Make-Ahead Meals

Pasta with Escarole, Sausage, and Beans

The classic Tuscan pairing of beans and greens meets sausage and pasta for nourishing comfort food the whole family will enjoy. If I told you that eight ounces of pasta could generously feed four adults and up to six depending on appetite, you may be skeptical. The following recipe, however, accomplishes that in a most…

Pepper Jack Tomato Soup

Bright tomato flavor is balanced by a hint of creaminess and mild kick in this takeoff of a restaurant favorite. Easy to make and especially tasty with the optional toppings.  Those who live in the South Central, Pennsylvania area may be familiar with the pepper jack tomato soup at Isaac’s, a small chain of restaurants…

Pork & Sauerkraut (with lots of options)

Get ready for a New Year filled with luck and good health with this traditional dish, which can be customized in several ways to keep everyone happy!  (slow cooker and oven method)   There seems to be two distinct camps where pork and sauerkraut is concerned: those who love it and those who…well…tolerate it. Growing…

Make-Ahead Baked Mashed Potatoes

This flexible, make-ahead mashed potato recipe is a sure-fire hit on a holiday table. You can even freeze it before baking, and the Parmesan crust will not disappoint! Even though my job is all about cooking, I rely on make-ahead dishes as much as the next person. Ironically, aspects of The Fountain Avenue Kitchen often…

Vietnamese-Style Cabbage and Chicken Salad

Shredded chicken and cabbage form the base of this crisp, Vietnamese-inspired dish, which is bursting with flavor, texture, and wholesome appeal. Great for meal prep and entertaining. In the mood for a salad that satisfies like a heartier meal? This is your recipe! Shredded chicken and cabbage form the base of this crisp, Vietnamese-inspired dish,…

Greek Chicken Gyro Bowls

Greek Chicken Gyros with all the classic add-ons and a shortcut tzatziki are easy to recreate in your kitchen. Try them bowl-style, stuffed in a pita, or even switch out the chicken with beef, shrimp, salmon, or pork. Last year, a visitor (and close friend!) Christina Phillips Mattson showed us how her Greek family makes…

Quick & Easy White Chicken Chili

White chicken chili is creamy (but dairy-free), flavor-packed, and easy enough to pull off on a busy weeknight – yet absolutely worthy of company!    I’m a big fan of traditional red chili – Aunt Peggy’s Turkey Chili is a quick-and-easy family favorite for sure – but there’s something special about a good white chili.…

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajita Bowls

Customizable chicken fajita bowls are simple to make with a convenient sheet pan approach and are sure to become a favorite. Wholesome, economical, and perfect for meal prep.    If my nieces, Coco and Britt, look familiar, it may be from an earlier recipe, Tuna Pasta Salad. Fresh, filling, and endlessly adaptable, the recipe is…

Slow Roasted Whole Chicken

This longtime reader and family favorite effortlessly produces tender, juicy chicken every single time. It’s wholesome comfort food that never grows old!   Modern cuisine so often focuses on the latest trends and off-the-grid ingredients. New ideas keep things interesting, but in the process, it’s easy to overlook more unassuming fare. A new year seemed…

Spaghetti Squash Lasagna

Delicious, nutritious spaghetti squash lasagna has all the features we love about traditional lasagna, from the gooey cheese and hearty sauce to the best-ever leftovers. You won’t miss the noodles!      Spaghetti squash replaces the traditional noodles in this hearty lasagna, which is brimming with colorful vegetables, a trifecta of cheeses, flavorful sauce, and…

Tuna Pasta Salad

Fresh, filling, and endlessly adaptable, this vibrant pasta salad is ideal for packed lunches, picnics, and potlucks and is equally perfect as a simple, family-friendly weeknight meal.   Welcome to Season 2 of Fountain Avenue Kids! In the latest edition, sisters Coco and Britt share their signature dish, a family recipe that has truly stood the test of time.…

Mediterranean Orzo Salad

A short list of ingredients comes together with ease for this wholesome, vegetarian salad that can be enjoyed warm or cold.   Easy meal alert! (We all need them, right?) This flavor-packed salad is super simple to prepare with minimal ingredients. Ripe for customization based on what you like and have on hand (I’ve included…

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