Donna's Favorite's

🍲 Chicken & Dumplings with Meatballs

A hearty twist on a classic comfort dish—loaded with flavor and perfect for sharing.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 8–10  ⏱️ Prep Time: 30 mins  🔥 Cook Time: 30 mins
📅 Ideal For: Family dinners, cold-weather meals, or weekend gatherings

🛒 Ingredients

Broth Base:

• 2 (32 oz) cartons chicken broth
• Chicken bouillon (to taste)
• 2 rotisserie chickens, shredded and deboned
• 1 bay leaf

Meatballs:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 large egg
• ⅛–¼ cup beef broth (eyeball for consistency)

Dumplings:

• 2 cups Bisquick
• ⅔ cup milk

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the broth: In a large pot, combine chicken broth, bouillon, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
2. Make the meatballs: In a bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, onion powder, garlic powder, egg, and beef broth. Form into small meatballs.
3. Add to the pot: Drop meatballs into the boiling broth, followed by the shredded chicken.
4. Make the dumplings: Mix Bisquick and milk until a soft dough forms. Drop spoonfuls (about 1 tbsp each) over the surface of the simmering broth.
5. Simmer: Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
6. Finish cooking: Remove the lid and continue simmering for another 15 minutes if needed, until dumplings are cooked through and broth is rich.
7. Serve hot with crusty bread or a side salad.

🐟 Applewood Smoked Salmon with Dill Spread

Sweet, smoky, and melt-in-your-mouth tender—paired with a creamy herb spread for the ultimate bite.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 8–10  ⏱️ Prep Time: 15 mins + brining  🔥 Smoke Time: 1 hr 30–45 mins
📅 Ideal For: Brunch platters, holiday spreads, or gourmet snacking

🛒 Dry Brine Ingredients

• 3 lbs salmon fillet (skin-on preferred)
• 2 cups brown sugar
• ½ cup kosher salt
• 1 tbsp black pepper

👩‍🍳 Smoking Instructions

1. Prep the brine: Mix brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Generously coat the salmon and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
2. Smoke the salmon: Preheat smoker to 175–200°F. Use applewood for a mild, sweet flavor or hickory for a deeper, intense smoke.
3. Cook time: Smoke for 1 hr 30 mins to 1 hr 45 mins until internal temp reaches 145°F. For best texture, remove at 143°F and let rest.
4. Cool and serve: Allow salmon to sit and cool slightly before slicing or flaking.

🛒 Dill Spread Ingredients

• ½ cup soft cream cheese (1 container)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill (or more to taste)
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp finely chopped red onion

👩‍🍳 Spread Instructions

1. Mix it up: Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir until smooth.
2. Taste and tweak: Add more dill or lemon juice to suit your flavor preference.
3. Serve chilled alongside smoked salmon, crackers, bagels, or cucumber slices.

🦃 Applewood Smoked Turkey Breast

Juicy, smoky, and deeply seasoned—this brined bird is a showstopper on any table.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 8–10  ⏱️ Prep Time: 15 mins + 13 hrs brining  🔥 Smoke Time: 2 hrs 45 mins
📅 Ideal For: Thanksgiving, backyard smoking, or meal prep

🛒 Wet Brine Ingredients

• 3 cups apple cider
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup kosher salt
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 2 tbsp BBQ seasoning (reserved for after brining)
• 7 lb turkey breast (bone-in or boneless)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Brine the turkey:

1. In a 10-quart pot, mix apple cider, water, vinegar, salt, brown sugar, Worcestershire, garlic powder, and onion powder.
2. Submerge the turkey breast in the brine. Cover and refrigerate for 13 hours.

Prep for smoking:

1. Remove turkey from brine and pat dry thoroughly.
2. Rub with reserved BBQ seasoning.

Smoke the turkey:

1. Preheat smoker to 275°F. Use applewood for a mild, sweet smoke.
2. Place turkey breast in smoker and cook for 2 hours 45 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 145–150°F.
3. Mist occasionally with apple cider to keep moist and enhance flavor.
4. Remove at 143°F and let rest—carryover cooking will bring it to 145°F.

Slice and serve:

1. Let rest 10–15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or chilled.

🥩 Pressure Cooker Corned Beef & Veggies

Tender, flavorful corned beef with classic root vegetables—ready in a fraction of the time.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 8–10  ⏱️ Prep Time: 15 mins  ⏲️ Cook Time: 1 hr + veggies
📅 Ideal For: Holiday meals, comfort food nights, or hearty family dinners

🛒 Ingredients

• 2 (3¼ lb) corned beef briskets (flat or point cut)
• Water (enough to cover bottom of pressure cooker, ~2 inches)
• 2 tbsp pickling spice
• 3 lbs potatoes (whole or halved)
• 3 lbs carrots (whole or halved)
• 1 head cabbage (cut into wedges or left whole)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Corned Beef:

1. Place pickling spice in the bottom of a pressure cooker.
2. Add about 2 inches of water. Place corned beef on top.
3. Lock the lid and cook for 1 hour: start on high heat, then reduce to medium-high once steam begins releasing.

Vegetables: 

       4. After beef is cooked, add potatoes to the cooking liquid. Pressure cook for 10 minutes.
      5. Add carrots and cook for 7 minutes.
      6. Add cabbage and cook for 4 minutes.
      7. Carefully release pressure and remove lid. Slice corned beef and serve with vegetables.

🌶️ Unstuffed Pepper Crockpot Casserole

All the flavor of classic stuffed peppers—without the fuss!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 6–8  ⏱️ Prep Time: 20 mins  ⏲️ Cook Time: 4–6 hrs (low) or 3–4 hrs (high)
📅 Ideal For: Weeknight dinners, meal prep, or comfort food cravings

🛒 Ingredients

• 1½ lbs ground beef, browned
• 1 large onion, sautéed until golden
• 1 (14 oz) can petite diced tomatoes
• 1 can Ro-Tel (mild or spicy, your choice)
• 3 bell peppers (red, yellow, orange), chopped
• 2 cups tomato sauce or tomato juice
• 3 cups beef broth
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• Garlic to taste (minced or powder)
• 2 cups cooked rice
• Salt and pepper to taste

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prep the base: Brown ground beef and sauté onion until caramelized.
2. Layer in the crockpot: Add beef, onion, tomatoes, Ro-Tel, chopped peppers, tomato sauce, beef broth, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Add rice: Stir in cooked rice to combine.
4. Slow cook:
   • On low for 4–6 hours
   • Or on high for 3–4 hours

        5. Serve hot with shredded cheese, sour cream, or crusty bread.

🥔 Homestyle Shepherd’s Pie Casserole

A layered classic packed with seasoned beef, sweet corn, and creamy mashed potatoes.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 10–12  ⏱️ Prep Time: 30 mins  🔥 Bake Time: 1 hour
📅 Ideal For: Family dinners, potlucks, or comfort food cravings

🛒 Ingredients

Meat Layer:

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 tbsp flour
• 1 tsp bouillon base
• 1 cup water
• Oregano (to taste)
• Bell seasoning (to taste)
• Onion salt (to taste)
• Chopped garlic (to taste)
• Worcestershire sauce (splash)

Vegetable Layer:

• 1 can creamed corn
• 1 lb frozen corn kernels
• 1 package frozen peas

Potato Layer:

• 5 lbs potatoes, peeled and chopped
• Butter, milk, salt (to taste for mashing)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Cook the beef:

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground beef.
2. Add oregano, bell seasoning, onion salt, chopped garlic, and Worcestershire sauce.
3. Stir in flour and cook until incorporated.
4. Mix bouillon base with water and add to skillet. Simmer until thickened.

Make mashed potatoes:

1. Boil potatoes until fork-tender. Drain and mash with butter, milk, and salt to taste.

Layer the casserole:

1. In a 9x13-inch baking dish, layer mashed potatoes on the bottom.
2. Spread the beef mixture evenly over the potatoes.
3. Top with creamed corn, frozen corn kernels, and peas.

Bake:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Bake uncovered for 1 hour until heated through and lightly golden on top.

🎃 Savory Stuffed Sugar Pumpkins

Golden roasted pumpkins filled with creamy mashed potatoes and seasoned beef—comfort food with a seasonal twist.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 6–8  ⏱️ Prep Time: 30 mins  🔥 Bake Time: 1 hour
📅 Ideal For: Thanksgiving sides, fall gatherings, or show-stopping dinners

🛒 Ingredients

• 2 medium sugar pumpkins (with stems)
• 2–3 lbs ground beef
• 5 lbs potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic (minced or powder)
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Water (for roasting pan)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Prep the pumpkins:

1. Cut off the tops of the pumpkins and scoop out seeds and pulp.
2. Replace the tops and set aside.

Cook the filling:

1. Brown ground beef in a skillet with salt, pepper, and garlic.
2. Boil potatoes until fork-tender, then mash with Parmesan cheese.
3. Combine mashed potatoes with cooked beef and pan drippings.

Par-bake the pumpkins:

1. Place cleaned pumpkins in a roasting pan with a splash of water.
2. Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes to soften.

Stuff and finish:

1. Remove tops and fill pumpkins with the beef and potato mixture.
2. Return to oven and bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until heated through.
3. Serve warm by slicing into wedges or scooping out the filling

🥧 Savory French Meat Pie

A rich, spiced meat-and-potato filling tucked into a flaky crust—comfort food with timeless charm.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 8  ⏱️ Prep Time: 30 mins  🔥 Bake Time: 45 mins
📅 Ideal For: Holiday dinners, Sunday suppers, or make-ahead meals

🛒 Ingredients

• 2 lbs very lean ground pork
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 cup Chicken broth
• 2 Sleeves of Ritz Crackers
• 1 prepared pie crusts 

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Cook the filling:

1. Brown ground pork in a skillet with salt, pepper, and garlic.
2. Combine Ritz crackers and chicken broth with cooked pork. Mix until well blended.

Assemble the pie:

1. Line a 9-inch pie dish with bottom crust.
2. Fill with meat and cracker mixture.
3. Top with pie crust, crimp and slice to vent

Bake:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Bake for 45 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
3. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.