Broccoli Sausage Penne

Sometimes when it's hot outside it's hard to think about cooking dinner.  I just want to grab a salad or Popsicle or just something light.  Which means sometimes we don't eat very healthily in the summer.  I've been searching for light meals to cook for when we feel like this at my house and I came across some pasta recipes but nothing that my kids would eat. We decided to create our own using ingredients we love. 

Broccoli Sausage Penne

1 small package frozen broccoli florets
1 package  (1 lb) regular pork sausage (I used Jimmy Deans)
2 cups cooked penne noodles
2 TBSP butter
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Crushed red pepper
Salt & Pepper to taste

Brown sausage in a pan, drain and set aside.  Cook noodles according to directions on package, rinse in cold water, drain and set aside.  Cook broccoli in microwave following directions on the package. 

Mix broccoli, sausage, penne and butter in a pan on the stove.  Stirring occasionally, just long enough to melt butter over noodles and make everything nice and warm.  Serve with Parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper, and salt and pepper to taste.

We seriously have this meal about once a week.  It's becoming one of our favorites since it has a ton of flavor, is filling, and it's super fast and easy to make.

Crockpot Chicken Gravy

two nights a week we have either dance or tumbling and dont get home until dinner time.  I struggle to cook on these nights and usually end up grabbing a pizza one night.  So on the other night I really try and have something that wont take to much work when we get home.  This recipe is perfect!  the gravy is already made and all you need to do is figure out if you want mashed potatoes with it or rice(I usually go with rice and put it in my rice cooker before we leave),  and a veggie.

Crockpot Chicken Gravy

3-4 chicken breasts
1 package chicken gravy powder
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 can of water
2 tsp. Italian seasoning
s&p to taste

put everything in your crockpot, cook on low 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4.  shred the chicken and put back in the gravy mix.  serve over rice or mashed potatoes.

Meatball Sub

Sometimes our weeks are crazy.  I'm sure you can all relate.  Between work, school, dance, karate, church activities, and well, just life, sometimes dinner is an after thought.

I try to keep some of our go-to meals on hand for times like that.  This meatball sub is one of our go to meals.  I keep rolls and meatballs in the freezer and a jar of spaghetti sauce in the pantry.  It's good to have meals like this on hand.  It is super yummy, and you can make it in about 10 minutes.


Meatball Sub

1 bag frozen meatballs (pre-cooked)
1 jar spaghetti sauce
Sub Rolls
Butter (optional)
Parmesan Cheese (optional)

Place a few meatballs on a glass plate and cook in microwave for about 3 minutes, until defrosted.  Place meatballs and enough spaghetti sauce in a pan on the stove and cook on medium for 53-6 minutes, just until everything is warmed through.  Meanwhile, butter the inside of your roll and place butter side down on a skillet set to high just long enough to melt the butter and crisp the edges.  Put meatballs & sauce on your roll, top with Parmesan cheese.  Enjoy!

Yogurt Waffles

At my local Walmart, there is this cute checkout lady.  Every time I go through her line and I buy yogurt, she just raves about yogurt pancakes.  So one day I tried making them and they were absolutely delicious.  I thought that if the pancakes were good then adding butter and milk to make waffles must be a good idea too.   I was right!!!  These waffles are seriously the best!  Make them One time and you will be hooked!  They are the perfect crispy on the outside and the perfect softness on the inside.  Plus the tiny bit of yogurt you put in gives it a subtle sweetness (raspberry is my favorite so far).  


Yogurt Waffles

2 c. pancake/waffle mix (the kind that is just add water)
1 yogurt container
1/4 c. melted butter
1/2 c - 1 c milk

This is the brand I usually get, just good old Great Value.

Mix together the waffle mix and yogurt...

I will become a crumble....

Then add the melted butter...

And add the milk, a little at a time... stirring and adding until the right consistency for waffles....

If you can get a cute helper to whisk it all up...

Add the mixture to your waffle maker,  the amount will vary, depending on your waffle iron.

Cook according to your machine and how light or dark you like them...

Add butter and syrup as desired,  or just eat plain because they are that good!!

Super Bird Sandwich

When I went to Hawaii a billion years ago, ok not that long ago, but it seems like forever.  I figured out what the expensive part of the trip was.  It wasn't the flight or the hotel or even the activities for the day, it was the food.  Seriously!  We ate our first dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe in Honolulu and the bill for just myself was about $35.  Yikes!!  My friend and I discovered a Denny's right around the corner from our hotel and we averaged about $10 a meal.  Much more affordable, and thus my love of Denny's was born.

There are so many great things to eat there, from the pancake bites to the omelette's.  But my favorite sandwich is the Super Bird.  I order this about 95% of the time.  Then I figured out that I wanted to make it at home.  It's become a weekly thing for me now.  I hope you all enjoy!

Super Bird Sandwich

Sourdough Bread

Tomatoes

Turkey Lunch Meat

Bacon

Swiss Cheese

Butter

Butter one side of 2 slices of  bread.  Slice tomatoes.  Cook bacon (the best way is in the oven so they lay flat).  Then warm up either a frying pan or electric skillet to a medium heat.  You are going to make these the same way you would make a grilled cheese sandwich.  Lay one piece of bread, butter side down on warm skillet.  Then layer Swiss cheese, bacon, turkey, and tomato.  Then you put your second piece of bread on top, butter side up.  Cook on a medium heat till bread is toasted and a light golden brown.  Carefully flip your sandwich over and cook the other side.  Serve warm.

If you want to add mayonnaise or miracle whip you can, but I think the sandwich has enough flavor all on it's own.

Cornbread Waffles and Chili

The holidays are upon us, the leaves are falling from the trees, nights are longer, it's getting colder, and for our family all of those things mean that we eat more heartily.  Fewer summer fruits and salads,  more meat and potatoes, if you know what I mean.    We love soups and stews and yummy warm food this time of year, comfort food.  All that being said, I still don't have a ton of time to prepare dinner at night after a long day of school and work and taking my kids to all the many places they need to be.  We have started to compile a list of "go-to" meals that are both easy to make, fast to make, and the ingredients are things we keep on hand on a normal basis. 

Waffles seem to be the trend for the season and they are so fast to make.  This meal took about 15 minutes to prepare and it's one that the kids loved.  They have asked for it several times now.  It's basically our favorite go-to meal at the moment. 

Cornbread Waffles & Chili

1 can chili
cheese (optional)
sour cream (optional)
1 recipe cornbread 

Cornbread:
1 c flour
1 c cornmeal
3 TBSP sugar (or 2 TBSP honey)
1 TBSP baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 beaten eggs
1 c milk
1/4 c vegetable oil

In a medium bowl stir together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt.  In another bowl combine the eggs, milk, and oil.  Add egg mixture all at once to the dry mixture.  Stir just till moistened.  Pour 1/2 c batter onto grids of preheated, lightly greased waffle iron.  Close lid, do not open till done.  (most waffle irons have an indicator light on the top, however if yours doesn't, these take about 1-2 minutes to cook.) When done, use a fork to lift the waffle off the iron.  Repeat with remaining batter.  Top corn bread with warm chili, cheese, and sour cream if desired.

French Bread Pizza

Let's face it, sometimes I just don't have time to make extravagant meals.  Between work, kids, school, church responsibilities, soccer, dance, and everything else we have going on, sometimes I am just exhausted by the time I get home.  These are the nights I really need my "go to" meal.  You know, the meal you can put together in under 15 minutes.    I admit, I have several of these meals.  I usually keep the ingredients on hand for the times that we just need something to eat and fast.  This is one of our favorite "go-to" meals. 

French Bread Pizza

1 Loaf French Bread
1 jar favorite pizza sauce
Mozzarella Cheese
Pepperoni
(any other toppings you like)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Cut loaf of bread in half lengthwise.  Place on cookie sheet, crust side down.  Spread sauce evenly over bread, top with cheese and pepperoni.  Bake in oven for 10-14 minutes or until cheese is melted and golden.