Tag: #Recipes

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Mexican Mac and Cheese

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Classic homemade macaroni and cheese is always a huge hit with the entire family. In most cases, however, mac and cheese requires using a saucepan, a pasta pot and baking a dish. Not to mention the fact that rounding out the meal with a vegetable or protein option means preparing an additional dish. That’s a lot of work and cleanup for a weeknight dinner.

This Mexican mac and cheese is the answer to all that prepping and scrubbing. Plus, this Mexican-inspired macaroni and cheese’s savory, zesty flavors make for a more refined version of the traditional pasta dish. Next time you’re scrambling to fit in a home-cooked family dinner, this Mexican mac and cheese won’t disappoint.

Ingredients for Mexican Mac and Cheese

  • Ground beef: Ground beef that’s 95% lean is perfect for this skillet recipe since the fat is drained and the flavor of the leaner meat doesn’t overpower the flavors of the other ingredients and spices.
  • Onion: Sharp and pungent chopped onions are a staple ingredient in Mexican and Tex-Mex recipes. Use any onion you prefer, but white onions are most commonly used in Mexican dishes.
  • Chili powder: Chili powder is a blend of ground chili pepper, cumin and other spices, and provides the smoky, zesty profile of this Mexi-mac skillet. You can choose a good store-bought brand or make your own chili powder for more flavor control
  • Oregano: If you’re able to find Mexican oregano (which is different from true oregano), give it a try. Mexican oregano is in the same family as lemon verbena, and has a brighter, more citrusy flavor with notes of anise. It pairs well with chilies, spices and southwestern flavors.
  • Diced tomatoes: A can of diced tomatoes adds tangy, sweetness and texture to the Mexican mac and cheese. You can substitute the canned tomatoes for fresh if you prefer.
  • Tomato sauce: Not to be confused with marinara sauce, basic canned tomato sauce is simply cooked and pureed tomatoes.
  • Corn: Whether fresh or frozen, corn adds a crip texture that balances out the soft pasta and brings a sweet, nutty flavor to the dish.
  • Elbow macaroni: Add dry pasta directly to the skillet in this Mexican mac and cheese recipe. The macaroni will cook in the skillet and absorb the flavors of the meat, tomatoes and spices, and the starches of the pasta will help thicken the sauce.
  • Cheese: Shredded cheddar is the go-to when making macaroni and cheese, and we don’t disagree. You can choose a lower fat option if you prefer, or try a different variety altogether. Buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself for the best results when it comes to melting. Bagged shredded cheese often includes anti-caking agents that can affect how well it melts.

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45 Easy Ground Beef Recipes to Make on Repeat

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

From simple skillet dinners to hearty soups and casseroles, these ground beef recipes are perfect for busy nights or anytime you need a satisfying meal.

Whenever I find myself aimlessly wandering the store, unsure what’s for dinner, I inevitably grab a package of ground beef to get things started. Beyond meatballs, burgers and meat loaf (though I never tire of those options), there are countless easy ground beef recipes that I know I can toss together for a hearty meal my whole family will enjoy.

This collection is packed with all our best quick ground beef dinners and family-friendly recipes to save the day when you need inspiration.

There are twists on classic recipes for weeknight-friendly versions of lasagna, stuffed peppers or Stroganoff, and cozy soup recipes that make a great lunch the next day. Try easy meal ideas inspired by tacos, cheeseburgers, and mac and cheese for a mashup of bold flavors and comfort food. Even if you have only a bit of meat, the recipes using 1 pound of ground beef will satisfy. Whether you need a 30-minute pasta recipe or you want to try something new, these ground beef dinners are sure to become favorites.

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47 Leftover Chicken Recipes You’ll Want to Eat

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Leftovers for dinner—again? Eating up what’s in the fridge might be easy, but it’s always not the most exciting. Follow our leftover chicken recipes for a fresh take on yesterday’s dinner!

Let’s admit it: we eat a lot of chicken dinners. We have good reasons. Chicken’s mild flavor suits many cuisines and seasonings, and it’s a lean protein that even the kids will eat. But it’s easy to get tired of the same ol’ leftovers, especially the second (or third) night in a row.

Our favorite leftover chicken recipes make exciting meals from the scraps in your fridge. A roast chicken, for example, can turn into any number of meals, from cozy soups to stacked sandwiches to big dinner salads. Sliced or ground chicken can top pizzas or stuff ooey-gooey enchiladas. You can even use up leftover chicken bones in savory broth (which then becomes soups, risotto and so on). Ah, the places your chicken will go!

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Slow-Cooker Corn Chowder

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Discover the ultimate comfort food with our irresistible slow cooker corn chowder recipe. This hearty and creamy dish blends sweet corn with the rich flavors of bacon, potatoes and aromatic herbs. Perfect for chilly evenings or any time you’re craving a bowl of warmth and flavor. Our recipe promises a simple yet deeply satisfying soup.

The best part is, your slow cooker does all the work. Combine and refrigerate the ingredients for the corn chowder the night before, then pour the mixture into your crockpot and turn it on in the morning. When you come home from work, a hot, tasty meal awaits.

Ingredients for Slow-Cooker Corn Chowder

  • Milk: Milk is the main binder for this chowder. Its combination with the creamy soup creates a velvety base for the rest of the ingredients. You’ll need 2-1/2 cups of 2% milk but you can use 1% or reduced fat if that’s all you have.
  • Creamed corn: We’re not gatekeeping our secret to the creamiest corn chowder—it’s a can of cream-style corn.
  • Cream of mushroom soup: Condensed cream of mushroom soup also imparts lots of earthy, savory flavor and amps up the creamy factor in this slow-cooker chowder.
  • Frozen corn: Two types of corn add to the chunky nature of this chowder. We also used a bag of frozen kernels but canned or fresh would work too.
  • Hash brown potatoes: Traditional chowders usually involve onions and potatoes but we went one step further in the comfort food department with a cup of frozen shredded hash brown potatoes. It is a total game-changer in this soup.
  • Fully cooked ham: Ham and corn are a flavor-enhancing combination and sneak some protein into this chowder, too.
  • Onion: Sauteed onion bits add some sweetness to the soup and the chunky texture.
  • Parsley: A peppery herbaceous finish in the form of dried  (or fresh) parsley flakes is the right move.
  • Butter: For an extra silky, buttery chowder, you’ll need 2 tablespoons of butter.
  • Bacon: Although optional, crispy crumbled bacon is the ultimate topper for chowder.

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19 Favorite Restaurant Copycat Soup Recipes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

It’s cold outside, and you’re craving your favorite restaurant soup. Skip the drive, the wait and the bill, and instead whip up one of these hot, steamy copycat soup recipes that taste just like their restaurant counterparts. And hello, leftovers!

We have all the copycat favorites right here in this list. Expect the iconic soups from Panera Bread, like broccoli cheddar and tomato soup, plus copycat Olive Garden recipes, like their zuppa toscana or minestrone. But there are so many more copycat options, too, like Wendy’s chili, Cracker Barrel’s chicken and dumplings, and Red Lobster’s clam chowder.

Of course, serve these soups with some restaurant-copycat bread recipes. Whip up Cheesecake Factory’s brown bread, bread bowls from Panera, Red Lobster’s cheddar bay biscuits and Olive Garden’s breadsticks.

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Navy Bean Soup

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

When soup season hits our house, we have a steady list of recipes on rotation. We love all the classic homemade soup recipes because they’re affordable and easy to make in bulk, and they can use up those vegetables in your crisper! This Test Kitchen-approved navy bean soup is one of our favorites, and you might even already have all the ingredients on hand.

Soaking beans overnight is recommended when cooking dried beans, which this recipe calls for. Though it means having to plan ahead just a bit, you’ll never regret cooking dried beans from scratch. As the beans simmer with the rest of the ingredients, everything melds together to create a creamy, delicious soup base. A minimal number of other ingredients, time and simple seasoning are all it takes to make a heart-warming, tummy-filling soup.

Ingredients for Navy Bean Soup

  • Dried navy beans: Cooking dried beans is important for this recipe because the cooking liquid becomes part of the soup base. If you don’t have time to soak them overnight, you can quick-soak dried beans. Soak the rinsed beans in boiling water for just an hour.
  • Ham: Ham is important here, as it adds a whole depth of flavor to this soup. Navy bean soup is one of those great leftover ham recipes you’ll want in your back pocket to use up leftover meat!
  • Chicken broth: You can use store-bought or homemade chicken broth if you have the time. In a pinch, you can also use vegetable broth or even water.

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17 Dump Soup Recipes That Practically Cook Themselves

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Some dinners start with a plan. Others start with a can of tomatoes and a prayer, and that’s when dump soup recipes become your secret weapon. They’re the kind of meals you pull together between errands, after work or on nights when sauteeing onions is one step too many. Just like shortcut soups, these recipes don’t ask for much. With a handful of pantry staples, a few minutes to combine everything and a little trust that it will all come together, dinner will be ready before you know it.

This collection has family-friendly dump soups inspired by tacos and hamburgers, vegetable-loaded minestrone and boldly flavored spicy sausage soup. Most are endlessly adaptable too. Swap in shredded rotisserie chicken for another meat or use a different canned bean or lentil if you don’t have the one the recipe calls for. Many of these easy soup recipes can be frozen for future meals—just make sure you know which soups freeze well and which you should refrigerate instead. If you are cooking for a crowd, these soups are easy to double since most start with canned and pantry-friendly staples.

Dump soups may be low on prep, but they’re not low on flavor. They work when you’re short on time, light on groceries or just need an easy dinner plan. Sometimes, that’s exactly what makes them the best kind of comfort food.

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Over-the-Top Baked Ziti

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

I adapted a ziti recipe to remove ingredients my kids did not like, such as ground beef. The revised recipe was a success not only with my family but at potlucks too. It’s so versatile: You can use jarred sauce, double or triple the recipe, and even freeze it. —Kimberley Pitman, Smyrna, Delaware Field Editor

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88 Slow-Cooker Recipes to Warm Your Winter

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Come in from the cold and sit down to slow-simmered pot roast, loaded chili and breakfast-for-dinner, too. Even on the snowiest day, these winter slow-cooker recipes warm you from your toes to your nose.

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42 Make-Ahead Freezer Meals for Busy Nights

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

These convenient make-ahead freezer meals are for anyone with a busy schedule. We know it can be challenging to find time to make delicious home-cooked meals when time is tight. Luckily, with a little planning and creativity, you can enjoy flavorful make-ahead freezer meals like aromatic lasagnas, melt-in-your-mouth pot roasts and slow-cooked stews.

Simplify meal prep with our delectable recipes for casseroles, pies and soups. They freeze well and can be reheated in the oven or microwave, ensuring you’ll always have access to easy weeknight dinners. Whether you’re planning for a busy week, stocking the freezer to prepare for your baby’s arrival or streamlining meal prep, these freezer-friendly recipes make for quick homemade meals.

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