Skillet Sloppy Joe Pot Pie takes a weeknight dinner classic to the next level by baking it in a cast iron skillet topped with cheddar cheese and biscuits.

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Originally this was going to be my Pi Day recipe. My husband thought that it was a stretch to make a sloppy joe pot pie in a cast iron skillet topped with biscuits for Pi Day but it doesn’t have to be pie to celebrate pie day, it just has to be round! Cast iron skillets happen to be round. Although when I found out that National Sloppy Joe Day was on March 18th I decided to postpone. Instead I shared a Dubai chocolate tart for pie day which I think was a good trade off since now I got to have both.

The first time I made a sloppy joe pot pie it was topped with tater tots, but even when I precooked them before baking them on top I didn’t feel like the tater tots were crispy enough. Maybe I like my tater tots extra crispy (truth) but I was not prepared to share what I considered to be a lack-luster recipe. However I still wanted it to be a fairly simple recipe so I ended up using refrigerated biscuits instead. Yes the biscuits are going to be a but soggy but in this situation I am okay with it.

SKILLET SLOPPY JOE POT PIE WITH BISCUITS

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Yield: 8 Servings Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cooking Time: 35 Minutes 35 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 lb. ground sirloin
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and minced (~1-1/2 cups)
• 1 medium onion, peeled and minced (~1 cup)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 2 tsp yellow mustard
• 1-1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
• 3 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 8 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded (~2 cups)
• 1 (16.3 oz.) can refrigerated biscuits (8 count)**

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F with a rack on the bottom third.
2. Heat oil in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet* over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up gently, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Remove meat to a paper-towel lined plate and return skillet with meat great to heat.
3. Add the onion and green bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
4. Stir in the brown sugar, chili powder, mustard, salt, and pepper until evenly distributed. Add the beef back to the skillet along with the tomato sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer and cook about 5 minutes, stirring often, until starting to thicken.
5. Remove from heat, spread mixture evenly in the skillet, sprinkle 1-1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese on top, then arrange the biscuits evenly over top of the cheese.
6. Bake for 15 minutes until the biscuits are starting to turn golden brown. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the biscuits and bake for another 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

*Or other oven-safe skillet. **Can use homemade if you prefer, but cook time may vary.

Source: Adapted from Mama Knows Gluten Free and my Root Beer Sloppy Joes.

If potato soup and a Reuben sandwich got together they would create this Reuben soup. Can use leftover corned beef but it’s worth making some just for this!

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How many things can be Reuben-inspired? I feel like when it comes to St. Patrick’s Day, this little blog of mine is putting that question to the test. I may not have any recipes for an actual Reuben sandwich but over the years I have shared recipes for Reuben Taquitos, Reuben Pizza, Reuben Dip, Reuben Burgers, Reuben Mac & Cheese, and Reuben Stromboli. Today I am adding one more to that list – Reuben soup!

This is Reuben soup actually a different version of my Cheddar Baked Potato Soup that has been heavily adapted to incorporate all the things a Reuben should have – sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, corned beef, and your choice of Thousand Island or Russian dressing. I recently learned that Russian dressing is technically the more traditional option but Thousand Island became more popular because it is sweeter and balances out the sauerkraut and corned beef.

While technically this was meant as a way to use up leftover corned beef I honestly think it is worth preparing corned beef just so you can make this Reuben soup. It’s that good. Better yet, I used the corned beef broth that ultimately was created when cooking my corned beef in a slow cooker as the broth in this recipe as opposed to using regular beef broth. Waste not! Of course don’t forget a slice of toasted rye bread for swiping up any soup that’s left in your bowl.

REUBEN SOUP

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Yield: 8-10 Servings Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cooking Time: 45 Minutes 45 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped (~1 cup)
• 3 ribs celery, finely chopped (~1 cup)
• 2 Tbsp fresh minced garlic
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups beef broth*
• 3 lb. Yukon gold potatoes, quartered
• 1 cup sauerkraut, drained
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire
• 1 tsp carraway seeds
• 1/2 tsp ground white black pepper
• 1/4 tsp dried thyme
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup whole or 2% milk
• 2 cups cooked corned beef, chopped
• 1 cup grated Swiss cheese, plus more for serving
• Hot sauce, to taste
• Thousand Island or Russian dressing, for serving
• Green onion, sliced, for serving
• Toasted rye bread, for serving

Directions

1. In a stockpot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and celery and saute for about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds. 
2. Sprinkle the flour over the onion mixture, stir to coat, and continue to stir while cooking for 3 minutes.
3. Add the broth, scraping up any bits on the bottom of the pan. Add in the potatoes, sauerkraut, Worcestershire, carraway seeds, white pepper, thyme, and paprika then bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 20-30 minutes.
4. Stir in the cream, milk, and corned beef. Add Swiss cheese 1/4 cup at a time, stirring after each addition. Add hot sauce, salt* and more pepper, to taste. Serve topped with more Swiss cheese, dressing, Green onion, and toasted rye bread.

Notes

*Salt needed will depend on the salt content of the beef broth used. I used the liquid beef broth leftover from making slow cooker corned beef.

Source: Adapted from my Cheddar Baked Potato Soup, inspired by Poggiolieats.

Potato leek soup is too short to truly describe all the flavors that make this bowl of deliciousness. Make it tonight and serve it with a slice of crusty bread to scoop up every last drop.

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Not to be confused with my cheddar baked potato soup or slow cooker potato soup, this potato leek soup has the added benefit of leeks and a slew of seasonings. It still tastes like comfort food but with a slightly fresher flavor profile. It may be warming up outside, putting a damper on soup season, but you might want to squeeze this one in real quick. Truly, it’s a quick one. And I got to use my favorite kitchen appliance – the immersion blender!

If you or someone you know makes homemade soups at any frequency, you should get an immersion blender. One of my least favorite kitchen appliances is the regular blender because blending hot liquids can be literally explosive, so I’d pick my immersion blender 10/10 times. I pretty much only use my blender for smoothies.

The best part of using an immersion blender is that I can easily see and control how blended I make my soups. I prefer soups like this potato leek soup and broccoli cheddar soup to still have chunks. In all honestly, I prefer most soups to be a bit chunky rather than creamy, unless it’s tomato soup.

But I’ve gushed over immersion blenders enough. Regardless of which type of blender you have, this soup will be a hit. With the usual suspects of onion and carrot as the base, with leek as a special friend, this potato leek soup is seasoned to perfection with dill, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic, cumin, salt, and white pepper. Make it extra special with homemade chicken or vegetable broth and finish it with heavy cream before blending it up how you like it.

POTATO LEEK SOUP

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Yield: 6 Servings Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cooking Time: 45 Minutes 45 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp butter
• 1 small sweet yellow onion, diced (scant 1 cup)
• 2 leeks sliced (about 1 cup)
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 5 large potatoes peeled and chopped (about 5 heaping cups)
• 3 carrots, chopped (about 2 cups)
• 2 tsp dried dill
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp salt, plus more to taste
• 1/2 tsp ground white black pepper, plus more to taste
• 1 cup cream
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Directions

1. Place a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add oil and butter. When warmed, add onion and leeks and cook 5 minutes or until softened and starting to brown.
2. Stir in the broth, potatoes, carrots, dill, Italian seasoning, garlic, paprika, cumin, salt, and white pepper. Bring to a boil over high head, then turn town to medium-low, cover, and cook about 30 minutes or until potatoes and carrots are soft. Season to taste with more salt or pepper if needed.
3. Reduce heat to low. Stir in the cream. Using an immersion blender*, blend until half of it is blended in, leaving half with chunks. blend part or all of the vegetables if desired.
4. Serve immediately topped with fresh parsley and a slice of good bread.

Notes

*You can also transfer into a regular blender if you don't have an immersion blender.

Source: Adapted from Savory with Soul.

What’s better than Frito Pie? Cheetos Pie of course! Made with ground beef, onion, tomato, green chiles, chili beans, corn, taco seasoning, cheddar cheese and obviously Cheetos.

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I’m up to my usual antics, swapping out Fritos or Doritos in a recipe for Cheetos because they are clearly superior. And it’s an excuse to have Cheetos in my house because normally I cannot control myself around them.

I have successfully done this swap already with Cheetos Walking Tacos and Chopped BBQ Ranch Salad with Cheetos so why not a Cheetos pie instead of Fritos Pie? Just in time to sneak onto your menus for Cinco de Mayo in a few days.

Cheetos Pie is a simple two pan meal, cooking up ground beef and onion, then adding taco seasoning, chili beans, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and corn. Spread this mixture over Cheetos in a baking dish, top with cheddar cheese and bake! Then all that’s left is serving it with your favorite taco toppings – reminds me of a walking taco casserole.

The only downfall to using Cheetos instead of Fritos to make Cheetos Pie is that the Cheetos don’t retain as much crunch as the Fritos when baked with moist ingredients. But to be fair the Fritos are not perfectly crispy either in the same scenario so it is only a minor texture change.

What’s next on my Cheetos crusade? At least in the savory realm, I think I need to try my Mom’s Frito Taco Salad with Cheetos. But I have some wild ideas about sweet incorporations as well to add to my list of Cheetos Cookies, Chocolate Covered Cheetos, and Cheetos Marshmallow Crispy Treats. Don’t be scared, haha.

CHEETOS PIE

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Yield: 6 servings Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cooking Time: 35 MInutes 35 MInutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 1 (8 oz.) bag Cheetos
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 (10 oz.) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
• 1 (15 oz.) can chili beans
• 1 cup corn kernels*
• 1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• Favorite taco toppings

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2. Evenly spread the entire bag of Cheetos in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and onion, cooking until meat is no longer pink and onions are soft. Drain excess fat.
4. Stir in taco seasoning until well blended. Add diced tomatoes, beans and corn, mixing until distributed and warmed through. Remove from heat.
5. Spread meat mixture evenly over the Cheetos, then sprinkle the cheese on top.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Serve immediately with your favorite taco toppings.

Notes

*Fresh, frozen, or canned work just fine. If using canned be sure to drain first.

Source: Adapted slightly from Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts.

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This retro frito taco salad recipe came out of my mom’s recipe box. Made with spinach, taco seasoned ground meat, onion, tomato, pinto beans, radish, cheese, Catalina dressing, and of course Fritos corn chips.

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This Frito Taco Salad is the next recipe card that I pulled from those that my mom gave me over the years. But she often didn’t supply a source so I initially wasn’t entirely sure where this one originated.

While searching the internet to determine if this was one of her own creations, I discovered that there are many interpretations of the same dish. Some use Romaine lettuce, beans, corn, or taco seasoning, bur the most consistent thing was ground meat, Catalina dressing, and Fritos corn chips.

Her recipe originally did not call for taco seasoning (just salt and pepper) or pinto beans but I decided to add them because I felt like to be a taco salad it needed taco seasoning, right? After all, where would the taco flavor come from if I didn’t use the taco seasoning? But she did use spinach (albeit half as much) instead of Romaine and radishes so I kept those.

Have you ever had a Frito taco salad before? What’s in your version? This salad actually reminds me a lot of a Doritos salad or as I made it, Cheetos salad. Also similar to a walking taco, or again in my case a Cheetos walking taco (do you see the trend here?).

MOM'S FRITO TACO SALAD WITH CATALINA DRESSING

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Yield: 4 servings Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cooking Time: 10M 10M

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp olive oil 1 lb. ground beef or turkey
• 1 package of taco seasoning (or 2.5 Tbsp homemade)
• 1/3 + 1/2 cup Catalina dressing
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 5 oz. fresh baby spinach
• 1 large tomato, diced
• 1/2 cup sliced radishes
• 1 (14 oz.) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or a blend)
• 16 oz. bag Fritos corn chips

Directions

1. Add oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add meat and brown, breaking into smaller pieces, until no longer pink on the outside, about 5 minutes. Add taco seasoning, 1/3 cup dressing, onion, and simmer for 5 more minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
2. In a large bowl, combine spinach, tomato, radish, beans, cheese, and remaining 1/2 cup dressing*. Add meat mixture and and Fritos, then toss to combine. Serve immediately.

Notes

*Stop here if you are preparing ahead of time. Otherwise the Fritos will get soggy.

Source: My mom gave me this recipe in May of 2007, but while digging through old recipe boxes of hers I found a similar recipe from a Charlene Reid of West Junior High School that originally used 1/2 head of lettuce.

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Free up some oven space and make this crispy skillet stuffing on the stove top. Perfect for anyone who loves the crispy edges of baked stuffing.

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Several years ago my friend Haley introduced me to this crispy stuffing. I know what you’re thinking, stuffing isn’t supposed to be crispy! I too had the same initial reaction but it grew on me the more I ate it and inevitably asked the the recipe.

If you are already an edge piece stuffing person, you really should give this a chance. Especially since it is packed with flavorful sausage, garlic, onion, apple, cranberries, and pine nuts. But if you still are not convinced, you can toss them in a splash of broth.

Welcome to Holiday Side Dish Week 2022 hosted by Heather from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks. This year we have over 45 side dishes to help you plan your holiday meals.

Monday Holiday Side Dish Recipes:

• Baked Pineapple Casserole from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Brown Butter Pumpkin Sage Pongal from Magical Ingredients
• Cauliflower Gratin from Palatable Pastime
• Cheesy Corn Casserole with Sage from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Easy Instant Pot Buttered Potatoes with Garlic and Parsley from Blogghetti
• Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole from Kathryn’s Kitchen Blog
• Instant Pot Sweet Potato Mash from An Affair from the Heart
• Loaded Sweet Potatoes au Gratin from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Mushroom Gratin from Cheese Curd In Paradise
• Pecan Rice from A Day in the Life on the Far
• Smoked Mac and Cheese Casserole from Our Good Life
• Sweet Onion Pudding from A Little Fish in the Kitchen
• Sweet Potato Casserole from Hostess At Heart
• Tomato Parmesan Soup from Art of Natural Living
• Wild Rice and Cider Cranberry Pilaf from Sweet Beginnings

CRISPY SKILLET STUFFING

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Yield: 8 servings Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cooking Time: 10 Minutes 10 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb. Italian sausage (sweet or spicy)
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup pine nuts
• 1 small red onion, diced
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 stalks of celery, diced
• 16 oz. fresh French bread, torn/cut into 1-inch cubes and toasted
• 1 bunch green onion, diced
• 1 green apple, finely chopped
• 6 oz. dried cranberries, chopped
• Herbs, to taste (cilantro, basil, thyme)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the sausage, breaking up into smaller pieces as it cooks until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Remove to a plate lined with paper towel.
2. Return the skillet with sausage grease over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and pine nuts, cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the red and yellow onion and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. Add the sausage back to the pan along with the rest of the remaining ingredients. Toss to evenly distribute. Adjust seasonings to taste. Serve immediately or transfer to a serving dish.

Source: Haley, friend of The Spiffy Cookie.

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This slow cooked, Italian Braised Beef is a show stopper of a meal and yet most of the cooking time is inactive. Serve over Parmesan Polenta to impress your guests.

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As you may know, I loved a good themed meal. During COVID lockdown, I dreamed of all the themed dinner parties I would host once things went back to “normal”. Jokes on me, right?

Despite the madness, we have managed to host a few smaller outdoor gatherings when the weather cooperated (or not as we heavily used our gas-powered space heater for porch visits during winter), one of which actually had two renditions.

I can’t recall where I got it in my head, but hosting a full nine course Italian dinner party was at the top of my list (because the Seven Hobbit Meals weren’t enough). But when the primary people I had hoped to invite had conflicting schedules, I decided to do it twice. Yes, I know I’m nuts.

I’m not going to get into the entire menu just yet (I’ll post the full menu in its own post), but the first time I hosted the Italian dinner party I made beef braciole as the meat course. As a testament to it’s deliciousness, I lacked the patience to ensure I captured good photos. Instead, I am sharing the Italian braised beef from the second menu.

I honestly cannot say which I liked better. Both were different enough to be uniquely delicious. Also both catered to their accompanying other courses. But either would be delicious served with Italian roasted potato bites and/or roasted broccoli if you’re not in the mood to cook 9 courses. But I digress.

What you need to know about this Italian Braised Beef recipe, is that once your brown up the outside of the beef chunks, saute the veggies, and cook down the wine, you combine it all back in the Dutch oven to simmer in the oven, for 3-4 hours. Towards the end of the cooking time, whip up the polenta are serve the beef on top. It’s hearty, flavorful, and absolute comfort food.

We may have required an extended break between courses after this one – ha.

ITALIAN BRAISED BEEF WITH PARMESAN POLENTA

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Yield: 6-8 servings Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cooking Time: 5 Hours 5 Hours

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

BRAISED BEEF

• 3 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
• 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour*, divided
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and chopped
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 3 Tbsp Italian parsley chopped, plus more for garnish
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 2 dried bay leaves
• 1 cup beef broth, plus extra if needed
• 1 cup tomato sauce

POLENTA

• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup dry polenta
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus more for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a gallon zip-top bag, place the beef cubes, 1 tablespoon of flour, salt, and pepper. Seal the bag and shake to coat. Shake off excess flour and set aside.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch Oven (or other pot with an oven-proof lid) over a high heat. When the oil is hot, add the floured beef and cook until evenly browned on all sides, turning as needed (may need to batches depending on pot size). Remove the beef to a plate.
4. Add the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, parsley, rosemary, and season with additional salt and of pepper to taste. Cook 8-10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Remove to another plate.
5. Add more oil if needed to total 2 tablespoons in the bottom of the pan. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of flour and cook for about 6-7 minutes for a medium roux. Add the wine and scrape up any bits that cling to the bottom of the pan; cook until the alcohol evaporates, and the wine reduces, about 5 minutes.
6. Add the beef broth, tomato sauce and bay leaf and bring to a gentle simmer. Return the beef and vegetable back to the pot, place the lid on top, and transfer to the oven. Cook for 3-4 hours or until so tender that you can slice your beef with a spoon. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. About 45 minutes until the beef is done, prepare the polenta. Pour broth, water, and salt in a large sauce pan and place over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and then slowly pour in polenta, whisking constantly until there are no lumps. Reduce heat to low and simmer, whisking often, until polenta starts to thicken, about 5 minutes. Cover and cook for 30 minutes, whisking every 5 minutes. Polenta is done when texture is creamy and individual grains are tender. Turn off and remove from heat.
8. Stir in butter until partially melted. Add 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and stir until cheese has melted. Cover and let stand 5 minutes to thicken. Season with salt to taste before transferring to a serving bowl or platter, top with beef, and more parmesan and parsley for garnish. Serve immediately.

Notes

*You could also use cornstarch for gluten free.

Source: Adapted from Healthy World Cuisine, Food Schmooze, and AllRecipes.

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This birria flatbread takes everything you love about birria tacos and serves it up as if it were an open-faced puffy taco. Of course you can also dip the crust in consommé!

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If you’ve ventured out into the world at all in the last two years, I bet you’ve come across the latest taco trend – birria tacos!

Fun fact: Birria is a Mexican dish from the state of Jalisco and is traditionally a slow-cooked stew made from a combination of chili peppers, goat meat, garlic, cumin, bay leaves, and thyme. But here in the USA it’s more commonly made with beef, stuffed into a corn tortilla with oaxaca cheese, fried, and dipped in the broth.

When I set out to make my own birria tacos at home, I gathered up my ingredients after picking through various recipes online, and even though the tacos we made with it were not the most structurally sounds creations, it was absolutely worth it. But then we ran out of tortillas and still had a ton of birria leftover.

Enter, birria flatbread.

This creation was the result my usual trip to the grocery store, where I spied a stack of par-baked flatbread crusts with discount stickers on them. Since we love making random pizzas with whatever we have in the fridge, it seemed like the perfect route (but also could have made thin crust pizza dough).

I topped the flatbread with some of the birria, shredded oaxaca cheese, and toast them up into gooey goodness. Sprinkled chopped onion and cilantro on top and it was like an open-faced birria puffy taco. Especially when dipping the crust into the consommé!

But the first time I made it I had no plans to share the recipe until after I ate it. So back to the store I went for more discount flatbread crusts to make it again for you! The sacrifices I make…

BIRRIA FLATBREAD

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Yield: 4-6 Servings Prep Time: 10 Hours Cooking Time: 1 Hour 15 Minutes 1 Hour 15 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

BIRRIA

• 8 cups water
• 4 lb. boneless beef chuck roast or beef shank*, cut into 4-inch cubes
• 1/2 large white onion
• 8 garlic cloves
• 1 Tbsp dried ground cumin
• 1 Tbsp salt
• 1/2 Tbsp whole black peppercorns
• 3 bay leaves
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 2 sprigs fresh marjoram (or oregano)
• 1 sprig fresh mint
• 2 springs fresh thyme

SAUCE

• 4 dried guajillo chiles
• 4 dried arbol chilies
• 4 dried chipotle chiles
• 2 dried ancho chiles
• 2-3 cups water
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1/4 large white onion
• 1 Tbsp vinegar
• 2 tsp salt

FLATBREAD

• 2 par-baked flatbread crusts (or one recipe thin crust pizza dough divided in half)
• 1 cup prepared birria
• 8 oz. Oaxaca cheese, shredded
• Chopped onion
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Lime wedges, for garnish

Directions

1. In a slow cooker add water, beef, onion, garlic, cumin, salt, black peppercorns, bay leaves, oregano, marjoram, mint, and thyme . Cook on low for 8-10 hours or until cooked through and tender.
2. Remove the beef, discard fat pieces, shred meat, and place back in the slow cooker with the liquid.
3. While the meat cooks, prepare the sauce. Preheat a large Dutch oven over low heat and add the chilies to toast them, turning as needed for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat.
4. Once cool enough to touch, remove seeds and stems, and place in a large bowl.
5. In a small pot, bring the water to a boil. Pour the boiling water over the peppers. Allow to sit for 30 minutes.
6. Place the cooled chiles, garlic, onion, vinegar, salt, and liquid in blender. Blend until smooth.
7. Strain red chile sauce through a fine sieve into a bowl. Discard skins and seeds. When the meat has been shredded, add the sauce the slow cooker and stir (this is the consommé).
8. Preheat oven to 425 F.
9. Top both flatbread crusts evenly with 1/2 cup birria each, followed by shredded cheese. Place topped flatbread directly on the middle oven rack and bake for 8-10 minutes or until cheese is golden and bubbly.
10. Top with chopped onion and cilantro. Slice and serve with lime and consommé.

Notes

* I use boneless short ribs

Source: Adapted from Muy Bueno Cookbook and Girl Carnivore.

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Sheet pan Italian sausage doesn’t get any better than when it’s paired with tender gnocchi, sweet peppers, onions, and marinara sauce. Topped with fresh Mozzarella for a delicious weeknight meal.

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Not only is this meal ready in just 30 minutes but dude it’s really stinking good.

I have been meaning to replicate a similar meal I had at a local Italian restaurant, Lola & Giuseppe’s, for years – Giuseppe’s gnocchi served with marinara, sweet peppers, onion, and Italian sausage. I’m fairly certain their gnocchi were prepared separately from the topping but who wants to do more dishes? Not me.

Quite literally this entire meal is prepared in one sheet pan. You toss the gnocchi, peppers, and onions in the marinara and oregano right in the pan – no pre-boiling the gnocchi necessary I promise they cook up perfectly this way.

Then the sausage and rosemary are baked right on top. Again no pre-cooking the sausage necessary, they cooked plenty right along with everything else. And then you seal the deal with some mozzarella melted on top for the last few minutes of cooking time.

Better yet, today is National Potato Lovers Day and personally my favorite way to eat potatoes is in gnocchi form. So go ahead and spontaneously add this to your menu tonight. It would also be a great dish to throw together for company.

If you want more one pan/pot meals, you could try my bacon wrapped mustard chicken with broccoli and potatoes or cast iron lemon-rosemary chicken and potatoes, or one pot tortellini with sausage kale and peas.

All in One! One Pot or One Pan Meals

• Creamy Keto Chicken and Asparagus Skillet from Cheese Curd In Paradise
• One Pan Cheese Ravioli with Peas and Arugula from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• One Pan Ranch Chicken and Veggies from Jen Around the World
• One-Pot Sun Dried Tomato Pasta and Sausage from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Oven Poached Lemon Butter Cod from Art of Natural Living
• Oven Roasted Sausage and Beans from That Recipe
• Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Spinach and Paneer Orzo Pasta from Magical Ingredients

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SHEET PAN ITALIAN SAUSAGE WITH GNOCCHI, PEPPERS, & ONIONS

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Yield: 4-6 Servings Prep Time: 5 Minutes Cooking Time: 25 Minutes 25 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 1 lb. uncooked potato gnocchi
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 yellow or orange bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1-1/2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 lb. uncooked Italian sausage
• 4 sprigs of fresh rosemary
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into ½-inch cubes

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Spray a large rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray; set aside.
2. Spread gnocchi, peppers, and onions on the prepared baking sheet. Pour marinara sauce over the top, add oregano, and salt and pepper to taste; toss until evenly distributed. Spread into an even layer. Place the sausage on top along with the rosemary springs.
3. Bake for 20 minutes, tossing once halfway through. Remove from the oven, sprinkle mozzarella over the top, and bake until 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
4. Remove the pan from the oven and serve immediately.

Source: Adapted from The Skinny Taste Cookbook and Two Peas & Their Pod.

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This hamburger chop suey is a throwback comfort food recipe that is easy to make but also a little different. Just try it, you’ll love it!

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I am still working through the giant catalog of my mom’s recipes. I first started with the ones she had made copies of for me when I left for college, but after my most recent trip to Maryland we found even more! Literally four boxes of recipes cards. I actually discovered the origin to a couple of her more frequently made recipes and a couple others written in short hand which were neat.

Now I have even more recipes to work through. And I am totally digging these retro, minimal ingredient, few step recipes. I’ve not felt particularly inspired in the kitchen lately and many of these recipes are comforting on many levels, so I find myself drawn to them more than ever.

This hamburger chop suey doesn’t seem to appear in any of my memories, but given that it has chow mein noodles I am sure she made it for my brother and I at some point. It’s totally her style too, combining unsuspecting ingredients into something delicious. According to the internet, it can also be another name for goulash and has Italian-American origins. All I know is that this is most definitely not that.

The original recipe calls for a can of mushrooms, but since neither Bob nor I like mushrooms we substituted that for chickpeas. We also added a bit of broccoli to pump up the vegetable content a bit more. And finally we spiced it up by adding a little chili oil.

One year ago: Strawberry Spinach Salad Pizza

Two years ago: Pesto Chicken Salad

Five years ago: Taco Hummus

Six years ago: Chicken Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce & Coconut-Ginger Rice

Seven years ago: Homemade Whole Wheat Bread Bowls

Eight years ago: S’mores Puppy Chow

Ten years ago: Banana Foster Cream Pie

HAMBURGER CHOP SUEY

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Yield: 6 servings Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cooking Time: 30 Minutes 30 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 head of broccoli, florets cut
• 1 (10.5 oz.) can condensed chicken and rice soup
• 1 (10.5 oz.) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (8 oz.) can chickpeas, drained *
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup raw rice
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• Chili oil, to taste
• Chow mein noodles

Directions

1. In a large skillet, head olive oil over medium heat. Add beef and brown until most of the pink is gone. Add onion, celery, and broccoli and sautee for 5 minutes.
2. Add soups, chickpeas, water, rice, and soy sauce. Bring to a simmer, cover, turn off heat, and let steam for 20 minutes.
3. Season to taste with chili oil. Serve topped with chow mein noodles.

Did you make this recipe? I want to see!
Tag @THESPIFFYCOOKIE on Instagram and hashtag it #THESPIFFYCOOKIE