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Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf

Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf

I love chicken parmesan! This meatloaf mimics the flavor profile of chicken parm and lightens it up in a quick and easy meat loaf. I served this with angel hair parmesan pasta, mozzarella sticks, and vegetables. Ingredients: 2 pounds ground chicken 1 cup Italian style 

Cake-a-dilla  aka Baked Quesadilla

Cake-a-dilla aka Baked Quesadilla

If you are preparing meals for a family this baked quesadilla is a wonder. You can prep this ahead of time and just throw it in the oven when you are ready to eat. You can use any meat (I used ground beef) and vegetables 

Carrot Cake French Toast Casserole

Carrot Cake French Toast Casserole

This dish combines breakfast and dessert! I won’t lie this casserole is filling, so don’t be surprised when you feel full for hours. Note: I toasted pecans separately and added them to individual servings due to a nut allergy in the family. You can substitute 1 cup chopped pecans for the cup old fashioned oats in the topping.

Note: Prep this 24 hours in advance of serving to allow time for the milk and egg mixture to soak into the bread.

Ingredients:

French Toast Casserole:

1 loaf white bread cut into small cubes

1 bag matchstick carrots

8 large eggs

1/2 cup half and half

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

4 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Topping:

1/2 all purpose flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

pinch of salt

1 stick cold butter cut into small pieces

1 cup chopped pecans (or 1 cup old fashioned oats)

Glaze:

4 ounces vanilla nonfat Greek yogurt

1cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional: Pancake syrup, whipped cream

Directions:

  1. Butter or spray an 9×13 dish with nonstick spray.
  2. Arrange half the bread in a single layer in the pan.
  3. Spread out the carrots on top of the bread.
  4. Arrange another layer of bread on top of the carrots.
  5. Sprinkle the cinnamon and nutmeg over the bread.
  6. Whisk the milk, half and half, eggs, and vanilla in a medium bowl.
  7. Pour the egg mixture over the bread.
  8. Tightly cover the dish with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 8-24 hours to allow the bread to soak up the milk.
  9. When ready to bake pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
  10. Mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and pecans or oats in a medium bowl.
  11. Uncover the dish and sprinkle the mixture over the bread and carrots.
  12. Arrange the cubes of butter around the top layer.
  13. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
  14. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until it is warmed throughout.
  15. While the casserole cools/rests make the glaze.
  16. Mix the yogurt, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk in a medium bowl.
  17. Drizzle the glaze over the dish.
  18. Serve. Feel free to add syrup or whipped cream
Gourmet Grilled Cheese

Gourmet Grilled Cheese

Grilled cheese sandwiches are typically simple. While not complex, this recipe takes grilled cheese to the next level. These delectable sandwiches feature 4 kinds of cheese, spices, and utilize butter, olive oil, and mayo to create a sandwich you will never forget. Ingredients: Loaf of 

French Onion Frittata

French Onion Frittata

This is meal is perfect for breakfast or dinner. The caramelized onions, roasted potatoes, eggs, cheese, and fresh chives make for tasty meal. I roasted tomatoes and topped them with balsamic glaze for an added burst of flavor. Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil (I used 

Tex Mex Chicken Pot Pie

Tex Mex Chicken Pot Pie

If you like pot pie, I highly suggest you try this variation. The poblano pepper, pepper jack cheese, and spices add just enough to make this dish stand out. If you want to intensify the spice feel free to add jalapeno or chipotle peppers.

Ingredients:

2 small or 1 large boneless skinless chicken breast diced

2 bell peppers diced

1 onion diced

1 poblano pepper diced

1 can corn with poblano and bell peppers drained

1 cup half and half or plain nonfat Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons spicy ranch or chili lime seasoning

6 slices pepper jack cheese

1/2 cup shredded cheese (pepper jack or Mexican blend)

2 refrigerated pie crusts

1 egg beaten

1-2 tablespoons fresh cilantro

salt and pepper

1 tablespoon olive oil (I used a Mesquite habanero infused olive oil)

1/4 cup all purpose flour

Directions:

  1. Take pie crusts out of the refrigerator so they can warm to room temperature before you un-roll it.
  2. If baking immediately pre-heat the oven to 400.
  3. Heat a nonstick pan to medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil. I used a mesquite habanero infused olive oil.
  4. Add the chicken to the pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and 1 tablespoon spicy ranch seasoning. Cook for 5 minutes stirring frequently.
  5. Add the peppers, onion, and corn mixture to the pan. Add remaining tablespoon of spicy ranch seasoning. Continue to cook for 5 minutes.
  6. Sprinkle the flour over the filling and mix it in.
  7. Add the half and half (or yogurt) and reduce heat to low. Stir to combine.
  8. Roll out the pie crust in the base of a pie plate.
  9. Place 3 slices of pepper jack cheese over the crust.
  10. Pour the filling over the crust.
  11. Sprinkle cilantro over the filling.
  12. Place remaining 3 slices of pepper jack cheese over the filling.
  13. Roll out the top crust and crinkle the seams together.
  14. Use a knife to slice a few vents.
  15. Use a pastry brush to coat the top pie crust with the egg wash.
  16. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the pie crust.
  17. Cover with aluminum foil.
  18. If baking immediately bake for 30 minutes with aluminum foil
  19. Remove foil and bake for 5 more minutes.
  20. If refrigerating and then baking then bake the pie for 45-50 minutes before removing the aluminum foil.
  21. Let the pie rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
  22. Enjoy!
Maple Glazed Chicken and Apples

Maple Glazed Chicken and Apples

Even I was a little unsure of how this was taste; however, thankfully this was a simple and tasty meal. My kids raved over how well the apples paired with the chicken. I served this with baked potatoes topped with shredded cheese, plain nonfat Greek 

Ravioli and Zoodle Bake

Ravioli and Zoodle Bake

I am always looking for ways to sneak veggies into dinners. This simple pasta bake consists of two layers of ravioli with zoodles (zucchini noodles) in the middle. My kids devoured this dish and didn’t even notice the zucchini noodles mixed in with the tasty 

Grilled Pork Chops with Black Bean and Corn Salad

Grilled Pork Chops with Black Bean and Corn Salad

This dinner made me feel like summer since I make corn salads often in the summer months. The rub on the pork chops added flavor and it paired well with the corn salad.

Ingredients:

Pork Chops-

6 boneless pork chops

1 tablespoon olive oil (I used a habanero infused oil)

2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

toppings: salsa, avocado, plain Greek yogurt, lime

Black Bean and Corn Salad

1 can black beans rinsed and drained

1 can southwest corn drained

1 bell pepper diced

1 cup cherry tomatoes

1 lime zested and juiced

1 tablespoon chili lime seasoning

Directions:

Black Bean and Corn Salad

  1. Add black beans, corn, peppers, and tomatoes to a medium bowl and mix together.
  2. Sprinkle lime zest and drizzle lime juice over the mixture. Stir to combine.
  3. Sprinkle chili lime seasoning and mix together.
  4. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Pork Chops-

  1. Mix paprika, salt, pepper, and brown sugar in a small bowl.
  2. Use a brush to coat the pork chops with olive oil on both sides.
  3. Sprinkle the rub on both sides of the pork chops and allow it to soak in before grilling.
  4. Grill pork chops for 5-6 minutes on both sides.
  5. Allow pork chops to rest before serving.
  6. To serve place over black bean salad and add desired toppings.

Crock Pot Taco Stuffed Peppers

Crock Pot Taco Stuffed Peppers

I normally bake stuffed peppers, but when I saw this recipe I decided to try it since you do not have to pre-cook the meat. I had intended to use ground beef; however, since I accidentally bought chicken breast instead I chopped up chicken breasts