Ingredient: pepper

Roasted Vegetable and Cream Pesto Pasta
March 23, 2020

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 …

Dinner, pizza and pasta
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by ashleypacker
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Manicotti
February 27, 2020

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 …

Dinner, pizza and pasta
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by ashleypacker
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Mexican Meatball Soup
February 21, 2020

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 a trip to the grocery store. My solution, this flavorful Mexican Meatball Soup. It is hot, hearty, incredibly easy and I just so happened to have every ingredient on hand. Want to double it? You can also place all ingredients in a large freezer bag and stick it in your freezer until you are ready to use it. Simply pull it out of your freezer, place in your crock pot on low for 8 hours and boom… DINNER!

The best thing about this soup is that you literally dump everything in the pot, stir and let the slow cooker or Instant Pot do the rest. There is no dicing, peeling or pre-cooking any of the ingredients. Need a super easy meal this week? This one is your ticket!

Print Recipe
 Mexican Meatball Soup
This soup comes together in a cinch. You can make it on the stovetop, slow cooker or Instant Pot. It is packed with flavor and requires practically no prep time.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Servings
people
Ingredients
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Servings
people
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to your slow cooker or Instant Pot. Stir to combine.
  2. Slow Cooker variation: Cook on low heat for 6 hours
  3. Instant Pot variation: Lock lid and close vent, cook on high pressure for 30 minutes. Perform Instant Release and serve immediately.
  4. Stove Top variation: bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
  5. Freezer Meal variation: place all ingredients in a large freezer bag. Place in your freezer for up to 8 weeks. When ready to use, remove from bag and place in slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours. No need to thaw before cooking. TIP: This makes a large batch, so you may need two freezer bags, or you can simply cut the recipe in half and it will serve 4.
  6. Top with grated cheddar cheese and fresh cilantro.
Beef, Dinner, Freezer Meals, Instant Pot, Pork, Slow Cooker, Soups and Stews
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by ashleypacker
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0 Comments
Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Rice
February 14, 2020

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 …

Dinner, Instant Pot, Poultry
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by ashleypacker
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Instant Pot Meatloaf
February 12, 2020

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 …

Beef, Dinner, Instant Pot
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by ashleypacker
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Beef Stroganoff
February 11, 2020

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 the store and grab a pound of top sirloin and some sliced mushrooms.

This meal is easy to make, easy to clean up, budget friendly and a definite crowd pleaser!

Print Recipe
 Beef Stroganoff
One of my all time favorite comfort foods. This Beef Stroganoff is perfectly paired with egg noodles, rice... or my personal favorite, mashed potatoes.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings
people
Ingredients
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings
people
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Slice steak into thin strips, then sprinkle with salt and pepper and set aside.
  2. Melt 2 Tbsp. of butter in a large skillet. Reduce to medium heat and add the garlic, onion and mushrooms.
  3. Sauté mushrooms for approximately 5 minutes, until onions are translucent, garlic is fragrant and mushrooms have softened.
  4. Remove onion and mushroom mixture from the pan and put aside.
  5. Increase heat to medium-high and melt the last tablespoon of butter. Add beef and rosemary and sauté until the beef is no longer pink.
  6. While the beef is cooking, whisk together the water, cooking wine, beef base or bouillon, flour and Worcestershire sauce to make a gravy.
  7. Add the gravy mixture to the beef.
  8. Return the onion and mushroom mixture to the skillet and combine with the beef.
  9. Bring the sauce to a simmer and continue to cook for another 2 minutes, or until thick. Remove from heat and add the sour cream.
  10. Mix until fully incorporated. Add additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately over rice, egg noodles or mashed potatoes.
Beef, Dinner
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by ashleypacker
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0 Comments
Coconut Chicken Stir Fry
February 10, 2020

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 …

Dinner, Lunch, Poultry
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by ashleypacker
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0 Comments
Chicken Coconut Curry
January 31, 2020

Chicken Coconut Curry

This coconut curry is creamy, delicious, healthy and best of all… made is a single pot. You could also easily swap out the chicken for shrimp or any other meat of your choice. As an added bonus, it is ready and on the table in about 30 minutes, so ditch the takeout, your family will be begging you to add this to the weekly menu!

Dinner, Instant Pot, Lunch, Poultry
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by ashleypacker
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0 Comments
Italian meatballs and marinara sauce
January 31, 2020

Italian meatballs and marinara sauce

Print Recipe
 Italian meatballs and marinara sauce
This is a classic, delicious recipe for Italian style meatballs served with marinara sauce. You can serve this recipe over pasta, or on toasted french bread with melted mozzarella cheese for an amazing meatball sub. I prefer to double the recipe and serve over my pasta of choice for dinner, then use the leftovers for meatball subs the next day.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Servings
people
Ingredients
Italian Meatballs
Marinara Sauce
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Servings
people
Ingredients
Italian Meatballs
Marinara Sauce
Instructions
For the Meatballs
  1. Turn your oven to broil. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Combine all ingredients using your hands, or a hand mixer. Shape into meatballs and place on prepared baking sheet.
  3. Place the baking sheet in the oven and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the meatballs are brown and fragrant. The meatballs should still be pink inside, as they will finish cooking while simmering in the marinara sauce.
Marinara Sauce
  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add the onion and garlic and cook until fragrant and onion is translucent. Add all remaining ingredients and combine. Bring to a simmer and add meatballs. Simmer on low, uncovered, approximately 25 minutes.
  2. Serve over pasta and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
Beef, Dinner, Lunch, pizza and pasta, Pork, sandwiches and burgers
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by ashleypacker
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0 Comments