Smoked Provolone Cheese Sauce

This smoked provolone sauce adds great flavor (and texture) to any recipe you need a cheese sauce. I love it over pulled pork since it has a nice smokey flavor, but not so overbearing that you can’t taste the meat. I made a big batch and squirted it over pulled pork tater tot nachos (below) and stromboli, but you’ll also love it over grilled burgers or chicken sandwiches, or the best, Italian sausage sandwiches.

Smoked provolone can sometimes be difficult to find. Regular provolone works just fine in this cheese sauce. If you’re hankerin’ for that smokiness, you can cold smoke the cheese if you have a smoker.

Pulled Pork Tater Tot Nachos

The Multi-Purpose Cheese Sauce

This smoked provolone cheese sauce would also be great as a dip. You could add a few chopped green chiles. Or even mix in some Rotel tomatoes, adding a little heat.

This sauce is great over ‘normal’ nachos too. You know, the ones made with tortilla chips!

Also try my amazing creamy nacho cheese sauce.

Pulled Pork Tater Tot Nachos
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5 from 1 vote

Smoked Provolone Cheese Sauce

This smoked provolone sauce adds great flavor (and texture) to any recipe you need a cheese sauce.
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword cheese, sauce, smoked
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 2 cups
Calories 671kcal
Author From The Slow Roasted Italian

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  • Whisk in the flour and continue whisking for 2-3 minutes until the flour is cooked.
  • While still whisking, slowly pour in the milk.
  • Add the cheese, salt and pepper.
  • Stir often until the cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth.
  • Keep warm until ready to use.

Nutrition

Calories: 671kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 31g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 132mg | Sodium: 1678mg | Potassium: 487mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 1734IU | Calcium: 1132mg | 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. It really tastes just like the stuff in the store. And because it’s a whole heck of a lot cheaper to make you can use more of it! I always felt guilty eating the fru-fru stuff. I had to stretch it out. Not this. I can load up and not feel like I’m going broke!

Grilled Polenta with Homemade Boursin-Style Cheese

Not Just For Crackers

This homemade Boursin-style 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.

I think the fact that this is a cheaper version of the store-bought cheese opens up new opportunities for using it. Now I don’t hesitate to smear it on everything!

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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.

Creamy Bacon Cheese Dip

I made a big batch of this creamy bacon cheese dip for a family get-together. It disappeared fast. It’s highly addicting. I mean, really what’s not to like about it. Tons and tons of cheese. And lots and lots of bacon. And a bit of onion for contrast. Heck, this is not only a great dip, it’s a great topping for a baked potato!

Creamy Bacon Cheese Dip

Make Extra, You’ll Need It!

You can’t go wrong with something that has bacon in it. And cheese. Make a double batch of this creamy bacon cheese dip. It’s great for dipping but it also makes a great topping for hamburgers too! And baked potatoes will never be the same after you put a few good dollops of it on top.

Also try my hot country ham dip.

This recipe is based on a recipe from You Made That?

Creamy Bacon Cheese Dip
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4 from 1 vote

Creamy Bacon Cheese Dip

You can’t go wrong with something that has bacon in it. And cheese. Make a double batch of this creamy bacon cheese dip and keep some on hand for topping just about anything
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword bacon, cheese, dip
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 24
Calories 110kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 slices bacon
  • 2 16 ounce sour cream
  • 2 8 ounce cream cheese softened
  • 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 2 cups green onions chopped

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 F.
  • Cook the bacon until crispy. Drain well and chop into small pieces.
  • Spray a 9″ x 9″ glass baking dish with non-stick spray.
  • Combine all ingredients and pour into the dish, spreading out evenly.
  • Bake for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
  • Serve with crackers or chips (Frito’s Scoops are great with this dip!).

Nutrition

Calories: 110kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 167mg | Potassium: 56mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 276IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 142mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Cowboy Breakfast Sandwiches

We both love having breakfast for dinner. We don’t usually have time in the mornings to make an elaborate breakfast, so making it for dinner lets us go wild. These cowboy breakfast sandwiches hit the spot. Everything that normally goes on a breakfast plate is in this sandwich.

Cowboy Breakfast Sandwiches

Welcome The Heat

I used homemade breakfast sausage on these cowboy breakfast sandwiches, but of course store-bought sausage works just as well. Don’t skip the jalapenos, they are what really sets this sandwich apart. They aren’t too hot, they just add some zing. Plus, I’m pretty sure that cowboys like a little kick start to the day. I don’t know any or I’d ask!

The Cuisinart Griddler was made just for sandwiches like these.

Also try my crazy-good country ham and egg muffins.

Cowboy Breakfast Sandwiches
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4 from 1 vote

Cowboy Breakfast Sandwiches

Easy breakfast sandwich that’ll keep you going for hours.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword breakfast, sandwich
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 741kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 F.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter and melt. Spread the remaining butter on the bread. Fry the bread until lightly browned on each side, adding more butter to the skillet if needed.
  • Heat another skillet over medium heat and cook the sausage.
  • Lightly beat the eggs, half-and-half and salt and pepper in a small bowl. Add in the jalapeno.
  • Spray a 9″ x 9″ baking dish with non-stick spray. Pour in the egg mixture. Bake until the eggs are done, about 20-25 minutes. Cut into 4 squares.
  • Assemble the sandwiches by placing a slice of cheese on 4 pieces of the bread. Top with the egg, a sausage, and another slice of bread.

Nutrition

Calories: 741kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 54g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 372mg | Sodium: 975mg | Potassium: 249mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1097IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 259mg | Iron: 14mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Cheese Sauce

This is my go-to, super easy, cheese sauce. I use it mostly on vegetables, and often on baked potatoes. It’s also great on hot dogs and hamburgers. You need a cheesy sauce, this is the one. It has just the right consistency. You don’t want it too runny. You don’t want it to be all gloppy. This is right down the middle, perfect.

Cheese Sauce

A Cheese Blank Canvas

Substitute a Monterey Jack cheese for a nice white sauce, or pepperjack for something a little kicked up. You can also add things like chopped roasted chiles or jalapenos to give it even more heat. These cheese sauce loves to take on more flavors, so change it up!

This sauce is the boss on my cheesy mushroom baked potatoes and my cheesy broccoli baked potatoes.

Cheesy Broccoli Baked Potatoes
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Cheese Sauce

This makes a little over a cup of sauce, about the right amount for 4 servings of vegetables or 4 baked potatoes.
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword cheese, sauce
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 108kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat 3/4 cup of the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until it starts to steam, stirring often.
  • In a coffee cup or glass, mix together 1/4 cup of milk and all of the flour until the flour is completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
  • While stirring, slowly pour the milk and flour mixture into the heated milk. Keep stirring until the mixture comes to a boil and is nice and thick.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the cheese until melted.
  • Add salt and cayenne pepper, to taste.

Nutrition

Calories: 108kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 114mg | Potassium: 98mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 240IU | Calcium: 171mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Easy Chili Cheese Baked Potatoes

Having a baked potato for dinner is like having breakfast for dinner. It’s something I always look forward to. But for some reason, I feel mischievous having one. It’s like I’m breaking the rules. These easy chili cheese baked potatoes made me feel like I was breaking a lot of rules.

Easy Chili Cheese Baked Potatoes

Baked Potatoes Can Be Addicting

I think my addiction to baked potatoes really got started in college. There was a great dive in Fayetteville, Arkansas, called Hogs Breath Eatery. That’s where I would get a huge loaded baked potato for just a few bucks. My favorites were the Terlingua and The Works. Also, their variation of these easy chili cheese baked potatoes.

Also try my The Works baked potato.

Easy Chili Cheese Baked Potatoes
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4 from 1 vote

Easy Chili Cheese Baked Potatoes

Having a baked potato for dinner is like having breakfast for dinner. It’s something I always look forward to.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword baked, cheese, chili, potatoes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 3
Calories 305kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Split potatoes open and add one tablespoon of butter to each.Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Add chili, cheese, and sour cream and top with green onions.

Nutrition

Calories: 305kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 1573mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 81IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Waffle Iron Eggs and Biscuits

I found the original recipe for this great breakfast-for-dinner idea over at Amy’s Cooking Adventures. Putting an egg on top of batter in a waffle iron sounded like a pretty nifty approach to me, so I dove right in and made some waffle iron eggs and biscuits. This really is breakfast-in-a-bite. Everything you need. Everything you want. I thought these were a really fun idea. And they really hit the spot, too. I didn’t really need help loving waffles any more but these certainly made that happen.

Waffle Iron Eggs and Biscuits

Expect A Little Mess. It’s Worth It.

I have to warn you, you’re going to make a mess making these waffle iron eggs and biscuits. There’s really no way around it. No matter how gently you close the iron lid, somewhere along the line you’re going to pop a yoke and it’s going to run out. That’s ok, though. It’s worth the mess.

Guess what? You can also make chocolate chip ‘cookies’ using your waffle iron!

Waffle Iron Eggs and Biscuits
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4 from 1 vote

Waffle Iron Eggs and Biscuits

Putting an egg on top of batter in a waffle iron sounded like a pretty nifty approach to me, so I dove right in and made some waffle iron eggs and biscuits.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Keyword biscuits, breakfast, eggs, waffles
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 923kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups Bisquick plus a little more for dusting
  • cup low fat milk
  • 4 slices bacon cooked, drained, crumbled
  • 1 cup cheese shredded (Swiss, cheddar, whichever you prefer)
  • 6 large eggs
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into pats
  • ½ pound breakfast sausage cooked drained, crumbled
  • maple syrup

Instructions

  • Preheat you waffle iron as directed by the manufacturer and spray with non-stick spray as needed
  • Combine biscuit mix and milk until a dough forms.
  • Lightly dust a cutting board with more baking mix. Roll the dough out using a rolling pin until it is about 1/4″ thick. Cut into shapes slightly smaller than your waffle iron. (Our waffle iron is round. I found a saucer that was just smaller than the iron and used that as my template for cutting the dough).
  • Working in batches, place the dough pieces onto your waffle iron. Sprinkle with some bacon and cheese and top with a single egg each. (If you sprinkle the cheese in a circular pattern, creating a sort of ‘well’, the egg will not slide off as easily).
  • Very, very gently lower the top of the waffle iron and cook until done.
  • Serve topped with butter, sprinkled with the breakfast sausage crumbles, and drizzled with pure maple syrup.

Nutrition

Calories: 923kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 64g | Saturated Fat: 27g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 398mg | Sodium: 1764mg | Potassium: 500mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1169IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 439mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Macaroni-And-Cheese Muffins

These macaroni-and-cheese muffins would be great for a family gathering. They’re easy to make and taste fantastically cheesy! You can make a big, huge batch of them in no time. It might keep Uncle Henry from snagging all of the mac-and-cheese out of a dish. It’s a lot more obvious that you’re hogging them all when you have to stack 10 of these little round morsels onto your plate.

Macaroni-And-Cheese Muffins

Pop-In-Your-Mouth Goodness

Macaroni-and-cheese muffins are rather fun to eat too, just like my mac-and-cheese waffles. You can use your favorite mac-and-cheese recipe instead, if you like. Just watch the cook time because you might have to adjust it a bit. You want the macaroni to set up good in the tins.

Macaroni-And-Cheese Muffins
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4 from 1 vote

Macaroni-And-Cheese Muffins

These macaroni-and-cheese muffins would be great for a family gathering. They’re easy to make and taste fantastically cheesy! You can make a big, huge batch of them in no time.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword mac and cheese, macaroni and cheese, muffins
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 231kcal
Author Found on the web

Ingredients

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt plus more for the pasta
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter softened
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded, divided
  • 1 ½ cups Mozzarella cheese shredded
  • ½ cup bread crumbs seasoned
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • Add pasta to a large pot of lightly salted boiling water and cook for 8 minutes.
  • Drain and return to the pot.
  • Add the butter and egg and stir until the butter is melted and the pasta is coated.
  • Add the milk, 1 cup of the Mexican cheese and all of the Italian cheese and stir until the cheeses are melted.
  • Spray a muffin pan with non-stick spray. Spoon in the pasta mixture.
  • Top with the remaining Mexican cheese.
  • In a small bowl combine 1/2 teaspoon of salt, the bread crumbs and olive oil.Sprinkle over the tops of pasta.
  • Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Let rest for 5 minutes, letting the cheese set, before removing from the muffin tins to serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 231kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 334mg | Potassium: 119mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 324IU | Calcium: 212mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Carrots Au Gratin

Paula Deen does crank out some good dishes, like these carrots au gratin. She has a lot of critics, but I’m not one of them. When I do watch cooking shows, I watch for the food. I try to ignore the fluff.

Carrots Au Gratin

A Great Holiday Side Dish

These carrots au gratin came out fantastic. It’s a nice twist on the traditional potatoes au gratin. I think we’ll put this on our to-make list for this year’s Thanksgiving.

Also try my fried carrots strips with Cajun mayonnaise dipping sauce.

Carrots Au Gratin
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Carrots Au Gratin

A great easy side dish that is a nice twist on traditional potatoes au gratin.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword carrots
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 206kcal
Author Paula Deen

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Spray a 9″ x 9″ baking dish with non-stick spray.
  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the carrots and green onion and saute for 6 minutes.
  • Add the flour, parsley, salt and pepper. Stir and cook for 2 minutes.
  • Add the milk and stir until thickened, 2-4 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the cheese.
  • Pour mixture into the baking dish. Sprinkle top with the crushed chips.
  • Bake for 30 minutes or until hot and the chips are a little browned.

Nutrition

Calories: 206kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 364mg | Potassium: 593mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 14533IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 181mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.