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14 Homemade Soups with Rotisserie Chicken

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

As far as homemade dinners go, soup is the quickest and easiest way to put food on the table. But, honestly, cooking meat can often be time-consuming, so we turned to our favorite grocery store hero: the rotisserie chicken. These soups with rotisserie chicken come together quickly and are easy to make for busy weeknight dinners. They’re also incredibly tasty because the humble, precooked bird is oh-so-delicious.

We’ve gathered a variety of flavorful, highly-reviewed chicken soup recipes, including spicy, cream-based, vegetable-forward and protein-packed soups. We even have gluten-free and dairy-free soups, so there’s truly an option here for everyone.

You can certainly start these recipes by making rotisserie chicken at home, but the best rotisserie chicken from the grocery store also does the job just fine. Either way, making these soups is as simple as shredding the chicken and popping it into a stockpot. (Don’t forget to save the golden chicken skin for a sneaky pre-dinner snack!)

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Slow-Cooker Ranch Chicken

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

If you’ve got a slow cooker, we’ve got a recipe you have to try! This slow-cooker ranch chicken is a comforting meal that cooks in a single pot, minimizing the number of dishes for cleanup. Creamy, flavorful and warming, it’s one of those easy chicken dinners that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

In this recipe, chicken breasts are cooked slowly until they become tender and shreddable. Cream cheese and a can of condensed cream of chicken soup are added to give the chicken a rich, creamy consistency, and the dish is served over rice or noodles. It’s a wonderful set-it-and-forget-it meal, and it’ll make you want to keep more slow-cooker chicken breast recipes within reach!

Slow-Cooker Ranch Chicken Ingredients

  • Chicken broth: Use store-bought chicken broth for the quickest preparation. If you prefer to make chicken broth from scratch, it will elevate all the flavors.
  • Ranch salad dressing mix: You can find packets of this popular seasoning mix at the grocery store, or make your own ranch dressing and dip mix.
  • Chicken breasts: We call for boneless skinless chicken breasts, but you can substitute boneless chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat.
  • Cream of chicken soup: Condensed soup is a miracle worker for casseroles and sauces. It acts as a roux (a thickening agent) to give the sauce a thick, creamy consistency. Use store-bought condensed soup or a homemade substitute for cream of chicken soup.
  • Cream cheese: Cream cheese melts into the sauce, giving the chicken a slightly sweet flavor and an incredible texture.
  • Noodles or rice: You can serve this creamy chicken over noodles or rice; they’re both delicious. If you choose noodles, consider thick egg noodles, which will give the sauce something to stick to.
  • Optional toppings: Add a cheesy finish with shredded cheddar cheese, or boost the savory vibes with crumbled cooked bacon and chopped green onions.

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40 Pear Dessert Recipes Full of Warm Spices and Sweet Flavor

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Pears are one of fall’s quiet baking heroes. With their mild sweetness, firm texture and floral aroma, they soak up warm spices and syrups in a way only a few fruits can. These pear dessert recipes transform the humble fruit into something that tastes and smells like the season.

You’ll find pear recipes for baking that layer with cinnamon, nutmeg or ginger, each one showing how well this fruit pairs with spice and adds texture. There are gingersnap pear pies, fall cakes that stay moist for days and poached pears that feel like velvet on a spoon. For something deeper, simmer them in red wine and cranberry reduction or bake them into a golden pear tarte Tatin, where the fruit melts into the caramel beneath crisp pastry.

Once you’ve baked with pears, it’s hard to imagine a fall menu without them. These easy pear desserts pair naturally with cozy fall dinners, cheese boards, potluck casseroles and fall harvest salads. To get the best texture, start with Bosc or Anjou pears that are shy of ripe; they hold their shape while drawing in every last bit of flavor. And if a few over-ripen on the counter, turn them into a fragrant batch of pear jam that brings a touch of fall to toast, thumbprint cookies and pastries all year long.

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41 Cozy Winter Dessert Recipes to Warm You Up

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

When the temperature drops and snow covers the sidewalk, there’s nothing quite like winter dessert recipes to warm your soul. Whether you’re grabbing a spoon for bread pudding or slicing into a fruity crumble, these popular dessert recipes will make you forget about the cold outside.

If you’re new to baking, don’t worry—many of these treats can be made with pantry staples and minimal effort. Other recipes let you take your time, filling the house with the dreamy aromas of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and vanilla.

Ready to bake? Pull out your mixing bowl, preheat your oven (or grab your slow cooker) and gather your friends or family. With so many different ways to keep cozy, you’re bound to find a dessert (or two) that fits your mood. Once you taste how comforting these desserts are, winter might just become your sweetest season yet.

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Smothered Pork Chops in Oven

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

When it comes to comfort food only a few dishes hit the mark quite like these oven-baked smothered pork chops. This recipe turns out subtly seasoned chops nestled in a rich, creamy sauce that’s just begging to be mopped up with a slice of bread or a forkful of mashed potatoes. And the best part? It all comes together in one pan. That means less cleanup and more time to savor every delicious bite.

Smothered Pork Chops in Oven Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour: The flour provides a light coating for the pork chops, helping them brown evenly and develop a crispy exterior.
  • Salt: Salt enhances the overall flavor of the dish and helps to season the pork chops as they cook.
  • Pepper: A bit of pepper adds a subtle heat and depth of flavor to the seasoned flour mixture.
  • Pork loin chops: The pork chops are the star of the dish, offering a tender and flavorful base for the rich sauce.
  • Canola oil: The oil is used to brown the pork chops, creating a flavorful crust and sealing in the juices.
  • Condensed cream of mushroom soup: This soup serves as the base of the sauce and adds creaminess and a savory mushroom flavor to the dish.
  • Sour cream: Sour cream brings a tangy richness to the sauce, balancing the flavors and adding creaminess.
  • Chicken broth: The broth thins the sauce slightly while adding a savory depth that complements the pork.
  • Ground ginger: A small amount of ginger adds a spark of warmth and a hint of spice, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
  • Dried rosemary: Rosemary infuses the sauce with a fragrant and earthy flavor that pairs well with pork.
  • French-fried onions: The onions provide a crunchy topping and add a burst of savory flavor that contrasts with the creamy sauce.

Taste of Home

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71 Winter Comfort Food Recipes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

These cozy winter comfort food recipes can warm up even the coldest nights.

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Texas-Style Lasagna

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

With its spicy flavor, this dish is a real crowd-pleaser. It’s wonderful with side servings of picante sauce, guacamole and tortilla chips.— Effie Gish, Fort Worth, Texas

Can you freeze Texas-Style Lasagna?

Before baking, cover and freeze lasagna up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake as directed, increasing time as necessary for a thermometer to read 160°.

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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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