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Turkey Cookies

Turkey Cookies

Turkey Cookies: Kids of all ages are going to love these easy Oreo Thanksgiving turkey cookies! These adorable turkey cookies taste as good as they look! And, I’m sure they would love to make these adorable ice cream cone sugar cookies.

thanksgiving oreo turkey cookies on white plate

Why You’ll Love These Turkey Cookies

Move over pumpkin pie, there’s a new dessert making its way to the Thanksgiving table! Your guests are going to love these Oreo turkey cookies, and do you know what the best part is? They are so stinking easy to put together!

In fact, these cute little guys would be a great way to include younger kids in the Thanksgiving dinner preparations.

If your kiddos like fun cookie recipes like this, they’ll also love what we did with these Minion cookies!

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Ingredients

If you’re looking for a fun project to get you in the holiday spirit, look no further. You can create these easy Oreo Thanksgiving turkey cookies with just a few simple ingredients you should be able to find at your local grocery store!

  • 8 Golden Oreos
  • 32 pieces of candy corn (Use any leftover candy corn on this Candy Corn Cake!)
  • ⅓ c + 8 chocolate candy melts (to make the chocolate frosting)
  • 16 small edible candy eyeballs
  • 8 Reese's Pieces in yellow or orange
  • Red frosting (I used Wilton Red Decorating Icing, but you could use any other brand or even make your own as long as it is thick and not runny)
  • Piping bag or ziplock bag (optional)
Candy corn, candy melts, candy eyes, Reese's pieces, Golden Oreos and red decorating icing.
Candy corn, candy melts, candy eyes, Golden Oreos, Reese’s Pieces and red frosting are all you need!

Instructions

Steps 1-3 of how to make turkey cookies.
  1. Open each of the Golden Oreos gently by slightly twisting them. Try to keep all of the cream on one side if possible. 
  1. Melt the ⅓ cup of chocolate candy melts according to the package instructions. Once the chocolate is smooth and creamy, drape a piping bag or ziplock bag over your hand and fill it with half of the melted chocolate. If you aren’t sure how to do this, there are some really helpful videos on YouTube (just search “How to fill a piping bag").
  2. Using kitchen shears, cut the tip of the bag at a diagonal angle making a small hole.
Steps 1-4 of how to make turkey cookies.
  1. Pipe 4 small lines onto the cream side of the opened Oreos approximately ¼" apart and immediately place 4 candy corn onto the lines (pointed tip facing inward). 
  2. Pipe additional chocolate back and forth across the pointed tips of the candy corn.
  3. Immediately place the other side of the opened Oreo cookie on top of the chocolate. The melted chocolate hardens fairly fast, so you will need to move quickly. 
  4. Next, pipe some of the melted chocolate onto the middle of the top of the Oreos.

Tip: If the chocolate has hardened again, you can place it back in the microwave for 20 seconds at 50% power to re-melt.

Steps 8-11 of how to make turkey cookies.
  1. Place one of the reserved chocolate candy melts on top. You may need to refill your piping bag with additional melted chocolate.
  2. Next, pipe two small dots onto the chocolate candy melt and place the edible candy eyeballs onto the chocolate.
  3. Pipe a line in the middle of the candy melt just below the eyes.
  4. Attach a yellow or orange Reese's Pieces. You will need to hold it for about 5 seconds to let the chocolate set and harden a bit. 
  1. Lastly, make a little red curved line starting at the Reese's Pieces beak and going down about ½".

Now, your adorable turkey cookies are ready to be "gobbled" up! 

Oreo turkey cookies on a plate.

Substitutions

If you or someone you know is following a gluten-free diet, you can find gluten-free Oreo-type cookies in the natural aisle of most grocery stores or online. Kinnikinnick KinniTOOS Gluten-Free Vanilla Sandwich Cookies would be an excellent substitution for the Golden Oreos in this recipe.

Storage

If you put your Oreo turkey cookies in an airtight container, they should keep for up to a week.

Expert Tips and FAQs

What do I do if I can’t find any chocolate candy melts?

If you can’t find the candy melts called for, you could replace them with mini Golden Oreos or even with Hershey’s chocolate kisses (if you use a chocolate kiss, skip the Reese’s Pieces beak) for your turkey’s face and use melted chocolate chips as your edible glue.

What can I use instead of a piping bag or ziplock bag?

If you don't have a piping bag or ziplock bag handy, you could use the tip of a knife or a toothpick to spread the melted chocolate. 

If you loved this Easy Oreo Thanksgiving Turkey Cookie recipe, then you will probably want to check out some of the other Thanksgiving posts on the blog like this FREE Thanksgiving meal planner, these Free Printable Place Cards, or this Instant Pot Turkey Breast recipe!

Recipe

Turkey cookies on a plate.
Print Pin
5 from 4 votes

Turkey Cookies

Kids of all ages are going to love these easy Oreo Thanksgiving turkey cookies! These adorable turkey cookies taste as good as they look!
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
per cookie 3 minutes
Total Time 24 minutes
Servings 8 cookies
Calories 119kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 8 Golden Oreos
  • 32 pieces candy corn
  • ⅓ cup chocolate candy melts
  • 8 pieces chocolate candy melts set aside, do not melt these
  • 16 small, edible candy eyeballs
  • 8 Reese's Pieces yellow or orange
  • Red frosting Wilton Red Decorating Icing or similar
  • Piping Bag or Ziplock Bag

Instructions

  • Open each of the Golden Oreos gently by slightly twisting them. Try to keep all of the cream on one side if possible. 
  • Melt the ⅓ cup of chocolate candy melts according to the package instructions. Once the chocolate is smooth and creamy, drape a piping bag or ziplock bag over your hand and fill it with half of the melted chocolate. If you aren't sure how to do this, there are some really helpful videos on YouTube (just search "How to fill a piping bag").
  • Using kitchen shears, cut the tip of the bag at a diagonal angle making a small hole. Pipe 4 small lines onto the cream side of the opened Oreos approximately ¼" apart and immediately place 4 candy corn onto the lines (pointed tip facing inward).
  • Pipe additional chocolate back and forth across the pointed tips of the candy corn and immediately place the other side of the opened Oreo cookie on top of the chocolate. The melted chocolate hardens fairly fast, so you will need to move quickly. 
  • Next, pipe some of the melted chocolate onto the middle of the top of the Oreos and place one of the reserved chocolate candy melts on top. You may need to refill your piping bag with additional melted chocolate. 
    Tip: If the chocolate has hardened again, you can place it back in the microwave for 20 seconds at 50% power to re-melt. 
  • Pipe two small dots onto the chocolate candy melt and place the edible candy eyeballs onto the chocolate.
  • Pipe a line in the middle of the candy melt just below the eyes and attach a yellow or orange Reese's Pieces. You will need to hold it for about 5 seconds to let the chocolate set and harden a bit. 
  • Lastly, make a little red curved line starting at the Reese's Pieces beak and going down about ½". Your little turkeys are ready to be "gobbled" up! 

Notes

WHAT DO I DO IF I CAN’T FIND ANY CHOCOLATE CANDY MELTS?
If you can’t find the candy melts called for, you could replace them with mini Golden Oreos or even with Hershey’s chocolate kisses (if you use a chocolate kiss, skip the Reese’s Pieces beak) for your turkey’s face and use melted chocolate chips as your edible glue.
 
WHAT CAN I USE INSTEAD OF A PIPING BAG OR ZIPLOCK BAG?
If you don’t have a piping bag or ziplock bag handy, you could use the tip of a knife or a toothpick to spread the melted chocolate. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 119kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 55mg | Potassium: 38mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

Baked Brie with Maple Syrup and Bacon

Baked Brie with Maple Syrup and Bacon: Gooey molten cheese with crunchy bacon and sweet maple syrup on top make this easy, three-ingredient appetizer pretty hard to resist!

If hosting, serve this alongside this homemade chex mix and you’ll be set!

Baked Brie with Maple Syrup and Bacon
Baked Brie with Maple Syrup and Bacon

Why You’ll Love This Brie Recipe

This recipe is super quick and easy, but it looks so impressive! Whether you are looking for a holiday appetizer, a game day snack or just a tasty treat for when company comes over, this delicious appetizer is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

If you are planning a party, having easy appetizers is key to keeping guests happy and not overwhelming you, the host!

There are tons of theme ideas there on the blog to inspire you, such as party favor ideas, gift ideas and food ideas (like this simple cheese ball or this smoked candied bacon). So fun!

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Ingredients

I love that this easy appetizer only requires three simple ingredients and 20 minutes to make. This is the perfect recipe to keep in mind for last-minute entertaining this holiday season!

You’ll need:

  • 3 strips of bacon
  • 3 tablespoon of maple syrup
  • 8 ounce wheel of brie cheese        
Brie, bacon and maple syrup is all you need.
Brie, bacon and maple syrup is all you will need to make this easy appetizer.

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees f.
  2. Cut off the top rind of the brie cheese (if you are having trouble cutting the top off, try freezing your wheel of brie for a few minutes and then shaving off the top rind while it’s partially frozen). To prepare the maple bacon topping, cut the bacon strips into small pieces (dice it).
  3. Once you have a preheated oven, place the brie cheese on a parchment lined, rimmed baking sheet, and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is soft and just starting to melt.
A wheel of brie on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Place your wheel of brie (with the top cut off) on a parchment lined baking sheet.
  1. While the cheese is baking, cook the diced bacon bits in a skillet over medium heat until they become crispy. When they are crispy, remove the bacon bits from the pan and place them on a paper towel to soak up some of the grease. Carefully remove the pan from the burner and drain off the bacon grease.
  2. Right before serving, add the bacon bits back to the pan on medium heat and pour maple syrup over the bacon. Stir them together until they are warm and the bacon is completely coated in maple syrup.

Tip: If you cook the maple syrup and bacon for too long, it caramelizes and gets SUPER sticky (making it hard to get out of the pan).

To make sure that doesn’t happen, wait until the brie is almost finished baking before adding the maple syrup to the pan with the bacon and then put it on the hot brie immediately after it finished cooking and you’ve slid it onto the serving platter. 

Bits of bacon cooking in a pan.
Pour maple syrup over your crispy bacon bits in a pan and stir together.
  1. When the brie has finished cooking, carefully slide the parchment paper and brie onto a serving platter and top the warm brie with the maple bacon mixture. Serve with crostini or crackers and enjoy!
A melted wheel of brie on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Bake your brie until it is warm and melted.
Baked Brie with Maple Syrup and Bacon
Top your warm brie with the maple bacon mixture.

Variations

There are SO many different ways you can serve a warm wheel of brie. This recipe is delicious just the way it is, but if you are looking to change things up a bit you could try adding some chopped, soft dried figs into the pan along with the bacon in step 4.

Or, try also sprinkling a little bit of brown sugar on top for some extra sweetness!

Love nuts? Try adding pecans instead of bacon for a maple pecan brie!

Storage

I don’t expect there will be much of this recipe left (any recipe with melted cheese is always a big hit in our house), but on the off chance that you do have some to store you can place it in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for 2-3 days.

When you are ready to reheat it, simply put it back on a parchment lined baking sheet and warm it in an oven preheated to 325 degree f until the brie starts to look melty again (melty? melted? Who cares- it’s warm, baked cheese!).

Expert tips and FAQs

Can you bake already cut brie?

Absolutley! If you have cut brie around and want to try this recipe, I would recommend baking it in a shallow, oven-proof dish with parchment in the bottom instead of on a baking sheet (in case it runs a bit more than a complete wheel would).

Follow the rest of the recipe as it’s written, but instead of sliding the parchment onto a serving platter simply serve the maple syrup and bacon topped brie right in the oven-proof dish you baked it in!

What do you serve baked brie with?

Ooooh, my friend, the options are endless. You can serve baked brie with basically any type of cracker, crostini or even baguette slices or other bread slices! You can also serve baked brie alongside apple slices and fresh cut veggies.

If you’re looking to get fancy, you could put all of the options listed above together on a cutting board with your baked brie for a charcuterie style snack!

What crackers go best with baked brie?

This is personal preference, really, but the best cracker for a baked brie would be one that is sturdy enough to hold the cheese without breaking and that has a subtle flavour that won’t compete with the flavours in the recipe. You could eat baked brie with a simple Ritz cracker, a multigrain Breton cracker, or any number of other crackers from your grocery store’s cracker aisle!

Can you eat the outer layer of brie?

Yes, you can! The outer rind of a wheel of brie not only protects and holds the soft cheese inside together, it also adds flavour.

What meat goes best with brie cheese?

We are kind of partial to bacon with brie (if you hadn’t guessed), but if you are putting baked brie on a charcuterie snack plate there are lots of other meats that pair nicely with it. Some classic charcuterie meats include prosciutto, salami, and sopressa (which you should be able to find in your grocery’s deli or at the nearest Italian grocery store).

What can I do with a slice of brie cheese?

Why, eat it of course! Just teasing. There are a lot of different ways to eat sliced brie. You could eat it on its own, pair it with a cracker or slice of bread, add it into a sandwich, or slice it and put it on a salad!

Baked Brie with Maple Syrup and Bacon

If you love this recipe then you’ll also love this post on how to make a cheese board, and this yummy caperese grilled cheese recipe!

Recipe

Baked Brie with Maple Syrup and Bacon
Print Pin
5 from 11 votes

Baked Brie with Maple Syrup and Bacon

Baked Brie with Maple Syrup and Bacon…the name says it all! Gooey molten cheese with crunchy bacon and sweet maple syrup on top make this easy, three-ingredient appetizer pretty hard to resist!
Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 149kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 3 strips bacon
  • 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 8 ounce wheel of brie

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees f.
  • Cut off the top rind of the brie cheese. To prepare the maple bacon topping, cut the bacon strips into small pieces (dice it).
  • Once the oven is preheated, place the brie cheese on a parchment lined pan and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is soft and just starting to melt.
  • While the cheese is baking, cook the diced bacon bits in a skillet over medium heat until they become crispy. When they are crispy, remove the bacon bits from the pan and place them on a paper towel to soak up some of the grease. Carefully remove the pan from the burner and drain off the bacon grease.
  • Right before serving, add the bacon bits back to the pan on medium heat and pour maple syrup over the bacon. Stir them together until they are warm and the bacon is completely coated in maple syrup.
  • When the brie has finished cooking, carefully slide the parchment paper and brie onto a serving platter and top the warm brie with the maple bacon mixture. Serve with crostini or crackers and enjoy!

Notes

TIPS: If you are having trouble cutting the top rind off of your brie, try freezing your wheel of brie for a few minutes and then shaving off the top rind while it is partially frozen.
If you cook the maple syrup and bacon for too long, it caramelizes and gets SUPER sticky (making it hard to get out of the pan). To make sure that doesn’t happen, wait until the brie is almost finished baking before adding the maple syrup to the pan with the bacon and then put it on the hot brie immediately after it finished cooking and you’ve slid it onto the serving platter. 
STORAGE: I don’t expect there will be much of this recipe left (any recipe with melted cheese is always a big hit in our house), but on the off chance that you do have some to store you can place it in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for 2-3 days. 
When you are ready to reheat it, simply put it back on a parchment lined baking sheet and warm it in an oven preheated to 325 degree f until the brie starts to look melty again (melty? melted? Who cares- it’s warm, baked cheese!). 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 149kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 234mg | Potassium: 76mg | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 171IU | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 1mg

Hello Dolly Bars

Hello Dolly Bars are an easy recipe made using butterscotch chips, graham cracker crumbs, sweetened condensed milk, melted butter, almonds, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and coconut flakes! It’s a dessert recipe that’s easy to make and you’ll be hooked on them!

Butterscotch is an ingredient that adds such a pop of flavor, like in these butterscotch brownies, and they’d compliment these Hello Dollies bars perfectly on a dessert tray!

Hello Dollies Bars stacked up on white plate

This is one of those desserts that fits right in at a gathering. You can find more potluck desserts here.

Why You’ll Love These Hello Dollie Bars

These golden brown bars are sweet treats that are full of so much flavor in each bite! They’re also the perfect easy dessert or even snack idea if you need something on the go.

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Ingredients

See the full recipe card with instructions toward the bottom of this post!

What makes these magic cookie bars so great, is that the ingredients are simple, and most can be stored in the pantry; making it a dessert recipe that can be made at the last minute because you can have the ingredients stocked up in the pantry!

What you’ll need for these Hello Dollies:

  • ½ cup melted salted butter
  • 1 ½ cups graham crumbs
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup butterscotch chips
  • 1 cup flaked or shredded coconut
  • 1 cup chopped almonds   

Substitutions

Don’t have all of the ingredients on hand? Or do you prefer a different kind of ingredient? No problem! Here are our favorite substitution ideas for these bar cookies:

  • Peanut butter chips instead of butterscotch
  • White chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips instead of semisweet
  • Gluten-free graham crackers can easily be substituted
  • You can use aluminum foil instead of wax paper or parchment paper
  • Unsalted butter can be used instead of salted but you may do a pinch of salt in the graham cracker mixture to help offset the sweetness.
  • Add in toffee chips for some extra crunch in this recipe
hello dollies ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Prepare a 9 x 13 inch baking dish or baking pan, by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper or wax paper. (The parchment paper makes cleanup so much easier!)
  3. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, stir to combine the crushed graham crackers and melted butter. 
batter in bowl for magic bars
  1. Press the graham cracker crumb mixture in the bottom of the prepared 9 x 13 inch pan to create the buttery graham cracker crust.
base layer in baking dish for magic bars
graham cracker butter layer
  1. Slowly pour over the entire can of sweetened condensed milk so it covers the graham crust.
sweetened condensed milk layer
sweetened condensed milk layer
  1. Sprinkle with coconut (reserving a bit for the top), sprinkling as evenly as possible across the top of the sweetened condensed milk.
Sprinkled coconut flakes layer
  1. Next, it’s time to create a layer of chocolate chips. First, sprinkle on the butterscotch chips.
butterscotch chips for next layer
  1. Sprinkle with semi-sweet chocolate chips.
semi-sweet chocolate chips layer
  1. Sprinkle on chopped nuts, trying to spread them out as evenly as possible.
nuts layer on seven layer bars
Chopped nuts layer
  1. Lastly, add the last little bit of coconut flakes to the top.
added additional coconut flakes
Top with additional coconut
  1. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is starting to get golden brown.
  2. Cool pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes (at least) before removing the squares with the parchment paper.
Baked hello dolly bars
Baked 7 Layer Bars
  1. Once completely cooled to room temperature, slice into 24 slices and serve the dessert bars or store in an airtight container.
Hello Dolly Bars Cut in to Squares
magic cookie bar pieces

This simple recipe may just become your new favorite dessert! It’s easy, and delicious and you can even package them up to give as great gifts!

hello dollies cookies bars stacked

Storage

This gooey bar dessert is even good leftover and are great treats for later!

Store any cooled bars in an airtight container and consume within 4-5 days.

seven-layer bar on paper

FAQs and Expert Tips

Why are they called Hello Dolly Bars?

In the 1960’s the musical “Hello Dolly” was very popular and it was the same time that these “magic” bars were introduced and were given the “hello dolly” name.

Do Hello Dollies Bars need to be refrigerated?

No! They can sit out at room temperature on the counter for a few days! But they can also be refrigerated if you prefer, to help them stay fresh longer.

What’s the difference between 7-layer bars, magic bars and hello dolly bars?

They are essentially all the same things but are just called different things by some! The bars are considered “magic” since the layers can easily melt together and hold in place.

Love butterscotch desserts? Don’t miss this no bake butterscotch pie recipe.

If you love this easy dessert idea, then you’ll also love the Cookies N Cream Rice Krispy Treats, these Butterscotch Brownies, Cornflake brownies, and this edible cookie dough!

Recipe

Hello dollies bars stacked
Print Pin
5 from 4 votes

Hello Dolly Bars

Hello Dolly Bars, or sometimes called "magic bars" or "7 layer bars", this easy recipe is made using butterscotch chips, graham cracker crumbs, sweetened condensed milk, melted butter, almonds, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and coconut flakes!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 24 bars
Calories 230kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • ½ cup melted salted butter unsalted is ok too
  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs crushed graham crackers
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 ounce can
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips see post for substitution ideas
  • 1 cup butterscotch chips see post for substitution ideas
  • 1 cup flaked coconut sweetened (or shredded coconut)
  • 1 cup chopped almonds

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Prepare a 9 x 13 inch baking dish by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper.
  • In a medium sized bowl, stir to combine the graham crumbs and melted butter.
  • Press graham crumb mixture in the bottom of the prepared 9 x 13 inch pan which will create a buttery, graham cracker crust.
  • Pour the entire can of sweetened condensed milk over the graham crust.
  • Sprinkle with coconut (reserve a little for the top), then sprinkle a layer of butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, nuts and then the reamaining shredded coconut.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is starting to get golden brown.
  • Cool the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes (at least) before removing the squares with the parchment paper.
  • Once completely cooled to room temperature, slice into 24 slices and serve!

Video

Notes

Storage Tips
Leftover bars do not need to be refrigerated. They can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. However, if you do want to keep them fresh, longer, you can place them in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar | Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 119mg | Potassium: 165mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 173IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 1mg

Air Fryer Totchos

Loaded tater tots in the air fryer (or Air Fryer Totchos) are easy to make, especially when you can cook frozen tater tots, leaving very little prep!

For the best air fryer tater tots, make LOADED tater tots or “tater tot nachos” in the air fryer, with delicious toppings, and it may just become one of your new favorite air fryer recipes!

air fryer tater tots loaded with toppings
Loaded Tater Tots – Or “Tater Tot Nachos”

Why You’ll Love This Easy Recipe:

Whether you need to add to your list of favorite snack recipes, or you need an easy appetizer recipe for game day, movie night, or even if you just need a great side dish, these golden brown tots, loaded with cheese, jalapenos, pico de gallo and your favorite toppings, may be the best thing to ever come out of your air fryer basket!

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Ingredients

The best part of these “tater tot nachos”, as we like to call them sometimes, is that you can add your favorite toppings and you don’t have to stick to the ingredients below but it’s definitely our favorite combination!

  • 4 slices bacon, cut in to ½ inch pieces
  • 1 pound tater tots, frozen
  • ½ cup shredded colby jack (or shredded cheddar cheese)
  • 1 jalapeno, sliced
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • ¼ cup of pico (This easy pico de Gallo is great!)
  • ¼ cup sour cream
Ingredients for loaded tater tots
Ingredients for Loaded Tater Tots

Instructions

  1. Place the uncooked bacon strips into the air fryer at 400°F for 11 minutes until the bacon is crispy. If the bacon is not cooked through, you might need to add a few minutes, depending on your air fryer.
Uncooked bacon in air fryer
Uncooked bacon pieces
Cooked bacon in air fryer basket
Cooked bacon in air fryer
  1. Remove the bacon from the basket and place in a bowl/plate that’s covered with paper towels, to set aside until the air fryer tater tots are done cooking.

    Add the tater tots in to the air fryer basket. (Ideally, a single layer is recommended, although a little overlap is ok since you’ll be shaking the basket. However it’s best not to put a large amount of tots in the fryer to prevent undercooking.) Set the air fryer to 400°F for 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to stir the tater tots.
frozen tater tots in air fryer
Frozen tater tots
cooked tater tots in air fryer
Cooked tater tots
  1. Sprinkle the tater tots with the bacon and cheese. Set the air fryer to 400°F for 2 minutes until the cheese is melted. 
Bacon and Tater Tots
Shredded cheese on tater tots
Shredded Cheese on Tots
Melted cheese on tater tots
Melted Cheese on Tater Tots
  1. Remove the tots from the air fryer and top them with your favorite toppings! Like

Slices of jalapenos…

Add jalapenos on loaded nachos

Chopped green onions…

Green onions on top of tater tots

Fresh pico de gallo…

Pico de gallo added to loaded nachos

Or sour cream!

sour cream on top of tater tots

Topping Ideas for Tater Tots

If you’re looking for more topping ideas for tater tots, here are other favorites you may love:

Loaded tater tots in the air fryer

What Goes Well with Loaded Tater Tots

Although these “tater tot nachos” can be a meal themselves, it’s also fun to serve other favorite appetizers and side dishes with them. Like this taco layer dip and this frito chili pie that has similar toppings!

Dipping Sauces for Tater Tots

Dipping tater tots in to your favorite dipping sauce can also be a great option! For instance:

  • honey mustard
  • barbecue sauce
  • ranch dressing

More Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love

If you love using your air fryer, then you’ll also enjoy this easy tutorial for air fryer bacon, air fryer tofu, air fryer bacon and these air fryer hamburgers!

Loaded Tachos

Variations

Love the idea of loaded tater tots but want more ideas? Consider the following ideas to use in place of tater tots!

Loaded tater tots Recipe
Can you make loaded tater tots ahead of time?

The longer these tater tots are sitting around, the more they lose their crispy texture, so I recommend eating these while they are hot. 

Is there a way to cut down on the cooking time, so I don't have to wait so long to enjoy these?

The quickest way to make these is by using pre-cooked bacon so you can skip the bacon cooking process.

How do I get the crispiest tater tots?

For crispy air fryer tater tots, using an air fryer is recommended for maximum crispness! However if you don’t have an air fryer, cooking them in the oven on 425°, on a baking sheet in a single layer, for 19-21 minutes is the next best. Microwaving tater tots can give more of a soggy texture though so that’s not recommended.

Air Fryer Used for This Recipe

The air fryer used for this recipe is a Ninja Foodie. However, using your favorite air fryer is perfectly fine! Please note that for different, larger air fryer or smaller air fryers, the cook time can vary.

So it’s best to watch to see when the air fryer tots are golden brown for best results!

Storage

If you have leftover tots, if they have toppings on them, they could get soggy. However, it’s worth it to place them back in the air fryer to reheat and warm back up for ultimate crispiness!

Recipe

Air fryer totchos.
Print Pin
5 from 4 votes

Air Fryer Totchos

Air Fryer Totchos: Crispy tater tots made in the air fryer, then topped with favorite toppings such as cheese, green onions, jalapeños, and bacon!
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 26 minutes
Total Time 31 minutes
Servings 2 servings
Calories 789kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 4 slices bacon cut in to ½ inch pieces
  • 1 pound frozen tater tots
  • ½ cup shredded colby jack cheese or shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 jalapeno sliced (can use pickled jalapeños)
  • 2 green onions sliced
  • ¼ cup pico de gallo store-bought or this pico de Gallo recipe
  • ¼ cup sour cream

Instructions

  • Place the bacon into the air fryer at 400°F for 11 minutes until the bacon is crispy. If the bacon is not cooked through, you might need to add a few minutes, depending on your air fryer.
  • Remove the bacon from the basket and add in the tater tots.
  • Set the air fryer to 400°F for 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to stir the tater tots.
  • Sprinkle the tater tots with the bacon and cheese. Set the air fryer to 400°F for 2 minutes until the cheese is melted. 
  • Remove the tots from the air fryer and top them with the jalapeno, green onions, pico de gallo, and sour cream. 

Notes

Want more toppings for your tater tots? Try these favorites:

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 789kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 53g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 22g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 1686mg | Potassium: 821mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 861IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 299mg | Iron: 2mg

Peanut Butter and Syrup Sandwich

This peanut butter and syrup sandwich recipe is the perfect side dish for this simple chili recipe or your favorite soup recipe or a great, sweet lunch idea!

The maple syrup adds another layer of sweetness to your already favorite, peanut butter sandwiches! See below how much syrup pairs great with creamy peanut butter or crunchy peanut butter for this sandwich!

peanut butter and syrup sandwich

Why You’ll Love These

Sometimes a peanut butter sandwich is just the sweet treat we crave. But when you can add a simple ingredient to uplevel this popular sandwich, why not!?

We absolutely love adding small changes to common recipes to keep things fun and exciting! Like when we made fried peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or even when we made donut burgers!

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Ingredients

As I’m sure you can guess, it doesn’t take much, or any surprising ingredients to make this peanut butter and syrup sandwich!

So what does it take?

  • ¼ cup peanut butter 
  • 1 tablespoon syrup
  • 2 slices of bread (we prefer white bread)

Or double the ingredients and make a thicker sandwich, closer to what you see here in the photos!

Ingredients for peanut butter and syrup sandwich

Instructions

I know it sounds simple to make a peanut butter sandwich but if you missed “how to make a peanut butter and jelly the right way” you may want to see our favorite “trick” so we don’t rip the bread! It has been really fun to hear how you all make your pb&j’s too!

  1. We like to combine the peanut butter and the syrup in a small bowl before spreading on to the bread. But of course you can just spread the peanut butter on and then drizzle maple syrup on top of the peanut butter if you prefer.
Peanut butter and syrup mixed together in white bowl
  1. When you’re ready to serve the sandwiches (making them too soon and leaving them out can cause your bread to get stale) spread the peanut butter and syrup mixture on to one slice of bread.
  2. Then, simply top with another slice of bread and it’s ready to eat or serve along side your favorite soup!
Peanut butter and syrup sandwich on plate with red napkin

Substitutions

If you’re not a fan of peanut butter or syrup, here are substitutions (like other nut butters) you can experiment with to see if you like that more:

  • Honey – this can be used instead of syrup which will still give it a sweetness you’re looking for!
  • Chocolate Syrup
  • Caramel Syrup
  • Almond Butter
  • Nutella – We absolutely loving using Nutella on our favorite things like on these Nutella sugar cookies!
  • Cashew Butter
  • Seed Butter – you may be able to find a pumpkin seed butter or even a sunflower butter to use instead of peanut butter.

Variations

Want to do a little more on your peanut butter and syrup sandwiches? Here are some fun ideas to add to it:

  • Spicy – add some chili pepper
  • Crunch – crushed potato chips, crushed nuts, coconut flakes
  • Sweet – marshmallows (like we added to this marshmallow pb& j) or mashmallow fluff
  • Jelly – Add your favorite jelly or jam (For instance: orange marmalade, grape jelly, strawberry jelly)
  • Cook sandwiches – instead of eating the sandwiches room temperature, you can cook them over medium heat (like you do in this chicken grilled cheese) and once golden brown, serve! The melty peanut butter, combined with the now warm syrup just may be the best way to consume this sandwich!

What to Serve with Peanut Butter Sandwich

Usually, the peanut butter sandwich is served alongside a main course but it can definitely be the hero of a meal with its own side dishes! For instance, the sweet potato fries would pair perfectly, a handful of potato chips or get in some veggies with canned green beans!

More Recipes You’ll Love

If you love sweet treats like this, then you’ll love our easy French toast recipe and this no-bake peanut butter pie!

Recipe

Peanut butter and syrup sandwich sliced in half, stacked on top of each other.
Print Pin
5 from 8 votes

Peanut Butter and Syrup Sandwich

This peanut butter and syrup sandwich recipe is the perfect side dish for chili or your favorite soup or a great, sweet lunch idea!
Course Breakfast, Main Course, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1 sandwich
Calories 584kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup peanut butter creamy or crunchy
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 2 slices bread we prefer regular white bread

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, mix together the peanut butter and syrup until evenly combined. (Or you can simply spread the peanut butter on the bread and then drizzle the syrup on top, however mixing it together gives the sandwich a more evenly distributed flavor combo.)
  • Once mixed, using a spoon, carefully spread the peanut butter-syrup mixture on one slice of bread.
  • Top with the remaining slice of bread and serve! (Or see additional ideas, toppings, etc. in the blog post!)

Video

Notes

Substitutions
If you’re not a fan of peanut butter or syrup, here are sub substitutions (like other nut butters) you can experiment with to see if you like that more:
  • Honey – this can be used instead of syrup which will still give it a sweetness you’re looking for!
  • Chocolate Syrup
  • Caramel Syrup
  • Almond Butter
  • Nutella 
  • Cashew Butter
  • Seed Butter – you may be able to find a pumpkin seed butter or even a sunflower butter to use instead of peanut butter.
Variations
Want to do a little more on your peanut butter and syrup sandwiches? Here are some fun ideas to add to it:
  • Spicy – add some chili pepper
  • Crunch – crushed potato chips, crushed nuts, coconut flakes
  • Sweet – marshmallows 
  • Jelly – Add your favorite jelly or jam (For instance: orange marmalade, grape jelly, strawberry jelly)
  • Cook sandwiches – instead of eating the sandwiches room temperature, you can cook them over medium heat (like you would a grilled cheese) and once golden brown, serve! The melty peanut butter, combined with the now warm syrup just may be the best way to consume this sandwich!

Nutrition

Serving: 1sandwich | Calories: 584kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 589mg | Potassium: 566mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 127mg | Iron: 3mg

Waffle Burger

This waffle burger is a combination of savory and sweet, and is one of the most ultimate bacon cheeseburgers you’ll ever have!

Quick Overview: An easy recipe, made with a burger patty, golden brown waffle, topped with melted cheese, bacon slices and an over easy egg.

Waffle Burger

Waffle burgers are one of our favorite recipes to splurge on when looking for an easy breakfast idea or dinner idea.

When we made donut burgers, the combination of the two were incredible so we immediately started thinking of new fun hamburger recipes!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Not only are waffle burgers fun to look at, the flavors of the sweet waffle, combined with the savory burger, bacon, egg and cheese, can be a nice surprise!

Plus, it’s fun to create your own combinations with what kind of waffles you use, how you cook your egg, different types of bacon and more, so you can make this as easy as you’d like or get really creative, making everything from scratch.

Ingredients

For this recipe, we like to keep things easy and use a lot of pre-made ingredients but feel free to make your waffles from scratch and even use pre-pattied burgers if you’d like!

For the full ingredients list and instructions, please see full recipe card toward the bottom of this post.

  • waffles
  • burger patties
  • sliced American cheese
  • slices of bacon
  • egg
  • salt
  • pepper
  • syrup (if desired)
Waffles in package with other ingredients in background

Waffles

When I can find these pre-packaged pastry Belgian waffles in the bakery section, I grab them specifically for this waffle cheeseburger because they are absolutely delicious! They’re soft, yet they have a small sugary “crunch” to them that adds the greatest texture to this soft, pillowy burger/egg combo.

However you can use any waffle you’d like! For instance:

Waffle burger ingredients

Burgers

When it comes to the burgers, you can make them with your preferred method. Our favorite way is to bake burger patties.

However, you may prefer to use a frying pan and cook burgers on the stove, on the grill, burgers in the smoker, in the air fryer burgers, in an burgers in an electric skillet, or grill burgers from frozen, etc. Any cooking method is perfectly fine!

Eggs

The egg is totally optional but if you’d like to add an egg to this recipe, we love the using an over-easy egg. However, you may also prefer a fried egg, sunny side or over medium egg!

Bacon

If using bacon for this recipe, thick cut bacon is a favorite however you can use any type of bacon that you have on hand or that you prefer.

It can be fun to also try different bacon seasonings like:

  • maple bacon
  • honey bacon
  • peppered bacon
  • brown sugar bacon
Waffle burger assembled on white plate

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. First, if making your waffles homemade, you’ll want to do that first, so they’re ready to use as buns when your burger patties, bacon and eggs have been cooked. If making yoru own and using a Belgian waffle iron, here is a really easy Belgian Waffle tutorial if it’s helpful. (Just make sure to pay attention to how many waffles your recipe calls for, so you have enough waffles for the burgers. You’ll need 2 waffles per burger and this recipe makes 3 burgers – so 6 waffles are needed.)

If using storebought or frozen waffles, you can wait to warm them up when it’s time to build the burger.

  1. If you’re wanting to bake the burgers like we do, place ground beef burger patties in greased baking dish, and place in a 375° oven, and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the juices run clear.
seasoned burger patties in baking dish
  1. While burger patties are baking, this is a great time to prepare your eggs and your bacon.
  2. For the bacon, you can cook your bacon with your favorite method. Our favorite is to cook bacon in the air fryer, however you can cook bacon in a skillet on the stove, bake it in the oven, or even cook it for a few minutes in the microwave.
  3. If making over-easy eggs, simply melt a little butter in a skillet on medium heat and gently crack egg in to skillet. Allow egg to cook for a few minutes and once the whites of the egg are no longer runny, gently turn the egg over and allow the yolk-side of the egg to cook for about one minute. Carefully remove from skillet and set-aside. (Keep warm if possible.)
  4. If making cheeseburgers, once the burgers have finished baking, place a slice of cheese on each fully cooked burger and with the oven turned off, allow the leftover heat to gently melt the cheese on to each patty. Once the cheese melts, remove from oven after cheese has melted. (Approximately 2-3 minutes.)
Cooked burgers with cheese, over easy eggs, and bacon
  1. Once all of the burger “layers” are cooked and ready, it’s time to assemble this waffle burger!
  2. Take one waffle, and top with cheeseburger. Next, add on the over-easy egg, and top with bacon.
  3. Place second waffle on top and if desired, serve without syrup. (See syrup step below.)
Close up image of waffle buns on cheeseburger
  1. If serving with syrup, warm up your maple syrup for best results. Then, gently pour over the assembled waffle burger and serve with a fork!
Syrup pouring on to waffle burger

TIP: If serving with syrup, it’s best to use a plate with raised sides as this can get deliciously messy, quick!

Syrup dripping down top of waffle burger

Substitutions

Want to switch some things out? Feel free to! You may even find it fun to switch out the beef patty for sausage patties, or a crispy chicken breast like we did for our zinger burgers!

📖 Variations

Feel free to also add your favorite toppings to this burger! Here are some additional ideas of what to add to your new favorite burger!

  • jalapeno pepper
  • black pepper
  • crispy fried onions
  • onion ring
  • ham
  • Canadian bacon
  • sausage

What to Serve with Waffle Burgers

If making a meal out of these burgers, it’s fun to serve them with air fryer hashbrown patties or air fryer breakfast potatoes.

Storage

If you have leftovers, it’s best to store each item, separately, so the ingredients will not become soggy.

Store items in airtight containers or plastic ziptop bags, in the refrigerator and simply reheat when ready to eat again.

If you love fun burger recipes as much as we do, then I think you’re going to also really love this burger that has pineapples on it!

Recipe

Burger using waffles as buns.
Print Pin
5 from 4 votes

Waffle Burger

This waffle burger is a combination of savory and sweet, and is one of the most ultimate bacon cheeseburgers you'll ever have!
Course Breakfast, Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 33 minutes
Servings 3 burgers
Calories 956kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef or 3 pre-pattied burger patties
  • 3 slices bacon
  • 6 waffles
  • 3 slices American cheese
  • 3 eggs
  • butter optional for cooking egg
  • salt if desired
  • pepper if desired
  • ½ cup maple syrup if desired

Instructions

Waffles

  • First, if making homemade waffles, you'll want to do that first, so they're ready to use as buns when your burger patties, bacon and eggs have been cooked. Here is a really easy Belgian Waffle tutorial if choosing to make your own. (Just make sure to pay attention to how many waffles your recipe calls for, so you have enough waffles for the burgers. You'll need 2 waffles per burger and this recipe makes 3 burgers – so 6 waffles are needed.)
  • If using storebought or frozen waffles, you can wait to warm them up when it's time to build the burger.

Burgers

  • Shape ground beef in to 3 burger patties and sprinkle with salt and pepper (pinch of each on each burger, if desired) and place in greased baking dish.
  • Bake in a 375° oven for 20-25 minutes or until the juices run clear.
  • If making cheeseburgers, once the burgers have finished baking, place a slice of cheese on each fully cooked burger and with the oven turned off, allow the leftover heat to gently melt the cheese on to each patty. Once the cheese melts, remove from oven after cheese has melted. (Approximately 2-3 minutes.)

Bacon

  • While burgers are baking, you can cook your bacon with your favorite method. Our favorite is to cook bacon in the air fryer, however you can cook bacon in a skillet on the stove, bake it in the oven, or even cook it for a few minutes in the microwave. If cooking in a skillet, cook low and slow for about 10 minutes – flipping halfway through. (Crispy bacon is ideal!)

Eggs

  • If making over-easy eggs, simply melt a little butter in a skillet on medium heat and gently crack egg in to skillet.
  • Allow egg to cook for a few minutes and once the whites of the egg are no longer runny, gently turn the egg over and allow the yolk-side of the egg to cook for about one minute. Carefully remove from skillet and set-aside. (Keep warm if possible.)

Assemble the Waffle Burger

  • Once all of the burger "layers" are cooked and ready, it's time to assemble this waffle burger!
  • Take one waffle, and top with cheeseburger.
  • Next, add on the over-easy egg, and top with bacon.
  • Place second waffle on top and if desired, serve without syrup.
  • If serving with syrup, warm up your maple syrup for best results. Then, gently pour over assembled waffle burger and serve with a fork!

Video

Notes

Feel free to also add your favorite toppings to this burger! Here are some additional ideas of what to add to your new favorite burger!
  • jalapeno pepper
  • black pepper
  • crispy fried onions
  • onion ring
  • ham
  • Canadian bacon
  • sausage

Nutrition

Serving: 1burger | Calories: 956kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 57g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 22g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 325mg | Sodium: 1075mg | Potassium: 721mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 1509IU | Calcium: 493mg | Iron: 9mg

The BEST Corn Casserole

This corn casserole recipe is the perfect side dish for a holiday meal, uses simple ingredients, and is a favorite recipe loved by so many!

Quick Overview: This recipe uses canned corn, canned cream corn, butter, sour cream, and Jiffy cornbread mix.

Corn Casserole serving on white plate

This easy recipe is a savory side dish for your holiday table but is delicious any time of year! If you love corn recipes, then you’ll definitely want to make this corn dip too, that’s great for entertaining.

Serve this recipe alongside other holiday side dish recipes like our broccoli casserole, our popular green bean casserole and this side salad that has over 400 reviews!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This great side dish has become a holiday staple that is starting to show up on many holiday dinner tables each year (even though it’s great all year long and any party). It’s easy to make, uses simple ingredients, and gives that comfort food flavor we all love!

Ingredients

With this recipe only using a few, simple ingredients, it can be a dish that’s easy to take along to a holiday gathering or make alongside your favorite holiday main dishes.

  • Jiffy corn muffin mix (or similar package dry corn bread mix)
  • salted butter (unsalted will work too but maybe add a dash of salt!)
  • sour cream
  • whole kernel corn (drained – making sure to get out as much water, moisture as possible.)
  • creamed corn (or cream-style corn)
corn casserole ingredients
Corn Casserole Ingredients

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

First, melt the butter in a small microwaveable dish.

Then, grab a medium bowl, or one large enough to hold all of the ingredients in the ingredients list.

Pour in all of the cans of corn, sour cream, and the melted butter in to bowl and stir to combine.

Corn, butter, sour cream in mixing bowl

Next, add in the Jiffy cornbread mix.

Add in cornbread muffin mix - Jiffy to corn mixture

Stir to combine and mix until evenly mixed.

Corn muffin mix, mixed in with ingredients in mixing bowl
Stir in Jiffy corn bread mix until evenly combined

Grease an 8×8 (or 9×9) baking dish (or casserole dish) with cooking spray, and pour in corn casserole mixture.

Corn casserole mix placed in greased baking dish

Place the baking dish on a middle rack in the oven, and bake in a 350° oven for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. (Note: When I bake in a dish other than glass, it takes about 50-55 minutes for it to fully bake. You will know it’s ready when the sides are turning golden brown and you see bubbling.)

Baked corn casserole in baking dish
Baked corn casserole

What to Serve with this Creamy Corn Casserole

This buttery casserole is one of our favorite side dishes and a perfect compliment on our Thanksgiving table (or any time of year) to main course like Instant Pot Turkey Breast or this Creole Turkey!

Corn casserole plated serving on white plate

Variations

If desired, you can add additional toppings or mix-ins to make this easy corn casserole recipe even more fun! For instance:

  • Cheddar Cheese
  • Green Onions
  • Diced Jalapenos
  • Red Bell Pepper
  • Green Bell Pepper
  • Diced Onions
  • Heavy Cream – a dash of this could make it creamier but be cautious of too much liquid changing the texture/cooktime.
  • Cream of Chicken Soup – Could be a great addition if you do not have cream-style corn and can offer additional flavor but be cautious of the cooking time and texture difference it could result in.

Sometimes it can be nice to add a crunch, veggie, or a hint of other flavors, like how we added corn in to this Doritos casserole!

How to Store Leftovers

If you have leftovers of this creamy jiffy corn casserole, wait until it cools to about room temperature and store in an airtight container, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Easy corn casserole recipe on plate with fork

Tips and Expert FAQ’s

What can I substitute for Jiffy corn muffin mix?

If you don’t have corn muffin mix, you can follow this cornbread substitute!

Why is my corn casserole runny?

If your corn casserole is runny, it could be because of the extra moisture that was in your corn kernels. If you want to try baking it longer to see if it thickens, make sure to cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, not to burn the top.

How can I make a sweet corn casserole?

This recipe is a little on the sweeter side, than the savory side. However if you want it extra sweet, you can add in about a teaspoon of white granulated sugar when mixing together the corn, butter and sour cream.

If you love corn dishes, we think you’ll also love this Mexican corn salad that’s good as a side or even perfect as a holiday dish!

Recipe

corn casserole serving on one white plate
Print Pin
5 from 20 votes

The BEST Corn Casserole

This corn casserole recipe is the perfect side dish for a holiday meal, uses simple ingredients, and is a favorite recipe loved by so many!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Diet Vegetarian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 9 servings
Calories 334kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 1 stick butter melted (½ cup)
  • 1 can cream-style corn 14.75 oz.
  • 2 cans Whole Kernel Corn 15 oz. each – Drained
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 box Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix 8.5 oz.

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°.
  • In a small, microwaveable dish, melt butter. (Usually about 15-30 seconds is long enough.)
  • In a large mixing bowl, pour in drained corn, cream-style corn, sour cream and melted butter. Stir to combine.
  • Pour in corn bread mix and stir to evenly combine.
  • Pour in corn mixture in to a GREASED, 8×8 or 9×9 square baking dish.
  • Place dish on middle rack in oven and bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. (Note: When I bake in a dish other than glass, it takes about 50-55 minutes for it to fully bake. You will know it's ready when the sides are turning golden brown and you see bubbling.)

Video

Notes

How to Store Leftovers
If you have leftovers of this creamy jiffy corn casserole, wait until it cools to about room temperature and store in an airtight container, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 578mg | Potassium: 210mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 545IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg

Fluffy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

This fluffy chocolate buttercream frosting is the best chocolate frosting for cakes, cupcakes, or your favorite icing topped desserts!

Quick Overview: This recipe uses shortening, butter, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk and it makes enough for 24 cupcakes or a 2-layer cake.

Fluffy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

The right frosting can make or break your favorite birthday cake recipes, homemade brownies or these cupcake recipes! So it’s crucial to use the best chocolate buttercream frosting that you can!

This chocolate buttercream frosting recipe pairs perfectly with an easy marble cake, a yellow cake, vanilla cake, A chocolate cake recipe, sheet cake, chocolate Oreo cupcakes or one of your favorite cakes or favorite recipes. Dare I even say a chocolate quick bread too?

Dessert recipes are full of opportunities to add icing too, so this is definitely a staple you’ll want to keep on hand!

You’ll also love this strawberry buttercream frosting with jam!

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❤️ Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Frosting Recipe

It uses everyday ingredients and will result in a delicious, creamy, chocolatey buttercream flavor and is a great recipe that’s perfect for beginner bakers and experienced bakers!

🤔 What is the difference between icing frosting and buttercream?

Frosting is made using ingredients such as butter to make it a thicker consistency. Icing can be much thinner, that’s wonderful on cookies. However, the two terms interchange quite a bit so sometimes you’ll hear them referred to as the same thing.

🥣 What are the three types of buttercream?

There are three types of buttercream:

  1. American Buttercream – the recipe provided below is considered an American buttercream. It uses a few simple ingredients to make a delicious creamy chocolate buttercream
  2. Swiss Meringue Buttercream – has a cooked, egg-white base with sugar and vanilla added.
  3. Italian Meringue Buttercream – is similar to Swiss meringue but is sweeter!

🧾 Ingredients

It takes just a few simple ingredients to make this fluffy frosting!

Make sure to scroll towards the bottom of this post to see the full list of ingredients/instructions all in one place!

  • 1 cup vegetable shortening (solid)
  • ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) softened salted butter (you can use unsalted butter but you may want to add a pinch of salt.)
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (for that chocolate flavor)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (sometimes called confectioner’s sugar)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3-4 tablespoons milk (you can use heavy cream if you like but remember it’s thicker than milk so it may take a little more than regular milk to thin it out.)
ingredients on white table for chocolate buttercream

👩🏻‍🍳 Instructions

To make this homemade frosting, you’ll first cream the shortening and butter together. This is just the beginning of this butter chocolate cream goodness that will be the end result!

shortening and butter in mixing bowl
Mix together the butter and the shortening

For best results, make sure to use room temperature butter as this could cause a different texture for your buttercream.

Butter and shortening creamed in bowl
After butter and shortening are mixed.

Add the cocoa powder and vanilla to the butter and shortening.  Mix this together. 

Add the cocoa in to the butter and shortening
Add the cocoa to make the butter icing chocolate

The cocoa is what makes the butter icing chocolate!

Pour in the vanilla to the butter mixture
Vanilla extract is added
Cocoa powder in mixing bowl
Cocoa and vanilla ready for mixing
Cocoa powder mixed in with the butter and shortening
Mixed cocoa & vanilla with butter & shortening

Next, on low speed, mix in 2 cups of powdered sugar.

powdered sugar pouring in to chocolate
Add 2 cups powdered sugar
Powdered sugar & chocolate
Mixed 2 cups powdered sugar with chocolate

Then, beat in 1-2 Tablespoons of milk to keep the frosting from getting too dry as you combine.

Pour in milk to frosting to thin
Add 1-2 tablespoons milk to chocolate frosting
Milk mixed with chocolate frosting
Mix Chocolate Buttercream

Once that is incorporated add the rest of the powdered sugar. Stir in a bit more milk until light and fluffy.

Add in milk and powdered sugar
Add remaining powdered sugar and milk and mix until evenly combined

Look at how beautifully that easy chocolate buttercream frosting turned out! Now it’s ready for your favorite cake!

Chocolate buttercream icing

This frosting creates a beautiful texture for frosting a cake, almost giving it a whipped, look but a creamy, buttercream taste!

Cake covered with chocolate buttercream frosting
Perfect for frosting a chocolate cake

💡 FAQs and Expert Tips

How do you make chocolate buttercream less grainy?

This could be because of a few things. It could be the type of sugar used. This is why using powdered sugar is ideal, instead of granulated sugar.

Why is my buttercream frosting not fluffy?

It could need mixed more! Whipping it more can result in a fluffier frosting!

Why does my chocolate buttercream look curdled?

This is usually due to the reason that the butter was cold when making the frosting. It is best to use room-temperature butter.

Fluffy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

📖 Substitutions

If you do not have milk on hand, you can use heavy cream but do note that heavy cream is thicker and could require more, to thin it out than whole milk or other types of milk.

✅ Variations

If you prefer a vanilla buttercream, simply leave out the unsweetened cocoa. This could require you to use more powdered sugar to get the consistency right — nothing that more powdered sugar would make it sweeter! Or if you’re looking for some pizazz… you could also make this cookies and cream frosting recipe too!

❄️ Storage

If you find that you have more frosting than you need, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks!

Did you know you can even freeze your frosting? You can! If it is frozen correctly (airtight, freeze-proof container) it can be frozen for up to 3 months! Let is thaw to room temperature and then whip before using.

🍫 Love Chocolate?

I do too! So you’re going to LOVE this hot fudge cake and this chocolate cream cheese pie. Or, you could even make this buttercream frosting and spread it on these mini chocolate cakes instead of using the ganache!

Recipe

Fluffy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Print Pin
5 from 12 votes

Fluffy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

This fluffy chocolate buttercream frosting is the best chocolate frosting for cakes, cupcakes, or your favorite icing topped desserts! Makes enough for a 2 layer cake or 24 cupcakes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 1174kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 1 cup vegetable shortening
  • ¾ cup softened salted butter
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3-4 tablespoons milk

Instructions

  • First, over medium speed, cream the shortening and butter together. (You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer.)
  • Next, add in the cocoa powder and vanilla.  Mix together until evenly combined.
  • On low speed, mix in 2 cups of the powdered sugar.
  • Then, beat in 1-2 tablespoons of milk to keep the frosting from getting too dry as you combine.
  • Once that is mixed together, add in the rest of the powdered sugar and stir in a bit more milk until the frosting is light and fluffy.  

Notes

Can you use heavy cream instead of milk?
If you do not have milk on hand, you can use heavy cream but do note that heavy cream is thicker and could require more, to thin it out than whole milk or other types of milk.
Have leftover frosting?
If you find that you have more frosting than you need, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks!
Can you freeze frosting?
Did you know you can even freeze your frosting? You can! If it is frozen correctly (airtight, freeze-proof container) it can be frozen for up to 3 months! Let is thaw to room temperature and then whip before using.

Nutrition

Serving: 3tablespoons | Calories: 1174kcal | Carbohydrates: 111g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 84g | Saturated Fat: 29g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 23g | Monounsaturated Fat: 28g | Trans Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 487mg | Potassium: 287mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 96g | Vitamin A: 721IU | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 2mg

Simple Cheese Ball Recipe

This classic cream cheese ball recipe is not only easy but uses simple ingredients and is an easy party appetizer or snack craving!

Quick Overview – Ingredients include: cream cheese, sour cream, ranch dressing seasoning, sharp cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and pecans.

Easy cheese ball on plate

Around the holidays, or on game day, a homemade cheese ball is hard to beat because it’s an easy recipe and a crowd pleaser!

Fun Football Cheese Ball: If you’re making a cheese ball for anything football party-related, you’re going to love making this in to a shape like we did with this football cheeseball!

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Ingredients

Using only 8 simple ingredients, you can have the cheese ball made in minutes! Plus, you may already have the ingredients on hand, and those are always the best kind!

  • 2- 8 oz packages cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 1 packet ranch dressing  mix (We love Hidden Valley brand)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
cheese ball ingredients

Make sure to see the full recipe card with instructions toward the bottom of this post to make this classic cheese ball!

How to Make this Easy Cheese Ball

Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, you’re halfway to diving in to your easy cheese ball recipe!

  1. Begin by placing the cream cheese and sour cream in the bowl of a stand mixer or large mixing bowl, so you can mix with a hand or electric mixer.
    Cream together until mixed together well.
mix cheeseball ingredients together
  1. Add the ranch dressing mix powder and spices. Mix again.
  1. Add the cheddar cheese and mix until well incorporated, creating a creamy texture.
Mix in cheeses in to cheese ball
  1. Lay a large piece of saran wrap on the counter and spoon the cream cheese mixture into the center of it, piling it into a pile in the center.
  2. Grab up the edges of the plastic wrap to the middle, and using your hands, smooth the mixture into a ball shape.
  3. Place the plastic wrap covered cheeseball in the freezer for 30 minutes to chill.
Make cheeseball round
  1. Pour the chopped pecans onto a single layer on a baking sheet or cutting board. Roll the chilled cheese ball in the pecans until it is completely, and evenly covered.
  2. Transfer the cheese ball onto a plate (the plate that you want to serve it on is ideal) and cover with plastic wrap. Chill for at least 1 hour more in the refrigerator before serving. 
  3. Serve this delicious cheese ball with your favorite crackers or your favorite items to dip! (See ideas of what to serve with a cheese ball, below!)
Crackers around cheese ball on plate

Variations:

Now although this is a really good cheese ball recipe, it’s a great “base” if you have other favorite ingredients that could be added to it. Here are some of our favorite variations and mix-in’s to add in sometimes!

  • Green Onions – Chop the greens of one or two bunches of green onions (depending on how much you LOVE green onions) in to small pieces and either mix-in to the mixture of cream cheese and other ingredients before shaping.
    Or, instead of coating the ball in nuts, coat the outer coating of the cheeseball with chopped green onions instead. (You can do both, but mix together the green onions and nuts before rolling or neither will stick to the ball, if one is applied separately.)
  • Different Cheeses – We think shredded cheddar is the best cheese for this but if you’re not a fan of shredded cheddar, feel free to use additional or a substitute cheese! For instance, shredded fiesta blend, mozzarella, white cheddar, sharp cheese, blue cheese, pepperjack, etc.
  • Bacon – Using bacon bits, or cook some bacon (our favorite quick and easy way is by making air fryer bacon) and once cooled, chop it in to small pieces and add in to the cheeseball mixture or coat the outside of the ball with it for a bacon ranch cheese ball.
  • Condiments – Sometimes it’s fun to add some spice or “zing” to the cheese ball. Some of our favorites are:
    • hot sauce
    • worcestershire sauce
  • Spices/Herbs – Feel free to add your favorite spices and or herbs to this recipe as well. For instance:
    • onion powder
    • a little salt (you don’t want it too salty – the ranch seasoning also has salt)
    • cayenne pepper
    • red pepper
    • greek seasoning
    • fresh herbs (like rosemary, fresh parsley, chives, etc.)
  • Different Shapes – Have fun with your cheeseball! If you’re making one for the holidays, sporting event, charcuterie board, etc., consider something like these:
    • Rudolph the Reindeer – To turn a plain cheese ball into Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, add pretzel ears, black olives for the eyes (olives cut in half), and add a cherry tomato (cut in half) for the nose, right before serving!
    • Football – Instead of making a perfect “ball” shape, consider shaping the ball by narrowing the ends, making it a football shape like I did for this football party!
    • Mini Cheese Ball Bites – Instead of making one big ball, consider making small bite-size cheese balls that would look amazing with a pretzel stick, sticking out the top for an easy fingerfood option, for your next holiday party.

What Type of Dish to Serve a Cheese Ball on:

You can serve your cheese ball on a regular plate. However if you’re serving Thanksgiving dinner, hosting any holiday parties or holiday gatherings like New Years Eve, Christmas party, etc. you may want to place the cheese ball on a gorgeous platter or in a marble dish!

What to Serve with a Cheese Ball

If you’re making a cheese ball, it’s mainly considered a “dip” so it’s best to also provide items for dipping! Here are some of our favorites to serve alongside a classic cheeseball.

  • pita chips
  • tortilla chips
  • celery sticks
  • carrot sticks
  • other fresh veggies (radishes, cucumbers, etc.)
  • buttery crackers (like Ritz)
  • wheat thins
  • corn chips
  • slices of smoked sausage, etc.

Storage

If you have leftovers of this homemade cheeseball, store in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks! This is one of the reasons why it’s one of the best make-ahead appetizers.

More Easy Appetizer Recipes

If you love easy appetizers like this one, then you’ll also love this easy taco layer dip, buffalo bacon blue dip, and this creamy reuben sandwich dip!

Recipe

Cheeseball covered in nuts on platter.
Print Pin
5 from 6 votes

Simple Cheese Ball Recipe

This classic cream cheese ball recipe is not only easy but uses simple ingredients and is an easy party appetizer or snack craving!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings 24
Calories 142kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 16 oz. cream cheese (2 – 8 oz. pacakges) softened to room temperature
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 1 package ranch dressing seasoning mix We love Hidden Valley
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste
  • 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

  • Place the cream cheese and sour cream in the bowl of a stand mixer or in mixing bowl for hand mixer. Cream together until mixed together well.
  • Add ranch dressing mix powder and spices. Mix again.
  • Add the shredded cheddar cheese and mix until well incorporated.
  • Lay a large piece of saran wrap (big enough that you'll be able to wrap around the entire cheese ball, on the counter, and spoon the cheese ball mixture into the center of it, piling it in to the center.
  • Gather up the edges of the plastic wrap to the middle, and using your hands, smooth the mixture into a ball.
  • Place the plastic wrap covered cheeseball in the freezer to chill for 30 minutes.
  • Pour the chopped pecans onto a single layer on a baking sheet or cutting board. Roll the chilled cheese ball in the pecans until it is completely covered.
  • Transfer the cheese ball onto a plate and cover with plastic wrap. Chill for at least 1 hour more in the refrigerator before serving.
  • Serve with an assortment of crackers or favorite items! See blog post for suggestions!

Notes

What to Serve with a Cheese Ball:
  • pita chips
  • tortilla chips
  • celery sticks
  • carrot sticks
  • other fresh veggies (radishes, cucumbers, etc.)
  • buttery crackers (like Ritz)
  • wheat thins
  • corn chips
  • slices of smoked sausage, etc.
How to Store Leftover Cheese Ball:
If you have leftovers of this homemade cheeseball, store in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks! This is one of the reasons why it’s one of the best make-ahead appetizers.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 142kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 209mg | Potassium: 58mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 366IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 1mg

Donut Burger

This donut burger (or sometimes called the Luther Burger) is made with buttered and toasted glazed donuts (Krispy Kreme or your favorite kind), a beef patty, cheese, and bacon, to give you one of the most delicious hamburger recipes you’ve ever had.

Quick Overview: Cook your burger patties your favorite way (ours is baking hamburgers in the oven) top with cheese, cooked bacon, and build cheeseburger using the buttery toasted glazed donuts as the buns. You can also cook bacon on a George Forman at the same time you cook burgers another way. (Cook time depends on which burger cooking method you choose! See below!)

Donut burger - hamburger patty on krispy kreme glazed donuts

Grab the paper towels! It’s a sticky, juicy, and glorious burger recipe with the butter, bacon (and bacon grease) sweet donuts, and more that gives this so much flavor!

Inspired by the waffle burger, this sweet and salty combo is a family favorite! The sweetness of the “bun” combined with the savory flavor in everything else, is incredible! I believe that’s also why these cheeseburger sliders have become such a popular recipe too!

What is a Luther Burger?

According to Wikipedia, the Luther Burger is a hamburger using glazed donuts as the bun. But honestly, when I saw it for the first time, I just called it a donut burger and KNEW I had to have it.

Who created the Luther Burger and where did it come from?

Word has it that it originated from a pub called, “Mulligan’s” in Decatur, Georgia, and was named after R&B singer Luther Vandross.

What kind of donut do you use to make a donut burger?

So many think a glazed donut is the best donut to use for this recipe but you can use any kind you like! You can use a glazed from Krispy Kreme or something else fun like a blueberry cake doughnut, or even a chocolate iced donut from your favorite bakery! Have fun with it!

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How do you Make a Donut Burger?

Although the most popular way to make doughnut cheeseburgers is with glazed donuts, melted cheese and cooked bacon, you can add traditional hamburger toppings if you like as well!

Slice your donuts in half, to make a top and bottom bun, spread butter on the “insides” of the donut buns and toast in a skillet.
Cook your burger patty, cook the bacon, melt the cheese, and you have a burger at home that you’d normally only see at something like a food truck or state fairs!

See the full ingredients list, instructions and recipe card, below!

Ingredients

If you have leftover donuts from the bakery, you may have all of the ingredients on hand to whip up this special treat! Or, make a quick trip to the bakery, donut shop or grocery story to grab these beauties!

You’ll need:

  • glazed donuts (some love using Krispy Kreme donuts)
  • hamburger patties (or one pound of ground beef – see more ground beef recipes)
  • sliced american or cheddar cheese
  • strips of bacon (thick cut bacon is best!)
  • salt
  • black pepper

See the recipe card below for quantities.

Donut Burger Ingredients for Cheeseburgers

What can I use instead of donuts?

Love the idea of donuts for buns but need a substitution? Try the waffle burger” or create a “cake burger” or a “cookie burger”, “fluffy pancake burger”, and the list goes on!

Instructions

Although you can cook your burger patties any which way you prefer, the process for making donut burgers is simple!

How to Cook Burger Patties

No matter which method you prefer… we love seasoning the burger patties with salt and pepper. (As long as they’re thawed. If frozen, it’s best to cook a little first to thaw them out so the seasonings will stick to the burgers.)

Burger Cook Method:

The following ways to cook burgers are all easy ways and great for making burgers to make your donut burgers:

Season burgers with salt and pepper

Once seasoned with salt and pepper (or your favorite seasonings) you can cook them your preferred way. (See instructions below for a simple skillet method.)

Cook burgers on skillet or cooktop

Over medium heat, cook burger patties for 3-5 minutes on each side or until the juices run clear.

Flipped burger patties cooking

What Kind of Cheese to Use

If you prefer cheese on your doughnut burger, you can use any cheese you prefer. Here are our favorites to use:

  • American cheese
  • cheddar
  • pepper jack cheese
  • Colby jack

Place a slice of cheese on each burger until melted.

Burgers with cheese slices
If desired, add cheese to burger patties

How to Cook the Bacon

If you choose to have bacon on your donut burger, you can cook the bacon with your favorite method. We prefer to cook bacon in the air fryer or in the oven. (You can even cook turkey bacon in the oven.) However, you can cook bacon in a skillet or even cook it in the microwave as well!

Want to really kick things up a notch? Consider making this smoked candied bacon for a flavor that will change your life!

Once cooked, set aside and keep warm.

Cooking bacon for burgers

How to Toast the Glazed Donuts

Using a bread knife, carefully slice the donuts in half, to make a top and bottom bun out of one donut.

Glazed donuts for hamburger buns

Although you can simply use the sliced donuts as they are, I really recommend spreading butter on the inside of the donuts and then placing them in a skillet and toasting them, to warm them up with a little extra butter taste.

Cook buttered donuts

The buttered donuts will only need to cook over low-medium heat for a few minutes (2-3 minutes) or just enough give the buttered side a golden color.

Toasted glazed donuts

How to Build a Donut Burger

Take the warm glazed donuts, and top one half of the donut (buttered side up) with the meat patty and a slice or two of cooked bacon.

Cheeseburgers with bacon on donuts

Then, take the other half of the donut and place on top of the burger, buttered side down.

Donut Burger with Cheese and Bacon

Additional Burger Toppings

If you’d like to add other toppings, we’ve gathered traditional burger toppings ideas, as well as additional fun toppings for a donut butter! Feel free to add your favorite condiments or these as well:

  • fried egg
  • sriracha
  • hot sauce
  • maple syrup
  • sausage patties
  • lettuce
  • onion
  • jalapenos
  • peanut butter
  • potato chips
  • mustard
  • honey mustard
  • ketchup

Storage

If you have leftover ingredients, it’s best to store the items separately and reheat them individually, and then build the burger.

Our favorite way to reheat burgers and bacon is with the air fryer. But only reheating the toasted donuts on a skillet again is recommended.

What to Serve with Donut burgers

If serving this burger for a breakfast recipe, they’re amazing with hash brown patties or air fryer breakfast potatoes. Or, try baking sausage patties in the oven for a meaty side dish.

If serving this for lunch or main course, this burger recipe goes amazing with potato wedges or sweet potato fries.

More Recipes You’ll Love

If you love this recipe, you’ll also love this bacon brioche sandwich, these sausage and crescent roll breakfast dippers, and this baked turkey burger recipe! Or if you’re really in to fun burgers, make sure you check out this Hawaiian Burgers recipe that’s delicious and easy to make!

Recipe

Print Pin
5 from 9 votes

Buttery Glazed Donut Burger

This donut burger (or sometimes called the Luther Burger) is made with buttered and toasted glazed donuts (Krispy Kreme or your favorite kind), a beef patty, cheese, and bacon, to give you the most delicious, burger recipe you've ever had.
Course Breakfast, Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 3 burgers
Calories 748kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef or 3 hamburger patties
  • 3 glazed donuts
  • 3 slices american cheese or preferred cheese
  • 3 slices bacon
  • 2 tablespoons butter spreadable butter works best
  • 1 tablespoon butter optional, for cooking burgers
  • .5 teaspoon salt or preferred amount
  • .5 teaspoon pepper or preferred amount

Instructions

Prepare Burger Patties

  • Begin by patting out 3 burger patties, out of 1 pound of ground beef (or use 3 pre-pattied burgers)
  • Season burger patties with salt and pepper.

Cook Burger Patties

  • If cooking in a skillet (see blog post for other cook methods) over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet large enough to hold all of your burger patties.
  • Place seasoned burgers in skillet and cook for 3-5 minutes and then flip. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes or until the juices run clear.
  • If making cheeseburgers, melt cheese on top of cooked burgers and set aside.

Cook Bacon

  • If topping with bacon, cook bacon to desired doneness. (see post for favorite cook methods) If cooking bacon in same skillet, cook on low heat for 10 minutes, flip and cook other side for 5-10 minutes until fully cooked. Set aside.

Prep Donut Buns

  • Slice glazed donuts in half, creating a top "bun" and bottom "bun".
  • Spread the insides of the donuts with butter, preparing for toasting.
  • In a clean skillet (or simply pour out bacon grease and meat drippings out of first skillet) and place buttered-side down on skillet, over medium heat. Toast for 2-3 minutes on the buttered side until golden brown.

Assemble Donut Burger

  • Place cheeseburger on top of bottom bun, top with bacon and top with other glazed bun half. Repeat for remaining donut burgers. Top with additional ingredients if desired. (See blog post for more ideas.)

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1burger | Calories: 748kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 62g | Saturated Fat: 28g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 22g | Trans Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 173mg | Sodium: 1142mg | Potassium: 487mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 558IU | Calcium: 253mg | Iron: 3mg

Jalapeno Sausage Gravy

This jalapeno sausage gravy, or spicy sawmill gravy, can be made using chorizo or regular ground sausage for the perfect hint of heat over these easy biscuits, or country-fried steak! It’s a spicy spin on a classic white gravy recipe.

If you love the idea of using chorizo but are not a fan of jalapenos, then you may love this chorizo gravy recipe version! Dip breakfast pigs in a blanket in this gravy, or pour over breakfast potatoes for an amazing breakfast!

jalapeno sausage gravy

On a cool fall morning or winter morning, there’s nothing better than a warm breakfast casserole or a hot plate of gravy and biscuits with a side of air fried bacon! But when you can kick things up a notch from regular gravy, by making something like this jalapeno chorizo gravy… I highly recommend it!

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Ingredients

When making regular sawmill gravy, using flour, meat drippings and milk are key. So we’ll start by using the basic ingredients as when making sawmill gravy, yet adding a few special other touches to give it the “heat” this spicy sausage gravy needs!

  • ground pork chorizo sausage or regular pork breakfast sausage 
  • diced jalapeno, canned or fresh jalapeño pepper
  • all purpose flour
  • milk
  • cumin
  • garlic powder
  • salt

Substitutions

  • If you’d like to substitute chorizo for regular pork sausage, you definitely can! You can even use uncooked sausage patties if you like! Just break them up! (If they’re fully cooked sausage patties, this will not produce the drippings that will be great in this recipe. So you may want to also add bacon fat or butter!)
  • Have bacon fat (bacon grease) too? Go ahead and add that in with sausage drippings for extra flavor!
  • If you’d like, you can use unsalted butter or salted butter (or even spicy butter) with the drippings, but it’s not required.
  • Not a fan of jalapenos? Try using green chilies or green onions instead!
  • Don’t have whole milk on hand? You can use 2% or skim if that’s what you have… just know that the consistency of the gravy COULD be a little more thin.

See recipe card down below for measurements and instructions!

Instructions

When making sawmill gravy, cooking your sausage first, will allow drippings to gather in the skillet (or cast iron) which will come in handy for the gravy — so keep those drippings!

  1. Begin by adding jalapenos and chorizo (or sausage) to a large skillet and cook on low heat for at least 10 minutes or until the sausage has reached 170 degrees. (You want it fully cooked before adding flour and milk.)
  2. Once chorizo has cooked for a minimum of 10 minutes, add in the all purpose flour. Using a whisk or wooden spoon, mix together the flour, sausage and jalapenos. Cook for at least 2 minutes – under cooking the flour can result in a gravy that tastes like flour.
chorizo and jalapenos in cast iron pan
Chorizo sausage and jalapenos
adding flour to sausage
Adding flour to sausage
  1. Pour in the milk, and using your whisk or spoon, mix all together while trying to scrape up any meat/flour bits that are sticking to the pan. Trust me… this is where the goodness comes from. Turn the the heat up to medium heat.
mixing flour in with chorizo
mixing in flour with sausage
add milk in to sausage and flour
adding milk in to sausage and flour
  1. Next, add in cumin, garlic powder and salt. Whisk to combine.
Chorizo and jalapeno gravy
Jalapeno and Sausage Gravy
  1. Increase heat to medium-high heat, whisking frequently to avoid the gravy sticking and burning to the bottom of the pan. Do this until gravy has thickened! Turn off heat/remove from heat once it has thickened. (If gravy has not thickened after 5-10 minutes, see tips below!)
Jalapeno Sausage Gravy

What to Serve with this Gravy

You can pour this gravy over breakfast biscuits or even kick things up a notch and pour some over these cheddar biscuits! Then, cook breakfast sausage in the oven for some protein in the morning!

Jalapeno Sausage Gravy

You may want to consider switching out regular gravy for this jalapeno gravy in this biscuit and gravy casserole!

Equipment

I’ve found that I’ve had the best luck with making gravy in my cast-iron skillet. Although it’s not required, it makes a beautiful gravy each time due to the nature of the pan, compared to using a non-stick skillet.

Storage

If you have leftover breakfast gravy, you can store it (once cooled) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. When ready to use it, make sure to heat it enough to kill any bacteria that has formed while being stored.

Use leftover gravy to top buttermilk biscuits (try a jalapeño biscuit!) or an english muffin with, or to serve on top of your favorite breakfast steak and poached eggs!

FAQs and Expert Tips

  • If your gravy has not thickened after 5-10 minutes, you can try these two tips:
    • grab a small separate bowl, and spoon a ladle full of hot gravy in to the bowl, with another tablespoon of flour and stir until combined. Pour mixture from small bowl back in to skillet and whisk and continue cooking until gravy has thickened.
    • whisk together two teaspoons of cornstarch and two teaspoons of water in a separate small bowl. Pour mixture from small bowl in to the skillet and whisk and continue cooking until gravy has thickened.
Why does my gravy taste like flour?

If your gravy tastes like flour it’s because the flour didn’t cook long enough. When adding the flour, it’s best to let the flour “turn” colors just a bit before adding the milk. But when cooking with chorizo, it can be hard to see the change in color so cooking it for a couple of minutes on low should work!

Why is gravy lumpy?

If your gravy is lumpy it could be because flour was adding to the milk instead of milk adding to the flour. Or, the gravy could have been whisked more while cooking. Sometimes when gravy sits, without being stirred, the gravy can stick to the pan, causing lumps when stirred. Or, keep in mind if using jalapenos or sauage in your gravy, it will be lumpy due to those ingredients and it may not be lumps due to flour.

What can I add to gravy to give it more flavor?

In this jalapeno chorizo gravy, it will definitely have flavor… especially with the addition of cumin and garlic powder. However you can also add your other favorite seasonings if desired, like: seasoned salt, black pepper, fresh sage, small onion, garlic salt, red pepper flakes, chili powder, white pepper, etc.

If you love breakfast as much as we do, then you’ll also love these breakfast and brunch favorites: Hash Brown Patties in the Air Fryer, Mini Waffle Breakfast Sandwiches, and the BEST Homemade pancakes from scratch!

Recipe

Jalapeno Sausage Gravy
Print Pin
5 from 5 votes

Jalapeno Sausage Gravy

This jalapeno sausage gravy, or spicy sawmill gravy, can be made using chorizo or regular ground sausage for the perfect hint of heat over biscuits, or country fried steak!
Course Breakfast, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Mexican
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 143kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 3 ounces ground pork chorizo sausage If using pork sausage instead, you can use 8 oz. or desired amount. Chorizo is SPICY so we cut back on the chorizo more than regular sausage.
  • ½ teaspoon diced canned jalapenos or fresh – can be adjusted for spicier or not as spicy
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour *heaping tablespoons
  • 2 ½ cups milk whole preferred but other will work
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt more/less depending on preference – table salt can be used as well

Instructions

  • Cook chorizo and jalapeños in a skillet (preferably a cast-iron if you have it) over low heat for 10 minutes or until the sausage reaches a minimum temperature of 170 F. If using regular pork sausage, cook over low heat for about 10 minutes or until the sausage has turned a gray/brown, with no pink showing. Do not drain.
  • Add flour to sausage and jalapeno mixture. Whisk together, scraping the cooked bits of chorizo and jalapeños up from the cast-iron.
  • Add milk to flour and meat mixture, whisk together. Turn the heat up to medium heat.
  • Next, add in cumin, garlic powder and salt.
  • Whisk together and turn burner to high and let bubble until thickened. Turn heat down to low or "off" and serve.

Notes

The spice level in this recipe is kid-friendly if they like a little heat but if you like a lot of heat, add more jalapeños by the half teaspoon until your desired heat preference! Serve over biscuits, chicken fried steak, or with your favorite dish!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 143kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 971mg | Potassium: 216mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 368IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 180mg | Iron: 1mg

Free Place Card Template: “Welcome” & “Thankful For”

Free Place Card Template: “Welcome,” and Thanksgiving Place Cards that are perfect for the holidays!

I’m more than excited to share a little goodness with you to help make entertaining in your home this year a bit easier! We entertain a lot in our home, and I’m always looking for ways to make a dinner party of 2, or a holiday party of 200, a little more personable.

Fall Dining Room Decorating Ideas

More Thanksgiving and Entertaining Ideas

If you’re hosting, some of our favorite hosting stapes are this side salad, fruit punch recipe, this easy bread pudding, and this Thanksgiving meal planner!

Free Place Card Template

Now listen… I hear ya on the “money-saving,” techniques that we all try to accomplish during party planning and hosting. So that’s why we wanted to create something that could be created in your own home, at the last minute, and could be personalized for your guests.

Customizable Name Cards. Free Printable!

• Do you have a printer?  Perfect. You can just open it up in Adobe Reader, select the center, and type in a name. Print it on white card stock, kraft-colored card stock, or whatever your little heart desires. (I personally think the kraft card stock looks so classy and really “pops,” on white cloth napkins.) 

• Cut out the name card (napkin ring), and secure it around a cloth napkin.

• Place silverware in under the name card, and you’re good to go!

TIP: To change the font of the name that you enter, on a MAC, select inside the box, and push “command E” and a box should pop up, allowing you to change the font.

On a PC, “Control E,” should do the same.

Customizable Name Cards. Free Printable!

Does your silverware need some spiffing up before the holiday? Here’s how to remove rust from silverware!

How to Secure the Name Card:

I had a little bit of time, so I decided that I wanted to punch a hole in each end of the name card, pull ribbon through the holes, creating a bow in the back (or bottom side) of the napkin.

Customizable Name Cards. Free Printable!

If you’re pressed for time, you could easily tape the back, or staple it! Quick and Easy.

Also, if you have kiddos, you'll also love this Cute Thanksgiving Turkey Craft that they can make and place on the place setting, and make these Oreo turkey cookies while you’re at it!

Holiday Place Setting

If you’re planning to use these for Christmas, try adding an evergreen stem, and a few red berries, to really make it all “pop,” with color!

So CUTE! DIY Holiday Place Card FREE customizable printable!

I literally just placed the stem and berries inside the place card holder. You could tape them, glue them, etc. if you felt like you needed to secure them more!

 If you're planning to use these for Christmas, try adding an evergreen stem, and a few red berries, to really make it all "pop," with color!

 If you're planning to use these for Christmas, try adding an evergreen stem, and a few red berries, to really make it all "pop," with color!

Customizable Name Cards. Free Printable!

Customizable Name Cards. Free Printable!

For Thanksgiving, or for a “thankful,” occasion, here’s a  “thankful for,” place card, that you can customize and use for your dinner party! 

Customizable Name Cards. Free Printable!
Customizable Name Cards. Free Printable!

I can’t WAIT to see how you’ve used these name cards. Make sure to send me a photo! 🙂

Get YOUR PRINTABLE PLACE CARDS BELOW:

—–> Get the Thanksgiving and Welcome Name Cards HERE!

To Enter the Name of your Guests:

The link above will open into a new browser. Make sure you then save the place cards to your computer so you have the ability to type in the names.

If Using a Phone:

Note that if you’re wanting to access these printables with your phone, your phone may not allow you to save them and type in your guest’s names.

However, you can select the link to save the place cards above and print them from your phone. Then, you’d be able to handwrite in the name of your guests.

TIP: Email them from your phone to yourself, or to a friend to save them on a computer later so you can customize and enter the names later!

Customizable Name Cards. Free Printable!

How to Cook Turkey Bacon in the Oven

An easy way to cook turkey bacon in the oven! Bake it until floppy or crispy to get the perfect bacon, just the way you like it! Top a baked turkey burger, serve it alongside these pancakes from scratch or eat it just the way it is!

Quick Overview: Bake at 400° F: – See post for tips on how to make this the BEST!

For crispy bacon – 18 to 20 minutes (flipping half way)

For floppy bacon – 10 to 12 minutes (flipping half way)

turkey bacon cooked in the oven on baking sheet

Now honestly, I’m an air fryer bacon girl at heart. However baking bacon in the oven is just as easy and some even feel it’s the best way to cook bacon!

When it comes to turkey bacon, even though it is different than regular bacon (pork), cooking it in the oven is delicious but you’ll want to watch it differently than you do pork bacon.

I’ll share all the tips in the post to make this healthy option the very best!

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Why You’ll Love This

  • Turkey bacon has fewer calories than traditional bacon (pork bacon)
  • You can have a sheet pan of bacon in minutes if cooking for a large crowd, especially on busy mornings
  • I’ve broken down cooking times for you, so you can make this bacon recipe according to your taste preference!

Ingredients

Brand of Turkey Bacon: If using turkey bacon like Butterball turkey bacon (below), you can see that it’s smoked and cured. Some think it’s ok to eat this like it is… but it’s best to cook this bacon for the times recommended in the recipe card below for best results.

Other brands like, Applegate turkey bacon that is uncured bacon, definitely needs to be cooked before consuming.

Butterball Turkey Bacon in Package

You’ll Need

  • The amount of oven baked turkey bacon that you want to cook
  • A rimmed cookie sheet (or baking sheet) large enough to hold the amount of bacon, without the slices overlapping
  • Parchment paper to cover baking sheet
  • Paper towel – to place the cooked bacon on after pulling out of the oven

Step by Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit
  2. Begin by covering your sheet pan with parchment paper. This will help make it an easy cleanup.
  3. Next, line the bacon strips on to the pan, in a single layer, making sure there is no overlap.
    (Some use a baking rack to cook bacon in the oven to help the juices drip down while cooking. You can definitely do this but I don’t mind doing it without. It’s just less sheet pans to clean.)
Turkey bacon on parchment paper on baking sheet
  1. Place bacon in preheated oven and set a timer for a cook time of 10 minutes.
    What you see below is my turkey bacon slices, cooked for 10 minutes. You can either remove them at this point for a floppy bacon or keep cooking for a crispy turkey bacon.

    If you’re wanting crispier bacon, flip the bacon at the 10-minute mark and bake for an additional few minutes, watching to see it reach the level of crispiness that you prefer.

    NOTE: it may be crispier than it looks! Pulling a piece out and trying a taste-test — careful HOT! — is my best tip. Because once it cools, it becomes crispier than it looks.)
baking turkey bacon in oven
  1. Once the pieces of bacon have reached the perfect turkey bacon, texture or crispiness, you can pull it out of the oven.
  2. Place strips of turkey bacon on a plate that is covered with paper towels and serve!

Crispy vs. Floppy Turkey Bacon

As you can see in the images below, the crispy bacon on the left was cooked in a 400° oven for 18 minutes.

In the photo on the right, the bacon was pulled out of the oven only after 10 minutes.

Crispy turkey bacon in the oven.
Crispy turkey bacon
Floppy turkey bacon in the oven
Floppy turkey bacon

FAQs and Tips

  • Remember, turkey bacon is more of a thin cut than some thicker cut, regular pork bacon slices, so it can cook in less time.
  • You can also cook turkey bacon in the microwave oven, in a frying pan or even have air fryer turkey bacon.
  • Slices of turkey bacon can be a healthy alternative to pork belly slices.
  • Sprinkle black pepper on top of slices of bacon before baking for some extra flavor

Storage

Store leftover turkey bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.

Recipes for Turkey Bacon

If you’re looking for new ways to use your turkey bacon, you’ll love enjoying it by itself, on a tuna salad sandwich, on a breakfast sandwich like this brioche bacon and egg sandwich, in these bacon egg rolls, on these cute mini waffle breakfast sandwiches, or in a healthy broccoli salad!

What to Serve Turkey Bacon With:

If you’re looking for more breakfast recipes to serve along with this bacon, then you’ll love this biscuits and gravy casserole!

More Oven-Baked Recipes

If you love oven-baked recipes, then you’re really going to love these baked cheeseburgers, pork steaks, and chicken legs in the oven!

Recipe

Turkey bacon that was baked in the oven.
Print Pin
5 from 5 votes

How to Cook Turkey Bacon in the Oven

An easy way to cook turkey bacon in the oven! Bake it until floppy or crispy to get the perfect bacon, just the way you like it! Top a baked turkey burger, serve it alongside these pancakes from scratch or eat it just the way it is!
Course Breakfast, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free, Low Fat
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 14 minutes
Servings 24 slices
Calories 25kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Equipment

  • oven

Ingredients

  • 24 slices turkey bacon
  • black pepper if desired

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°
  • Line rimmed cookie sheet (large enough to hold all of the bacon you wish to cook) with parchment paper, in a single layer.
  • Place bacon in oven and set a timer for 10 minutes.

For floppy turkey bacon slices

  • Remove turkey bacon from oven. Using tongs, place turkey bacon slices on a plate that is covered in paper towels to soak up any bacon grease. Enjoy!

For crispier bacon slices

  • Carefully slide out oven rack and flip slices over (using tongs), and slide rack back in to bake longer, cooking an additional 5 minutes or so until desired crispiness has been reached.
  • NOTE: Watch bacon slices carefully, to make sure they do not overcook and burn. Also, bacon will be crispier than it looks while baking in the oven. You may want to pull a piece out to test it before deciding to cook longer.

Notes

FAQ’s and Tips
  • Remember, turkey bacon is more of a thin cut than some thicker cut, regular pork bacon slices, so it can cook in less time.
  • You can also cook turkey bacon in the microwave oven, in a frying pan or even have air fryer turkey bacon.
  • Slices of turkey bacon can be a healthy alternative to pork belly slices.
  • Sprinkle black pepper on top of slices of bacon before baking for some extra flavor
Storage
Store leftover turkey bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 25kcal | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 135mg | Potassium: 55mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta: A comforting baked dish casserole recipe that’s an easy dinner idea to make with everyday ingredients that the whole family will love on a busy weeknight!

Using ingredients like crispy bacon, chicken breasts, and creamy ranch dressing, makes this a delicious pasta recipe, the ultimate comfort food in only 30 minutes. Ready for this in sandwich form too? This chicken bacon ranch sandwich recipe and these crack chicken sandwiches are other amazing easy dinners.

Spoonful of chicken bacon ranch pasta

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You all… I had NO idea how much you were going to love the bacon ranch pasta salad recipe.

I mean, I don’t blame you. When you combine ranch and bacon with ANYTHING, it’s going to be amazing… but adding it to pasta (carbs) is the ultimate combination.

So when realizing how much you loved it, (and this cream cheese pasta) I knew it was time to add a warm bacon and ranch pasta to the mix, and even a little chicken to make it a bit hearty to classify it as a main dish.

The chicken-bacon-ranch pairing can also be stuffed into slider rolls as an appetizer or lunch.

Easy Ingredients

If this is your first time here, I must tell you that we LOVE easy recipes that use everyday ingredients. This recipe is no different. It uses:

Ingredients for chicken bacon ranch pasta recipe

Use Chopped Bacon – How to Bake Bacon (if desired)

If you don’t already have cooked bacon, you’ll want to cook the bacon before baking this pasta dish, and since you’ll need the oven hot anyway, it’s easy to place the bacon in a cool oven on a baking sheet.

Bake at 425˚ until bacon is crisp. Then lower the heat of the oven to 350˚ so it’s ready to bake the pasta. (Or, you can cook bacon in the air fryer if you prefer.)

Cook bacon in the oven and cool off to chop

After the bacon has cooled a bit, go ahead and chop in to bacon pieces and set aside.

Chopped bacon on a cutting board

What Kind of Chicken to Use

You can absolutely use any kind of chicken that you want to for this recipe but make sure it’s cooked chicken before mixing it with the other ingredients and before baking. Some suggestions are:

  • chicken breast
  • rotisserie chicken
  • leftover chicken

What Kind of Pasta to Use

Penne is LOVELY for this recipe, but feel free to use your favorite short pastas or whatever you have on hand.

Farfalle or bowtie pasta is another favorite that we have here, and it looks super pretty if you’re feeding a crowd.

Cook pasta according to package directions, (usually al dente) drain and pour cooked pasta into a large bowl with the chicken, alfredo sauce and ranch dressing and mix gently until combined.

Pouring penne in to a stockpot to boil

Step by Step Directions

  • To finish off this easy chicken bacon ranch pasta, pour mixture into a greased 9×13 in. baking dish and evenly spread it out.
  • To add some depth to this dish, add ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese along with the mozzarella for some added cheesy “oomph”.
Pasta in a baking dish with cheddar cheese

Bacon and Bake

Sprinkle the chopped bacon on top, cover with aluminum foil, and bake at 350˚ for 10 minutes.

Sprinkled bacon on top of chicken bacon ranch pasta in baking dish

Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.

Fresh herbs sprinkled on top of bacon chicken ranch pasta

Now you have an easy recipe for dinner tonight, that the entire family will love!

Garnish Ideas

Garnish with fresh parsley if you wish, but it’s not required.

We also love topping this with parmesan cheese and adding green onions – or you can even add broccoli, similar to my chicken and broccoli alfredo recipe.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta in White Bowl

Substitutions

If you want to mix things up or if you’re out of some of the ingredients for this recipe, it’s really easy to substitute items! For instance:

  • Use monterey jack cheese
  • Add cream cheese (like in our cream cheese pasta recipe) or sour cream and ranch dressing mix
  • Store bought bacon bits instead of cooking bacon
  • Whole wheat pasta
  • Use crab meat instead of chicken, like we did in this crab casserole recipe.

How to Bake a Freezer Pasta Meal:

Do you love making pasta dishes as a freezer meal? Whip up this chicken bacon ranch alfredo pasta recipe and instead of baking, cover with aluminum foil (or however you prep your freezer meals) and place in the freezer.

Now I’ve yet to try this myself with this recipe, so I’m assuming that this should work just as great as the other freezer pasta meals. So if you try this, I’d LOVE to hear how it did for you and what worked.

Thaw in the fridge (may take up to 48 hours) or thaw in the microwave on defrost setting. Bake at 350 degrees according to instructions.

If cooking frozen, bake for 60 minutes at 350˚ (time may vary, so check it after 30-45 minutes depending on your oven – mine cooks super fast and hot- with foil on. Then remove foil and bake another 10 minutes to brown the cheese.

How to Store

If you have leftovers of this delicious pasta dish, you can store it in an airtight container and in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Simply reheat in the microwave or place back in the oven on 350° until heated through.

What to Serve with Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

If you’re looking for a delicious side dish, some of our favorite recipes to serve with this easy pasta recipe, are this side salad, garlic bread and this focaccia bread!

More Pasta Recipes

Pasta recipes are sort of our “thing” around here. They’re easy and most use everyday ingredients that we usually have on hand. So you’re also going to love this ham casserole, cheeseburger macaroni in the Instant Pot, and this creamy chicken and noodles recipe! Or keep frozen ravioli in the freezer to make this ravioli bake when you’re not sure what to make for dinner.

Or, one of our recent favorites to have for dinner, is this garlic parmesan linguine.

You’ll Also Love:

If you love the combination of these flavors, then you’re really going to love this grilled cheese with chicken, Chicken Bacon Ranch Crescent Bites, and these Chicken Casserole Recipes!

Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

Recipe

scoop of chicken bacon ranch pasta
Print Pin
5 from 3 votes

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta: A comforting baked dish casserole recipe that's easy to make with everyday ingredients that the whole family will love on a busy weeknight!
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 816kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 1 lb penne pasta or favorite pasta, cooked al dente
  • 2 cups cooked shredded or diced chicken rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken for ease!
  • 15 oz jar alfredo pasta sauce we like Bertolli
  • ½ cup ranch dressing
  • 8 slices cooked bacon chopped
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese
  • 3 tablespoon fresh parsley optional
  • green onions if desired

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9×13 pan.
  • Cook penne pasta according to directions and drain.
  • In a large mixing bowl, pour in the pasta, chicken, alfredo sauce and ranch dressing and mix gently until combined.
  • Pour mixture into baking pan and top with the cooked chopped bacon and cheeses. 
  • Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 10 minutes. Remove cover and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. 
  • Garnish with fresh parsley and green onions if desired, and serve. 

Notes

Substitutions
If you want to mix things up or if you’re out of some of the ingredients for this recipe, it’s really easy to substitute items! For instance:
  • Use monterey jack cheese
  • Add cream cheese or sour cream and ranch dressing mix
  • Store bought bacon bits instead of cooking bacon
  • Whole wheat pasta
Freezer Pasta Meal
Do you love making pasta dishes as a freezer meal? Whip up this recipe and instead of baking, cover with aluminum foil (or however you prep your freezer meals) and place in the freezer.
Now I’ve yet to try this myself with this recipe, so I’m assuming that this should work just as great as the other freezer pasta meals. So if you try this, I’d LOVE to hear how it did for you and what worked.
How to Bake a Freezer Pasta Meal:
Thaw in the fridge (may take up to 48 hours) or thaw in the microwave on defrost setting. Bake at 350 degrees according to instructions.
If cooking frozen, bake for 60 minutes at 350˚ (time may vary, so check it after 30-45 minutes depending on your oven – mine cooks super fast and hot- with foil on. Then remove foil and bake another 10 minutes to brown the cheese.
How to Store
If you have leftovers of this delicious pasta dish, you can store it in an airtight container and in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Simply reheat in the microwave or place back in the oven on 350° until heated through.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 816kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 48g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 125mg | Sodium: 1200mg | Potassium: 321mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 545IU | Vitamin C: 3.5mg | Calcium: 283mg | Iron: 1.7mg

More Easy Recipes

For more everyday recipes, browse and “pin” your favorites in our easy recipes!

Juicy Chicken Drumsticks in the Oven

This chicken drumsticks in the oven recipe is not only easy but is full of flavor, baked in only 30 minutes, and uses simple ingredients!

The butter, garlic, and parmesan cheese are what make up the crispy skin, and the oven baked method them gives them a juicy center that makes them the best, like the top-favorite chicken legs in the air fryer! Or, if you’re a fan of slow cooking, you can make chicken drumsticks in the slow cooker, and then boiling chicken legs can be a super easy way to cook the chicken.

Chicken Drumsticks Baked in the Oven on white plate

Why You’ll Love These Baked Chicken Legs

Chicken legs or drumsticks can be a very affordable protein to grab at the grocery store so they make a great family weeknight dinner or even an main course to make when hosting a crowd!

Plus, the crispy outside is achieved without using breadcrumbs. However, if you loved breadcrumbs on chicken, these baked chicken cutlets are definitely something to try!

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Ingredients

Just a few simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand, is all you need to make this perfect chicken recipe, easy!

See the full recipe card with ingredients amounts and directions, all in one place!

  • chicken legs (drumsticks)
  • grated parmesan cheese
  • butter
  • garlic powder
  • salt
  • black pepper
Ingredients for Chicken Drumsticks in Oven

Step by Step Directions for Chicken Drumsticks in Oven

  1. First, preheat your oven temperature to 400° F degree oven (this high temperature will help give the chicken a golden brown color) and cover a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
    (Aluminum foil will work too if that’s what you have on hand.)
  2. While the oven is preheating, melt the butter in a small dish, yet big enough to coat a chicken leg with the “batter” that you’re currently preparing.
  3. Once the butter has melted, add in the parmesan cheese, garlic powder and salt and pepper. (Image on left, below.)
  4. Mix together the butter mixture until evenly combined. (Image on the right, below.)
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Drumsticks Batter
Butter, parmesan, garlic, salt, pepper
Mixed batter for chicken drumsticks
Ingredients mixed together
  1. Take one chicken leg and dip it in to the butter mixture.
Dip raw chicken drumstick in garlic parmesan butter
  1. Fully coat the chicken leg with the butter batter.
Fully cover chicken leg with garlic butter batter
  1. Place fully coated chicken legs on to a rimmed baking sheet or sheet pan, in a single layer, making sure they don’t touch one another.

    (The size of the baking sheet that you use will depend on how many chicken legs you’re making. You can make a LARGE batch of these at once, which is great for a crowd but just make sure to double or triple the ingredients for the amount of chicken you’ll be cooking.)
Cover all chicken drumsticks with butter garlic parmesan coating
  1. Bake the drumsticks in the oven for a cook time of 30 minutes or until the internal temp (checked with a meat thermometer) reaches 165° and it has that crispy chicken skin.
  1. Optional: If desired, remove chicken drumsticks from baking sheet with tongs, and transfer to a baking rack on top of another baking sheet, to allow juices to drip before serving.
Baked chicken drumsticks in oven

FAQ’s and Expert Tips:

How long does it take for drumsticks to cook in the oven?

At 400° F, it takes about 30 minutes for the chicken drumsticks to cook through and become a golden brown color.

Do you cover drumsticks in the oven?

You can but we don’t and they turn out beautiful, juicy, and just like you see in the photos!

Do you need to flip drumsticks in the oven?

You can but it’s not necessary! If you’re hanging around in the kitchen while cooking, you can flip them about halfway through but I like the set it and forget it method and they turn out beautiful every time.

Why are chicken legs cheap?

They seem cheap because there’s less meat on a chicken leg than there is, say, a chicken breast. So when planning to feed a crowd, make sure to plan on feed a few per person!

What to Serve with Chicken Drumsticks

This easy recipe has become a family favorite for the whole family, on busy weeknights, even for my picky eater! We love serving these chicken drumsticks with easy side dishes like this bacon ranch pasta salad or this side salad recipe!

Plus, sometimes we love keeping things simple and serving canned green beans or just popping some french fries in the air fryer, or even these convection oven baked potatoes!

Low Carb Oven Baked Chicken Legs

What I love so much about this chicken drumsticks recipe, is that if you’re eating low carb, these drumsticks are giving the flavor and crunch of fried chicken but it is much healthier!

You may prefer to use minced garlic and your own shredded/grated parmesan cheese if it will cut down on the carbohydrates even more.

Serve them with this cauliflower potato salad for the ultimate low-carb meal!

Chicken drumsticks in oven

Variation: BBQ Chicken Legs

Chicken recipes can be super versatile. So if you prefer baked bbq chicken drumsticks, you can do this instead of the garlic parmesan chicken legs I’ve shared with you, for another simple recipe.

However, instead of coating the chicken legs with bbq sauce before baking, I like to bake them for about 15 minutes first and then coat in bbq sauce, and finish baking for the remaining 15 minutes.

This way, the bbq sauce doesn’t burn and baking the drumsticks in sauce, gives it that sticky texture that is SO good.

Storage

To store leftover chicken legs, store in an airtight container or plastic zip-top bag, in the refrigerator, for up to 3-4 days.

How to Reheat

My favorite way to reheat meats like these chicken drumsticks, is by using my air fryer! It gives them that extra crispy skin that they had when they were first baked!

Pop them in your air fryer for about 5 minutes (could vary for different air fryers) until heated through!

Or, if you don’t have an air fryer, you can easily put these in the microwave for a few moments or even back in the oven at 350°, for a few minutes until they’re heated through.

Whether you just want to add another chicken recipe to your dinner planner or you love oven-baked recipes, you’re sure to love these too:

Chicken Recipes

We LOVE chicken recipes around here, so we know you’ll also love chicken wings in the air fryer, our easy fried chicken, and these healthier chicken bites!

Oven Baked Recipes

Make sure to see the 80+ easy dinner recipes to add to your meal planner!

Recipe

Chicken Drumsticks in the Oven
Print Pin
4.94 from 15 votes

Juicy Chicken Drumsticks in the Oven

This chicken drumsticks in the oven recipe is not only easy but is full of flavor, baked in the oven in only 30 minutes, and uses simple ingredients!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 3
Calories 1431kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 6 chicken legs you can use more if desired (double or triple the recipe with the easy to figure buttons above.)

Garlic Butter Batter

  • 1 stick salted butter 8 tablespoons
  • 1.5 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 dash black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°
  • Cover a rimmed baking sheet (large enough to hold 6 — or however many chicken drumsticks you're cooking) with parchment paper. You can also use aluminum foil if that's all you have.
  • In a small, shallow dish, melt the stick of butter.
  • Once butter is melted, add in the parmesan cheese, garlic powder and salt and pepper.
  • Stir until evenly mixed.
  • Take one chicken leg at a time and dip in the butter and seasoning mixture, making sure each leg is fully coated in the butter batter.
  • Place coated chicken drumsticks on the lined baking sheet, in a single layer, making sure the drumsticks not touching one another.
  • Bake in the 400° oven for 30 minutes or until internal temperature is 165° and the skin has a golden brown, crispy texture.
  • Optional: If desired, remove chicken drumsticks from baking sheet with tons, and transfer to a baking rack on top of another baking sheet, to allow juices to drip before serving.

Video

Notes

You can easily double or triple this recipe…
If you purchased a package of chicken drumsticks, in an 8 pack or larger, feel free to follow this recipe with the same instructions, only adjusting the batter mixture accordingly. (Easily double/triple this recipe by selecting the “2x” or “3x” buttons in the recipe, above the ingredients.)
How long does it take for drumsticks to cook in the oven?
At 400° F, it takes about 30 minutes for the chicken drumsticks to cook through and become a golden brown color.
Do you cover drumsticks in the oven?
You can but we don’t and they turn out beautiful, juicy, and just like you see in the photos! 
Do you need to flip drumsticks in the oven?
You can but it’s not necessary! If you’re hanging around in the kitchen while cooking, you can flip them about halfway through but I like the set it and forget it method and they turn out beautiful every time.

Nutrition

Serving: 2legs | Calories: 1431kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 83g | Fat: 119g | Saturated Fat: 56g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 39g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 487mg | Sodium: 2986mg | Potassium: 810mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2357IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 878mg | Iron: 3mg

The BEST Grilled Beef Tenderloin and Rub Recipe

This easy beef tenderloin recipe is coated in an amazing rub and is then grilled to perfection!

Using common pantry ingredients like thyme, rosemary, paprika, salt, and pepper… it creates a rub recipe that is perfect for grilling and provides TONS of flavor, not too dissimilar to this recipe for grilled pork chops.

Grilled Beef Tenderloin
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I need to thank the creator… the man the myth the legend… Mr. Braxton, for allowing me to share the rub recipe with you all. Without a doubt, this is the BEST Meat rub recipe AND Beef Tenderloin Recipe, we have ever used and I know you’ll love it too!

If you love tenderloin recipes, don’t miss the roasted pork tenderloin and the fried deer tenderloin recipes!

We put this spice rub blend on just about every type of meat that we bake in the oven, smoke in the smoker, or grill on the grill! Especially on recipes like smoked chicken tenders, steak cooked in the oven, and have even been known to cook pork steaks in the oven with it! It really adds to the flavor of the meat!

Rub on Beef Tenderloin

First, I’ll share the rub recipe with you, and then you can also see the grilled beef tenderloin recipe in the recipe card below!

The following amount covers a 4-5 lb tenderloin.

  • ¼ cup dried Thyme 
  • 3 Tablespoons Paprika 
  • ¼ cup dried Rosemary
  • ½ tablespoon Kosher Salt (table salt is fine too) 
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper

(Easily reduce, double, triple, and quadruple, the batch as needed)

Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Rub

Why is Beef Tenderloin so Good?

If you REALLY want to impress the heck out of your guests or have a special occasion to celebrate, like a holiday meal, cooking a beef tenderloin as a main course is an amazing choice.

It’s a cut of beef that is incredibly tender and is usually one of the most popular cuts of meat that gives amazing flavor!

It is an expensive cut of meat so we don’t have it TOO often but it’s definitely a great choice when entertaining or for holidays like Christmas!

And personally, we think grilling a tenderloin is the best way to cook it!

Sliced beef tenderloin on white platter

How to Cook Beef Tenderloin on the Frill

First, if you’re picking up a good beef tenderloin from the butcher, ask if they can cut the silver skin off for you.

Or, if you’re buying a whole tenderloin, pre-packaged from the grocery story, it’s best to cut off the silver skin and any extra fat it may have on it, before rubbing the spice blend on. See full recipe card at the bottom of this post for easy-to-read instructions!

  1. Preheat grill to 450 degrees
  2. For best results, allow the whole beef tenderloin to come to room temperature (but not a must, if you don’t have the time) before you cook tenderloin.
  3. Rub all sides of the beef tenderloin with the spice rub recipe that I shared above.
  4. Sear the tenderloin over that direct, high temperature on the grill for 15 minutes. This will help give it even more flavor and char and help seal in the juices.
  5. Lower grill temp to 325-350, (we shut two burners off, and leave the other two on) and grill for another 45 minutes over indirect heat.
  6. Pull the tenderloin off of the grill when the internal temperature reaches between 120 and 125 degrees Fahrenheit when checked with a meat thermometer.
  7. Remove from grill and let tenderloin rest, wrapped in aluminum foil for 10-15 minutes, and serve. (On a cutting board, slice in to small pieces and place on a platter to make it easier to serve a crowd!)
  8. This cooking process will result in a "medium-rare" cooked beef tenderloin and we feel like it’s the perfect temperature for tenderloin!
  9. Note: the thickest part of the tenderloin ends up being a medium-rare finish, and the outside edges, a medium temperature.
Sliced pieces of grilled beef tenderloin

What to Serve with Beef Tenderloin

If you’re cooking for a crowd, make sure you check out my other easy recipes so you don’t have to stand in the kitchen all day! Or since the grill is already heated up, these grilled seasoned vegetables will be easy to cook alongside the tenderloin.

But our favorite side dishes to have with beef tenderloin are this side salad recipe, this easy green bean casserole, and this cold pasta salad when we’re having a summer cookout!

Beef Tenderloin Sliced on White plate

More Tenderloin Recipes

Being huge fans of any kind of meat, especially tenderloin, I want to make sure you also know about this baked pork tenderloin recipe that has amazing flavor and rave reviews!

But if you’re also a hunter or have venison in the freezer, make sure to check out our deer steak recipes, especially how we fry deer tenderloin and grill venison steaks (or tenderloin) with this deer marinade!

If you tried this recipe, I’d LOVE to hear and would always love a star review so you can help others decide if this recipe is great too!

Recipe

Beef Tenderloin Recipe
Print Pin
3.80 from 156 votes

The BEST Beef Tenderloin

Beef Tenderloin Recipe: This easy recipe causes our guests to come running when they hear what's on the grill. Using an incredible "rub," this beef tenderloin will be the hero of your table!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 631kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 4-5 pound beef tenderloin with the silver cut off

Beef Tenderloin Spice Rub:

  • ¼ cup dried thyme
  • 3 Tablespoons paprika
  • ¼ cup dried rosemary
  • ½ Tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat grill to 450 degrees
  • Rub all sides of the beef tenderloin with the Braxton Rub Spice Blend
  • Sear the tenderloin over direct heat on the grill for 15 minutes
  • Lower grill temp to 325-350, (we shut two burners off, and leave the other two on) and grill for another 45 minutes over indirect heat.
  • Pull the tenderloin off of the grill when the internal temperature reaches between 120 and 125 degrees fahrenheit.
  • Remove from grill and let sit, wrapped in aluminum foil for 10-15 minutes, and serve.
  • This will result in a “medium-rare” cooked beef tenderloin
  • This cooking time and process gives us thick middle parts that are medium rare, and the outside edges, a medium.

Notes

  1. On a cutting board, slice in to small pieces and place on a platter to make it easier to serve a crowd!
  2. This cooking process will result in a "medium-rare" cooked beef tenderloin and we feel like it’s the perfect temperature for tenderloin!
  3. Note: the thickest part of the tenderloin ends up being a medium-rare finish, and the outside edges, a medium temperature.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (about ½ pound of meat) | Calories: 631kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 158mg | Sodium: 549mg | Potassium: 756mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 1315IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 6.1mg

Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls

Two ways to make and enjoy air fryer cinnamon rolls! See how to make canned Pillsbury cinnamon rolls in the air fryer and also how to make homemade cinnamon rolls from scratch!

Quick Overview:

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch – 8 minutes at 350°

Canned Cinnamon Rolls – 7 minutes at 375° F

See the full recipe card at the end of this post for instructions for both methods.
Plus, see the full post for tips for each type of cinnamon rolls for your recipe success!

Cinnamon rolls that were made in the air fryer

Whether it’s the summer heat making you want to use the air fryer instead of heating up the whole oven, or you just love using your air fryer for all of your favorite recipes, you’ll love making cinnamon rolls this way!

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While you’re in the kitchen, you’ll also want to consider making this classic coffee cake recipe that’s full of cinnamon flavor or these air fryer apple fritters!

How to Make Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls in the Air Fryer

If you’ve purchased storebought canned cinnamon rolls, like Pillsbury brand (other brands will work too!), it’s really easy to cook them in the air fryer!

  1. Open the can of raw cinnamon rolls
Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls uncooked
  1. Preheat air fryer to 375°
  2. Separate the rolls and pllace them in your air fryer basket. (Image below.)
  3. Cook for 7 minutes.
raw pillsbury cinnamon rolls in air fryer basket
Uncooked Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls in Air Fryer Basket
Cooked canned cinnamon rolls in air fryer basket
Cooked Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls in Air Fryer Basket
  1. To make clean-up a breeze, transfer cooked cinnamon rolls to a plate or baking dish before pouring frosting on the tops.
  2. Warm up the frosting that’s provided in the canned cinnamon rolls (usually the packet of frosting can be warmed by placing it in warm water for a few minutes, or you can pour frosting out of packcaging in to a different container and microwave for only a few seconds.)
  3. Pour over your cooked cinnamon rolls. Serve!

Caution: Hot!

Place cooked cinnamon rolls on separate dish
Place Cooked Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls in Separate Dish
Pour melted icing on top of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls
Pour warm icing over the top of Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls

In only a few minutes you can have delicious canned cinnamon rolls in the air fryer!

(We have a double batch here, seen below!)

Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls Cooked in Air Fryer
Frosted cooked cinnamon rolls in a separate dish (This is so icing doesn’t get in air fryer basket.)

How to Make Canned Cinnamon Rolls Better

Although they’re usually delicious all by themselves, there are ways to take them to the next level if desired. For instance:

  • Add mini chocolate chips before cooking
  • Drizzle chocolate syrup, caramel syrup, butterscotch, marshmallow cream or your favorite sweet sauce!
  • Sprinkle with nuts after frosting cinnamon buns
  • Top with raisins, dried cranberries or your favorite dried fruit
Air Fryer Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls
Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls Cooked in Air Fryer

What are the best canned cinnamon rolls?

According to Spoon University, the 5 best brands of cinnamon rolls are:

  1. Rhodes Anytime Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting
  2. Immaculate Bakery Organic Cinnamon Rolls
  3. Annie’s Organic Cinnamon Rolls
  4. Pillsbury Grands Flaky Original Cinnamon Rolls with Icing
  5. Trader Joe’s Jumbo Cinnamon Rolls with Vanilla Icing
Storebought pillsbury cinnamon rolls air fryer

How to Make Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch

Cinnamon rolls in the air fryer are a quick and easy way to cook the sweet buns, especially the canned version.
However, when you have the time to make homemade cinnamon rolls, you’ll LOVE this recipe and it may just become a new favorite breakfast treat!

If you prefer a gluten-free recipe, you’ll love these gluten-free cinnamon rolls!

Ingredients

With only a few ingredients that you probably already have on hand, you can have air fryer cinnamon rolls from scratch, in no time! Here’s what you need:

air fryer cinnamon rolls ingredients
  • 2 ¼ cups warm milk
  • 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 5 cups white flour
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 ½ cups brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Full recipe card at the end of this post!

Instructions for Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Not only does this recipe use simple ingredients but it has simple instructions too!

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the milk, yeast, oil, white sugar, and salt. Whisk gently until the ingredients are combined and allow to sit for 5 minutes.
  1. Slowly add in the flour while stirring with a wooden spoon or stand mixer.
Milk, yeast, oil, sugar, salt
cinnamon roll ingredients mixed in bowl
Slowly add in flour
  1. Continue stirring until the flour is mixed evenly with the rest of the ingredients.
Mix together until evenly combined
Flour added in and mixed evenly with the milk, yeast, oil, white sugar, and salt.
  1. Turn your mixture out onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for 5-10 minutes, or until the dough is elastic.
  2. Place the dough back in the mixing bowl and cover with saran wrap. Allow the dough to rise for 30 minutes.
Turn out on to floured surface
Turn dough on to surface and knead
Place dough back in bowl to let rise
Place back in bowl to rise
  1. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a long rectangular sheet about ¼ inch thick. Before you begin preparing your filling, preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F for 5 minutes.
  2. Prepare the filling by melting the butter and combining it with the brown sugar and cinnamon. Spread the filling over the sheet of dough and use a spoon to make sure it is spread evenly.
Roll out in to rectangular sheet
Roll out dough in a rectangular shape
spread filling over dough
Spread filling on top of dough
  1. Roll the dough into a long tube and cut into even pieces.
Roll cinnamon rolls in to tube shape and slice
  1. Place as many rolls as will fit in your air fryer basket and cook for 8 minutes at 350 F.
Cooked Air fryer cinnamon rolls
  1. For easy clean-up, transfer the cooked cinnamon rolls to a baking dish or plate before adding on the frosting.
Cooked air fryer cinnamon rolls in white dish
  1. Top the cinnamon rolls with your favorite cream cheese frosting (or our cream cheese frosting recipe, seen below) right after they come out of the air fryer. Allow to cool for 3-5 minutes, serve, and enjoy!
Brush frosting on cinnamon rolls

Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe for Cinnamon Rolls

Feel free to use your favorite store-bought cream cheese frosting, or quickly and easily make this delicious frosting recipe of ours…

Frosting Ingredients:

  • 8 oz. block of cream cheese (softened)
  • 2 cups of powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Frosting Instructions:

  1. In a small bowl, mix together all three ingredients with a mixer until evenly combined.
  2. Spread over warm cinnamon rolls.
Cooked air fryer cinnamon rolls
How do you keep cinnamon rolls from getting hard?

Store any leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container, making sure air cannot get to them to dry them out and make them hard.

Can cinnamon rolls sit out on the counter?

They can if they do not have a cream cheese frosting. If frosted with cream cheese frosting, they will need to be refrigerated to maintain safe consumption.

How to reheat leftover cinnamon rolls

Place back in the air fryer for just a couple of minutes until heated through. Or, you can place them in the microwave on a microwave-safe plate, in 10-15 second increments until heated through.

air fryer cinnamon rolls on white plate

How long are cinnamon rolls good?

If storing cinnamon rolls in the refrigerator, they can stay fresh for up to one week!

If they’re made without cream cheese frosting (or with a frosting that doesn’t require refrigeration) you can store them on the counter, in an airtight container, but the lifespan is shorter, and are only good for 2-3 days.

Cinnamon rolls with white frosting

What to Serve With Cinnamon Rolls

If you love using your air fryer for breakfast, then you’ll also love seeing how we make bacon in the air fryer, air fryer hash brown patties from frozen, and air fryer breakfast potatoes, to serve along with these for an entire meal made in one small appliance!

🍳 More Breakfast Recipes

If you love cinnamon rolls as much as we do, you’ll also want to make this mini cinnamon rolls recipe. But if you love easy breakfast recipes, then I think you’ll also love these:

Recipe

Air fryer cooked cinnamon roll on a wooden spatula.
Print Pin
5 from 3 votes

Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls

Two ways to make and enjoy air fryer cinnamon rolls! See how to make canned Pillsbury cinnamon rolls in the air fryer and also how to make homemade cinnamon rolls from scratch!
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 7 minutes
Servings 8 cinnamon rolls
Calories 140kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Equipment

  • air fryer

Ingredients

Canned Cinnamon Rolls (Pillsbury)

  • 1 can cinnamon rolls

Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch

  • 2 ¼ cups warm milk
  • 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 5 cups white flour
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 ½ cups brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

Canned Cinnamon Rolls

  • Preheat air fryer to 375 F.
  • Place one full package of cinnamon rolls in your air fryer. Cook the cinnamon rolls for 7 minutes at 375 F. D
  • If desired, warm included frosting slightly, and then drizzle the frosting over the cinnamon rolls and allow to cool before serving.

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the 2 ¼ cups of milk, 2 tablespoons of yeast, 2 tablespoons of oil, 2 tablespoons white sugar, and 2 teaspoons of salt. Whisk gently until the ingredients are combined and allow to sit for 5 minutes.
  • Slowly add in the 5 cups of flour while stirring with a wooden spoon or stand mixer. Continue stirring until the flour is homogenous with the rest of the ingredients.
  • Turn your mixture out onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for 5-10 minutes, or until the dough is elastic.
  • Place the dough back in the mixing bowl and cover with saran wrap. Allow the dough to rise for 30 minutes.
  • Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a long rectangular sheet about ¼ inch thick.
  • Before you begin preparing your filling, preheat the air fryer to 375 F for 5 minutes.
  • Prepare the filling by melting the 6 tablespoons of butter and combining it with the 1 ½ cups brown sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon. Spread the filling over the sheet of dough and use a spoon to make sure it is spread evenly.
  • Roll the dough into a long tube and cut into even pieces.
  • Place as many rolls as will fit in your air fryer basket and cook for 8 minutes at 350 F.
  • Top the cinnamon rolls with your favorite cream cheese frosting (recipe below if needed) right after they come out of the air fryer, allow to cool for 3-5 minutes, serve, and enjoy!

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Combine 8 oz. cream cheese, 2 cups powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla in a bowl and mix together until evenly mixed.

Notes

How do you keep cinnamon rolls from getting hard?
Store any leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container, making sure air cannot get to them to dry them out and make them hard.
Can cinnamon rolls sit out on the counter?
They can if they do not have a cream cheese frosting. If frosted with cream cheese frosting, they will need to be refrigerated to maintain safe consumption.
How to reheat cinnamon rolls?
Place back in the air fryer for just a couple of minutes until heated through. Or, you can place them in the microwave on a microwave-safe plate, in 10-15 second increments until heated through.
How long are cinnamon rolls good?
If storing cinnamon rolls in the refrigerator, they can stay fresh for up to one week!
If they’re made without cream cheese frosting (or with a frosting that doesn’t require refrigeration) you can store them on the counter, in an airtight container, but the lifespan is shorter, and are only good for 2-3 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1roll | Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4.5g | Saturated Fat: 2.5g | Sodium: 340mg | Sugar: 9g | Iron: 0.9mg

If you love this recipe then you’ll also love these delicious and easy breakfast recipes.

Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer

How to cook frozen sweet potato fries in the air fryer, so they’re crispy and hot and ready for an easy side dish or easy appetizer, in minutes!

Quick Overview: 400° F for 10 minutes for cooked-through, crispy fries.
Keep reading for more tips!

Cooked frozen sweet potato fries in air fryer

NOTE: It’s important to note that brands of frozen sweet potato fries and air fryers can vary.
However this is a guide that should give you the same result that we had (which was a deliciously crispy sweet potato fry, in MINUTES) or it may take one or two minutes less/more, depending on the thickness of your fries and the cook power of your air fryer.

It’s always best to watch the first time making something new, carefully, so you can get to know your air fryer best.

What I Used:

I used Alexia brand, frozen sweet potato fries and my Chefman air fryer (the egg-shaped, basket type of air fryer).

After making air fryer breakfast potatoes, air fryer tater tots and frozen hash browns in my air fryer, I had a pretty good idea at what these sweet potato fries were going to take.

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Ingredients

Although you can add other ingredients to sweet potato fries, we kept things simple and only used the frozen sweet potato fries themselves.

However, you can add salt, pepper, parmesan cheese, and even a little olive oil if you like but it’s not required – and could possibly even become too soggy if used.

Bag of frozen sweet potato fries
Bag of frozen sweet potato fries

Instructions

Begin by placing as many frozen sweet potato fries in your air fryer basket, or tray, that you’ll be serving

NOTE: Most air fryers recommend NOT using non-stick spray in the air fryer baskets or trays due to the fact that it can eat away at the non-stick lining that it may have.

However, if your air fryer does not have a non-stick coating, it may be best to use non-stick spray or LIGHTLY coat the fries with olive oil so they do not stick while cooking.

Frozen sweet potato fries in air fryer basket

It’s best not to let fries overlap so they cook evenly. However, when cooking the whole 20 oz. bag of Alexia sweet potato fries, they all cooked just fine, even overlapping as shown above.

How Long to Cook Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in Air Fryer:

Cook in 400 degree air fryer for 10 minutes.

Tip: I didn’t preheat my air fryer to save even more time, and this worked just fine. You can preheat yours if you prefer but the cook time may reduce by a couple of minutes. Watch carefully.

Cooked sweet potato fries in the air fryer basket
Cooked sweet potato fries in the air fryer basket

HINT: If fries are overlapping, you can shake the basket or gently use a spatula to toss the fries at the halfway point, to ensure that the fries are cooked evenly.

Side of sauce to go with sweet potato fries
Serve sweet potato fries with sauces – See post for sauce ideas

Serve warm!

You may want to leave the fries in the air fryer, with the power “off” to stay warm if dinner isn’t ready yet! Just be careful not to let them burn if your air fryer is too hot. Sometimes I’ll even pull the basket out a little and leave a small crack so they stay warm but don’t burn.

Or, if making another air fryer recipe for main course or a lunch idea, you can place these in a separate container and keep in the oven on “warm” until everything else is ready.

Sweet Potato Fries Dipping Sauce Ideas

To me, there is nothing better than serving a delicious sauce with fries. But since sweet potato fries are a bit different than regular french fries or even seasoned potato wedges recipe, I wanted to share some favorite sauce recommendations for dipping:

Garnishes

If you’re serving sweet potato fries as an appetizer for a party, adding a small garnish can really make sweet potato fries look amazing! Garnishes such as:

  • finely chopped parsley
  • grated or shredded parmesan cheese
  • marshmallow creme drizzle
  • cinnamon and sugar

Storage

If there are leftover sweet potato fries, store in an air-tight container or zip-top plastic bag, in the refrigerator.

Reheating Leftover Sweet Potato Fries

To reheat, simply use the air fryer at 400°, for about 5 minutes. Just enough to warm through. (Remember, they’re no longer frozen so cooking them for 10 minutes in not necessary and may overcook them.)

Top Tip

Always keep a bag or two of frozen sweet potato fries in the freezer for last minute guests, forgotten meal planning, or just for a quick, 10-minute midnight snack idea!

What to Serve with Sweet Potato Fries

If you’ll be serving these as a side dish, here are our favorite main dishes that pair with sweet potato fries:

Love making different kinds of fries in the air fryer? Then you’ll also love these waffle fries in the air fryer!

More Air Fryer Side Dish Recipes You’ll Love:

Recipe

Cooked frozen sweet potato fries in the air fryer
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in the Air Fryer

How to cook frozen sweet potato fries in the air fryer, so they're crispy and hot and ready for an easy side dish or appetizer, in minutes!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 0 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 81kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Equipment

  • air fryer

Ingredients

  • 20 oz. frozen sweet potato fries I used Alexia brand – but any will do!
  • salt and pepper if desired

Instructions

  • Place frozen sweet potato fries in air fryer basket, spreading them out, trying not to overlap them — although some overlap is ok. (See tips in blog post!)
  • Cook fries at 400° for 10 minutes or until fries reach desired crispiness.

Notes

Sweet Potato Fries Dipping Sauce Ideas
To me, there is nothing better than serving a delicious sauce with fries. But since sweet potato fries are a bit different than regular french fries or even potato wedges, I wanted to share some favorite sauce recommendations for dipping:
Garnishes
If you’re serving sweet potato fries as an appetizer for a party, adding a small garnish can really make sweet potato fries look amazing! Garnishes such as:
  • finely chopped parsley
  • grated or shredded parmesan cheese
  • marshmallow creme drizzle
  • cinnamon and sugar
Storage
If there are leftover sweet potato fries, store them in an air-tight container or ziptop plastic bag, in the refrigerator.
To reheat, simply use the air fryer at 400°, for about 5 minutes. Just enough to warm through. (Remember, they’re no longer frozen so cooking them for 10 minutes in not necessary and may overcook them.)

Nutrition

Serving: 5oz. | Calories: 81kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 52mg | Potassium: 318mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 13406IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg

Instant Pot Turkey Breast

This instant pot turkey breast recipe with gravy is a delicious alternative for a whole turkey, for Thanksgiving dinner, or any time of year, and it has a cook time of only 40 minutes!

Instant Pot Turkey Breast on plate with garnishes

After sharing this delicious air fryer turkey breast recipe with you, I wanted to provide you with how to cook turkey in an Instant Pot (or pressure cooker) too!
Both cooking styles use different ingredients and have about the same cooking time, so it just depends on which appliance you have and want to use!

During Thanksgiving, turkey tends to be the main course of choice. However, cooking a whole turkey can be intimidating, and not to mention, way too much food for a small gathering.

So instead of, say, a roasted creole turkey, a turkey breast can be the best way to make the popular dish, without a ton of leftovers, and can be a lot easier to cook!

Grab my free Thanksgiving meal planner to help you plan side dishes, easy appetizers, delicious desserts, and drink recipe ideas too!

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Ingredients

Ingredients for turkey breast in pressure cooker
Ingredients for Turkey Breast and Gravy in the Instant Pot

What I love most about this recipe is that it uses simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand!

See the full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for amounts and quantities.

  • Turkey breast (bone-in preferred but can use boneless turkey breast – a bone-in can create a more juicy turkey breast than a boneless breast)
  • Olive oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Sage
  • Garlic powder
  • Chicken broth (You can also make my homemade chicken broth recipe.)
  • Salted butter
  • Flour
  • Cream

Step by Step Instructions

You can find the step-by-step instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. However, I’m also sharing tips and photos to walk you through the cooking process, below:

  1. Mix the salt, pepper, sage, garlic powder, and oil in a small bowl, and mix together until evenly combined.
Mixed spices in bowl for turkey.
Spices and oil, mixed together
  1. Rub the spice and oil mixture all over the turkey breast, fully coating it, using a brush if you have one, or your hands.
Spice and herb and oil mixture rubbed all over turkey.
Spice rubbed turkey breast
  1. Place 1 cup of chicken broth into the Instant Pot (or electric pressure cooker).
  2. Place the trivet into the instant pot.
Pouring chicken broth in to Instant Pot.
Pour chicken broth in to Instant Pot
  1. Place the seasoned turkey breast onto the trivet, skin side up.
  2. Set the instant pot to cook for 40 minutes on high pressure.  Then natural release the pressure.
Turkey breast in Instant Pot.
Fully cooked turkey breast in Instant Pot
  1. Remove the turkey from the pot and cover with tin foil until ready to serve.  (The internal temperature of turkey breast, checked with a meat thermometer, inserted in the thickest part of the breast – should be 165°.)

    If you would like the turkey skin to be a crispier skin, turn the oven on low broil.  Place the turkey on a baking sheet and broil until the skin is crispy and golden.  Watch constantly as it can change very quickly.  
Cooked turkey breast in Instant Pot
Fully cooked turkey breast in Instant Pot

How to Make Turkey Gravy with Drippings

If you prefer to make a delicious gravy using the turkey drippings, it’s really easy to do. (You can also use a gravy packet if you have one on hand and don’t want to do the extra steps for gravy.)

  1. Next, if desired, you can make the gravy.  Turn on the saute function of the instant pot.  Add butter to the liquid in the instant pot. Stir until melted. 
Butter being added to turkey breast juices.
Add butter to turkey juices for gravy
  1. Gradually add flour while whisking constantly.  Cook for 3-5 minutes. 
Adding flour to juices for turkey gravy.
Gradually whisk flour in to juices
  1. Stir in the cream.  (If there are lumps, an immersion blender works well.) Turn off the heat.  Whisk occasionally, until desired thickness. (It should continue to thicken in the residual heat.)
Pouring heavy cream in to turkey juices.
Pour heavy cream in to juices

You may pour the gravy over the turkey breast or serve it on the side.

Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Turkey breast on a platter with rosemary and cranberries

What do you Put Around a Turkey?

If entertaining or hosting a party, placing the turkey breast on a platter surrounded by fresh herbs like rosemary, and also using cranberries, is an easy way to really make the turkey stand out for a turkey dinner!

Isn’t that pressure cooker turkey breast perfect for a small Thanksgiving? That golden brown color is hard to beat!

Turkey breast cooked on platter with garnish
Garnished turkey breast with rosemary and cranberries

Sliced Turkey

If you prefer, and to make things easier around the table, slicing the turkey breast before serving is ideal! Slice turkey breast in to about 1-inch thick, slices and feel free to sprinkle on a few more herbs and spices if desired.

Sliced turkey breast on table with gravy
Sliced turkey breast with gravy

Pressure cooking can create the juiciest turkey breast and is by far a favorite way to make tender turkey breast.

Can you cook Instant Pot turkey breast from frozen?

Yes! You will need to increase the cooking time to 50 minutes if cooking a frozen turkey breast.  Or, if you prefer, you can thaw the turkey breast in the fridge overnight and cook as directed in the recipe.  

Substitutions

  • Can I use butter on the turkey instead of oil?  Yes!  You may either melt the butter or just make sure it is well softened.  
  • You can substitute the sage for poultry seasoning if desired. Use 1 teaspoon of poultry seasoning in place of the sage.

Expert Tips

How long does it take per pound to cook a turkey breast in the Instant Pot?

For best results, it’s recommended to cook a turkey in the Instant Pot for 5-6 minutes per pound.

Can I use sliced turkey breast for sandwiches?

Absolutely. Cooking a turkey breast in the Instant pot works great for a dinner, to use for sandwiches or even cut up for salads.

Should I use a bone-in or boneless turkey breast?

You can use either but bone-in turkey breast tends to be juicier. Keep in mind that boneless turkey breasts will cook faster than bone-in.

Seasoned turkey breast on plate
Beautiful sliced turkey breast

What to Serve with Turkey Breast

If you love gravy served on turkey, you’ll love this Thanksgiving gravy recipe!

If you’re making turkey breast as a Thanksgiving turkey, then you’ll love serving it with this green bean casserole! Or, if serving it for a casual easy dinner, then you will love serving with this side salad or this garlic roasted broccoli. Or, serving cranberry sauce is always a staple side dish that pairs well!

How to Store Leftover Turkey Breast

If you have leftover turkey, store it in an air-tight container for 3-4 days. Or, freeze in a freezer-safe bag or container and store in the freezer for 2-3 months.

For leftover gravy, you can store it in an airtight container for 3-4 days as well.

Ways to Use Leftover Turkey Breast

If you’re looking for different ways to use leftover turkey breast, here are easy recipes that turkey can easily be added to:

If you loved this easy recipe, then you’ll love these easy Instant Pot recipes. Instant Pot Chicken and Potatoes, Chicken Thighs in the Instant Pot, and this Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings are comfort food made easy!

You’ll especially love spreading this Instant Pot Raspberry Jam on your favorite roll recipe during the holidays!

Recipe

sliced Instant Pot turkey breast on a white plate with side dishes surrounding
Print Pin
5 from 4 votes

Instant Pot Turkey Breast

This instant pot turkey breast recipe with gravy is a delicious alternative for a whole turkey, for Thanksgiving dinner, or any time of year, and it has a cook time of only 40 minutes!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Pressurizing Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4 people
Calories 835kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Equipment

  • Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

Turkey Breast

  • 6 pound turkey breast (6-7 pounds will work) thawed | Bone-in preferred but boneless will work!
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons pepper
  • 2 teaspoons sage ground or rubbed (can also use poultry seasoning in place of this)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup chicken broth

Gravy Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons salted butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream

Garnish (optional)

  • cranberries
  • rosemary sprigs

Instructions

  • Mix the oil, salt, pepper, sage, and garlic powder in a small bowl and mix together evenly.
  • Rub the oil and spice mixture evenly over the turkey breast.
  • Place 1 cup of chicken broth into the Instant Pot.
  • Place the trivet into the instant pot and then place the seasoned turkey breast onto the trivet, skin side up.
  • Set the Instant Pot to cook for 40 minutes on high power. 
  • Once the 40 minutes is up, allow the pressure to release naturally.
  • Remove the turkey from the pot and cover with tin foil until ready to serve.  Or, if you would like the turkey skin to brown more and be crispy, turn the oven on low broil.  Place the turkey on a baking sheet and broil until the skin is crispy and golden.  Watch constantly as it can change very quickly.  

Gravy Instructions:

  • Turn on the saute function of the Instant Pot.
  • Add butter to the liquid that was leftover from the turkey, in the instant pot. Stir until melted. 
  • Gradually add flour while whisking constantly.  Cook for 3-5 minutes.
  • Stir in the heavy cream.  (If there are lumps, an immersion blender works well.)
  • Turn off the heat.  Whisk occasionally, until desired thickness. (It should continue to thicken in the residual heat.)
  • You may pour the gravy over the turkey breast or serve it on the side.

Notes

Can I cook a turkey breast in the Instant Pot from frozen?
Yes! You will need to increase the cooking time to 50 minutes.  Or, if you prefer, you can thaw the turkey breast in the fridge overnight and cook as directed in the recipe.  
How long does it take per pound to cook a turkey breast in the Instant Pot? For best results, it’s recommended to cook a turkey in the Instant Pot for 5-6 minutes per pound.
Can I use sliced turkey breast for sandwiches? Absolutely. Cooking a turkey breast in the Instant pot works great for a dinner, to use for sandwiches or even cut up for salads.
Should I use a bone-in or boneless turkey breast? You can use either but bone-in turkey breast tends to be juicier. Keep in mind that boneless turkey breasts will cook faster than bone-in.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 835kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 148g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 388mg | Sodium: 2832mg | Potassium: 1729mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 373IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 116mg | Iron: 4mg

Beef and Cheese Burritos

Beef and Cheese Burritos: An easy recipe using ground beef, canned cheddar cheese, and salsa to make the best burritos at home! Ready in minutes!

Beef and cheese burrito

This is by far one of the easiest main course on the blog, and is even perfect if the craving for Mexican hits, and you don’t have the items on hand to make these chicken street tacos!

Let me fill you in on a little “weeknight meal,” secret that I have.

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Beef and Cheese Burritos

I’ll never forget the day my mom made these for the first time, when I was a kid. I ran to the stove, (super hungry, dying to know what we were having for dinner) I looked in the pan, looked up at her, and kinda “snarled” my nose and asked what it was. She said,

Oh Jess, this is a new recipe I’m trying. I think it will taste better than it looks.

My mom never lied to me, so I knew I should give it a try.

I’m SOOOO glad I did. I make this quite often, now that I have a family of my own.

How to Make This Easy Burrito Recipe:

This is a great recipe for a quick, weeknight meal when you don’t have anything planned on the menu and you probably already have the ingredients on hand! It’s a 30-minutes or less dinner recipe that you’ll want to add to your meal plan for sure. Or see these easy ground beef dinner recipes so you can meal plan!

What do you put in a burrito?

For a classic burrito, you’ll want ground beef and cheese and seasonings like a taco seasoning packet. However, some burritos also include beans, and of course any preferred toppings.

But for this recipe, you only need 4 ingredients to create the BEST burrito that’s great for lunch or even a busy weeknight.

Ingredients:

It only takes 4 ingredients (plus any additional toppings you want) to make these cheesy burritos!

Ingredients for Beef and Cheese Burritos
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 10-ounce can cheddar cheese soup undiluted (see notes)
  • ½ cup salsa
  • flour tortillas
  • taco seasoning, optional

What kind of cheese goes on a burrito?

First, the kind of cheese that makes this burrito recipe really good, is the cheddar cheese soup that you can find in a can. It’s already a creamy texture that heats right up and gives the burrito the classic flavor that you’re looking for. DO NOT add water to the soup!

Can you add additional cheese as toppings? Absolutely… but the canned cheddar cheese is definitely enough “cheese” flavor so additional is not necessary.

What kind of salsa to use for burritos?

You can use your favorite kind of salsa for this recipe but I’d recommend a red salsa like we used here, instead of a green, Verde type of salsa.

But it can be “chunky”, “restaurant-style” or any type/brand that you prefer! I’d just make sure it’s a flavorful salsa, instead of a bland type… because using salsa in this recipe replaces the “seasoning” that you may need for other burrito recipes!

Step by Step Instructions

  1. First, brown 1 lb. of ground beef and cook until done.
  2. When beef is fully cooked, drain the grease if needed.
  3. Return the beef to the pan, and add your cheddar cheese soup and stir until well blended. (Image below.)
Ground beef and cheddar cheese soup in pan
  1. Next, add in your ½ cup of salsa (and taco seasoning if desired) and stir until blended.
Add salsa in to ground beef and cheddar cheese soup
  1. Let the burrito mixture simmer for a couple of minutes to let the cheese and salsa cook into the beef and heat through.
Beef and Cheese Salsa Burrito Filling
  1. Spoon meat and cheese filling down the center of a warmed tortilla, and load that baby up with your desired toppings, and you’re golden.
Place beef and cheese burrito filling on tortilla

Our boys prefer the burritos without toppings and just this cheesy beef mixture and I’m not going to lie… sometimes for a quick snack or lunch, I’ll just do this too and it’s perfect!

Beef and Cheese Burrito

Burrito Topping Ideas

If you need topping ideas for your burritos, these are our favorites! They’re very similar to the taco toppings I recommend too!

Beefy Cheese Burrito with toppings

This literally takes only about 10 minutes to make and our kids LOVE them!

What to Serve with Burritos

If you’re looking for side dishes for burritos, this taco layer dip, side salad, and this authentic Mexican rice are all delicious with it!

How Store Leftover Burritos

If you have leftover burritos, you can store the burrito meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Store the tortillas separately and build burritos only before serving/eating.

If you love quick and easy dinner recipes like this one, then you’re also going to love this Frito Chili Pie, Dorito Chicken Casserole, and Mozzarella Wraps.

Then, if you happen to have leftover burrito meat, you can see our favorite ways to use leftover taco meat, because they’re VERY similar!

Serve this Mexican flan as dessert, to keep the theme going!

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube! Share a photo of your recipe and use the hashtag #Fantabulosity so I can find it and follow along!

Recipe

Beef and Cheese Burritos on plate.
Print Pin
4.73 from 18 votes

Beef and Cheese Burritos

Beef and Cheese Burritos: An easy recipe using ground beef, canned cheddar cheese soup, and salsa to make the best burritos at home!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Mexican
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 387kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 10 ounce can cheddar cheese soup undiluted (see notes)
  • ½ cup salsa
  • flour tortillas
  • package of taco seasoning if desired, optional for more flavor

Instructions

  • In a medium skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat and then drain.
  • Add in the can of cheddar cheese soup, and salsa (and taco seasoning if desired).
  • Stir and let cook 1-2 minutes
  • Serve on tortilla and top with additional desired toppings

Notes

Can of cheddar cheese soup calls for 1 can of soup plus 1 can of water. Do not add water for this recipe!
Topping Suggestions:

Nutrition

Serving: 1burrito | Calories: 387kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 512mg | Potassium: 444mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 155IU | Vitamin C: 0.6mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 3.3mg

Fruit Salad with Cool Whip

Fruit salad with Cool Whip is a quick, creamy dessert salad made with simple ingredients like canned fruit, marshmallows, and whipped topping. This easy recipe comes together in just minutes and is perfect for potlucks, holidays, or everyday snacking.

This old-fashioned fruit salad (often called ambrosia salad or fluff salad) is sweet, light, and always a crowd favorite. It's one of those recipes that shows up at gatherings and disappears fast.

Fruit Salad with Cool Whip

Looking for a dip to serve fruit with? This Cool Whip Fruit Dip may be more of what you’re looking for!

A 5-Minute Dessert That Always Shows Up at Potlucks

This is one of those recipes you can throw together at the last minute and still feel good bringing to the table. It's simple, nostalgic, and uses ingredients most people already have on hand.

The summer months tend to bring on a special occasion where you want to take a side dish or dessert recipe along with you! And things like BBQs, outdoor parties, birthday celebrations, church potlucks, and more, are usually events where guests are asked to bring their favorite recipes. I've made this for everything from summer BBQs to holiday dinners, and it's always one of the first dishes to go

This easy fruit salad (or dessert fluff or marshmallow fruit salad – whatever you want to call it!) would be the perfect fit for all of your easy recipe, “to-go”, needs, even for the holidays!

This recipe is in a close running for our family favorite Snicker Salad, honey lime fruit salad and Pistachio Salad for any family gathering, so I’ll let you decide which one is best!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fruit Salad with Cool Whip the same as Ambrosia Salad?

Yes! Although there are different variations, the two are very similar and commonly called both.

Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip for fruit salad?

You can! You can use any kind of plain whipped topping from the store or you can make your own. However the texture of the Cool Whip tends to be more airy and not as heavy, which is what makes this salad so light and fluffy.

Can I make fruit salad in advance?

Yes! If planning to take this to a party or gathering, it’s easy to make this a day in advance if desired. Just chill until ready to serve!

Is fruit salad with Cool Whip the same as ambrosia salad?

They're very similar. Both use fruit and a creamy base, although ambrosia often includes coconut and sometimes sour cream.

Can you make fruit salad with Cool Whip ahead of time?

Yes! It can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Do you drain the fruit?

Yes, most canned fruit should be drained so the salad doesn't become watery.

Ingredients

Although you can use all fresh fruits for this recipe, using some canned fruit is convenient, and much faster! (Save the fresh fruit for this fruit board with fruit dip!)

You can take out what you may not want and you can add in other fruits! It’s a flexible creamy fruit salad recipe so you can change things up as you prefer!

Ingredients for fruit salad with cool whip
  • Container of Cool Whip
  • jar Maraschino cherries
  • seedless green grapes
  • mini marshmallows
  • can mandarin oranges (we also use these in our Orange Fluff Salad)
  • can pineapple tidbits
  • Optional topping - shredded sweetened coconut flakes

See the full recipe card below for quantities and full instructions for this old-fashioned recipe.

Instructions

  1. Add the Cool Whip in to a large bowl.
Cool whip in bowl
  1. Next, add reserved Maraschino cherry juice, then fold gently until combined.
Cool whip and cherry juice in glass bowl.
Reserved maraschino cherry juice.
Cool Whip with cherry juice mixed, in glass mixing bowl.
Stir to combine cherry juice.
  1. Next, add in fruit and marshmallows.
Cherries added to Cool Whip mixture in mixing bowl.
Add Cherries
Remaining fruit and marshmallows added to mixing bowl.
Add in other ingredients.
Ingredients mixed together to make fruit salad with Cool Whip.
Stir to combine.

Once combined, you can serve right away, or refrigerate for later! For a fun and creative presentation, serve this fruit salad portioned into these waffle cones that have been dipped in chocolate.

Fruit Salad with Cool Whip

Substitutions

If there are ingredients or different fruit that you’d like to take out or add, you can do so very easily! Here are some other suggestions that we love!

  • fresh strawberries (or other fresh berries)
  • cream cheese
  • pudding mix (like the vanilla pudding mix we used in this apple dessert salad)
  • crushed pineapple instead of wedges
  • canned fruit cocktail (make sure to drain if already using cherry juice)
  • pineapple juice instead of cherry juice (but I LOVE the color the cherry juice gives this recipe!)
  • sour cream (for a more tart flavor – you may want to add some other sweetness to help offset the “sour”.)
  • cottage cheese (it adds a great texture to a salad like this)
  • whipped topping or homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip
  • vanilla yogurt
  • flavored mini marshmallows
Fruit Salad with Cool Whip on a spoon

Variations

Although this recipe is delicious without it, you can top it off with shredded sweetened coconut flakes for some added texture and flavor for summer!

Storage

If you have leftovers of this delicious fruit salad, you can store it in an airtight container or cover it with plastic wrap, and store in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Shredded coconut on top of fruit salad

If you love easy, no-bake desserts, you’ll also love this Oreo Pudding Dessert, peanut butter yogurt dip and this No Bake Peanut Butter Pie that are crowd-pleasers!

More Easy Dessert Salad Recipes

Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

Recipe

fruit salad in gray bowl
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5 from 33 votes

Fruit Salad with Cool Whip

This Fruit Salad with Cool Whip (or Ambrosia Salad) is not only an easy dessert but you can use canned fruits to create this dessert fluff salad in only 5 minutes!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 246kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces Cool Whip
  • 10 ounces maraschino cherries whole, reserve 3 tablespoons of juice, then drain
  • 1 cup seedless green grapes halved
  • 2 cups miniature marshmallows
  • 10.5 ounces can mandarin orange segments drained
  • 10 ounces can pineapple tidbits drained
  • ⅔ cup shredded sweetened coconut optional

Instructions

  • Add Cool Whip and reserved Maraschino cherry juice to a large mixing bowl, then fold gently until combined.
  • Add cherries, grapes, marshmallows, orange segments, and pineapple tidbits to the bowl.
  • Toss gently until well mixed and coated.
  • Add optional topping then serve or refrigerate!

Video

Notes

Is Fruit Salad with Cool Whip the same as Ambrosia Salad?
Yes! Although there are different variations, the two are very similar and commonly called both.
Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of cool whip?
You can! You can use any kind of plain whipped topping from the store or you can make your own. However the texture of the Cool Whip tends to be more airy and not as heavy, which is what makes this salad so light and fluffy.
Can I make fruit salad in advance?
Yes! If planning to take this to a party or gathering, it’s easy to make this a day in advance if desired. Just chill until ready to serve!
How do I store leftovers?
If you have leftovers of this delicious fruit salad, you can store it in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap for up to 3-days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 246kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 36mg | Potassium: 223mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 349IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 1mg

Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Cooking a turkey breast in the air fryer couldn’t get any easier! This juicy turkey breast is perfect for a busy weeknight or even a Thanksgiving meal!

With simple ingredients, such as butter, salt, pepper, olive oil, and fresh herbs, it results in a juicy center with flavorful crispy skin! Such a great way to enjoy turkey without the hassle of a full bird! You may also love to see how to make a turkey breast in the Instant Pot!

air fryer turkey breast on black plate with side dishes

It never fails, when cooking a whole baked turkey recipe, it leaves a ton of leftover turkey, leaving us trying to find ways to use up the rest in other recipes and feeling tired of turkey after a few days, and possibly wasting a lot of great juicy meat.

Although that’s absolutely ok, and using extra turkey to make things like turkey and noodles (instead of chicken and noodles) or turkey noodle soup recipe, is DELICIOUS… sometimes it’s nice to only have a smaller portion to cook.

This is where cooking a bone-in turkey breast comes in really handy. You can get the most delicious parts of the bird and not waste any!

Air Fryer Turkey Breast Recipe

If you have an air fryer, then you know that the cooking time can be a lot faster for your favorite recipes, without sacrificing flavor. Well this air fryer turkey recipe can also be cooked in less time and is the perfect way to cook it, without getting a dry turkey.

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Should I Use Bone-In or Boneless Turkey Breast?

When cooking turkey breast, the bone-in usually results in a more flavorful and more juicy bird. A boneless breast is easier for slicing or carving but can definitely be less flavorful.

So for this easy air fryer turkey breast, we recommend a bone-in.

Ingredients

All you need for this recipe is:

  • Turkey Breast (With Bones)
  • Olive Oil
  • Unsalted Butter
  • Salt
  • Black Pepper
  • Fresh Sage
  • Fresh Rosemary
  • Fresh Thyme
ingredients for cooking turkey breast in the air fryer
Ingredients

You can grab the full printable recipe card with instructions and ingredient quantities at the end of this post!

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.

Step 2: Remove any excess juices around the turkey and transfer to a baking tray or piece of parchment paper - somewhere that you can prep the turkey.

Turkey breast ready for spices and herbs
Place turkey on parchment paper to season and prep

Step 3: Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. (This is helpful for the spices and seasonings to stick to the turkey before and during the cooking process.)

Step 4: Use your hands to spread the butter just under the skin.

Step 5: Then, drizzle the olive oil all over the top of the turkey.

Step 6: Rub the top of the turkey skin with the salt & pepper. 

salt and pepper on turkey
Seasoned, buttered turkey breast

Step 7: Next, sprinkle the turkey breast with the chopped fresh herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme). Patting them down on the sides of the turkey breast, so, they stick.

fresh herbs on turkey breast ready for air fryer
Turkey breast with oils, spices and herbs – ready for cooking

Step 8: Place the turkey breast into the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes.

uncooked raw turkey breast in air fryer
Raw turkey breast in air fryer basket

Step 9: Flip the turkey over and reduce the temperature to 350 degrees cook for an additional 40 minutes.

You may flip the turkey once more during the last ten minutes if you feel the skin doesn't seem as crispy as you want. 

The turkey is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. 

Cooked turkey breast in the air fryer
Fully cooked air fryer turkey breast

Step 10: Remove from air fryer and make sure the turkey rests for 10 minutes before carving!

Air fried turkey breast cooked and on plate
Golden brown turkey breast

Top Tips

When it comes to turkeys I always suggest checking the temperature with a meat thermometer. (We love using this instant read thermometer.)

Make sure the thermometer is inserted in the middle of the breast meat & not touching any bone. 

Can I cook a frozen turkey breast in my air fryer?

You can, but it’s not really recommended. It will take a long time to cook and by the time the middle of the turkey is cooked to a safe temperature, it will create a very dry turkey breast. But it is possible.

How long does it take to cook a turkey breast in the air fryer?

For a 5-7 pound, bone-in turkey breast, it takes about 50 minutes to reach a safe, internal temperature of 165°.

Do I have to brine a turkey before cooking it?

It’s not mandatory, however placing the turkey in brine can help give it more tender meat, and make it more flavorful and keep it juicier. We use this chicken brine even for turkey breasts!

Turkey breast cooked in air fryer, carved
Juicy center of turkey breast

Substitutions

If you do not have fresh herbs on hand, you can use dried herbs if necessary, however, it really is better with the fresh.

You can also use spices such as poultry seasoning, garlic, etc. if you prefer those flavors!

Equipment

This recipe will work for any brand or size of air fryer! However, make sure the turkey breast you choose will fit into your air fryer.

Also, if you choose a very small turkey breast that fits in the Air Fryer basket use that. But if you have a larger turkey breast you can use the air fryer pot or base dish, placing the turkey directly in that! So depending on the size of your air fryer, it can be cooked in the basket or the base.

air fryer turkey breast on plate
Carved turkey breast with side dishes

How to Store Leftover Turkey

Although turkey breasts are usually smaller than a whole turkey, you may still have leftovers! If you do, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days after cooking.

What to Serve with Turkey Breast

This green bean casserole is a favorite to serve alongside a turkey breast! But a side salad and something as easy and healthy as this roasted broccoli is a perfect paring!

More Air Fryer Recipes

Love using the air fryer as much as we do? Then you’ll also love our other air fryer recipes, such as teriyaki chicken wings, garlic parmesan chicken legs, and burgers in the air fryer.

Recipe

Sliced turkey breast cooked in the air fryer.
Print Pin
5 from 4 votes

Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Cooking a turkey breast in the air fryer couldn't get any easier! This juicy turkey breast is perfect for a busy weeknight or even a Thanksgiving meal!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4 people
Calories 657kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Equipment

  • air fryer

Ingredients

  • 5-7 lb turkey breast bone-in
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • .5 teaspoon salt
  • .5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1.5 teaspoon fresh sage chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary chopped
  • 1.5 teaspoon fresh thyme chopped

Instructions

  • Preheat air fryer to 400°
  • Remove any excess juices around the turkey and transfer to a baking tray or piece of parchment paper - somewhere that you can prep the turkey.
  • Pat the whole outside of the turkey dry with paper towels – this allows the spices and herbs to stick to the turkey better.
  • Use your hands to spread the butter just under the skin, getting in all of the places you can, without ripping a hole in the skin.
  • Then, drizzle the olive oil all over the top of the turkey.
  • Rub the top of the turkey skin with the salt & pepper.
  • Next, sprinkle the turkey breast with the chopped fresh herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme). Patting them down so they stick.
  • Place the turkey breast into the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes.
  • Flip the turkey over and reduce the  temperature to 350 degreesand cook for an additional 40 minutes.
  • You may flip the turkey once more during the last ten minutes if you feel the skin doesn't seem as crispy as you want. 
  • The turkey is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. 
  • Remove from air fryer and allow to rest for 10 minutes before carving!

Notes

When it comes to turkeys I always suggest checking the temperature with a meat thermometer. (We love using this instant read thermometer.)
Make sure the thermometer is inserted in the middle of the breast meat & not touching any bone. 
Can I cook a frozen turkey breast in my air fryer?
You can, but it’s not really recommended. It will take a lot longer to cook and the outside may burn/dry out before the middle of the turkey is cooked but it is possible.
How long does it take to cook a turkey breast in the air fryer?
For a 5-7 pound, bone-in turkey breast, it takes about 50 minutes to reach a safe internal temp of 165°.
Do I have to brine a turkey before cooking it?
It’s not mandatory but it can help give it more tender meat inside and can give it more flavor. But this recipe is delicious even without it! If you do want to soak it in a brine, we love using this chicken brine recipe, even for turkey.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 657kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 122g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 321mg | Sodium: 1460mg | Potassium: 1388mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 340IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 3mg

Lemon Cake Mix Brownies

This lemon cake mix brownies recipe is made with a cake mix, and only a handful of other ingredients, creating an easy, gooey brownie dessert that lemon lovers adore!

lemon cake mix brownies

This recipe is inspired by the strawberry brownies that have gone viral on Facebook and being a lemon lover myself, I knew a lemon version of the brownies would be so good as well! If you prefer a less dense lemon brownie, then these lemon blondies may be what you want to make instead.

Quick Overview: Only 6 ingredients, and a prep time in as little as 5 minutes, you’ll have lemon brownies baked in 20 minutes and the optional glaze recipe! If you love making brownie recipes with cake mixes, then you’re also going to love these red velvet brownies!

Lemon is delicious any time of year but especially in the summer months! And with this summery dessert, you won’t be standing in front of a hot stove and it only has to be in the oven for 18-20 minutes! This lemon poke cake is another great summer recipe because when chilled, it gives a cool bite to your hot summer! Or, to try your hand at a classic, this lemon meringue pie recipe is one to make too!

A Dense, Ooey Gooey Brownie

If you’re looking for a cake-style brownie, this won’t be it! This brownie recipe has an ooey-gooey texture and is very dense and rich!

With a cake recipe, using a cake mix, most call for water, giving it more of an airy, cakey, texture. This recipe does not use water so it creates a thick, brownie batter.

If you prefer more of a cake-style, adding a little water may be for you but just keep in mind that it may change the bake time, and it may result in just making a lemon cake, instead of a lemon “brownie”.

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Lemon Brownie Ingredients

The first part of this recipe is for the brownie batter! All you need is:

  • lemon cake mix – Betty Crocker or Pillsbury have been my favorite. I’ve tried Dunkan Hines for this recipe and it didn’t turn out too great.
  • vegetable oil
  • eggs
  • vanilla extract
Lemon brownies ingredients

Lemon Glaze Ingredients

The second part of this recipe is for the optional (but highly recommended) lemon glaze! Here’s all you need for the glaze:

  • powdered sugar
  • fresh lemon juice
  • (milk is optional, to help thin it out if needed)
Lemon Glaze Ingredients

See the full, printable recipe card at the bottom of this post to get measurements and instructions!

Instructions

  1. Spray non-stick cooking spray on an 8×8 baking dish.

Gather all of your ingredients and a medium-sized mixing bowl.

lemon cake mix in bowl
  1. Pour the cake mix in to your mixing bowl.
Pouring vegetable oil in to cake mix
  1. Next, add in the vegetable oil
Add eggs in to cake mix
  1. Then the two eggs
Pour vanilla in to cake mix
  1. Finally, the vanilla extract
Mix cake mix with oil, eggs and vanilla
  1. Mix ingredients together until evenly combined. You should have a thick batter like shown in the image below.
texture of lemon brownie batter
  1. Press brownie batter in to baking dish, in an even layer, making sure the batter touches the sides.
Spread lemon brownie batter in to 8x8 baking dish
  1. Place baking dish in preheated oven and set timer for 18 minutes.
Mix together the lemon juice and powdered sugar
  1. While lemon brownies are baking, mix up the lemon glaze if desired. Mix together the powdered sugar and lemon juice and stir until evenly comined, creating a consistency similar to the image below.
    If glaze is too thick (you didn’t have enough lemon juice, you can add a teaspoon of milk until it reaches the consistency desired.)
Lemon glaze consistency
  1. Once brownies are finished baking, (they’re finished when you stick a toothpick in to the center and it comes out clean) remove from the oven and place baking dish on a cooling rack so the brownies can begin to cool.
baked lemon brownies
  1. Once the brownies have cooled (or at least have cooled off enough to where the brownies are just a tad warm still) pour glaze over the top and spread evenly over the brownies.
Lemon glaze pouring on top of lemon brownies
  1. Allow glaze to harden (it can sit out at room temperature), which should only take about 10 minutes or so.
lemon glaze on top of lemon brownies
  1. Once the glaze has hardened, it’s safe to cut the brownies and to serve! They’re delicious a LITTLE warm (they need to be cooled off enough so the glaze hardens) but are also delicious room temperature as well.
slice brownies in to equal size squares

What to Serve with Lemon Brownies

The lemon brownies are very rich and can be enjoyed alone but they’re also incredible, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even sliced sugared strawberries.

lemon brownies in baking dish

How to Store Brownies

Once the brownies have cooled completely, store any leftovers in an airtight container, on the counter for 3-4 days. They do not have to be refrigerated, although refrigerating can extend the life of the brownie, to at least a week.

Lemon Brownies Stacked on white plate

Helpful Tips:

  • If you prefer more of a cake icing for your brownies, you can use canned frosting instead of the lemon glaze.
  • If you prefer a citrus variety, you can zest limes or oranges and incorporate the zest/juices instead of only lemon.

This lemon muddy buddies recipe will knock your socks off! It’s another no-bake dessert or snack that lemon lovers go wild for!

I also think you’ll love these gluten-free lemon bars!

If your little one loves having their own lemonade stand, then they’ll love having these brownies, muddy buddies, or lemon bundt cake, to sell along with the lemonade!

Recipe

Lemon Brownies Recipe with cake mix
Print Pin
4.99 from 60 votes

Lemon Cake Mix Brownies

This lemon cake mix brownies recipe is made with a cake mix, and only a handful of other ingredients, creating an easy, gooey brownie that lemon lovers adore!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 33 minutes
Servings 9 brownies
Calories 405kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

Lemon Brownies

  • 1 box lemon cake mix Betty Crocker brand (with pudding in the mix) is recommended.
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Lemon Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon milk optional, if needing to thin out glaze

Instructions

For Brownies

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease 8×8 baking dish with cooking spray
  • In a medium sized mixing bowl, mix together the cake mix, eggs, oil and vanilla until evenly combined.
  • Press brownie batter (it will be thick) in to the bottom of the baking dish, pressing it to an evenly layer, making sure it's pressed all the way to the sides.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick is inserted in the middle of the brownies and comes out clean.

Lemon Glaze

  • While baking, mix together lemon glaze if desired. In a small bowl, mix together powdered sugar and juices from lemon (about 2 tbsp). If glaze is not thin enough to pour, you can add milk by the teaspoon until it has reached the desired consistency. (You do not want it too thin or it will not harden.)
  • Remove brownies from oven and place baking dish on cooling rack so it can begin to cool.
  • Once brownies have cooled, pour the lemon glaze on top of the brownies, spreading with a spoon so that it evenly covers the brownies.
  • Let the brownies sit to allow the glaze to harden and cut brownies in to 9 equal squares (unless you prefer smaller) and serve!

Notes

Helpful Tips:

  • I have tried using Duncan Hines lemon cake mix for this recipe and I wasn’t a fan of the result. I recommend Betty Crocker for the best result. 
  • If you prefer more of a cake icing for your brownies, you can use canned frosting instead of the lemon glaze.
  • If you prefer a citrus variety, you can zest limes or oranges and incorporate the zest/juices instead of only lemon.

Nutrition

Serving: 1brownie | Calories: 405kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 479mg | Potassium: 67mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 56IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 131mg | Iron: 1mg

Christmas Tree Cake Dip

Christmas Tree Cake Dip: A festive treat that’s made with cream cheese and nostalgic Little Debbie cakes. Enjoy with graham crackers, animal crackers, or vanilla wafers as a Christmas dessert for your next party!

Little Debbie Christmas tree cake dip in white bowl

Making desserts for a large group of people is less stressful when you have easy recipes that make a large number of servings!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

  • It’s Easy: When I said this delectable dip recipe was easy, I wasn’t kidding. It only takes 5 minutes to make and calls for basic ingredients. It’s the perfect last-minute dessert when you don’t want something store-bought.
  • Kid-Approved: There’s nothing better than happy kids around the holiday season. This recipe is 100% kid-approved and I think it’s because there’s something about the scrumptious Christmas tree cakes that kids absolutely LOVE! (Our kids also love this Christmas Chex Mix, and I totally understand why!)
  • Sweet Treat: I haven’t found a holiday dessert that satisfies my sweet tooth better than this one does. The sweetness of the Little Debbies combined with the decadent creamy cream cheese makes this festive dessert dip the perfect special treat. Though grandma’s Christmas cookies will always have a special place in my heart, too.
  • Dessert Bar Idea: It’s the perfect addition if you’re hosting a holiday party and looking to fill a dessert bar or if you just want something for a small gathering on a holiday movie night! (You may also want to make this sugar cookie fudge to go along with this dip if creating a dessert bar!)

Ingredient Notes

  • Cream cheese – make sure this is softened!
  • Heavy cream – you can use milk instead if that’s all you have on hand.
  • Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes – it may be fun to try the Chocolate Christmas Tree Cakes too!
  • Red and green sprinkles – these are optional but add some fun to the dip
Ingredients for Christmas Tree Cake Dip on white marble counter
Ingredients

Step by Step Directions

  1. In a medium sized mixing bowl, add package of cream cheese and heavy whipping cream (First and Second Image Below)
Cream cheese and heavy cream in glass mixing bowl
Cream Cheese & Heavy Cream
Mixed cream cheese and heavy cream in glass bowl
Mixed Together
  1. Add in a teaspoon of vanilla extract and combine with a hand mixer until smooth (First Image Below)
  2. Break up 4 Christmas tree cakes and lightly mix them into the cream cheese mixture (Second Image Below)
Vanilla in cream cheese mixture in glass bowl
Add vanilla and mix
Broken up Christmas tree snack cakes in mixing bowl
Add snack cakes
  1. Add sprinkles if desired (Second Image Below) and mix together.
Mixed cream cheese, vanilla and snack cakes in glass bowl
Mixed together
Christmas sprinkles in Christmas tree cake dip
Add sprinkles
  1. Place dip in a serving bowl and enjoy! (Or see below for tips on how to make this a dessert board or charcuterie board!)
Christmas tree cake dip in white bowl with Christmas tree shaped snack cakes laying around bowl

Dessert Dip Charcuterie Board Idea

If you’re hosting or going somewhere for Christmas, it may be fun to serve this dip with cookies and crackers, on a board, making a dessert charcuterie board for your next party! If you’re looking for Christmas movie night ideas too, this would be the perfect treat!

No worries if you’re not sure how to make a dessert board… I’ll show you some tips below!

Christmas tree cake dip in bowl, surrounded by crackers and cookies

Items for a Dessert Charcuterie Board

You can use just about any of your favorite dippers like cookies and sweet crackers for a board like this one but here are our favorites, and what you see below:

  • Teddy Grahams: Honey or Cinnamon will work beautifully.
  • Vanilla Wafers: We used the mini wafers but the regular size will work too.
  • Waffle Cookies: These are the round cookies with a waffle pattern (top left corner) and these were actually filled with caramel, which were amazing!
  • Graham Crackers: Like the Teddy Grahams, you can use honey or cinnamon, or even chocolate.
  • Mini Fudge Stripes cookies: You can use full-size Fudge Stripes cookies but we went for the mini to keep the “mini” look!
  • Fresh Fruit: Although we didn’t use fresh fruit on this board, it’s a fantastic option for dessert dip recipes.
  • Gingerbread Cookies: If you’re baking for the holiday, you may love baking and serving these gingerbread cookies with the dip too!

We simply used the same snack crackers and cookies for both sides of the board to keep things easy!

Remember when styling a board like this, that’s it’s ok to overlap the items and pile them up. The beautiful thing about these boards is that messy and piled can still look fabulous!

But you may also love to see my other Christmas Charcuterie Board which has a lot of sweets and candies on it, for more ideas too!

Wooden charcuterie board with Christmas tree cake dip in the middle, surrounded by cookies and crackers

Expert Tips and FAQs

Can I use a food processor to combine the ingredients?

Yes! You can use a food processor to make this Little Debbie Christmas tree cake dip. Combine cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, and vanilla before adding in the snack cakes and sprinkles. You don’t want to over process your snack cakes.

What type of sprinkles work best for Christmas dessert dip?

For this Christmas tree cake dip recipe, I suggest using sprinkles that aren’t too large. Smaller sprinkles will combine and taste better when combined with the creamy texture of the dip. And of course, use red and green sprinkles!

Can I use cool whip instead of heavy whipping cream?

If you’re in a bind, you can use cool whip instead of heavy whipping cream. Heavy whipping cream will combine with the above ingredients better than cool whip will, however, it will still work for this recipe.

Hand holding graham cracker, with dipped cake dip on end

How Long Does Christmas Tree Dip Last?

You can keep this Little Debbie Christmas tree dip in the fridge for up to 4 days. You’re going to want to place the festive dip in an airtight container or over the serving bowl with plastic wrap. I would recommend serving this dip fresh or after it’s chilled for a little time.

christmas tree cake dip

What to Serve with This Christmas Dip?

Graham crackers, Nila wafers, pretzels, and animal crackers taste delicious dunked in this festive dip. If you’re looking to really impress at holiday parties, I suggest making cut-out sugar cookies for dipping! Sugar cookies are another easy dessert recipe that never disappoints!

Can I Use Different Little Debbie Snack Cakes?

Yes! If want to make a non-festive creamy sweet dessert dip, you can use other seasonal snack cakes like birthday cake snack cakes, zebra cakes, or even chocolate snack cakes. You can switch up this dip to be a birthday cake dip, cookies, cream dip, or chocolate cake dip. There are tons of different Little Debbie cakes so go crazy!

little Debbie cake dip

I love the Christmas season, especially the holiday food!! It really is the most wonderful time of the year! I have so many Christmas dessert recipes that can be a fun treat for the holiday season and your next holiday party, such as this candy cane pie, these cornflake wreaths, these forest cupcakes, and red velvet cake mix cookies!

But if you want to get super creative, you’ll love this Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board idea!

Little Debbie christmas tree cake dip

Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

Recipe

Christmas Tree Cake Dip in white bowl
Print Pin
5 from 39 votes

Christmas Tree Cake Dip

Christmas Tree Cakes Dip: A festive dip that's made with cream cheese and nostalgic Little Debbie cakes. Enjoy with graham crackers, animal crackers, or vanilla wafers!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 106kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces cream cheese 1 package, softened
  • 2 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 5 Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes 1 box
  • 1 Tablespoon red and green sprinkles each

Instructions

  • In a medium sized mixing bowl, add package of cream cheese and heavy whipping cream.
  • Add in teaspoon of vanilla extract and combine with a hand mixer until smooth.
  • Break up 4 christmas tree cakes and lightly mix them into the cream cheese mixture.
  • Pour into a serving bowl and garnish with one Christmas Tree Cake and red and green sprinkles. 
  • Serve with graham crackers, cookies, pretzels, or vanilla wafers.

Video

Notes

Can I use Cool Whip instead of heavy whipping cream? 
If you’re in a bind, you can use Cool Whip instead of heavy whipping cream. Heavy whipping cream will combine with the above ingredients better than Cool Whip will, however, it will still work for this recipe.
How long does Christmas tree dip last? 
You can keep this Christmas tree dip in the fridge for up to 4 days. You’re going to want to place the festive dip in an airtight container or over the serving bowl with plastic wrap. I would recommend serving this dip fresh or after it’s chilled for a little time.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 106kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 90mg | Potassium: 34mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 225IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg

Easy Taco Layer Dip Recipe

This taco layer dip is an easy Mexican layered dip to make! It has 7 layers: refried beans, avocado, taco seasoning mixture, shredded cheese, green onions, black olives & cilantro!

Ready in minutes, and different than our baked taco dip, it is one of the best easy appetizers for any party or to serve while waiting on Dorito chicken casserole to bake in the oven or these cheesy beefy burritos to cook on the stove-top!

taco layer dip
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What is Taco Layer Dip?

This popular appetizer has been called MANY different things! Some call it:

  • 7 layer dip
  • Taco dip
  • Seven-layer taco dip
  • Mexican layered dip
  • Ultimate taco tip

No matter what you call it, it’s ultimately the same appetizer recipe you typically find at parties (especially Super Bowl parties) or to serve along with dishes like chicken street tacos or taco soup!

It consists of many layers of different ingredients like refried beans, avocado guacamole, tomatoes, black olives, taco seasoning/cream cheese/sour cream, shredded cheese, and more, that you can dip tortilla chips in to, crackers, veggies, or even pile on top of build-your-own nachos for the ultimate dish!

Layers in taco dip appetizer recipe

What You’ll Love About This Recipe:

  1. You’ll love that this easy taco dip recipe doesn’t use wild ingredients but rather simple ingredients that you can get at almost every grocery store.
  2. It can be made quickly, so if you need something last-minute it’s a great dish to make and take or make and serve at home with your favorite chips, or even more fun… with these fried tacos!
  3. It has become a popular recipe that so many people love, so you probably won’t have any leftovers with the right crowd!

What are the layers in a seven-layer dip?

Although you can substitute ingredients, and even arrange them differently, these are the most common layers in a 7 layer dip:

  1. refried beans
  2. mashed avocado (or guacamole)
  3. taco dip mixture (taco seasoning mixed with cream cheese & sour cream)
  4. shredded cheese (cheddar cheese, fiesta cheese, or desired type)
  5. green onions
  6. fresh tomatoes
  7. black olives

You can also sprinkle on fresh cilantro if desired!

See the full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post!

Ingredients for 7 layer taco dip

How to make classic seven-layer taco dip

  1. In a small bowl, (yet big enough for cream cheese, sour cream, and taco seasoning) and using a mixer, mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, and taco seasoning mix, set aside.
Cream cheese in a mixing bolw
Sour cream and cream cheese in white bowl
taco seasoning in bowl
taco seasoning sour cream cream cheese
taco seasoning, cream cheese and sour cream mixture
  1. In a 9×13 baking dish, casserole dish or serving tray, spread the refried beans on the button.
refried beans spread in baking dish
  1. Next, carefully add a layer of guacamole or layer of mashed avocado on top of the beans, spread evenly.
spread mashed avocado or guacamole in dish
  1. For the third layer, gently spread the sour cream mixture on top of the avocado.
spread taco seasoning mixture on top
  1. Next, layer on the shredded cheese on top of the sour cream/cream cheese mixture.
sprinkle shredded cheese on top of taco dip
  1. Sprinkle diced green onions on top of cheese.
sliced green onions on top of taco layer dip
  1. Layer on the diced tomatoes
diced tomatoes on top of 7 layer dip
  1. Top tomatoes with black olives
sliced black olives on top of taco dip
  1. Sprinkle on chopped fresh cilantro if desired
diced fresh cilantro on top of 7 layer taco dip
  1. Serve this cold dip with chips, crackers, veggies like carrots,
7 layer dip on a chip

Can you use homemade taco seasoning?

Absolutely! I used a store-bought package of taco seasoning for this recipe to mix with the cream cheese and sour cream. However, you can use 2 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning instead of one, 1oz. packet.

How to store leftover dip:

The best way to store the dip is in an airtight container. However, if you have a lot left over, you can cover the baking dish with plastic wrap.

Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days!

Taco dip - 7 layer dip recipe

More toppings ideas:

If you have some extra toppings you’d like to add or substitute some of the items for, you can easily do that with:

  • cooked ground beef
  • easy pico de gallo
  • chopped bell peppers
  • drained, diced green chilies
  • chopped red onions
  • lime juice (squeeze real lime juices over the top – just not too much or it could become watery)
  • taco sauce (such as Old el Paso, Ortega, Taco Bell)
  • chili powder (sprinkle in to the cream cheese mixture)
  • taco meat
  • cooked shredded chicken (then it would be similar to our taco chicken casserole)
  • storebought or homemade salsa

We like to use a lot of these same toppings on our walking taco casserole too!

party appetizer - 7 layer taco dip
Is 7 layer dip hot or cold?

Serving 7 layer dip cold is ideal, so the toppings stay crisp and fresh. TIP: keeping tomatoes room temperature before assembling and serving is best, as refrigerated tomatoes lose tons of flavor.

How long is taco dip good for in the fridge?

The tip is good in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, as long as it’s covered and stored properly, in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap.

How to serve taco dip?

You can serve it on a platter, in the baking dish it was assembled in or you can even layer the dip in to individual cups for more of a single-serve type of appetizer! Serve with chips, crackers, vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers, peppers, and other crunchy veggies.

If you love dips, then you’re also going to love this homemade cheese dip, Buffalo Bacon Blue Cheese Dip, and this Creamy Reuben Dip!

If you’re hosting a fiesta, you’ll also want to think about making this queso dip recipe!

Recipe

Layers in taco dip appetizer recipe
Print Pin
5 from 7 votes

Easy Taco Layer Dip

This taco layer dip is an easy Mexican layered dip to make! It has 7 layers: refried beans, avocado, taco seasoning mixture, shredded cheese, green onions, black olives & cilantro!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 417kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2.25 oz. sliced black olives drained
  • 16 oz. refried beans
  • 2 small tomatoes diced
  • 1 bunch green onions chopped
  • 4 small avocados mashed (or use this guacamole recipe)
  • 1 oz. taco seasoning
  • 1 cup shredded cheese Mexican, fiesta, cheddar or favorite type
  • fresh cilantro chopped, if desired

Instructions

  • In a bowl, and using a mixer, mix together the cream cheese, sour cream and taco seasoning, set aside.
  • In a 9×13 baking dish, casserole dish or serving tray, spread the refried beans on the bottom.
  • Next, carefully layer the avocado or guacamole on top of the beans, spread evenly.
  • For the third layer, gently spread the sour cream & cream cheese mixture on top of the avocado.
  • Next, layer on the shredded cheese.
  • Sprinkle the chopped green onions on top of cheese.
  • Layer on the diced tomatoes. (Tip: while chopping, remove the seeds/juices so the dip doesn't become watery.)
  • Add the black olives on top of the tomatoes.
  • If desired, sprinkle on chopped fresh cilantro or suggested other toppings in the blog post.

Notes

Is 7 layer dip hot or cold?
Serving 7 layer dip cold is ideal, so the toppings stay crisp and fresh. TIP: keeping tomatoes room temperature before assembling and serving is best, as refrigerated tomatoes lose tons of flavor.
How long is taco dip good for in the fridge?
The tip is good in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, as long as it’s covered and stored properly, in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap.
How to serve taco dip?
You can serve it on a platter, in the baking dish it was assembled in or you can even layer the dip in to individual cups for more of a single-serve type of appetizer! Serve with chips, crackers, vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers, peppers and other crunchy veggies.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 417kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 946mg | Potassium: 643mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1431IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 169mg | Iron: 2mg

This 7 layer dip recipe originally appeared when I created and featured it on TornadoughAlli.com!

Doritos Chicken Casserole

Dorito Chicken Casserole: An easy, comforting, cheesy recipe that will be on repeat for meal planning during the week!

Doritos Chicken Casserole

I don’t know what it is about cheesy casseroles but they seem to always be a family favorite! Like this Broccoli Casserole, Green Bean Casserole, and ham casserole. Or, this Chicken Tater Tot Casserole and this Stove-Top Chicken Stuffing Casserole have been a dinner favorite around here, with other chicken casserole recipes too!

Get ready for an ultra-easy dinner recipe in this Doritos Chicken Casserole. It's packed full of simple ingredients and delicious flavors.

If chicken casseroles are your thing, then you’ll also love this Chicken Pot Pie Casserole, this Buffalo Chicken Lasagna, and this Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta! If beef is more your style, I highly recommend the amazing flavor of a Big Mac Casserole or this Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole for an old, vintage classic.

Hey Fantabulosity fans! It's Meg from Meg's Everyday Indulgence with another delicious recipe you NEED to try as soon as possible.

Get ready for an ultra easy dinner recipe in this Doritos Chicken Casserole. It’s packed full of simple ingredients and delicious flavors.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Doritos Chicken Casserole hits all these marks. It's ridiculously easy to put together. Simply stir together the ingredients and spread it out in an 8×8 or 9×9 baking pan.

Top with crushed nacho cheese Doritos for all the flavor and crunchy texture. We use these in our Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing too, and talk about delicious!!

Although this casserole is baked in a smaller baking pan, it fills to the very top and is packed full of chicken, making it super filling and still worthy of feeding a decent-sized crowd. For even more cozy meal ideas, check out this collection of classic old-fashioned dinner recipes.

Ingredients for Doritos Chicken Casserole

Let's break down what you need for this Doritos Chicken Casserole:

Ingredients for Doritos Chicken Casserole

Notes about Ingredients:

  • Chicken: You'll need cooked chicken for this Dorito chicken casserole recipe. Leftover chicken works great if you have some hanging out in the refrigerator.

    I love using rotisserie chicken in these types of recipes. It's ready to go, delicious, and costs the same, if not less, than buying the chicken and cooking it yourself. Plus, I’m able to make rotisserie chicken stock out of the carcass and use it for later!

    You can choose to either dice or shred the chicken in this recipe, whichever you prefer.
  • Cheese: The cheese that you use in the recipe is flexible as well. I wanted to add a little kick and some extra flavor so I went with pepper jack cheese.

    If you or your family members don't like spicy food, you can definitely substitute in Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese. It will be a little less spicy but still be packed with flavor.
  • Rotel: The can of Ro-tel (diced tomatoes and green chilies) also adds some spiciness so keep that in mind when you're choosing what cheese to add to the casserole. And it gives so much flavor to the casserole. Get an extra can of Rotel to make this Rotel pasta and this Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel, this week too!
Get ready for an ultra easy dinner recipe in this Doritos Chicken Casserole. It’s packed full of simple ingredients and delicious flavors.

How to Make Doritos Chicken Casserole

This recipe truly couldn't get easier. (Well, this taquito casserole may actually be easier but I digress.) The most time-consuming part of the whole thing is chopping or shredding the chicken.

Doritos chicken casserole ingredients in a bowl

After the chicken is prepped, mix all the ingredients except for the Doritos and 1 cup of cheese in a large bowl. Spread the mixture into a baking pan, top with reserved cup of cheese and sprinkle with crushed Doritos.

Pour ingredients in to a bowl for chicken dorito casserole
Ingredients mixed together for chicken doritos casserole

PRO TIP: You'll want to place the casserole on a big baking sheet before placing it in the oven. The casserole dish will be filled to the rim so this is done as a precautionary measure in case it bubbles over a little. That way it will be on the baking sheet and not in the bottom of your oven.

Pour chicken casserole in to baking dish
Top Doritos chicken casserole with shredded cheese

Lastly, cover the dish with foil for the first 25 minutes of baking to prevent the Doritos from burning.

Doritos Chicken Casserole in baking dish ready for oven

Doritos Flavors

For me, the best option for this Doritos Chicken Casserole is the original nacho cheese Doritos. But because I love you I did a little Doritos research to discover some other delicious flavors for topping this casserole.

I mean, Doritos may be one of my guilty pleasures since childhood so it wasn't a bad gig to take on.

If you like things really spicy, the Spicy Nacho or Flaming Hot Nacho flavors would be a delicious topping option.

A more mild option that would be so delicious with the flavor profile going on would be the Taco Doritos. They would mesh really well with the chicken and corn and pepper jack cheese.

Get ready for an ultra easy dinner recipe in this Doritos Chicken Casserole. It’s packed full of simple ingredients and delicious flavors.

FAQs

Here are some common questions that you may have, that we’d love to answer for you:

Can you make Dorito chicken casserole in advance?

You can mix everything and place it in the baking dish, except the chips, and refrigerate until ready to bake. It’s not a good idea to add the chips beforehand because they’ll get soggy.

How do you store Dorito chicken casserole?

If you have leftover casserole, allow it to fully cool and then cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap, or place it in an airtight container and then store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Can you freeze Dorito chicken casserole?

You can! Make everything as directed until it’s time to put the crushed chips on top. Freeze in a freezer-safe container for 2-3 months. When ready to eat it, place the frozen casserole in the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight. When baking, top with chips and bake according to directions.

The Easy Dorito Chicken Casserole is made with everyday ingredients like Cream of chicken soup, Sour cream, Canned corn, Ro-tel, Cooked Chicken, Shredded pepper jack cheese, Nacho Cheese Doritos #doritos #casserole #chicken

Need More Dinner Ideas?

If you're looking for more easy dinners to add to your collection, check out this hamburger hashbrown casserole that is a reader favorite. We think you’ll also love this Kielbasa and Cabbage in the Instant Pot, Lasagna Stuffed Chicken, and this chicken and gravy recipe!

For an easy game day or party spread, serve this casserole alongside my baked cheeseburger sliders for a crowd-pleasing comfort meal.

Recipe

doritos chicken casserole on plate
Print Pin
5 from 49 votes

Doritos Chicken Casserole

Doritos Chicken Casserole is easy to make for a quick dinner and is a family favorite. Simple ingredients come together for a comforting, hearty meal.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 809kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 22.6 ounces can cream of chicken soup
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 15.25 ounce can corn drained
  • 10 ounce can Ro-tel, drained diced tomatoes and green chilies
  • 4 cups diced or shredded cooked chicken
  • 3 cups shredded pepper jack cheese, divided
  • 2 cups crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • In a large bowl, mix together cream of chicken soup, sour cream, corn, Ro-tel, chicken and 2 cups of pepper jack cheese.
  • Spread into an 8×8 or 9×9 baking pan. Set on top of a baking sheet to prevent spills in your oven.
  • Sprinkle remaining cup of pepper jack onto the casserole. Spread the crushed Doritos evenly over the cheese.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15 minutes.

Video

Notes

PRO TIP: Place the casserole on a big baking sheet before placing it in the oven, in case it bubbles over while baking.
How do you store Dorito chicken casserole?
Allow the casserole to fully cool and then cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap, or place it in an airtight container and then store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 809kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 48g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 130mg | Sodium: 875mg | Potassium: 475mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 593IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 571mg | Iron: 2mg

Marshmallow Cookies with Sprinkles

Marshmallow Cookies with Sprinkles: Looking for an easy, delicious, and melt-in-your-mouth cookie recipe? These gooey marshmallow cookies are just that!

I have made dozens of cookie recipes but these fluffy marshmallow cookies have one of the best textures I’ve ever tasted! They are stuffed and topped with mini gooey marshmallows which is why they’re a crowd-favorite dessert recipe, along with these marshmallow popcorn balls!

mini marshmallow cookies

Why You’ll Love This Great Recipe

  • Even though these marshmallow cookies are made from scratch, they’re very easy to make! This recipe uses basic ingredients and baking on a cookie sheet is a breeze when you use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat!
  • Since they are made from scratch, they’re simply to-die-for! The golden brown outside and the melted marshmallow inside creates the best texture that you’re going to fall in love with!
  • Since these cookies call for sprinkles, it’s very easy to customize them for any occasion! You can use Christmas sprinkles, Halloween sprinkles, 4th of July sprinkles, etc. to fit any holiday/event!
marshmallow confetti cookies

What can I do with a bag of marshmallows?

Am I the only one who feels like they’re left with a bad of marshmallows after s’mores season is over? I sometimes struggle to figure out how to put them to good use! Some of my go-to dessert recipes that include marshmallows are marshmallow treats, air fryer s’mores, and my no-bake s’mores cheesecake recipe!

Ingredients Checklist

  • 1 cup butter, cut into cubes
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 ½ tsp. Vanilla Extract
  • 1 tsp. Baking soda
  • 1 tsp. Baking powder
  • 2 tbsp. Cornstarch
  • 2 ¾ cups all purpose flour
  • ½ tsp. Salt
  • ½ cup mini marshmallows
Marshmallow cookies ingredients

Step by Step Directions

  1. Grease or line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Heat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  3. In a large mixing bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside (Image 1).
  4. With a hand mixer, (or stand mixer) or medium speed, cream butter until smooth. Add white and brown sugar (Image 2). Mix until light and fluffy.
  5. Add eggs and vanilla extract. Mix until combined (Image 3).
Marshmallow cookies directions
  1. Add dry ingredients mixture half at a time, mixing in between additions (Image 4).
  2. Roll approx 1.5 tbsp. Of batter into balls and place onto a prepared baking sheet. (Image 5).
  3. Add 3-4 mini marshmallows onto center of the cookie dough (Image 6).
recipe for marshmallow confetti cookies
  1. Add approx 1.5 more tbsp. Of batter on top of marshmallows and press down (Image 7).
  2. Roll in sprinkles. Place on prepared baking sheets and space 4-5 inches apart (6 per pan) (Image 8).
  3. Flatten slightly and place mini marshmallows on top (Image 9).
  4. Bake 12-15 minutes.
  5. Remove and cool on cooling rack.
  6. Enjoy!
directions for marshmallow cookies with sprinkles

Expert Tips and FAQs

Use marshmallow fluff for filling

Instead of using mini marshmallows for the inside of the cookies, you can use marshmallow fluff. Marshmallow fluff may spread a bit easier on top of the cookie dough.

Can I freeze marshmallow cookies?

Yes you can freeze marshmallow cookies. Once your cookies have cooled to room temperature, you can place them in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Although your cookies will be best when fresh, freezing is still a great option.

Can I use large marshmallows?

Yes you can use large marshmallows but I would recommend ripping them into pieces so they cook evenly. You can fill and top cookies with one large marshmallow ripped into pieces.

How to Store Leftover Cookies

If you have leftover cookies, allow them to cool first on a wire rack and then store in an airtight container for up to a couple of weeks, or longer if stored in the refrigerator. If freezing, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 8-12 months!

Marshmallow cookies without chocolate

Optional Toppings/Ingredients

There are seriously so many ways you can customize these mini marshmallow cookies! Chocolate marshmallow cookies, s’mores cookies, and strawberries and cream cookies are all surprisingly easy to make with so many

  • This recipe makes marshmallow cookies without chocolate but if you’re a chocolate lover, you can add some! Simply add mini chocolate chips into the cookie dough balls before baking. Chocolate chip marshmallow cookies are a great marshmallow treat!
  • To make these s’mores cookies, you can roll the cookie dough balls in graham cracker crumbs instead of sprinkles! You’ll want the center of the cookies to be filled with marshmallows and mini chocolate chips as well! (Recipe note – you can use Nutella in the center of the cookies instead of mini chocolate chips).
  • Strawberries and cream is such an underrated flavor! For strawberry marshmallow cookies, you can add diced strawberries on top of each cookie before baking. I would recommend using red sprinkles if you add strawberries for an aesthetic look!
Marshmallow cookies without chocolate

I find myself baking desserts more often than I probably should but hey, they taste amazing and my kiddos love them! Make sure to check out these easy pink champagne cupcakes, breakfast muffins, delicious brownies, etc. because they are great treats to have on hand and they’re easy to make for parties! Here’s a list of a few of my family and I’s favorite desserts!!

Recipe

Marshmallow cookies stacked with sprinkles.
Print Pin
4.88 from 8 votes

Marshmallow Cookies with Sprinkles

Looking for an easy, delicious, and melt in your mouth cookie recipe? These gooey marshmallow cookies are just that!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 24 cookies
Calories 174kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 ¾ cups all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup mini marshmallows

Instructions

  • Grease or Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • In a large mixing bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  • With an electric mixer, cream butter until smooth.
  • Add white and brown sugar. Mix until light and fluffy.
  • Add eggs and vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
  • Add dry ingredients mixture half at a time, mixing in between additions.
  • Roll approx 1.5 tbsp. Of batter into balls and place onto a prepared baking sheet.
  • Add 3-4 mini marshmallows onto center of the cookie dough.
  • Add approx 1.5 more tbsp. Of batter on top of marshmallows and press down.
  • Roll in sprinkles. Place on baking pans and space 4-5 inches apart (6 per pan).
  •  Flatten slightly and place mini marshmallows on top. 
  • Bake 12-15 minutes. Enjoy!

Notes

Use marshmallow fluff for filling
Instead of using mini marshmallows for the inside of the cookies, you can use marshmallow fluff. Marshmallow fluff may spread a bit easier on top of the cookie dough.
Can I use large marshmallows? 
Yes! You can use large marshmallows but I would recommend ripping them into pieces so they cook evenly. You can fill and top cookies with one large marshmallow ripped into pieces.

Nutrition

Calories: 174kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 170mg | Potassium: 49mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 256IU | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg

How Many Ounces in a Gallon, Pound, Quart, Cup, Pint, and More Conversions

Having an easy guide for measurement conversions is one of the best ways to feel confident and prepared in the kitchen no matter what recipe you’re following!

Cooking and baking should be a low fuss, stress-free enjoyable time, and yet there are still those days when we’re in a groove and we need to stop to figure out a measurement conversion.

So, we search by way of smearing our phones with our messy fingers, time and time again, and even still, the answers can be confusing.

Anytime I can make things just a little easier and a little more streamlined, I’m all for it. So, I have created a simple, easy-to-follow guide and printable to basic kitchen conversions that you’ll be able to use for both wet and dry ingredients when baking or cooking up a storm. Bonus points for not having to stop along the way!

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Recipe Abbreviations

Take note of the most common abbreviations you’ll come across in recipes. It’s helpful to know what each of them means.

  • Tbsp = Tablespoon
  • tsp = Teaspoon
  • Oz = ounce
  • fl. oz = Fluid ounce
  • c = Cup
  • qt = Quart
  • pt = Pint
  • gal = Gallon
  • lb = Pound

Measurement Tools for Both Wet and Dry Ingredients

Did you know that measuring cups are different for both wet and dry? It can really alter the outcome of your recipe if you’re not using the correct one.

Measuring Cups for Liquids (Water, Oil, Broth)

These are usually glass and come with a spout for easing pouring. Once placed on a level surface, it’s easy to see at eye level how much volume the cup is holding and when you’ve reached the correct line.

Measuring Cups for Dry Ingredients (Flour, Sugar, Oats)

A set of measuring cups for dry ingredients will have no spout. This makes it easier to spoon and level for accuracy.

Measuring Spoons

These are actually the same used for both wet and dry. Woohoo!

Digital Kitchen Scale

If you haven’t invested in a digital kitchen scale yet, I highly recommend you do. They are relatively inexpensive and definitely worth it if you spend loads of time in the kitchen.

It’s the most accurate way to measure the weight of a cup of dry ingredients. Just relying on a cup to find the correct number of ounces, for example, can be tricky. A cup of flour will not equal the same number of ounces as a cup of chickpeas, therefore, using a scale will help with accuracy.

Don’t forget to zero the scale to account for the weight of the measuring device. This means you weigh the measuring cup empty by placing it on the scale and setting the weight back to zero.

Measurements, Equivalents, and Conversions

Unless you’ve been making the same recipe over and over again for years, there’s always a need to read and reread a recipe!

Baking is much more precise than cooking, but even with cooking, the wrong measurements can lead to disaster. This is why a measurement sheet is a game-changer!

How many cups are in 1 quart?

4 cups are equal to 1 quart.

How many cups are in 1 pint?

2 cups are equal to 1 pint.

How many cups are in 1 gallon?

16 cups are equal to 1 gallon

How many cups in half gallon?

8 cups are equal to half (½) gallon

How many pints are in 1 quart?

2 pints are equal to 1 quart

How many ounces in a gallon?

128 ounces are equal to 1 gallon

How many ounces in a pound?

16 ounces are equal to 1 pound

How many ounces are in a cup?

8 ounces are equal to 1 cup

How many ounces in a tablespoon?

.5 ounces are equal to 1 tablespoon

How many pints are in a gallon?

8 pints are equal to 1 gallon

How many ounces in a half a gallon?

64 ounces are equal to half (½) gallon

How many quarts are in a gallon?

4 quarts are equal to 1 gallon

How many teaspoons are in a tablespoon?

3 teaspoons are equal to 1 tablespoon

How many tablespoons are in a cup?

16 tablespoons are equal to 1 cup

How many ml are in a quart?

946.353 ml are equal to 1 quart

Converting Liquid Measurements

  • 1 c = 8 fl. Oz = ½ pt = ¼ qt
  • 2 c = 16 fl. Oz = 1 pt = ½ qt
  • 4 c = 32 fl. Oz = 2 pt = 1 qt = ¼ gal
  • 16 c = 128 fl. Oz = 8 pt = 4 qt = 1 gal

Converting Dry Measurements

  • 1 c = 16 tablespoon = 48 tsp
  • ¾ c = 12 tablespoon = 36 tsp
  • ½ c = 8 tablespoon = 24 tsp
  • ¼ c = 4 tablespoon = 12 tsp
  • ⅛ c = 2 tablespoon = 6 tsp
  • 1/16 c = 1 tablespoon = 3 tsp

A Simple Chart for 1 Cup Conversions

  • 1 c = 8 fl. oz
  • 1 c = 16 Tbsp
  • 1 c = 48 tsp
  • 1 c = ½ pt
  • 1 c = ¼ qt
  • 1 c = 1/16 gal
  • 1 c = 240 ml

What does it mean to spoon and level?

Baking is a science and requires accuracy to get you the best results when baking bread, cakes, donuts, you name it. When you see spoon and level the flour, that means adding spoonfuls of flour to the measuring cup until it’s overflowing and using the backside of a knife to level off the excess, leaving a nice flat surface, level to the top of the cup.

What does "packed brown sugar" mean?

It’s a way of making sure you’re getting the exact right amount of sugar needed by pressing the air out of it and making space for even more of it. What you want to do is add it to the cup and instead of leveling off with the back of a knife, you’re going to pack it in there nice and tight. Keep doing this until it reaches the top of the rim.

Conversion Sheet

When you need to know how to convert measurements from metric to imperial or vice versa, or even from one unit to another within the same system, having a handy sheet makes things so much easier.

This sheet is part of my home management binder (that I honestly don’t know how I’d live without) and I’m giving you this printable today in case it’s helpful for you!

Print it out and keep it inside your cupboard or on your fridge for easy access. This can be especially handy for those new to the kitchen and for kids gaining a little independence and needing to find something without asking. Of course, even the most experienced home cooks need a reminder sometimes.

Save the Free Conversions Sheet
baking and cooking measurements free printable

Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt? My Honest Review

Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt? With a few laser hair removal treatments under my belt (literally), here’s my honest review!

This post has been sponsored by Milan Laser Hair Removal, where I have also received services in exchange for this post. HOWEVER, all thoughts and opinions are my own… as always.

Laser Hair Removal - Does it hurt?

Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?

Oh it’s the question I’m often asked when sharing on Instagram that I’m paying another visit to Milan Laser Hair Removal.

Short answer?

It can. But does it hurt so much I want to stop having treatments? NO WAY!

Longer answer?

When I went for my free consultation, the sweet gals told me that it will feel like someone snapping a small rubber band on the skin.

And you know what? They were right. However, as the treatments progress, the pain CAN get a little more intense than the first time.

But is it unbearable? No.

Some areas tend to be a little more sensitive and what’s really nice is that if it gets to be a little too intense for you, you can let them know and they can slow down, which really helps! Also, you can take a pain reliever an hour before treatment to help with any pain that you may worry about experiencing! (I’m going to start doing this, now that I’m a few treatments in.)

Keep reading to find out how you (yes, YOU!) can get 60% off of your own laser hair removal services, just for being a Fantabulosity reader!

Does laser hair removal hurt?

Do Some Areas Hurt More than Others?

So you may be curious what areas I’m having treated and if certain areas hurt more than others.

I’m having my lower legs, underarms and Brazilian area treated.

Do some hurt worse than others? Yes. I don’t feel any pain in the underarm area. The lower legs have a little sting every once in a while. The Brazilian… that’s the one that gets to me the most. Some areas “down there” are perfectly fine. No pain at all. Then there are a couple of areas that make me tense up for about .00000001 seconds and then the “sting” goes away.

Don’t Let it Stop You

Like with anything, I think it can really help if you go in with a good mindset!

If you go in for treatment thinking,

“This is going to hurt. This is going to be the worst pain ever.”

– said someone who thinks the worst

…but rather, think along the same lines that I do, thinking,

“Hey… I’ve had two babies. One without an epidural. I’ve got this! It’s worth it!”

– says me.

…then you’re going to be just fine. Millions of women have had this done, and if they can do it, then that must mean I can do it.

Plus, the thought of never having to shave again, makes me SWOON and if that means feeling a rubber band sting for a few seconds… then I’m 100% on board.

Moral of the Story

Please do not let the fear of “pain” hold you back from having laser hair removal done.

The results I have received from this already is BEYOND mind-boggling and I’m ecstatic!

“How Many Sessions are Needed”

If you’re curious about how many sessions are needed to see results…

I REALLY recommend that you read my very first blog post about my first visit to Milan Laser Hair Removal where I cover that exact question and share other items you may be wondering about!

LIFETIME GUARANTEE + UNLIMITED PACKAGE

So if you've heard or have been to other laser hair removal companies, you may be familiar with the "packages" that some offer. For instance, you buy per session or say, buy a package of three treatments at a time.

Well, not with Milan.

With Milan, you pay one price for the body area that you want, and it's an unlimited, lifetime guarantee on that body area.

So what if, a few years from now, your body goes through some changes (hormones, etc.) and you notice one little hair grow back where you had a treatment?

You can call Milan, let them know and they'll be glad to bring you back in, (at any location) at NO additional charge, and treat the area again! (Opposed to other companies where you may pay for 3 treatments in one area, and have to pay AGAIN and again to be treated.)

60% OFF FOR YOU! YES… YOU!!!

Friends, I don't know HOW this is possible, and I honestly didn't expect this kind of discount for you when I first started talking to them, but you may want to take advantage NOW in case they change their mind! Haha!

Milan has offered to give you 60% off of your laser hair removal service, for any body area of your choice…. at any Milan Laser Hair Removal location (The ONLY thing you can't apply the 60% off to is a Full Body package).

So when you call to schedule your consultation, just make sure to give them the code: FANTABULOSITY60 so they know to put it in the system for you! COUPON CODE: FANTABULOSITY60

Good luck ladies! You’ve got this… and when you go, send me a DM on Instagram and let me know what you think! I’d love to hear from you!

Instant Pot Polenta

Instant Pot Polenta is a smooth and creamy dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Polenta is quick, easy, and made from corn grits which makes it so versatile!

This creamy polenta recipe can be made in under 30 minutes with almost no hassle. In fact, polenta is a great replacement for rice or potatoes with dinner! I love serving this instant polenta with this hamburger recipe, grilled ribs, or even pressure cooker pot roast as an easy side dish!

How to make instant pot polenta
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • This instant pot recipe is so easy and has a cooking time of under 30 minutes! Not only is this basic polenta recipe quick, but cooking with an instant pot leaves almost no mess to clean up, like it may on the stove top.
  • Most people don’t know that polenta pairs well with so many dishes. So if this is your first time making it, I love topping instant polenta with parmesan cheese, butter, and serving it with a main course and you may too! A warm creamy bowl of polenta is perfect on a cold day as a delicious side dish or even a main dish!
  • Not only does polenta taste delicious, but it’s also healthy! Instant polenta is made from corn meal which is a great source of fiber, protein, and is loaded with vitamin A. Swap out potatoes or french fries for this instant pot polenta and you’ll have a healthier side dish!
  • Polenta is easy to find and you can usually find it at your local grocery store or on Amazon! Bob’s Red Mill is a great brand but I’ve yet to find one I don’t like.
Instant pot polenta

Is cornmeal the same as polenta?

Kind of… Polenta is the dish and cornmeal is the main ingredient. Cornmeal used in polenta must be a medium or course grind to make the perfect polenta. You do not want to use corn flour or finely ground cornmeal when making instant pot polenta because it will turn out soggy. For this recipe, you will need one cup cornmeal/polenta!

Instant pot polenta recipe

Ingredients Checklist

This recipe uses simple ingredients that you may already even have on hand:

  • 1 cup polenta
  • 5 cups of water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoon butter
  • ¼ cup grated parmesan
  • 2 tablespoons shredded mozzarella (optional)
Instant pot polenta ingredients

Step-by-Step Directions

  1. Add water, polenta, and salt in the INSTANT POT whisk to combine (Image 1).
  2. Seal the Instant Pot lid and select the PORRIDGE setting (or it may say “oatmeal”.) Set the settings to 20 minutes (Image 2).
  3. When the cycle completes, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 10 minutes.
  4. Remove the lid, whisk polenta until smooth Add in butter and cheese and mix properly (Image 3).
  5. Serve the top of the polenta with additional cheese, such as shredded mozzarella, if desired, to create more of a cheesy polenta! Serve warm.
Instant pot polenta recipe

Expert Tips and FAQs

Is polenta Keto?

A keto diet is a low-carb diet. One serving of polenta is 80 calories, 17 grams of carbohydrates, and 2 grams of fiber. The net carbs in polenta (total carbs – fiber = net carbs) is 15 grams which means one serving of polenta would fit into a keto diet.

How much water do I use for 1 cup polenta?

The perfect water to polenta ratio is 4-1. That means for 1 cup of polenta, you will need 4 cups water. To switch things up a tad and add more flavor, you could use vegetable broth or my homemade chicken broth instead of water.

What do you eat polenta with?

As stated before, polenta is a great substitute for fries, potatoes, or rice. It’s a healthier and more nutritious side dish. You can eat polenta with baked burgers, short bbq ribs, this baked steak, or even these Instant Pot Chicken Thighs! Or, it’s the perfect base for something like grilled shrimp and it pairs amazing with brussels sprouts!

Instant pot polenta recipe

Is polenta good or bad for you?

I touched on this above, but polenta is a gluten-free complex carbohydrate that has tons of fiber, protein, and vitamins and minerals. This polenta recipe is safe for celiac disease and also fits well into a keto/low-carb diet because of the high about of fiber. Instant pot polenta is a healthier alternative to potoes, white rice, and/or french fries!

Can I make this instant pot polenta recipe vegan?

Yes! It would be really easy to make this instant pot polenta recipe vegan. The best way is to swap out traditional butter for olive oil or vegan butter. Instead of using Parmesan Cheese or mozzarella cheese, you can use vegan cheese for the polenta and nutritional yeast for topping. Nutritional yeast has a cheesy flavor without the dairy and is surprisingly delicious!

Creamy instant pot polenta recipe

Additional/Optional ingredients

To make this recipe extra creamy, you could add in ¼-1/2 cup heavy cream. If you chose to do this, you’ll want to add in a smaller amount of water. On top of heavy whipping cream, you can add in fresh herbs and spices to give this recipe extra flavor. Garlic salt, oregano, parsley, basil, and other Italian herbs would taste great.

How to Store Leftover Polenta

You can store leftover polenta in an airtight container for 5 days in the refrigerator or around 3 months in the freezer.

Similar Recipes

If you like polenta, I would highly suggest trying these baked polenta fries! They’re an easy and healthier alternative to french fries! They’re cheesy, warm, and topped with bacon! Those polenta fries go so well with this homemade chipotle aioli dipping sauce!

If this is a new recipe you’re trying, I sure hope that you love it as much as we do and the next time you need a quick and healthy side dish, you’ll remember this one! It’s one of our favorite Instant Pot recipes to date! You’ll also love this Instant Pot Risotto and this Instant Pot Cauliflower Soup too, so make sure you head over there to check it out!

If you love using your Instant Pot for easy recipes like this one, then these Instant Pot Lentils will be something fun to try too!

Or, see this delicious Instant Pot Dirty Rice recipe that has some cajun flair!

Recipe

Creamy Instant Pot polenta
Print Pin
5 from 2 votes

Instant Pot Polenta

Instant Pot Polenta is a smooth and creamy dish that's perfect for busy weeknights. Polenta is quick, easy, and made from corn grits which makes it so versatile!
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 2 servings
Calories 489kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Equipment

  • instant pot

Ingredients

  • 1 cup polenta
  • 5 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 2 tbsp shredded mozzarella optional

Instructions

  • Add water, polenta, and salt in the INSTANT POT whisk to combine.
  • Seal the lid and select PORRIDGE/OATMEAL function. Set the settings to 20 minutes.
  • When the cycle completes, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 10 minutes.
  • Remove the lid, whisk polenta until smooth Add in butter and cheese and mix properly.
  • Serve hot with shredded mozzarella on top.

Notes

You can store the polenta in an airtight container for 5 days in the refrigerator or around 3 months in the freezer.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 489kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 1586mg | Potassium: 135mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 718IU | Calcium: 246mg | Iron: 1mg

30+ Ways: What to do with Leftover Taco Meat

When you have a big batch of leftover taco meat from Taco night or even when hosting a taco bar, sometimes it can be really handy to use it in other dishes or dinner ideas instead of throwing it away!

leftover taco meat on tortilla chips

Here is a great list of different ways and great recipes to use a lot of leftover taco meat! Or even a little taco meat if that’s what you have on hand…

  • Taco Soup
  • Taco Salad
  • Fried Tacos
  • Taco Pasta
  • Taco Quesadillas
  • Taco Sliders
  • Taco Nachos
  • Taco Casserole
  • Taco Stuffed Peppers
  • Taco Pizza

More Recipes You’ll Love

You’re going to love these Chicken Street Tacos (don’t forget that you can use leftover shredded chicken in the slow cooker for something like these too!), these baked chicken tacos, and of course these Beef and Cheese Burritos and these Easy Chicken Tacos.

Even if it’s not leftover meat, you can make a batch of these shredded beef tacos in the slow cooker using a chuck roast.

How to use leftover taco meat

30+ Ways on What to do with Leftover Taco Meat

Never throw out leftover taco meat again! Here are 30+ great delicious recipes and leftover taco meat ideas on how to use it up in recipes for easy meals or to store it for later!

Taco Fries

Grab seasoned french fries (or your favorite fries) and top with taco meat, cheese and green onion! Bake until the fries are golden brown!

Or if you have leftover taco chicken meat, you’ll want to try these chicken fajita wraps!

More Easy Ways to Use Leftover Taco Meat

  • Add to avocado toast
  • Sprinkle over nachos
  • Add to breakfast burrito
  • Add it to a baked potato
  • Mix into scrambled eggs
  • Add to mac and cheese

How to Make Popcorn in the Microwave

How to make popcorn in the microwave with little effort – a quick and easy way to pop popcorn, without oil, in brown lunch bags and it’s ready in minutes & perfect for movie night!

If you love snack recipes, get ready because we have some of the best around here, like this homemade chex mix and these chocolate-dipped animal crackers.

How to Make Homemade Popcorn in the Microwave in a brown paper bag. Without oil!
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I never realized how much better making homemade popcorn was than store-bought. I find that store-bought microwave popcorn packets have a “film” or “waxy” texture to it but I didn’t have a popcorn popper, an air popper and had no idea how to make stovetop popcorn.

But I didn’t know you could make your own microwave popcorn like this until we had a friend show us how, and now it’s the only way we do it!

Can you pop plain popcorn in the microwave?

Absolutely. All it takes is popcorn kernels, brown paper bags and a few minutes to make this paper bag popcorn!

Then – take it a step further and melt some homemade butter to pour over the top!

How to Make Homemade Popcorn in the Microwave

How to Make Homemade Popcorn in the Microwave in a brown paper bag

The first time we tried doing this in the microwave oven, we ended up with popcorn EVERYWHERE, and it was a huge mess. We had only used one bag, and folded the top over with the opening folded under.

But, as it cooked, the popped popcorn expanded and caused popcorn to come out of the bag and go all over the place.

Then my brilliant, yes BRILLIANT husband, came up with an amazing idea for the paper bag method, and it has worked like a charm ever since. I’ll show you how we pop it without a mess! (I’ll show you the “how-to,” through the photos, but there’s also a recipe below!)

Brown Bag Microwave Popcorn:

How to Make Homemade Popcorn in the Microwave in a brown bag with no oils

There are just a few simple steps!

Grab two brown paper bags, and pour a half of a cup of unpopped kernels in the bottom of one paper bag.

How to Make Homemade Popcorn in the Microwave in a brown bag with no oils

Open the other brown paper lunch bag, and slide the top of the bag over the top of the other, creating a closed package for the popcorn to pop in.

How to Make Homemade Popcorn in the Microwave in a brown bag with no oils
How to Make Homemade Popcorn in the Microwave in a brown bag with no oils

Lay the brown bag on it’s side, inside of the microwave and cook.

How long to Cook Popcorn in the Microwave?

We have one of those “popcorn,” sensory cook buttons on our microwave, but when prepping this post, I paid attention to the popcorn microwave time, so I could give you a cooking time.

HOWEVER, each microwave setting can be different so the exact time may vary. So I really recommend to start with 3-4 minutes and listen to how the popcorn pops. When you hear it really slowing down, stop the cooking process and pull it out of the microwave. (CAUTION: HOT!!)

How to Make Homemade Popcorn in the Microwave in a brown bag with no oils

When popcorn is finished…

When the popcorn has stopped popping or the 3-4 minutes is up, simply pull the two bags apart (try to do this over a big bowl, as some popcorn may fall out while separating the two bags).

How to Flavor Microwave Popcorn

After trial and error, we’ve also figured out our favorite ways to flavor up the popcorn.

Doesn’t it drive you nuts when you go to the movies; you sit down in your comfy chair to enjoy the movie, dig in and eat your popcorn… only to find that the popcorn is so bland and nasty after the first layer is gone? (Right, I know that life could be worse. But when that bag of popcorn takes a ¼ out of my child’s college fund, it’s pretty disappointing when the flavor is gone before the movie even starts.)

So we figured out a way to make the flavor last, and “STICK,” to the popcorn, so we can enjoy every stinking bite… all the way down to the bottom!

Healthy Homemade Popcorn in the Microwave in a brown bag with no oils

Popcorn Butter and Seasoning

First we put a small layer of the popped popcorn in a large bowl. (So as you’re pulling the two bags apart, only pour a small layer of popcorn in the bowl first.)

How to Make Homemade Popcorn in the Microwave in a brown bag with no oils

Then grab your favorite popcorn seasoning and sprinkle on a layer, all over the popcorn.

(Our favorite popcorn seasonings, (Kernel Season’s flavorings are our favorite and you can usually find them at your local grocery store or online) and we sprinkle layers of this in the order I share next.)

Popcorn Seasoning Ideas

If you don’t have specific popcorn seasoning on hand, there are many different ways you can season it! Here are some fun ideas that we’ve tried as well, or that others love too so feel free to use your favorite topping!

  • Garlic Salt
  • Nutritional Yeast
  • Brown Sugar
  • Popcorn Salt
  • Garlic Powder
  • Seasoning Salt
  • Kosher Salt
  • Fresh rosemary
Seasonings on homemade popcorn
How to Make Homemade Popcorn in the Microwave in a brown bag with no oils

Then, we grab the Orville Redenbacher’s butter flavor topping, (also our favorite, and sometimes called “fake butter”) and drizzle a layer of butter (as much butter as you prefer) on top of the seasonings. You can also use melted butter!

Popcorn butter for homemade popcorn
How to Make Homemade Popcorn in the Microwave in a brown bag and flavors and butter!

Next, we sprinkle another layer of seasoning. (Sometimes mixing up the flavors for a bit of fun!)

How to Make Homemade Popcorn in the Microwave in a brown bag and flavors and butter!

Then it’s time for another small layer of popcorn…

How to Make Homemade Popcorn in the Microwave in a brown bag and flavors and butter!

Then repeat the seasoning process! So here’s the order in how we season and make the microwave popcorn better!

  1. Layer of popcorn
  2. Season with favorite seasoning (this could be salt or other fun flavors like we use!)
  3. Drizzle of butter
  4. More seasoning
  5. Another layer of popcorn
  6. Repeat with #2-#5 until all popcorn has been seasoned!
How to Make Homemade Popcorn in the Microwave in a brown bag and flavors and butter!

Serve Right Away

For best results, fresh popcorn has the best flavor if you eat it right away. However, we’ve been known to make a big batch and have some leftover. So once it’s cooled off, we store it in an airtight container and snack on it the next day!

It does have a different texture but if I’m being honest… it’s actually still REALLY good the next day!

We’re the “Popcorn People”

Now, after perfecting the homemade microwave popcorn recipe, we even have family asking for it when they come over because it has become a favorite snack food.

So the next time you want popcorn, I hope you give this a try! Let me know how you like it! You may just be hooked like we are!

More Popcorn Recipes and Other Ways to Enjoy Popcorn

Originally published: June 2021
Updated and republished: April 2025

Recipe

Homemade popcorn with butter and seasonings sprinkled on.
Print Pin
5 from 3 votes

Homemade Popcorn in the Microwave

How to Make Homemade Popcorn in the Microwave: A quick and easy way to pop microwave popcorn, without oil, in a brown bag, and it's ready in minutes!
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 12 cups
Calories 26kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Equipment

  • microwave

Ingredients

  • 2 brown paper bags
  • ½ cup uncooked popcorn kernels We use Orville Redenbacher Corn or even off-brand yellow popping corn.
  • Popcorn Seasoning We LOVE Kernel Season's
  • Popcorn butter topping We LOVE Orville Redenbacher’s

Instructions

  • Open one brown paper bag, and pour in the cup of kernels.
  • Using the other brown paper bag, open it up and slide it down on top of the other, creating an enclosed bag for it to pop in.
  • Place the bag on it’s side in the microwave and cook for 3-4 minutes, listening for the kernels to slow down.
  • NOTE: Each microwave is different and cooking times may vary. We use our popcorn sensing button, and it pops for about 3 minutes.
  • Remove popcorn from microwave, and gently pull the two bags apart from one another.
  • Caution: HOT!!
  • Pour one layer of the popcorn in to a large bowl.
  • Sprinkle with popcorn seasoning desired
  • Then drizzle popcorn butter on top
  • Repeat with another layer of seasoning.
  • Add another layer of popcorn, and repeat the seasoning process until all of the popcorn has been seasoned.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 3cups | Calories: 26kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 19mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

Best Websites to Buy Dresses

As a busy mom always looking for cute cheap summer clothes, dresses tend to lead the pack when it comes to an easy summer wardrobe.

From cute summer dresses to casual summer dresses for women, I’ve gathered a HOT list of online stores where I tend to always have success when shopping online for mom clothes!

Top 5 Online Websites for Dresses

Husband and Wife Family Photos: Pink dress and blue shirt with gray shorts

H&M

When I need an affordable, casual t-shirt dress or even a dress that can double as a swimsuit cover-up, I head to H&M. The prices are usually affordable and they have a broad selection of dresses that can work for so many different occasions.

I actually bought the dress that you see above, at H&M for family photos! It was the casual, yet relaxed-classy look I was going for!

Chicwish

Oh how I love Chicwish for dresses! Some of the dresses aren’t really my style but they have such a large selection, that I can usually find a dress for a wedding or special event that we’re going to!

I actually found this fun flamingo dress at Chicwish a few years ago and I wore it to a business retreat and for a lifestyle brand photoshoot! It was one of those dresses that was a conversation piece everywhere I went! Something like this would also be super cute and fun for a “favorite things party” with your girlfriends… am I right?!

flamingo dress

Modcloth

I have to say, Modcloth is the very first place that I look when I need a new dress. I don’t always find a dress there but when I do… it’s my absolutely FAVORITE! They’re super stylish and I never find anything like it anywhere else.

Don’t look at just the dresses though… they usually have adorable skirts too! I’m a sucker for an a-line dress and Modcloth usually has multiple to choose from and you can even filter for trending styles to make your search even easier! Being from Montana, I tend to find myself looking for cute dresses to wear with cowboy boots from Modcloth too!

I snagged this amazing green dress below from Modcloth a few years ago and it was one of my favorites for so many years. Sadly, after a LOT of wear and tear, the zipper broke and it was a sad, sad day. Still not sure why I didn’t fix the zipper and keep the dang thing.

Green dress from modcloth

Forever 21

I may be in my 30’s, almost 40 but this gal STILL shops at Forever 21 for an affordable summer dress.

They’re usually so cheap that it’s hard to pass them up and it’s also another store I shop at to find swimsuit cover-ups, even if they’re a “dress”.

This t-shirt dress that I found, in the photo below, was about $7.00 and is the perfect dress for a hot summer day, or to wear over my swimming suit if we go out on the lake!

Make sure to check out their rompers and jumpsuits too, that can sometimes pass for a dressier occasion.

T Shirt from Forever21: White with green stripes

Pink Lily

Pink Lily is a newer love, where I’ve become obsessed with their denim shorts! But they have super cute dresses too that I love. I’ve even found super cute jumpsuits on their website that can be dressed up or down!

black jumpsuit from pink lily

Now, I do also love Target, Red Dress Boutique (where I got my favorite coral dress) and Amazon when shopping for women’s clothes but these featured today were specifically for dresses!

I so hope you found something that you love! Drop me a note and let me know!

Instant Pot Cajun Pasta

Delicious instant pot pasta with a little kick! This cajun pasta is a savory twist on regular pasta. It’s quick, easy, and a family favorite!

Mastering instant pot recipes was one of the best things I’ve ever done. Instant pot chicken and potatoes, cheeseburger macaroni, and Instant Pot pot roast are on repeat at my house because they’re just so easy!

Instant Pot Cajun Pasta

Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Pasta

  • This recipe is incredibly simple and is an easy dinner recipe that the whole family will love so it’s great for the meal planner! There are no crazy cooking skills required to make this cajun pasta. All you will need is basic ingredients, an instant pot, and only 30 minutes! Can you see why it’s one of my go-to easy family dinners?!
  • So my favorite Instant Pot recipes use tomato sauce. But what’s nice about this one is that it’s a nice switch from the typical meat sauce or marinara sauce pasta recipes, like our Sausage Pasta Bake recipe.
  • It’s easy to cater this recipe to anyone’s eating habits because it’s versatile. You can add celery, peppers, mushrooms, chicken sausage, or use a different type of pasta. To find more about substitutions and add-ins, keep scrolling!
  • This is a relatively healthy dinner as-is and can also be healthified even more! This recipe has a serving of protein, carbs, and fat which makes it a great healthy family dinner. There are also simple steps to make this recipe even healthier, just keep scrolling!
instant pot pasta recipe

Ingredient Checklist

  • ½ Tbsp. Butter
  • ½ Tbsp. Olive Oil
  • ½ lb. Andouille Sausage (this would also be amazing in this sausage casserole!)
  • ¼ cup Diced Celery
  • 2 Cloves Garlic, Grated
  • ½ Tbsp. Minced Onion
  • ½ Tbsp. Paprika
  • 1 Tbsp. Cajun Seasoning
  • 2 Cups Chicken Broth (my homemade chicken broth recipe is a great option for this too.)
  • 7 oz. Penne Pasta
  • ½ cup Half and Half
  • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese
  • ⅛ cup Fresh Parsley or basil
Instant pot cajun pasta ingredients.

Step by Step Directions

You can find the full list of ingredients and full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post, however, I love to share tips along the way in case it’s helpful!

  1. Heat your butter and oil using the sauté function on your instant pot. After
    your butter is melted, add sausage and celery and cook until your
    sausage is beginning to brown and your celery is soft (Image 1).
  2. Add your minced onion, grated garlic, Cajun seasoning, and paprika to your
    pot and mix using a wooden spoon until the sausage and celery are coated.
  3. Add your chicken broth and continue to cook while stirring occasionally until
    your chicken broth has reached a slow simmer.
  4. Add pasta into your broth mixture, turn off the sauté function on
    your Instant Pot, place your pressure cooker lid on your pot, set the valve
    to the sealing position, and pressure cook on manual high pressure for 6 minutes (Image 2).
  5. Once your pasta is done cooking, initiate a quick release on your Instant
    Pot. (“Quick release” or “manual release” means to turn the pressure valve to “vent” to release the steam and pressure. Natural release means to allow the Instant Pot to release the pressure on its own, which takes longer and typically makes the food cook longer inside, since it’s pressurizing for a longer time while naturally releasing.)
  6. Once all the pressure has been released, remove the lid and quickly stir in
    your half and half and parmesan (Image 3).
  7. Add parsley to the top of the pasta and serve (Image 4).
Steps on how to make Instant Pot Cajun Pasta.

Variations to This Recipe

There are a few easy things you can do to make this recipe slightly healthier. You can easily throw in veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, and/or broccoli when you add in your pasta.

In addition to including more vegetables, you can also use chickpea pasta or another lentil pasta. These types of pasta are more nutrient-dense and have more protein than typical pasta. Those types of pasta cook the same as regular noodles and you can find them at most grocery stores. Or, feel free to use gluten-free pasta as well!

FAQs

Can I use different noodles?

Yes, you can use a different style of noodles. I’ve found that penne gives this instant pot pasta recipe a nice texture and flavor but spaghetti noodles, bowtie, or rigatoni would also work. We even used fettuccini in this Blackened Chicken Alfredo. Each pasta may have different cook times so adjust if needed.

Can you put uncooked pasta in the instant pot?

Yes! You put uncooked pasta in the instant pot. For best results and to achieve al dente tender pasta, make sure you follow the directions because it can be tricky to get the perfect pasta texture.

What can I use instead of Cajun seasoning?

Creole seasoning is a great substitute for Cajun seasoning. If you do not have Cajun or creole seasoning, you can make your own by combining paprika, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, white pepper, onion powder,
oregano, and cayenne.

Instant pot cajun pasta recipe

How do I Store Leftover Instant Pot Pasta?

This instant pot spaghetti recipe reheats so well and is great for leftovers the next day! To store this dish, simply put your leftovers in an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, you can add a splash of milk and parmesan cheese to the pasta and cook on the stove or reheat in the microwave. You could also add more pasta sauce if desired!

easy Instant pot pasta

Substitutions and Add-ins

  • Andouille sausage is a slightly spicy sausage that can be hard to find at the grocery store but you can easily swap that out with Polska Kielbasa sausage. For a healthier alternative, you can buy a turkey Polska Kielbasa-style sausage. Or, feel free to change up the meat totally and use ground beef, chicken, ground turkey or leftover meats from the night before!
  • If you like your pasta thick, you can use cream instead of half and half. If you’d prefer to stay away from cream altogether, you can use any type of milk and a thickening agent like corn starch.
  • I don’t know about you, but I ALWAYS top my pasta with shredded parmesan cheese and fresh basil. I think it gives this instant pot pasta extra flavor and texture which is always welcomed in my recipes!
  • If you find that spicy pasta isn’t your favorite, you leave out the cajun seasoning and use seasonings such as garlic powder, paprika, parsley, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and/or onion powder. Simply add these spices along with the rest of the spices in this instant pot recipe.
Easy instant pot cajun pasta recipe

More Instant Pot Recipes

Instant Pot pasta recipes are are comforting, easy and usually a kid and family favorite, especially on busy weeknights. Here are more recipes that you’ll find helpful for busy nights!

Recipe

Instant Pot Cajun pasta in bowl.
Print Pin
5 from 4 votes

Instant Pot Cajun Pasta

Delicious Instant Pot cajun pasta with a little kick! This cajun pasta is a savory twist on regular pasta. It's quick, easy, and a family favorite!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 3
Calories 680kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Equipment

  • Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

  • ½ tablespoon Olive Oil
  • ½ tablespoon Butter
  • ½ pound Andouille Sausage
  • ¼ cup Diced Celery
  • ½ tablespoon Minced Onion
  • 2 cloves Garlic Grated
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun Seasoning
  • ½ tablespoon Paprika
  • 7 ounces Penne Pasta
  • 2 cups  Chicken Broth
  • ½ cup Half and Half
  • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley

Instructions

  • Heat your butter and oil using the sauté function on your instant pot.
  • After your butter is melted, add sausage and celery and cook until your sausage is beginning to brown and your celery is soft.
  • Add your minced onion, grated garlic, Cajun seasoning, and paprika to your pot and mix until the sausage and celery are coated.
  • Add your chicken broth and continue to cook while stirring occasionally until your chicken broth has reached a slow simmer.
  • Add pasta into your broth mixture, turn off the sauté function on your Instant Pot, place your pressure cooker lid on your pot, set the valve to the sealing position, and pressure cook on high for 6 minutes.
  • Once your pasta is done cooking, initiate a quick release on your Instant Pot.
  • Once all the pressure has been released, remove the lid and quickly stir in your half and half and parmesan. Add parsley to the top of the pasta and serve.

Notes

What can I use instead of Cajun Seasoning? 
Creole seasoning is a great substitute for Cajun seasoning. If you do not have Cajun or creole seasoning, you can make your own by combining paprika, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, white pepper, onion powder,
oregano, and cayenne.
How do I store instant pot cajun pasta?
This instant pot spaghetti recipe reheats so well and is great for leftovers! To store this dish, simply put your leftovers in an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, you can add a splash of milk and parmesan cheese to the pasta and cook on the stove or reheat in the microwave. You could also add more pasta sauce if desired!

Nutrition

Calories: 680kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 1565mg | Potassium: 690mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2352IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 292mg | Iron: 3mg

Tips for an All-Inclusive Resort Vacation in Mexico

Tips for an All-Inclusive Resort Vacation in Mexico: The things I wish I knew before going the first time and bonus tips just for fun!

Valentine Imperial Maya - All Inclusive Resort in Mexico
Pool Side in the morning at Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya

Heading to Mexico for an all-inclusive vacation can be SUPER exciting. But it can also be super nerve-wracking if you've never been because you're unsure of what to expect.

Luckily, my first time in Mexico for a vacation at an all-inclusive resort, I traveled with a friend who had been multiple times, so she knew what to expect and knew the ins and outs.

But if you're heading there for the first time and you're not sure what to pack or what to expect upon arriving, consider me your virtual best friend that can help! (Plus, get my free printable, Mexico Packing List to help make the planning process even easier!)

I may not have all the answers for a perfect trip to Mexico but I do have tips that can make your trip more enjoyable and hopefully spare you some trouble.

NOTE: I’ll be referring to taking an adults only, all-inclusive vacation to a resort where you fly in to the Cancun aiport (CUN). So if you’re arriving elsewhere, some of the tips may differ but this should still be very helpful!

How do you get the most out of an all-inclusive resort?

Valentine Imperial Maya All Inclusive Resort in Mexico - Tips for traveling

I've broken the tips up in to "must-know" tips (or highly suggested tips) and "just for fun" tips to help you get the most out of your all-inclusive vacation. The first set will be those tips that I wish I would have known or so glad that I knew when traveling there for the first time.

The "just for fun" tips are… well… just that. Fun tips that I've learned along the way that make things even better or more enjoyable. Definitely not necessary but are nice perks and things to remember!

MUST-KNOW or Highly Suggested Tips:

  • Travel minimally! (Unless you're a fashion blogger. Haha!) But even as a blogger knowing that I could get some crazy fun photos on the beach of any new outfits… I end up wearing a swimming suit and swimsuit cover-up most days. I feel like day clothes are overrated unless you're going on an excursion. So for someone like us, who never leaves the resort, I only take one day outfit (cute shorts/top) just in case we decide on a whim to do some exploring. The same goes for jewelry… I take one pair of earrings that can go with anything and just wear those every night.
  • Call your phone carrier to check on the International phone plan before leaving. Some phone plans will charge roaming fees when traveling to Mexico. Or, you may be able to get a specific, temporary package to cover roaming charges.
  • Print out your itinerary before leaving home so you can reference it in case your phone goes dead at all in the airport or on your way to the resort. It's also handy to have this when filling out the customs form and you need flight number information as well as the resort’s address.
  • We love booking EARLY flights to Cancun. (Like, 6 or 7 am flights.) Knowing we have a few days to nap when we get there, we don't mind waking early, catching a flight and arriving at the resort around 11 am to still enjoy most of the day!
  • Fly out mid-day if possible on the way home. (Sleep in…at least more than you did on the way there.) You don't want to be stressed on your way back home and it's recommended that you arrive to the airport 3 hours early anyway and your resort may be quite a distance from the airport as well. So a 9:00 am flight may sound doable, but just keep in mind how early you may just have to start your day for that kind of flight. Plus, having one more all-inclusive breakfast before you leave is always a nice way to start your day to travel back home. (For instance, on our last trip, we met a couple who had to leave the resort at 2:30 in the morning to catch an early 6 am flight. Yuck.
  • Filling out forms. You will fill out a customs form while on the plan to Mexico. You will then give this form to the person in the "customs" area in the Cancun airport. The form will ask how you're arriving in to Cancun… flight/boat… what airline you used, what hotel/address you're staying at, etc.)
  • Going through customs. When you go through customs on arrival, they'll give you a little slip of paper from the customs form on the plane that you'll need to hang on to and bring back to the airport with you. So don't throw this away! The last time I ran in to a problem with this though (someone was traveling with me that lost theirs) we found out that an Immigration form replacement is $30, and it’s cash only.
  • Ink pens - Sounds crazy right? But you'll be so glad that you brought one or two for filling out the customs form on the plane.
    Having a pen on you so you can fill this out is so much nicer than having to wait and ask a stranger to use theirs and share the same pen with 20 other people.
  • Use a beach bag as a purse for the flight! I LOVE doing this because I love to pack minimalistic. If my beach bag is small enough to qualify and slide under the chair in front of me and big enough to hold my laptop, wallet, passport, small jacket, etc. then I don't have to pack a beach bag in my check-in and I don't need to take my big giant purse that I use every day.
  • Smile, be cooperative and be kind to the airport workers. You'd be surprised how far this can get you if a problem arises. (Check-in bag too heavy, etc.)
  • Room service. Don't feel like going to dinner every night? A lot of resorts have room service 24 hours a day. Order in and relax!
  • Dress codes. Check with the resort for any dress code at the restaurants. Some restaurants have requirements that you'll want to know about before packing. (i.e. elegant dress codes, casual, etc. and what types of clothes fit the different codes.)
  • Sunscreen - Pack that sunscreen! I know it sounds obvious but buying at the resort can be me a lot more expensive. Same for aloe vera gel. That's fantastic to have for a sunburn.
  • How much should you tip at an all inclusive resort? Take $1's for tips - Some resorts will say "please don't tip" or "we don't accept tips" But I'll tell you that I've yet to find one where the employees don't accept them and I've also found that tipping a couple of dollars here and there to waiters/waitresses, bellhops, concierge, etc. can make their day and sometimes even get you superstar service!
  • Take cash. If I were you, I’d still take a bit of cash with you, other than just dollar bills. Our debit card gave us problems while there, so we were thankful we took enough cash to cover emergency purchases or even purchases that we made at the resort.
  • USD and Pesos. Remember that you’ll be dealing with pesos while you’re there, but using USD is just fine! If you visit the spa or purchase something while there, don’t panic when you see what looks like your total is thousands of dollars. That is in pesos and they’ll be able to convert it to USD for you.
  • First aid. Pack items like Motrin, Tylenol, Advil, hangover relief, digestive, heartburn relief, etc. for those "Ooops, I drank too much" moments or if the food/water doesn't settle well with you.
  • Bug spray - sometimes the mosquitos can be an issue, so I always like to bring that with me in case it's heavy mosquito season.
  • Small crossover handbags are super handy for going out for dinner at the resorts if you want to carry your phone or other small belongings with you. This is an adorable, similar nude crossover handbag that I use!
    I recommend a crossover if you do want to take things with you, so it's easier to carry if you decide to stay out afterward for the entertainment, and it's less likely you'll sit the purse down and walk off from it. However… I get to where I don't even take my phone or any belongings with me to dinner and just leave everything in the room. So freeing! But grab that room key… and slip it in to your pocket if you have one!
  • Jewelry. Leave your wedding rings at home or wear a fake ring! The last thing you want is to have a great time and then lose something so special and important!
  • Credit Card. Be prepared to take a credit card with you for extra charges or let your bank know you're traveling if you bank with a small local bank and using a debit card.
  • Phone safety. If you like to have your phone out in the pool/beach area, grab a waterproof case. But surprisingly (even as addicted as I am to my phone/computer) I leave my phone in the room almost all day. If you can, use this time to detox from your phone.
  • Shoes. Take one pair of dress shoes that you can wear with multiple outfits for dinner. (Nude heels are a great color for me because they go with just about anything, and my husband usually takes black/brown dress shoes.)
  • Do I need to bring a beach towel to an all inclusive resort? Beach towels usually aren't necessary to bring with you. You may check with your resort, but don't waste the space in your luggage if your resort provides them.
  • Hairdryer - check with your resort to see if they provide one. Less you have to take, the better.
  • Use the safe in your room. You just never know. When you get to the room, place your passports (and car keys if applicable) in the safe, as well as any other travel documents that you want to keep safe while you're on the trip.
    Don't forget to get your things out of the safe when you leave. If it helps, set a reminder on your phone the night before or morning of departure so you don't get to the airport and realize you've left it behind an hour away at the resort!
  • Pack a swimming suit in your carry-on or purse (beach bag) when flying. This is smart in case your luggage gets lost, or if you arrive at the resort before you can check-in. If your room isn't ready, go to the bathroom, change in to your swimming suit and hit up the pool or beach while you wait for your room to be ready!
  • Books/Magazines - not only are these handy for the airplane ride there when you can't play on the internet to pass the time, but they come in handy for when you need to get up and go somewhere and need something to show that your pool chair/cabana is taken. (I actually prefer to buy magazines in the airport when heading to the resort, so I can leave the magazines behind once I've read them and not have to drag them back home like I would a book.)
  • Digital reads. Not interested in taking books/magazines? Save books/podcasts on to your device before going. It's lucky to fly with an airline that has Wi-Fi so don't assume they all do.
  • Book a shuttle service ahead of time that can pick you up from the Cancun airport and take you to your resort. When you arrive at the airport, there will be a TON of employees for various shuttle services trying to talk you in to riding with them. It's much easier to bypass them and look for the shuttle company you booked. They're expecting you and know exactly where to take you!
  • Arrival expectations. Arriving at the airport in Cancun, you'll have to go through something called "customs". This is where they check your passport, and may ask you a couple of questions of why you're coming in. (i.e. What is your name, where are you staying? How many days will you be visiting, etc.) Once through customs, you'll walk to the baggage claim and pick up any luggage you checked in.
    Most of the time, you then take your luggage through an area where they scan the luggage or even physically open it up and take a look through it to make sure you're not bringing anything illegal in.
    Then, you head outside and soak in that beautiful weather and sunshine to catch a ride to your resort.
  • If you can swing it, book a private shuttle. Sometimes it's not that much bigger of a cost. Sharing a shuttle or transportation ride with strangers can result in stopping at multiple other resorts before getting to yours, taking a lot of time away from your day of vacation!
  • Departure shuttle. While at the resort, confirm your shuttle service back to the airport to know what time to leave the resort on the day of.
  • Departure airport trip. On the way back home (if you live in USA) you'll go through the flight check-in at Cancun airport like normal, go through security and then board your flight. When arriving at your layover (if you don't have a direct flight) you may have to get your luggage at baggage claim, go through security again and go through customs at that airport before boarding your next flight home.
    For instance, if you live in Montana and are flying home from Cancun, but you have a layover in Dallas… you may have to go to Dallas' baggage claim area when laying over to get your luggage and take it through customs so they can check to make sure you didn't bring anything illegal in to the USA. Then, once you're good to go, you can board your plane to your final destination.
    Have a direct flight? Customs will just check your baggage after you have picked it up from the baggage claim at your home airport. Direct flights are definitely a better option if you are able to get one, but isn't as crazy as it may sound unless a flight is delayed.
  • Dry shampoo. Ladies, dry shampoo may be your new best friend if it isn't already! I love being able to use that instead of having to get completely ready for dinner if I've stayed at the pool bar/beach longer than planned.
  • Beach chairs. Most people will tell you to get up early while there if you can or if it's worth it to you, to reserve a pool chair. Some people think it's rude to reserve chairs and some resorts don't even allow it.
    My opinion? I like to get up early some mornings, head down by the pool and pick a place. I put my things down (sometimes sit for a bit and soak up the sun) and then I go to breakfast, leaving my magazines and sunscreen on the chair. This way if something happens to them, it's not the end of the world, but most of the time someone will see that it is taken and they won't sit there. Then, after breakfast, I can come right back and enjoy the chair again. Just be kind. Don't reserve a chair in the morning just in case you want it hours later and leave for an excursion for the day.
  • Don't try to bring back meats, fruits, etc. from your trip. Customs won't allow most of these items.
  • Drink the water? Have you ever heard someone say "Don't drink the water in Mexico?!" We have too. But we always drink the water at the restaurants and in the bottles that are in the hotel minibar. But I've also heard stories of others struggling with drinking water that's not bottled or even brushing your teeth with the sink water. I'm sure it depends on where you go and what resort you stay at, but we have never had problems with this, at four different resorts.
  • Use the "do not disturb" door tag if you have one, for when you're in the room. The housekeepers can make multiple trips to your room in one day to clean and even come in for turndown service. You don't want to get woken up from that precious nap you've been craving!
Drink station in Mexico at a resort
Drink Station

JUST FOR FUN:

  • Can you bring your own cup to all inclusive resort? Some love to take yeti cups for drinking in the pool so their drinks stay colder longer. We prefer to just get a new drink at the bar rather than keep up with a cup and feel like we have to clean it every day.
  • Leave a tip for the housekeeper - sometimes you can get little extras, or possibly your room cleaned sooner
  • Have airline miles or want to go big or go home? Book first class for your flight if you can. There's nothing like going to Cancun and starting your vacation out early by hopping on the flight with ease and enjoying tons of legroom, comfy seats, and cocktails.
  • Nightly entertainment. A lot of resorts have nightly entertainment. Anything from magic shows, dancing, live bands, etc. The pools usually close around 6 in the evening to allow guests to go back to their rooms and get ready for dinner.
  • Spa prep. If going to the spa, a cocktail or two beforehand can help you get extra relaxed.
  • Making a spa appointment on the resort? See if you can go to the spa early and take advantage of their steam room/sauna beforehand!
Cancun Airport Arrival - All-Inclusive Resort Tips for a vacation
One more pro-tip: Dress cozy, and in something that could even double as a swimsuit coverup if your room isn’t ready when you arrive! I LOVE this jumpsuit from Pink Lily Boutique!

Where are you going? I’d love to hear!

I’ve been to a small handful of different resorts, but I’ve been to the same resorts multiple times! (When you find one that you like it’s hard to try a new one! At least for us!)

Or if you haven’t booked one yet, this is where I love to book all-inclusive trips as a package with the flight to save money!

I’ve been to:

  • Excellence Riviera Maya – Our favorite! Also check out how I surprised my husband for his 30th birthday at this resort!
  • El Dorado Casitas and Royale – Both casitas and the royale side
  • Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya
  • ….and another (not all-inclusive) in downtown Cancun that was a timeshare.

But I’d LOVE to hear where you’ve been and what your favorite is. Or, if you haven’t been yet… let me know where you’re going!

Pasta with Corn and Tomatoes

In under 30 minutes, this summer pasta recipe is an easy summer recipe to put together and uses delicious ingredients from the garden (or summer vegetables from the grocery store) to create summer flavors in a comfort food dish that everyone will love!

Similar to this one, our macaroni and tomatoes recipe is easy to make and is a southern classic.

Pasta with corn and tomato sauce is the PERFECT summer pasta recipe!

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

  • This recipe uses simple ingredients and it’s a great way to use those summer vegetables in a comfort food dish that’s not too heavy.
  • It’s ready in under 30 minutes so you’re not stuck in the kitchen for a lot of hours and can be made quickly after spending all day outside!
  • This recipe is lighter, compared to a fall or winter pasta recipe, such as this creamy pasta recipe made with cream cheese!
Mmm! Fettuccine with Corn and Tomatoes. This is a great bbq side dish recipe and perfect if you're looking for vegetarian pasta recipes

Recipe Ingredients:

  • extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic smashed
  • pinch crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes cut in half
  • 1-½ cups chicken or vegetable stock
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 ears corn, kernels cut off the cob
  • 1 box fettuccine
  • ½ cup grated parmigiano reggiano
  • 6 basil leaves, chopped

Fettuccine with Corn and Tomatoes Recipe

Although you can use any kind of pasta for this recipe, our favorite is to the use fettuccine. However feel free to substitute for other pasta that you have on hand.

This is an easy summer pasta recipe that is SOOOO full of flavor!

Summer Pasta Sauce

Since this is a light summer recipe, a light summer pasta sauce is key! This sauce is made up of herbs and oils, rather than a hearty tomatoes sauce like so many others call for.

Vegetarian Pasta

Using vegetables like corn and tomatoes in this pasta adds the texture this pasta needs without adding meat.

However if you’d like to add diced chicken or another protein like salmon or this broiled steak recipe, may be delicious as well!

Sweet Corn Pasta Recipe - This recipe is perfect as a side dish or main dish!

Step by Step Directions:

  • Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil.
  • Coat a large saute pan with olive oil and add the garlic and the crushed red pepper.  
  • Bring the pan to a medium-high heat. When the garlic has turned a golden brown color, remove it and discard.
  • Add the prepared grape tomatoes and half the stock and season with salt. Simmer the pan until the tomatoes have wilted and let off their juices.
  • Add the corn and the remaining stock and simmer until the corn is cooked through.
  • While the corn is cooking add the pasta to the pot of salted boiling water. Cook the pasta until the water comes back to a rolling boil plus 1 minute.  
  • Remove the pasta from the water and add it to the saute pan with the tomatoes and corn. 
  • Add about a half a cup of the pasta cooking water and cook until the water has evaporated and the sauce clings to the pasta.  
  • Remove the pan from the heat. 
  • Toss in the parmigiano reggiano, basil and a big drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil. Stir or toss the pasta vigorously. Parmigiano reggiano is a great cheese that adds saltiness and a nutty flavor. I recommend buying a block of the cheese and grate it yourself because it tastes so much better.
Easy Summer Side Dishes - This is perfect for a bbq or even a warm weeknight side dish for the family!

Perfect BBQ Side Dish Recipe

This would be an amazing side dish for a bbq or potluck for summer. It’s quick and easy and transfers well! It’s even delicious if it’s not piping hot which works out wonderful for outdoor get-togethers.

Simple Pasta Recipes - This summer corn and tomato fettuccine is perfect!

Recipe

Pasta with corn and tomato sauce is the PERFECT summer pasta recipe!
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Fettuccine with Corn and Tomatoes Recipe

In under 30 minutes, this summer pasta recipe is easy to put together and uses delicious ingredients from the garden (or summer vegetables from the grocery store) to create summer flavors in a comfort food dish that everyone will love!
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 538kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic smashed
  • pinch crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes cut in half
  • 1-½ cups chicken or vegetable stock
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 ears corn, kernels cut off the cob
  • 1 box fettuccine
  • ½ cup grated parmigiano reggiano
  • 6 basil leaves chiffonade

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil.
  • Coat a large saute pan with olive oil and add the garlic and the crushed red pepper.  
  • Bring the pan to a medium-high heat. When the garlic has turned a golden brown color, remove it and discard.
  • Add the prepared grape tomatoes and half the stock and season with salt. Simmer the pan until the tomatoes have wilted and let off their juices.
  • Add the corn and the remaining stock and simmer until the corn is cooked through.
  • While the corn is cooking add the pasta to the pot of salted boiling water. Cook the pasta until the water comes back to a rolling boil plus 1 minute.  
  • Remove the pasta from the water and add it to the saute pan with the tomatoes and corn. 
  • Add about a half a cup of the pasta cooking water and cook until the water has evaporated and the sauce clings to the pasta.  
  • Remove the pan from the heat. 
  • Toss in the parmigiano reggiano, basil and a big drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil. Stir or toss the pasta vigorously. 

Notes

Parmigiano reggiano is a great cheese that adds saltiness and a nutty flavor. I recommend buying a block of the cheese and grate it yourself because it tastes so much better.
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cups | Calories: 538kcal | Carbohydrates: 89g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 366mg | Potassium: 647mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 780IU | Vitamin C: 27.6mg | Calcium: 207mg | Iron: 3.2mg

Mozzarella Wrap with Tomato and Basil

This mozzarella wrap with tomato and basil makes the perfect summer lunch. It’s easy, refreshing, and light!

Sometimes the most simple ingredients create the freshest flavors. This recipe along with chicken street tacos, Asian chicken lettuce wraps, and my Italian chopped salad, are my go-to meals on a hot summer day.

Mozzarella Wrap with Tomato and Basil

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I don’t know about you but the last thing I want to do it take an hour out of my day to make a meal.

The combination of fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and fresh herbs does wonders for your taste buds while still allowing you to feel amazing. There’s nothing better than whipping up a simple recipe that happens to be delicious and good for you!

Mozzarella wrap with fresh basil

What kind of mozzarella is best for wraps?

Fresh mozzarella cheese is my favorite ingredient in this recipe. Fresh mozzarella tastes much better than sliced mozzarella because it has more flavor, it’s creamier, and has a smoother texture and you can typically find it at your local grocery store!

I would highly recommend using fresh mozzarella over sliced but you may used sliced if you’re in a pinch. There’s something about the fresh flavors that make a recipe like this over-the-top!

Ingredient Checklist:

  • 4 larges Tortillas
  • ½ cup fresh basil leaves
  • 1 medium tomato sliced
  • 1 cup arugula (optional and can sub. for spinach)
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
ingredients for easy mozzarella wrap

Step by Step Directions

  1. With a knife or kitchen scissors cut a line starting in the middle of the tortilla.
  2. Slice the tomato and mozzarella, set aside (Image 1).
  3. On the lower left quarter, add the basil leaves (about 3 to 4 leaves per tortilla) (Image 2).
  4. On the upper left corner, add tomato slices (about 3 to 4 slices per tortilla) (Image 3).
Steps 1-3 of how to make mozzarella wrap.
  1. Now on the other right quarter add the arugula (about ¼ cup per tortilla) (Image 4).
  2. Finally, add the cheese sliced in the last quarter (Image 5).
  3. Starting with the quarter where you placed the basil, fold it over the tomato
    quarter.
  4. Then fold it up on top of the arugula.
  5. Finally, fold it over the cheese quarter.
  6. In a skillet add the olive oil and over medium heat add the tortilla and cook until
    it gets crispy, flip it once (about 3 minutes per side) (Image 6).
Steps to make mozzarella wrap recipe.

Expert Tips and FAQs

How do you assemble a wrap?

The best way to assemble a wrap so it doesn’t fall apart is the way shown above. When you cut a slice in the tortilla and fold in from the bottom left corner, eventually creating a triangle shape, it holds the wrap together neaty.

Can I add protein to this recipe?

Yes! Adding shredded chicken breast, sliced turkey, or sliced chicken would all be great additions to this recipe. To do this, you may need to add less of the other ingredients so your wrap doesn’t get too full.

What dressings go well with a mozzarella wrap?

Adding pesto or balsamic vinegar is the perfect way to add extra flavor to this delicious wrap. Adding balsamic vinegar makes this recipe taste like a fresh caprese salad!

easy caprese wrap recipe

Is this recipe low-carb?

This recipe is fairly low-carb when using a traditional tortilla. To make this recipe 100% keto-friendly you can use a low-carb tortilla. Low-carb tortillas can be found at most local grocery stores and make delicious homemade keto cheese wraps. If you like low-carb recipes, you should definitely check out my cauliflower potato salad and low carb chicken tenders!

Mozzarella wrap with tomato and basil recipe

Can I use a panini press?

Yes! If you’d rather cook these tomato basil wraps in a panini press you certainly can. Do note, it may cook faster so make sure you’re keeping a close eye on the caprese wraps to prevent burning.

More ingredients you can add:

If you like to mix things up, you can also add other ingredients such as:

  • red peppers
  • black pepper
  • cream cheese (instead of mozzarella)
  • arugula
  • spinach
easy wrap with mozzarella

Similar Recipes

Make sure to check out some of our favorite recipes that are similar to this one, especially this tortilla sandwich!

Or, this fajitas chicken wrap is another great, easy recipe to make for dinner or lunch!

Recipe

easy caprese wrap recipe
Print Pin
5 from 8 votes

Mozzarella Wrap with Tomato and Basil

This mozzarella wrap with tomato and basil makes the perfect summer lunch. It's easy, refreshing and light!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 299kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 4 large tortillas
  • ½ cup fresh basil leaves
  • 1 medium tomato sliced
  • 1 cup arugula optional – sub. spinach
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  • With a knife or kitchen scissor cut a line starting in the middle of the tortilla.
  • Slice the tomato and mozzarella, set aside.
  • On the lower left quarter, add the basil leaves (about 3 to 4 leaves per tortilla).
  • On the upper left corner, add tomato slices (about 3 to 4 slices per tortilla).
  • On the other right quarter add the arugula (about ¼ cup per tortilla).
  • Finally, add the cheese sliced in the last quarter.
  • Starting with the quarter where you placed the basil, fold it over the tomato quarter. Then fold it up on top of the arugula. Finally, fold it over the cheese quarter.
  • In a skillet add the olive oil and over medium heat add the tortilla and cook until it gets crispy, flip it once (about 3 minutes per side).

Notes

How do you assemble a wrap?
The best way to assemble a wrap so it doesn’t fall apart is the way shown above. When you cut a slice in the tortilla and fold in from the bottom left corner, eventually creating a triangle shape, it holds the wrap together neaty.
What dressings go well with a mozzarella wrap? 
Adding pesto or balsamic vinegar is the perfect way to add extra flavor to this delicious wrap. Adding balsamic vinegar makes this recipe taste like a fresh caprese salad!

Nutrition

Calories: 299kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 564mg | Potassium: 189mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 916IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 335mg | Iron: 2mg

Air Fryer Fried Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce

These easy, crispy, and juicy air fryer shrimp are one of my favorite recipes and they’re even paired with an Old Bay cocktail sauce recipe! You’re going to be surprised by how easy it is to get restaurant-quality fried shrimp from home!

Air fryer fried shrimp is delicious and one of my favorite ways to cook shrimp but my classic fried shrimp recipe will always be a staple!

Air fryer fried shrimp recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Since this air fryer shrimp recipe is quick and easy, it’s perfect for busy weeknights! I know how easy it is to forget to plan dinner… I would be lost without my air fryer and my air fryer recipes! Being able to make dinner in a flash helps me and my family avoid fast food.
  • These crispy shrimp can be used in different recipes. Some examples are shrimp tacos, a shrimp salad using this side salad recipe, shrimp fried rice recipe, or even topped on pasta! There are so many creative ways to enjoy these juicy shrimp.
  • They’re healthier than traditional fried shrimp! Because these are fried in an air fryer, instead of oil, these shrimp are healthier than classic fried shrimp. If you’re looking for a healthy side dish, I would suggest roasted Brussels sprouts, canned green bean recipes, and/or air fryer asparagus.

Ingredient Checklist

  • 1.5 - 2 lb bag Frozen Shrimp (Unthawed, XL, and Peeled)
  • 2 cups Seasoned Panko Breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
  • ½ tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
  • ½ tablespoon Garlic Powder
  • ½ tablespoon Cornstarch
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 ½ cups of Water
Ingredients for air fryer fried shrimp

Step by Step Directions

  1. Prepare shrimp: Make sure they are thawed, peeled, washed, and dried.
  2. Preheat Air Fryer to 375 degrees.
  3. Put the Panko Bread Crumbs in a small bowl. Set aside.
  4. In a large bowl combine the flour, Old Bay, Garlic Powder, and Cornstarch.
  5. Add the egg and water to the bowl.
  6. Whisk until it's all thoroughly combined. You should have a thick and wet batter.
  7. Holding the shrimp by the tail, dip the shrimp individually into the beaten egg batter. Let any excess batter drip off into the bowl (Image 1).
  8. Then dip the shrimp into the Panko bread crumbs. Covering every spot except for the tail (Image 2).
  9. Place shrimp in the Air Fryer basket in a single layer. Shrimp should not touch in the basket of your air fryer (Image 3).
  10. Place basket in Air Fryer. Close. Set time for about 6-8 minutes. Shrimp do not take long to cook.
  11. When the coating is golden brown, that's when they're ready! (Image 4).
  12. Repeat until you've cooked all shrimp.
Steps to make air fryer shrimp.

Old Bay Cocktail Sauce

If you’re serving this air fryer fried shrimp as an appetizer, you have to have cocktail sauce! If you’ve never made homemade cocktail sauce before, you’re going to be surprised by how easy it is.

Dunking juicy shrimp or air fryer salmon patties into cocktail sauce is one of my favorite things to do! Or the boom boom shrimp sauce would be delicious with this air-fried shrimp, too!

Air fryer shrimp with cocktail sauce

Cocktail Sauce Ingredients Checklist

  • ¼ Cup Ketchup
  • 2 teaspoons Horseradish
  • ¾ teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • ½ teaspoon Lemon Juice
  • ½ teaspoon Smoked paprika

Cocktail Sauce Directions

  1. In a small bowl combine Ketchup, Horseradish, Old Bay Seasoning, Worcestershire, Lemon Juice, and Smoked Paprika.
  2. Mix well until thoroughly combined.
  3. Garnish with fresh Thyme if desired.
  4. Store in the fridge covered and/or in an air-tight container.
Air fryer fried shrimp recipe

What Kind of Shrimp Should I Use?

I like to use jumbo or extra-large shrimp because they shrink while cooking. Using bigger shrimp will ensure they are a decent size when they’re ready to eat. You can use a smaller size, but do note that the cooking time may be faster.

I find that it’s easier for me to use frozen shrimp and let it thaw rather than buying fresh shrimp. I only prefer that out of convenience and you can use fresh shrimp if desired. The important thing is that your shrimp are uncooked, peeled, with the tail on!

What Side Dishes for Shrimp

If you’re looking for easy side dishes that pair well with this shrimp recipe, you’ll love:

Expert Tips and FAQs

Can I store air fryer fried shrimp?

Yes, you can store air fryer shrimp in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for no more than one day. For best results, reheat them in the air fryer or the oven. I would highly recommend eating these shrimp fresh because the breading will not be as crispy when reheated.

What spices go well with air fried shrimp?

The spices in this recipe are absolutely delicious but feel free to customize them in any way you’d like. Onion powder, smoked paprika, dried green onion, and cajun seasoning are all great options. Just add a ½ Tsp
or so.

Can I use different bread crumbs?

I’ve found that seasoned Panko bread crumbs work best for this recipe but you can use plain or Italian seasoned Panko bread crumbs. For the perfect shrimp, I would suggest using Panko bread crumbs instead of regular bread crumbs.

Air fryer fried shrimp recipe

How to Keep Shrimp from Sticking to the Air Fryer Basket

Depending on what air fryer you use, you may have trouble with your shrimp sticking to the basket of the air fryer. To solve this problem, all you have to do is add a little bit of olive oil spray to the basket before cooking. This will help prevent your shrimp from sticking!

Easy air fryer shrimp

My husband and I love to use the air fryer for all kinds of easy recipes. Using the air fryer for a quick and easy dinner is not uncommon at our house! We love making Turkey Burgers in the Air Fryer, Frozen chicken wings in the air fryer, and air fryer bratwursts!

Or, if you love shrimp, then you’re going to really love these baked potatoes with shrimp and Cajun sauce!

Or if copycat recipes are your things, don’t miss this shrimp on the barbie!

Recipe

air fryer fried shrimp on white plate
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce

These easy, crispy, and juicy air fryer shrimp are one of my favorite recipes and they're even paired with cocktail sauce! You're going to be surprised by how easy it is to get resturant quality fried shrimp from home!
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 25 shrimp
Calories 72kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Equipment

  • air fryer

Ingredients

Air fryer shrimp

  • 1 ½ – 2 pound frozen shrimp
  • 2 cups seasoned Panko bread crumbs
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ Tablespoon old bay seasoning
  • ½ Tablespoon garlic powder
  • ½ Tablespoon corn starch
  • 1 egg
  • 1 ½ cups water

Old Bay Cocktail Sauce

  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 2 Tablespoons horseradish
  • ¾ teaspoon old bay seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • ½ teaspoon lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

Air Fryer Shrimp

  • Prepare shrimp: Make sure they are thawed, peeled, washed, and dried.
  • Preheat Air Fryer to 375 degrees.
  • Put the Panko Bread Crumbs in a small bowl. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl combine the flour, Old Bay, Garlic Powder, and Cornstarch.
  • Add the egg and water to the bowl. Whisk until it's all thoroughly combined. You should have a thick and wet batter.
  • Holding the shrimp by the tail, dip the shrimp individually into the batter. Let any excess batter drip off into the bowl.
  • Then dip the shrimp into the Panko bread crumbs. Covering every spot except for the tail. 
  • Place shrimp in the Air Fryer basket. Shrimp should not touch in the basket of your air fryer.
  • Place basket in Air Fryer. Close. Set time for about 6-8 minutes. Shrimp do not take long to cook.
  • When the coating is golden brown, that's when they're ready!
  • Repeat until you've cooked all shrimp.

Old Bay Cocktail Sauce

  • In a small bowl combine Ketchup, Horseradish, Old Bay Seasoning, Worcestershire, Lemon Juice, and Smoked Paprika.
  • Mix well until thoroughly combined.
  • Garnish with fresh Thyme if desired.
  • Store in the fridge covered and/or in an air-tight container.

Notes

Can I store air fryer fried shrimp? 
Yes, you can store air fryer shrimp in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for no more than one day. For best results, reheat them in the air fryer or the oven. I would highly recommend eating these shrimp fresh because the breading will not be as crispy when reheated.
What spices go well with air fryer shrimp? 
The spices in this recipe are absolutely delicious but feel free to customize them in any way you’d like. Onion powder, smoked paprika, dried green onion, and cajun seasoning are all great options. Just add a ½ Tsp
or so.
Can I use different bread crumbs? 
I’ve found that seasoned Panko bread crumbs work best for this recipe but you can use plain or Italian seasoned Panko bread crumbs. For the perfect shrimp, I would suggest using Panko bread crumbs instead of regular bread crumbs.

Nutrition

Serving: 6shrimp | Calories: 72kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 279mg | Potassium: 55mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 1mg

Easy Lunch Recipes

Don’t fall into a lunchtime rut with these easy recipes. In this collection you will find something for everyone, from classics like hot ham and cheese, and egg salad, to chopped salads, soups, and everything in between. With this resource at your fingertips, you can skip the fast food drive-thru!

Easy lunch recipes collage.

If you’ve found yourself out of leftovers to eat for lunch, here are lunch recipes that are easy!

Cornbread salad in bowl with tomatoes green onions, and cheese.

Cornbread Salad without Beans

This unique salad hits the spot at lunch time. It doesn’t have beans, but it does have the best bbq ranch dressing.

three bean salad

Three Bean Salad

This salad fills you up until dinner with wholesome ingredients. Make this as a part of your meal plan for great lunches.

Stacked turkey sliders with melted cheese.

Turkey Sliders

These little sammys have so much flavor for a filling lunch. Make these as a part of your meal prep and heat them up in the microwave.

Asian chopped salad.

Asian Chopped Salad

This chopped salad has the best Asian dressing with plenty of nuts and citrus for a flavorful and well rounded lunch.

Close up of grinder salad in white bowl with serving serving utensils.

Grinder Salad

Make a grinder salad for lunch and fill up on veggies with plenty of meat for a really good meal!

Caprese salad in white bowl.

Chopped Caprese Salad

This salad is made with simple ingredients for a fresh and fast lunch. It has all of the flavor of caprese in an easy to eat salad form.

Cucumber salad in platter.

Creamy Crunchy Cucumber Salad

This simple salad has the crunchy flavor of cucumbers and onions with the best dressing! Make this for an easy summer salad or make a meal of it.

Cucumber Hummus Sandwich

Cucumber Hummus Sandwich by Bree's Vegan Life

This hummus and cucumber salad sandwich makes for such a wonderful lunch. I know you will enjoy this for lunch, but you might also want to make it for dinner!

Thai salad in a wooden bowl.

Thai Noodle Salad Recipe

This easy salad has carrots, nuts, rice noodles and more to make a really satisfying meal option. With so many veggies, I am sure you will agree this is a great lunch!

Broccoli crunch salad in bowl, sitting on fabric napkin on table.

Broccoli Raisin Salad

This crunchy salad has fruit, veggies and a delicious dressing for a colorful and tasty lunch. Pack this in a lunch box for a filling option.

Tuna salad sandwich.

The Best Tuna Salad

You can't go wrong with a classic like tuna salad for a hearty lunch. Pack this in a picnic, or whip this up for a last-minute lunch.

Summer side salad in white bowl, with avocado slices on top.

Summer Side Salad

Make a summer salad with all of the best ingredients! Avocados, strawberries and dried fruits to make a flavorful and filling option that everyone will love.

Greek yogurt tuna sandwich.

Greek Yogurt Tuna Salad by Nibble and Dine

Make a tuna salad with greek yogurt for the healthiest and most flavorful lunch. Use your favorite bread to make a filling option that tastes amazing after a long morning.

Tuna pasta salad.

Tuna Pasta Salad

Pack tuna into a filling pasta salad for a great summer lunch. This is so easy to make and will be loved by everyone who tries it.

Bacon ranch pasta salad.

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

This easy pasta salad has plenty of bacon ranch flavor to make for an interesting lunch option. Pack this for a filling meal that tastes even better the next day.

Beef and cheese burritos sitting on plate.

Beef and Cheese Burritos

These beefy bean burritos have plenty of cheese and salsa for a fast and meal. You can make these ahead of time as a part of your meal planning preparations and skip the drive thru at lunch time.

Tha chicken wraps stacked on top of one another.

Thai Chicken Wraps by Dirt and Dough

Wrap up chicken, veggies, and plenty of Thai dressing for a really delicious lunch option. This packs well for work or can be whipped up at home.

Zesty Italian Salad in white bowl.

Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

This pasta salad has zesty flavors with cheese, pepperoni bites and plenty of peppers. I know you will love this easy lunch option.

Shrimp macaroni salad in large serving bowl.

Shrimp Macaroni Salad

This easy macaroni salad has plenty of succulent shrimp to make a filling mid day meal offering. The flavor gets even better as it rests in the fridge.

Pea salad in a bowl with a spoon dipping into it.

Old Fashioned Pea Salad

Pack a lot of color and flavor into lunch with this classic recipe. I know you will agree the great taste never goes out of style.

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe in a bowl with a cloth

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

This salad has chunks of chicken, pasta, crunchy lettuce and the best dressing. Make this for a wholesome and satisfying lunch you can pack or enjoy at home.

Vegetable rice paper rolls on wooden cutting board.

Vegetable Rice Paper Rolls by A Tasty Kitchen

These veggie rolls are so delicious and fresh! You will want to make these for a summer lunch to share with friends as you catch up on everything going on in your lives.

Crab salad in bowl.

Crab Salad

Pop this wonderful crab salad on bread, or enjoy it with crackers. Either way I know you are going to love it from the first bite.

Brooklyn avenue sandwich on plate.

Brooklyn Avenue Sandwich by Boulder Locavore

Bring the bold flavors of a New York deli to your kitchen. This sandwich has pastrami, coleslaw and a tasty dressing for a lunch that offers your taste buds a trip!

Buffalo chicken soup, in soup bowl.

Buffalo Chicken Soup

Make a pot of this spicy soup for one unforgettable lunch. It has so much bold flavor that you might want to grab a second bowl.

Grilled chicken avocado wraps sitting on wooden cutting board.

Grilled Chicken and Avocado Wraps by All We Eat

These grilled chicken wraps with avocado slices make for such a good lunch! Wrap these up for a picnic, or enjoy them on your break at work for fresh flavors.

Bagel pizzas sitting on white background.

Pizza Bagels

This recipe couldn't be easier! Make a fast pizza on your favorite bagels for a lunch everyone will want to sink their teeth into.

Asian noodle dish in bowl with chopsticks.

Gluten Free Noodle Bowl

This noodle bowl has broccoli, carrots and sesame seeds for one perfect lunch. This is so flavorful that you won't think about hitting the trendy restaurants for a while.

Sandwiches stacked for lunch.

Fresh Veggie Sandwiches by Planted in the Kitchen

This sandwich skips the meat altogether to make one hearty lunch. Use in season goodies from your garden for the freshest flavor.

Caprese wraps, being held by a hand.

Mozzarella Tomato Basil Wrap

Grab a few simple ingredients like basil, tomatoes and mozzarella cheese and make a wrap of lunch. I know you will love this easy wrap idea for fast food at home.

Rainbow wrap, sitting on cutting board.

Rainbow Wrap by Recipes From a Pantry

Make an easy lunch with all of the colors of the rainbow. This option has so many crunchy veggies that I know you will be satisfied until dinner.

Southwestern egg roll being dipped in green sauce.

Southwestern Egg Rolls

These egg rolls are loaded with corn and black beans for a perfect lunch option. These can be made in the air fryer for a meal that is fuss free yet full of flavor.

Bell pepper sandwich on plate.

Bell Pepper Sandwich by The Sugar Free Londoner

Skip the bun and make a sandwich out of a bell pepper. This is low carb but so flavorful. It has ham, cheese and cream cheese tucked inside. You might find yourself skipping bread more often in favor of this!

Cauliflower soup with a spoon lifting out a bite.

Instant Pot Cauliflower Soup

Let your instant pot handle lunch today. This recipe is so tasty and packed with simple ingredients. This soup gives fast food a whole new meaning.

Spring mix apple salad in small plate.

Spring Mix Apple Salad

This salad starts with spring mix and adds in apples, dried fruit and blue cheese for an unforgettable lunch. It has the best crunch hands down.

Turkey bacon sandwich on wooden cutting board.

Bacon Turkey Bravo Sandwich by Cooking With the Curls

Craving something bold and hearty for lunch? Try this turkey bacon sandwich which always gets accolades.

Italian sliders stacked on top of one another
Italian Sandwiches

Italian Sliders 

Italian Sliders might be small in size but they bring big flavors to your lunch. Make these to share with the kids or a lunch companion, or make them as a part of your meal preparations. 

Broccoli cheddar soup.

Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Skip the wait at Panera and get the soup you crave in no time. This recipe cooks in the instant pot and offers the best bowl of soup for a midday meal.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps stacked on wooden cutting board.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps by Britney Breaks Bread

These wraps are stuffed with the best chicken bacon ranch flavor. This tastes like it came from a trendy shop, but you will appreciate how easy this wrap is to assemble.

Italian Chopped Salad Recipe like from Portillo's or Giordanos
Italian Chopped Salad

Italian Chopped Salad

This salad has a little bit of everything in it! Cheese, pasta, lettuce and all of the veggies like tomatoes and onions. Make it with honey mustard dressing for a really filling meal that everyone will love.

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches stacked on top of one another
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches

Peanut Butter and Jelly 

This classic always hits the spot. The real question is, what kind of jelly would you use for a good old fashioned pb&j?

Best Salad Recipe in White Plate with Red Napkin
The BEST Salad Recipe

The Best Side Salad 

Pile some lettuce high with bacon, cheese and plenty of dressing to make the best side salad. You are going to love this medley of flavors.

Egg salad on croissant, sitting on plate.

Easy Egg Salad

This egg salad is so fluffy and flavorful. You are going to want to make this every week for your lunches at work.

Curry chicken salad sandwich on round plate.

Curry Chicken Salad

Dress up your chicken salad with plenty of curry and mayo for a flavorful sandwich you can enjoy with chips, or a fruit.

Hot ham and cheese on white plate next to pasta salad
Hot ham and cheese sandwich

Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches

This hot ham and cheese sandwich is timeless for good reason. It really hits the spot with simple ingredients. What kind of cheese would you like on your hot ham and cheese?

Ham salad sandwiches on round plates.

Old Fashioned Ham Salad

When was the last time you had ham salad for lunch? This recipe makes for a creamy, meaty sandwich that satisfies with simple ingredients.

Pinwheel sandwiches on wooden cutting board.

Easy Pinwheels  

Pinwheels make a great lunch anytime of the year. This recipe comes together easily to make the best grab and go sandwich bites.

Caramel Apple Dump Cake

This caramel apple dump cake recipe is a favorite dessert recipe that consists of using simple ingredients like melted butter, dry cake mix, caramel sauce, cinnamon, canned pie filling, and nuts if desired! Simply pour into a baking dish and bake!

For more simple desserts like this one, you can browse my full dump cake recipes here.

caramel apple dump cake on white plate with scoop of vanilla ice cream

In only 45 minutes, you’ll have a perfect dessert consisting of fall flavors that can be for a busy weeknight, a family get-together or even to take to someone in a care package! Look for more of a summer spin on this recipe? Then try our pineapple sunshine cake, or our carrot spice cake that’s also made with a cake mix!

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Why is it called a dump cake?

It’s called a dump cake because you literally dump the ingredients in to the baking dish and bake it.

That’s the beauty of a dump cake and these kinds of easy dessert recipes. An easy dump cake recipe uses cake mixes, fruit fillings (canned pie filling), and other easy ingredients most of the time, making it an easy recipe that will be a crowd pleaser and a cozy dessert that the entire family will love.

Does Apple Dump Cake need to be refrigerated?

Dump cake can be served warm, right after baking. If you have leftovers, let it cool and then store it in an airtight container. Then, it can sit out at room temperature for a few days, however, it’s best to refrigerate it so it will stay fresh longer, at about 5 days.

Do you stir a dump cake?

Actually, no. The great thing about a dump cake is that you layer on most of the ingredients and pop it in to the oven, with very little effort! For this recipe, you will mix together the first few ingredients but then layer the cake mix and butter on top and then bake.

Caramel Apple Dump Cake With Cake Mix

For this recipe, you’ll use a store-bought box cake mix, to keep things even easier! Grab a butter golden cake mix, however feel free to experiment or try a different cake mix if it’s all you have on hand!

Other Cake Mixes that May Work:

  • homemade cake mix
  • white cake mix
  • yellow cake mix
  • spice cake mix
  • butter pecan cake mix
  • vanilla cake mix

How to Make a Dump Cake

As always, there's a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post, but I'd love to walk you through the recipe with photos and extra tips to help you make this easy apple dump cake.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cans of 20 or 21 oz. apple pie filling
  • ½ cup caramel sauce (ice cream topping)
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 box yellow or golden cake mix
  • 2 sticks (1 cup) melted butter
  • ½ cups chopped pecans, if desired
Ingredients for caramel apple dump cake

Preheat Oven:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, and spray non-stick cooking spray inside of a 9 inch x13 inch baking dish.

caramel apple dump cake ingredients in baking dish

First Layer

Expert Tip: although you can mix these ingredients in a separate bowl, save a dirty dish and pour and mix apple pie filling, caramel sauce, and cinnamon together in the baking dish, and spread evenly on the bottom.

spread apple cake ingredients in even layer

Second Layer

Next, pour the cake mix right on top of the apple mixture and carefully spread it evenly over the top, covering the top of the apples completely.

top with cake mix for caramel apple cake

Last Layer

Drizzle the melted butter over the cake mix, and spread it gently to cover evenly.

Optional Layer

If you prefer nuts you can then sprinkle the chopped pecans on top of the dump cake before baking.

Sprinkle nuts on top of caramel apple cake if desired

How Long to Bake Dump Cake

Bake the caramel apple cake for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly around the edges.

caramel drizzling on top of caramel apple cake

How to Serve Dump Cake

Fall desserts and apple desserts in general are amazing with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and this easy caramel apple dump cake is no different!

Serve a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream with warm apple dump cake for tons of flavor!

Melted vanilla ice cream on caramel apple dump cake

Additional Toppings Ideas

Feel free to also top or serve this delicious cake with:

Recipe

Print Pin
5 from 13 votes

Caramel Apple Dump Cake

This caramel apple dump cake recipe is a favorite dessert recipe that uses simple ingredients like melted butter, dry cake mix, caramel sauce, cinnamon, canned pie filling and nuts if desired! Simply pour into a baking dish and bake!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 12 servings
Calories 188kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 2 – 20 ounce cans apple pie filling
  • ½ cup caramel sauce ice cream topping
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 15 ounces yellow or golden cake mix
  • 1 cup melted butter
  • ½ cup chopped pecans if desired

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees in a greased 9 x 13 inch pan, mix the apple pie filling, caramel sauce, and cinnamon together and spread evenly on the bottom.
  • Pour the dry cake mix over the pie filling and spread out evenly.
  • Drizzle the melted butter over the cake mix, and spread it gently to cover evenly.
  • Sprinkle with chopped pecans.
  • Bake at 350°F for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly around the edges.
  • Serve slightly warm with ice cream.

Video

Notes

Expert Tip: Although you can mix these ingredients in a separate bowl, save a dirty dish and pour and mix apple pie filling, caramel sauce, and cinnamon together in the baking dish, and spread evenly on the bottom.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 188kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 154mg | Potassium: 30mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 484IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.1mg