Baked Ziti

This is a favorite dish in our house!  It's easy and delicious.  The best part about it though is that you can make it ahead of time and freeze it!  I typically make 3 full size versions worth of ingredients, make 6 half size trays out of it and freeze them!  Sometimes, one of those pops into the oven that night for dinner though because it's yummy :)

Ingredients 

1 box ziti (we like the regular size & mini)

1 jar of marinara sauce

1 lb ground beef

Shredded mozzarella cheese

Garlic Powder

Sugar

Directions

Brown ground beef with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and some garlic powder.

Heat marinara sauce on top of the stove.  

(I mix in garlic powder to taste and a few pinches of sugar to take the bitter taste from the tomatoes)

Drain the meat and mix in with the sauce.  Bring it to a boil and then simmer while the pasta is cooking.

Boil ziti until al dente.  (You do not want it overdone because it will cook more when baking)

Drain pasta.

Pour pasta in a 9x13 baking dish.

Cover with marinara and meat mixture and stir it all together.

Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top to cover.

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until cheese on top is melted.

If you are going to freeze this meal, after sprinkling the cheese on top let the whole pan cool for a few minutes before covering with several layers of Reynolds wrap.  I write on the top of the wrap what's inside and when I made it.

I break this recipe in half and it's plenty for the two of us.  This is an easy weeknight meal if you're making the whole thing and even easier if you already have several of them frozen.  We put ours in the fridge around lunchtime to start letting it defrost and then pop it in the oven at 350 for around 45 minutes or until the cheese is melted.  Typically halfway through I stir it up some and sprinkle a little extra cheese on top.

Ritz Chicken Casserole

You know those meals that just scream comfort food?  This is one of those.  If you need something to make when you're just looking for some warm comfort food, something to take to a sick friend or new mom or just an easy dinner to whip up sure to please your whole family this is for you!

Ingredients

3 cups cooked shredded chicken breast

1 can cream of chicken

1 stick butter

1 cup sour cream

2 sleeves Ritz crackers

Directions

Boil chicken breast/cook in the crockpot and shred after cooling.  (Side note: I prep a bunch of chicken this way and then freeze it in Ziploc bags so I can just pull out and defrost for casseroles like this.  It saves a lot of time on weeknight dinners!)

Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 9x9 pan.

Mix the cream of chicken and sour cream in a bowl until blended and then mix in shredded chicken.

Pour into pan and top with crushed crushed crackers.

Melt stick of butter and drizzle over the top.

Bake 25-30 minutes or until crumbs are golden.

So easy & so delicious!  This recipe would easily serve 4.  I recommend serving it with a green side such as broccoli or green beans.  It can easily be doubled for larger groups or to have leftovers!

Enjoy & please pin the image below if you're a Pinterest addict like me :)

Strawberry Protein Smoothie

As you all know, I've been on a health & fitness journey since last July!  I post weekly fitness updates here on Saturday's where I post about my workouts, favorite meals, tips, progress, etc. if you want to keep up with those!

One of the biggest things that has helped me in this journey is increasing my protein at breakfast with these smoothies!  I normally drink one of these and snack on a few pieces of microwave bacon at my desk in the morning.  This fuels me up with so much protein and has really helped me control my choices the rest of the day!  I decided to share the recipe with you in case you're looking for a healthy filling breakfast option!  Side note: if you suffer with stomach issues like I do, I have found that drinking my breakfast instead of introducing solid foods first thing in the morning has really helped with that too!

Ingredients:

Handful of fresh spinach

6-8 strawberries

1 scoop protein powder

3/4 C water (more if the consistency is too thick for you but this does create more foam)

I throw everything in the blender and blend it until smooth!  I use this blender and LOVE it!  It's only $16.99 and I've been using mine for like 4 years now instead of our full size one.  I love it because it's easy to get out in the mornings and clean up, PLUS it makes the perfect amount of smoothie to fit in a full size Tervis tumbler!

This is the whey protein I use!  I find it at Kroger.

If you use the new Weight Watchers smart points system, this is 3 points!!

Enjoy! 

Crockpot Beefy Cheesy Tortellini

If you're looking for something easy to throw in the crockpot that's yummy & definitely a comfort food - this dish is for you!

Ingredients

1 lb browned ground beef

1 24oz jar marinara sauce

1 9oz package cheese tortellini

1 can Italian style diced tomatoes

Garlic powder

Shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese

Directions

Brown ground beef in skillet.

Combine ground beef, marinara sauce, tomatoes and garlic powder to taste in your crockpot and cook on low for 6 hours.

Mix tortellini in with the sauce about 10-15 minutes before you want to eat and sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar cheese on top.

Dinner is served :)

Chicken Noodle Soup

I originally had a different post planned for today but since I'm sick I decided it was the perfect day to share my Chicken Noodle Soup! I have a couple different versions I make but this one is quick & easy which makes it the perfect weeknight meal!

Ingredients

1 package egg noodles
1 bag carrot chips
1 package chicken tenderloins
2 Swanson chicken broth
2 chicken bouillon cubes
Garlic powder to taste

Directions

While the chicken is boiling on the stove (I use the skinny chicken tenderloins so they cook faster and used one package for this batch), I put the Swanson chicken broth (both containers that you see above) and carrots (Jared loves carrots so we use a lot but this part is completely customizable) on the stove to boil in a separate pot. I use chicken bouillon cubes (usually two) & a little garlic in my soup to give it some extra chicken flavor & taste but that is completely optional. A little salt and pepper doesn't hurt either ; )

After the chicken has been boiled completely through, I sit it out on the cutting board to cool before I shred it. If you don't let it cool first, your fingers will be on fire : )

Once the carrots & broth have boiled for several minutes softening the carrots, I add the shredded chicken and the egg noodles. (Hint: if you put in some of the water you were boiling the chicken in, it makes the soup taste better!)  Once the noodles are cooked, dinner is served : ). We make grilled cheese to go with it which is the perfect combo for this dreary weather!

This makes the perfect amount for two people but you can double it to make a big pot for a bigger family or so you have leftovers!

Taco Soup

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 packet taco seasoning

1 packet ranch mix

1 can corn

1 can great northern beans

1 can Mexican style stewed tomatoes

1 can stewed tomatoes

1 can diced tomatoes

Garlic Powder

Sugar

Directions:

Brown the ground beef in a skillet and mix in half of each seasoning packet. Combine cooked & seasoned meat in a soup pot with the rest of each seasoning packet, corn, beans, and tomatoes. I added just a couple shakes of the garlic powder and a couple pinches of sugar. Cook on the stove for an hour and serve hot. 

I added avocado & cheese to mine when eating it and you could add tortilla chips too!

Enjoy! 

I love to hear any comments, tips or thoughts anyone likes to share so please comment below!

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Chicken Enchiladas

If you love mexican or enchiladas, this recipe is for you!  So easy & yummy!

Ingredients

1 package chicken tenderloins

1 package high fiber tortillas

1 can cream of chicken

1 can rotel

1 package shredded cheddar cheese

1 large can enchilada sauce

Directions

Boil & shred chicken

Combine shredded chicken, can of cream of chicken & rotel in mixing bowl (I leave the rotel out while making half of the enchiladas for Jared and then put it in when it's time to make mine!)

Use a spoon to lightly coat the inside of each tortilla with enchilada sauce.

Put a generous helping of chicken mixture in each tortilla, add a little cheese on top and roll.

Place tortillas in a 9x13 pan until full (normally this is about 6 for us).

Pour remaining enchilada sauce on top and sprinkle cheddar cheese over all the enchiladas.

Bake at 350 degrees until cheese is melted.

I serve mine with sour cream & more rotel on top with a side of spanish rice!  Such an easy weeknight meal your whole family will love (and it's pretty healthy too)!


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Buffalo Chicken Dip

Buffalo chicken dip is a staple tailgate and football snack in our house!  It's so easy to make, yummy and always a crowd pleaser!

Ingredients

1 Package Chicken Tenderloins

Frank's Red Hot Sauce

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Ranch Dressing

1 Package Cream Cheese (I use the low fat)

Directions

Boil chicken until done, drain, cool & shred.

In a skillet, melt package of cream cheese and 1 cup of ranch until mixed well.

Pour in 1/3 cup hot sauce (more depending on how spicy you like your dip!)

Mix in shredded chicken.

Mix in 3/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.

Pour contents of skillet into 8x8 pan and sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded cheese on top.

Bake on 350 for about 20-25 minutes or until cheese on top is melted.

Serve with tortilla chips & enjoy!

I love to hear any comments, tips or thoughts anyone likes to share so please comment below!

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Lasagna

Lasagna is one of my favorite comfort foods!  Pasta and cheese and meat sauce...yum.  This recipe makes a 9x13 pan full of lasagna and it's perfect for those colder nights in the fall & winter!

Ingredients

1 box lasagna noodles

8 oz cottage cheese

3 eggs

Large package of shredded mozzarella cheese

1/4 C Parmesan

1 lb ground beef

1 large jar of marinara sauce

Garlic powder

Directions

Brown beef, drain and combine with marinara sauce & garlic powder.  Bring to a boil & then simmer.  In a mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, eggs, parmesan cheese and 1/2 a large package of shredded mozzarella cheese.  In a 9x13 pan, put a little sauce in the bottom to keep noodles from sticking and then start layering the lasagna.  Noodles, cheese mixture, sauce and then repeat.  I typically do three or four layers and then top the dish with some of the remaining mozzarella cheese.

Bake on 375 for 45 minutes or until lightly browned on top.

Enjoy!

Linking up with Recipe Swap/Delicious Dish Tuesday/Tasty Tuesdays/Tuesday Talk/Tasty Tuesday

Follow Kelsey Mann Peacock's board Fall on Pinterest.

Follow Kelsey Mann Peacock's board Fall & Winter Style on Pinterest.

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Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Now that football season has arrived, I'm going to be sharing some of my favorite appetizers & tailgating foods!  I love quick & easy snacks for watching the games :)

Buffalo Chicken Sliders are a new favorite at our house.  They are so easy to make and are perfect for just your family or a big group of people!

Ingredients

1 package chicken tenderloins

1 packet ranch seasoning

1 large bottle of Frank's hot sauce

Directions

In your crockpot, combine chicken tenderloins, ranch seasoning packet and about a half bottle of the hot sauce.  Cook on high for about 4 hours.  If you are cooking for a larger crowd, increase each ingredient by the same proportions. 

Serve on Hawaiian rolls with ranch on the side!  Leftover chicken would also be perfect to top a salad the day after game day!

Follow my fall Pinterest food boards to see more of my favorite recipes!

Follow Kelsey Mann Peacock's board Fall Tailgating Foods on Pinterest. Follow Kelsey Mann Peacock's board Fall Recipes on Pinterest.

I love to hear any comments, tips or thoughts anyone likes to share so please comment below!

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Rotel Cheese Dip

Rotel Cheese Dip is a favorite snack in our house for game days, parties, etc.!  It's so easy to make and everyone loves it :)

Ingredients

1 block Velveeta cheese

1 can mild Rotel

1 lb ground beef (you can also use sausage or both ground beef & sausage)

Directions

Brown ground beef

Cut up block of cheese into small squares

Combine cheese, meat and rotel in crockpot

Cook on high until melted and then leave on keep warm while you enjoy!

I started a new Instagram account for all things blog related!  If you want to keep up with my outfit posts, recipes, favorite finds & more be sure to go follow my account @thepeacockroost!

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Garlic Ranch Chicken

If you're like me, the best recipes are quick, easy & delicious!  Most weeks we're running around like crazy people trying to get everything done, so any dinners I can throw in the crockpot to be ready when we get home are a total win in my book!

This Garlic Ranch Chicken is delicious!  You just throw the ingredients in the crockpot , make some sides when you get home (we like cheesy rice & veggies) & dinner is served!

2 large chicken breasts

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 packet ranch seasoning

Garlic powder to taste

Cook on high in crockpot for approximately 6 hours.

Enjoy!

Have you seen my posts from yesterday?

Weekend Recap

Vince Camuto Mint Dress

I started a new Instagram account for all things blog related!  If you want to keep up with my outfit posts, recipes, favorite finds & more be sure to go follow my account @thepeacockroost!

I love to hear any comments, tips or thoughts anyone likes to share so please comment below!

Also, follow me here to see more of our daily lives:

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Garlic Ranch Chicken & Rice Crockpot Freezer Meal

The other night, I tried out a new freezer meal recipe that I had made and it was definitely a winner in our home! 

Ingredients

2 large chicken breasts

1 packet of ranch dressing mix

1 can cream of chicken soup

Minced garlic (to taste)

*White Rice

*Chicken Broth

*added during cooking process

Combine the above ingredients (not including the rice & broth) in a gallon freezer bag and freeze.  To cook, put bag in refrigerator the night before to thaw.  Cook in crockpot for 4-6 hours on high. 

When the chicken is done, it is time to add the rice.  I added white minute rice until most of the broth was soaked up and then poured chicken broth in until it looked like the picture above.  At this time, I also added some garlic powder.

Let the meal continue cooking until the rice is tender and has soaked up most of the broth.  Then just stir and serve!

This was a simple & yummy weeknight meal and it will definitely be going into our freezer meal rotation!

Check out my other crockpot freezer meals:

Cheesy Chicken, Potatoes & Broccoli

Creamy Italian Chicken

Nacho Chicken

Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo

Honey Garlic Chicken

I love to hear any comments, tips or thoughts anyone likes to share so please comment below!

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Crockpot Freezer Meal: Cheesy Chicken, Potatoes & Broccoli

It's been a while since I've shared a new crockpot freezer meal recipe with you all!  I have been working on some new recipes and this one is so easy & delicious!!

Ingredients

2-3 Chicken Breasts

1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup

1 Bag Frozen Broccoli

1 Bag of Red Potatoes (thinly sliced)

Minced Garlic (to taste)

Velveeta Cheese

Directions

In a one gallon freezer bag, combine chicken, cream of chicken soup, broccoli, potatoes & minced garlic.  Freeze.  Put the bag in the refrigerator the night before you want to make it to let it defrost.  Cook in the crockpot on low for 6 hours.  About an hour before it is done, dice up 6-10 oz of velveeta cheese (depending on how much of a cheese lover you are) and mix it into the crockpot.  Throw together a few quick sides & dinner is ready! 

Enjoy!

I love to hear any comments, tips or thoughts anyone likes to share so please comment below!

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Chicken Spaghetti

Chicken spaghetti is a meal I was introduced to after Dad & Darlene got married.  She made it for me once and I was hooked for a long time and requested it regularly.  I started making it for Jared and it is growing to be a dish we love as well (it makes a lot so I love the leftovers for lunch)!

Ingredients

 6 medium sized chicken breasts/tenderloins

1lb angel hair pasta

1/2 large block of velveeta cheese

1 can mild rotel

1 can cream of chicken soup

Onion, to taste

Garlic powder, to taste

Directions

Saute chicken & onion in oil and garlic powder until brown

Boil pasta and drain

Combine chicken, pasta, cream of chicken, rotel and diced velveeta cheese in large bowl and mix well

Pour in greased baking dish and bake on 350 degrees for 30 minutes

Enjoy!  Super easy weeknight meal, filling and makes great leftovers.  That's a winner in our house!

and linking up here!

I love to hear any comments, tips or thoughts anyone likes to share so please comment below!

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Healthy & Yummy Taco Soup

We have been so busy lately with the new business and I've taken on some new projects myself that it has made cooking regularly and even keeping up with the blog more challenging!

We're really trying to reset in our house right now. Get the house clean, cook every night, relax in the evenings, etc. I decided to start working on some new recipes to post on the blog soon and am so excited to share this one with y'all! Seriously, delicious, easy and healthy. Does it get any better than that?!

Taco Soup

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

1 packet taco seasoning

1 packet ranch mix

1,can corn

1 can great northern beans

1 can Mexican style stewed tomatoes

1 can stewed tomatoes

1 can diced tomatoes

Garlic Powder

Sugar

Directions:

Brown the ground beef in a skillet and mix in half of each seasoning packet. Combine cooked & seasoned meat in a soup pot with the rest of each seasoning packet, corn, beans, and tomatoes. I added just a couple shakes of the garlic powder and a couple pinches of sugar. Cook on the stove for an hour and serve hot. 

I added avocado & cheese to mine when eating it and you could add tortilla chips too! I've eaten it for lunch three days straight & Jared loved this soup too! 

I'm normally not a soup fan in the spring/summer but I make an exception for taco soup and I love how filling it is!  Hope you enjoy : )

I love to hear any comments, tips or thoughts anyone likes to share so please comment below!

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Beef Lo Mein

I love to cook but there are some days I just need an easy meal for dinner so I can do the other 5,000 things on my list.  I love sharing my more involved recipes with you all but I think it's important to share the easiest meal ideas as well. 

This meal doesn't get any easier.  The other night Jared was working and I wanted to make something for dinner but didn't want to spend a whole lot of time on it!  We had a P.F. Chang's Beef and Broccoli meal in the freezer that I wanted to use up.  Confession: I'm a carb girl and I'm cutting down on eating carbs on my diet but sometimes this girl needs some pasta.  I love lo mein and decided to make my own homemade version using the P.F. Chang's meal.  I cooked the beef & broccoli according to package directions and at the same time boiled the noodles.  Normally, I would have just used fettucini noodles but I had some spaghetti that needed to be used up as well so I just said what the heck and prepared a mixture of the two!

  

A few minutes before the beef & broccoli were done, I added the noodles to the skillet and added some soy sauce and teriyaki sauce to taste.  I let all of this saute together for about 5 minutes and then it was ready to eat!

Quick, easy, not fancy at all.  But very yummy!  Some nights I'm all for going all out on cooking but sometimes you just need a few things to throw together for a quick & easy meal.

I love to hear any comments, tips or thoughts anyone likes to share so please comment below!

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Garlic Lemon Brown Rice Skillet

If you need a quick, easy & healthy dinner idea this is it!  I am working on losing some weight (see my March monthly goals here) and have been working on coming up with more health conscious meals. 

Ingredients

Brown rice

Chicken

Broccoli

Onion

Lemon Juice

Garlic Powder

To cook, dice chicken (I used 4 thawed chicken tenderloins)and saute in olive oil with garlic powder and lemon juice.  After a few minutes of cooking the chicken, add some diced onion. I buy the bag of frozen chopped onions at Kroger (only $1 most of the time).  I just grabbed a handful and sautéed them along with the chicken.  While chicken is cooking, steam broccoli (We buy the bags that you can throw in the microwave and steam in 5 minutes) and prepare brown rice according to package directions (I prepared 4 servings).  Once chicken is browned, add broccoli and additional lemon juice and garlic seasoning.  Saute for a few minutes until rice is ready.  Mix in rice and cook all ingredients for 5 minutes.  Tada! Dinner is served :)  Seriously, easiest dinner & super yummy!  If you like soy sauce or lemon juice, adding a little to your bowl when eating it is really tasty too!

I love to hear any comments, tips or thoughts anyone likes to share so please comment below!

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No Bake Energy Bites

Several people I know had recommended these to me so I decided to make some a while ago and wanted to share the recipe with you!

The energy bites were great to have around when I just wanted a little something to snack on between meals and were easy to take to work!

In a large bowl mix together:

1 cup dry oatmeal

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup ground flaxseed

1/3 cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla

I mix these ingredients together and then refrigerate the whole bowl for about 20 minutes. Then you can just roll balls out of the mixture and keep them refrigerated and ready to eat! Super quick and easy!

I love to hear any comments, tips or thoughts anyone likes to share so please comment below!

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Creamy Italian Chicken Crockpot Freezer Meal

Creamy Italian Chicken is one of my favorite crockpot freezer meals!
To make, combine the following in a gallon freezer bag:

2 large chicken breasts

8 oz. cream cheese

1 dry packet of Italian seasoning

1 can cream of chicken


Put the bag in the refrigerator the night before you want to make the meal to thaw it.  Place the contents of the bag in the crockpot and cook on high for 4-6 hours.

Tastes delicious served over rice & is super yummy on a cold night!  I absolutely love the sauce on this chicken.