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Irresistibly crispy Smashed Brussels Sprouts are simple to make, loaded with delicious flavor, and have the best crunchy texture. These pair well with almost any protein and will definitely upgrade your side dish game!

Crispy Smashed Brussels Sprouts

Smashed Brussels sprouts are a spin-off the very popular and very delicious smashed potatoes recipe. They’re just as easy to make and are the perfect side dish or appetizer. I might even like these more than smashed potatoes because they are addictively crispy and caramelized around the edges. So addictive, in fact, I sometimes can’t stop myself from eating them straight off the pan!

Crispy Brussels Sprouts Ingredients

You won’t believe that just four simple ingredients can bring so much flavor! The whole smashing method takes this green vegetable to the next level. The exact measurements of the ingredients are in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Brussels Sprouts: This recipe uses about one pound of cleaned and trimmed whole Brussels sprouts.

Olive Oil: This recipe uses a generous amount of olive oil to cook the Brussels. This will help them to become crispy and keep them from burning.

Salt and Black Pepper: All you need is a simple seasoning of flakey salt and black pepper.

How to Make Smashed Brussels Sprouts

These smashed Brussels sprouts are a unique side dish that everyone will love! They’re so good that your family will be swiping them from the sheet pan before you can get them to the table!

Boil: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Par-cook the Brussels sprouts by adding them to the water and boil for 15-18 minutes. Strain the Brussels sprouts from the water and drain them in the colander for 5-10 minutes.

Season: Spread the Brussels sprouts out in a single layer on a large baking sheet, then drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with a couple of generous pinches of flakey salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss until all the Brussels sprouts are evenly coated.

Smash and Roast: Use a flat-bottomed glass or measuring cup to smash each tender Brussels sprout flat against the baking sheet. Bake the Brussels sprouts for 10-15 minutes. Once the underside is crispy, flip them all over and roast for another 10-15 minutes until both sides are crisp.

Packed with flavor, these easy Teriyaki Noodles are so much better than takeout! Throw these together in just 20 minutes with pantry staples for the perfect busy weeknight dinner. You can keep it vegetarian or serve it alongside your favorite protein.

What are Teriyaki Noodles?

Teriyaki noodles are not your average bowl of noodles! Wide linguine noodles are coated in a flavorful sweet and savory teriyaki sauce for a dish that’s ready in just 20 minutes!

The noodles are cooked, the garlic is sautéed, and the simple sauce is mixed together, then everything is tossed together for major deliciousness. Not only is this recipe ridiculously simple to make, but it also outshines any restaurant version.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This teriyaki noodle recipe uses common ingredients that you can find at your local grocery store, most of which are pantry staples. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

Noodles: I like to use linguine noodles in this recipe because they are wider noodles and can really hold onto the rich sauce.

Sesame Oil is the cooking oil for sautéing the garlic. While you can substitute other oils, sesame oil adds a lovely nutty flavor.

Garlic: Freshly minced garlic for delicious savoriness.

Soy Sauce: The base of the sauce adds a wonderful savory, umami taste. 

Rice Vinegar: Adds tanginess and a little acidity.

Brown Sugar: Balances the flavors and adds a touch of sweetness.

Ginger: For a warm, spiced flavor, you can use 2 tsp fresh ginger, grated, or ½ tsp powdered ginger.

Cornstarch: This is added to the sauce for thickening.

Green Onion: For garnish to add extra flavor and a pop of color before serving!

Garnish: For a bit of heat and texture, I like to add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes and sesame seeds before serving.

Water: Use if needed to thin the sauce.

Easy Teriyaki Noodle Recipe

This noodle recipe is super easy to make! It takes a total of 20 minutes from start to finish, which makes this a great dish for busy nights. You can even add in the protein of your choice to make this a little bit heartier!

Prep the Noodles: Cook the noodles al dente according to the package instructions. Drain the noodles and set aside.

Homemade Teriyaki Sauce: Add the soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, ginger, and cornstarch to a small bowl. Whisk to combine, then set aside.

Sauté Garlic: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-heat, then add the oil to the pan. Once the oil is hot, add in the minced garlic and saute for 1 minute until fragrant.

Simmer Sauce: Pour the sauce into the pan and whisk continuously. Simmer and whisk the sauce for 1-2 minutes until the sauce has thickened. It happens quickly! If the sauce seems too thick, then you can add a splash of water to help thin it.

Toss in the Noodles: Add the cooked noodles to the pan with the sauce. Toss the noodles in the sauce until they are fully coated.

Finish and Serve: Garnish with diced green onions, sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes.

Garlic Butter Rice is the perfect side dish for dinner! A simple mix of butter, sautéed onion, garlic, and chicken broth gives this rice tons of great flavor. It’s easy to make and tastes amazing!

What is Garlic Butter Rice?

This delicious garlic butter rice combines long-grain white rice, butter, garlic, onion, and chicken broth. It’s hassle-free to make and can be simmering while you work on the main dish.

One of the best parts of this recipe is that it’s versatile enough to be served alongside a variety of different mains! Whether you’re serving your family dinner or hosting a large gathering, this garlic butter rice is always a winner. We love it with air fryer steak, crispy parmesan garlic chicken, and this grilled tilapia!

Ingredients You’ll Need

All you need to whip up this delicious garlic butter rice is a handful of simple ingredients. Its light, savory flavor perfectly complements any main course without stealing the show. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

Butter: The star of this rice for adding creaminess and richness!

Yellow Onion and Garlic: Infuses the rice with the most wonderful savory flavor.

Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and delicious flavor to the rice as it cooks. Substitute with vegetable broth to keep this dish vegetarian.

Rice: Dry long-grain white rice turns out perfectly fluffy and tender. You could use basmati rice or jasmine rice as a substitute.

Salt & Pepper: To taste!

Herbs: Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color.

How to Make Garlic Butter Rice

This is one of those easy recipes that’s good to have in your back pocket when you need a quick side that everyone loves. You’ll be making it on repeat! It’s hands-off and can be ready to serve in less than 30 minutes.

Melt Butter: Melt one tablespoon of butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add yellow onion and sauté until tender, about 3 minutes.

Sauté: Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Add Broth: Pour in the chicken broth and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Simmer: Add the rice and stir once. Cover with a lid then reduce the heat to low. Simmer until the liquid is absorbed, about 18-20 minutes.

Let Rest: Remove from heat and let the rice rest for 5-10 minutes. 

Add More Butter and Fluff: Add the remaining two tablespoons of butter, then fluff the rice with a fork. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!

I love when a weekly meal plan has variety! This one includes crockpot, skillet and baked meals keeping all of the meals simple but so delicious.

The Menu for Dinner

If you want some quick and easy meals, this meal plan is great! I started out the week with a slow cooker meal (it makes great leftovers for lunch the next day!). The others are simple and packed with flavor. Click here for more meal plans!

Monday: Crockpot Tuscan Chicken

Tuesday: Skillet Pork Cacciatore

Wednesday: Cowboy Hamburger Soup

Thursday: Creamy Lemon Chicken Piccata

Friday: Easy Taco Casserole

My weekly meal plans always include a printable shopping list that is measured out and ready to go. It makes things so easy!

There’s no need to purchase store-bought sauce, with this hearty and flavorful Homemade Spaghetti Sauce. Simple ingredients such as ground beef, onion, garlic, and spices of oregano and basil bring a bold flavor to this simple sauce.

This recipe is extremely simple. If you like easy Italian-inspired sauce that you can make at home then you need to try this Bolognese Sauce or this Alfredo Sauce recipe!

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Homemade spaghetti sauce is a classic recipe that can be prepared quickly and one everyone will love. This simple sauce is not only nostalgic but classic for a good reason. You’ll love the flavorful tomato base and the combination of the beef and sausage. And to make it even better, it’s finished off with fresh herbs and parmesan cheese. My family can not get enough of it!

It’s the perfect spaghetti sauce to use in multiple recipes. Make a big batch and use it in recipes like this sheet pan lasagna, rigatoni, or this easy spaghetti pie!

Ingredients in Spaghetti Meat Sauce

Everyone has their favorite recipe, but the best sauces are often the most basic. Use simple ingredients to make this delicious homemade spaghetti sauce.

Olive Oil: choose a high-quality olive oil to brown the meat and sauté the onions and garlic. This will only add to the flavor.

Ground Beef: the type of ground beef is entirely up to and you can also switch out the ground beef for ground sausage.

Yellow Onion: the onion brings a mild bite to the sauce which is a key flavor in spaghetti sauce.

Garlic Cloves: these minced cloves bring the most powerful flavor that is so common in Italian recipes. Using freshly minced garlic will also bring about the best flavor.

Tomato Paste: adding the tomato paste helps to thicken the sauce, but it also brings a strong flavor that is heightened when stirred in and cooked after the onions and garlic are cooked.

Diced Tomatoes or Crushed Tomatoes: for a smoother sauce use crushed tomatoes and for a chunkier sauce go with diced tomatoes. Either one makes a delicious sauce.

Water: this helps to bring the sauce together and you may use more or less to thicken or thin it.

Sugar: This helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes with a little sweetness.

Worcestershire: The umami flavor this brings to the sauce makes the meatiness deeper and more complex.

Italian Seasoning: this classic spice adds a peppery flavor to the sauce.

Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adding parmesan cheese is optional, but strongly suggested for that delicious cheesy flavor.

Fresh Basil: the fresh aroma of this peppery-flavored leaf also adds a small hint of mint.

How to Make Spaghetti Sauce

Follow my easy step-by-step instructions below for making homemade spaghetti sauce. You’re going to love this recipe!

Brown the Meat: Add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil to a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage and cook until no pink remains, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Use a slotted spoon to remove the meat from the pan and drain the fat, except for a couple of tablespoons you may leave in the pan.

Sauté the Onions and Garlic: Add the remaining olive oil and the onions to the pan and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, until the onions turn translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another minute, until the garlic is very fragrant.

Add the Cooked Meat and Simmer the Sauce: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute. Once the tomato paste becomes fragrant, add the meat and the remaining ingredients except the parmesan cheese and basil. Cook until boiling. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes.

Stir in Cheese and Basil: Stir the parmesan and basil into the finished sauce and serve over your choice of noodles.

Swedish Meatball Casserole is a classic comfort meal the whole family will enjoy! Tender meatballs are layered over perfectly cooked pasta and baked in a rich, creamy gravy. This dinner recipe is easy enough to make during the week but also deliciously impressive for entertaining!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Swedish meatball casserole recipe only requires a handful of simple ingredients. Plus, many of the ingredients are pantry staples! See the recipe card below for exact measurements.

Pasta: I use rotini pasta for this recipe because it holds the delicious sauce so well! However, you can swap this out for any other type of short noodle, like penne or rigatoni.

Meatballs: Frozen meatballs make this casserole a breeze to prepare!

Butter: Adds richness to the sauce.

Flour: Helps to thicken the gravy.

Beef Broth: This will add flavor and act as the base for the gravy.

Heavy Cream: Gives the gravy a rich, smooth feel and flavor.

Worcestershire Sauce: Gives the sauce a deep, complex taste.

Dijon Mustard: Adds a bit of tangy flavor.

Allspice: Provides depth of flavor contrasting the salty beef broth.  

Nutmeg: Gives a warm, cozy flavor.

Salt and Pepper: Enhances and brings out all of the flavors.

How to Make a Swedish Meatball Pasta Bake

You’re going to want to make this easy Swedish meatball casserole again and again. The prep time is only about 20 minutes, and then the oven does the rest of the work. Here’s how it all comes together:

Prep: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, then spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.

Cook the Pasta: Cook and drain the pasta al dente according to the package directions, then place it in the prepared baking dish.

Add the Meatballs: Place the frozen meatballs on top of the noodles.

Start the Sauce: For the sauce, first melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Then add the flour and whisk to create a paste.

Add Liquid Ingredients: Slowly stir in beef broth and heavy cream.

Simmer Sauce: Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, allspice, and nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer until the sauce starts to thicken.

Add the Sauce: Pour the sauce over the meatballs and noodles.

Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 25 minutes or until the meatballs are warmed through.

Serve: Garnish the Swedish meatball casserole with parsley and enjoy!

Rise and shine to Breakfast Monkey Bread with delicious savory flavors! It’s made with Grands biscuits, eggs, sausage, bacon, and cheese, all baked in a bundt pan. The result is a crowd-pleasing, pull-apart bread that everyone will devour!

What is Savory Breakfast Monkey Bread?

If you love classic Monkey Bread with its cinnamon-sugar goodness, you’re in for a treat! This breakfast version keeps the fun pull-apart style but adds a savory spin with eggs, cheese, and breakfast meats. This breakfast monkey bread is one of my family’s all-time favorite brunch items.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This breakfast monkey bread recipe might use Grands biscuits, but it tastes homemade! Only eight simple ingredients are needed, but once it’s baked, it looks so impressive. Perfect for holiday brunches! Check out the recipe card below for exact measurements.

Grands Biscuits: I love making pull-apart bread recipes with these canned biscuits! They are so versatile!

Large Eggs: This recipe uses six large eggs that are lightly scrambled and added to the breakfast bread.

Heavy Cream: A small amount of heavy cream added to the eggs makes them fluffy and light.

Seasoning: Everything bagel seasoning for extra flavor.

Butter: Makes the eggs taste rich and SO delicious.

Meat: Precooked breakfast sausage and bacon are added to the mixture of ingredients for the most amazing savory flavor.

Cheese: I really like shredded cheddar cheese in this recipe, but feel free to add whichever cheese you prefer! Gruyère, white cheddar cheese, pepper jack, Monterey Jack, provolone, and Swiss are all great options.

How to Make Breakfast Monkey Bread

I love how wonderfully simple this recipe is. With nearly everything ready-made, you can just toss it all into a pan and let the oven handle the rest! Just follow my step-by-step instructions below for a breakfast that’s bound to become a favorite!

Prep: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a large bundt pan with pan spray. Cut all the biscuits into quarters and set them aside in a large bowl.

Whisk Eggs: Add the eggs to a small bowl and whisk with the cream and everything bagel seasoning.

Cook Eggs: Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted, and then scramble the egg mixture until slightly undercooked.

Combine Ingredients: Remove the eggs from the heat and transfer them to the bowl with the biscuits. Add the scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, and cheese.

Stir Together: Toss everything together until evenly combined.

Bake: Carefully fill the prepared bundt pan with the biscuit mixture until it’s full. Then, bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown. Once baked, allow the Monkey Bread to cool slightly before turning it out onto a serving plate. Finally, serve it warm and enjoy!

This Labor Day Menu Plan will make your party planning so easy! End the summer with these amazing recipes. Don’t forget that I included a shopping list which will save you so much time!

Aren’t holidays fun? Any excuse to whip up delicious recipes and I am in! This creamy ranch dip is our absolute favorite for any occasion!!

Delicious Labor Day Menu

Send summer out with a bang with this yummy Labor Day menu plan. School has already started so spending time party planning is just not in the cards for me which is why this menu plan is perfect.

I’ve included a few options for entrees, sides and desserts. Cook them all to feed a crowd or pick one of each if it’s a smaller gathering! And if you are like me and want a meal plan every week, check out my weekly meal plans here.

Entree:  Grilled Hawaiian Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

Entree: Slow Cooker Sweet Carolina Pulled Pork Sliders

Side: BLT Tortellini Pasta Salad

Side: Loaded Creamy Ranch Dip (Poolside Dip)

Dessert: No Bake S’mores Pie

Dessert: Peach Dump Cake

Enjoy a perfect blend of smoky and spicy flavors with this homemade Chipotle Seasoning! Featuring bold spices like chipotle powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, and more, this mix delivers a major flavor boost. Try it on everything from chicken to ground beef!

Chipotle Seasoning Recipe

Who needs pre-made seasoning packets when you have an amazing, perfectly smoky chipotle seasoning? This blend is a mouthwatering combination of 7 flavorful herbs and ground spices. Use it on meats like grilled chicken or roasted vegetables, and spice up your favorite marinade or dressing!

I love to add it to grilled shrimp and vegetable kabobs, and it’s a great alternative to taco seasoning in this taco spaghetti dish. Or make a chipotle dip by replacing the taco seasoning in our taco dip. It’s sure to delight your tastebuds!

How to Make Homemade Chipotle Seasoning

You’ll want to double this recipe so you always have chipotle seasoning on hand. It stores well for months and can be used with a variety of recipes.

Combine Spices: First, add all of the ingredients to a small bowl.

Store: Next, whisk to combine. Then, using a funnel, pour the seasoning into an airtight jar or container. You can use it right away, or alternatively, store it in a dry, cool place.

Baked Turkey Meatballs are tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. They’re made with simple ingredients but big on flavor! These homemade meatballs are easy to make and healthy for the whole family!

We love meatballs at our house! There are so many tasty versions that it’s hard to pick just one! I have some family favorites that you need to try. Swedish Meatballs are always requested, and my kids always beg for these fun Porcupine Meatballs. But if you’re looking for the perfect appetizer to serve at your next party, these Grape Jelly Meatballs are a MUST!

The Best Baked Turkey Meatballs

Everyone loves to eat meatballs, especially kids. These baked turkey meatballs are an easy winner for dinner and will be a new family favorite! The ground turkey bakes up so juicy and tender that you won’t believe it’s ground turkey. My recipe is perfectly seasoned with onion, garlic, and Italian breadcrumbs. The texture and moisture in these baked turkey meatballs will blow your mind! You’ll devour every bite and wish you had leftovers!

These baked meatballs are amazing all on their own. Place them on a mound of noodles and smothered in one of these incredible sauces and they will be divine. Try them with my Basil Pesto Sauce, this easy Marinara Sauce, or this delicious Homemade Alfredo Sauce. It’s the perfect meatball recipe for anything!

Ingredients for Turkey Meatballs

These baked turkey meatballs use simple ingredients that you may already have on hand. Ground turkey is easy to find at any store and is a healthy alternative to beef. Your family will love these meatballs so much that they won’t even miss the beef!

Ground Turkey: This can be found near the ground beef.

Italian Bread Crumbs: I love that these bread crumbs are already seasoned.

Onion: Dice one small onion.

Eggs: The eggs act as a binder.

Milk: Adds a bit of moisture and helps keep it all together.

Garlic: Minced or finely chopped.

Salt and Pepper: Season to taste

How to Make Baked Turkey Meatballs

These turkey meatballs are super easy to throw together. Roll them up and bake them for juicy perfection. They are so good and a healthier alternative to beef meatballs. You’ll want to keep them in a regular rotation for weeknight dinners!

Combine Ingredients: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a medium baking dish with non-stick spray and set aside. Combine all of the meatball ingredients into a medium bowl.

Mix: Mix together until incorporated.

Roll: Roll the mixture into 1 ½-2-inch balls and place in the prepared baking dish.

Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit and the tops are lightly browned.