Spaghetti Sauce

After this, I promise you will never want jar sauce again. Very quick to make, the longer it cooks, the better it tastes. Great for a crock pot. This also freezes well in a double gallon zip lock bag.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs hamburger
1 tbsp olive oil
1 sweet onion diced
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 garlic clove (you can use less if you prefer - I use about 3 tbsp minced garlic)
1 large can crushed tomatoes
1 large can tomato sauce
1/3 can tomato paste
1 tbsp basil
1 tbsp oregano
1 tbsp Italian seasoning 
1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
spaghetti, angel hair, tortellini, or any other pasta you prefer

Directions:
1. Brown ground beef and season to taste. Set aside.
2. Add oil to pan and then add diced onion. Cook until translucent.
3. Add crushed red pepper and garlic, stir about 1 minute.
4. Add tomatoes, sauce and paste; stir.
5. Add seasoning and stir.
6. Add mushrooms and ground beef.

The longer you cook it, the better it will taste. I usually put mine on low for a few hours or in the crock pot on warm all day. It is quick and makes the house smell yummy when you get home! Bonus!

Add your favorite pasta and serve!

Chicken/Shrimp Sriracha-cha-cha Bites

These are so ridiculously delicious I could lick the pan. No joke.

They are easy and great for a party or dinner. I know the ingredients are a little generic but you can figure those out depending on your particular taste and how much you are making.

Ingredients:
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized chunks 
-or-
1 lb tail off shrimp
1 lime 
sriracha sauce
bacon
brown sugar

Directions:
1. In a gallon size zip lock bag mix chicken or shrimp, lime juice and enough sriracha sauce to cover all the chicken or shrimp. Mix and refrigerate overnight.
2. Cut bacon slices into fourths. I leave this in the package and cut it because it is easier.
3. Wrap bacon around each bite of chicken or shrimp.
4. Roll in brown sugar and lay in baking dish.
5. Bake at 350 until bacon is cooked to your desired crispiness.

Seriously, you're going to love these!!!!!

Monkey Bread

My kids love this one

Ingredients:
4 rolls biscuit mix (7.5 oz cans)
1 tsp cinnamon (more if desired)
2/3 cup sugar

Topping:
1 1/2 sticks melted butter
1 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon (more if desired)

Directions:
1. Cut each biscuit into 4-6 pieces
2. Combine cinnamon and sugar in a bowl
3. Roll each biscuit piece in the cinnamon sugar
4. Drop in a buttered bundt pan
5. Melt butter and combine with cinnamon and sugar for the topping
6. Pour over pieces moving them with a fork to get in between pieces
7. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes

Pasta Salad

This one is quick and simple but super yummy

Ingredients:
16 oz multi-colored curly pasta
2 pkgs pesto sauce mix
1 bag dried tomatoes
garlic to taste

Directions:
1. Make pasta according to directions
2. Make pesto sauce according to directions using only 2/3 of required water
3. Toss

Gigi's Noodles

We had a guest in our home and she loved this dish so much that we named it after her.

Ingredients:
1 can cream of celery, chicken or cheese soup
1/2 cup milk
1.4 tsp ground pepper
1 bag mixed veggies
2 cups cubed, cooked chicken (you can also use canned chicken or rotisserie chicken from the market - they often have cold ones so your can use it immediately)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded cheddar or cheddar jack cheese
1 bag egg noodles, cooked and drained

Directions:
1. Stir all ingredients except shredded cheese in a 9x11 baking dish
2. Bake at 400 for 25 minutes or until veggies are tender
3. Top with shredded cheese during last 10 minutes of baking

Grape Salad

This may look a little funky but I promise you, people will LOVE it and they will be begging you for the recipe!

Ingredients:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 pounds grapes
1 pkg Emerald brand Pecan Pie flavored pecans

Directions:
1. In a mixer combine cream cheese, sour cream, sugars and vanilla. Mix until smooth
2. Add mix and grapes to a bowl and fold together
3. Optional - Just before serving, sprinkle the top with the pecans (do not mix them in or things will turn a funky color)

Easy Baked Tortellini

This is my go-to dinner when I don't have time or ingredients:

Ingredients:
1-2 packages premade tortellini (I use Bertolli or Costco)
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 jar Alfredo sauce
4 oz mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Directions:
1. Cook tortellini as directed
2. Mix in both jars of sauce and pour into a large baking dish
3. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese
4. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes until golden and bubble

Mama's Veggie Casserole

This is a must have for family dinners and holidays.

 Ingredients:
4 oz Velveeta cheese cubed, not melted
1-2 cans cream of chicken or cheese soup
2-3 bags mixed veggies (your choice, I use corn, carrot and green bean)
3 sticks butter
1 loaf of bread 

Directions:
1. Cook veggies as directed and drain
2. Add soup to veggies and stir
3. Pour into 9X11 baking dish
4. Add cubed cheese, mix
5. In a bowl, melt butter
6. Tear bread into pieces and add to the top of the veggie mix
7. Pour melted butter over the bread
8. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until bread is golden brown

Southwestern Asian Salmon Tacos

These are absolutely delicious, simple and healthy! You can't beat that.

Ingredients:
1 lb ground salmon browned
8 oz cabbage or cole slaw mix
1 can black beans 1
1 pkg brown basamati rice cooked
1 cup pico de gallo
1 tsp lime juice
1/4 cup salsa to hold everything together

Directions:
Brown the salmon and mix all ingredients together. Please feel free to adjust based on your personal tastes. Spread on a flour or corn tortilla or throw it in a bowl. Enjoy!

Baked Chicken Fajitas

Ingredients

1 1/2 - 2 lbs uncooked chicken breast cut into strips
1 red pepper
1 green pepper
1 yellow pepper
1 white onion
2 tbsp oil
2 tsp chili powder
2 tsp cumin
3/4 tsp garlic powder
3/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp salt
1 can Rotel tomatoes
flour tortillas
sour cream, cheese, salsa if desired

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400
2. Cut chicken into slices and lay in a greased baking sheet.
3. In a small bowl mix spices and oil. Pour over chicken and stir well to coat each piece.
4. Add sliced peppers and onion, stir.
5. Bake uncovered at 400 for 25-40 minutes until chicken in done.
6. Enjoy with tortillas and your favorite toppings!

Baked Mac & Cheese

This is super easy and very, very good.


Ingredients

* 1 pound(s) rotini or cavatappi
* 2 cup(s) whole milk
* 8 ounce(s) cream cheese
* 3 tablespoon(s) unsalted butter
* 1 teaspoon(s) fresh-ground pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
* 1 1/2 cup(s) grated sharp Cheddar
* 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 1 1/2 cup(s) (about 6 ounces) shredded smoked Gouda or Monterrey Jack


Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook the pasta following package directions. Strain the pasta, rinse with cold water to cool and prevent clumping, drain well, and transfer to a large bowl. Set aside.
2. Combine the milk, cream cheese, butter, pepper, and salt in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter and cream cheese have melted -- about 10 minutes.
3. Toss the Cheddar, Parmesan and Gouda (or Monterrey Jack) with the reserved pasta. Add the hot milk mixture and stir until well combined. Transfer pasta to a 3-quart baking dish and bake until the macaroni is set and the top is golden brown -- about 30 minutes. Divide macaroni and cheese among 8 plates and serve hot. You can also bake this in ramekins.

Black Bean Salsa

This dish is so simple yet amazing. You can make it for parties or dinner. (Yes, my daughter and I just consumed the entire thing for dinner, sad I know.)



Ingredients

1 large can black beans, drained
1 can white shoepeg corn, drained
1 can petite diced tomatoes, drained (optional)
the leaves of 1 bunch of cilantro, finely chopped
juice of two limes
half a red onion, finely chopped
1 tbsp cumin
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp pepper

Directions:

Mix all ingredients and serve with chips. I highly recommend Tostito Scoops so you get more goodness with every bite! Enjoy!!! (Thanks Candace Anderson for the first taste)

Penne a la Betsy

This is a favorite at my house. The original recipe comes from the Pioneer Woman.

Ingredients:
3/4 - 1 pound penne pasta
1 pound shrimp
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic
1 small white onion
1/2 cup white wine (if you prefer low sodium chicken broth)
8 oz can tomato sauce
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tbsp basil
2 tbsp parsley
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Cook pasta according to the package directions.

Peel, devein and rinse shrimp. Heat 1 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet. Add the shrimp and cook until opaque. This only takes a couple of minutes. Put the cooked shrimp on a cutting board to cut into smaller pieces. Set them aside.

In a large skillet heat 2 tbsp butter and 2 tbsp olive oil. Add chopped onion and minced garlic. Simmer stirring occasionally. Add white wine. Let the wine evaporate, stirring occasionally. Add the tomato sauce and stir well. Add the heavy cream and stir well. Turn heat to low and simmer. Add basil, parsley, salt and pepper.

Add the shrimp back into the sauce and stir well. Add the pasta and toss.

This goes great with steamed broccoli and zucchini and of course, homemade garlic bread.

Chocolate Butter Cookies

These are simple but you need to refrigerate the dough for about two hours before baking.

Ingredients:
8oz cream cheese at room temperature
1 stick butter at room temperature
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 box chocolate cake mix
Powered sugar

Directions:
In a large bowl mix the cream cheese and the butter with an electric mixer. Blend in the egg. Blend in the vanilla. Add the cake mix and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. Roll the batter into teaspoon size balls then roll in powdered sugar. Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper (greatest invention). Bake at 350 for 12 minutes. Cookies will still be gooey looking. Cool completely and sprinkle with more powdered sugar if desired.

Chicken Stroganoff

Here's another easy yet yummy dish! I added a photo of the dinner in the crock pot and one of it on a plate because it looks pretty that way.



Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts, cubed (you can use canned chicken if you want)
1/8 cup butter
1 pkg dry Italian salad dressing mix
8 oz cream cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup

Directions:
Melt butter and mix with salad dressing mix in crock pot. Add chicken and stir well. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours (warm if cooking longer). Add cream cheese and soup, stir and cook on high for 30 minutes. Serve over wide egg noodles or rice. You can garnish with chopped parsley if you want.

Best Cupcakes Ever!

These are super easy and are by far the best cupcakes I have ever had! Don't freak out when you read the ingredients, just try it. I promise you'll love them!

Ingredients:
1 box cake mix (I recommend spice, chocolate or fudge)
1 small can pumpkin (remember, don't freak out, you won't taste it I promise!)
1/4 cup water

Directions:
Mix cake mix, pumpkin and water with a mixer. The mix will be a little thicker than you may be used to. Bake as directed on the box. Top with your favorite frosting or powdered sugar.

Churro Cheesecake

This is very, very simple and tastes so great!

Churro Cheesecake

2 packages crescent rolls
2 8oz packages of plain cream cheese
1 egg
3/4 cup white sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp melted butter
1/4 white sugar (for topping)
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon (for topping)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Unroll 1 package of crescent rolls and place in the bottom of a 9x13 ungreased pan. Mix cream cheese, sugar, egg and vanilla with a hand mixer until creamy. Spread over crescent dough in the pan. Unroll the 2nd package of crescent rolls and place over the cream cheese mixture. Brush the top with melted butter. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture. (You can even make a fancy pattern if you want). Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown. Let cool completely, then cut into squares.

*I try to show the finished item in the pan so that you will know what it is supposed to look like when it is done. It looks much prettier cut into squares and stacked on a decorative plate.

Spicy Garlic Fettuccine with Shrimp and Peppers

This is super easy and quick! My whole family loved it!

1 box fettuccine
1 lb shrimp already cooked
3 red bell peppers, julienned
4-1/2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp crushed red pepper
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp black pepper
1-1/2 cup reduced fat sour cream
1 cup + 2 tbsp chicken broth
1 cup + 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
chopped parsley to garnish

salt to taste

Directions:
Cook fettuccine as directed on package. At the same time, saute bell peppers, shrimp, garlic, crushed red pepper, oregano, basil and black pepper with 2 tbsp olive oil. Heat for 5 minutes. Stir in sour cream and broth; simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and slowly stir in Parmesan cheese. Toss with hot pasta and season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with parsley.

Sherri's Sweet Potato Bake

Title: Sweet Potato Bake

Calories:

Serves: 6

Oven: 325

Ingredients:
3 medium sweet potatoes
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup melted butter
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
¼ cup heavy cream

Topping
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
3 tbsp melted butter

Directions:
Mix all ingredients except topping with mixer until creamy. Fold into 8x8 baking dish. Sprinkle topping. Bake at 325 for 25-30 minutes.

Sheri's Cheese Potatoes

Title: Cheese Potatoes

Calories:

Serves: 4

Oven: 350

Ingredients:
7 medium potatoes, boiled, cooled and sliced thin
¼ cup butter
1 can cream of chicken soup
8 oz sour cream
1/3 cup chopped green onions
1 ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Topping (see below)

Topping
¾ cup cornflakes or planko crumbs
¼ cup butter melted

Directions:
Boil, cool and slice potatoes thinly. In a large pan, melt butter. Add soup, sour cream, onions and cheese. Melt over medium heat. Fold in potato slices. Pour into a baking dish and bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Top with cornflakes and butter or planko crumbs for a crunchy top.