If You Thought Meatloaf Isn’t Fancy Enough For Special Occasions – Try THIS One!

Growing up, my mom would make meatloaf at least once a week. My sisters and I always enjoyed having this meal and so did my dad.

She would make the meatloaf with mashed potatoes, green beans, and usually sliced up sharp cheddar cheese. My family was obsessed with brick cheese and the sharper the better. I always thought the cheese gave a nice zing to the meatloaf when eaten together. Anyway, I grew up eating mom’s basic meatloaf recipe that tasted like heaven on earth.

After I got married I started experimenting with making other forms and flavors of meatloaf. One time, I used ground turkey instead of ground beef. It made the loaf of meat taste very gamey. I won’t be doing that again lol! Recently, I came across a recipe for applesauce meatloaf and new in my heart that it was going to be a winner. And guess what? I was right!

Recipe and image courtesy of The Spruce.

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Quick Tip: This meatloaf tastes great with a bit of BBQ sauce slathered on top during the last few minutes of baking.

These Aren’t Your Grandma’s Cabbage Rolls – Or Are They?

Raise your hand if you’re a fan of cabbage! It’s one of my favorite ingredients in the world, which is kind of a big deal since I didn’t used to like it at all, as a kid. I would go into the kitchen and tell my mother the whole house smelled awful, whenever she was making cabbage soup or any cabbage dish, really. Poor Mom – I was definitely a picky eater when I was little!

But I think I was about 10 when grandma was staying over at our house and she wanted to cook dinner for all of us. She made her famous cabbage rolls and I just didn’t have the heart to tell her I don’t like cabbage. It’s weird, isn’t it? I had no problem at all telling my mother I hated it, but when it comes to grandmas I guess we all act a little differently!

Anyway, I’m really glad I decided to keep my mouth shut because it meant I had to give those cabbage rolls a try. And they were ridiculous. I mean that in the best possible way! They were so tasty I kept eating until grandma laughed and said I was probably going to explode if I had one more.

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Quick Tip: Make a double batch and freeze the other one for a quick meal when you need one!

I love Italian food. Ahh, how I love a good pasta dish, full of sauce, hearty with meat and with loads of cheese over the top. It is just the epitome of a comfort dish. Any pasta dish can really be transformed into something amazing. Some of my favorites are ravioli and tortellini. I so easily take these and elevate them to become a better, fuller versions of what they are. Say, add a combination of two sauces, add some different spices, or try out a different cheese.

The options are endless when it comes to pasta and you can get as creative as you would like without ruining anything! Recently, I decided to make lasagna in the crock pot. I had found a recipe and though it was the coolest thing so I gave it a go. Well, when it was time to make it, I realized I did not buy the right noodles.

Actually, I forgot to buy them altogether. I was a bit disappointed, but then realized I could probably still make a great dish with these ingredients and some of the other pasta in my pantry. I searched for a good recipe with those ingredients and found this lasagna soup.

Photo and recipe courtesy of Shugary Sweets.

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Quick Tip: Serve this with toasty garlic bread.

Making a snack that everyone will love can sometimes be a chore. These pork nachos are unbelievably good and super easy to make. I served them at my husband’s Superbowl party last year, and I don’t know what got more cheers, the nachos or the game!

The guys loved the nachos, us ladies loved the nachos, and even the kids loved the nachos! One of the best things about preparing this snack food is how simple and easy it is. For the most part, everything gets laid out on a cookie sheet or baking dish and goes into the oven. It’s a quick and effective way to feed hungry bellies. I’ve also made these pork nachos for dinner before and served them up with Spanish rice and refried beans.

Recipe courtesy of Pork Be Inspired.

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Quick Tip: Feel free to top these awesome pork nachos with anything you like such as jalapenos, diced tomatoes, black olives, onion, etc.

If you are like my family, the argument over whose meatball recipe’s the best comes up at almost every Sunday dinner. Let this recipe be the new topic of conversation, as it will hands down win over even the pickiest meatball aficionados.

Not only does this recipe include a homemade meatball recipe using a tasty combination of beef and pork, but it also includes a delicious homemade sauce recipe to boot! Serve this super soft and succulent dish over a bed of pasta and extra scoops of sauce. Don’t forget the crunchy bread for cleaning the plate! Add a side salad for a complete dinner, perfect for a lazy Sunday!

Image courtesy of 12 Tomatoes

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Ground pork, beef, and rice fill up these cabbage rolls making a Polish-inspired meal the whole family will enjoy. Simple to make and belly-filling, this main dish is one you’ll make time and time again.

Load up the leaves, place them in a 9×13 pan and spread tomato sauce on top. Bake them up for about 1 ½ hours and invite over the family. Keep in mind the leftovers are great the next day, if you are lucky to have any!

Image courtesy of Spend With Pennies

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You don’t have to give up tacos to eat low calorie, because these lettuce wraps are just as delicious!  Use ground chicken or pork, or you can even use turkey, to keep the recipe light.

This recipe makes about 15 different wraps, and is ready in under an hour from prep to cooking.  Serve it with a side of peanut dipping sauce and some sliced cucumber, for a Thai flare.

Recipe and photo courtesy of The Food Network

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