Sloppy Joe Cornbread Bake

Ingredients

  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1-1/2 bell peppers, diced
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1-1/2 pounds ground meat (pork, turkey, beef, etc.)
  • 1 can (24 ounces) Manwich Sloppy Joe sauce
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 boxes (8.5 ounces each) Jiffy corn muffin mix
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2/3 cups milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  2. In a large skillet, sauté the onions and peppers in 1-1/2 tablespoons of oil until tender.
  3. Remove the vegetables to a plate and set aside.
  4. Add the remaining oil to the pan and heat over medium.
  5. Cook the ground meat in the oil until no longer pink and cooked through; drain the excess grease.
  6. Add the onions and peppers back to the skillet, along with the Manwich sauce, mix well and simmer for about 5-7 minutes.
  7. Pour the saucy meat mixture into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and spread out evenly on the bottom.
  8. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the meat mixture.
  9. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the muffin mix with the eggs and milk, and whisk until well-combined.
  10. Carefully spoon the corn muffin batter over the top of the cheese, spreading with the back of the spoon until completely covered.
  11. Place the baking dish into the preheated oven, and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is golden.
  12. Serve hot alongside a salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

Very Cherry Coffee Cake

Ingredients

Cake

  • 3/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt (Greek works just fine)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 can (21 ounces) can cherry pie filling

Streusel Topping

  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease one 10-by-15-inch baking pan or two 9-inch round baking pans.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar.
  3. Beat in eggs until mixture is very light and fluffy.
  4. Add almond extract and mix until incorporated.
  5. In a small bowl, combine flour and baking soda.
  6. In a separate bowl, combine the yogurt and sour cream.
  7. Add the flour-soda mixture and the yogurt-sour cream mixture alternately to the creamed mixture in the stand mixer until well-blended.
  8. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan(s).
  9. Spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the top of the batter.
  10. In a small mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar and cinnamon for the streusel topping.
  11. With a pastry blender, cut in the butter until crumbly.
  12. Sprinkle the streusel over the cherry pie filling.
  13. Bake 35-45 minutes, or until the edges of the cake are browned and it tests done with a toothpick.
  14. Enjoy with a cup of coffee in the morning, or as an after-dinner dessert warmed and topped with ice cream, if desired.

Big Mac Pasta Salad

Ingredients

  • 1 pound pasta, cooked, drained and rinsed in cold water (I used elbow macaroni)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground meat (beef, turkey, pork, etc.)
  • 2 tablespoons hamburger seasoning
  • 1 small onion (about 1/2 cup), diced
  • 1/2 cup diced dill pickles (chips, spears, slices – whatever you prefer)
  • 1 bag (8 ounces) shredded lettuce
  • 1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 bottle (16 ounces) Thousand Island dressing
  • Salt, pepper and additional hamburger seasoning, to taste

Instructions

  1. In a large skillet, cook the ground meat in olive oil until no longer pink, sprinkling with hamburger seasoning along the way; drain excess grease and set aside to cool.
  2. In a large bowl, add the onions, pickles, lettuce, cheese and cooled hamburger, stirring until combined.
  3. Gently fold in the pasta until well mixed.
  4. Pour in about 3/4 of the bottle of Thousand Island dressing, stirring gently until everything is evenly coated. Add more dressing, as needed, until the mixture reaches your desired consistency (amount will also vary depending on what kind of pasta is being used).
  5. Taste the salad and add salt, pepper and/or more hamburger seasoning to taste.
  6. Chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving alongside your favorite sandwich, grilled meats or other entree.

Queso Mac

Ingredients

  • 1 box (16 ounces) cavatappi pasta
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 medium onion, diced
  • 1 large bell pepper, diced
  • 1 teaspoon Adobo seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 can (4 ounces) diced chiles
  • 12 ounces prepared queso/queso blanco

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente; drain and set aside.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, sauté the onions and peppers in olive oil until tender.
  3. Season the sautéed peppers and onions with Adobo and black pepper.
  4. Add the diced chiles to the peppers and onions and cook a couple minutes until heated through.
  5. To the cooked and drained pasta, add the sautéed vegetables and prepared queso, stirring until well combined.
  6. Cook for a few minutes over low heat until everything is heated through.
  7. Enjoy hot alongside your favorite protein (works well as a side for grilled meats).

Breakfast Sliders

Ingredients

  • 2 packages (1 pound each) ground pork sausage (I used Jimmy Dean – one regular and one hot)
  • 8 eggs
  • Salt and pepper
  • 12 slices American cheese, unwrapped
  • 1 package (12 total) dinner rolls
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • Everything bagel seasoning (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan.
  2. Combine the packages of sausage and press into the prepared baking dish.
  3. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes or until pork sausage reaches desired doneness.
  4. Carefully remove the large sausage patty from the pan to a paper towel covered cutting board.
  5. Add the eggs to a medium bowl and whisk until well-combined.
  6. In a large skillet, scramble the eggs over medium heat until just done (do not overcook); season to taste with salt and pepper, then remove from heat and set aside.
  7. Meanwhile, wash and dry the baking pan (or use an entirely different one) and then place a piece of parchment paper in the bottom.
  8. Without separating them, use a serrated knife to cut the dinner rolls in half horizontally.
  9. Place the bottom half of the rolls on top of the parchment paper in the pan.
  10. Place six pieces of cheese evenly over the dinner roll bottoms.
  11. Carefully place the sausage on top of the cheese.
  12. Spread the eggs evenly over the sausage.
  13. Place the remaining pieces of cheese over the eggs.
  14. Place the tops of the dinner rolls on top of the cheese.
  15. Brush the butter evenly over the tops of the dinner rolls.
  16. Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning over the tops of the dinner rolls, if desired.
  17. Bake in the oven for about 10-12 minutes until the tops of the dinner rolls are browned.
  18. Remove from the oven, cut into sliders and enjoy.

Chicken Alfredo Tortellini Soup

Ingredients

  • 3 cups seasoned and cooked chicken, diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup (about half a large) diced onion
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic 
  • 2 teaspoons Adobo seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley 
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 6 cups chicken broth/stock
  • 1-1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 package (20 ounces) refrigerated cheese tortellini
  • 1 cup shredded Italian blend cheese 
  • 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. In a large stock pot, sauté onions, carrots and broccoli in oil for about 5 minutes.
  2. Add in the garlic and cook an additional minute or so.
  3. Sprinkle the seasonings (Adobo, parsley, pepper and garlic salt) over the cooked veggies and stir until well coated.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth/stock and bring to a boil.
  5. Add in the cooked chicken, heavy cream and milk and return to a boil.
  6. Meanwhile, in a separate pot, prepare the cheese tortellini according to package directions; drain.
  7. Add the cheeses to the soup, stirring until melted.
  8. Finally, add in the cooked tortellini and heat through.
  9. Serve hot with garlic bread, if desired.

The original recipe for this hearty and flavorful soup can be found here.

Meaty Baked Ziti

Ingredients

  • 24 ounces sweet Italian sausage, ground or links (casings removed)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 large onion, diced
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic 
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) fire roasted diced tomatoes 
  • 1 jar (24 ounces) pasta/marinara sauce 
  • 16 ounces ziti pasta
  • 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 8 ounces shredded Italian blend cheese, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
  2. In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage in oil until it begins to brown.
  3. Add the onion and garlic to the sausage and continue cooking until no longer pink.
  4. Add in the diced tomatoes and pasta/marinara sauce and stir until combined. Set aside.
  5. Meanwhile, cook the ziti according to package directions until al dente; drain.
  6. Pour the sauce over the pasta, add the mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese and half of the Italian cheese blend and stir until combined.
  7. Spread the pasta mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
  8. Top the pasta with the remaining shredded Italian cheese blend (and a little more parmesan if you so desire).
  9. Bake, covered, in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
  10. Uncover the baking dish, increase the heat to 375 degrees and bake an additional 15-20 minutes until the sauce and cheese are bubbly.
  11. Serve hot with garlic bread or breadsticks and a salad or steamed veggies.

The original recipe for this incredibly easy and tasty pasta dish can be found here.

Cheeseburger Sliders

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds ground meat (turkey, chicken, pork, beef, etc.)
  • 3 tablespoons hamburger seasoning 
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons minced onion
  • 1 package (12 count) dinner rolls
  • 6-8 slices cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds, optional for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In large bowl, combine the ground meat, hamburger seasoning and minced onion.
  3. Press the meat mixture into the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, creating a flat, even layer.
  4. Bake the meat mixture for 20-30 minutes or until it is cooked through and has reached the appropriate internal temperature.
  5. Carefully (using two spatulas is a necessity) remove the meat patty from the baking dish and set aside.
  6. Drain the fat from the pan, making sure a minimal amount of grease residue is left behind to prevent sticking.
  7. Slice the dinner rolls in half lengthwise without separating them.
  8. Place the bottom halves of the dinner rolls in the baking dish.
  9. Put the cooked meat patty on top of the rolls.
  10. Evenly distribute the cheese over the meat.
  11. If you desire, add other hot/cooked toppings like bacon, grilled onions and mushrooms, etc.
  12. Place the upper halves of the dinner rolls over the top.
  13. Brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter and sprinkle the sesame seeds on top.
  14. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the dinner rolls are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
  15. Slice into individual sliders, and serve with your favorite condiments, as well as fries or a salad.

The original recipe for these amazingly easy and delicious sliders came from Tasty and can be found here.

Twix Cookies

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 cups butter, softened
  • 3 bags (6.25 ounces each) sugar cookie mix
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 50 caramels, unwrapped
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1-1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the butter, sugar cookie mixes and water, using a hand mixer to incorporate it into a dough.
  3. Roll the dough into balls (about 1-1/2 tablespoons each) and place on a non-stick baking sheet.
  4. Bake in batches in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes; the cookies should be flattened and have just a hint of golden color.
  5. Once the cookies have cooled slightly, move them to a wire rack and allow them to cool to room temperature.
  6. Meanwhile, in a double boiler, add the caramels and heavy cream and heat on medium-low until melted and smooth (this could take a while with this amount of caramel).
  7. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of caramel onto each cookie and spread it around to cover the entire top.
  8. Place the cookies into the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes or so until the caramel has cooled and become firm.
  9. Meanwhile, in the same double boiler (cleaned or using a different top vessel), heat the chocolate chips over medium-low until melted and smooth.
  10. Spoon a tablespoon of chocolate over the hardened caramel, spreading with the back of the spoon as needed.
  11. Place the cookies back into the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes to cool and set.
  12. Enjoy with a nice cold glass of milk.

The original recipe for these delightful Twix-inspired cookies can be found here.

French Toast Casserole

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf (14 ounces) French bread, cubed
  • 3/4 cup (12 tablespoons) butter
  • 1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
  • 8 eggs
  • 2-1/2 cups milk
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
  2. Stir in brown sugar until dissolved and mixture is smooth.
  3. Pour mixture into the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and spread evenly.
  4. Add bread cubes to the pan, spreading over the top of the brown sugar and butter mixture.
  5. In a large glass measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla and cinnamon.
  6. Pour the egg mixture over the top of bread cubes, making sure all pieces of bread are saturated.
  7. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the top.
  8. Cover the pan and refrigerate overnight.
  9. The next morning, preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
  10. Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until top is golden brown.
  11. Divide onto serving plates/bowls and sprinkle with powdered sugar and a drizzle of syrup, if desired.

The original recipe for this tasty take on French toast can be found here.