Spicy Chex Mix using an Outdoor Griddle

You bet I’ve made Chex Mix in the oven. Quite a few times. But, this was my first time making it on my outdoor griddle. And it was a fantastic treat. Chex Mix using an Outdoor griddle is a bit different. And that difference is the wonderful crunchy caramelization you get on each and every little tasty morsel. I found it to be noticeably better than the baked version! And hey, it’s fun cooking outside on a griddle too!

Spicy Chex Mix using an Outdoor Griddle

Big Fun on the Griddle

This recipe for Spicy Chex Mix using an Outdoor griddle makes a big batch. You’ll need a big griddle (30″ or more) to make the entire recipe at one time. If you have to, do it in batches. And as a note, if you go crazy stirring it (like I did) you might lose a few pieces over the side of the griddle don’t fret it. It happens.

You gotta move fast once you get this started on the hot griddle. You can’t be wandering off around the patio. Don’t be playing on your phone. Keep it moving. If you don’t, it’ll burn and quick, too.

You are the master of your Chex Mix. Add other things to it if you want. Take things out. Whatever you want to do. Just keep it moving.

It’s Not Picky

Don’t get hung up on the quantities in the recipe. Just get about 12 total cups of ‘whatever’. Want more Chex? Do it, just use less of something else. Ditto the Cheez-Its. Or whatever. Just get to that 12 cups magic number.

Also try my Everything Bagel Seasoning Chex Mix using an outdoor griddle.

Spicy Chex Mix using an Outdoor Griddle
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Spicy Chex Mix using an Outdoor Griddle

This recipe makes a big batch, plenty for a crowd!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword Chex mix, griddle
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 16
Calories 206kcal

Ingredients

For the wet mix

Instructions

  • Pre-heat your griddle over low heat. Make sure that it's clean. Depending on the size of your griddle, you might have to make the mix in batches. The easiest way to do that is to halve the mix and butter mixture first.
  • In a large bowl, combine all of the Chex Mix ingredients.
  • Melt the butter in a small bowl or pot. This can be done directly on the griddle.
  • Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce.
  • Add seasoning salt to the butter mixture and stir to dissolve and combine.
  • Drizzle the butter mixture over the Chex mix and stir well to combine. Take your time, get it all well-coated.
  • Add the Chex Mix ingredients to the griddle. Immediately spread it out.
  • You want to toast the mixture for 2 minutes. Keep it moving constantly or it will brown. You want it to get a little color to it. A little char here and there is fine too.
  • Keep the mixture moving as you continue to toast it. You'll need 5-10 minutes to get it to the desired color and crispiness.
  • Immediately remove the mix to a large baking sheet (or two) and spread out to cool slightly.
  • Serve warm or cold.

Notes

Store leftovers in an air-tight container.

Nutrition

Calories: 206kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 549mg | Potassium: 83mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 496IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 7mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Easy Cheesy Cauliflower using an Outdoor Griddle

My outdoor griddle isn’t just for smash burgers, quesadillas and pizzas. I even use it for side dishes such as this easy cheesy cauliflower. Now, this might not be the healthiest side dish I’ve ever made outside. But it sure was one of the tastiest! And it’s definitely one of the easiest! This is the perfect thing to serve alongside my griddled smash burger!

Easy Cheesy Cauliflower using an Outdoor Griddle

Is Cheese Ever Optional?

You could leave out the cheese sauce. And just make easy cauliflower using an outdoor griddle. A little salt and pepper. Serve it up. And it’d be good. But for me, to get to ‘great’ you gotta add the cheese sauce. Kraft makes this crazy easy crazy good Velveeta sauce that comes in a little foil packet. You just pour the sauce into a bowl and microwave it for 30 seconds and boom! Instant cheese sauce perfect for something like cauliflower!

Easy Cheesy Cauliflower using an Outdoor Griddle

Also try my easy cheesy bacon broccoli made on the outdoor griddle!

Easy Cheesy Cauliflower using an Outdoor Griddle
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Easy Cheesy Cauliflower using an Outdoor Griddle

You could leave out the cheese sauce and still have a great cauliflower side dish.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword broccoli, griddle
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 84kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Pre-heat your griddle over medium heat.
  • Open the bag of cauliflower and place on the griddle. Use your spatula to mound the cauliflower in a small circle.
  • Give the cauliflower a few good squirts of water and season well with salt and pepper.
  • Cover and let the cauliflower cook for 5 minutes.
  • Take a quick peek inside. I like to give the lid a good shake first or you can stir the broccoli with the lid off. If the cauliflower is drying out add more water. Feel free to add more salt and pepper too.
  • Keep cooking for up to 12 minutes total. Check it one more time after 10 minutes to make sure more water and/or seasoning isn't needed.
  • Remove the cauliflower to a medium bowl.
  • Empty the contents of the cheese sauce packet into a microwavable bowl and heat per package instructions, 30 seconds. Stir.
  • Spook the cheese sauce over the cauliflower .
  • Stir to combine.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

This recipe can be made using fresh cauliflower instead. Bring a pot of lightly-salted water to a boil. Add the cauliflower and boil for 3-4 minutes until bright green and just starting to soften. Remove to an ice bath to cool completely. Drain well before placing onto the hot griddle.

Nutrition

Calories: 84kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 475mg | Potassium: 352mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 278IU | Vitamin C: 41mg | Calcium: 181mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Backyard Brew Smash Burgers

If I’m going to take the time to fire up a grill for burgers, I’m not going to make boring ones. That doesn’t mean they have to be complicated, though. These Backyard Brew smash burgers pack a lot of flavor in each and every bite. The sauce on the burgers, as crazy easy as it is to make, is delicious. Steak sauce. Beer. That’s it. No fancy steak sauce. The cheap stuff. No fancy beer, either. Good ole Budweiser does just fine. Or whatever you want to use. Heck, you’re grilling. Probably got a beer already in your hand. Use that one. A little cheese and fresh toppings, all on good buns, and you’ve got one great dinner.

Backyard Brew Smash Burgers

A Lot Of Flavor.

Once you’ve made a smash burger or two you’ll find them to be as easy to make as the non-smash ones. Before long you’ll be a master at it, making great burgers like these Backyard Brew smash burgers. My only suggestion when you make these is: use lots of the sauce. It’s good and it works great with grilled beef. Kinda figures, right? Steak sauce. Beer. The perfect pairing. Now on a burger.

The equipment

Here’s the equipment I use. You can get by using two cast iron skillets. Use a larger skillet for cooking the burgers, and a smaller one to smash the burgers and keep them flat. Since I’m a cooking gadget collector, I prefer to use a few more tools.

The griddle

First, a griddle. You can buy griddles that sit on top of your grill grates or ones that replace them. Just about every grill I have has a griddle on it. I use them for a lot of things, not just smash burgers. You want one that can be placed over the hottest part of your grill so it gets screaming hot.

A burger press

Next, you need a burger press. You can use a heavy cast iron skillet, like I mentioned. Or get a burger press. For easy cleanup I wrap mine in foil first. When I’m done, just peel off the foil and toss. Super easy. Get a press that’s at least big enough to cover two burgers. You only smash one at a time, but if you want to keep them flat, you want to rest the press on top so bigger (and heavier) is better. Plus I’ve found that a bigger, heavier press tends to stay on the burgers whereas a smaller, lighter one is hard to keep centered on the burgers, especially if you have a bunch of them cooking at once.

A dome

Next up, a dome. While not 100% required, it does speed the time it takes to melt the cheese and it does it in a nice even fashion. In my opinion you don’t really need one if you’re using a super melty cheese, such as American, but for thicker slices like say a deli pepper jack, you want the cheese to melt before you over-cook the burger and that’s where a dome comes in handy.

Cleaning time!

Lastly, you need something to clean your griddle. I like to clean mine when I’m done cooking, but you can do it at the start instead. I use one of these pad holders with a griddle cleaning pad. Then I add a bit of water to my griddle then use the pad (connected to the holder) to scrub off any big chunks and get up some of the grease. I don’t go crazy with it, I always heat the heck out of my griddle before cooking, but I get the worst. The long arm on the pad holder makes it perfect for scrubbing a hot griddle, too.

Also try my taco smash burgers!

Backyard Brew Smash Burgers
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Backyard Brew Smash Burgers

Steak sauce. Beer. The perfect burger sauce.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword smash burger
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 3765kcal

Ingredients

For the Brew Sauce

For the burgers

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 4 slices Swiss cheese
  • 4 hamburger buns
  • 1 cup iceberg lettuce shredded
  • 4 slices onion
  • 4 slices tomato
  • 8 slices dill pickle

Instructions

For the Brew Sauce

  • Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan over medium-high heat.
  • Bring to a simmer then reduce heat to low.
  • Keep warm until ready to use.

For the burgers

  • Fire up your grill for medium-high heat. Place a griddle or a large cast iron pan over the highest heat.
  • Season the ground beef with the seasoning, mix and form into four 4 ounce balls (not patties!).
  • Place the balls of beef on the griddle and let cook for one minute. Just let them cook, don’t mess with them.
  • Take your press and flatten out the patties. I like to use the point of the press and work my way around the ball first, doing a little section at a time and then finally I press down on the entire patty to flatten it out. You can also just flatten out the ball all at once. At this point I also like to season the patties some more.
  • Baste the patties liberally with the Brew Sauce.
  • Let the patties cook until you start to notice a little char along the edges. Flip, season again if desired, and continue cooking another minute or so until the other side is charred. The burgers are thin so they will cook very quickly so watch out.
  • Baste the patties liberally with more of the Brew Sauce.
  • Top patties with cheese and let cook another 30 seconds to melt the cheese.
  • Toast the buns. Remove.
  • Add the patties to the bottom buns. Top with onion, tomato, lettuce and pickles.

Notes

If you have extra Brew Sauce you can slather it onto the buns before serving the burgers.

Nutrition

Calories: 3765kcal | Carbohydrates: 222g | Protein: 164g | Fat: 256g | Saturated Fat: 84g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 70g | Monounsaturated Fat: 76g | Trans Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 519mg | Sodium: 45042mg | Potassium: 7214mg | Fiber: 73g | Sugar: 77g | Vitamin A: 46606IU | Vitamin C: 286mg | Calcium: 2222mg | Iron: 64mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Easy Spicy Relish Paninis using the Cuisinart Griddler

My Cuisinart Griddler is easily one of my favorite kitchen tools. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, it can always be counted on to make a great meal. Today I wanted a quick sandwich for lunch. But quick doesn’t mean boring. Not when I’m making some easy spicy relish paninis! Made in only minutes, these lunchtime treats pack a little bit of heat (but not too much). Crunchy bread and melted cheese bring it all together in no time at all! Easy spicy relish paninis using the Cuisinart Griddler are reason enough to have the griddle on your countertop!

Easy Spicy Relish Paninis using the Cuisinart Griddler

Good Meats. Good Cheese. Good Bread.

The ingredients for a great panini are simple: use good ingredients. Don’t skimp. I prefer Italian meats, like salami or mortadella, but any decent deli meat will do. And grab a cheese that likes to melt easily. For the bread, my recommendation is to not use something with too many big ‘holes’ in it. If you do, spread the relish on in-between the meat and cheese layers so it doesn’t escape through the bread holes. You’ll end up enjoying these easy spicy relish paninis using the Cuisinart Griddler as much as I did!

Also try my roasted red pepper panini using the Cuisinart Griddler.

Easy Spicy Relish Paninis using the Cuisinart Griddler
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Easy Spicy Relish Paninis using the Cuisinart Griddler

The ingredients for a great panini are simple: use good ingredients.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword Griddler, sandwich
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 473kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Pre-heat your Griddler with the dials set for high-heat panini griddles.
  • Set out the bread slices on a cutting board or counter top.
  • Top with the meats and cheese.
  • Top the sandwiches with the relish. Be heavy handed or go light with it, it's up to you.
  • Add the top slices of bread to form the sandwiches.
  • Brush the outsides of the bread slices with the oil.
  • Transfer to the Griddler and close the lid. Cook until the bread is golden brown and crunchy.
  • Remove and let cool slightly before slicing (if desired) and serving.

Notes

Do not put a lot of pressure on the griddle lid while cooking as it will cause the meats and cheese to escape. Try to keep the lid level so that the tops of the sandwiches cook evenly.

Nutrition

Calories: 473kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 1304mg | Potassium: 283mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 167IU | Calcium: 149mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Heinz 57 Pulled Pork

As much as I love a long day’s smoke on my smoker of a big ole hung of pork shoulder, ending with delicious, fantastic pulled pork, I also enjoy an easier version in the slow cooker (er… crockpot). Two totally different approaches result in an enjoyable finish. My ‘usual’ slow cooker approach involves a bottle of smoky BBQ sauce and a few other ingredients. This slow cooker Heinz 57 pulled pork takes that simple concept to a whole new place. This was totally fantastic. Slightly BBQ-ish, a bit tangy, and oh, oh so great. I could eat this all day long. I just piled it high between two burger buns. That’s all I needed. And I was happy!

Slow Cooker Heinz 57 Pulled Pork

Almost Beefy

Ok, it may sound odd but this slow cooker Heinz 57 pulled pork was almost BBQ beef-like in texture and taste. I guess it was the steak sauce fooling my brain. It reminded me of a beef sandwich we used to get in high school. Wait… could that have actually been pork? Maybe. Well either way, this was great. I wouldn’t change a thing about it. I thought about adding a few pickles like I would a smoked pulled pork sandwich. Or maybe some onion. But that was totally not necessary. Just buns and pork. And life was good.

This pork is great served on buns, and it’s also great served on poutine!

Slow Cooker Heinz 57 Pulled Pork
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Slow Cooker Heinz 57 Pulled Pork

Great served as-is on lightly toasted hamburger buns.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword pulled pork, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 288kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Lightly grease a 6 quart slow cooker.
  • Add the steak sauce, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, tomato paste and onion. Season with salt and pepper Mix.
  • Add the pork. Turn to coat on all sides.
  • Cover and cook 8 hours, turning occasionally, until the pork is tender and falls apart.
  • Shred the pork (it'll be so tender than you do this while it's still in the slow cooker).
  • Serve on toasted hamburger buns or hoagie rolls.

Notes

Optionally, serve with dill pickles or onion slices!

Nutrition

Calories: 288kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 429mg | Potassium: 491mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 96IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Ground Beef Nachos using an Outdoor Griddle

I love my outdoor griddle. It’s huge and cooks evenly, perfect for everything I want to make on it. Today I made ground beef nachos using an outdoor griddle. Now, usually, I’ll make this on the stovetop and in the oven. But, I love cooking outside so that’s where I went. I could’ve also made it on my indoor griddle, though it’s quite a bit smaller. No matter what griddle you use, this is a great easy way to have a delicious dish in really not much time at all.

Ground Beef Nachos using an Outdoor Griddle

That Crunch

A really well seasoned beef is key to these ground beef nachos using an outdoor griddle. And cooking it over high heat to get that great browned, slightly crunchy, texture. The beef smells amazing as it cooks. You know you’re in for something good as soon as it hits the griddle.

I use a few cast iron fajita skillets for serving my nachos. First, they’re kinda neat. Second, I can top them with the tortilla chips and place them over a low-heat area of my griddle to heat. If I’m cooking inside I just slide them into the oven over 225 F for 5-10 minutes. The chips get nice and crunchy and warm. Just remember, the skillets are hot. And that means the handles on them are hot. Don’t accidentally grab them with your bare hands, and always serve them with their little oven mitts covering the handles.

The Toppings

Beyond the delicious beef, chips, and cheese, everything is up to you. I like to have a combination of flavors and textures. I also like to have a few cold toppings, such as lettuce or sour cream. If I’m serving these with taco sauce I usually put it on the side because you never know how much you might want.

I love making smash burgers on my griddle, too! Check out my list of my favorite smash burger recipes.

Ground Beef Nachos using a Griddle
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Ground Beef Nachos using an Outdoor Griddle

Beyond the delicious beef, chips, and cheese, everything is up to you.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword griddle, nachos
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 1575kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

For the nachos

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning from below, or your favorite
  • 8 cups tortilla chips more, or less
  • 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • Your favorite nacho toppings salsa, shredded iceberg lettuce, jalapenos, black olives, etc

For the taco seasoning (store leftover in an air-tight container)

Instructions

For the nachos

  • Preheat your griddle over medium-high heat.
  • Crumble the ground beef onto the griddle and begin to brown. Break up the meat as it cooks using a spatula.
  • When the beef is about halfway cooked add the seasoning and stir. Continue cooking until done.
  • Meanwhile, divide the chips between the skillets and place them on a part of the griddle over low heat. Sprinkle with the cheese.
  • Once the meat is done and the cheese is melted, divide the ground beef between the skillets.
  • Using a pot holder, remove the skillets from the griddle and place into their heat-proof holders.
  • Add remaining desired nacho toppings and serve. Make sure you remind everyone that the skillet handles are hot!

For the taco seasoning (store leftover in an air-tight container)

  • Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. I prefer to then transfer it to a spice grinder and give it a little grind so the resulting mix is a little finer.
  • To use, add 2-3 tablespoons to every 1 pound of ground beef.

Notes

Feel free to add onions or tomatoes to the beef as it cooks.

Nutrition

Calories: 1575kcal | Carbohydrates: 173g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 83g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 27g | Monounsaturated Fat: 26g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 3381mg | Potassium: 1195mg | Fiber: 19g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 5418IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 558mg | Iron: 10mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Delicious Nacho Cheese Popcorn Seasoning

Popcorn is a favorite snack in our house. It even finds its way to our lunch table as a side, replacing chips or pretzels. It doesn’t have to be fancy popcorn, either. Just good ‘n tasty. Crunchy. Sometimes plain. Sometimes buttered. And often, tossed in this delicious nacho cheese popcorn seasoning. My goodness is this stuff ever good.

Delicious Nacho Cheese Popcorn Seasoning

Go Light. Ok, Just Kidding. Go Heavy.

You can ‘dust’ your popcorn with this delicious nacho cheese popcorn seasoning. You know. ‘Show it’ some flavor. Or you can get serious and really load up. Either way, this is great stuff with lots of flavor. Not some weird cheese thing. But flavor. The perfect combination of spices. So whether you’re serving plain popcorn or buttered, you’ll want to toss it this treat first!

I love using this seasoning on popcorn cooked on my outdoor griddle.

Delicious Nacho Cheese Popcorn Seasoning
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Delicious Nacho Cheese Popcorn Seasoning

A wonderfully tasty popcorn seasoning that's guaranteed to turn your fingers orange!
Course Seasoning
Cuisine American
Keyword popcorn, seasoning
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 32kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients together.
  • To use, sprinkle or spoon over hot popped popcorn and stir or toss.

Notes

Add a little cayenne for a little kick!

Nutrition

Calories: 32kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 62mg | Potassium: 22mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 305IU | Vitamin C: 0.04mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Quick Fix Habanero Pineapple Potato Chips

These quick fix habanero pineapple potato chips are different. Very different. If you’re tired of the same old 3 or 4 supermarket chip flavors, you’re gonna cure yourself with the first bite. Pineapple flavored chips are different for starters. A little sweet. Tropical. Then comes the heat. Habanero heat. ‘Not fooling around’ heat.

Quick Fix Habanero Pineapple Potato Chips

Cheap Chips. Great Results.

You don’t have to start out with expensive, name-brand chips when you make some quick fix salt pepper and garlic pineapple habanero chips. In fact, you’re gonna have great results with the cheapest chips you can find. Personally, I recommend wavy chips with ridges. Those ridges and waves help trap the seasonings and keep them on the chips. No big seasoning mounds in the bottom of the bowl here. You want that stuff to stick.

Go Light

I usually am pretty heavy handed with the seasoning when I flavor my chips. Not in this case, though. The seasoning is pretty forward. I recommend starting light and adding more after tasting, if needed.

Also try some quick fix ginger teriyaki potato chips! They’re quite different too!

Quick Fix Habanero Pineapple Potato Chips
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Quick Fix Habanero Pineapple Potato Chips

The solution to boring potato chips.
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Keyword potato chips, quick fix
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 452kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 275 F.
  • Spread chips out onto a baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes. You should see that the oils in the chips have come to the surface.
  • Gently transfer chips to a large bowl and sprinkle with the seasoning. Use a spatula to carefully stir to coat.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Be gentle when stirring to avoid breaking the chips.

Nutrition

Calories: 452kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 448mg | Potassium: 1020mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Baked Italian Grinder Sandwich

I’m a meat-and-potatoes kind of guy. So when it comes to time to make a sandwich, I’m not looking for finger sandwiches. I want meats. And toppings. And lots of both. That’s why I make this baked Italian grinder. I’m not leaving the table hungry after this. I’m leaving happy. Real happy.

Baked Italian Grinder Sandwich

We Have The Meats

Load up your baked Italian grinder sandwich the meats and cheeses you like. I listed some of the ‘classic’ ones in the recipe. You do you. I like the hot Italian pack from Aldi but most grocery stores have a decent selection. You can go ‘not-so-Italian’ too if you want. Heck, bologna? You bet. Rotisserie chicken? Sure. You can’t go wrong with this salad. The dressing is great. The rest will follow.

I almost always use Blue Plate mayonnaise in the dishes I make. I think it is the best around. If you can’t find it locally you can pick it up online for a fair price.

Also try my ham and cheese grinder.

Baked Italian Grinder Sandwich
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Baked Italian Grinder Sandwich

A perfectly-satisfying sandwich experience!
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword baked, sandwich
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 701kcal

Ingredients

For the sandwich

  • 1 loaf French bread
  • 3 tablespoons butter softened
  • 2 tablespoons parmesan grated
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 8 slices ham thinly sliced
  • 8 slices pepperoni sandwich sized, thinly sliced
  • 8 slices salami sandwich sized, thinly sliced
  • 4 slices provolone cheese sliced

For the salad topping

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F.

For the sandwich

  • Cut the bread in half lengthwise.
  • In a small bowl, stir together the butter, parmesan, garlic powder and salt. Spread over the top cut half of the bread. Load it up, use it all.
  • Layer the meats and then the cheese on the lower cut half of the bread.
  • Transfer to a baking sheet and bake until the bread is golden brown and the provolone is melted.

For the salad topping

  • While the grinder sandwich bakes, make the grinder salad topping by whisking together the mayonnaise, vinegar, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  • Add the shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and pepperoncini and mix.
  • When the sandwich is done baking, remove it from the oven and add the salad over the top of the melted provolone cheese. Load it up nice and thick, using all of the mixture.
  • Add the bread top and push down firmly with one hand while slicing into 4 equally-sized pieces.
  • Serve.

Notes

You can use any combination of deli meats that you like.

Nutrition

Calories: 701kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 2461mg | Potassium: 587mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 717IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 271mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Pimento Macaroni and Cheese

We hit a patch of cool fall weather here and I got into nesting mode quick. I needed some warm, tasty comfort food. Something cheesy. Something creamy. And something easy. Out came the crockpot and soon, I was enjoying a batch of slow cooker pimento macaroni and cheese. The perfect fall dish. Nothing complicated here, just good ole eats!

Slow Cooker Pimento Macaroni and Cheese

Live Mas

I coulda changed up this slow cooker pimento macaroni and cheese. And I might the next time I make it. But it’s great just as it is. Classic flavors with lots of cheese. What’s not to love?

If was thinking of changes I might consider adding some roasted chopped green chiles. Or even jalapenos. Or I might change up the cheese. I used ‘normal’ Velveeta, but Mexican blend would be great too! And ya know, there’s always room for more cheese, so don’t be afraid to add more!

You can easily double this recipe and make a big batch for a family get-together. Like Thanksgiving! It’s perfect for that!

Also try my mac and cheese soup. Yes, soup.

Slow Cooker Pimento Macaroni and Cheese
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Slow Cooker Pimento Macaroni and Cheese

Creamy and easy. The perfect comfort food!
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword macaroni and cheese, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Servings 8
Calories 259kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add the water and salt to a large pot.
  • Bring to a boil and add the pasta.
  • Cook for 6 minutes and then drain well.
  • Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker.
  • Add the pasta and remaining ingredients and stir.
  • Cover and cook on low for 3 hours, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition

Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 923mg | Potassium: 297mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 846IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 253mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.