Recipes

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    White Cheddar Apple Sausage Stuffing

    It’s that time of year again. It’s time to pig out, deck the halls, and get jolly AF. I’m so ready! This White Cheddar Apple Sausage Stuffing is a unique side dish that will definitely impress your guests this season. The white cheddar and apple are sweet and savory, while the Italian sausage and herbs like thyme, parsley, and sage come together and sing. Between the homemade baguette croutons, tender onions, crunchy celery, toasted pecans, and the melty white cheddar – every bite was packed with a new texture and flavor. It’s so much more than the ordinary stuffing you see time and time again! This dish was truly something special.

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    Sweet and Spicy Pumpkin Chicken Stew

    This time of year, a hearty stew with some crispy bread is pretty hard to beat for me. Warming, a little kick, a one pot big batch that’s freezer friendly? That’s a whole love language for me. This Sweet and Spicy Pumpkin Chicken Stew was creamy, sweet from the pumpkin, a little spicy from the jalapeño, and packed with juicy chicken thighs! The chickpeas gave some texture, the bell pepper added crunch, and the spice blend and fresh herbs created so much flavor. This recipe concludes my pumpkin series for this year, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out! It was easy to make, and my family really loved it. It exuded fall and winter vibes and most definitely had everybody going back for another serving!

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    Leftover Halloween Candy Cookie Bars (Thick & Chewy!)

    Halloween has come and gone and most of us are totally drowning in candy! At this point, my kids are so jacked up on sugar that if I hear them ask for that Halloween bucket from on top of the fridge again, I might lose it. These Leftover Halloween Candy Cookie Bars were such a great way to use up some of those leftover candy bars! And while I’m not the biggest candy person, I found myself reaching for these delicious treats more than once. They were thick, chewy, nutty, chocolatey – everything you’d want from a cookie bar. The kids still got their sugar fix, but in a new and exciting way. These definitely gave me “monster cookie” vibes!

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    Roasted Garlic Cheesy Potatoes

    Sometimes you just want something cheesy, rich, and totally bad for you! Something you KNOW is going to be nap inducing. These Roasted Garlic Cheesy Potatoes reminded me of the nostalgic funeral potatoes grandma used to make. The garlic was roasted, mashed, and stirred into the creamy filling ingredients. The potatoes were hand shredded, blanched, and folded into the garlicky, creamy filling before everything was baked until bubbly and melty! It was just ridiculous. This is the type of dish to bring to a Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter party! You could also be like me and make it at home on a Saturday, then proceed to eat half the pan by yourself. It was incredible.

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    Hot Honey Dill Pickle Snack Mix

    These days, I can’t seem to get enough pickle in my life! I will seriously demolish a whole jar in a day or two. We’re expecting our third and last baby in a few months and I guess that’s her fav thing so far. This Hot Honey Dill Pickle Snack Mix was the perfect thing to cure my hankering for pickles and also cure my never-ending snack attack. This was so addicting, ridiculously easy to make, and super game-day worthy! It’s also family friendly, despite the hot honey twist. Loaded with pretzels, cheese crackers, peanuts, Chex cereal, a variety of spices, and a hot honey glaze – this is the type of mix that you can proudly present at a potluck. Just know…you’ll probably be asked to bring it every time. It’s that good!

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    Creamy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups with Tuna

    Chill air makes me want to bake all the comfort food. I just love getting festive, especially in the kitchen! When I’m wanting something cozy and comforting for the family, I’m usually looking for an indulgent pasta dish to make! These Creamy Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups with Tuna were completely unexpected, in the best way! The ricotta, garlic, and spinach filling with that little bit of lemon juice – oh, it was so good. The tuna blends right into the filling, adding protein and richness without overpowering those classic lasagna flavors. With that deep tomato, Italian-seasoning spiced sauce drizzled over the roll ups – it was phenomenal. Budget friendly and perfect for a warm family dinner!

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    Cranberry Vanilla Bean Milkshake

    It’s that time of year – time for cranberry everything! And I’m pumped! The closer we get to Thanksgiving and Christmas, the heavier it’s on my mind. It’s a flavor that I wish was celebrated and more readily available year-round! This Cranberry Vanilla Bean Milkshake was the perfect way to welcome this warm, sunny weather we’ve been having. The Midwest is all over when it comes to weather! In the morning you’ll see frost, and by the afternoon – you’ll be walking around in a short-sleeved shirt. It’s wild. This milkshake was refreshing, sweet, tart, and super unexpected. And vanilla bean is such a next level flavor too. This is the type of drink that will have people going, “wait, what?” Something you’d never think to make but are so glad you did!

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    Caramelized Onion Chicken Skillet

    You know the moment. Your kids get home from school and they’re already asking, “what’s for dinner?” But you’ve got no plan! You’re busy, you’re stressed, and you have a hungry family to feed – and fast! This Caramelized Onion Chicken Skillet was creamy, extremely flavorful, and super easy! The chicken was seasoned perfectly and cooked to golden brown perfection. The sauce was loaded with sweet, caramelized onions, garlic, and light Greek yogurt and sour cream. This comes together quickly and it goes super well with pasta, rice, or whatever you’ve got in the pantry. It’s perfect for hectic weekdays but could also double as a fancy date night at home on the fly!

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    Crockpot Loaded Ham and Potato Soup

    Life just keeps getting busier and I swear, I blink and the whole day is gone! In times like these, the crockpot literally saves me. And if whatever I’m making is freezer-friendly, well then, my life is made easier more than once! It’s the best. This Crockpot Loaded Ham and Potato Soup was full of tender veggies, crispy ham, and creamy, comforting flavor in every bite. It’s the perfect dish for fall and winter! Topped with crispy bacon, freshly sliced green onion, and freshly cracked black pepper, the depth of flavor is unreal. This is a total crowd-pleaser too, making it perfect for potlucks, parties, and cozy family dinners.

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    Loaded Beef Burritos

    I’m almost always craving a Mexican-style burrito from this little taco joint near my house. They are THE BEST. But every once in a while, those burritos with more of an American twist just hit different. Stuffed with seasoned taco meat, quick Mexican rice, refried beans, avocado, pico de gallo, shredded cheese, cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime – these Loaded Beef Burritos totally hit the spot. These are like a Mexican/American burrito mash up, packed with Tex-Mex inspired flavors, and serious summer vibes – which made me a little sad that winter is sneaking up so quickly! Even with all the layers of flavor, these burritos were easy to make and perfect for a busy weeknight. Cheaper than takeout and just as delicious!

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    Brown Butter Pumpkin Crumb Cake

    My favorite thing about this time of year? The smells, the flavors, the vibes! Fall is one of my favorite seasons – I just can’t get enough of the festivities. This Brown Butter Pumpkin Crumb Cake is the perfect thing to be eating this fall. It’s moist, spiced, nutty, and the best way to cure a sweet tooth. This is great with coffee for breakfast or for a sweet treat after lunch or dinner. A giant slice of this and it’s like an instant mood boost followed by a strong wave of nostalgia. This recipe is also a part of my pumpkin series for this year! And unlike the traditional streusel-like topping on a New York-style crumb cake, my version features a light spiced topping, allowing the rich brown butter flavor in the cake to shine through! It was so good – like pumpkin pie meets quick bread.

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    Creamy Lemon Cod Pasta Bake

    Every once in a while, I get the biggest craving for fish! And I don’t mean the usual, fish fry or grilled salmon – I mean something seafood forward but just feels a little different. This Creamy Lemon Cod Pasta Bake was loaded with big juicy pieces of cod, tender veggies like broccoli, corn, peas, and carrots, cavatappi pasta, and a creamy lemon sauce! It was comforting and cozy, but also light and bright. It was the type of dish that makes you feel warm and satisfied but doesn’t feel too heavy once you’ve devoured your bowl. My boys loved this, and it felt like something we hadn’t had before!