Course: Main Dish

Shrimp, Corn and Andouille Sausage Soup

Shrimp, Corn and Andouille Sausage Soup

My family and I lived in Charleston, South Carolina for several years. If there is one thing that will come as no surprise to you, it is that the south has AMAZING food. Charleston in particular in know for their culinary scene. There are many 

Roasted Vegetable and Cream Pesto Pasta

Roasted Vegetable and Cream Pesto Pasta

The Packer household officially has a new favorite pasta dish! I had fooled my brain into believing that this was a healthy dish because it is loaded with vegetables, but as I was typing all of the ingredients out, I realized that it really isn’t 

Manicotti

Manicotti

Growing up, my Mom would let us pick what she made for dinner on our birthdays. It was always fun to choose our favorite dish. Often times, this was my dinner of choice on my birthday. It’s hard to not love manicotti.

When I left for college, I wrote my moms recipe for manicotti on a recipe card and took it with me. This is one of the first dishes that I made for my husband while we were dating and one of the first dishes I learned to make when I first started cooking. Needless to say, this recipe has been well loved and very used. So used in fact, that when I went to make it the other night I realized that you could no longer read much of the writing on the recipe card. I did my best to make out the ingredients and to my delight, it tased just how I remembered.

Print Recipe
Manicotti
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Servings
people
Ingredients
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Servings
people
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Cook the manicotti shells according to the package directions, drain and set aside. The shells will stick together, so it is best to lay them in a single layer on a large baking sheet.
  3. In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 Cups shredded mozzarella, 1/4 Cup of shredded parmesan, eggs, parsley, basil, oregano, nutmeg, salt and pepper. set aside.
  4. In a 9x13" pan, pour half of the bottle of the marinara sauce in the bottom and spread evenly.
  5. place approximately 3 tablespoons of the cheese mixture into each manicotti shell. It is best to use a smaller spoon in order to not tear the manicotti while stuffing them.
  6. Repeat this step until all manicotti shells have been stuffed with the cheese mixture and placed in a single layer in the 9x13" baking dish.
  7. Top with the remaining marinara sauce
  8. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and shredded parmesan.
  9. Bake for 40 minutes.
Mexican Meatball Soup

Mexican Meatball Soup

I just got home from a long weekend at Disneyland. It was so much fun and the perfect temperature in southern California. We returned home to Idaho and I encountered 2 major problems! 1: It is FREEZING cold. 2: I am in dire need of 

Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Rice

Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Rice

One thing you will learn about me is that I don’t use a lot of canned soups in my recipes. There are a few dishes that are an exception to that rule, but for the most part, I prefer to use wholesome ingredients from my 

Instant Pot Meatloaf

Instant Pot Meatloaf

Don’t keep scrolling just because you saw the word “meatloaf”. Trust me, I understand, I didn’t used to love meatloaf either. In fact, I really didn’t even LIKE meatloaf! When I was growing up, I wasn’t particularly fond of meatloaf, so when I got married and had a family of my own, I chose to not make it… like ever!

Fast forward about 15 years after I was first married. It was one of those evenings you get home from work and realize that you have a starving family and really, really need to go to the grocery store. Insert… what can I make with 2 pounds of ground beef and whatever else you might find in my empty pantry?? Answer: Meatloaf! I bit the bullet. I hopped on Pinterest to see if I could find a meatloaf recipe for the Instant Pot. I didn’t like what I found, so I adapted my own and guess what happened? It was delicious. My entire family has now converted to the meatloaf loving side.

What is the point of my story? I actually CHOOSE to make meatloaf now and my kids ask me to make it. The best thing about it? I always have the ingredients on hand at home, which make this meal a go-to when I am in dire need of a trip to the store and can’t force myself to do it. The other plus, it is made in your Instant Pot, so you can literally have dinner on the table in less than 40 minutes.

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Instant Pot Meatloaf
Meatloaf is not always everyones favorite meal, but this recipe will change that. It is cooked in the Instant Pot, which accomplishes two things. It is guaranteed to be delicious, flavorful and not dried out and dinner will be on the table in a snap. Win, Win!
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 17 minutes
Servings
people
Ingredients
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 17 minutes
Servings
people
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, Italian bread crumbs, shredded parmesan cheese, dried onion, egg, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, basil, oregano, thyme, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Use your hands to combine, so you don't over mix.
  2. Form the beef mixture into a loaf and set aside.
  3. Using the sauté feature on your Instant Pot, on the high setting, add the olive oil. When hot, add the onion. Sauté for about 4 minutes until the onion is fragrant and translucent.
  4. Turn off the heat and add the ketchup and beef broth. Stir to combine. Remove about 1 cup of sauce and set aside.
  5. Add the meatloaf to the Instant Pot.
  6. Top with remaining sauce.
  7. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, close the vent and cook on high pressure for 17 minutes. When done, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before quick releasing any remaining pressure. Serve immediately, topped with the remaining sauce from the cooker.
Beef Stroganoff

Beef Stroganoff

This is one of those recipes that has been around for ages. It never gets old and there is no reason to change it. Comfort food at its best! The majority of the ingredients are probably already in your fridge and pantry, so run to 

Homestyle Chili

Homestyle Chili

Is anyone else feeling like winter is never going to end this year? The snow really is beautiful, but I am certainly ready to feel the warm rays of sunshine on my face. I am confident that I am not the only one feeling this 

Coconut Chicken Stir Fry

Coconut Chicken Stir Fry

I got this recipe from my friend Maren. She oozes all things health, beauty and goodness… and this recipe of hers is no exception. On a side note, I am going to throw out a shameless plug. Maren is the owner of M_Artistry and is hands down the best permanent make-up artist in the universe. She specializes in brows and her work is flawless. Check her out on Facebook and Instagram and if you are somewhat local to Idaho Falls, Idaho and are looking into permanent makeup, SHE IS YOUR GAL!

Okay, back the recipe. This Coconut Chicken Stir Fry is so quick and easy and uses only 7 ingredients. It is packed with protein, loaded with veggies and low in sodium. It is perfect for meal prepping for your lunches or just a quick weeknight dinner.

This recipe uses broccolini or baby broccoli, but you could easily substitute regular broccoli florets if you are not able to find broccolini at your local grocery store. The carrots are peeled into thin ribbons using a regular vegetable peeler.

You will want to use a really large skillet, there is a lot of food in one pan, but it does cook down quite a bit.

I promise you, this will become part of your regular dinner rotation. It is so incredibly tasty, its healthy and it is super quick to whip up.

Print Recipe
Coconut Chicken Stir Fry
Simple, clean ingredients make this easy dish a weeknight essential. Coconut oil and coconut aminos give the chicken a great coconut flavor. Combine the chicken with eggs, broccolini and carrots and this protein packed, low carb dinner will be a staple in your household.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Asian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings
people
Ingredients
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Asian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings
people
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Cut chicken into 1" chunks. lightly sprinkle with pepper.
  2. Add coconut oil to large skillet. Cooking on medium high, add chicken and pressed garlic to skillet and cook until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.
  3. Add broccolini and carrot ribbons. Cook until broccolini is still firm, but heated through.
  4. push chicken and veggie mixture to one side of the skillet, make space for the eggs. Crack the eggs in the pan.
  5. scramble the eggs in the pan until they are almost cooked completely.
  6. Once the eggs are mostly cooked, you can start to incorporate into the rest of the mixture.
  7. Mix thoroughly and add the coconut aminos. Serve immediately.
Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas

Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas

You guys… these enchiladas are the ultimate crowd pleaser. I have never met a soul who didn’t love them. They are my go-to when I need to take dinner to a friend or neighbor. You will more than likely have all of these ingredients in