Sausage Pepper Onion Hoagies

These sausage pepper onion hoagies are like souped-up Sloppy Joes. I’m a big Sloppy Joe fan, and now I’m an even bigger fan of these sandwiches. They check all my boxes. Messy. Yes. Cheesy. Oh yes. Great flavor in every bite. Definitely. And easy. Very easy. It’s an all-around win for me.

Sausage Pepper Onion Hoagies

Gooey Cheese is Better Cheese

I like to put my sausage pepper onion hoagies into the oven before serving. I want my cheese to be melted and not just sorta melted. And I want a little crunchy contrast to the tender, juicy tomato-y meat mixture. So I get the buns nice and toasty good. Then I’m ready to eat.

I highly recommend that you shred or grate your cheese at home. Don’t buy the pre-shredded or pre-grated stuff. It has stuff added to it to keep it from sticking together. That ‘stuff’ affects how the cheese melts. Shred it yourself and use the good stuff.

Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline…
  • Makes Everything Simple : Just forget your bagged…
  • Premium Material : All parts of the rotary cheese…

I like cooking the meat mixture for these sandwiches in my Dutch oven. I think meat always cooks better in a Dutch oven versus a plain-ole skillet. Well, unless it’s a cast iron skillet. Those are great too!

Sale
Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven Pot…
  • OVEN SAFE DESIGN: Withstand temperatures up to…
  • EXCELLENT HEAT RETENTION: This heavy-duty cast…

Also try my Italian loose meat hoagies. They’re similar to these but with a different flavor.

Sausage Pepper Onion Hoagies
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Sausage Pepper Onion Hoagies

I like to put my sausage pepper onion hoagies into the oven before serving.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword sandwich, sausage
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 550kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Italian sausage bulk. If you can't find it, buy links and remove the sausage from the casings.
  • 1 large red bell pepper sliced
  • 1 large orange bell pepper sliced
  • 1 large onion sliced
  • 1 teaspoon garlic minced
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ cup Marinara sauce
  • 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 6 hoagie rolls

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 F.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. A Dutch oven also works great!
  • Break the sausage into small pieces and add to the skillet. If the sausage is lean you might want to add a splash or two of oil.
  • Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring often, until the sausage is done and is lightly browned.
  • Break up any big pieces as the sausage cooks.
  • Remove to a paper towel-lined plate.
  • Add peppers and onions to the skillet.
  • Cook 5 minutes, stirring often, until just starting to soften. The moisture from the onion should be enough to keep the mixture somewhat wet, but if not, add a splash of oil.
  • Add the sausage back to the skillet and stir.
  • Add the garlic, black pepper, oregano, and marinara sauce. Stir.
  • Reduce heat to low and let cook 2-3 minutes or until the mixture is warmed through.
  • Toast the hoagie rolls.
  • Spoon the sausage mixture into the rolls.
  • Top with the cheese.
  • Transfer sandwiches to the oven on a baking sheet and bake until the cheese is melted.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Have plenty of napkins nearby!

Nutrition

Calories: 550kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 1121mg | Potassium: 433mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1996IU | Vitamin C: 75mg | Calcium: 181mg | Iron: 12mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sale
Lodge Silver 12 Inch Aluminum Foil Dutch Oven…
  • YOUR NEW GO-TO DUTCH OVEN LINERS: The Lodge Dutch…
  • WHAT’S COMPATIBILE? This dutch oven liner pairs…
IPROUDER Cast Iron Trivet 2 PCS Set, 8-inch, Meat…
  • Made of cast iron and seasoned with natural…
  • Raises meats, sourdough bread, pies, and other…

Smoked Sausage Nacho Soup

It was the first cold day of the season, and I was needing something warm my cold bones. Something hearty. And easy. Definitely easy. This smoked sausage nacho soup hit the spot. Cheesy goodness, crisp corn, tomatoes, potatoes and smoked sausage all join in for a spoon after spoon of deliciousness. I didn’t have big expectations for this soup. But yet it more than blew me away. I’d make this again in a heartbeat. It’s a bowl of warming happiness.

Smoked Sausage Nacho Soup

Leave It Alone. Well. Maybe.

I wouldn’t change anything about this smoked sausage nacho soup… Except if I wanted it to be a bit spicy. In that case I’d add spicy Rotel. And I’d use Mexican Velveeta. Those would add just a bit of heat. Not much, but a little. But if you make it as written, it’s fantastic. You could always add a bit more hot sauce if you wanted it spicier. Or just serve the hot sauce on the side for everyone to decide how hot theirs should be.

Sale
Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven Pot…
  • OVEN SAFE DESIGN: Withstand temperatures up to…
  • EXCELLENT HEAT RETENTION: This heavy-duty cast…

Also try my celery and cheddar soup.

Smoked Sausage Nacho Soup
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Smoked Sausage Nacho Soup

I wouldn't change anything about this smoked sausage nacho soup.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword cheese, soup
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 588kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a Dutch oven or large saucepan, add the Au gratin potatoes and the seasoning packet along with the water, corn and tomatoes. Stir together.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 15-18 minutes, stirring often, until the potatoes are just tender. Make sure that the potatoes stay under the liquid the entire cooking time.
  • Stir in the smoked sausage, milk, Velveeta cheese and hot sauce. .
  • Cover and let simmer another 5 minutes, stirring often, until the Velveeta has melted.

Notes

Use whole milk for the creamiest soup.

Nutrition

Calories: 588kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 2528mg | Potassium: 941mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 1395IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 833mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sale
Lodge Silver 12 Inch Aluminum Foil Dutch Oven…
  • YOUR NEW GO-TO DUTCH OVEN LINERS: The Lodge Dutch…
  • WHAT’S COMPATIBILE? This dutch oven liner pairs…
IPROUDER Cast Iron Trivet 2 PCS Set, 8-inch, Meat…
  • Made of cast iron and seasoned with natural…
  • Raises meats, sourdough bread, pies, and other…

Sopa De Fideo (Tomato Noodle Soup)

I became a big fan of Recipe.TV during COVID. I’d actually never heard of the channel before but I’m sure glad I stumbled upon it. Of course I’ve watched the Cooking Channel and Food Network and the like. Recipe.TV isn’t like them. There aren’t competition shows. There aren’t a bunch of cackling, screaming hosts. It’s mostly about cooking. And some about travel. I instantly became hooked. One of my favorite hosts is Chef Ericka Sanchez. Chef is a Mexican-born cook that has several cookbooks. On her show Ericka’s Mexican Cocina on Recipe.TV she makes authentic Mexican dishes that all look amazing. And that’s how I ended up making her Sopa de Fideo dish. As soon as I saw her prepare it I had to have it.

Sopa De Fideo

So Easy And Fresh

The first thing you’ll notice about this recipe for sopa de fideo is that the ingredients are fresh. And simple. There’s nothing crazy complicated going on here. No weird ingredients that you’ll have to go order online. It uses Roma tomatoes, which here at least, are readily available year-round. Same with the cilantro and of course onion.

The flavor is not like the canned tomato soup you might be thinking of. It’s better. Much better. And the vermicelli are amazing in it. If you’re not familiar with it, vermicelli is that wonderfully golden pasta (I used to think it was rice) you find in something like Rice-A-Roni! It adds a great flavor and color to this dish.

Sale
Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven Pot…
  • OVEN SAFE DESIGN: Withstand temperatures up to…
  • EXCELLENT HEAT RETENTION: This heavy-duty cast…

Even Better Tomorrow

The flavors in this soup get more pronounced the next day. The vermicelli holds up well for a few days and reheats without becoming mushy as pasta sometimes does. If you want, sprinkle the soup with a little chopped cilantro before serving.

Thank you Chef Ericka for your family’s recipe! We love it!

Sopa De Fideo
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Sopa De Fideo (Tomato Noodle Soup)

A wonderful traditional Mexican family dish.
Course Main
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword soup, tomato
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6
Calories 169kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 roma tomatoes stem ends removed, roughly chopped
  • ½ cup white onion roughly chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • ½ pound vermicelli also known as fideo pasta
  • 3 teaspoons chicken bullion
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 6 sprigs cilantro

Instructions

  • Add tomatoes to a blender along with the onion, garlic and water.
  • Blend until smooth.
  • Heat the oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  • Add the vermicelli. Stirring constantly, cook until the pasta is golden brown. Do not over-cook it. It can burn easily.
  • Add the mixture from the blender. Note: Be careful, the pan and oil are hot, so do not have your face over the pan when you add the tomato mixture.
  • Stir in the chicken bouillon.
  • Add the broth and stir. Let the mixture come to a slow boil then reduce heat to a simmer.
  • Add the cilantro sprigs. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Remove the cilantro sprigs and serve.

Notes

I thought this soup just got better and better after a night in the fridge.

Nutrition

Calories: 169kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 1185mg | Potassium: 190mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 499IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sale
Lodge Silver 12 Inch Aluminum Foil Dutch Oven…
  • YOUR NEW GO-TO DUTCH OVEN LINERS: The Lodge Dutch…
  • WHAT’S COMPATIBILE? This dutch oven liner pairs…
IPROUDER Cast Iron Trivet 2 PCS Set, 8-inch, Meat…
  • Made of cast iron and seasoned with natural…
  • Raises meats, sourdough bread, pies, and other…

Homemade Beefaroni

I have eaten my share of the classic beefaroni from Chef Boyardee. It’s a simple yet tasty dish of pasta, beef, cheese and tomato sauce. It gave me the energy I needed to ride my bike through the neighborhood as a kid. All day long. And well after sunset too for that matter. Now I can make homemade beefaroni, even though my neighborhood-cruising bike days are mostly behind me. And now, I get to add more cheese!

Homemade Beefaroni

Yes, Chef!

As a side note, it’s interesting to read the history of the name ‘Boyardee’. It’s actually an anglicized version of the name of the inventor of beefaroni, Ettore Boiardi. I think he’d be impressed with my homemade beefaroni. Especially since I garnished it with freshly chopped parsley to make it all fancy and what-not!

To spice things up a bit add a few pickled jalapenos and substitute pepper jack cheese for the cheddar! You’ll thank me!

NutriChef Automatic Vacuum Air Sealing System for…
  • AUTOMATIC VACUUM FOOD SEALER WITH STARTER KIT…
  • DUAL DRY & MOIST MODES FOR EVERY FOOD TYPE…

Also try my slow cooker spicy spaghetti and meatball soup. It’s a lot like SpaghettiOs but better!

Homemade Beefaroni
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Homemade Beefaroni

A homemade version of the classic.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword copycat, pasta
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 280kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta per the package instructions. Rinse and drain and reserve.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, crumble the beef and add the onion.
  • Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is softened, breaking up any meat clumps as you go.
  • Add the garlic.
  • Stir and cook for 2 minutes.
  • Stir in the paprika, oregano, salt and pepper.
  • Stir in the tomato sauce and continue stirring for 2 minutes.
  • Add in the cooked pasta and stir.
  • Cook another 2 minutes while stirring, making sure to warm the pasta completely.
  • Serve topped with cheese.

Notes

Also great with a Mexican cheese blend or pepper jack.

Nutrition

Calories: 280kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 818mg | Potassium: 546mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 489IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sale
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline…
  • Meal Prep MVP – A practical and innovative way to…
  • 12 Diverse Blades – With nine interchangeable…
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring…
  • Set includes: 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup and 1 cup
  • Magnetic handles keep Cups together for storage…

Baked Cheese Ravioli with Meat Sauce

Summer came and went. And apparently so did fall. We skipped ahead to winter. And I needed some stick-to-my-ribs belly-warming grub. This baked cheese ravioli with meat sauce dish hit the spot. And it was crazy easy to make too. Don’t let the simplicity of this dish fool you. It tastes great. It fills you up. And it’s fairly budget-conscious too!

Baked Cheese Ravioli with Meat Sauce

Change Things Up

The base recipe for these baked cheese ravioli with meat sauce is great just as it is. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make a few changes. I like a few good pinches of red pepper flake in my meat sauce. A little kick. Spicy Italian sausage will do that for you too. And don’t hesitate to use something other than cheese ravioli. Mushroom ravioli are great too!

Good Cheese Makes A Great Dish Better

I love shredding my own cheese. Do I save a bunch of money doing that? Probably not. Is it better? You bet! That stuff you buy in the store that’s already shredded has ‘stuff’ on it. Stuff to keep it from sticking together. Well that stuff also makes it melt different. And taste different. So shred your own. It’s easy. I use this shredder. It’s crazy fast and easy to clean up. And it shreds perfectly!

Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline…
  • Makes Everything Simple : Just forget your bagged…
  • Premium Material : All parts of the rotary cheese…

Also try my slow cooker ravioli lasagna.

Baked Cheese Ravioli with Meat Sauce
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Baked Cheese Ravioli with Meat Sauce

The perfect cold weather comfort food.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword cheese, ravioli
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 5030kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • 1 medium sweet onion chopped
  • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 25 ounces cheese ravioli frozen
  • 2 cups mozzarella shredded
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  • Crumble the sausage into a large skillet. Cook over medium heat until lightly browned.
  • Add the onion and cook until it is soft.
  • Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and Italian seasoning. Stir. Let the sauce come to a slow simmer.
  • Meanwhile, cook the ravioli per the package instructions. Drain well.
  • Preheat your oven to 350 F.
  • Spray a 9 x 11 baking dish with non-stick spray.
  • Spread 1 cup of the meat sauce over the bottom of the dish and spread out evenly. It'll be thin but try to get it everywhere.
  • Add the cooked ravioli, distributing it evenly around the pan. Do not overlap the pasta.
  • Add half of the cheese then another cup of sauce.
  • Add the last of the ravioli and sauce, followed by the remaining cheese.
  • Cover the dish in foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  • Remove the foil. Turn your broiler on and place the dish under the broiler for a few minutes (keeping an eye on it the entire time) until you get a little browning on top.
  • Serve garnished with the chopped parsley.

Notes

Use spicy sausage for… a spicy dish!

Nutrition

Calories: 5030kcal | Carbohydrates: 399g | Protein: 237g | Fat: 279g | Saturated Fat: 109g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 21g | Monounsaturated Fat: 80g | Cholesterol: 904mg | Sodium: 10688mg | Potassium: 4787mg | Fiber: 43g | Sugar: 76g | Vitamin A: 4645IU | Vitamin C: 118mg | Calcium: 1800mg | Iron: 96mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sale
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline…
  • Meal Prep MVP – A practical and innovative way to…
  • 12 Diverse Blades – With nine interchangeable…
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring…
  • Set includes: 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup and 1 cup
  • Magnetic handles keep Cups together for storage…

La Camaronera Fried Shrimp

La Camaronera is a seafood restaurant in Miami, Florida. I’ve never been there. But I took a gander at the menu and could only draw one conclusion: I need to be there. Everything looks amazing. Fortunately for me, before I can make it back to Miami, the chef from the restaurant gave the recipe for La Camaronera fried shrimp to the Food Network! These shrimp are different. They are not your ‘normal’ battered and fried shrimp. The wet batter contains ketchup. Yep. You read that correctly. And that’s what makes these shrimp amazing.

La Camaronera Fried Shrimp

Perfect Crunch. Perfect Flavor.

The flavor in each and every bite of La Camaronera fried shrimp makes you want more and more. They have just the right crunch and texture. These are not your 1980s steak house butterflied crazy crunchy over-fried shrimp. They are special.

The Presto Fry Daddy is perfect for making smaller batches of food. It only uses a few cups of oil and comes to temperature quickly. Clean-up is easy too!

Sale
Presto 05427 FryDaddy Electric Deep Fryer
  • SPECIAL GREEN/GOLD EDITION: Our best-selling…
  • FOUR SERVINGS: Makes four servings of french fries…

Also try my Old Bay southern fried shrimp.

La Camaronera Fried Shrimp
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

La Camaronera Fried Shrimp

These shrimp are special.
Course Appetizer or Main
Cuisine American
Keyword deep-fried, shrimp
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 432kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Butterfly the shrimp if desired.
  • Heat 3" of oil to 350 F in a deep fryer or Dutch oven.
  • Whisk together the ketchup, black pepper, cumin, garlic, salt, lime juice and water in a large bowl.
  • Place the flour into another large bowl.
  • Working in batches, place the shrimp into the ketchup mixture and coat on all sides.
  • Shake off any excess and transfer to the flour.
  • Roll to coat.
  • Fry the shrimp 2-3 minutes until cooked and golden brown.
  • Transfer to a wire rack-lined baking sheet or paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Great served with fries and cocktail sauce!

Nutrition

Calories: 432kcal | Carbohydrates: 104g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 3384mg | Potassium: 670mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 40g | Vitamin A: 955IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Amazon Basics 3.2-Qt (3.0L) Electric Deep Fryer…
  • FAST-HEATING & FAMILY-SIZE: This powerful…
  • ADJUSTABLE TEMPERATURE & VERSATILE COOKING: With…

Pierogi and Smoked Sausage Casserole

I can’t say I’ve eaten a lot of pierogies in my life. I should apologize to myself for that because I actually like them a lot. So I grabbed a few packages of pre-made onion pierogis, cooked them up, and some fresh mushrooms and mushroom soup and made this really great pierogi and smoked sausage casserole. Cheesy and creamy, it was perfect for a cool day here in Indianapolis. This isn’t some fancy vittles here, but good stick-to-your ribs food.

Pierogi and Smoked Sausage Casserole

Go Meatless

Adding smoke sausage along with fresh mushrooms really makes this casserole even better. You can actually leave out the meat. Me, I love smoked sausage. I make sure to slice it thin to help ensure I get a piece in every bite. You can use kielbasa or Polish sausage, or whatever your favorite is instead if you prefer.

Have it Your Way

I went with onion pierogies because well, they sounded good. Our grocery store had a few varieties. Any will do. Most of the ones I found were cheese-filled. I figured since I was adding cheese to this dish, I’d be better off not using cheese pierogies. But more cheese isn’t necessarily a bad thing, so I’m sure those would’ve worked just fine too!

You can skip the fresh mushrooms or even use canned.

Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup…
  • A rich & creamy cooking soup made with mushrooms…
  • Package includes 4, 10.5 oz. non-BPA-lined cans…

This pierogi and smoked sausage casserole is pretty savory. If you want a little more edge to yours add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper. Or dried red pepper flake, or even smoked paprika. Or use different cheeses to kick it up a bit. Pepper jack or even habanero check would definitely add some heat. As would a spicy Italian sausage instead of a more classic Polish sausage. You can’t really mess these up, so experiment!

Also try my chicken cordon bleu casserole.

Pierogi and Smoked Sausage Casserole
Print Pin
4.50 from 2 votes

Pierogi and Smoked Sausage Casserole

I grabbed a few packages of onion pierogies, cooked them up, and made this really great pierogi and smoked sausage casserole. Cheesy and creamy, it was perfect for a cool day here in Indianapolis.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword casserole, sausage, smoked
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 445kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 16 ounce pierogies cooked per package instructions
  • 1 pound Polish sausage sliced into thin rounds
  • 8 ounces fresh mushrooms sliced thin
  • 2 10.75 ounce cream of mushroom soup
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cups extra sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 2 cups Swiss cheese shredded

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • Spray a 9″ x 13″ casserole dish with non-stick spray.
  • Place cooked pierogies into the bottom of the dish and spread out evenly.
  • Lightly brown the sausage in a skillet along with the mushrooms.
  • Evenly place sausage over the pierogies.
  • In a small bowl stir together the soup and milk until smooth.
  • Pour over the pierogies and top with the cheeses.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly hot.
  • Let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

You can substitute kielbasa for the sausage.
Nutritional values do not include the pierogi.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 445kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 100mg | Sodium: 753mg | Potassium: 354mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 606IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 494mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sale
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline…
  • Meal Prep MVP – A practical and innovative way to…
  • 12 Diverse Blades – With nine interchangeable…
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring…
  • Set includes: 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup and 1 cup
  • Magnetic handles keep Cups together for storage…

Sage Sausage Biscuit Gravy

Breakfast becomes dinner around here pretty often. Maybe not often enough, really. Who really has time to enjoy breakfast in the morning, especially during the week? You’re in a hurry, you’re on your way out the door. You don’t have time to savor biscuits and gravy or anything else. That’s why making this sage sausage biscuit gravy for dinner is special. A hint of sage with creamy gravy. Not too thick. Not too thin.

Sage Sausage Biscuit Gravy

The Perfect Biscuit Gravy

You can serve this sage sausage biscuit gravy over any biscuit. I did a rare thing and made buttermilk biscuits from scratch. For the first time. And I have to say, there didn’t require much more effort than opening a tube of biscuits. But hey, whichever works. I’ve done both and I’ll take either one, just give me lots of gravy!

Whisk the milk in good. Don’t think, eh, I can get away with half-way whisking it. Get in there and the milk all incorporated and get the gravy nice and thick!

OYV 304 Stainless Steel Whisk Set, Dishwasher Safe…
  • RUST-RESISTANT DURABILITY: Crafted from…
  • EFFORTLESS CLEANUP: Our metal whisk is…

Also try my biscuits and Tasso gravy.

Sage Sausage Biscuit Gravy
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Sage Sausage Biscuit Gravy

Making this sage sausage biscuit gravy for dinner is special. A hint of sage with creamy gravy. Not too thick. Not too thin.
Course Gravy
Cuisine American
Keyword biscuits, gravy, sausage
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 496kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Crumble the sausage into a hot large skillet. As it cooks break it into even smaller pieces. Cook until browned then remove to a plate.
  • Add the butter and melt.
  • Add the flour. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
  • Slowly whisk in the milk and stir until it is thickened.
  • Add the sausage back to the skillet and stir to warm through.
  • Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Serve over biscuits.

Notes

When reheating any leftover gravy you might have to add a splash or two of milk to thin it a little.

Nutrition

Calories: 496kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 113mg | Sodium: 762mg | Potassium: 411mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 496IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sale
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline…
  • Meal Prep MVP – A practical and innovative way to…
  • 12 Diverse Blades – With nine interchangeable…
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring…
  • Set includes: 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup and 1 cup
  • Magnetic handles keep Cups together for storage…

Easy Asian Ramen Stir Fry

This is our go-to easy-to-prep and even easier-to-make stir fry. I often make Asian Ramen stir fry on the side burner of our gas grill using a wok, but you can make it on the stovetop just as easily. The marinated chicken is packed with flavor, and comes out nice and tender and juicy. The noodles are simple, fast, and less hassle than rice. For the vegetables, well, they vary with whatever we can find at the market.

Easy Asian Ramen Stir Fry

Longer-Cooking Vegetables Fry First

The key to our easy Asian Ramen stir fry is the order in which you cook the vegetables. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not complicated. Just start with the vegetables that take longer to cook, usually the harder ones. You know the culprits: broccoli, cauliflower, onion and the like.

Quick Cooking Vegetables Fry Next

Then add in the quicker cooking ones. The softer ones. And don’t overcook any of them. You want just a bit of a ‘bite’ to them. I like to separate mine into two different bowls. Long-cooking ones in one bowl. And yep, you guessed it, shorter-cooking ones in another. That way I don’t have to think real hard once I get the cooking party going!

Chicken Is Last

I always cook the chicken last, even though it could be first instead. I like it to be nice and hot since I don’t want to serve cold chicken. You can actually cook it ahead of time and just warm it real quick before serving.

With the addition of Japanese barbecue sauce you’ll find yourself enjoying every bite just like we do.

Also try my bratwurst stir-fry.

Easy Asian Ramen Stir Fry
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Easy Asian Ramen Stir Fry

The key to our easy Asian Ramen stir fry is the order in which you cook the vegetables.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword Asian, Ramen, stir fry
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 1797kcal

Ingredients

For the Ramen

For the chicken

For the stir fry

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil divided, sesame oil can be used also
  • 1 small head broccoli broken into florets
  • 1 small onion cut into big-sized pieces
  • ½ cup snap peas pod strings removed
  • 1 small squash cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 ounces mushrooms sliced if large, whole if small
  • 1 tablespoon Japanese Barbecue sauce spicy, if desired, or substitute sesame oil

Instructions

For the Ramen

  • Prepare the Ramen noodles per the package instructions but do not use the flavoring packet.
  • Drain and set aside.

For the chicken

  • In a medium bowl whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar and corn starch until smooth.
  • Add in the ginger, garlic and red pepper and stir.
  • Add the chicken to the sauce and marinate in the fridge for 15-30 minutes.

For the stir fry

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the broccoli, onion and whatever long-cooking vegetables you are using and cook until just starting to turn tender, about 3 minutes.
  • Add softer vegetables and cook another 2 minutes, stirring.
  • Remove vegetables from the pan.
  • Add remaining oil to the wok and heat for 1 minute.
  • Add the chicken and cook, stirring often, until done, about 4 minutes.
  • Add in the cooked Ramen noodles, stirring to break them up.
  • Add the cooked vegetables and Japanese Barbecue sauce.
  • Stir to heat thoroughly.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

You can use any vegetables you want. Start stir frying with the vegetables that are harder and will take longer to cook, then add the softer ones that cook quicker.

Nutrition

Calories: 1797kcal | Carbohydrates: 233g | Protein: 139g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 289mg | Sodium: 10967mg | Potassium: 5858mg | Fiber: 23g | Sugar: 83g | Vitamin A: 80554IU | Vitamin C: 205mg | Calcium: 545mg | Iron: 17mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sale
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline…
  • Meal Prep MVP – A practical and innovative way to…
  • 12 Diverse Blades – With nine interchangeable…
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring…
  • Set includes: 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup and 1 cup
  • Magnetic handles keep Cups together for storage…

Cheesy Chicken Fajita Baked Potatoes

I made chicken fajitas the other day. They were fantastic. But as with just about anything I make, my brain instantly asked ‘can I put this inside a baked potato?’. And the answer was ‘yes’. By golly, I sure can. I like to put darned near everything inside a baked potato. So here are my cheesy chicken fajita baked potatoes. Packed with fantastic fajita flavor. Crispy delicious vegetables. And plenty of cheese. Topped with Mexican crema and well, of course, more cheese! These aren’t your sour cream-and-bacon bit baked potatoes of yore (yon?). They’re way, way more than that!

Cheesy Chicken Fajita Baked Potatoes

Full Of Flavor

There’s nothing not to like about these cheesy chicken fajita baked potatoes. Each and every bite is full of flavor. You’ll find yourself taking bite after bite enjoying it more and more as you go. The chicken is the star of the show, but there are plenty of supporting characters too. It’s not a one-taste dish.

Don’t be shy with the fajita seasoning as you make the chicken mixture. More is definitely better in this case. I add it to the chicken, to the vegetables, and then I sprinkle the inside of the potatoes with more. Like I said, more is better in this case. Normally I salt and pepper my potatoes after they’re cooked, but I really liked these better seasoned with more of the fajita seasoning.

Amazon Brand – Happy Belly Fajita Seasoning…
  • 4-ounces of Happy Belly Fajita Seasoning
  • Southwestern flavor

I could not find Oaxaca cheese the day I was in the market. Monterey Jack makes a fantastic substitute.

I highly recommend that you shred or grate your own cheese at home. Don’t buy the pre-shredded or pre-grated stuff. It has stuff added to it to keep it from sticking together. That ‘stuff’ affects how the cheese melts. Shred it yourself and use the good stuff.

Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline…
  • Makes Everything Simple : Just forget your bagged…
  • Premium Material : All parts of the rotary cheese…

Also try my loaded The Works baked potato.

Cheesy Chicken Fajita Baked Potatoes
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Cheesy Chicken Fajita Baked Potatoes

A favorite in our household!
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword baked potatoes, fajita
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 536kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

For the fajita mixture

  • 4 chicken thighs boneless, skinless, trimmed of any excess fat
  • ¼ cup fajita seasoning divided, you might use more or less
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
  • ½ medium sweet onion sliced
  • 1 poblano pepper sliced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper sliced
  • 1 pound Oaxaca cheese shredded, divided

For the baked potatoes

Instructions

For the chicken fajita mixture

  • Season the thighs with the fajita seasoning. Don't be shy with the seasoning. Let the chicken set for 15 minutes or up to 2 hours.
  • Preheat a griddle or large skillet over high heat.
  • Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Add the thighs and cook for 4 minutes per side until lightly charred and cooked to 165 F.
  • Remove the chicken to a platter to cool slightly then cut into small cubes.
  • Add remaining butter to the skillet and add the onions and peppers. Cook until lightly softened and charred, stirring often.
  • Add the chicken to the vegetables. Season with more fajita seasoning and stir to combine.
  • Add half of the cheese and mix until melted.
  • Reduce heat to low and cover until ready to use.

For the potatoes

  • Preheat oven to 400 F.
  • Rinse the potatoes under cold water and brush off any dirt. Dry well with a paper towel.
  • Pierce each potato 4 times with a sharp knife.
  • Brush potatoes with oil.
  • Sprinkle some salt onto a plate and roll the potatoes in the salt.
  • Place potatoes directly on the oven center rack. You might want to put a baking sheet lined with foil beneath them to catch any drippings.
  • Bake until potatoes are done (210 F internal temperature, or tender all the way through when poked with a knife), 40-60 minutes depending on their size. You can also test for doneness by squeezing the potatoes (with potholders on). If they give easily, they are done.
  • Remove the potatoes from the oven and let cool slightly before slicing.
  • Season insides with salt and pepper (or use more fajita seasoning and then divide the chicken mixture between the potatoes. Pile it good and high.
  • Top with remaining cheese and place in the oven for 5 minutes to melt.
  • Serve topped with crema and chopped cilantro.

Notes

You can substitute shredded Monterey Jack or pepper jack for the cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: 536kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 563mg | Potassium: 969mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 754IU | Vitamin C: 43mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sale
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline…
  • Meal Prep MVP – A practical and innovative way to…
  • 12 Diverse Blades – With nine interchangeable…
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring…
  • Set includes: 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup and 1 cup
  • Magnetic handles keep Cups together for storage…