The Cooking Family

Zesty Italian Crescent Roll Casserole

Zesty Italian Crescent Roll Casserole
Print
Zesty Italian Crescent Roll Casserole
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Resting Time
15 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 

This is a flavorful and easy to cook recipe. It comes out tasting like pizza.

Servings: 4 people
Author: Linda
Ingredients
  • 1 lb lean ground beef (I used 90%)
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 cup pasta sauce (I used pizza sauce)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 can crescent rolls
  • 1 small green pepper diced (optional)
Topping
  • 2 Tbsp melted butter
  • 1/3 cup grated parmesean cheese
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/8 tsp garlic powder (optional)
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375. You do not need to spray pan. I used a 9 ½ inch glass pie plate.

  2. In a skillet, brown your beef and onion together (and your green pepper if you want to add it). Drain the fat. Put the beef mixture on the bottom of the pie pan.

  3. Pour sauce over meat and follow with spoon fulls of sour cream. (It won’t cover.) Top with shredded cheese.

  4. Cover the top with crescent rolls. Piece them together. Make sure all the perforations are sealed. It should look like a patch work.

  5. Combine the melted butter, parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning (and garlic powder if you want to add it) in a small bowl. It will be very thick. Brush this over the top of the crescent roll top.

  6. Bake 20 minutes or until the top is lightly browned and cooked through.

  7. Let sit 10-15 minutes before slicing.

Zesty Italian Crescent Roll CasseroleRead More

Brown Sugar Spiced Chicken

Print
Brown Sugar Spiced Chicken
Prep Time
3 hrs
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
3 hrs 20 mins
 

This is a prepare ahead to cook later in the day meal. Place all the ingredients into a bag and shake well to mix. Then leave in the refrigerator for at least 1-3 hours, even overnight to absorb the flavor. This is great for moms who work in the day and want an easy to cook dinner.

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken
Servings: 4
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp paprika
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 Tbsp garlic powder
  • salt and pepper, sprinkle over top of chicken
Instructions

  1. Add brown sugar, paprika, oregano, and garlic powder to plastic zippered bag.

  2. Sprinkle salt and pepper lightly over the top and bottom of your chicken breasts and add them to the bag and seal. Shake to coat the chicken.

  3. Leave chicken in the refrigerator for 1-3 hours (even overnight) to allow the chicken to absorb the flavor.

  4. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

  5. Arrange chicken on lined baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.

Brown Sugar Spiced ChickenRead More

Cheesy Penne Bake

Cheesy Penne Bake
Print
Cheesy Penne Bake
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 

This recipe is very versatile, so feel free to experiment and make it your own. I used penne for this recipe, but you can also make it with macaroni or another pasta of your choice. With the shredded cheese, you could use sharp cheddar or mild. I used two cups of a mozzarella/parmesan mix, but you could change it out and use colby jack and it would taste great as well.

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 people
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 1 lb dried penne pasta
  • 1 stick butter
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 2 1/2 cups heavy cream (you can subsitute half and half)
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 4 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese, divided (can substitute sharp cheddar)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella/parmesan cheese, divided (can substitute colby jack)
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
Instructions

  1. Cook your dried pasta as instructed on box. Add olive oil to water to prevent sticking.

  2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

  3. Grease a 3 qt (9×13) baking dish.

  4. While the pasta is cooking, mix your cheeses together in a medium size bowl.

  5. Mix your heavy cream and milk in a bowl and set aside.

  6. Melt your butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle in your flour, whisking constantly while adding. Cook for one minute, whisking constantly.

  7. Slowly pour in half of your milk mixture. Whisk constantly until smooth.

  8. Pour in remaining milk mixture and whisk constantly until thickened.

  9. Mix in spices and 1 1/2 cups of cheese mixture. Stir together to combine.

  10. Add another 1/2 cups of cheese mixture and stir until completely melted and smooth.

  11. In large bowl/pot combine your cooked pasta with your saucepan mixture. Mix well.

  12. Pour half of your pasta mixture into your greased baking dish.  Top with half of your remaining shredded cheese mixture.

  13. Pour remaining pasta mixture as another layer and then top with the remaining shredded cheese mixture.

  14. Bake in oven for 15 minutes, until your cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.

Cheesy Penne BakeRead More

Slow Cooker Bacon Barbecue Meatballs

Print
Slow Cooker Bacon Barbecue Meatballs
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
3 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs 10 mins
 
Course: Appetizer
Keyword: appetizer, meatballs
Servings: 4
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 1 lb ground beef (85% works best)
  • 2 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
  • 1/2 cup plain panko bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 Tbsp honey
  • 1 1/2 tsp Montreal Steak seasoning
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 18 oz barbecue sauce
Instructions

  1. Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.

  2. Cook your bacon and break into crumbs.

  3. In a large bowl, mix beef, bacon, bread crumbs, onion, egg, milk, honey, steak seasoning, and salt.

  4. Shape into 1 1/2 inch meatballs (about 24). Add meatballs to slow cooker.

  5. Add barbecue sauce, turning gently to coat.

  6. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours, until meatballs are fully cooked (165 degrees).

Slow Cooker Bacon Barbecue MeatballsRead More

Homemade Oven Baked French Fries

Print
Homemade Oven Baked French Fries
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 

Quick, easy and tasty french fries – a great healthy alternative to fast food fries and taste better too!

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Author: Walter
Ingredients
  • 6 medium size potatoes, washed
  • 1 Tbsp seasoned salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 2 Tbsp vegetable oil (can use olive oil as well)
  • 2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
  • cooking spray
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

  2. Wash and slice potatoes into strips using a slicer.

  3. Place potatoes and vegetable oil in a gallon size ziplock bag and shake well.

  4. Add seasoned salt, pepper and parmesan cheese into bag and shake well.

  5. Line cookie sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray.

  6. Spread out fries on tray and cook at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Test by pushing down on the fries, if they smoosh then they are done. Thicker fries may need to cook longer.

Homemade Oven Baked French FriesRead More

Crockpot Barbecue Pulled Chicken

Print
Crockpot Barbecue Pulled Chicken
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
3 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs 10 mins
 

Here’s an easy and tasty crockpot recipe that you can start earlier in the day and have ready to go for dinner.

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 3 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 2 cups barbecue sauce (my favorite is Sweet Baby Ray’s Hickory & Brown Sugar)
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp liquid smoke (hickory flavor)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
Instructions

  1. Mix barbecue sauce and brown sugar in your crockpot.

  2. Add olive oil, apple cider vinegar and liquid smoke and stir.

  3. Add garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder and crushed red pepper and stir.

  4. Add chicken on top of sauce mixture. Turn the chicken so that the sauce covers both sides of the chicken.

  5. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high 3-4 hours. Chicken is done when it is easily shredded with a pair of forks.

Crockpot Barbecue Pulled ChickenRead More

Spicy Chicken Breast

Spicy Chicken Breast
Print
Spicy Chicken Breast
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 people
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 3/8 tsp salt
  • barbecue sauce
Instructions

  1. Preheat broiler to high.

  2. Mix spices in small bowl.

  3. Rub spices onto chicken breasts.

  4. Cover baking tray with aluminum foil.

  5. Add chicken to tray.

  6. Broil for 6 minutes, turn the chicken over and broil for 6 more minutes until done. Thermometer will read 165 degrees for completely cooked chicken.

  7. Add barbecue sauce to top and broil until sticky (1-2 minutes).

Spicy Chicken BreastRead More

Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin

Print
Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin
Prep Time
40 mins
Cook Time
2 hrs
Resting time
10 mins
Total Time
2 hrs 40 mins
 
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 10
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • Pecan Wood Chips (for smoker)
  • 5 lb pork loin, trimmed
  • 1 pkg bacon (16 oz)
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
  • 2 Tbsp salt
  • 1 Tbsp onion powder
  • 1 Tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground red pepper
Instructions

  1. Soak wood chips for at least 30 minutes.

  2. Preheat smoker to 225 to 250 degrees. Add soaked pecan wood chips.

  3. Mix brown sugar, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and red pepper.

  4. Cover all sides of the pork loin with the spice mixture.

  5. Wrap bacon entirely around your pork loin.

  6. Place pork loin in smoker. Cook with smoker closed until a meat thermometer in the thickest portion reads 145 degrees, approximately 2 hours.

  7. Remove from smoker and wait 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with the sauce of your choice.

Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork LoinRead More

Chicken Fajita Pasta

Print
Chicken Fajita Pasta
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: chicken, fajita, pasta
Servings: 4
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 3 chicken breasts, sliced into strips
  • 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 bell pepper, green or red, diced
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 1 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1 Tbsp cumin
  • 1 Tbsp garlic powder
  • 6 cups milk
  • 4 cups penne pasta
  • 2 cups Mexican cheese, shredded
Instructions

  1. Cut onion and peppers and place in small bowl.

  2. Cut chicken into strips. Season chicken with salt and pepper.

  3. Heat oil in large pot over high heat.

  4. Add chicken and cook until no pink is visible, about 5-6 minutes. Remove chicken.

  5. Add bell pepper and onion. Green peppers give a more traditional taste, while red are sweeter. You can use either for this recipe. Cook until onion is translucent, about 6 minutes.

  6. Return the chicken to the pot and add chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder, stirring until evenly coated, about 30 seconds.

  7. Add the milk and penne, stirring constantly to prevent sticking.

  8. Cook for about 20 minutes until pasta is fully cooked and the milk has reduced to a thick sauce that coats the pasta.

  9. Add shredded cheese and mix until melted.

Chicken Fajita PastaRead More

Pumpkin Bread

Print
Pumpkin Bread
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 15 mins
Resting Time
20 mins
Total Time
1 hr 30 mins
 

Here's a moist and tasty bread that tastes and smells like pumpkin pie. Makes two loaves.

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 sticks melted butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 15 oz can of pumpkin
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 tsp allspice
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

  2. Mix flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg in medium bowl. Put aside.

  3. In large bowl, mix egg, butter and sugar. Stir well.

  4. Add pumpkin to large bowl and mix.

  5. Add flour mix to large bowl, stirring while adding.

  6. Spray two bread pans. Add mix evenly to both pans.

  7. Cook for 65-75 minutes, until toothpick comes out dry.

  8. Cool in pans on cooling rack for 10 minutes.

  9. Remove from pans and cool on cooling rack for at least 10 minutes.

Pumpkin BreadRead More