Cooking in the Midwest

Garlic Toast Meatball Sandwiches are a quick and easy weeknight dinner! INGREDIENTS Texas Toast (8 count box) 1 bag of frozen meatballs 16 oz jar of marinara sauce Parmesan cheese 8 slices of mozzarella cheese Dried parsley INSTRUCTIONS Cook Garlic Toast according to the directions on the box. Next, add the frozen meatballs and marinara sauce to a pan over medium heat and bring that to a simmer. Once simmering cover with a lid and lower the heat. Once the meatballs are hot, sprinkle some Parmesan cheese over the meatballs and stir. 
Remove the garlic toast from the oven when golden brown and press down the center with a spoon to form little bread bowls. Place a few meatballs in each piece of garlic toast and top with additional sauce from the pan. Add mozzarella cheese over the top of each of one and place them back in the oven for a couple more minutes to melt the cheese. 
 Top with dried parsley and enjoy!

Cheeseburger Rice is an easy one pan meal that can be made in less than 30 minutes for under $10! INGREDIENTS 1 lb of ground beef 1 tsp each of paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder 1/2 tsp each of salt and pepper 1 chopped onion 1 1/2 cups of beef broth 1 cup long grain white rice, rinsed 8 oz can of tomato sauce 1 tbsp minced garlic 1 1/2 cups of shredded Colby Jack cheese INSTRUCTIONS Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown 1 lb of ground beef with chopped onion. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, garlic powder and onion powder. Once the beef is browned, drain any extra grease if needed. Add the minced garlic and stir. Next, add the rinsed uncooked rice, beef broth, and tomato sauce to the skillet. Stir everything together well. Bring to a quick boil and turn heat down to low. Cover with a lid and cook for about 15 minutes stirring once or twice to keep the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Once the rice is cooked add about 1 cup of cheese and stir. Top with a little bit more cheese and let sit on the stove until the cheese melts or put it in the oven under broil for just a couple of minutes. Top with dried parsley. Enjoy! Let me know if you try it out! #onepandinner #skilletdinner #groundbeef #EasyRecipes

American Goulash is an easy and cheap weeknight meal! INGREDIENTS 1 lb ground beef 1 diced onion 1/2 tsp each of salt and pepper 1 tsp each of onion powder, Italian seasoning, and paprika 1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce 1 TBSP minced garlic (2) 8 oz cans of tomato sauce 15 oz can of diced tomatoes 2 bay leaves 1 1/2 cups of beef broth 2 cups of elbow macaroni shredded cheddar cheese INSTRUCTIONS Brown ground beef and a diced onion in a skillet over medium heat and season with salt, pepper, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Drain grease from meat once it is browned. Add minced garlic and Worcestershire sauce. Add two cans of tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, and elbow macaroni. Stir well, add the two bay leaves, and let it start to bubble. Turn heat down to medium low and cover with a lid. Cook for 12-15 minutes or until pasta is cooked and liquid has reduced. Remove bay leaves and stir well. Serve and top with shredded cheddar cheese. Enjoy! Let me know if you try it out! #goulash #easydinner #EasyRecipes #easymeals #pasta #groundbeef #food #recipes

Cheesy Taco Potato Skillet is an easy dinner recipe the whole family loves! INGREDIENTS 5 small/medium potatoes olive oil + salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika (for potatoes) 1 lb ground beef 1/2 tsp salt and pepper 1/4 tsp cayenne 2 tsp chili powder 1 tsp each of cumin, paprika, and dried cilantro 1 tbsp minced garlic Shredded cheddar cheese 1 1/2 cups white Queso Sour cream Cilantro INSTRUCTIONS Peel, wash potatoes, and cut up into cubes. Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika (I don’t use exact measurements for this part). Cook potatoes in the air fryer at 400 degrees for about 20-25 minutes shaking them around at least a couple times while they cook. Heat a skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned. Drain any extra grease. Season with salt, cayenne, chili powder, cumin, paprika, dried cilantro, and black pepper. Add minced garlic and stir well. Once the potatoes and ground beef are cooked combine them together in the skillet and top with shredded cheddar cheese. Put the skillet in the oven at 400 degrees F to melt the cheese. Pour warmed up Queso over them. Top with sour cream and cilantro. This is also good wrapped up in tortillas as burritos! #potatoes #tacotuesday #EasyRecipes #easydinner #mealideas #groundbeef

This One Pan Chicken & Gravy is an easy and delicious 30 minute dinner! INGREDIENTS 1 lb chicken breasts Salt, pepper, garlic powder 3 tbsp butter 3 tbsp flour 2 cups chicken broth 1/2 tsp each of salt, pepper, oregano, and thyme 1 tsp each of paprika, onion powder, garlic powder INSTRUCTIONS Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise to make them thinner. Season the chicken with some salt, pepper, and garlic powder (I don’t use exact measurements for this part). In a skillet over medium high heat melt 3 tbsp of butter. Once the butter has melted add 3 tbsp of flour and stir continuously until well combined. Let cook for a few minutes while still stirring. Add 2 cups of chicken broth and stir well. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Stir well and when it starts bubbling add the chicken to the skillet. Make sure the chicken is covered in the gravy, cover with a lid, and turn the heat down to medium low. Let this cook for 12-15 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temp of 165 degrees. My chicken was ready in 12 minutes, but they were pretty thin. Shred the chicken and serve over mashed potatoes! Enjoy! Let me know if you try it out. #chickenandgravy #EasyRecipe #dinner #onepanmeal #chickenrecipes

Chicken Spaghetti is an easy 30 minute dinner my family loves! INGREDIENTS 1 lb chicken breasts Salt, pepper, and garlic powder 1 tbsp olive oil 1/2 tsp each of salt and pepper 1 tsp each of onion powder, parsley, and paprika 3 tbsp butter 3 tbsp flour 2 cups chicken broth 1 tbsp of minced garlic 10 oz can of Rotel (not drained) 2 cups of shredded cheese (I used Colby Jack) 1/4 cup of sour cream 1 lb of spaghetti INGREDIENTS Cook spaghetti following the directions on the box. Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise to make them thinner. Season the chicken lightly with some salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add some olive oil. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until both sides are golden brown and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet. Shred the chicken or cut it up into cubes and set aside. In the skillet, add 3 tbsp of butter. Add 3 tbsp of flour and stir. Let the flour and butter cook for at least minute. Next, pour 2 cups of chicken broth into the skillet. Add 1 tbsp of minced garlic, salt, pepper, onion powder, parsley, and paprika. Stir everything together well. Once this mixture starts to thicken, add 1 can of rotel (not drained), about 2 cups of shredded Colby Jack cheese and 1/4 cup of sour cream. Stir. Add the drained spaghetti noodles and the cut up chicken. Stir everything together well. Top with dried parsley. Enjoy! Let me know if you try it out! #EasyRecipes #chicken #spaghetti #dinner #mealideas #familydinner

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Mac is an easy one pan dinner my family loves! INGREDIENTS 1 lb chicken breast 1 tbsp olive oil 1 chopped onion chopped 1/2 tsp each of salt and pepper 1 tsp each paprika, garlic powder, onion powder 1 tbsp ranch seasoning 4 cups of chicken broth 2 1/2 cups elbow pasta, uncooked 2 1/2 cups chopped broccoli 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese 1/2 cup milk INSTRUCTIONS Cut chicken into small pieces. Roughly chop broccoli into smaller pieces (just be careful not to chop too small or it will completely fall apart while cooking). Add olive oil to a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and spread out evenly in pan. Add the chopped onion, and season with salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and ranch seasoning. Once the chicken is pretty much fully cooked, add the uncooked elbow noodles, broccoli, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and cover with a lid. Let cook covered for about 12-15 minutes or until the pasta is cooked. Add about a cup of shredded Colby Jack cheese, milk, and stir. Top with more cheese and cover with the lid to let the cheese melt or pop it in the oven under the broiler for just a few minutes. Enjoy! Let me know if you try it out!

This Cheesy Steak and Potato skillet is an easy dinner that my family loves! INGREDIENTS Steak (I used 2 NY Strip Steaks) 1/2 tsp salt and pepper 2 tsp chili powder 1 tsp each of cumin and dried cilantro 3-4 Russet potatoes Olive oil Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika Shredded Pepper Jack cheese Fresh Cilantro Honey Chipotle Vinaigrette mixed with equal parts sour cream INSTRUCTIONS Peel, wash potatoes, and cut them up into cubes. Toss the potatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika (I don’t use exact measurements for this part). Cook the potatoes in the air fryer at 400 degrees for about 20-25 minutes shaking them around at least a couple times while they cook. While the potatoes cook, cut your steak into thin strips. I typically use NY Strip for this, but any steak will do! Once the potatoes have about 12 minutes left heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the steak, and season with salt, pepper, chili powder, dried cilantro, and cumin. Cook for 7-8 minutes or until done to your liking. Once the potatoes are crispy, mix them in with the cooked steak and top with cheese. Cover with the lid or place in the oven at 400 degrees for a couple of minutes to melt the cheese. Once the cheese has melted top with fresh cilantro and Honey Chipotle vinaigrette mixed with equal parts sour cream. Enjoy!! Vinaigrette INGREDIENTS 2 Chipotle Peppers 3 TBSP red wine vinegar 2 TBSP honey 1 TBSP minced garlic 1/2 tsp salt, pepper, oregano 1/4 tsp cumin 2/3 cup oil INSTRUCTIONS Combine all ingredients in a food processor except for the oil. Slowly add in the oil a little bit at a time. Blend together until everything is well combined.

This is my favorite way to make tacos! 🌮 INGREDIENTS 1 lb ground beef 1 chopped onion 1/2 tsp salt and pepper 1/4 tsp cayenne 2 tsp chili powder 1 tsp each of cumin and dried cilantro 1 - 1 1/2 cups water 1 tbsp minced garlic INSTRUCTIONS Add 1 lb of ground beef and a chopped onion to a pot over medium-high heat. Add all of the seasonings and enough water to cover the meat. Bring to a boil then lower the heat. Cover and let simmer for about 15-20 minutes until the beef is fully cooked. Remove the lid and allow the meat to keep simmering until the liquid has reduced. Stir in one tbsp of minced garlic. Build tacos with any of your favorite taco toppings! #tacos #groundbeef #EasyRecipes #dinner

Creamy Pot Pie Chicken and Noodles INGREDIENTS 1 lb chicken breasts Salt, pepper, garlic powder 3 tbsp butter 3 tbsp flour 2 cups chicken broth 1/2 tsp each of salt, pepper, oregano, and thyme 1 tsp each of paprika, onion powder, garlic powder 12 oz bag frozen mixed vegetables 8-10 ounces of Egg Noodles 1/2 cup heavy cream INSTRUCTIONS Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise to make them thinner. Season the chicken with some salt, pepper, and garlic powder (I don’t use exact measurements for this part). Next, get your skillet over medium heat and add in 3 tbsp of butter and 3 tbsp of flour. Stir well until roux is made. Add 2 cups of chicken broth and stir well. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Stir well and when it starts bubbling add the bag of frozen vegetables and the chicken to the skillet. Boil egg noodles according to the directions on the package. Make sure the chicken is covered in the gravy, cover with a lid, and turn the heat down to medium low. Let this cook for 12-15 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temp of 165 degrees. My chicken was ready in 12 minutes, but they were pretty thin. To finish up just shred the chicken with a couple of forks or chop it into cubes, stir in the heavy cream, and the cooked egg noodles! Enjoy! Let me know if you try it out. #EasyRecipes #chicken #noodles #potpie

Crockpot Southwest Ranch Chicken Pasta is an easy crockpot recipe! INGREDIENTS 1 lb chicken breast 1 chopped onion 2 chopped bell peppers 1/2 tsp each of salt, pepper 1 tsp garlic powder, paprika, onion powder 1/4 tsp cumin 1 tbsp minced garlic 15 oz jar of Alfredo sauce 1/2 cup of Buffalo Wild Wings Southwestern Ranch Sauce 16 oz box of pasta 1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese Dried parsley INSTRUCTIONS Add the chicken, chopped onion, chopped bell peppers, minced garlic, and all seasonings to the crockpot. Add about 1/2 cup of Southwestern Ranch and a jar of Alfredo sauce. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Shred or chop up the chicken and add it back to the crockpot. Add shredded Monterey Jack cheese and stir well. Boil a box of pasta according to the directions on the package. Add the cooked pasta to the crockpot and mix everything together. Top with dried parsley. Taste and add more Southwestern Ranch sauce if needed. Serve and enjoy!

Full week of dinners for my family of four! What recipe do you want to see first? #dinner #mealideas #weekofdinners

Crockpot Shredded Beef Sandwiches are easy to make and so good! INGREDIENTS 3-4 lb Chuck Roast Salt, pepper, and garlic powder 2 TBSP butter 1 onion sliced 2 TBSP minced garlic 2 TBSP of steak sauce 12 oz of beer 1 heaping tbsp Montreal steak seasoning 1 1/2 cups beef broth Onion buns Mayo Pepper Jack cheese Crispy onions Chipotle aioli INSTRUCTIONS Season the chuck roast on all sides with salt, pepper, and garlic. Melt butter in a skillet over medium high heat and sear chuck roast on all sides. Put the seared chuck roast in a crock pot. Add sliced onions, minced garlic, steak sauce, beer, beef broth, and the steak seasoning to the hot skillet stirring and letting it simmer. Pour the onion/broth mixture over chuck roast in the crock pot and let cook on low for 6-8 hours. Shred the meat and discard any extra fat. Spread mayo on the buns and toast them in a skillet over medium low heat until they are golden brown. Build sandwiches with the meat and Pepper Jack cheese. Top sandwiches with crispy onions and Chipotle aioli (I used store bought Kraft brand aioli). Enjoy! #shreddedbeefsandwiches #Recipe #dinner #mealideas #EasyRecipes #crockpotrecipe #crockpot

Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies are an easy and delicious appetizer that are perfect for Game Day! INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 packs of Bacon 1 pack of Little Smokies 24 oz (1 1/2 pound) 2/3 cup Brown sugar 1 tbsp BBQ Rub Red pepper flakes Mike’s Hot Honey INSTRUCTIONS Cut bacon into 3rds. Wrap a piece of bacon around a little smokie and place on a large sheet pan or in a baking dish. Once all little smokies are wrapped in bacon sprinkle with bbq rub and 2/3 cup of brown sugar. Add as many red pepper flakes as you’d like and add a drizzle of Mike’s Hot Honey over the top. Bake at 375 for about 40-45 minutes or until bacon gets crispy. Enjoy! #EasyRecipes #Recipe #easyfood #appetizer

#ad #sponsored Cheesy Chicken Garlic Bread with Roasted Garlic Aioli Subway Sauce is an easy and delicious dinner! @Subway INGREDIENTS 1 lb chicken breast 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper 1 tsp each paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder @Subway’s Roasted Garlic Aioli Sauce 1/3 cup chopped sun dried tomatoes Shredded mozzarella cheese Garlic Bread Toast Dried parsley INSTRUCTIONS Spray a slow cooker with cooking spray. Add one pound of chicken breast. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Add the sun dried tomatoes and enough Roasted Garlic Aioli Subway Sauce to cover the chicken. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Shred the chicken and add it back to the slow cooker. Add just a little bit more of the Roasted Garlic Aioli Sauce. Cook garlic bread toast according to the directions on the package. Add a scoop of the shredded chicken to the cooked garlic bread. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake for just a couple of minutes to melt the cheese. Top with some dried parsley and enjoy! #subway #subwaysauce #roastedgarlicaioli #EasyRecipes #dinner #mealideas

Steak Night at home is always a hit! #easydinner #steak #texasroadhouse #salad #rolls #grilling

Beef Crunch Wraps are an easy weeknight dinner! INGREDIENTS 1 lb of ground beef 1 onion, chopped 1/2 tsp salt and pepper 2 tsp chili powder 1 tsp each of cumin and dried cilantro 1/4 tsp cayenne 1 tbsp minced garlic Large burrito size tortillas Subway Baja Chipotle Sauce Shredded cheddar cheese Tostadas Sour cream Shredded lettuce Tomatoes, diced Taco sauce INSTRUCTIONS Heat a griddle over medium heat. Cook ground beef with a chopped onion and season with taco seasoning. Once beef is fully cooked drain any extra grease and add 1 tbsp minced garlic. Lay out a large burrito size tortilla. Add some chipotle sauce and shredded cheddar cheese. Add a scoop of the ground beef and put a tostada on top. Add sour cream, shredded lettuce, and diced tomatoes. Fold the sides up and put on the griddle seam side down. Cook on low heat until both sides are golden brown. Serve with taco sauce and enjoy! This recipe made 4 large crunchwraps. #EasyRecipes #easyfood #tacobellathome #crunchwrap #DinnerIdeas #mealideas

#ad #sponsored Parmesan Garlic Chicken Burritos are easy to make and won’t disappoint! @Buffalo Wild Wings INGREDIENTS Crinkle cut fries 2 tbsp butter 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into cubes or strips 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper 1 tsp each paprika and garlic powder Buffalo Wild Wings Parmesan Garlic Sauce Burrito size tortillas Shredded mozzarella cheese Pancho’s White Queso INSTRUCTIONS Cook fries in an air fryer or oven following directions on the package. Melt 2 tbsp of butter in a skillet over medium high heat. Add the cut up chicken and season the chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Once the chicken is fully cooked, add just enough of the Parmesan Garlic Sauce to coat the chicken. Microwave some white queso. Lay out a burrito size tortilla and top with mozzarella cheese, fries, chicken, and a drizzle of white queso. Roll up the burritos and toast them in a skillet over medium heat just until they are golden brown. Enjoy! #EasyRecipes #bww #parmesangarlic #burrito #dinner #quickdinner

#ad #sponsored Grinder Salad Wraps make a super easy and delicious lunch or dinner! Featuring @Subway Creamy Italian MVP Sauce. INGREDIENTS @Subway’s Creamy Italian MVP Sauce 1/3 cup pepperoncinis peppers, drained 1/3 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese 8 oz shredded iceberg lettuce 1/2 of a red onion thinly sliced Burrito size flour tortillas Provolone Ham Salami Pepperoni Sliced tomato INSTRUCTIONS In a large bowl, add Subway’s Creamy Italian MVP Sauce. I used about 1 cup of the sauce. Add pepperoncinis peppers and some of the juice from the jar, 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, 1/2 a sliced red onion, and shredded lettuce. Stir everything together well and let sit while you make the wraps. Warm up flour tortillas. Layout a large flour tortilla and add a couple of slices of provolone cheese to each one. Top with lunch meat of your choice. I used ham, salami, and pepperoni. Add slices of tomato that have been seasoned with salt and pepper. Top the wraps with the grinder salad mixture. Roll the wraps up tightly and enjoy! #subway #easylunch #Recipe #grindersalad #EasyRecipe #lunch #dinner

Crockpot Marinara Chicken Sandwiches are an easy crockpot recipe! INGREDIENTS 1 lb chicken breast 1/2 tsp each of salt and pepper 1 tsp each of onion powder and Italian seasoning 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes 1 tbsp minced garlic 1 jar marinara/pasta sauce 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese Sub rolls Provolone cheese Butter + salt, garlic powder, and parsley for sub rolls INSTRUCTIONS Add 1 lb of chicken breast to a crockpot. Season with salt, pepper, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Add minced garlic and 1 jar of your favorite marinara/pasta sauce. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Shred chicken and add 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese. Spread butter on sub rolls and lightly season with some salt, garlic powder, and parsley. Bake at 400 degrees until the bread is toasted. Scoop marinara chicken onto sub rolls and top with provolone cheese. Put back in the oven under broil just until the cheese melts. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn! Enjoy! #crockpot #EasyRecipes #easymeals #dinner #Recipe #shreddedchicken #marinarachicken