipe is from Whole and Heavenly Oven.


1 lb pasta
1 lb ground beef
1 onion (chopped)
3 garlic cloves
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 cup water
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 tsp parsley

Boil the pasta according to the directions.  In a skillet cook the ground beef, onion and garlic until the meat is cooked through, drain off the excess grease. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, water, italian seasoning, salt and pepper. When it begins to bubble add the drained pasta. Turn the heat down to low and top with cheese and cover.  Let sit for 5-10  minutes then turn remove from heat, sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Top 10 Recipes of 2015

As always I kinda fell off the wagon at the end of the year when it came to blogging recipes. Between my none napping baby and trying to actually cook meals I feel like there is so little time but I'm really hoping to get back to it strong at the beginning of the new year...and will probably fall off again by the end! Anyways, here are our top favorites from 2015!

10. Cheesy Bacon Hash Brown Pie

 9. Oven Browned Rice

  

8. Crock Pot Shredded Mexican Chicken

7. Cinnamon Sugar Scones

 

 6. Cajun Grilled Pork Tenderloin

 

 5. Cracker Toffee

 

 4. The Best Chip Dip

 3. Crock Pot Crack Chicken Sandwiches

  

 2. Roasted Vegetable and Feta Orzo

1. Salted Caramel Butter Bars

Cheesy Bacon Hash Brown Pie

I absolutely loved this! Like could eat it once a week loved it.  This recipe was adapted from Completely Delicious.

5 slices bacon (chopped)
3 large eggs
1/2 onion (diced)
1/3 cup milk
3 cups of frozen hash browns (thawed)
2 cups colby jack cheese
salt and pepper
sour cream
chives

Heat oven to 375. Saute the bacon until it is crispy. Remove to a paper towel. Saute the onion in the bacon grease. In a bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Stir in the bacon, hash browns, onion and 1 1.2 cups of cheese.   Pour into a greased pie plate and bake 30 - 35 minutes. Remove and serve topped with sour cream and chives.

Crock Pot Chicken Fajitas

These fajitas were so easy to make and absolutely delicious. Even my picky eater was asking for more and that never happens.

3 Chicken Breasts
1 Onion
1 Red Pepper
1 Yellow Pepper
1 Orange Pepper
1 Fajita Seasoning Packet
2 tbsp Lime Juice

Slice the onion and peppers into strips.  Layer half of the vegetables on the bottom of the crock pot.  Top with the chicken breasts. Pour one tablespoon of lime juice over the chicken then season with half of the fajita packet.  Top with the remaining vegetables then lime juice then fajita packet. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Remove the chicken and slice into strips.

Snickerdoodle Pumpkin Muffins

I got this recipe from Taste of Lizzy T.  It's a super easy pumpkin muffin recipe involving a mix but they turned out wonderfully! Sometimes you just need quick and easy!

1 pkg Krustez Cinnamon Crumb Cake Mix
1 15oz can Pumpkin Puree
1 tsp Pumpkin Spice
1/8 cup Water
1/2 tsp Ground Nutmeg

Heat oven to 350.  Place the muffin liners in the tin.  In a bowl whisk together the cake mix, pumpkin spice and nutmeg. Stir in the pumpkin, water and 1/4 cup of the cinnamon topping. Fill the muffins liner 3/4 of the way with batter. Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon topping evenly on each muffin. Bake for 25 minutes. 

John Legend's Macaroni and Cheese

I have searched and searched for a good macaroni and cheese recipe. I can't tell you how many I have tried over the years and just not been pleased with.  I decided to try John Legend's recipe a few weeks ago and I think I have finally found one that I really really like! It was baked but also creamy.  It was cheesy but not overwhelmingly so. It's so good!

4 tbsps unsalted butter and extra butter for dish
3 cups elbow macaroni
24 oz evaporated milk
1/3 cup milk
2 large eggs
1/2 tsp seasoning salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
16 oz  sharp grated cheddar cheese
8 oz grated monterey jack
salt and pepper

Heat oven 375. Grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter. Boil elbow pasta in salt water and drain. Return the pasta to the pot and add butter.  Toss the pasta in the butter until it is melted. In a medium mixing bowl whiskt together the evaporated milk, milk and eggs. Stir in the seasoning salt, garlic powder and pepper. In a separate bowl mix together the cheddar cheese and monterey jack cheese. Place 1/3 of the noodles in the bottom of the baking dish, top with 1/3 of the cheese and repeat with the remaining 2 layers. Pour the milk mixture over the pasta and bake for 35-45 minutes. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Crock Pot Ranch Taco Soup

I saw a Ranch Taco Soup recipe online but could never find it again so I created my own! We loved this taco soup and the ranch seasoning just gave it an extra something!

1 lb Ground Beef
1 15oz can Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes with Garlic
1 28oz can Crushed Tomatoes
1 16oz can Chili Beans
1 15oz can Black Beans
1 15oz can Kidney Beans
1 15oz can Corn
1 cup Water
 Taco Seasoning Package
Ranch Seasoning Package

Brown the ground beef over medium heat. Place in the crock pot then add the remaining ingredients and stir.  Let cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.  Top with cheese, sour cream and avocado.