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Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce

I was searching for a new tomato-based sauce that I could use on (whole or ground) Italian sausage sandwiches. It was a cold day, so I wanted something that would cook all day, making the house smell great. I like that. Eight or so hours of great smells, culminating in a fantastic sandwich topped with slow cooker marinara sauce.

Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce

This slow cooker marinara sauce is a great all-around marinara sauce. Double the recipe and keep some in the freezer. It’s great to have on hand for those nights when you need a simple meal. Great on pasta, sandwiches, pizza, you name it.

Add a bit of dried red pepper flake for a little kick, if you want.

Try my quick fix messy meatball sandwich.

Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce
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4 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce

 It was a cold day, so I wanted something that would cook all day, making the house smell great. I like that. Eight or so hours of great smells, culminating in a fantastic sandwich topped with slow cooker marinara sauce.
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, Italian, sauce, slow cooker, spaghetti
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Servings 6 cups
Calories 21kcal
Author From Budget Bytes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to your slow cooker set to low heat.
  • Stir and cook 8 hours, stirring every hour or so.
  • If the mixture gets too thick add a little water and stir.
  • Remove the bay leaves before using.

Nutrition

Calories: 21kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 61mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 18IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Olives

Whenever you’re cooking outdoors on the grill, there’s always room leftover to put treats, like these insanely good grilled bacon-wrapped stuffed olives. They’re easy to cook, and disappear in minutes. I often refer to these as ‘cooks treats’, since I get to be the first person to sample them.

Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Olives

These are the world’s easiest snacks. I used jalapeno-stuffed olives, but you can use garlic-stuffed or whatever you like, even Gouda-stuffed ones. Or heck, they don’t even have to be stuffed! These little morsels come out salty and briny, with a nice kick from the rub (I used a sweet rub with a little kick to it).

Also try my spicy roasted olives and my grilled bacon-wrapped jalapeno-stuffed olives..

Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Olives
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5 from 1 vote

Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Olives

Whenever you’re cooking outdoors on the grill, there’s always room leftover to put treats, like these insanely good grilled bacon-wrapped stuffed olives. They’re easy to cook, and disappear in minutes. 
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword grilled, olives
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 12 olives
Calories 36kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fire up your grill for indirect cooking.
  • Roll small pieces of bacon around the olives and secure with toothpicks.
  • Lightly dust the wrapped olives with the rub.
  • Grill over indirect heat, flipping once or twice, until the bacon is cooked and crispy, 20-30 minutes.
  • Let cool slightly before devouring.

Nutrition

Calories: 36kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 111mg | Potassium: 16mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 18IU | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Homemade Boursin-Style Cheese

You don’t need to buy the expensive version of this great cheese. You can make homemade Boursin-style cheese with items you probably already have on hand.

Grilled Polenta with Homemade Boursin-Style Cheese

This cheese is perfect on crackers, baked potatoes, apple slices, steak, burgers and grilled corn-on-the-cob! And absolutely yummy spooned on top of grilled polenta disks.

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4 from 1 vote

Homemade Boursin-Style Cheese

You don’t need to buy the expensive version of this great cheese. You can make homemade Boursin-style cheese with items you probably already have on hand.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword cheese, homemade
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 3 cups
Calories 548kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Southern Living

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients into a large bowl and whip with a handheld mixer until smooth and fluffy. You can also do this in a blender or food processor.
  • Keep in the fridge and use within a few weeks.

Nutrition

Calories: 548kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 61g | Saturated Fat: 39g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 163mg | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 39mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1914IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Pantry Pizza Sauce

This isn’t a big-to-do, fru-fru, fancy pizza sauce. It doesn’t have wine or fresh basil or whatever. It isn’t like our favorite homemade sauce that takes a little effort (and a lot more ingredients) to throw together. Everything that goes in it is probably already in your pantry… hence the name, pantry pizza sauce.

Southwest Grilled Chicken French Bread Pizza

What this pantry pizza sauce is is easy, fast, and tasty and perfect when you just want to throw together a quick pizza. And that’s exactly what I did.

It takes a little more time, but also try my house pizza sauce.

Southwest Grilled Chicken French Bread Pizza
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5 from 1 vote

Pantry Pizza Sauce

Makes enough for a medium or French bread sized pizza.
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword pizza, sauce
Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 1
Calories 153kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl.
  • Break up any clumps of cheese and let the mixture set, at room temperature, for 30 minutes before using.

Nutrition

Calories: 153kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 486mg | Potassium: 123mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 252IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 176mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Grilled Malibu Chicken Sandwiches

These wonderful grilled Malibu chicken sandwiches will disappear before you know it. Sweet grilled pineapple, juicy moist chicken, ham, gooey cheese and a slight kick from the glaze.

Grilled Malibu Chicken Sandwiches

The basting sauce would also be great on grilled pork chops.

Also try my grilled Hawaiian chicken sandwiches.

Grilled Malibu Chicken Sandwiches
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4 from 1 vote

Grilled Malibu Chicken Sandwiches

These wonderful grilled Malibu chicken sandwiches will disappear before you know it. Sweet grilled pineapple, juicy moist chicken, ham, gooey cheese and a slight kick from the glaze.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword chicken sandwiches, grilled
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 610kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Patio Daddio

Ingredients

  • 3 large chicken breasts boneless skinless
  • 2 tablespoons your favorite BBQ rub I used a pineapple chipotle rub
  • 6 slices pineapple canned, juice reserved for the sauce
  • 12 slices deli ham sliced thin
  • 6 slices Swiss cheese
  • 6 hamburger buns

For the basting sauce

Instructions

  • Slice the chicken horizontally into 6 thin cutlets.
  • Sprinkle the chicken with the rub and refrigerate for one hour.
  • Whisk together the sauce ingredients.
  • Fire up your grill over high heat and sear the chicken and pineapple on one side. Brush with sauce and flip. Brush again and sear on other side.
  • Remove the pineapple.
  • Move the chicken to indirect heat and let cook until done.
  • Top chicken with ham and drizzle with some of the sauce.
  • Add cheese and drizzle with more sauce. Add the pineapple.
  • Toast buns if desired.
  • Place chicken on buns and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 610kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 143mg | Sodium: 1130mg | Potassium: 879mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 692IU | Vitamin C: 45mg | Calcium: 296mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Sandwiches

My goodness these grilled Hawaiian chicken sandwiches are good. The Asian-inspired marinade makes the chicken not only super tasty, but also moist and tender. The pineapple and red onion compliment each other perfectly.

Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Sandwiches

I slathered a little mayonnaise on the buns too. I use Duke’s mayonnaise, which is by far my favorite. Also try my grilled Italian chicken sandwiches.

Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Sandwiches
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4 from 1 vote

Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Sandwiches

My goodness these grilled Hawaiian chicken sandwiches are good. The Asian-inspired marinade makes the chicken not only super tasty, but also moist and tender. The pineapple and red onion compliment each other perfectly.
Course Main
Cuisine Asian-Inspired
Keyword chicken, grilled, sandwich
Prep Time 12 hours
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 12 hours 20 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 914kcal
Author Inspired by a recipe from Real Mom Kitchen

Ingredients

For the marinade

  • 1 cup soy sauce
  • 1 cup water
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 5 green onions chopped
  • ¼ cup onion chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic minced
  • ½ teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 can coconut milk

For the sandwiches

  • 4 chicken breasts butterflied and trimmed
  • 4 slices pineapple
  • 4 hamburger buns
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 4 slices red onion
  • 4 leaves lettuce

Instructions

  • Combine the marinade ingredients and place in a large resealable baggie or container. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Refrigerate overnight, tossing occasionally.
  • Fire up your grill. Sear the chicken on both sides then move to indirect heat and cook until internal temperature reaches 165 F.
  • Lightly grill the pineapple slices.
  • Slather the buns with the mayonnaise. Top with the chicken, pineapple, red onion, and lettuce and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 914kcal | Carbohydrates: 83g | Protein: 62g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 151mg | Sodium: 3838mg | Potassium: 1462mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 54g | Vitamin A: 316IU | Vitamin C: 49mg | Calcium: 181mg | Iron: 8mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Southwest Ranch Dip

This simple southwest ranch dip hit the spot. We loved the flavor of the tomatoes and chiles in the Ranch-flavored sour cream, and the lime and cilantro added a nice fresh kick. Our Cheddar Ranch Fritos were perfect for this dip.

Southwest Ranch Dip

Too thick for your tastes? Add just a splash of milk and mix well.

I recently discovered Blue Plate mayonnaise, which I think is the best around. If you can’t find it locally you can pick it up online for a fair price.

Southwest Ranch Dip
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4 from 1 vote

Southwest Ranch Dip

This simple southwest ranch dip hit the spot. We loved the flavor of the tomatoes and chiles in the Ranch-flavored sour cream, and the lime and cilantro added a nice fresh kick. 
Course Appetiser
Cuisine Southwest
Keyword dip, Ranch, southwestern
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 132kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients and stir well.

Nutrition

Calories: 132kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 520mg | Potassium: 66mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 261IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

Just like our maple honey mustard dipping sauce, this variation is perfect for dipping pigs-in-blankets, chicken nuggets, pretzels… you name it. This version is a little more mellow thanks to the mayonnaise. You may want to adjust the amount of lemon you use, so start with a little and add more, to taste, if you desire.

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Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 3 /4 cup
Calories 306kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients.
  • This dip is great right after it is made, but even better if you let it set overnight in the fridge.

Nutrition

Calories: 306kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 403mg | Potassium: 40mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 35IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Chili Seasoning

Next time you need chili seasoning, don’t reach for a packet, just make a batch of this copycat version.

Omit the flour if you are using something else as a thickener, such as refried beans.

Also try my homemade chipotle seasoning.

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Chili Seasoning

Course Spice Mix
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients.
  • Two tablespoons equals one packet.

Nutritional values are approximate.

Thanksgiving Day Dressing

This is by far my favorite Thanksgiving Day dressing. The smell of onion, celery and mushrooms… then sage. I could sit down and just have me a big plate of this dressing.

This is based on a recipe from Betty Crocker. There are two things that are key to this dressing coming out perfect. First, use stale bread. If you have only fresh, leave it out (open) on the counter for a few days first. Second, do not over moisten the dressing before baking or it will be soggy. You want it firm, but not dry.

For something totally different try my ciabatta and sausage dressing.

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5 from 1 vote

Thanksgiving Day Dressing

This is by far my favorite Thanksgiving Day dressing. The smell of onion, celery and mushrooms… then sage. I could sit down and just have me a big plate of this dressing.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 398kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

  • 2 cups bread cubed (see note)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • ¾ cup onion minced
  • 1 ½ cup celery chopped
  • 1 cup mushrooms chopped
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried rubbed sage
  • 2-3 cups chicken broth

Instructions

  • Note: The bread needs to be day old, and slightly crusty. If yours is not, you can sit it out overnight, or place the cubes on baking trays and place in a warm oven until crusty. Do not overcook.
  • Preheat oven to 350.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat melt the butter, then saute the onion, celery and mushroom until the onion is soft.
  • Add the salt, pepper and sage and cook 3 minutes.
  • Place the bread crumbs in a large bowl. Pour 1/4 cup of the butter/celery mixture over the cubes and toss well. Repeat until all of the vegetable mixture is used.
  • If the mixture is dry, add the chicken stock in 1/4 cup increments, mixing well. Do not over-moisten.
  • Pour into a 9″ x 13″ baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.
  • Bake for 1 hour.

Nutrition

Calories: 398kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 1284mg | Potassium: 293mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 814IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 107mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.