Cheesy Ranch Broccoli Bacon Noodle

Say that 5 times fast!  ;o)  I've been on a comfort food kick.  My family MIGHT just be getting sick of the cheesy buttery goodness i've been making the past couple of nights.  I will be honest...I've been lacking in the kitchen department lately.  I've been dieting, and I finally came to the end of my string with that.  I've missed eating what my family eats. I got tired of cooking different things for them for dinner.  And I've really missed making yummy things for the blog. 

 

This was right up my alley for comfort food.  Read that title!  Yum!!! 

 

 

Oh my!

 

Cheesy Ranch Broccoli Bacon Noodle

16 oz. small shells noodles

1 package of bacon, cooked and crumbled

1 regular sized bag of frozen broccoli

1 1/2 c. milk

3/4-1 c. ranch dressing

16 oz. of sharp cheddar cheese, shredded or your favorite cheese. 

(I used half colby jack and half sharp cheddar)

 

Boil noodles according to package directions.  While that's boiling, cook your bacon in a large pan and steam your broccoli.  Make sure not to cook your broccoli too long or it will get all mushy.  Unless you like mushy broccoli.  When your bacon is good and crispy, remove it from your pan. Pour out all your grease except maybe a tablespoon or so to give your dish even more of a bacon flavor.  Add your milk and ranch.  Stir until combined.  Pour in your shredded cheese.  Stir until it's all good and melty.  Don't have your heat too high.  You don't want this to burn.  Add your broccoli, bacon, noodles.  Stir until all combined.  Let it thicken a little bit more and then ENJOY!

 

Seriously...so so GOOD!

 

This makes quite a bit of food.  You could easily half the recipe.

 

I'm off to get a crown in my mouth.  I'm scared to death!  Wish me luck!

 

Happy Friday!

Love, Erica*

 

Adapted from-Little BGCG

 

 

 

 

 

Crockpot Beef Stroganoff

I'm not usually a big fan of stroganoff, but this recipe called for cream cheese so it had to be good...and it was!  As my 3 year old would say, it was Delcious, Delectable, DELIGHTFUL!  :o)  A big hit with everyone in the family.

Crockpot Beef Stroganoff
2 lbs. stew meat
2 cans golden mushroom soup
1 large yellow onion, diced
1/2 c. water
1 container of whole mushrooms, sliced
3-4 Tbsp worchesteshire sauce (I like a lot of this stuff)
couple dashes of garlic salt
couple dashes of paprika
8 oz. cream cheese

In your crockpot add the soup, onion, mushrooms, water, worchestershire sauce, garlic salt, and paprika.  Stir until well combined and then add your stew meat.  Stir to coat it.  Turn on low and let it cook for 6-8 hours.  A half hour before serving cut your cream cheese into cubes and add it to the crockpot.  Stir until all melted.  Serve over your favorite noodles, or rice.  Yum!

Source-The Crock Star

Sorry we were both slackers this week.  The weather has been absolutley GORGEOUS here, and we've been outside cleaning up the yard, and just enjoying some good ole' vitamin d!  I know it really raises my spirit to feel that warm sun on my face.

And!!!...we are finally up to 300 followers!  How exciting is that?!  Thank you to all of our followers. 

Happy Friday! 

Baked Ziti

I've had this in my to do folder to make for dinner for SO long.  I finally got to it, and it is now a family favorite.  My kids and husband gobbled it right up. Plus, it was really easy to throw together and you know how I love easy and yummy recipes.

Baked Ziti
1 pound dry ziti pasta
1 onion, chopped
1 pound lean ground beef
2 (26 oz) jars of your favorite spaghetti sauce
6 oz provolone cheese, sliced
1 1/2 c sour cream
6 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/4-1/2 c parmesen cheese
Boil noodles according to package directions.  Drain. 

In a large pan brown your ground beef and chopped onions.  Add spaghetti sauce and let it simmer for 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Butter a 9x13 casserold dish.  Layer as follows: 1/2 of the ziti, Provolone cheese, sour cream, 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.


Bake for 30-40 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the cheeses are melted.  Enjoy!

Source-Allrecipes

It's Friday!  Make sure to enter our giveaway HERE to win the fun Scentsy warmer and scent.  We will be picking a winner Sunday night and announcing it on our Menu Monday!  Remember to leave a comment for EACH thing you've done for the giveaway.  If for some reason you aren't able to comment head on over to our Facebook page and leave a comment there. 

Have a great weekend!

Sour Cream Noodle Bake

I love fast and easy meals, and this was definately one of them.  Plus my family gobbled it up.  So on my list it goes.  The recipe calls for green onions, but I left them out.  I knew if I put them in Jason wouldn't eat it.  I think it'd be awesome with them in, but we gotta keep them honeys happy! :o)

Sour Cream Noodle Bake
1 lb ground beef, cooked and drained
15 oz. can of tomato sauce

8 oz. egg noodles

3/4 c. sour cream
1 1/4 c. cottage cheese
1 to 2 c. Shredded cheddar cheese (I like a lot of cheese, so I used just about 2 cups)
1/2 c. green onions, chopped (use less or more for your taste)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Brown your hamburger in a frying pan.  Drain off grease and add your tomato sauce.  While the beef is simmering start boiling your noodles.  Strain and set aside.  Mix together your sour cream and cottage cheese together.  Stir in green onions and I put lots of pepper in mine.  Then add your noodles and mix well.  In a 8x8 casserole dish pour in half the meat sauce on the bottom, then half the noodle mix, a layer of cheese and then repeat layers topping with cheese.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake 15-20 minutes or until your cheese is good and melty.  :o)  Enjoy with your favorite green salad and some garlic bread.

Source-The Pioneer Woman

Italian Pasta Salad

This has to be one of my favorite spring/summer salads.  Isn't it funny we really don't make these kinds of things in the winter?  Not only am I excited for the sun and warm weather, but i'm also excited for all the yummy food that comes with spring and summer.  I got this recipe from my sis in law, Jamie.  I fell in love with it the first time I tried it and it's always been a hit every time I make it.  It's so colorful and flavorful.

Italian Pasta Salad
1 bag of colored noodles, cooked til done.
1 bottle of zesty italian salad dressing
1/2 bottle of salad supreme seasoning
2-3 tomatoes, diced
1 cucumber, chopped
1 can of olives, sliced
1 pkg of sliced mushrooms, or throw in a couple cans of the sliced mushrooms
1 bag of the small pepperoni or large pepperoni, cut into quarters

Cook your noodles according to package directions.  I like to chop all my veggies up while its boiling.  When they are done, drain the water and run noodles under cold water until they are no longer hot.  Pour into big bowl and start throwing in all your ingredients.  You don't have to use the whole bottle of dressing.  But the noodles really suck up a lot of the moisture.  I double the batch and put 2 bottles in and let it sit over night and it was perfect the next day.  Same with the salad supreme, put in as much as you like.  I like LOTS of the stuff in mine.  Let your salad sit for a couple hours before serving and make sure to stir it before serving.

Hope your having a fabulous week!!

Pasta Carbonara

I know I know...Another pasta dish with creamy goodness and bacon!  I just posted one similar to this a few posts back, but I think this one is tastier, so I had to share.  I first tried this dish when my ex mother in law brought it over after I had the baby.  We all loved it, so I had to get the recipe.  It was pretty easy to throw together.  The sauce is so tasty and delicious.  If you like it lots creamier, you can double the sauce.  I made mine ahead of time and it was still pretty creamy a couple hours later.  But the noodles do soak it up, quite a bit.

Pasta Carbonara

8 oz. thin spaghetti, cooked

4-6 slices of bacon cut up

3 Tbsp onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 c. heavy cream

1/4 c. parmesan

2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

1/8 tsp black pepper

3 large chicken breasts, cubed, and cooked

Cook your chicken and noodles before hand. I like to fry my chicken in some butter and salt and pepper.  Fry up bacon, and when it's starting to brown throw in onion, cook til almost crisp then add garlic stirring around for about 30 seconds to get the good garlic flavor.  Don't over cook your garlic.  Remove onto paper towel to drain leaving about 1 Tbsp of oil in the pan.  Add heavy cream and heat to it's almost boiling, stirring every now and then.  Add cheese and turn to low and let it simmer for 3 minutes.  Add noodles, chicken, parsley, and black pepper.  Stir to coat and enjoy.

This is another recipe where adding other ingredients is fine.  Such as broccoli, or mushrooms.  Maybe trade the meat for shrimp.  Yum!  This was an awesome meal with some steamed asparagus on the side!  Enjoy!!!

Creamy Bacon and Parmesan Pasta

Give me creamy pasta and bacon any day of the week.  So fulfilling and yummy.  I've made this adding chicken and peas.  Mix it up!  Broccoli would be awesome with it too.  It does need quite a bit of salt for my tasting, but everyone in my family thinks I use WAY too much salt, so I never add it to my dishes while I cook.  Don't want to upset anyone.  :o)  This is a quick and easy meal to stir up.  My kids absolutely love it too.

Creamy Bacon and Parmesan Pasta
1 pound bacon
1/4-1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
1 pound rigatoni or penne pasta
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup cream cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
4 whole Eggs
1/2 teaspoons ground pepper

In a skillet, fry the bacon. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes. When done, remove bacon until cool enough to handle and roughly chop.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta in boiling salted water until done (according to package instructions).

Place cream and cream cheese in a small saucepan. Heat over low until cream cheese is melted, and whisk until smooth. Remove from heat. Add the parmesan cheese, eggs, and pepper and whisk until blended.

Drain pasta (reserving 1/2 cup of hot water) and return to pot. Immediately add the white sauce and toss to coat. The hot pasta will cook the eggs. Stir in the bacon, and add some reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.

Enjoy! And Happy Monday! Yay to the end of January!!!

Friday Favorites...Mac and Cheese Baby!

I dreamt about Frozen Yogurt last night. Seriously. I dreamt about pulling the lever and filling my cup then all the amazing things I put on it. Unfortunately, I never got to taste it. I hate when that happens. Anyway, I love comfort foods (c'mon, who doesn't?), and I got this fun cookbook for Christmas from my friend Laurie.

Check it out Here.



I was actually surprised at how many recipes intrigued me. On Monday I made Huevos Rancheros. They were pretty tasty. On Tuesday I made Chicken Parmesan. I thought it was delish! Last night it was Mac and Cheese. The book compares restaurant foods in calories, fat, and sodium then revamps them for a healthier version. My hubby hates diet foods and recipes but he has really liked these so far. It's just nice when you can eat comfort foods and not feel terribly guilty afterwards. You know?

So not only is homemade Mac & Cheese one of my faves but this is quickly becoming one of my fave cookbooks. Enjoy!

Macaroni & Cheese

2 Tbsp butter

1/2 yellow onion, minced

2 Tbsp flour

3 cups milk

2 cups shredded extra-sharp Cheddar

salt and pepper to taste

1 lb. macaroni, penne, or shells

1/4 cup chopped pickled jalapenos (optional)

2 oz. prosciutto or ham, cut into thin strips

1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

1/4 cup grated Parmesan

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft and translucent (but not browned) about 3 minutes. Add the flour and stir to incorporate into the butter. Pour in the milk a bit at a time and use whisk to incorporate the flour and prevent lumps from forming. When all the milk has been added, allow the sauce to simmer for 10 minutes, until it begins to thicken. Stir in the cheese and season with salt and pepper.

Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, drain, and return to pot. Add the cheese sauce, jalapenos, and ham and stir. Divide the mixture among 6 large crocks or pour into a baking dish. Top with bread crumbs and sprinkle with Parmesan.

Bake for 10 minutes. Turn on the broiler and broil until the bread crumbs are golden brown. About 2-3 minutes.  Enjoy!

Have a great weekend!!!!



Lazy Lasagna

The name fits me to a T.  It really is lazy because it's so darn easy to throw together.  You don't even have to cook the noodles!  I love that!!!   I've been making this lasagna for years, and it's a family favorite.  It's so easy and you can change it up a bit without a problem.  Before I found this recipe lasagna intimidated me.  It just seemed too hard to do.  Glad I found this one.

Here's the recipe~

Lazy Lasagna
1 lb ground beef
1-32 oz. jar of spaghetti sauce
16 oz. cottage cheese
8 oz. sour cream
8 uncooked lasagna noodles
2-8  oz packages of shredded mozzarella cheese give or take
1 c. grated parmesan cheese
1 c. water

Cook beef in a large skillet until meat is brown.  Drain fat and add spaghetti sauce.  Heat through.  Set aside.  Combine cottage cheese and sour cream, stir well.  Spoon 1 1/2 c. meat sauce in bottom of 13x9 pan.  Place 1/2 of the uncooked noodles on top of the meat sauce. Then half of the cottage cheese mixture.

A good layer of mozzarella cheese, 1/2 of the remaining meat sauce and 1/2 c. parmesan cheese.  Repeat layers starting with noodles.  Top with remaining mozzarella cheese.  Pour water around the sides of the pan. (I usually don't use ALL the water.)  Cover tightly with foil.  Bake in a preheat 350 degree oven for 1 hour.  Make sure to put a cookie sheet or foil under pan, because it always bubbles over a little bit.  Uncover and bake 20 minutes more or until bubbly.  Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes longer. 

The finished product. 

I was in a hurry to eat it and that's why it's not completely set up.  The more you let it sit the less gooey it is.

I like to add olives to my meat sauce and sometimes I use more or less cheese.  Depends on my mood.  Seriously...change it up a bit if you'd like.  Let me know what you try different.

Source-Great American Brand Name Recipes Cookbook

Chicken Fettucini Alfredo

Being pregnant has it's perks, but it's not so great when what you are craving is out of town.  I live in a small town and that night I was craving Olive Garden's Seafood Fettucini.  I was craving it so bad I was almost in tears.  Am I the only one that has ever felt this way?  It was weird.  I was driving my husband crazy!  He offered to drive me out of town, but I felt guilty to just go for THAT!  So I said no, and searched the web for Olive Garden's Alfredo sauce recipe.  And HEAVENS TO BETSY, I FOUND IT!  :o)  Now, they say it's not the exact because what they get at the restaurant is in a vacuum sealed bag, but I think it tasted pretty darn close and Jason really liked it.  It was pretty easy too. 

 I'm really sorry about the picture.  I'm not that great of a photographer yet.  

It really was delicious...and yes...that is one helping...MY HELPING!  ;o)

Ingredients:

1 pint heavy cream
1 stick butter
2 tablespoons cream cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese - (to 3/4)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
(I never said this dish was healthy!)

Cooking Directions:
In a saucepan combine butter, heavy cream, and cream cheese. Simmer this until all is melted, and mixed well. Add the Parmesan cheese and Garlic powder. Simmer this for 15 to 20 minutes on low, stirring frequently.  You may wish to season with a little salt and pepper.

I used 3 chicken breasts cubed them up and put them in a pan with some butter and seasoned with some garlic salt with parsley, and pepper.

I cooked up a whole 16 oz. package of fettucini, which I thought was too much so you can eyeball it.  I had enough left over to make me and the kids some fried noodles for lunch the next day.  YUM!

When the sauce was done I threw in the cooked chicken and stirred it in good.  Put my noodles on a plate and topped it with the sauce.  Serve with some garlic bread and some fresh steamed asparagus.

It was an awesome meal and I am so happy to have fixed my craving for awhile.