Tasty Ranch dressing, rich and tangy cheese, crunchy and salty bacon with browned butter crusting on the bread. Yeah, basically that's a party on the taste buds. Adore all the flavors and textures in this amazing grilled cheese sandwich. This sandwich could be a meal in and of itself...it's got whole wheat bread, some veggies, some protein and dairy. It's hitting all … [Read more...]
Chicken & Ranch Mac n Cheese
How 'bout we just call this what it is?!? Crack Mac n Cheese. Like, you're gonna be addicted. Consider yourself warned. This is SO SO SO SO Delicious! It's a homemade cheese sauce with all the best dairy combined with Ranch to make the creamiest, tastiest cheese to toss with the mac. Mac n Cheese. Mac and Cheese. Mac in Cheese. (Because the mac mixes … [Read more...]
Sloppy Joe Nachos
Really, Erin? Yes....trust me! This was one of those "happy accident meals" and I had to share this with you. This past summer, our family spent some time at our family's lake cabin in Minnesota. I had a crash course in "country living" and being far away from the grocery store. I had to adjust my meal planning habits a little to be better prepared for the "long drive … [Read more...]
Instant Pot Red Wine Beef Roast
This roast and potatoes is so rich and so tasty. The wine subtly soaks itself into the meat and enriches the sauce, and the potatoes and chives are a perfect complement. It's a lovely and light "meat and potatoes" meal that will tempt all the palates at your table. You can use a cooking wine or dry red wine for this roast. And please...please...please...pretty please...with … [Read more...]
Baked Swedish Meatballs
I love Swedish meatballs - whether they are on a tray at Ikea, baked in my own oven, or handmade by an older Norwegian woman at a restaurant in northern MN. I love them, no matter who makes them. But, I bet you can guess which are my favorite...this summer, we took an insane roadtrip with our boys to northern MN to visit with family. On every other corner in northern MN, … [Read more...]
Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Bake
You are your people and going to go batty-batty-batty over this pasta meal. What I've got for you here is the "basic or base" recipe for a pizza-pasta-bake. It's pasta, tossed with meat sauce, topped with cheese and pepperoni. There are LOTS of ways you can adapt this for your family - mixing in other favorite pizza toppings like mushrooms, black olives, green bell … [Read more...]
Instant Pot Bacon Cheeseburger Chili
Every now and again, I make something that makes me wish I had 4 stomachs. Or a superpower that allows me to eat as much as I want without feeling stuffed. Because, seriously. Bacon. Cheese. Chili. Creamy base to the soup/chili. Beans. It's all my favorite comfort food foods in the same dish. This is also one that my boys polish their bowls and ask for … [Read more...]
Poppyseed Fruit Salad
Light, fresh with just the right amount of sweet and tang. With a simple mix of lime juice and honey (and poppyseed), you have a lovely 'sauce' to drizzle over fresh fruit. This is a fun way to enjoy an afternoon snack, or a side dish, or to take as an appetizer or dish to a party/potluck. Enjoy! Poppyseed Fruit Salad This is a fun way to enjoy an … [Read more...]
Best Banana Bread Mini Loaves
A few weeks ago, I found a new bento style lunch box on Lightning Deal and decided we would give it a shot for our preschooler. I adore Easy Lunchboxes and still use them daily, but wanted a different option with more and smaller compartments for my littlest eater. So this one arrived. And he immediately fell in love. And so did boy #3. So I ordered a second … [Read more...]
Are You Making One of These 5 Mistakes in the Grocery Store?
If getting organized, or saving money, or eating smarter (planning meals more wisely) is on the list of habits to create or improvements to make in you life, I can help. If you are looking for help, guidance and accountability for your grocery budget, I can help. If you struggle with the need to save money and save sanity and stay "one step ahead" of your family that never … [Read more...]