Our Favorite Lasagna

I tend to cook dinner more in the winter. When its cold outside and we aren't at the park all the time, we tend to stay inside and I want to make a cozy meal for my family. Lasagna definitely falls into the 'cozy' category for me.

This lasagna has a homemade sauce with ground beef and Italian sausage. Its full of flavor with the basil and garlic. A delicious meal for any night, but especially a cold winter evening!

Our Favorite Lasagna

1 1/2lbs Ground Beef
1 lb Italian Sausage
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1/2 Onion, diced
1 - 28oz can Crushed Tomatoes
2 - 6oz cans Tomato Paste
2 Tablespoons Dried Parsley
2 Tablespoons Dried Basil
1 Tablespoon Dried Oregano
1 teaspoon Salt
3 cups Cottage Cheese
2 Eggs, beaten
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated not shredded
2 Tablespoons Dried Parsley
1 teaspoon Salt
1 lb Mozzarella, freshly sliced
10 oz Lasagna Noodles, add 1/2 teaspoon Salt & 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil to your pasta water

1. In a dutch oven or large saucepan, over med-high heat, put the ground beef, Italian sausage, onion, and garlic and cook until brown and the onions are soft. Drain the fat. Add in your crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley, basil, oregano, and salt. Let simmer for at least an hour.

2. In a large bowl, combine your cottage cheese, eggs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, and salt. Boil your noodles to al dente. 

Assembly...

3. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Place 3 of the cooked noodles on the bottom of the dish. Spread half of the cottage cheese mixture evenly on the noodles. Place a layer of mozzarella cheese. Spread a little less than half of the tomato meat sauce over the cheese. Repeat, topping with the extra tomato meat sauce. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.

4. You can store this in the fridge for 2 days or bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Enjoy!

Recipe slightly adapted from The Pioneer Woman     

Our Favorite Turkey Meatloaf

When the weather starts to change the meals I make seem to change too. I want more soups, homemade rolls and bread, casseroles, more hearty meals. This is one of my family's favorite meals. Its strange to me because meatloaf was never my favorite meal as a kid. I think its the sauce that covers the meatloaf. Its sweet and tangy. A perfect meal for a cold night. Your family will love it as much as ours!

Our Favorite Turkey Meatloaf

Meatloaf
2lbs Ground Turkey
1 cup Whole Wheat Bread Crumbs or Ground Old Fashioned Oats
1 Egg, beaten
1 cup Milk
1/2 cup Ketchup

1 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Pepper
1 teaspoon Onion powder
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder

Sauce
3/4 cup Ketchup
1/4 cup Brown Sugar
1/4 cup Apricot Preserves
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 5x9 bread pan. In a large bowl place the meatloaf ingredients. Mix well with your hands until well combined. Pour into the prepared pan and spread out. Bake for 1 1/2 hours.

2. In a small bowl mix together the sauce ingredients. Halfway through baking spread half of the sauce on top of the meatloaf. Let sit for 15 minutes after baking before slicing. Use the rest of the sauce for serving with the meatloaf.

Recipe slightly adapted from Pip and Ebby

Pot Roast{Crockpot}

Sunday dinner growing up was always different, but my favorite, the Sunday's I loved most, were ones where we had pot roast and my mum makes a great pot roast! I use a different recipe than she does because I like a little more flavor. So I think mine is even more delicious than hers. Ha. 

It makes the house smell great all day. The meat is tender and juicy, the carrots, onions, and potatoes are cooked just right and full of flavor. Try this for your next family meal. You wont regret it!

Pot Roast{Crockpot}

3lb Pot Roast
2 cups Hot Water
1 packet dry Italian Dressing
1 packet Onion Soup Mix
1lb Carrots, sliced into 3 inch pieces
2 lbs Potatoes, cut into quarters
1 large Onion, quartered and separated

In a medium bowl combine the hot water with the onion soup mix. Place the carrots in your crock pot. Put the pot roast on top of the carrots and sprinkle the Italian dressing over the top. Place the potatoes and onions on top. Pour the onion soup over everything. Set the crockpot to low and cook for 8 hours.

3 Bean Turkey Chili

I was, as I usually am, searching on a Sunday night looking for recipes for the week on pinterest and came across this recipe for chili. It looks delicious, and I love chili so I figured I'd give it a shot. I altered it a little to fit our family and it was amazing. I make it all the time. Its my favorite meal when its rainy outside!

3 Bean Turkey Chili

2 lbs Ground Turkey
1 Yellow Onion, chopped
1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
4 cloves Garlic, minced
1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
1 Tablespoon Cumin
1 teaspoon Granulated Sugar
1 teaspoon Oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons Salt
1 teaspoon Black Pepper
46oz Tomato Juice
2 - 16oz cans Diced Tomatoes
1 - 15oz can Tomato Sauce
2 cans Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
1 can Pinto Beans, drained and rinsed
2 can Black Beans, drained and rinsed

Optional Toppings
Shredded Cheese
Sour Cream

1. In a large skillet brown the turkey over medium heat. Drain the grease. Add in the onion, green pepper and garlic. Continue cooking over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent. Remove from the heat and add in the chili powder, cumin, sugar, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix so the spices are combined. 

2. Pour the meat mixture into your crockpot or large pot on the stove. Add in the tomato juice, tomatoes, tomato paste, and the 3 kinds of beans. Mix well and cook on low in crockpot for 7-8 hours or on the stove simmering for 2 hours. Serve hot!

Recipe Slightly adapted from: Pip and Ebby

Cafe Rio Burritos

One of our favorite places to go to dinner is Cafe Rio but sometimes with 3 kids its easier if you can just make it at home. So that's just what I did. It tastes just as good as going out to eat but I can eat it on my couch in my pajamas, which makes me even more happy.

Cafe Rio Sweet Pork
Recipe Adapted from: FavFamilyRecipes.com

3lb Pork Butt
1/4 teaspoon Oregano
1/4 teaspoon Cumin
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Dry Ground Mustard
1 medium Onion, quartered
2 cloves Garlic, minced
3- 12oz cans Coca Cola
1- 4oz can Diced Green Chiles
1- 10oz can Red Enchilada Sauce
1 cup Brown Sugar

1. Combine 2 cans of Coca Cola, oregano, cumin, salt, ground mustard, onion, and crushed garlic in a crock pot and stir. Place the pork butt in the crock pot and fill half way up the pork with water. Cook on low for 10 hours.

2. Remove the pork, drain the water and remove the garlic and onions.

3. Shred the pork and return to the crock pot. In a blender combine the green chiles, enchilada sauce, brown sugar, and 1 can of coca cola.. If it seems too thick add in more coke. Pour on top of the shredded pork and mix. Heat on low for 2 more hours.

Cafe Rio Cilantro Lime Rice

1 cup White Rice, uncooked
1 teaspoon Butter
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Lime Juice
1- 15oz can Chicken Broth
1 cup Water
1 Tablespoon Lime Juice
2 teaspoons Granulated Sugar
2 Tablespoons Cilantro, finely chopped

In a medium saucepan combine the rice, butter, garlic, 1 teaspoon lime juice, chicken broth, and water. Bring to a boil, turn to low and cook for 15-20 minutes. Remove from the heat. In a small bowl mix together 1 tablespoon lime juice, sugar, and cilantro. Pour over the cooked rice and mix together.

Cafe Rio Black Beans

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Cumin
2 cans Black Beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/3 cups Tomato Juice
1/2 teaspoon Salt
2 Tablespoons Cilantro, chopped

In a small saucepan combine the olive oil, garlic, and cumin over medium heat until fragrant. Add in the black beans, tomato juice, and salt. Stir until its heated through. Add in the cilantro until just before serving.   

Beef and Broccoli, Crock Pot

I love to look on pinterest and find new recipes. Especially recipes that are one pot or crock pot meals. Its makes my families evenings so much smoother and more fun to be together when I don't have to be in the kitchen all afternoon. This is one of our favorite crock pot meals. Its better than take out and much cheaper! The meat melts in your mouth, its perfectly seasoned and the broccoli has just a little bite to it. Its a meal that's in our rotation for good!

Beef and Broccoli
Recipe Source: bsrecipe.blogspot.com

2.5lb boneless Beef Chuck Roast, sliced into thin strips
1 cup Beef Broth
1/2 cup Soy Sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 Tablespoon Sesame Oil
3 cloves Garlic, minced
2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
4 cups Broccoli Florets

1. Put the beef roast in your crock pot. In a small bowl, combine the beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, oil, and garlic. Stir to combine then pour over the beef and cook on low for about 6 hours.

2. In a small bowl, stir cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of sauce from the crock pot until smooth. Then pour it in the crock pot. Stir until combined.

3. Add the broccoli to the crock pot and stir. Cover and let cook for an additional 30 minutes on high. If the sauce doesn't thicken bring to a boil on the stove and stir until its thickened. Serve over rice.

Honey Chicken Crispers

Sometimes I feel like I make the same dinners over and over and we need a change. Instead of my girls asking whats for dinner they just ask for something new. So I was really happy to be given this recipe. They were moist, crispy, and sweet. It didn't take long to make and they were a huge hit with everyone and it will definitely be put in the rotation.

Honey Chicken Crispers
Recipe Adapted from: Le Creme De La Crumb

3 large Chicken Breasts, 1/2inch thick & cut into strips
1 cup All-Purpose Flour
2 cups Panko Bread Crumbs
1 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Pepper
2 Eggs, whisked
1/2 cup Butter, melted

Sauce
1/3 cup Honey
1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/4 cup Ketchup
1 Tablespoon Vinegar
1/3 cup Cold Water & 2 Tablespoons Corn Starch

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Pour your melted butter onto a large cookie sheet and spread it around so it coats the whole surface.

2. In a small dish whisk together the flour, salt, and pepper. In a second bowl pour the bread crumbs. In a third bowl put the whisked eggs. Dip the chicken strips in the flour to coat, then the egg, and last the bread crumbs. Then place the chicken on the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for about 8 minutes then turn over and bake for another 8 minutes. Remove from the oven.

3. While the chicken is baking, make the sauce. Combine all the ingredients in a large saucepan, except for the water and cornstarch. Bring to a boil over med-high heat, whisking constantly. In a small bowl whisk together the cold water and cornstarch. When the ingredients in the saucepan come to a boil add in the cornstarch mixture and stir until it has thickened. Reduce heat to low.

4.When the chicken is done baking, dip it in the sauce so it is coated. Serve.

Chilean Corn and Pork Stew

This month for Secret Recipe Club I was assigned Cheap Ethnic Eatz. Its the blog of Evelyne, she lives in Montreal and she's always had, as she puts it, 'exotic taste curiosity. Evelyn started cooking young and she has lots of recipes of different cuisines from around the world on her site. If you are looking for something unique to make this is the place for you!

 

I spent hours going through her site trying to decide on what to make, Berry Explosion Cobbler, Perogies, or this Grilled Lime Chicken, were just a few I was tempted to make and finally decided on this corn and pork stew. It as a rich, smoky flavor, and its a little sweet. I was happy I had enough for leftovers! I will be over at Cheap Ethnic Eatz to make more things for sure!

Chilean Corn and Pork Stew
Recipe Adapted: CheapEthnicEatz.com

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 lb Pork, cubed
3 eggs
2 teaspoons Salt

1/2 teaspoon Pepper
1/2 cup Onion, chopped
3 Cloves Garlic, minced
3 teaspoons Cumin
1 teaspoon Oregano
2- 15.5oz cans Diced Tomatoes
1- 15.5oz can Corn
1/4 cup Cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup Water

1. In a medium stock pot sauté pork until brown. Add in the salt, pepper, onion, and eggs. Cook until onions are translucent and the eggs are scrambled.

2. Add in the garlic, cumin, oregano, and tomatoes. Stir and let simmer for about 30 minutes.

3. Add in the corn, cilantro, and water. Continue to simmer for about 15 minutes. Serve with rice. 

An InLinkz Link-up

Baked Chicken Chimichangas

A while ago I went to a Mexican restaurant and had a chicken chimichanga. Every time I pass that restaurant I think about it. The tortilla was crispy. The chicken inside was flavorful and moist. Now I can't go in every time I crave one cause I would be there everyday, so I had to make them myself.

 

This recipe is all of the things that my chimichanga from the restaurant was but better because of the rich, creamy sauce over the top. I put lettuce on top because its good with an extra crunch and some cheese cause you can't ever have too much cheese. I may never go back to the restaurant for those chimichangas again!

Baked Chicken Chimichangas
Recipe Source: The-Girl-Who-Ate-Everything.com

Chimichangas
2 cups Chicken, cooked and shredded
1 cup Salsa
1/2 teaspoon Oregano
1 teaspoon Onion Powder
1 teaspoon Cumin
1 cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded
8- 10inch Uncooked Tortillas
2 Tablespoons Butter, melted

Sauce
1/4 cup Butter
1/4 cup Flour
1- 15.5oz can Chicken Broth
1- 4oz can Green Chilies
3/4 cup Sour Cream
1 teaspoon Salt

 

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl combine the salsa, oregano, cumin and mix until combined. Add in the chicken and cheese and stir. Line an 11x15 pan tin foil and brush with melted butter.

 

2. Cook your tortillas. Place a 1/3 cup of the chicken mixture in the center of your tortilla. Fold opposite sides of your tortilla in and then roll up and place with the seam down on your prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes or until crispy.

 

Sauce

In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt the butter and whisk in the flour. Add in the chicken broth and the green chilies. Whisk until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the sour cream and salt. Return to heat and stir until warmed through.

Hamburger Gravy

So hamburger gravy... Do you remember having this in elementary school? Its one of those nostalgic things I think. Like these Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars. Its just delicious cause it reminds you of something from your childhood. Except this is delicious because its meaty, creamy, and its seasoned way better than it was in elementary school. I served it on creamy homemade mashed potatoes. Its an easy weeknight meal that may remind you of your childhood!

Hamburger Gravy
Recipe Source: TheKitchenPrescription.com

1lb Ground Beef
2 cups Beef Broth
1 teaspoon Onion Powder
1 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Pepper
3 Tablespoons Flour
1/4 cup Milk

Brown the hamburger in a large skillet. Don't drain the fat. Add in onion powder, salt, pepper, and stir. Sprinkle the flour over the top to absorb the fat. Add in the beef broth and milk. Stir until well combined. Bring to a boil then turn to low and let simmer until thickened.

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

I have never been a fan of chicken salad. I dont like all of the things people put in them. But my husband LOVES chicken salad. So I decided to try and make some myself and it was amazing! I put mine on these Lion House Rolls I made the other day. So good!!

I only put grapes and celery in mine but feel free to add in almonds or whatever else you enjoy in your chicken salad. Just be sure to adjust the amount of celery and grapes to compensate cause the chicken ratio is just about perfect!

Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Recipe Adapted From: LiveEatCraft.com

2 cups cooked Chicken, shredded
1 1/2 cups Red Grapes, halved
2 1/2 cups Celery, chopped
1/2 cup Miracle Whip
2/3 cup Mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt

1. In a small bowl combine the miracle whip, mayo, garlic powder, and salt. Mix well.

2. In a large bowl combine the chicken, grapes, and celery. Add the dressing and stir to combine. Refrigerate for and hour or two before serving. Serve on rolls, croissants, or bread.

Spaghetti Pie

My girls favorite dinner is spaghetti. Its easy for me to brown some hamburger, open a jar of Ragu, and boil some noodles but its not very exciting. So I searched for something not as labor intensive as lasagne but better than regular old spaghetti and I found it! Spaghetti Pie. The tomato sauce is homemade and it has 4 different cheeses. It isn't dry at all. Its creamy and saucy. Its a meal your family will be begging to have all the time. I know cause mine does.

Spaghetti Pie
Recipe Source: MelsKitchenCafe.com

12 oz Thin Spaghetti Noodles
1 lb lean Ground Beef
1 small Onion, diced
1 clove Garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
28 oz can Crushed Tomatoes
16 oz Tomato Sauce
1 teaspoon Dried Basil
1/2 teaspoon Dried Oregano
4 oz Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup Cottage Cheese
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, divided
3/4 cup Mozzarella cheese, divided

1. Lightly spray a 10-inch deep dish pie plate with cooking spray and set aside. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

2. Cook noodles to al dente in salted water. While the noodles are cooking, heat a large skillet over med-high heat, brown the ground beef. Add the onion, garlic, salt and pepper. Continue stirring to break up the meat, until the meat is cooked. Remove from the heat and drain the grease. Return the skillet to medium heat and stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried basil and oregano. Simmer the sauce over medium or medium-low heat for 10 minutes.

3. When the noodles are done cooking, drain and return to the pot. Quickly stir in the cream cheese and toss the noodles until its mostly melted. Stir in the cottage cheese, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese, and 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Toss so the noodles are evenly coated. Stir in 2 cups of the spaghetti sauce. Keep the rest of the red sauce warm on the stove.

4. Pour the noodles into the pie plate and using a spatula, press the noodles into the dish so they are tightly pressed together and are flat on the top. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan and 1/4 cup Mozzarella cheese on top.

5. Bake the pie for about 20 minutes, until hot and the cheese on top is golden. Let the dish rest for 15 minutes. Serve with remaining spaghetti sauce.

Breakfast Sandwiches

One weekend a couple of months ago we went to my in-laws cabin. My mother in law made these sandwiches for breakfast and I fell in love. Strange, maybe, but I am not the biggest fan of pancakes and waffles for breakfast and I would much rather have something savory like a breakfast burrito. For some reason I have never thought of making these myself. They are so simple and we have them all the time now. They are so delish!

Breakfast Sandwiches
  *makes enough for 4

6 Eggs
1 roll Breakfast Sausage
4 English Muffins
4 Cheese Slices

1. Make the sausage into patties and fry in a pan until cooked. Remove sausage from pan. In a small bowl whisk the eggs and pour into the frying pan. Let cook until bottom becomes firm and flip over to finish cooking. Cut into 4 pieces.

2. Warm muffins in the microwave. Place the sausage on one side, the eggs on top of the sausage and the cheese on top. Turn your oven on broil and place muffins on a cookie sheet and place in the oven until the cheese is melted. Place the other half of the muffin on top and enjoy!

Turkey Casserole

My husbands mom makes one thing that he talks about around the holidays and that is this turkey casserole. Turkey and stuffing in one dish. He likes to top his with cranberry sauce to complete the dish, I don't, either way its an easy delicious dish.  Its the perfect way to use your turkey and stuffing leftovers from your holiday gatherings.

Turkey Casserole

Recipe Source: Sandy Bishop

4 cups Turkey, shredded
6 cups Stuffing, prepared
2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup
1 can Evaporated Milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix soup and milk together until smooth. Layer the dressing, turkey, and soup. Repeat, ending with the stuffing on the top. Bake for 45 minutes.

Mac 'n' Cheese

One of the meals that my kids love to eat and I know they'll finish is macaroni and cheese. Its easy to make when I don't want to plan dinner because I always have all the ingredients on hand. Its cheesy, creamy, so flavorful and not hard to make!

Mac n Cheese
Recipce Source: AllRecipes.com

1 8oz pkg Macaroni
2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
1 12oz pkg Cottage Cheese
1 cup Sour Cream
1/2 cup Milk
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup Bread Crumbs
1/4 cup Butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bring a large pot water to a boil, salt and add pasta. Cook until done and drain.

2. In a large bowl, stir together macaroni, cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, milk, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Pour into a 9x13 baking dish. In a small bowl, mix together bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle over macaroni mixture. Bake about 30 minutes.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Chinese food is my favorite and so being able to make some really good at home is something I am working on. I have found my new favorite Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe. The sauce is sweet with the perfect amount of tang and the chicken is crispy outside and moist and delicious inside. Its so good!

Sweet and Sour Chicken
Recipe Source: mandysrecipebox.blogspot.com

Chicken
4 Chicken Breasts
Salt & Pepper
1 1/2 cup Cornstarch
2 Eggs, beaten
1/4 cup Vegetable Oil

Sweet & Sour Sauce
1 1/2 cups Granulated Sugar
8 Tablespoons Ketchup
1 cup Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
2 teaspoons Garlic Powder

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Rinse your chicken breasts in water and cut into cubes. Season with salt and pepper. 

2. Heat 1/4 cup of oil in a large skillet. Dip chicken into the cornstarch to coat then dip into the eggs and place in the hot oil. Cook your chicken until just browned, don't cook through.  Place the chicken in a greased 9x13 baking dish.

3. Whisk together all of the sweet and sour sauce ingredients in a medium bowl and pour evenly over the chicken. Bake for one hour. During the baking process you need to turn the chicken every 15 minutes.

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