Round-Up

Casserole Dinners Using Pantry Ingredients

April 2, 2020 by Sarah 2 Comments

Casserole dinners are the best way to use ingredients from your pantry and freezer in a complete, one pot (or pan) meal.

collage image of casserole dinners with title text "Pantry and Freezer Casserole Dinners"

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What is a Casserole?

At its core, a casserole dinner is a dish that is a complete meal in one and is typically served in the same dish it was baked or cooked in.

First, you have a protein. This can be ground meat, diced or canned chicken, any other meat chopped into bite-size pieces or even beans.

Then, you have a starch or carbohydrate. This is usually rice or noodles of some kind.

Next, you have any variety of vegetables. I love to use frozen vegetables because they hold up the the baking and they are cheaper than fresh and easy to store.

Last, you need some kind of sauce to bring it all together. This can be canned soup, broth, gravy, or even cheese. The possibilities really are endless.

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Easy Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

February 14, 2020 by Sarah Leave a Comment

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Instant Pots, or electric pressure cookers, are the greatest kitchen appliance since the stand mixer. Yes, people have been pressure cooking for years, but the ease of use and safety features of an electric pressure cooker make it SO much easier to use and less scary than the traditional pressure cooker.

A dish that would have taken an hour in the oven to bake can now be cooked in 15 minutes in the Instant Pot. These Easy Instant Pot Chicken recipes will make it so easy for you to get dinner on the table quickly so that you don’t have to spend all night in the kitchen.

Tips for Cooking Chicken in Instant Pot

Make sure to ALWAYS have the equivalent of at least one cup of liquid. This will keep you from getting the dreaded “Burn” screen.
Don’t overfill your Instant Pot. Things like rice or beans will absorb all of the liquid and expand. Pay close attention to the “Max Fill” line on the inside of your Instant Pot insert.
Make sure to “Natural” pressure release for at least 5-10 minutes on all meat recipes. Releasing the pressure quickly will make the meat tougher. Giving the pot a chance to release the pressure naturally and slowly will allow the meat to remain tender.
Use the “Saute” button to reduce your cooking liquid for a delicious sauce. After you’ve cooked your meal and removed the meat and/or vegetables, press the “saute” button and bring the liquid to a boil. Make a corn starch slurry by mixing a tablespoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of water and pour it into your liquid. Stir it and let the sauce boil for at least a minute for the cornstarch to thicken. You’ll have a delicious sauce to go with your meal.

For more tips, check out this article.

Tips for Freezer Meal Prep

These Freezer Containers are my absolute favorite for Instant Pot freezer meal prep. They are the perfect size to fit right in the 6 qt pot insert, so you don’t even have to thaw the freezer meal before cooking!

Help make your freezer meal prep go even faster by cutting up all of each item at one time. If you need diced chicken in multiple recipes, go ahead and dice up all the chicken you will need. This is the same for any vegetables, beans or grain needed, too.

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15 DIY Valentine’s Decor Crafts

January 30, 2020 by Sarah Leave a Comment

collage image of DIY Valentine's decor crafts

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Raise your hand if you need a creative outlet in your life. <raises both hands waiving frantically> I LOVE doing DIY crafts because my full-time job has me stuck behind a computer and on the phone all day. I enjoy making pretty things and need that time to be creative in my life. And it’s something that my daughter loves, too, so it is a wonderful excuse for mommy-daughter time!

These DIY Valentine’s decor crafts are so cute and easy to come together. Even more than the fact that they are Valentine’s Day related, these crafts provide a new and interesting way to craft. Swapping out colors can instantly make these crafts perfect home decor all year.

My BEST piece of advice is to stalk your local Dollar Tree for craft supplies. I have at least three stores within 10 miles of me and I make a habit of popping in to see what they have. If you’re going to Michael’s or Hobby Lobby, make sure to pay attention to the weekly sales and ALWAYS use a 40% off coupon. They are always available on their app, in email newsletters and in the newspaper inserts.

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Budget-Friendly Game Day Appetizers

January 21, 2020 by Sarah Leave a Comment

Hosting a Super Bowl party doesn’t have to break the bank. These budget-friendly Game Day appetizers will feed a crowd and save you enough to splurge on fancy beer. 😉

From homemade crackers, chicken flautas, and allergy-friendly bagel bites to dips and crock pot appetizers, we’ve got a range of recipes for whatever you’re craving and they’ll fit any budget.

How to Plan for a Game Day Party

When hosting any kind of party, it is important to know about how many people you are expecting. This way, you can plan your food budget to make sure that you don’t spend an arm and a leg feeding everyone.

The trick for calculating appetizers for any party is:

1-2 pieces per person per hour bite size snacks
1-2 ounces of dip per person
1-2 drinks per person per hour (this could be one beer, one glass of wine, one can of soda or one bottle of water)

How to Keep it Budget-Friendly

For parties where you won’t have a sit-down meal, one of the best ideas for keeping food costs low is to make your own veggie and cheese tray.

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Easy Handmade Bath Gifts

December 6, 2019 by Sarah Leave a Comment

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Rather than spend a lot of money buying gifts this year, why not try making one of these Easy Handmade Bath gifts? Yes, you’ll be saving money, but I believe that handmade gifts really are the best kind.

You’d also be surprised to learn that I bet most of you already have some basic DIY bath gift ingredients at home already

Common Bath Gift Ingredients

Epsom Salt
Essential Oils
Olive Oil
Baking Soda
Granulated Sugar
Honey
Oatmeal
Salt

These ingredients are the base of many of the easy handmade bath gifts below. Package your gifts in a mason jar or wrap in parchment paper for the perfect finishing touch.

I’ve also stocked up on these containers over the years and they would work perfectly for balms:

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Easy Holiday Appetizers on a Budget

November 1, 2019 by Sarah Leave a Comment

The holidays can be a stressful time between gifts and attending parties. Check out my tips for keeping it simple during this busy holiday season and check out the compilation of appetizer recipes below. These easy holiday appetizers come together quickly, will be a crowd-please, and they are affordable for any budget.

Tips for Easy Appetizer Prep

It’s important to set yourself up for success when you know you’re entering a busy time of year. When planning what to bring to a family gathering or holiday party, think of items that can be made days in advance. You can get the prep out of the way so that it comes together very easily the night of your event.

If you’re headed to a brunch, try my Everything Bagel and Lox Spread. It can be made up to two days in advance. I serve it with “bread sliced” bagels when I’m really trying to impress. 😉

Don’t be afraid to take some help from the store. Prepared pie crust or puff pastry is the perfect shortcut for easy appetizers that will still look amazing. Canned beans will blend up easily for a delicious, homemade dip or hummus.

The slow cooker is your best friend. I don’t know how many times I’ve thrown a package of Lil’ Smokies in the slow cooker with a bottle of barbecue sauce and a little grape jelly. It is the easiest appetizer and it is always a hit. Meatballs, chicken wings, spinach dip… These all would work wonderfully in the slow cooker.

For even more tips, check out this article from Taste of Home.

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Ultimate Zucchini Recipe Round-Up

September 24, 2019 by Sarah 1 Comment

As we reach the end of summer, you may find yourself up to your eyeballs in zucchini. Whether you grew it yourself or stocked up on a really good sale at the grocery store, I’ve compiled 80 (yes, 80!!) Zucchini Recipes to help you make the most of your produce.

80 recipes can be overwhelming, so I have divided the recipes in categories: Savory, Sweet and Snacks. Feel free to jump to the category you’re in the mood to enjoy and see what looks tasty!

How to Store Zucchini

You have a few different options for storing your zucchini. If you plan to use it within 5-7 days of buying or picking, you can store it in the fridge. Make sure that the zucchini is whole and pat dry with a paper towel. Any added moisture will cause the zucchini to mold more quickly. Place the zucchini in a plastic bag, but leave the end exposed to allow for air circulation. Store the bag in your crisper drawer.

To freeze zucchini, you’ll want to blanch it first. To do this, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Make sure that you don’t salt the water as this will get absorbed in the zucchini and cause it to turn mushy. Cut the zucchini into 1 inch pieces. Add the zucchini to the boiling water and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Immediately remove the zucchini and place in a water bath (a bowl of ice water). This will stop the cooking and help the zucchini maintain its texture after freezing.

Spread the blanched zucchini out on a sheet pan and freeze in a single layer. This way the zucchini won’t freeze in a solid block. Once frozen, you can transfer the zucchini to a freezer bag or container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Check out this article from Grow a Good Life if you’d like even more ideas for preserving your zucchini haul.

Let me know in the comments what are some of your favorite zucchini recipes.

Zucchini Recipes

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Savory Pumpkin Recipes You’ll Love this Fall

July 31, 2019 by Sarah Leave a Comment

photo collage of savory pumpkin dishes with title text

Fall is right around the corner, and I couldn’t be more excited. Sweater weather, boots, and fall flavors… What’s not to love?!? I know you’re all thinking I’m talking about Pumpkin Spice anyway, but I’m actually excited to use pumpkin in savory recipes, too. Add a cup on apple cider and I’m all set!

From Instant Pot pasta recipes to soups and chili, you can use cubed pumpkin or pumpkin puree in a variety of ways. When it’s all done, roast up the pumpkin seeds, too.

To make your own pumpkin puree, cut your pumpkin (pie pumpkin is best for eating) in half and scoop out the seeds. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place cut side down on a baking sheet and roast in a 400 degree oven for 35-40 minutes or until you can insert a knife easily through the skin and meat. Allow the pumpkins to cool, then scoop out the meat and blend in a food processor adding a little water or vegetable stock as needed for the consistency you want. This puree can be used as the base for both sweet and savory recipes.

Let me know in the comments which one of these dishes you are most excited to try. I wouldn’t leave you hanging without at least one dessert recipe, too. Check out this one over at my friend June’s blog, Practically Homemade.

Savory Pumpkin Recipes You'll Love this Fall

Fall is my favorite season. Not just because of the weather and leaves changing to gorgeous colors. I LOVE the flavor of fall! I've compiled 15 savory pumpkin recipes for you to try this fall. Let me know what you think!

Chipotle Pumpkin Veggie Burgers

Photo Credit: theforkedspoon.com

Instant Pot Pumpkin Black Bean Chili Mac {GF, DF, V}

Photo Credit: flavorthemoments.com

Pumpkin Curry With Coconut Rice

Photo Credit: www.oursmallhours.com

Moroccan Spiced Roasted Pumpkin Quinoa Salad

Photo Credit: www.abakingjourney.com

Instant Pot Pumpkin Hummus

Photo Credit: recipesfromapantry.com

How to Make Perfect Pumpkin Seeds

Photo Credit: homecookingmemories.com

Creamy Pumpkin Soup Recipe for an Easy (and Fast!) Meal

Photo Credit: www.attainable-sustainable.net

Pumpkin mushroom bowls + brown rice

Photo Credit: ahedgehoginthekitchen.com

Southwest Roasted Pumpkin Soup | Blender Babes

Photo Credit: www.blenderbabes.com

Pumpkin Penne Pasta with Sausage, Greek Yogurt, and Thyme - The Artisan Life

Photo Credit: natashalh.com

Pumpkin Macaroni & Cheese Recipe

Photo Credit: www.housewivesoffrederickcounty.com

Hearty Pumpkin Chili Recipe

Photo Credit: www.theflyingcouponer.com

Instant Pot Pumpkin Fettuccine Alfredo (vegetarian) - Imagelicious.com

Photo Credit: www.imagelicious.com

Beef, Beer and Pumpkin Stew

Photo Credit: daisiesandpie.co.uk

Pumpkin and Shrimp Soup Recipe (Camorão na Moranga)

Photo Credit: www.splendry.com

For even more flavors of fall, try my Apple Blondies!

15 Easy No-Bake Desserts

May 17, 2019 by Sarah Leave a Comment

slice of peanut butter pie on white plate with title text and images or no bake desserts

When the hustle of softball season rolls around, I don’t have time to cook let alone add a dessert into the mix. We hit the drive-thru more often than I care to admit, but we also make use of the Crockpot. Don’t be like me. Plan ahead. (Yes, easier said than done, I know!)

To help with the weekday burnout and last minute planning, I’ve rounded up 15 No-Bake Dessert recipes. These babies can be made on Sunday and keep in the fridge or in a sealed container all week!

Do you have any other suggestions for quick, no-bake desserts? Leave me a comment below!

15 Easy No-Bake Desserts

With summer approaching, use these easy no-bake dessert recipes for a sweet treat that won't heat up the kitchen.

No-Bake Lemon Cream Pie Dessert

Photo Credit: www.savvysavingcouple.net

OREO Cookie Balls with Salted Caramel Sauce | Culinary Hill

Photo Credit: www.culinaryhill.com

No Bake Oreo Cheesecake Recipe - Simple No Bake Dessert

Photo Credit: momfoodie.com

Chocolate Macaroons/Haystack (No Bake Cookies)

Photo Credit: www.spendwithpennies.com

Mini No bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Recipe

Photo Credit: www.eatingonadime.com

Key Lime Pie Marshmallow Treats

Photo Credit: www.mybakingaddiction.com

Red White & Blue Strawberry Cheesecake Bites

Photo Credit: www.thekitchenismyplayground.com

Peanut Butter Cheerio Treats - It Bakes Me Happy

Photo Credit: itbakesmehappy.com

No Bake Blueberry Buttermilk Pie

Photo Credit: www.sizzlingeats.com

Strawberry Icebox Cake - Easy 3 Ingredient No Bake Dessert!

Photo Credit: momfoodie.com

No Bake Peanut Butter Pie with Chocolate Graham Cracker Crust

Photo Credit: foodwithfeeling.com

No Bake S'mores Cheesecake

Photo Credit: www.mybakingaddiction.com

No-Bake Cookie Butter Balls - Dash Of Evans

Photo Credit: www.dashofevans.com

Fresh Watermelon Cake

Photo Credit: www.prouditaliancook.com

Snickers No-Bake Cheesecake

Photo Credit: practicallyhomemade.com

Best Cookbooks for Eating on a Budget

March 18, 2019 by Sarah 2 Comments

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links. This site earns a small commission from Amazon purchases made using these links.

People often believe that cooking from a cookbook is going to be more expensive than a normal meal and in a lot of cases, this is true. It’s very easy to end up spending more money than you normally would when you’re making meals from cookbooks. Thankfully, there are a lot of budget-friendly cookbooks out there to pick from. These are great for students, small families, and big families alike. Here are a few of my favorites.

100 Days of Real Food: On a Budget by Lisa Leake

New York Times Bestselling author and food blogger Lisa Leake has come out with a budget-friendly version of her book and blog 100 Days of Real Food. It has a cost breakdown for every recipe which can be used as a rough estimate for how much your meal will cost. It also has an entire chapter dedicated to slow cookers!

Budget Bytes by Beth Moncel

This is a book that I use frequently for my own family. It’s written by Beth Moncel, a former broke college student turned food blogger and author with a degree in nutritional science and dietetics. She includes the price breakdown for each total recipe and serving, and includes some great instructions on how to stock your panty on a budget.

Family Feasts for $75 a Week by Mary Ostyn

A mother of ten shares how she manages to feed her family on $800 to $900 a month. It has 200 delicious recipes along with expert tips on how to save money while grocery shopping. Even if you aren’t feeding a family of 12 this book is sure to save you money and keep you eating great food.

Frugal Vegan by Katie Koteen and Kate Kasbee

Eating vegan on a budget is possible! Katie Koteen and Kate Kasbee are here to show you how in Frugal Vegan. The book teaches you how to avoid expensive perishable foods and special ingredients while still enjoying nutritious, filling food.

Good and Cheap by Leanne Brown

This is my absolute favorite cookbook to use on a budget! I find myself reaching for it any time I’m looking for a quick cheap and easy to cook meals. This cookbook was written with those on Food Stamps/SNAP in mind who only have budgets of $4 a day, all without relying on heavily processed foods. It is a New York Times Bestseller and IACP Award winner. It’s full of healthy cheap recipes with a ton of great options for variety. For every copy of this book sold, the publisher also donates a copy to a family in need.

Good Cheap Eats by Jessica Fisher

If you’re looking for a book filled with cheap meals that can be made in a short amount of time Good Cheap Eats is the book for you. It has more than 200 recipes in it that don’t have any artificial ingredients or processed foods. Jessica has also written a number of cookbooks and also maintains two blogs!

The Savvy Shopper’s Cookbook by Amy Sheppard

This book will take you through the process of shopping for groceries, giving you tips and tricks along the way to help you get great tasting food without breaking the bank. In it, you’ll find recipes like Moroccan Chickpea Curry, Steak and Potato Salad, and 15 minute Apple Crumbles.

Try my Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili for another budget-friendly meal.