Life a Little Brighter

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Easy Dinners

Easy Dinners

Loaded Macaroni and Hot Dogs

Celebrate the season by serving this classic BBQ side dish, boosted with flavor. You’ll love this Loaded Macaroni and Hot Dogs, with all the flavors of summer.

Loaded Hot Dog Mac and Cheese

Mac and Cheese Hot Dog Casserole

As a Midwest girl, I can’t wait for the weather to warm up each year. My family loves to spend all day outdoors, especially on the weekends. Our neighborhood is full of kids, and we love to do impromptu BBQs and outdoor get togethers with our friends.

This Loaded Macaroni and Hot Dogs is a hit at BBQs, and for a few good reasons–classic Kraft Mac & Cheese with hot dogs and bacon, plus plenty of hot dog-inspired toppings. You’ll love this new classic.

INGREDIENTS

  • Kraft mac and cheese
  • bacon
  • hot dogs
  • ketchup
  • mustard
  • relish

HOW TO MAKE MAC AND CHEESE WITH HOT DOGS?

This one is quite easy! Prepare mac and cheese, hot dogs and bacon, separately.   Once they are ready, mix all ingredients together.

This yummy side dish goes well with any classic BBQ food, which is why it’s become a go-to for us! The kids love it, and it’s perfect for summer!  To make this flavorful side dish, start by cooking up a double batch of classic Kraft Macaroni & Cheese.

Kraft Macaroni and Cheese

In the meantime, cook up 4 Oscar Mayer Wieners and the whole pack of Oscar Mayer Bacon.

Kraft Macaroni and Cheese plus Bacon and Hot Dogs

Once everything is cooked, cut up the meat, add it to the Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, and mix together. Add in 1/2 cup each – Heinz Tomato Ketchup, Heinz Yellow Mustard, and Heinz Dill Relish. Stir until mixed together. And it’s ready to serve!

Loaded Hot Dog Mac and Cheese and Kraft Macaroni and Cheese

WHAT GOES WELL WITH MACARONI AND HOT DOGS?

My family usually has this with some great barbecue in the summer.  It is great for the kids if they don’t like the other meat option you are preparing!  You can also just grill some veggies and pair it with this dish for a well rounded, easy dinner!

Need some additional pasta casseroles to add to your recipe list?

Yield: 6 servings

Loaded Macaroni and Hot Dogs

Celebrate the season by serving this classic BBQ side dish, boosted with flavor. You'll love this Loaded Macaroni and Hot Dogs, with all the flavors of summer.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 boxes Kraft Original Flavor Macaroni & Cheese Dinner 5-7.25 oz. Boxes
  • 1 pack Oscar Mayer Bacon 16 oz. Package
  • 4 Wieners Oscar Mayer Classic Wieners 10 ct Pack
  • 1/2 cup Heinz Tomato Ketchup 38 oz. Bottle
  • 1/2 cup Heinz Yellow Mustard 20 oz. Bottle
  • 1/2 cup Heinz Dill Relish 12.7 fl. oz. Bottle

Instructions

  1. Start by cooking up a double batch of classic Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. These pots are great and nonstick.
  2. In the meantime, cook up 4 Oscar Mayer Wieners and the whole pack of Oscar Mayer Bacon.
  3. Once everything is cooked, cut up the meat, add it to the Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, and mix together. These glass, nesting bowls are always my go to!
  4. Add in 1/2 cup each - Heinz Tomato Ketchup, Heinz Yellow Mustard, and Heinz Dill Relish. Stir until mixed together. And it's ready to serve!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 405
© Alison
Cuisine: American / Category: Entree
 

Dinner

Easy Baked Potato Bar

Try this super simple loaded baked potato bar for a fun family dinner tonight. Filling, fresh, and yummy– add any toppings your family loves! 

loaded baked potato bar

Baked Potato Bar Ideas

This is one of those dinner ideas to have up your sleeve for busy weeknights. It’s an easy, quick prep, kid-approved meal that gets everyone excited.

Why? Everybody gets to choose their own toppings. It’s completely customizable for even the pickiest of eaters. Which means less no whining at the dinner table. Yes!

Use that trusted, perfectly sized cookie scoop to make your potato into a boat, fill with your toppings, and enjoy!

loaded baked potato bar

INGREDIENTS

  • potatoes
  • desired toppings
    • sour cream
    • cheese
    • bacon
    • salsa
    • guacamole
    • chili
    • onions
    • tortilla chips

And any way you dress the potato, it’s delicious. Russet potatoes are so versatile. They can go Southwest, with taco-inspired toppings.

loaded baked potato bar

Or extra-hearty with a good dollop of chili and tortilla chips.

loaded baked potato bar

Or classic for the traditional palettes. That’s my favorite.

loaded baked potato bar

Tip! Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for an extra boost of protein.

WHAT CAN I SERVE WITH MY BAKED POTATO BAR?

My family usually likes to balance it out with an easy salad.  We tend to go caesar or just a garden salad.  Sometimes, in the fall/winter, we like to pair it with some soup.  Simple tomato or chicken noodle soup will do. 

We love potatoes in our house because they taste great with every type of cuisine. In fact, they’re a key staple in cuisines all around the world. Makes sense to me, since they compliment any flavors you add to them.

loaded baked potato bar

I rely on potatoes every week for creating simple meals that everybody loves. They’re base ingredient for so many dishes. It’s convenient to keep some in my pantry to bake, boil, or even fry.

loaded baked potato bar

To prep for our loaded baked potato bar, I stocked up on some of our favorite toppings. If you can’t get to the store, you could totally use any veggies, sauces, or other ingredients you have in the fridge. Add whichever toppings your family likes!

We like a bit of Mexican flavor with our potatoes, so I served fresh pico de gallo, shredded cheese, and our favorite guacamole. I was able to bake the potatoes ahead of time, and the kids absolutely loved adding their favorite toppings to their potatoes.

Yield: 4 people

Easy Baked Potato Bar

Try this super simple loaded baked potato bar for a fun family dinner tonight. Filling, fresh, and yummy-- add any toppings your family loves! 
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 potatoes, baked
  • 1/2 cup sour cream, or try plain Greek yogurt for a protein boost
  • 1/2 cup pico de gallo
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup chili beans
  • 1 cup tortilla chips, slightly broken into small pieces
  • 1/3 cup bacon bits
  • 1/2 cup guacamole
  • 2 chopped green onions , optional, for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees, clean potatoes and poke with a fork to release steam while baking. 
  2. Bake potatoes until soft when pierced with a fork, about 1 hour.
  3. Allow potatoes to slightly cool, cut off tops, scoop out some insides, and add desired ingredients. Use a sharp, serated knife to "saw" off the tops of the potatoes and you will thank me!
  4. Add cheese, chili, and tortilla chips OR guacamole, sour cream, and salsa OR classic with cheese and bacon bits. 

Notes

*If you are serving this for guests you can use these perfectly potato sized ramekins to serve them in. They are so colorful and fun!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 330
© Alison
Cuisine: Mexican / Category: Entree
loaded baked potato bar

WONDERING IF THIS WILL TRANSFER TO A PARTY AND WHAT TO SERVE WITH A BAKED POTATO BAR?

Since the possibilities are endless, you can keep it as simple or make it as fancy as you would like.  The ideas I have listed above would be great, but if you really want to step it up take a look at this post for more baked potato bar ideas.

Filling, fresh, and yummy! This loaded baked potato bar was a hit in my house, and I’m sure your family will love it too!

Love this southwest loaded baked potato bar? Try the Cornbread-Topped Slow Cooker Chili!

 

DIY fail

Fresh & Easy Weeknight Meal Solutions


Tips & shortcuts to get a fresh, wholesome meal on the table in minutes. A practical guide for busy parents to make easy weeknight meals.


easy weeknight meals
My family is absolutely loving these new MorningStar Farms® Veggie Bowls. That dish up there looks like I spend hours in the kitchen, preparing a hearty pot pie dinner. It’s actually straight from the freezer, and baking it up is as easy as pie. (couldn’t resist)

easy weeknight meals

I  mean, look at those fresh veggies. So colorful! Definitely not your typical freezer meal.

And even with all the veggies… my kids will eat it up. They love the gravy sauce & the biscuit on top.

easy weeknight meals

Really, a biscuit can win over anybody. And I love that the 100% vegan chik’n strips offer my family 23g of protein at 150 calories. WIN.

My favorite part is that it’s freezer-to-table in minutes. It’s convenient cuisine that can be served up “as-is”. That’s just what I need some nights! Gotta love quick & easy weeknight meals.

easy weeknight meals

easy weeknight meals

Hearty, tasty, and wholesome? Love this new meal solution.

Other tips & shortcuts I rely on during the weekdays to feed my herd?

-Prep as much ahead of time as possible. Trying chopping up a bunch of veggies for snacks or meals while cooking up Sunday night dinner.

-Create a simple (keyword there!) meal plan with go-to dinner ideas that can whipped up with minimal effort. Check your calendar and plan meals around your schedule. Make it work for you.

-Try out some new meals that look easy, with few ingredients… I keep recipes that are quick, easy, wholesome, and that the family agrees are delicious. Can’t go wrong!

-Double up your meals, and serve extras later in the week with slight variations. For instance, make a big bowl of stir fry that you can use in tacos, casseroles, or soups throughout the week.

-Have a few freezer meals ready to heat up at a moment’s notice. Make extra batches of food and freeze half. 

easy weeknight meals

morningstar-farms-11

Hope that gives you a few new ideas for easy weeknight meals! A little goes a long way. Try a few tips & see how it simplifies things. I’m rooting for you, friend!

Love easy weeknight meal ideas? Check out this 4-Ingredient Chicken Parmesan.

I’d love to know, what are some of your busy weeknight meals?

Dinner

Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Wrap

This post was sponsored by Eat Smart as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. I received product samples to facilitate my review.

You’ll love this easy Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Wrap for a quick lunch or dinner. Toss together a healthy & delicious meal in minutes with Eat Smart Gourmet Vegetable Salad Kits!

Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Wrap

Looking for a smart lunch or quick dinner idea? These salads are your new go-to for fast, tasty, healthy meals to fill up your family.

Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Wrap

We loved all the varieties, but especially enjoyed the Strawberry Harvest. I think it was the Poppyseed dressing. YUM.

Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Wrap

I am ALL about salad kits and the convenience they offer for a healthy lunch or dinner. Protein, fiber, fresh veggies… these kits have it all! And if you ask my family, they are mighty tasty.

Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Wrap

I kept thinking the salad kits would be delicious with grilled, sliced chicken. Gives the dish some added protein, plus it changes things up a little bit. And I know that my kids will eat (pretty much) anything in a wrap–yours too?– so I rolled up some tortillas and made it a meal.

Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Wrap

 

Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Wrap

Don’t you just love the colors? Eat the rainbow, people, it’s good for you!

So much crunch… so much flavor. This meal earned rave reviews, and took no time at all. Seriously, I even used pre-cooked chicken strips, although you could certainly grill up some chicken if you prefer.

Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Wraps… it doesn’t get much easier than that.

Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Wrap

We stocked up on Eat Smart Gourmet Vegetable Salad Kits to always have on hand for a quick weeknight meal. They make it refreshingly easy to get a wholesome dinner on the table. One that I can feel good about serving to my family.

Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Wrap

Plus I love how versatility of the kits. You can use them as a shortcut for any gourmet dish you want to make in a snap. They can be side salads, full entrees, or even the appetizer… veggie lettuce wraps, anyone??

Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Wrap

 

We love to make ours kid-friendly by tucking it into tortilla wraps. Salad wraps are where it’s at for my seven-year-old and two-year-old. Healthy finger food? Works for my house!

Love this Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Wrap? Check out this super simple BLT salad!

Yield: 4 servings

Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Wrap

Toss together a healthy & delicious meal in minutes with Eat Smart Gourmet Vegetable Salad Kits!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • Eat Smart Gourmet Vegetable Salad Kit, Strawberry Harvest
  • 16 oz, sliced, grilled chicken
  • 8 to rtilas

Instructions

  1. Combine all salad ingredients from kit, set aside.
  2. Lay out all 8 torillas, add 2 oz. of chicken to each.
  3. Layer salad on top of chicken.
  4. Roll up tortillas and serve!

Nutrition Information:


Amount Per Serving: Calories: 280
© Alison
Cuisine: American / Category: Entree
strawberry-salad-10

Dinner

Chicken Parmesan with Frozen Breaded Chicken Tenders

Looking for recipes using frozen breaded chicken tenders? Just 4 ingredients to make this twist on classic chicken Parmesan! This Chicken Parmesan with Frozen Breaded Chicken Tenders will be your hero on busy weeknights.

4 ingredient chicken parmesan

Chicken Parmesan with Tyson Chicken Strips

Got a hungry family to feed every night? Me too! This hearty meal will satisfy any appetite, and it takes minutes to make. It couldn’t be simpler.

INGREDIENTS

  • frozen chicken strips
  • pasta sauce
  • spaghetti
  • mozzarella cheese

HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN PARMESAN WITH CHICKEN TENDERS?

This recipe really is quite easy.  Prepare chicken tenders according to package, and boil spaghetti noodles as directed.  Pour some sauce on the tenders and cover with cheese.  Melt this in the oven and then layer pasta, sauce and chicken.  Easy as that!!

My family loves chicken Parmesan (who doesn’t?!), but it is such a time-consuming dish! This recipe tastes just like a home-cooked meal and it comes together in a flash.

Start with some frozen chicken tenders. So tasty, and already pre-cooked! They just need to be heated up in the oven.

 

4 ingredient chicken parmesan

While the chicken strips are heating, boil up some pasta. When the chicken strips are nearly done (about two minutes left on the timer) pull them out and top them with pasta sauce and mozzarella cheese.

4 ingredient chicken parmesan

Pop ’em back in the oven and set to high broil for about a minute. Keep an eye on them. The idea is to melt the cheese to perfection…

4 ingredient chicken parmesan

…like so.

You definitely want to bake them on parchment paper, so you can easily transfer all that baked cheesy goodness to your serving dish.  I love a good ceramic baking dish.  They are great for function and if you are entertaining they look great!

Add spaghetti and more pasta sauce, and that’s it! Perfect if you’re looking for chicken recipes with little ingredients. 

4 ingredient chicken parmesan

So easy, right?! You got this dinner thing down.

WHAT CAN I SERVE WITH THE CHICKEN PARMESAN?

We serve with a salad or bread sticks, and pass Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese at the table. Your family will devour it. It’s a deliciously filling meal, and perfect for busy back-to-school season. So simple and so delicious! And kid-approved, I assure you.

WHAT OTHER RECIPES USING FROZEN, BREADED CHICKEN TENDERS ARE THERE?

This post has 11 Things to Do With Frozen Chicken Tenders and they all look so delicious and easy!  You can even make chicken Parmesan with frozen chicken nuggets along with these 11 Ways to Turn Frozen Nuggets into Dinner!  These recipes include small foods like sliders that are sure to grab the attention of kids everywhere!!

Be ready for the back-to-school season! We can all use some shortcuts. Especially when they turn out this delicious.

4 ingredient chicken parmesan

Love this 4 ingredient chicken Parmesan? Try this Easy Caprese Calzone!

Yield: 4 servings

Chicken Parmesan with Frozen Breaded Chicken Tenders

Just four ingredients to make this twist on classic chicken parmesan! Your family will love this chicken parmesan with frozen breaded chicken tenders.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 package, frozen Chicken Strips
  • 1 lb, spaghetti
  • 1 jar, pasta sauce
  • 2 cups, shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Heat chicken strips on a prepared, nonstick cookie sheet according to package instructions. Remove two minutes before cook time is complete.
  2. Meanwhile, boil spaghetti in a pot of water until al dente (about 10-12 mins). I love this pot that you just slide the strainer out to drain the pasta, no more dumping!
  3. Drain spaghetti.
  4. Top each chicken strip with 1/4 cup of pasta sauce and a generous sprinkle of mozzarella cheese.
  5. Bake on high broil for another minute or until cheese is melted.
  6. Add spaghetti to bottom of serving dish. Top with a cup of sauce and chicken strips.
  7. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 346 Total Fat: 11g Saturated Fat: 5g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 4g Cholesterol: 33mg Sodium: 517mg Carbohydrates: 42g Fiber: 2g Sugar: 4g Protein: 18g
© Alison
Cuisine: Italian / Category: Entree

 

4-Ingredient-Chicken-Parmesan-12