Mini Meatloaves

Mini Meatloaves- The classic comfort food made in a mini version. They come together quickly and making them smaller cuts your cooking time in half. Serve them a side of your favorite creamy mashed potatoes to finish off your dinner.

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My mom made meatloaf all the time when I was growing up. I am assuming this is because ground meat wasn't very expensive, she could feed a bunch of people (there was seven of us) and it was quick to toss together.

Now, I found out just a few years before my mom died, that she actually hated meatloaf! She made it frequently, because of the above reasons, plus, my dad liked it.  He was the head of the household and that, my friends, is how she cooked.  🤷

My husband loves meatloaf and I make it for that reason, but, plus, me and the kids really like it too. The only difference is that mine are usually in these mini versions.

Cuts back on cooking time and honestly, they are fun. 

Ingredients Needed

• Ground beef
• Bread crumbs
• Egg
• Minced onion
• Ketchup

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Recipe Notes:

• Do not over-mix your meat mixture. Simply mix until everything until it is combined well. Over mixing can give you a tough meatloaf.

• Not a fan of ketchup? It can be replaced with your favorite BBQ sauce.

• The internal temperature of your meat should be at least 160 degrees when done.

• The mini meatloaves pictured are topped with mashed potatoes. Nothing fancy about them ( they are actually made from potato flakes!). I piped them with a 1M piping tip.
• This recipe should make you anywhere from 10-12 mini meatloaves, depending on the size. 

Can I Bake This in A Loaf Pan Instead?

Of course!  In a 9-10 inch loaf pan, bake it for 50-60 minutes at 350 degrees. 

Can I Use Ground Turkey Instead?

Yes! Ground beef and ground turkey will both work fine for these. However, ground turkey has less fat content than ground beef. So, cut your cooking time back just a few minutes. This will help the meatloaves stay moist and not dry out.

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Mini Meatloaves

Cream Puffs

 Cream Puffs- Easy baked pastry shells that can be filled or topped off with your favorite ingredients. 

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I always thought cream puffs were difficult to make.  They aren't! While they can look intimidating, they are quite simple to create. 

Now, the cream puffs that are pictured are loaded with chocolate creme and topped with a chocolate ganache.  However, you can fill them with whatever you wish. 

Ingredients Needed

• Butter
• Flour
• Eggs
• Water
• Salt

What About The Filling and Topping?

You can find the full ingredients list and instructions for the chocolate version in the recipe card. For a few more filling ideas, see below.

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How to Make Your Cream Puffs (full instructions in card)

• First, melt the butter, water and salt and bring it all to a boil. Remove it from the heat and stir in the flour.  
• Transfer it to a mixing bowl.  You will need an electric mixer for this step.  Add in the eggs, one at a time and beat until they are fully combined and your batter is smooth.
• Drop the dough, by the spoonful, on an ungreased flat rimmed baking sheet.
• Bake them up and once they are done, remove from the oven.  
• Lightly, poke a tiny hole in each puff. This will release the steam.  Let them cool completely before adding filling.

Ideas for Your Filling

• Whipped topping (ex: Cool Whip)
• Homemade Whipped Cream
• Any flavor of instant pudding
• Pastry Cream
• A whole bunch of frostings will work too! 

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Cream Puffs

Dirt Pudding

Dirt Pudding- A completely addicting pudding made with cream cheese, vanilla pudding and whipped topping. The addition of the Oreo cookie crumbs is the perfect finishing touch.

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You have been warned...you will not be able to eat just one serving of this. It's crazy addicting and delicious.

Ingredients Needed

• Instant vanilla pudding 
• Powdered sugar
• Chocolate sandwich cookies
• Milk
• Cream cheese
• Whipped topping

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Recipes Notes

Cream Cheese

Be sure it's softened! This makes beating it so much easier. It will also help give your pudding a creamy consistency. 

Whipped Topping

AKA "Cool Whip".  You can use any brand or variety.  Ex: low, fat free, vegan, etc 

Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

• AKA "Oreos".Again, you can use any brand or variety.  Ex: gluten free, double stuff,etc 
• You will need a 16 oz package or about 3 1/2 cups, if you are using premade crumbs.

What Kind Of Serving Dish Should I Use?

Any kind you wish.  It you want to use one dish, it will fit into a 9 x 13 baking dish.

Storage

Keep any leftovers in the refrigerator in a covered container. It is best eaten within 2-4 days.  That's if it lasts that long ;) 

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Dirt Pudding

Beer Bread

Beer Bread- A delicious quick bread that requires just 4 ingredients! Serve it as a side or with your favorite creamy dip.  It goes great with just about anything you are serving or by itself. 

Soooo long ago,  I went to my sister in law's house for a birthday party. She served up beer bread that was cut into chunks and served with a creamy spinach dip.  It was dee-vine. 

Fast forward several years and I am still making it.  Not just to go with a dip, but, simply by itself as a side to dinner. It is still just as good and simple as ever.

Now, you can buy a package of mix to make beer bread...don't waste your money on it!  This bread is so simple, you won't need it. 

 Ingredients Needed:

• Self rising flour
• Sugar
• Beer
• Butter

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Recipe Notes

Self Rising Flour

None on hand? Make it homemade. 👌

Do I Have to Use Beer?

Honestly, no.  I have made this bread with regular beer, non alcoholic beer, root beer and lemon lime soda. They have all worked great.  Stick with a carbonated beverage that is 12 ounces in size for the recipe to work best. 

Storage & Freezing

Keep any leftovers in a covered container/storage bag. It's best eaten within a week or so.  If desired, you can freeze this bread. Let it cool completely, then, store it in a freezer safe, covered container or storage bag.  It will be good for a couple of months.

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Beer Bread

Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken- Moist, flavorful chicken that only needs a handful of simple ingredients to make.  Serve it with your favorite starchy side and call it dinner. 

This chicken?  Soooo good.

This chicken? Soooo simple.

Ingredients Needed

• Chicken breasts
• Mayonnaise
• Bread crumbs
• Parmesan cheese
• Dried spices: onion, garlic, black pepper

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Recipe Notes

Chicken

This can be easily cut back or doubled to fit your serving size.   I usually make about 1 pound of chicken breasts or about 4 medium size breasts. 

Can I Use Any Type of Mayonnaise?

Yes.  I have used regular mayo, vegan mayo, mayo made with olive oil, homemade mayo and low fat.  They all work! Note, I have not used Miracle Whip or something similar, so, I can't say for sure how it would work out. If you do, please let me know. 👍

Parmesan Cheese

You can use fresh or grated. Go with your favorite!

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Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Taco Dip

Taco Dip- A creamy, flavorful dip that only requires three main ingredients. You can finish it off with your preferred toppings to create the perfect party dish.

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I can't even tell you how many times this dip was consumed by me or a member of my family. It's been around since my childhood ( that's a long time ago ) and it's always a hit.

It's great for a party, gathering or just when you are craving it.

Just Three Main Ingredients

• Cream cheese
• Sour cream
• Taco seasoning 

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Recipe Notes

Sour Cream

If desired, you can use Plain Greek yogurt as an alternative.  You can also opt for a fat free or low fat version.  They all work great!

Cream Cheese

As with the sour cream, you can use a low fat or fat free version of cream cheese for this dip.  Just be sure it's softened before mixing. 

Taco Seasoning

I use a standard size envelope ( 1.25 oz) of taco seasoning.   This is totally adaptable. You can make your own homemade, use more (or less) to your taste preference or use a low salt ( or salt free ) version. 

Top Your Dip With Your Favorite Stuff.  A  Few Ideas:

• shredded lettuce
• shredded taco blend or cheddar cheese
• chopped tomatoes
• chopped onions
• olives
• pico de gallo
• salsa

Serve with a side of tortilla chips, raw veggies or pita chips.

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Taco Dip