Rosemary Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops

This one is a quick throw together meal. I usually have the ingredients for the crust on hand. I like to serve with mashed potatoes. I used boneless but the bone-in pork chops work just as well.


Ingredients

1 cup Bread Crumbs
1 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
2 tsp Rosemary
1 Tsp Garlic Powder
1 Egg
1 lb Pork chops, Boneless

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a large bowl mix Bread Crumbs, Parmesan Cheese, Rosemary and Garlic Powder.
3. In a small bowl, whisk the Egg.
4. Dip the Pork Chops in Egg.
5. Next, coat the Pork Chops in the Bread Crumbs. Coat well.
6. Place in 13x9 baking dish covered in cooking spray. Bake 30 minutes.

Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie

Ingredients 

2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup

1 cup Peas

1 cup Baby Carrots

1 cup Water

4-6 Chicken Breasts

3-4 Diced Potatoes 

Biscuits (Don’t add to Crock Pot)

Instructions 

1. Put all ingredients except for Biscuits in Crock Pot. 

2.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

3. Shred chicken.

4. Serve on a biscuit.

This can be a make ahead meal too! Just add all ingredients to freezer bag except for the Potatoes and Biscuits. Thaw when you want to cook it. Put it in the slow cooker and add the Potatoes and cook as directed. 

Ham Fried Rice

Ingredients

• 1½ cups- 2 cups Ham, chopped
• 3 cups Rice, cooked
• 2 Tbs Oil
• 1 small White Onion, chopped
• 1 cup frozen Peas and Carrots, thawed
• 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce 
• 3 Eggs, beaten
• 2 Tbsp chopped Green Onions

Instructions

1. Heat Oil in large skillet. Add Onion, Ham, Peas, and carrots and fry until tender.
2. Slide the mixture to the side, and pour the beaten Eggs onto the other side. Scramble. 
3. When cooked, stir in with the Ham mixture
4. Add the Rice  and Soy Sauce. 
5. Stir until mixture is heated through. 
6. Top with Green Onions and serve. 

One Pot Summer Pasta

I saw this on Pinterest and made a few changes based on what I had on hand. It was light and delicious. My husband loved it but added some chicken to it when he ate it for lunch the next day.

Ingredients

• I box of Spaghetti
• 1 cup Mushrooms, sliced
• 1 Yellow Pepper, diced
• 1 Yellow Squash, sliced
• 1 Zucchini, sliced
• 1 cup Peas
• 1 Tbsp Garlic, minced
• 1/2 Tsp Thyme
• Salt 
• Pepper
• 4 cups Water
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1/4 cup Heavy Cream

Instructions

1. In large pot, add all ingredients except for Parmesan and Heavy Cream. Cook over medium high heat. Bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered for about 10 minutes. The liquid will be reduced.
3. Stir in Parmesan and Heavy Cream.
4. Serve hot.

Cheese Spaghetti

Ingredients

• 2-3 chicken breasts, cooked, cubed
• 12 oz Spaghetti, cooked and drained
• 1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
• 1/4 cup Chicken Broth
• 16 oz Sour Cream 
• 1/2 cup Butter, melted
• 1/4 cup dried Parsley
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp ground Pepper
• 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
• 1/2 cup Parmesan 
• 1 1/2  shredded Cheddar
• 1 cup Italian Breadcrumbs

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Combine everything except for the Cheddar and Breadcrumbs.
3.Spread into a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish. 
4. Top with Cheddar and Breadcrumbs. 
5. Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes. 

Unstuffed Shells

Ingredients

1/2 cup Onion, chopped
1 Tsp Garlic, minced
1/4 tsp Red pepper Flakes
1lb Ground Turkey 
1 box Pasta Shells
2 cups Pasta Sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded Monterrey Jack cheese (divided)
Parsley

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 3-quart casserole dish with nonstick spray.

2. Cook Pasta according to package instructions. 

3. Add the Ground Turkey to pan and cook until browned. Add Onions, Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes. Saute until Onions are cooked. 

4.Stir in the Pasta, Sauce, and 1 cup of Cheese. Spoon the pasta mixture into the prepared dish. Top with remaining Cheese. Sprinkle with Parsley.  

3. Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 20 minutes.

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

This is a super easy dinner. I made it for Super Bowl Sunday. It takes little time or effort.

Ingredients

4 Chicken Breasts, boneless, skinless
1 bottle Buffalo Sauce
1 Tbsp Butter, melted
Buns
Ranch or Blue Cheese (optional)

Instructions

1. Combine Butter and Buffalo Sauce until well blended.
2. Pour 1/4 into Slow Cooker.
3. Add Chicken and cover with remaining sauce.
4. Cook on low for for 4 hours.
5. Shred Chicken and put back in slow cooker. Stir. Cook for an additional 30 minutes.
6. Serve on a Bun with Ranch or Blue Cheese Crumbles if desired.

Chicken Divan

Ingredients

2 boneless, skinless Chicken Breasts, diced

Oil

1/2 cup Milk

1 can Broccoli Cheddar Soup

2 cups fresh or frozen (thawed) Broccoli, Cooked

1/2 cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded

1/2 cup Bread Crumbs

1 Tbsp Butter, Melted

Rice

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat Oil in skillet. Cook Chicken until no longer pink. 

2. Place cooked Chicken and Broccoli into baking dish. 

3. In a bowl, combine Milk and Soup until well blended. Pour over Chicken and Broccoli. 

4. Top with Cheddar. 

5. Stir Bread Crumbs in separate bowl with Butter until well coated. Add on top of Cheese. 

6. Bake for 20 minutes. 

Weeknight Creamy Pasta

A quick and easy weeknight meal.

Ingredients

1 package Rigatoni
Oil
1lb Chicken, boneless, skinless
1 jar Alfredo Sauce
6 oz Mushrooms
1 bag fresh Spinach
Grape Tomatos

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Cook Rigatoni according to package instructions. Drain
3. Heat Oil and cook Chicken until lo longer pink. Stir in Alfredo Sauce.
4. Add Spinach, Mushrooms, and Tomatoes to Rigatoni. Gradually stir in Chicken and Alfredo mixture.
5. Transfer to 13x9 baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Santa Fe Chicken

This dinner is super quick with tons of flavor.

Ingredients
Oil
1 lb Chicken, boneless, skinless
1 can Black Beans, drained, rinsed
1 small can Corn, drained
1 cup Salsa
Cheese (Optional)
Rice-Prepare according to package instructions

1. Heat Oil in Skillet.
2. Add Chicken and cook until no longer pink.
3. Stir in Black Beans, Corn, and Salsa.
4. Serve over Rice and top with Cheese

Italian Sausage Lasagna

Lasagna is a delicious go-to weeknight dinner. I like to spice it up a bit. I forgot to take a picture tonight but I will add one when I make this next time.

Ingredients
9 Lasagna noodles
1 lb Mild Italian Sausage
1/2 cup Onion, chopped
1 jar Pasta Sauce
15 oz Ricotta
1 tsp Garlic
1/2 cup Parmesan, grated
1 cup Mozzarella

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Prepare Lasagna Noodles according to package instructions.
3. In large skillet, brown Sausage. Add Onions and cook until Sausage is well done.
4. In a bowl, combine Ricotta, Garlic, and Parmesan.
5. Spread 1/2 the jar Pasta sauce on bottom of 13x9 baking dish.
6. Place 3 Noodles over Pasta Sauce.
7. Spread 1/2 the Ricotta Mixture. Top with 1/2 the Sausage mixture.
8. Cover with 3 Noodles. Spread the other 1/2 Ricotta mixture and the other 1/2 Sausage mixture.
9. Top with the last 3 Noodles. Spread the rest of the Pasta Sauce on top. Cover with foil.
10. Bake for 20 minutes. Top with Mozzarella and bake an additional 10 minutes.

Pesto Penne

Once again, here is another quick weeknight meal that is a favorite in our house.  I used whole wheat penne for this one.

Ingredients

1 box Penne
Oil
1 lb Chicken, boneless, skinless, cubed
1 Red Pepper, chopped
4 oz Pesto
Feta

Instructions
1. Cook Penne according to package instructions. Drain
2. Heat Oil in skillet. Cook Chicken until no longer pink.
3. Add Red Peppers and saute 3-4 minutes.
4. Mix Chicken, Red Peppers, and Pesto in with the Penne.
5. Sprinkle with Feta

Chicken Parmsean

This is a delicious weeknight meal that can be put together in no time. I love to serve this dish over pasta.

 Ingredients

1 cup Bread Crumbs
1 1/2 Cup Parmesan, grated
1 tsp Basil
1 Egg
1 lb Chicken Breasts, boneless, skinless
1 jar Pesto Marinara Sauce

Instructions
1. Preheat oven 375 degrees.
2. Mix Bread Crumbs, 1 cup Parmesan, and Basil until well blended.
3. Whisk the Egg in a separate bowl.
4. Dip the Chicken in the Egg.
5. Dip the Chicken in the Bread Crumb mixture and coat well on both sides.
6. Spread 1 cup Marinara sauce in 13x9 baking dish.
7. Place Chicken Breasts over top. Cover with the remaining Marinara
8. Bake for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 Parmesan. Bake an additional 10 minutes.

Ham and Broccoli Pasta

This one is a light summer meal.

Ingredients
1 box Rotini Pasta
10 oz Broccoli
1 Tbsp Butter
8oz Ham
1/2 cup Onion, chopped
1 pint Heavy Cream
1 Tsp Garlic Powder
 Grated Parmesan Cheese

Instructions
1. Cook Pasta according to package instructions. In the last 3 minutes add Broccoli to pot. Drain.
2. Add Butter to skillet set to Medium heat. Stir in Ham and Onions.
3. Stir in Whipping Cream and Garlic Powder. Bring to a boil. Let it simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Add Ham mixture to Pasta. Mix until well combined.
5. Sprinkle with Grated Parmesan.

Ground Beef and Shells

Ingredients
1 box Medium Shells
1 lb lean Ground Beef
1 jar Pasta Sauce, any kind
8 oz Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
1/2 cup Mozzarella

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cook Pasta according to package instructions. Drain
3. Stir in Cream Cheese and Italian Seasoning until well combined.
4. In large skillet, cook Ground Beef until no longer pink. Drain.
5. Stir in Pasta Sauce.
6. Spread half of the Ground Beef mixture in 13x9 baking dish.
7.  Cover with Pasta mixture.
8. Top with remaining Ground Beef mixture.
9. Sprinkle with Mozzarella
10. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 5 minutes.

Easy Meatloaf II

This is another version of my Meatloaf recipe. Meatloaf is a quick meal to throw together but it doesn't have to be boring.

Ingredients
2 lbs lean Ground Beef
1/2 cup Water
2 Eggs, beaten
1 cup Green Pepper, chopped
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
1/2 of a (6 oz) package Savory Herbs Stuffing Mix

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400 F.
2. Mix Ground Beef, Water, Eggs, Green Pepper, Stuffing Mix, 1/4 cup BBQ Sauce.
3. Shape into a loaf.
4. Spread remaining 1/4 cup of BBQ Sauce over the top.
5. Bake for 30 minutes.

Salsa Chicken

It's been awhile since my last posts. My school and work schedule has been crazy. That's why I have been making quick and easy dinners. This one is both of those things. Oh and did I mention, this is really cheap to make! I like to serve this one over rice.

Ingredients

Oil

1 lb Chicken Breasts, boneless, skinless-Diced

1 jar of Salsa

1 cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded
Rice

Instructions

1. Heat oil in skillet. 

2. Add  Chicken and cook until mostly done. 

3. Stir in Salsa. Bring to a boil. 

4. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. 

5. Top with Cheese and serve over rice. 

Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

I made this one awhile back for St. Patrick's Day. Turned out wondefully!I usually use Guinness to make this but other dark beers will work just as well. This time, I used 1554 by The New Belgium Brewing Company.

Ingredients

3 lb Corned Beef Brisket
1/2 cup Onions, chopped
4-5 small Potatoes, diced
2 cups Carrots, chopped
1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
1 (12oz beer)
12 oz water
1 small head of Cabbage, chopped

Instructions
1. Spray Crockpot with cooking Spray or line with Slowcooker liner.
2. Place Onion, Potatoes and Carrots in the bottom.
3. Place Corned Beef on top.
4. Sprinkle with Brown Sugar and the Spice Packet (if included)
5. Pour Beer over top. Fill bottle with water and add that as well.
6. Cover and Cook for 8-10 hours.
7. Add Cabbage in the last hour.
Serve with the beer you used to cook with!

Featured Beverage
I used 1554 by New Belgium. It was awhile ago since I made this but this beer was awesome! It worked perfectly for this meal. I will be buying this again. I highly recommend it to dark beer lovers such as myself.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

I've been falling behind on my post. Too much food and too little time. I make Pulled Pork a lot. This one is great for parties. I usually buy mini buns and serve Pulled Pork sliders. I usually use Jack Daniels but we also like using Carribean Jerk sauce from Buffalo Wild Wings as well.

Ingredients

3 lb Pork Shoulder, boneless
1/2 Tsp Thyme
1/2 cup Onion, chopped
1 (12oz) can Coke
1 bottle BBQ sauce (I used Jack Daniels)
Buns

Instructions

1. Spray you Crockpot with cooking spray or line with Slowcooker liner.
2. Place Pork in Crockpot.
3. Sprinkle with Thyme.
4. Top with Onions.
5. Pour Coke over top.
6. Cover and cook for 8 hours.
7. Remove pork and shred with two forks.
8. Remove liquids from the Crockpot.
9. Put the pork back in the pot and stir in BBQ sauce.
10. Cook for about 20 more minutes. Serve on Sandwich buns

Buffalo Chicken Mac N Cheese

Yes, I am making something with a Buffalo chicken theme again. I can't resist. Plus this one is a tasty twist on an old classic.

Ingredients
1 package Elbow Macaroni
2 Tbsp. Butter
1/4 cup Flour
1 Tsp Garlic, minced
2 cups Milk
1 (8oz package) Shredded Cheddar

2 Chicken Breasts, cooked, diced

3 Celery Stalks, chopped
1/4 cup Buffalo Sauce- I used Frank's Buffalo.

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Cook Elbow Macaroni according to package instructions. Drain.
3. Meanwhile, Melt Butter in large sauce pan. Stir in Flour and Garlic until well blended.
4. Stir in Milk. Bring to a boil. Allow to boil for 1 minute.
5. Remove from heat. Stir in Cheese.
6. Mix Cheese mixture with Pasta. Add Chicken, Celery, and Buffalo Sauce.Stir until well blended and spoon into 13x9 baking dish, sprayed with cooking spray.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Featured Beer
I tried a Red Chair NWPA by Deschutes Brewery. This is what they are calling a Northwest Pale Ale. It has a ABV of 6.2% and is available during the Winter. I like this one because it has a slight bitterness and the flavor isn't overwhelmed by hops. It has a nice hint of citrus to finish off the aroma and flavor.