Grown Up Mac and Cheese with Bacon

July 23, 2014 by 2 Comments

Grown Up Mac and Cheese with Bacon

This adapted mac and cheese has been a favorite of mine since I first started making it back when I was pregnant with my son. It’s the ultimate comfort food and is something I know will always please a crowd.

With the addition of bacon, and the panko crust, this mac and cheese is taken from ordinary to extraordinary. But I really think that the secret ingredient is the pinch of nutmeg. It really does change the flavor for the better!

If you’re a huge fan of mac and cheese I highly suggest you try this grown up mac and cheese with bacon. It’s well worth it.  [Read more…]

Filed Under: Dinner, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

Delicious Summer BBQ Ideas

July 18, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Summer BBQ Ideas - great additions to any summer bbq or party

Summer is here and that means it’s time to start cooking! The warm weather is perfect for inviting a few friends and family over for a laid-back BBQ cookout any day of the week.

I love how easy it is to BBQ. A good rub or marinade, some meat and veggies, and a hot grill! Plus there are so many great sides and treats to serve alongside the BBQ goodies.

Not sure what to throw on the grill? Try out these delicious ideas for your summer BBQ. Not only do we include what to grill, but we also share what to serve with your BBQ meal. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Appetizers & Sides, Desserts, Dinner, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

Easy Summer Dinners: KRAFT Chopped Grilled Chicken Salad

June 13, 2014 by 2 Comments

This post brought to you by KRAFT Natural Shredded Cheese and Safeway. All opinions are 100% mine.

Easy Summer Dinners Kraft Chopped Grilled Chicken Salad

During these hot months the one thing I love are easy summer dinners. Meals that I can prep in advance and throw together in minutes for the whole family to enjoy as well as meals that are tasty and perfect for when we have company over.

We’re in the midst of moving right now but still want to have friends over so this weekend we kept things simple and made this delicious Chopped Grilled Chicken Salad. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Dinner, Drinks & Refreshments, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Recipe featured on Someday I’ll Learn

May 19, 2014 by 4 Comments

Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan recipe

Last week was hot here in San Diego. Cooking was far from my mind. As was turning on the stove. But since my kids still depend on my to feed them (yeah… the husband does too) I got smart and busted out the slow cooker.

Grabbing ingredients from our freezer and pantry I found that I could make a simple slow cooker chicken parmesan recipe in little to no time. The only extra thing I had to do was boil water for noodles closer to dinner time. Easy peasy! This slow cooker meal is not only easy, it takes only 5 ingredients! And 3 of those 5 ingredients go in the slow cooker to work their magic.

You can find the full recipe featured today on Someday I’ll Learn.

What’s your favorite meal to make when the temperature is rising?

Pinterest Inspiration

Filed Under: Dinner, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

Easy To Make Roasted Red Pepper Chicken and Linguine with White Wine Sauce

May 6, 2014 by 12 Comments

The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older. I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This #InspireMyDinner shop featuring Roasted Red Pepper Chicken and Linguine with White Wine Sauce has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for #CollectiveBias and its advertiser.

Easy To Make Roasted Red Pepper Chicken and Linguine with White Wine Sauce

Date nights are an important part of my relationship with my husband. They allow us to reconnect, chat about life, and spend time together without the kids. Whether we’re heading out for a night on the town or settling in at home for an easy to make meal together, the time we spend during date night helps us rekindle that spark.

Since we’ve finally decided we need to expand and are starting to look for potential houses to move into we’ve been on a tighter budget than normal. That means more meals at home… including date night meals. But that doesn’t mean I have to make some elaborate dish that takes hours to make.   [Read more…]

Filed Under: Date Night, Dinner, In the Kitchen, Parenting, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

Easy Lunch Ideas: Eggplant French Bread Pizza

May 5, 2014 by 16 Comments

Tracking Pixel

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Barilla®.

Eggplant French Bread Pizza

One thing I love about lunchtime on the weekend is the fact that I get to eat lunch with the kids and my husband and sit down together during the day – something that doesn’t happen often.  The family table we’ve created at dinnertime has helped us connect more as a family and truly enjoy each meals together but enjoying lunch together is like an added bonus.

Unlike dinners, lunches are usually sporadic last minute plans that just happen to come together. And that means I need a great arsenal of easy lunch ideas – like this delicious eggplant french bread pizza – ready to use when I don’t have a clue what I want to make.

Another great tool I have at the ready is a pantry full of Barilla® sauces and a garden full of veggies. For those times that I just need something the whole family will enjoy and eat but is still  nutritious, I grab my favorite Tomato & Basil sauce and start creating. You’ll taste the difference because Barilla Sauce has a real taste from real vegetables and all-natural, quality ingredients like vine-ripe tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil and fragrant herbs.

Paired with a great salad, this pizza is the perfect weekend lunch. And the whole family will eat it! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Dinner, Giveaways, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized, Vegetarian Tagged With:

Easy Weeknight Meals: Sausage Broccoli and Feta Pasta Recipe

April 28, 2014 by 13 Comments

Easy Weeknight Meals Sausage Broccoli and Feta Pasta Recipe

One thing I love about weeknight meals is the fact that I get a chance to reconnect and check in with my family after our busy day.  The family table we’ve created has helped us connect more as a family and truly enjoy each meal together.

Unlike the weekends, weeknight meals need to be made quickly and are usually planned a few hours before I actually have to make the meal. And that means I need a great arsenal of easy weeknight meals – like this delicious sausage broccoli and feta pasta recipe – ready to use when I don’t have a clue what I want to make. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Dinner, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized

20+ Delicious Casserole Recipes to Feed a Crowd

April 9, 2014 by 9 Comments

review affiliate link disclaimer
20+ Delicious Casserole Recipes to Feed a Crowd

Have you watched Delivery Man yet? If not, definitely pick up a copy! This compilation of 20+ delicious casserole recipes to feed a crowd is inspired by this recipe. And the 533 kids underachiever David Wozniak fathered via donations made twenty years earlier!

This heartwarming comedy about a man who discovers that the shock of his life might just be the best thing that’s ever happened to him. Along the way he discovers not only his true self, but also the father he could become.

So whip up one of these casserole dishes for the family, pop in the Delivery Man Blu-Ray, and enjoy a great family night with Vince Vaughn, Cobie Smulders & Chris Pratt. It’s one the whole family will enjoy. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Breakfast, Dinner, Entertainment, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , ,

5 Tips for Creating a Family Table at Meal Time

April 2, 2014 by 8 Comments

Tracking Pixel

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Barilla, but opinions are my own.

5 Tips for Creating a Family Table at Meal Time

When my son was a toddler I thought he was the pickiest eater. Then I started to realize that he wasn’t picky, he was just a kid. So I started to focus more on creating a family table at meal time and truly allowing him (and now my daughter) to experience food differently.

With the changes we’ve put in place I not only have kids who eat dinner, even if it’s just one part of dinner, we also now have a place to sit and talk about our day as a family. Mealtime now sometimes leads to playtime afterwards when the conversation doesn’t stop and the kids request either a game or movie night after we eat.

By eating at home, around a table, we’ve come to realize the importance of meal time and creating a family table. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Dinner, In the Kitchen, Life, Parenting, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Growing Communities through Community Gardens plus a Hash Brown recipe

March 28, 2014 by 22 Comments

 I am a member of the Collective Bias Social Fabric Community. This shop featuring growing communities and an #OreIdaHashbrown recipe is part of a social shopper amplification for #CollectiveBias and its advertiser.

Growing Communities through Community Gardens plus a hashbrown recipe

While our community garden has brought our community together through growing food, it stays together as we share meals with one another and truly get to know each other. So when I considered how I could give back to my fellow gardeners, I thought it would be wonderful to share our first meal of the growing season together with a delicious Hash Brown recipe.

I invited all of the plot renters/growers to meet my family and me at the garden for a nice meal we could share. It would be the perfect excuse to get together between our community garden meetings and chat about more than what we’re growing. Plus I’d do all the cooking and clean up! Win-win, right?

By sharing these meals with one another we are truly growing communities and establishing strong roots in our neighborhood. I couldn’t imagine not having these wonderful people in our lives.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Dinner, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized, Vegetarian Tagged With: , , , ,


© A Crafty Spoonful - All Rights Reserved
It is OK to use one of my photos provided a link back and/or proper credit is given. It is NOT ok to copy and paste a whole post including instructions. Please do not remove watermarks or alter images in any way. Please contact me with any questions at danielle@acraftyspoonful.com

.