Transform store-bought pizza dough into delicious Ham and Cheese Pretzel Pockets filled with ham and Swiss cheese, then top them with everything bagel seasoning. These soft and chewy sandwiches make for a great lunch or dinner option. Pretzel bread elevates a simple ham and cheese sandwich into a deliciously fresh meal. While it takes a little more time to prepare than just putting filling between …
Chicken Chorizo and Shrimp Paella
This Chicken Chorizo and Shrimp Paella is a Spanish rice dish that is infused with saffron and loaded with goodness. It’s versatile. You can dress paella up or down for a weeknight dinner or for company. Paella (translates to frying pan) originated in Valencia, Spain. It’s considered the country’s national dish. 19th century Valencian field workers were credited with the origin of the dish. They …
Ham and Peas Macaroni Alfredo
Large casserole macaroni with ham and peas in a cheesy Alfredo sauce makes a quick 30-minute meal. This is a great way to turn unused deli ham into a main dish. Update: This post was updated on January 10, 2021, with new images, but the blog content remains the same. The recipe has also been updated since its original publication on October 2013. Avery, a two-year old …
New England Shrimp Boil with Mussels
This easy New England Shrimp Boil with Mussels is a feast to behold. It has it all: potatoes, onion, corn, Portuguese sausages, hot dogs, shrimp and mussels. This is an easy one-pot meal that never disappoints! Having lived in central and eastern Massachusetts most of my life, summertime is synonymous with seafood. We seafood lovers take advantage of the abundance of fresh seafood during this …
Easy Pork Roast with Vegetables
Simple ingredients simply prepared can make the best meals. This Easy Pork Roast with Vegetables is a regular at my dinner table. With roasted potatoes, carrots, onions, and Brussels sprouts, it is a hearty and satisfying meal. This post was originally published on December 2012. It has been updated with new content and pictures. Hi friends! If you’re looking for an easy family dinner idea, …
Chuck Steak Roast
Chuck Steak Roast is an easy, budget-friendly meal the entire family will love. The chuck steak is slow-roasted with vegetables until fall-off-the-bone tender. Can we talk about the crazy weather over the past weekend? It’s the second week of January in New England, and the temp soared to 68°F. How crazy was that!? A welcome kind of crazy, however. It definitely put everyone in a …
Chicken Vegetable and Rice Soup
Sautéing the chicken first makes this Chicken Vegetable and Rice Soup extra flavorful. It is nutritious and packed with vegetables. And it’s a soup that hits the spot any time of the year. Update: This post was originally published in 2020. Most of the original content is below, but it has been updated with an added Recipe Highlight section and additional images. Minor changes have …
One-Pot Campanelle American Chop Suey
One-Pot Campanelle American Chop Suey (with or without cheese) is a hearty, comforting family meal. This pasta in a beefy tomato sauce is a budget-friendly dish that is satisfying and light on your wallet. Every time I have American Chop Suey, it brings me back to my elementary school cafeteria. It was there that I had my first taste of the classic New England pasta dish, …
Beer-Braised Salisbury Steak
Kick up dinner a notch with Beer-Braised Salisbury Steak. Beef patties are braised in a beer-infused mushroom and onion brown gravy until tender. Serve with mashed potato for a satisfying meal. My family is always happy when Salisbury Steak hits the dinner table. Beef patties braised in a beer-infused mushroom and onion brown gravy until tender is pure comfort food. And because this meal is …