Family Favorite's

🍜 Chop Suey

A savory, veggie-rich comfort dish that brings everyone to the table.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 6–8  ⏱️ Prep Time: 20 mins  🍳 Cook Time: 30 mins
📅 Ideal For: Family dinners, potlucks, or cozy nights in

🛒 Ingredients

• 1 bunch celery, cut into ¼-inch slant slices
• 2 onions, halved and thinly sliced
• 2 (8 oz) packages fresh bean sprouts
• 1 lb ground beef, cooked separately
• 1 (32 oz) carton beef broth (enough to cover veggies)
• 3 tbsp cornstarch
• 4 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp fresh ginger
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 3 tbsp water (for slurry)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Brown the beef: In a skillet, cook the ground beef until fully browned. Drain excess fat and set aside.
2. Simmer the veggies: In a large 8-quart pot, add chopped celery and onions. Pour in beef broth until veggies are just covered. Add soy sauce, ginger, and garlic powder. Bring to a boil and cook until vegetables are fork-tender.
3. Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Stir into the pot to thicken the broth.
4. Combine and finish: Add the cooked beef and bean sprouts to the pot. Mix well and simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Serve hot over rice or noodles.

🍗 Marinated Chicken Legs

Sweet, savory, and oven-roasted to perfection—an easy family favorite.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 4–6  ⏱️ Prep Time: 10 mins + overnight marinating  🔥 Cook Time: 1 hour
📅 Ideal For: Weekend dinners, meal prep, or backyard gatherings

🛒 Ingredients

• 1 package chicken legs (approx. 6–8 pieces)
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 3 oz soy sauce
• 6 oz water
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp ground ginger

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Make the marinade: In a bowl, mix brown sugar, soy sauce, water, garlic powder, and ginger until well combined.
2. Marinate the chicken: Place chicken legs in a large container or zip-top bag. Pour marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated. Refrigerate overnight.
3. Bake: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Drain marinade and arrange chicken legs in a glass casserole dish.
4. Roast: Bake uncovered for 1 hour, or until chicken is golden brown and cooked through (internal temp should reach 165°F).
5. Serve hot with rice, roasted veggies, or a fresh salad.

🧀 Jalapeño Cheddar Mac & Cheese

A creamy, cheesy classic with a spicy twist and buttery Ritz topping.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 6–8  ⏱️ Prep Time: 25 mins  🔥 Bake Time: 1 hour
📅 Ideal For: Comfort food nights, potlucks, or weekend treats

🛒 Ingredients

Mac & Cheese Base:

• 1 lb elbow macaroni
• 2 (8 oz) blocks sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 (8 oz) blocks jalapeño cheese
• 1 can cheddar cheese soup
• 4 tbsp flour
• 1 stick butter
• 2 cups milk

Topping:

• 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
• 1 stick butter

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prep the cheese: Cut cheese into small chunks or shred for easier melting.
2. Make the roux: In a large pan over medium heat, melt 1 stick of butter. Add flour and stir until smooth and bubbly.
3. Build the sauce: Slowly add milk, stirring constantly for about 5 minutes. Add cheese in batches, stirring until melted. Stir in cheddar cheese soup and simmer until fully combined.
4. Cook the pasta: Boil elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.
5. Combine: Mix the cheese sauce with the pasta and transfer to a glass casserole dish.
6. Make the topping: In a pan, melt 1 stick of butter and stir in crushed Ritz crackers until coated.
7. Top and bake: Spread the buttery Ritz topping over the mac and cheese. Bake at 350°F for 1 hour until golden and bubbly.

🥔 Classic Potato Salad

Creamy, tangy, and perfect for picnics, potlucks, or backyard BBQs.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 10–12  ⏱️ Prep Time: 25 mins  🧊 Chill Time: Optional 1 hour
📅 Ideal For: Summer gatherings, holiday sides, or make-ahead meals

🛒 Ingredients

• 5 lbs potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1¼ cups mayonnaise
• ½ tsp celery seed
• 2 tsp yellow mustard (French’s recommended)
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2–3 hard-boiled eggs, roughly chopped

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook the potatoes: Boil chopped potatoes until just fork-tender—don’t overcook. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.
2. Make the dressing: In a large bowl, mix mayo, mustard, vinegar, sugar, and celery seed until smooth.
3. Combine: Add diced celery and chopped eggs to the dressing. Mix gently.
4. Fold it in: Add cooled potatoes to the bowl and fold everything together until evenly coated.
5. Chill (optional): Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving for best flavor.

🥗 Sweet & Tangy Marinated Beets

A vibrant, no-cook side dish with bold flavor and easy prep.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 6–8  ⏱️ Prep Time: 10 mins  🧊 Chill Time: Overnight
📅 Ideal For: Holiday spreads, BBQs, or refreshing side dishes

🛒 Ingredients

• ½ cup red wine vinegar
• 2 cups water
• 10 packets Sweet’n Low (or preferred sweetener)
• 4 cans whole regular beets, drained and rinsed
• 1 medium onion, sliced

Optional Add-ins:

• 1 can kidney beans, drained
• Splash of apple cider (for extra tang)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prep the onion: Slice the onion into thin rings or half-moons.
2. Mix it up: In a large resealable container, combine red wine vinegar, water, sweetener, beets, and onion.
3. Optional twist: Add kidney beans and a splash of apple cider if desired.
4. Chill: Stir well, seal the container, and refrigerate overnight to let flavors meld.
5. Serve cold as a refreshing side or salad topper.

🍞 Classic Cinnamon French Toast

Golden, fluffy slices with a hint of vanilla and spice—perfect for the whole family.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 4–6  ⏱️ Prep Time: 10 mins  🍳 Cook Time: 15 mins
📅 Ideal For: Weekend brunch, holiday mornings, or breakfast-for-dinner nights

🛒 Ingredients

• 12 slices of bread (white, brioche, or challah work great)
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1–2 tsp sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1 capful vanilla extract (approx. 1 tsp)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• Butter (for frying)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Make the batter: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until smooth.
2. Dip the bread: Submerge each slice of bread in the mixture, coating both sides evenly.
3. Cook: Heat a pan or griddle over medium heat and melt a bit of butter. Fry each slice until golden brown on both sides, about 2–3 minutes per side.
4. Serve hot with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh fruit.

🥘 Savory Meat Stuffing

A rich, flavorful blend of ground meats and herbs—ideal for stuffing or serving as a standalone dish.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 10–12  ⏱️ Prep Time: 20 mins  🔥 Bake Time: 30 mins
📅 Ideal For: Thanksgiving, Sunday dinners, or potluck gatherings

🛒 Ingredients

• 3 lbs 80/20 ground beef
• 3 lbs lean ground pork
• 1 onion, minced
• 3 celery ribs, minced
• 1 tbsp cooking oil
• 3 tbsp Bell’s seasoning
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 (14 oz) bag Pepperidge Farm herbed stuffing mix (blue bag), crushed
• Optional: ½ cup turkey stock (if mixture is too dry before baking)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Sauté aromatics: In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add minced onion and celery, cooking until translucent.
2. Cook the meat: Add ground beef and pork to the pot. Stir in Bell’s seasoning, salt, pepper, and chicken broth. Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until meat is fully cooked.
3. Add stuffing mix: Remove from heat and fold in the crushed stuffing mix until well combined.
4. Adjust moisture: If mixture seems dry, add up to ½ cup turkey stock.
5. Bake: Transfer to a baking dish and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes or until heated through and lightly crisped on top.

🍯 Caramel Puff Corn

Sweet, buttery, and addictively crunchy—no kernels, no fuss!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 8–10  ⏱️ Prep Time: 10 mins  🔥 Bake Time: 45 mins
📅 Ideal For: Holiday snacking, party favors, or cozy movie nights

🛒 Ingredients

• 1 (8 oz) bag puff corn (no hulls or kernels)
• 1 cup butter (do not substitute)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup light corn syrup
• 1 tsp baking soda

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prep the puff corn: Place puff corn in a large roasting pan and set aside.
2. Make the caramel: In a 2-quart saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then cook for 2 minutes.
3. Add baking soda: Stir in baking soda—mixture will foam up. Mix well and remove from heat.
4. Coat the puff corn: Pour caramel mixture over puff corn in the roasting pan. Stir to coat evenly.
5. Bake: Bake at 250°F for 45 minutes, stirring every 10–15 minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even coating.
6. Cool: Spread finished puff corn onto wax paper to cool completely before serving or storing.

🍲 Venus de Milo Soup

A hearty, comforting one-pot soup packed with veggies, pasta, and savory flavor.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 10–12  ⏱️ Prep Time: 15 mins  🔥 Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins
📅 Ideal For: Cold nights, meal prep, or feeding a crowd

🛒 Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 (28 oz) can roasted diced tomatoes
• 2 cartons beef broth
• 1 carton chicken broth
• 1 (16 oz) bag frozen mixed vegetables
• ¾ cup orzo pasta
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 packet Lipton onion soup mix

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Brown the beef: In a large 8-quart pot, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned.
2. Sauté aromatics: Add diced onion and chopped celery to the pot. Sauté until softened and fragrant.
3. Build the soup base: Stir in roasted tomatoes, beef broth, chicken broth, mixed vegetables, garlic powder, onion powder, bay leaves, and Lipton onion soup mix.
4. Simmer: Cover and simmer on low heat for 1 hour to let flavors develop.
5. Add pasta: Stir in orzo and cook uncovered until pasta is tender, about 10–15 minutes.
6. Serve hot with crusty bread or crackers.

🌮 Layered Taco Dip

A bold, colorful appetizer perfect for game day, potlucks, or family movie nights.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 10–12  ⏱️ Prep Time: 20 mins  🧊 Chill Time: Optional 30 mins
📅 Ideal For: Parties, snack tables, or casual get-togethers

🛒 Ingredients

• 2 (12 oz) containers soft cream cheese
• 2 (12 oz) jars Pablo’s salsa — 1 hot, 1 mild
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup Mexican blend shredded cheese (with peppers)
• 5 green bell peppers, finely chopped
• 4 red tomatoes, finely chopped
• ½ can black olives, sliced or chopped
• 2 medium onions, finely chopped

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prep the base: On a 15½-inch round serving tray, spread the cream cheese evenly across the bottom.
2. Add the salsa layer: Mix the hot and mild salsas together, then spread evenly over the cream cheese.
3. Layer the veggies: Sprinkle chopped peppers, tomatoes, olives, and onions evenly across the salsa layer.
4. Top with cheese: Finish by generously layering both shredded cheeses over the top.
5. Optional chill: Refrigerate for 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
6. Serve cold with tortilla chips, pita wedges, or veggie sticks.

🌭 Savory Wiener Sauce

A rich, meaty topping with a hint of spice—ideal for cookouts or comfort food nights.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 6–8  ⏱️ Prep Time: 10 mins  🍳 Cook Time: 15 mins
📅 Ideal For: Hot dog bars, tailgates, or weeknight dinners

🛒 Ingredients

• ½ lb ground beef
• ½ cup celery, finely minced
• ½ cup onion, finely minced
• ½ tsp celery seed
• ½ tsp steak sauce
• ½ cup water
• 1 beef bouillon cube (or equivalent paste)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Brown the beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until fully browned.
2. Sauté aromatics: Add minced celery and onion to the pan. Sauté until soft and fragrant.
3. Simmer the sauce: Stir in celery seed, steak sauce, water, and bouillon. Mix well and simmer for 5–10 minutes until thickened and flavorful.
4. Serve warm over hot dogs, burgers, or roasted veggies. 

🍝 Zesty Spaghetti Pasta Salad

A colorful, tangy twist on pasta salad that’s bursting with flavor and crunch.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 8–10  ⏱️ Prep Time: 20 mins  🧊 Chill Time: Optional 1 hour
📅 Ideal For: Summer cookouts, lunch prep, or easy side dishes

🛒 Ingredients

• 1 lb cooked spaghetti, broken in half
• 4 heaping tbsp McCormick Salad Supreme seasoning
• 8 oz Kraft Zesty Italian dressing
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 tomatoes, chopped
• 3 bell peppers (any color), chopped

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook the pasta: Boil spaghetti until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool.
2. Prep the veggies: Chop onion, tomatoes, and peppers into bite-sized pieces.
3. Mix it up: In a large bowl, combine cooled spaghetti, chopped veggies, Salad Supreme seasoning, and Italian dressing. Toss until evenly coated.
4. Chill (optional): Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving to enhance flavor.
5. Serve cold as a side dish or light lunch.

🍖 Sweet & Tangy Crockpot Kielbasa

Smoky, saucy, and irresistibly sticky—an easy crowd-pleaser with minimal prep.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 12–15  ⏱️ Prep Time: 10 mins  ⏲️ Cook Time: 4–6 hours (low) or 3–4 hours (high)
📅 Ideal For: Game day, potlucks, or holiday appetizers

🛒 Ingredients

• 5 lbs kielbasa, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 lb brown sugar
• 1 small bottle ketchup (approx. 14 oz)
• 1 bottle BBQ sauce (approx. 18–20 oz)
• 2 tbsp mustard (yellow or Dijon)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prep the kielbasa: Slice kielbasa into bite-sized rounds and place in a large crockpot.
2. Make the sauce: In a bowl, mix together brown sugar, ketchup, BBQ sauce, and mustard until smooth.
3. Combine: Pour the sauce over the kielbasa and stir to coat evenly.
4. Slow cook:
   • On low for 4–6 hours
   • Or on high for 3–4 hours

1. Serve warm straight from the crockpot or transfer to a serving dish.