Monkey Bread

I love Monkey Bread! I remember making this with my Granny when I was younger!  I decided that I was going to make it on Saturday and to my surprise my husband has NEVER had MONKEY BREAD! I could not believe it.  Needless to say, he loved it!

Ingredients

3 (12 ounce) packages refrigerated biscuit dough

1 cup white sugar

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 cup butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

                   

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease bundt pan.               

If using nuts, place some in the bottom of the bundt pan.

Mix white sugar and cinnamon in bowl. 

Cut biscuits into quarters. Coat 6 to 8 biscuit pieces in the sugar cinnamon mix. Arrange pieces in the bottom of the prepared pan. Continue until all biscuits are coated and placed in pan.                

In a small saucepan, melt the margarine with the brown sugar over medium heat. Boil for 1 minute.

Pour over the biscuits.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a plate.

ENJOY!!

Cheesy Sausage Penne

 I had no idea what to make for dinner the other night but I was craving something with sausage in it and so I cooked up this delicious dish!! It was so good and definitely hit the spot!

Ingredients

1 pound bulk Italian sausage

1 minced garlic

1 jar (26 ounces) spaghetti sauce

1 package (16 ounces) uncooked penne pasta

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1 cup (8 ounces) Sour Cream

4 green onions, sliced

2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

In a large skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat until meat is no longer pink.

Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain.

Stir in spaghetti sauce; bring to a boil.Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream and onions.

In a greased shallow 3-qt. baking dish, layer half of the pasta and sausage mixture.

Dollop with half the cream cheese mixture; sprinkle with half the cheddar cheese. Repeat layers.

Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly.

ENJOY!!

Crock Pot Pizza

This dish was so delicious and was so quick to put together! It also made lots of leftovers! I would definitely recommend you try this!

Ingredients:

12 ounces egg noodles

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 1/2 teaspoons italian seasoning

3 cups grated cheddar cheese

4 ounces sliced mushrooms (optional)

1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef

28 ounces Prego spaghetti sauce, any flavor

3 1/3 ounces sliced pepperoni

3 cups grated mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Cook noodles as directed on package.

Brown ground beef with onion until the meat is no longer pink; drain.

Add spaghetti sauce, mushrooms, and Italian seasoning; Stir.

Spray large crock pot with cooking spray.

Place layers in crock pots as follows:.

1/3 meat-sauce mixture.

1/3 of the egg noodles.

1/3 of the pepperoni/canadian bacon slices.

1 cup cheddar cheese.

1 cup mozerella cheese. 

Repeat these layers 2 more times.

Cook on low until heated through.  Approximately 3 - 4 hours.

ENJOY!!

Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes and Frosting

These were so yummy and tasted just like strawberry shortcake!! My Husband LOVED them!  It is a well balanced cupcake that is not too sweet!! I think this cupcake would be perfect for summer get togethers!

Ingredients:

Cupcake

1 cup plus 2 TBSP all-purpose flour
2 TBSPcornstarch
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
4 TBSP unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup milk, at room temperature

Frosting

6 TBSP unsalted butter, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
2 TBSP milk or heavy cream
Strawberry jam
Fresh Strawberries for garnish

Directions for cupcake:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper or foil liners.

In a medium bowl, whisk the flour with the cornstarch, baking powder and salt.

In a large bowl, using a handheld electric mixer, beat the sugar with the eggs and vanilla extract at medium-high speed until smooth and thickened slightly, about 3 minutes.

Add the butter and oil and beat until incorporated, scraping the bottom and side of the bowl.

Add the dry ingredients and milk in 3 alternating batches, beating well between additions.

Carefully pour the batter into the lined muffin tins, filling them about two-thirds full.

Bake the cupcakes in the center of the oven for 20 to 23 minutes, until springy and a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let the cupcakes cool slightly in the muffin tin, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

TO MAKE THE FROSTING:

In a medium bowl, using a handheld electric mixer, beat the softened butter at medium speed until smooth.

Add the confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract and salt and beat the mixture at low speed just until combined.

Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat until smooth. Add the milk or heavy cream and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

Mix the frosting with strawberry jam to taste. Spread the frosting on the cooled cupcakes and serve.

ENJOY!!

  

Taco Chicken

This chicken was so flavorful and delicous! To my surprise it did not taste like tacos at all.  The taco seasoning gave this chicken such a great taste and it was GREAT!! We will be having this again soon!

Ingredients:


1 cup all purpose flour
2 envelopes taco seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
2 TBSP milk
3-4 pounds of fryer chicken, cut up


Directions:


In a large bowl, combine the flour, taco seasoning and salt.


In a shallow bowl beat eggs and milk together.


Dip chicken pieces in egg mixture, then place in bowl with flour mixture and coat.


Place bone side down in a greased 13 x 9 baking dish.


Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes or until juices run clear.


ENJOY!!

Three Cheese Meat Manicotti

This is not a good picture of this dish and it definitely does not do the dish justice.  This is a yummy dish that my whole family loved.  It was actually quite simple to put together as well.  We will be making this dish more often!

Ingredients:

12 uncooked manicotti shells
1 pound hamburger meat
1 large onion, chopped
1 jar (26 ounces) three cheese spaghetti sauce
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar-Monterey Jack cheese
1 carton (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 egg


Directions:

Cook manicotti acccording to package directions.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook meat and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.

Stir in the spaghetti sauce, sugar, Italian seasoning, onion powder, and garlic powder. 

Place 1 cup meat sauce into a greased 13 x 9 baking dish.

Drain manicotti.

In a large bowl, combine the cheddar-Monterey Jack cheese, ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and egg. 

Stuff into manicotti shells.

Place shells over meat sauce and top shells with remaining sauce. 

Sprinle with remaining Parmesan cheese.

Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until bubbly.

ENJOY!!

Enchilada Casserole

This dish is delicious and very filling! It has great flavor and it is so simple to make! I was impressed by this dish!

Ingredients: 

1 pound ground beef

1 large onion, chopped

2 cups salsa

1 can (15 ounces) black beans rinsed and drained

1/4 cup italian salad dressing

2 TBSP taco seasoning

1/4 tsp ground cumin

6 flour tortillas (8 inches)

3/4 cup sour cream

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Mexican cheese blend

1 cup shredded lettuce

1 medium tomato

cilantro

Directions:

In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until no longer pink, drain.

Return to skillet and stir in salsa, beans, dressing, taco seasoning, and cumin.

Place three tortillas in a 2 qt baking dish coated with cooking spray.

Layer with half of the meat mixture, sour cream and cheese.

Repeat the layers

Cover and bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes.

Uncover; bake 5-10 minutes longer or until heated through. 

Let stand for 5 minutes before topping with lettuce, tomato, and cilantro.

ENJOY!!