cozy Meal Ideas
hey there hi there ho there!
Welcome back to Coffee with Kaydee, I am SO glad you are here! I hope your week has been wonderful. Mine has definitely taken a turn for the better (last week was brutal) and I’m so thankful for brighter days and more sleep.
I wanted to share with you some dinner ideas. I HATE deciding which meals we eat every week, it’s so hard! I want to make sure everyone likes it, it’s doable, it’s affordable, and it’s different. I often feel like we eat the same few things (and honestly we do) so I try to add a little variety once in a while. Even when I don’t focus on variety, some Sunday nights I just draw a blank and can’t think of anything we might enjoy eating. Soooooo I like to come here and put together a few simple, delicious meal ideas in case you are drawing a blank like me. Now these recipes aren’t mine, I’m not a chef and cook ONLY by following recipes, so the credit goes to other food artists. These meals are however delicious and easy to cook when you have children to tend to. These meals are some of our favorites, and they are ALL perfect for those chilly days when you want something warm and hearty to eat!
I hope this inspires you to cook something new or brings back to mind one of your family’s favorite meals. As always, simply click the image to access the link to the full recipe!
1 // Chili
Perhaps this is obvious, but my all time favorite Fall dinner is chili and baked potatoes or chili and Fritos! The best part is that chili is so simple to throw together in the crock pot. Who doesn’t love a set it and forget it meal? Here is the recipe! Unfortunately I don't have the link to the original recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
-1 yellow onion - chopped
-3 garlic cloves - minced
-2-16-ounce cans red kidney beans-rinsed and drained
-29 ounces canned diced tomatoes not drained
-¼ cup tomato paste
-3 tablespoons chili powder
-1 teaspoon Kosher salt
-1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
-1 teaspoon ground cumin
-1/2 cup saltine cracker crumbs finely ground
Instructions
-Cook the beef and onion together in a large pot or cast iron skillet over medium high heat until the beef is browned well.
-Add it to the slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients.
-Cook on high heat for 3 hours or on low heat for 6 hours.
2 // Taco Casserole
This is one of my family’s favorites growing up. It is warm, delicious and fairly simply. You can easily double it for a larger family. This meal is also a great potluck meal! This is another recipe that I don't actually have the original too, but here is my recipe!
Ingredients:
-1 lb ground beef
-1 can of corn
-1 can of rotel tomatoes
-1 can of pinto beans
-1 box of spiral pasta
-taco seasoning
-cheese
Instructions:
-Preheat oven to 375 degrees
-Cook ground beef and prepare with taco seasoning
-While beef is browning, prepare pasta
-Mix taco meat, pasta, corn (drained), tomatoes, and beans (drained) together.
-Pour mixture into a large 9x13 baking dish and cover with cheese
-Bake for 15-20 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted
3 // Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli
Another warm set it and forget it meal! Throw a few simple ingredients into the crock pot and a few hours later dinner is ready. This is one that my boys LOVE to eat and I love how hearty it is. It reminds me of a meal my mom made when I was growing up. I shared this recipe in a newsletter a few months ago, and it continues to be in our rotation. Find the recipe here!
4 // Loaded Chicken and Potato Casserole
This is one of the first meals I perfected before Josh and I got married. It’s what I would consider my "signature" dish. I didn’t come up with the recipe but I’ve made it soooo many times. It’s simple, and it is super delicious. It’s a great snow day meal when you want to heat the house up because it takes a while to bake. This is also a great meal to prep ahead of time if you are short on time! You can assemble everything the night before, put it in the fridge over night, and pop it in the oven when you get home from work! Here's the recipe!
5 // Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie
If I’m being honest, I’m kind of a lazy cook. I think I would take a bit more time occasionally, but with two littles I just don’t have the time to cook an extensive meal. This recipe is *perfect* for me. All the deliciousness of Chicken Pot Pie without any of the work to make a crust and chop vegetables. I recently made this for my parents and brother and they all enjoyed it! Here's the recipe!
6 // Crockpot Sausage and Potato Casserole
Think scalloped potatoes but also not scalloped potatoes. This meal is another hearty, warm, cheesy bowl of goodness. I will say this one takes a WHILE to cook because of the potatoes. I also highly recommend cooking the sausage on the stove before hand. This would even make a good savory breakfast side with some eggs and biscuits! Here's the recipe!
7// Pot Roast
Who doesn’t love a delicious pot roast?! Simple, plenty of leftovers, and oh so satisfying. Even the worst cooks can make a pot roast! While I prefer to make mine in the crockpot (I love my crockpot, have you figured that out yet?) you can make it in the oven too! Don't know where to start or want to make sure the your meal is super delicious? Here's a recipe!
8 // Baked Potato Soup
Who doesn't love a delicious soup for dinner in October? Soup warms your hands and your soul, and potato soup has to definitely be in my top 3 favorite soups.
I hope these meal ideas inspire you, warm your heart and your home, and are something your loved ones enjoy!
Talk soon!
Comments