My Go-To "Formula" for Perfectly Seasoned Ground Beef Keep reading to find out how much minced dried onion and garlic powder to use when browning and cooking ground beef. I use this ratio in 99.5% of ground beef recipes... Earlier this week, I shared my "ratio recipe" for barely seasoned rice. And I thought I'd follow up with another of my most used "formulas" … [Read more...]
Garlic and Herb Shepherd’s Pie
Two Shepherd's Pie in one week. (Here are the "dinner cupcakes," if you missed them!) Yup yup. Because...meat and potatoes is the name of my feeding 5 boys game! ;) I love a great Shepherd's Pie meal because it's hearty, filling and budget friendly to boot! This garlic and herb shepherd's pie tasks the flavor up a few notches...and is the perfect savory dish for a … [Read more...]
Muffin Tin Shepherd’s Pie
These cute mini Shepherd's pies can be the perfect treat for getting your picky eaters to eat dinner. The small size of these muffin tin shepherds pies are fun for kids and great for serving a crowd. (Think: grab n go holiday party appetizer or snack!) You can also pack these for lunches, freeze them for dinner on a busy night, or make them "fresh" and serve them piping … [Read more...]
Stuffed Sloppy Joe Waffles
We love getting clever with the waffle iron...and these stuffed waffles won't disappoint! Biscuit dough plus sloppy joe meat plus a pinch of cheese = kid food heaven!!! These do take a bit of time, as you can only make 1 waffle at a time...but the experience and having the kids help will make for happy faces and happy bellies when you get to the dinner … [Read more...]
Beef and Bean Oven Tacos
TACOS. Next time Taco Tuesday rolls around at your house, you should make them in the oven! Hard shells, nestled nice and snug into a small baking dish. Taco meat plus a load of cheese ---- happy bellies and happy smiles! See the Kid Friendly recipe for Beef and Bean Oven Tacos here! Erin's Personal Recommendations for Supplies to Help Make these Recipes: Wilton … [Read more...]
Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet
Eat your heart out hamburger helper...this homemade version is so simple! And so much tastier!!! I adore making skillet meals like this one. If you've never made a skillet dinner, I highly recommend starting with this one. It goes like this... Brown the ground beef. Mix in some tomato sauce. Add liquid (broth or water) - broth gives a deeper flavor and tastier … [Read more...]
Lazy Lasagna Bake Recipe
I heart lasagna. Specifically, I heart the end result of lasagna. I don't heart the creating of lasagna. I just have a mental block on lasagna...which is why there aren't that many lasagna recipe on this here little website. There are a few, but not many. I think lasagna is pretty budget friendly...it makes a lot, it's filling and it freezes well (in case you have leftovers … [Read more...]
Shredded Beef Oven Tacos
This right here is the perfect example of a "leftovers makeover." Not long ago, I made a giant beef roast. I found it on sale and I planned on slow cooking it so that I could make roast/potatoes/carrots for meal #1 and tacos for meal #2. I was planning on soft tacos, but 4 unnamed children decided to polish off the flour tortillas that I'd purchased for the second meal. … [Read more...]
Guinness Beef & 15 Bean Stew
Have you ever added beer into your chili or stew? If not, I highly recommend trying it! The added depth of richness and taste is remarkable. When I think about meals that I'll make over and over and over for my boys as they eat their way through the teenage years, these are the kinds of meals that I plan to serve them. Hearty. Filling. Delicious. And super easy to make … [Read more...]
12 Best Chili Recipes
There is nothing that celebrates the taste of fall more to me than a good bowl of chili. Even though we do eat chili year-round, there is something special about a steaming hot bowl of chili with brisk temperatures outside. In honor of nearing that lovely time of year, we've gathered up the 12 Best Chili Recipes on $5 Dinners (although you can actually find a dozen more if … [Read more...]