Category: Main Dishes

Barbacoa Beef Sandwiches

Give me a big ole slow cooker full of tender, juicy, flavor-packed, fall-apart beef and I’m going to make a sandwich. 9 out of 10 times that’s where it’ll end up. Piled high on a big loaf of French bread, like these barbacoa beef sandwiches. Nothing fancy. Nothing difficult. But it is messy. A good kind of messy. What’s the point of eating a sandwich if it’s not messy?

Barbacoa Beef Sandwiches

Messy. Like It’s Supposed To Be.

If you take a big bite of a sandwich and juices run down your arms, it’s a good sandwich. These barbacoa beef sandwiches are gonna run and then some. I love the combination of the tender meat and crunchy lettuce, offset by a creamy jalapeno-cilantro spread that brings just a bit of heat. It’s a great all-around sandwich.

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.

Blue Plate Real Mayonnaise, Homestyle Mayo For Chicken Salad to Deviled Eggs, 30 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Blue Plate Real Mayonnaise, Homestyle Mayo For Chicken Salad to Deviled Eggs, 30 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)

Also try my slow cooker BBQ beef sandwiches.

Barbacoa Beef Sandwiches
Print Pin
4 from 1 vote

Barbacoa Beef Sandwiches

I love the combination of the tender meat and crunchy lettuce, offset by a creamy jalapeno-cilantro spread that brings just a bit of heat. It's a great all-around sandwich.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword beef, crockpot, sandwich, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 369kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

For the sandwich

  • 1 loaf French bread halved horizontally, scoop out bread as desired
  • ½ batch slow cooker barbacoa beef warmed
  • 2 handfuls iceberg lettuce shredded

For the Jalapeno-Cilantro Crema (makes enough for several sandwiches)

Instructions

For the Jalapeno-Cilantro Crema

  • Whisk together all ingredients. Keep refrigerated until ready to use. The sauce gets thicker the longer it sits.

For the sandwich

  • Warm the bread, if desired.
  • Spread the crema on both halves of the bread. Mound high with the meat and lettuce.
  • Cut into 6 sandwiches and serve.

Notes

Keep some napkins nearby! You’ll need them!

Nutrition

Calories: 369kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 664mg | Potassium: 155mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 268IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Spicy Meatballs

I always keep a few bags of homemade spicy meatballs on hand. Grab them out of the freezer, toss in some marinara sauce, serve over pasta… dinner in no time! I also use them to make super easy meatball sandwiches. And slice them in half to top a homemade pizza. They’re very versatile, easy to make and taste great! And they’re way better than those store-bought ones you find in the freezer section. You know the ones. Dinky. Kinda weird colored. Questionable texture. Not so tasty. Yep, not these.

Spicy Meatballs

Perfect Tender Tasty Meatballs

You can make these spicy meatballs as spicy as you want. Or leave out the red pepper flake entirely and just make ‘meatballs’. The meatballs taste fantastic with or without the heat. They’re wonderfully tender and delicious. Just make sure you don’t overwork the meat. Mix it just enough to combine the ingredients. Anything more and they’ll start to get tough and you don’t want that. Mix lightly and they’ll stay soft and tender. I prefer to use my hands though I picked up some food-safe gloves to make the job easier.

Meatball Master
Meatball Master

Also try my meatloaf meatballs.

Spicy Meatballs
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Spicy Meatballs

Make sure you don't overwork the meat. Mix it just enough to combine the ingredients.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword meatballs, spicy
Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 533kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Ree Drummond

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients except for the oil into a large bowl.
  • Using your hands, combine everything thoroughly, but try to not overwork the meat.
  • Form the mixture into small balls. Depending on how you plan on using them, you may want small or large balls. It's all up to you.
  • Place on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Working in batches, fry the meatballs until golden brown and cooked through, with an internal temperature of 160 F. Flip the meatballs once or twice while cooking to brown on all sides.
  • Transfer cooked meatballs to a plate and continue cooking the remaining ones.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

Great over pasta, on sandwiches or served as appetizers.

Nutrition

Calories: 533kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 186mg | Sodium: 599mg | Potassium: 516mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 556IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 201mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Restaurant Style Peel and Eat Shrimp

We recently returned from a vacation to the Fernandina Beach area of Florida. We’d never been before and so enjoyed our time there. From the moment I made the reservations I dreamed of one thing about the trip. Nope, it wasn’t the beach, or the great warm weather or nice people. I dreamed of eating restaurant style peel and eat shrimp. And I don’t mean sort of dreamed about it, either. I was obsessed. And after we got home I made an exact copy of those same dishes so I could keep enjoying them. It was like being back on the beach, except I was in the middle of Indiana!

Restaurant-Style Peel-and-Eat Shrimp

Use Good Shrimp For The Best Results

You want to use the best shrimp I could get when I made these restaurant style peel-and-eat shrimp. That means not farm raised somewhere far, far away. Lucky me, I found a family-owned seafood company just south of Amelia Island that ships fantastic shrimp for a good price, Shrimp To Shore. The shrimp are wild caught, perfectly sized, and crazy delicious. They’re what made this a memorable dish.

OLD BAY Seasoning, 6 oz
OLD BAY Seasoning, 6 oz

Oh, if you’re in the Fernandina Beach or Amelia Island areas and are craving great peel-and-eat shrimp, stop by The Salty Pelican and Slider’s Seaside Grill and order up a plate!

Also try my Italian barbecue shrimp.

Restaurant-Style Peel-and-Eat Shrimp
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Restaurant Style Peel and Eat Shrimp

Use the best shrimp you can find for the best results
Course Appetizer or Main
Cuisine American
Keyword restaurant, shrimp
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings 1
Calories 249kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fill a large pot halfway with water.
  • Add the beer, 2 tablespoons of Old Bay, pickling spice, and one lemon (halved along with the juice).
  • Bring the water to a boil.
  • Add the shrimp.
  • Cook for 2-4 minutes or until done as desired.
  • Drain the shrimp in a colander but do not rinse. Sprinkle with more Old Bay as desired and toss gently.
  • Serve with the remaining lemon (sliced) and cocktail sauce. I serve my shrimp over fresh crushed ice.

Notes

I like to cook a single shrimp first. I use it as a test to determine the exact cook time for the remaining shrimp. In my case, my 20 count shrimp took 2 minutes and 40 seconds to be perfect. Shrimp aren’t cheap, and you want the best-cooked shrimp. I think it’s worth this extra step to determine the ideal cook time!

Nutrition

Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 25mg | Potassium: 507mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 290IU | Vitamin C: 118mg | Calcium: 189mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Denver Omelet Nachos

The first time I had a Denver omelet was on a Delta airlines flight when I was a kid. That was long long ago. Even at a young age I knew I was hooked on them. I loved that wonderful combination of cheese, ham, onion, mushroom and peppers. These Denver omelet nachos takes those long-time favorite flavors and put them on top of my other favorite: crispy tater tots. Yep, it’s a marriage made in heaven for sure. And for a delightful twist, a lightly spicy cream sauce. The sauce cuts through some of that richness and makes the world a wonderful place again. Ok, so maybe it doesn’t do that but it is mighty darned good!

Denver Omelet Nachos

A Delicious Twist With Classic Flavors

I think of these Denver omelet nachos as the perfect grownup version of the breakfast dish I had as a kid. Nothing wrong with the old way, either, definitely not. But this is a great twist on a long-time favorite. And as a bonus, my wife declared this to be one of the things we’ve made! Plus who doesn’t like crispy tater tots?

Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline Vegetable Slicer with 3 Interchangeable Blades, Easy to Clean Rotary Grater Slicer for Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts
Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline Vegetable Slicer with 3 Interchangeable Blades, Easy to Clean Rotary Grater Slicer for Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts

Also try my Memphis mile-high BBQ nachos.

Denver Omelet Nachos
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Denver Omelet Nachos

These Denver omelet nachos takes those long-time favorite flavors and put them on top of my other favorite: crispy tater tots.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword nachos
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 1404kcal
Author Inspired by a recipe from Cuisine at Home

Equipment

Ingredients

For the nachos

  • 1 bag tater tots or crispy crowns
  • kosher salt to taste
  • ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 8 ounces ham steak cubed
  • 4 ounces button mushrooms diced
  • ½ cup red bell pepper diced
  • ½ cup green bell pepper diced
  • ½ cup onion diced
  • 4 large eggs
  • ¼ cup whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 3 cups Colby Jack cheese shredded, for topping
  • 2 large green onions sliced, for garnish

For the sauce

Instructions

For the sauce

  • Whisk together all ingredients.
  • Transfer to a squeeze bottle or bowl in the fridge until ready to use.

For the nachos

  • Preheat oven to 425 F.
  • Prepare the tater tots or crispy crowns according to package instructions. Make sure to get them good and crispy.
  • Season well with salt and pepper.
  • Reduce the oven temperature to 300 F for melting the cheese before serving.
  • Add half the oil to a large skillet or saute pan over high heat.
  • Add the ham and cook until just starting to brown on the edges.
  • Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
  • Add the remaining oil.
  • Add the mushrooms, peppers and onion.
  • Stir and cook until the vegetables are just starting to turn tender.
  • Transfer to a bowl.
  • Add in the ham.
  • Stir and season with salt and pepper.
  • Whisk together the eggs and milk in a small bowl.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Add the butter to the skillet and reduce heat to medium.
  • Add the eggs.
  • Stirring constantly, scramble the eggs until just set (do not overcook!).
  • Remove to a plate and lightly break up the eggs using a fork.
  • Assemble the nachos by dividing the tots between 4 oven-proof plates.
  • Top with the ham and vegetable mixture, followed by the eggs.
  • Sprinkle with cheese and place in the oven for about 3 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
  • Serve drizzled with the sauce and garnished with the green onions.

Notes

Add a little minced jalapeno for a nice kick.

Nutrition

Calories: 1404kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 106g | Saturated Fat: 35g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 35g | Monounsaturated Fat: 31g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 338mg | Sodium: 3099mg | Potassium: 1246mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2220IU | Vitamin C: 85mg | Calcium: 785mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Roadside Seafood Fried Shrimp

This is my kind of eats. Roadside seafood fried shrimp is exactly what I would order from any highway joint, traveling the back roads. If you drive by those mom-and-pop diners on the way to some chain restaurant, you’re missing out. Crispy fries, battered and fried shrimp and plenty of ketchup (and cocktail sauce please!) and I’m one happy guy.

Roadside Seafood Fried Shrimp

The Shrimp Of Dreams

The original recipe for this roadside seafood fried shrimp recipe came from a (now closed) restaurant in Charleston, SC. I scaled it down a bit. I like a little spiciness, so I’d be tempted to add more hot sauce next time. If you don’t have blackened seasoning, Creole or Cajun seasoning make for a great substitute. You want to really season the seafood breading well.

I get out my big deep fryer when it’s time to fry a large batch of food. It comes to temperature quickly and it maintains that temperature perfectly. It has a built-in oil filter and storage unit so I can re-use the oil several times.

T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel
T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel

Yes, the serving size does say this recipe feeds four. I personally love shrimp so much that I’d be more inclined to say it serves two. At most. And since there’s just the two of us, I used my Fry Daddy fryer to make these. It’s small, uses little oil and does a knock-out job on shrimp and anything else!

Also try my Old Bay Southern fried shrimp and my Mac and Ernie’s fried shrimp, too!

Roadside Seafood Fried Shrimp
Print Pin
4.50 from 2 votes

Roadside Seafood Fried Shrimp

This is my kind of eats. Roadside seafood fried shrimp is exactly what I would order from any highway joint, traveling the back roads.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword deep-fried, shrimp
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 169kcal
Author Inspired by a recipe from The Food Network

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or Dutch oven to 350 F.
  • In a pie plate or medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, hot sauce, blackened seasoning and the egg.
  • Place the seafood breading in another pie plate or shallow bowl.
  • Working in batches if needed, place the shrimp into the buttermilk mixture and coat well.
  • Remove the shrimp and shake off any excess coating.
  • Transfer to the breading and toss to coat.
  • Remove the shrimp and shake off any excess breading.
  • Place in the hot oil and fry 2-3 minutes or until done (they float to the top and turn pink).
  • Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Serve.

Notes

Great served with cocktail sauce or tartar sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 169kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 339mg | Sodium: 1400mg | Potassium: 198mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 177IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 241mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel
T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel

Creamy Crab Salad Sandwiches

I’m pretty sure I’m addicted to crab salad. And my preferred way to enjoy it is on bread. These creamy crab salad sandwiches are exactly what I like the most. Chunky crab (imitation works fine, trust me). Plenty of creamy mayonnaise (Blue Plate is my favorite). And plenty of crunchy onion and celery. And you have to have dill. It’s the perfect combination for an easy, delicious lunch.

Creamy Crab Salad Sandwiches

More Dill Makes Them More Better

If you have fresh dill, by all means use that instead of dry. I’d start with about half of a tablespoon and go from there. I’m pretty much a dill addict, so I’m sure I’d end up adding more. These creamy crab salad sandwiches are great, but they’re even better with more dill!

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.

Blue Plate Real Mayonnaise, Homestyle Mayo For Chicken Salad to Deviled Eggs, 30 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Blue Plate Real Mayonnaise, Homestyle Mayo For Chicken Salad to Deviled Eggs, 30 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)

This recipe is based on a recipe from Dinner Then Dessert.

Creamy Crab Salad Sandwiches
Print Pin
4 from 1 vote

Creamy Crab Salad Sandwiches

These creamy crab salad sandwiches are great, but they're even better with more dill!
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword crab, salad, sandwich
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Servings 4
Calories 444kcal
Author Inspired by a recipe from Dinner Then Dessert

Equipment

Ingredients

For the creamy crab salad

For the sandwiches

  • 8 slices bread

Instructions

For the creamy crab salad

  • Place all of the crab salad ingredients into a large bowl and stir gently until combined.
  • Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

For the sandwiches

  • Toast the bread as desired.
  • Divide the creamy crab salad between 4 slices of bread. Top with remaining bread and serve.

Notes

You can also serve these sandwiches on croissants or brioche buns.

Nutrition

Calories: 444kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 1573mg | Potassium: 400mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 131IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 142mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Chili Cheese Fries

I had bar food on my brain. Not sure how it got there but I was dreaming of potato skins, nachos, sliders… and chili cheese fries. Nothing beats a bowl on a cold day, sure… but put it over crispy potatoes and top it with a creamy, ooey-gooey cheese sauce, and well… Hey, it’s bar food time!

Chili Cheese Fries

Load ‘Em Up

You could keep going with the toppings on chili cheese fries. Yeah, throw some sliced jalapenos on there, sure. Some sour cream? Yeah. Whatever you want, it can go on there because there aren’t any rules when it comes to bar food. I know because I’ve eaten my share of bar food. Bar food is meant to be decadent, over-the-top good.

You could make this same dish with crispy, hot baked (or fried) tater tots. In fact, now that I thought of that, I’ll be doing that next. There’s nothing better than hot loaded fries or tots.

I cooked and served these fries on my cast iron fajita skillet. It’s easy to clean up (even with the melted cheese) and it looks great.

Fajita Plate Set - Pre-seasoned Cast Iron Fajita Pan with Wooden Tray and Hot Mitt by Old Mountain
Fajita Plate Set – Pre-seasoned Cast Iron Fajita Pan with Wooden Tray and Hot Mitt by Old Mountain
Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline Vegetable Slicer with 3 Interchangeable Blades, Easy to Clean Rotary Grater Slicer for Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts
Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline Vegetable Slicer with 3 Interchangeable Blades, Easy to Clean Rotary Grater Slicer for Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts

To really kick these up, top them with my prime rib chili!

This recipe is based on a recipe from Small Town Woman.

Chili Cheese Fries
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Chili Cheese Fries

Nothing beats chili on a cold day
Course Appetizer or Main
Cuisine American
Keyword chili, fries
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 199kcal
Author Inspired by a recipe from Small Town Woman

Equipment

Ingredients

For the fries

  • 26 ounce frozen French fries
  • 4 cups chili I made a batch of Carrol Shelby's chili, but you can use your own recipe or even canned chili, whichever you prefer
  • other toppings optional, consider adding sliced jalapenos, sour cream, whatever you like!

For the cheese sauce

Instructions

For the fries

  • Prepare the fries per package instructions. Meanwhile make the cheese sauce (below).
  • Serve fries topped with chili, cheese sauce and whatever favorite toppings you prefer.

For the cheese sauce

  • Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium-low heat.
  • Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 minutes, whisking constantly.
  • Add the garlic powder, onion powder and chili powder and whisk to combine.
  • While whisking, slowly add in the milk. Let the sauce come to a simmer and stir to thicken.
  • Reduce heat to low and stir in the cheese until smooth, creamy and melted. If the sauce gets too thick stir in a bit more milk.

Notes

For a good kick, use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar.

Nutrition

Calories: 199kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 220mg | Potassium: 433mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1350IU | Vitamin C: 144mg | Calcium: 283mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Fantastic Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

For years and years I’ve seen TV chefs and restaurant cooks making spaghetti sauce from scratch. And yet for some reason, I never did it… until now. This fantastic homemade spaghetti sauce blew me away. Not only is it easy to make (with ingredients I almost always have in my pantry and fridge) it tastes absolutely amazing. I’ll never have any other pasta sauce again. Ever.

Fantastic Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Fantastically Easy And Tasty

You can make this fantastic homemade spaghetti sauce without adding either the meatballs or Italian sausage and it’s still out-of-this-world great. I happen to like them, so I added them. This is a great pantry sauce and one I’ll make again and again, and the meat can be optional.

Cento San Marzano Peeled Tomatoes, 28 oz
Cento San Marzano Peeled Tomatoes, 28 oz

Make sure you get the best canned whole tomatoes your store has to offer. They won’t be cheap, but trust me, the difference in taste and consistency is worth the few extra bucks.

Fantastic Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Fantastic Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

This fantastic homemade spaghetti sauce blew me away. Not only is it easy to make (with ingredients I almost always have in my pantry and fridge) it tastes absolutely amazing.
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword sauce, spaghetti
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 360kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat the oil over medium heat in a large pot or Dutch oven.
  • Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring.
  • Add tomatoes and tomato paste.
  • Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring until the mixture is smooth.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add sausages and meatballs and stir until the meat is coated and heated. If using frozen meatballs make sure they get completely warmed through.
  • Stir in the sugar.
  • Reduce heat to a slow simmer.
  • Simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring often. If the sauce gets too thick add a splash of water and stir.
  • Serve over cooked pasta.

Notes

Store leftover sauce in the fridge. The sauce can be frozen for later use.

Nutrition

Calories: 360kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 710mg | Potassium: 707mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 662IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Easy French Onion Burgers

They’re not anything fancy. Heck, you might even consider them to be ‘kids’ food. But for some reason I really, really enjoyed these easy French onion burgers. I made mine on the grill, but you can just as easily make them on the stovetop. Think of them as French dip burgers in a way. The patties soak up some of that French onion yumminess. And just in case you want more, there’s a little bowl of more French onion on the side for dippin’. And I did a lot of dippin’, I tell ya!

Easy French Onion Burgers

The Key To These Burgers Is…

The key to these easy French onion burgers is to not overcook the patties before they go into the soup to ‘finish’. Get them close to done, then remove them and let them go for a soupy swim to soak up all that great oniony flavor. The patties will come out juicy, dripping good stuff, ready to devour!

Weber Original Burger Press, Black
Weber Original Burger Press, Black

This recipe is based on a recipe from Campbell’s.

Easy French Onion Burgers
Print Pin
4 from 1 vote

Easy French Onion Burgers

The key to these easy French onion burgers is to not overcook the patties before they go into the soup to 'finish'.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword burgers, onion
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 512kcal
Author Inspired by a recipe from Campbell’s

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Shape the beef into 4 patties.
  • Season well with pepper.

On the grill

  • Fire up your grill for direct cooking 400 – 450 F.
  • Pour the soup into a pan and place on the grill near the direct heat so it begins to warm.
  • Grill burgers as desired but do not cook completely. When they reach around 140 F remove from the direct heat and transfer to the hot French onion soup.
  • Continue cooking the burgers in the soup until they reach 165 F.
  • Remove the patties and place on the bun bottoms.
  • Top with cheese and bun tops.
  • Serve with soup on the side for dipping, if desired.

On the stovetop

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the burgers and cook on both sides until medium rare, around 140 F.
  • Spoon out any fat from the skillet and stir in the soup.
  • Continue to cook the burgers in the hot soup until they reach 165 F, another 5-10 minutes.
  • Remove the patties and place on the bun bottoms.
  • Top with cheese and bun tops.
  • Serve with soup on the side for dipping, if desired.

Notes

Like like to serve these like French dip sandwiches. Just dip in the soup and get to eatin’!

Nutrition

Calories: 512kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 1026mg | Potassium: 719mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 199IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 326mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Prime Rib Chili

Prime rib chili is one of those things that just sort of happened. With the end of winter in sight I decided to start rummaging around in the freezer for anything I needed to use up. I came across a nice rib roast that I’d forgotten about. I’d picked up a few of them last time they were on sale. They were so cheap in fact that I didn’t mind using a slightly more expensive cut of meat in a chili. And boy, does prime rib ever make for a fantastic chili. Great beefy flavor and of course tender as you can get.

Prime Rib Chili

It’s About The Prime Rib

Other than the prime rib, this chili is pretty much your standard fantastic chili. I really love poblanos in a chili. To make them extra special I roast them on the grill or under the broiler first. For the same reason, I prefer fire-roasted tomatoes in my chili. That char adds a lot of flavor.

Amazon Fresh - Beef Broth, Carton, 32 oz
Amazon Fresh – Beef Broth, Carton, 32 oz

This chili is crazy good on cheese fries.

Also try my over the top smoked chili and some of Fat Johnny’s goulash.

Prime Rib Chili
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3.50 from 2 votes

Prime Rib Chili

Prime rib chili is one of those things that just sort of happened. And boy, does prime rib ever make for a fantastic chili. Great beefy flavor and of course tender as you can get.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword chili, prime rib
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 376kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Todd English

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Season the beef well with the salt and pepper.
  • Working in batches, heat some of the oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat and add the beef. Brown on all sides, 4-5 minutes, and remove to a plate.
  • Add the onion to the Dutch oven and cook 5 minutes.
  • Add the poblano and cook another 3 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and cook another minute.
  • Stir in the chili powder, cumin and coriander and cook another 3 minutes.
  • Add the broth, tomatoes and cooked beef.
  • Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes.
  • Add the beans and simmer another 15 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the lime juice.
  • Serve topped with cheese and garnished with cilantro.

Notes

Also great with some hot cornbread.

Nutrition

Calories: 376kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 709mg | Potassium: 458mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 724IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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Lodge ASAHH41 Silicone Assist Handle Holder, Red