Pasta with Sausage and Shortcut Broccoli Pesto
Thanks to a somewhat unconventional method of preparation, a generous serving of broccoli goes almost undetected in this filling, flavorful meal that is ready in about 20 minutes. “Try it. You’ll like it.” These words sound a lot like the famous line in the decades-old Life cereal commercial in which Mikey, clearly a picky…
Overnight French Toast Casserole
Lightly sweet and tender with delightfully crispy edges, this mouthwatering baked French toast can be prepared in advance with basic ingredients. It’s special enough for holiday breakfasts and brunches but easy enough for any given Saturday or Sunday. Warm fires, sweet cookies, festive packages, and lots of holiday cheer with family and friends—this is…
Spinach & Artichoke Egg Casserole
In the last week alone, I’ve received quite a few reader requests for more low-carb, protein-rich meals. It seems we’re all in the same boat–and that boat has an endless supply of sugary cookies, creamy dips, and salty snack mixes. Tis the season! So I decided to take inspiration from a party staple–cheesy, gooey, baked…
Leftover Mashed Potato Bake
Leftover mashed potatoes can be given new life with a few basic ingredients. You can even top them like a stuffed potato if you like. Whether you’re baking pies and stuffing the turkey right now or hitting the highway en route to family and friends, chances are you’re rather busy and not thinking of adding…
Crispy Baked Chimichangas
Crispy Baked Chimichangas skip the fryer and use the oven for an easy, healthy approach to a family favorite meal! My hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania has an impressive restaurant scene. From an international perspective, the offerings rival any big city. There’s literally something for everyone: Greek, Thai, Australian, Nepali, French, Latin American, Italian, Vietnamese, Korean—the…
Slow Cooked Chicken for the Week (or to Freeze)
Why did the rooster run away? He was chicken! What do chickens serve at birthday parties? Coop-cakes! You’re either laughing or groaning right now. 😂 Either way, chickens have come to define the world of silly jokes as much as they have influenced our way of eating. The ongoing popularity of this lean protein source…
A-Plus Swiss Steak
A saucy, slow cooker favorite that’s delicious over pasta, polenta, potatoes, or with a crusty roll for mopping up every last drop. And don’t miss the quick and easy way to transform leftovers into a new meal! Ratios, conversions, measuring, multiplying: there’s a lot of math in cooking. Every so often, I even use…
Top Dinner Picks
So many recipes, so little time! Following is short list of family favorites I return to again and again.
Salsa Chicken
Quick and easy to make. Short list of ingredients. Tastes great. This flexible meal is destined to become a family favorite! While perusing the magazines at an airport newsstand several months ago, I spied one with a title indicating that all of the recipes had five ingredients or less and could be prepared in 15…
Roasted Zucchini and Mushrooms with Feta
This garden-fresh dish is super simple to make and complements most any protein. When tossed with pasta, it becomes a complete meal! At the start of each season, I spend a little too much time pondering how to fill the three months that follow. Sometimes, I have a minor panic that I won’t have…
Sandy’s Tomato Pie
Essentially a crustless pie, the unique ingredients in this seasonal favorite create a crusty base that’s loaded with flavor and fabulous texture. (For those who need it, there’s an excellent gluten-free option in the recipe notes.) Soft foods like mashed potatoes, soup, Jell-O, and ice cream are normally on the menu the day someone…
Barbecue Sandwiches
The “Sloppy Sauce” that envelopes the ground beef in these classic sandwiches is quick, easy, and contains less sugar than many traditional recipes. The taste, however, is spot on! Breakfast for dinner is always a hit in our house. Come six o’clock, eggs are conveniently quick and satisfying, and an occasional stack of pancakes…
