INSIDE: Looking for copycat recipes to make at home? These fan favorites from Chipotle, Cracker Barrel, Starbucks, and more are easy to make!

My family loves going out to eat. The kids are thrilled to pick whatever they want from a menu and not be limited to what Mom has made for dinner that night. (I enjoy going out to eat as well … until the bill comes!)

One way I’ve started saving money is by making my family’s favorite restaurant dishes at home. I bet your family has favorite meals to eat out, too. Now you can say goodbye to paying lots for those fabulous flavors with our list of the best copycat restaurant recipes you can make at home, for much less.

WHAT IS A COPYCAT RECIPE?

Copycat recipes to make at home are when people find a way to re-create the same soup, salad dressing or meal they love to order when eating out — but at home. It takes a lot of time, trial and error to re-create a restaurant recipe to get it to taste as close to the original as possible. Fortunately, copycat recipe chefs have done all the work for us!

COPYCAT RECIPES TO MAKE AT HOME

Here are some of our absolute FAVORITE restaurant copycat recipes that taste just like the original, including a Starbucks copycat recipe for lemon pound cake, a Cinnabon cinnamon roll recipe, an Olive Garden salad dressing recipe and a Panera broccoli cheddar cheese soup recipe. The homemade version of each is super easy to make right in your own kitchen (and lots cheaper).

Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl

Wendy’s Chili

PF Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wrap

Chick-fil-A Cookies & Cream Milkshake

Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad

Chick-fil-A’s Frozen Lemonade

Olive Garden Lemon Cream Cake

Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Cheddar’s Croissant Bread Pudding

Texas Roadhouse Rolls & Butter

Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls

Krispie Kreme Doughnuts

Chipotle Guacamole

Red Lobster Biscuits

PF Chang’s Mongolian Beef

Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites

Olive Garden Salad Dressing

Chick-fil-A Superfood Salad

Chipotle Corn Salsa

Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Starbucks Lemon Pound Cake

Auntie Anne’s Pretzels

Panda Express Chow Mein

KFC Original Recipe Fried Chicken

Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake 

McDonald’s French Fries

Cracker Barrel Peach Cobbler 

KFC Coleslaw

Olive Garden Breadstick 

Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake 

Popeyes Chicken Sandwich

Mastro’s Warm Butter Cake

FINAL THOUGHTS

That’s a pretty nice list right? Definitely tons of my favorites there, and probably some of yours as well. It’s so nice to have copycat recipes to make at home because you can whip up your favorite dish any time you want without spending an arm and a leg. enjoy!

The post 33 Copycat Recipes That Will Make You Drool appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

If you want an easy meal that will warm you to your toes and fill you up, you need to make this super easy cheeseburger soup!  It’s delicious and so simple to make that you’ll want to add it to your regular menu rotation for the cool months. My family loves when I make this!

I’m all about quick and easy meals, especially after working all day! Cheeseburger soup is made with just a few simple ingredients including ground beef, potatoes, and Velveeta.  But, what I think really sets this recipe apart is that you also add pickles!  Yep – pickles in soup!

HOW TO MAKE CHEESEBURGER SOUP

Start by browning ground beef and then add Velveeta, potatoes, and spices and broth to the pot.  Let it simmer for around 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft.  Then you are pretty much ready to eat!  It really is that easy to make!!!  If you want to change it up a bit, brown some bacon and crumble it as a final topping before you serve it.

This recipe serves about four.  So, if you have a larger family or crowd to feed, you may want to double it.  Even if you don’t eat it all for dinner, it reheats beautifully, making it perfect for lunch the next day!!

My family was not too sure when I first told them that I was making them cheeseburger soup for dinner.  (They thought I was joking).  But now that they’ve tried it, they ask for it time and again.  It is that good.

Other dishes you need to try:

• Black & White Bean Spicy Chili
• Saucy White Chili

Easy Cheeseburger Soup Recipe

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A quick and easy soup you can make that your entire family will love!

• Author: Sammie
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Yield: 4
• Category: Soup

Ingredients

• 1 lb hamburger, browned
• 1 lb Velveeta, cubed
• 3 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 3 dill pickle spears, diced
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 cups of chicken broth
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 cup of sour cream
• 3 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tablespoon dried basil
• 1 Tablespoon dried parsley
• Salt & pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Brown the hamburger, and drain the grease.
2. Add the browned hamburger to a large pot and turn stove to medium-high heat.
3. Add the sour cream, milk, Velveeta, potatoes, pickles, onion, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, basil, and parsley to the pot.
4. Salt and pepper the mixture and mix well.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and cover.
6. Stir occasionally.
7. Continue to cook until the potatoes and onion are soft (around 30 – 35 minutes).
8. Salt and pepper and serve.

Notes

*For an added twist, add crumbled bacon to the top and transform it into bacon cheeseburger soup.

The post Best Cheeseburger Soup Recipe appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Who doesn’t love a good turkey sandwich?  They are great, but they can also be rather boring. Take your lunch up a notch by making one of these turkey pinwheel sandwiches instead.  Your taste buds will thank you.

The closer it gets to the end of the school year, the less interest I have in making school lunches.  My kids and I are both bored with the same old ham and cheese or PB&J sandwiches.  We need to take it up a notch. That led me to try to find something that they’d like, but that I’d enjoy too.

These veggie turkey pinwheels do just that!  They are a simple way to hide some of those veggies so that your kids don’t even realize they are eating them (shhhhh!!!).  It takes just a few minutes to make, but it tastes like you spent hours!

While I recommend using Flat Bread, you can swap it out for a toritilla instead.  Or, just spread this onto your favorite bread and turn it into a sandwich!

Veggie Turkey Pinwheels Recipe

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Veggie turkey pinwheels are a simple way to turn a boring lunch into something extraordinary.

• Author: Tracie

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of grated Carrots
• 1 package of Cream Cheese
• 4 tablespoons of grated Celery
• 2 tablespoons of grated Onion
• 1/4 a teaspoon of Garlic Powder
• 1/2 cup of Cottage Cheese
• 1 tablespoon of Pickle Relish
• 1 large package of Sliced Turkey
• 2–4 Wheat Flat Bread Wraps

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Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients except, turkey and wraps in a large mixing bowl.
2. Cover and refrigerate the mixture for 2 hours.
3. Lay out flat bread and place a layer of turkey on top.
4. Spread your cream cheese mixture over the top of the turkey. (Try to keep it fairly thin so that it rolls easily.)
5. Next, tightly roll your wrap up jellyroll fashion.
6. Trim the edges evenly and cut into 1 and 1/2 inch sections.
7. Serve and enjoy!

The post Veggie Turkey Pinwheels Recipe appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

When the weather outside gives you chills, the best way to warm up is with a big bowl of savory soup. And you can make that soup in no time at all by using an Instant Pot soup recipe. Here are my favorites — and some of them, like the decadent French onion soup, are a great way to keep costs down for your holiday meals. Get other budget-friendly ideas for Christmas dinner at How to Do Christmas on a Budget.

The Instant Pot has gained much popularity in the past couple of years.  The reason?  The ability to cook dinner in no time at all.

Anyone who works away from the home knows that it is not always possible to start your slow cooker at the right time. And, turning it on at 7 am when you leave the house may lead to a burnt meal (or worries about a possible fire).

One idea for your Instant Pot is soup!  There are a lot of great recipes on Pinterest and Facebook that you may want to try.

Wild Rice Soup

Mushroom Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Black Bean Soup

French Onion Soup

Split Pea Soup

Ham & 15 Bean Soup

Italian White Bean Soup

Chicken Zoodle Soup

Farmhouse Vegetable Soup

Minestrone Soup

Lasagna Soup

Pasta Soup With Shrimp

Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

Buffalo Chicken Soup

The post 15 Savory Soups You Can Make In Your Instant Pot appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

I have always loved meatloaf.  And, I’m a fan of mashed potatoes.  Maybe that is why this loaded meatloaf and potato casserole is one of my favorite dishes.  It’s not only super easy to make, but the fact that it is a one pan dinner makes serving it up an absolute breeze.

Anytime I can find a way to make life easier, I’m all over it.  This is especially true when it comes to dinner.  One pan dishes are not only easy to throw together, but they’re easy for clean-up too.

That is just one reason to love loaded potato meatloaf casserole.  You start with a basic meatloaf recipe and then add your mashed potatoes and top it off with bacon.  I mean, anything with bacon is good, right?

I usually make mine with homemade potatoes and freshly fried bacon.  But, it tastes just as good if you are in a hurry and want to use instant mashed potatoes and pre-cooked bacon. See, just another reason to love this recipe!

Loaded Potato Meatloaf Casserole combines two of my favorite things: loaded baked potatoes, and meatloaf. It’s easy comfort food that makes enough to feed your family, and maybe even enough for leftovers for lunch the next day!

Loaded Potato Meatloaf Casserole

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A simple weeknight dinner that combines meatloaf and loaded baked potatoes for an amazingly delicious meal.

• Author: SammieB

Ingredients

1. 2 lbs hamburger
2. 1 packet of dry onion soup mix
3. 2 eggs
4. 6 cups of mashed potatoes
5. 1 lb bacon
6. 1 cup shredded cheese

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Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the hamburger, eggs, and dry onion soup mix.
2. Mix it together using your hands until thoroughly blended.
3. Spread the mixture in a greased 9×13 pan and bake at 400 for 25 minutes.
4. While the meatloaf is baking cut the bacon into 1″ pieces, and fry until crispy.
5. Drain the grease from the bacon and set aside.
6. Make 6 cups of homemade mashed potatoes (if making fresh, that’s about 7-8 potatoes) and set aside.
7. Once the meatloaf has baked for 25 minutes, remove it from the oven and drain the grease.
8. Spread the mashed potatoes over the top of the meatloaf. Then top the mashed potatoes with the cheese, and the cheese with the bacon.
9. Bake the entire mixture at 400 for 30 minutes.
10. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

The post Loaded Potato Meatloaf Casserole appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

There is nothing as tasty as ham and potato soup. Well, that is unless you add cheese!!!  Cheese makes anything better, doesn’t it?

On cold days there’s nothing better than a warm bowl of soup!  This simple soup is one of our family’s favorite recipes.  In fact, it is so easy that you will add it to your weekly meal plan too!

I tend to make this with our leftover ham.  It is the perfect way to use up what you may have in your fridge after Christmas or Easter.  While some recipes require a slow cooker and hours to prepare, this one takes no longer than the time it takes to boil potatoes!

Another thing that I love about this recipe is that it is a one-pan dinner.   This ham and cheese potato soup is one of the simplest soup recipes you’ll try.

More delicious soup recipes to try:

• Copycat Panera Broccoli & Cheese Soup
• Saucy White Chili
• Easy Cheeseburger Soup

Ham and Cheese Potato Soup

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Ham and cheese potato soup is like having ham and scalloped potatoes in soup form. It is dang delicious.

• Author: SammieB

Ingredients

• 2 – 16 oz bags of frozen cubed, raw potatoes (with or without onions)
• 16 oz Velveeta cheese
• 12 oz cubed ham, fully cooked
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Salt & pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Put the potatoes and ham in a large pot.  Fill with water until the potatoes are covered.
2. Cook on high, until the potatoes are cooked through.
3. Cut Velveeta into 1″ cubes, and combine with the heavy cream and microwave on high for 1 minute.
4. Whisk the cheese and the cream together until they form a cheesy sauce.
5. Dump the cheesy sauce into the potatoes and ham and mix well (do not drain water off potatoes and ham).
6. Salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve hot (with fresh homemade bread)

The post Ham and Cheese Potato Soup appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Weeknights around here are often chaotic and super busy, which can make dinner a challenge. Fortunately, these make-ahead freezer meals make busy nights easier than ever.

I try to meal plan and prep the best that I can, but some nights time gets the best of me. On those nights, I pull a premade freezer meal out of my deep freezer and taaaa daaaa – dinner is served.

And, don’t forget to learn how to menu plan or use my free family favorite meals printable to save your sanity!!  Here are some from my favorite bloggers I plan to try soon!

Other recipes you may be interested in:

• 15 Savory Soups you Can Make in your Instant Pot
• 25 Slowcooker Recipes
• Black and White Bean Spicy Chili Recipe
• Simple and Delicious Sloppy Joes

Honey Chicken Teriyaki

Shrimp Fried Rice

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

Swedish Meatballs

Everything Bagel Bomb

No Cook Banana Pecan Overnight Oatmeal

Pizza Stuffed Shells

Pizza Pockets

Breakfast Quesadillas

Uncrustables

Teriyaki Chicken Bowl

Turkey Sausage Breakfast Sandwich

Mini Omelettes

Salsa Chicken

Chicken Fajitas

The post Make Ahead Freezer Meals For Your Busy Family appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Taco Tuesday doesn’t have to just be your standard soft or crunchy options! We liked to mix up our Mexican food nights and think outside the shell! Taco Bowls are one of our family’s favorite meals and they’re so easy to throw together.

Once school has started, I try to find meals that I can make in one pan (for less dishes) and that I can have ready from start to finish in about thirty minutes or less. Taco Bowls meet all of that criteria and so they’re on the weekly meal plan regularly! We also really like making easy Mexican Pizza, or skip the beef and have the Chicken Burrito Bowls instead!

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Taco Bowls Recipe

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• Author: Sammie
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Yield: 4
• Category: Entree

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs hamburger
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 can of Rotel
• 1 can of black beans
• 1 can of corn
• 1 packet of taco seasoning
• 1 packet of dry Ranch seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 cup of salsa
• 1 1/2 cups beef broth
• 1 package spanish rice (we used Knorr)
• Shredded cheese (optional)
• Sour cream (optional)
• Sliced avocado (optional)

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Instructions

1. In a large pot, brown the hamburger with the chopped onion.
2. Drain the grease off the hamburger, then return it and the onions to the pot.
3. Add in the Rotel, black beans, corn, taco seasoning, ranch seasoning, oregano, salsa and beef broth and mix to combine.
4. Allow it to cook covered on medium high heat, stirring occasionally for ten minutes.
5. Add in the package of Spanish rice, and allow it to cook for an additional ten minutes, covered.
6. If the rice is fully cooked, your Taco Bowls are ready to serve!
7. Top with sour cream, cheese, and sliced avocado if desired.

The post Taco Bowls Recipe appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Chicken burrito bowls are an easy one-pan meal. I strive to make healthy meals that my family will love, that won’t take all day to prepare!  I know a lot of your are the same way, so I wanted to share my recipe for Chicken Burrito Bowls with you!

This recipe is a hit with every member of the family, and it has an awesome avocado lime sauce that brings the whole dish together! If you don’t want to serve it over rice, you can skip the carbs and have it over shredded lettuce too.

If you want to add another protein element, you could also toss in some black beans.  Add some extra space by tossing in some green chiles as well.

Other incredible recipes:

• Mexican Lasagne
• Mexican Zucchini Boats
• Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

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Chicken Burrito Bowls

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• Author: Sammie
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 40 mins
• Category: Entree

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 12 oz bag of frozen corn
• 1 packet of taco seasoning
• 1/2 cup of water
• 2 cups of white rice
• 2 cups of water
• [br]SAUCE:
• 2 avocadoes
• 2 tablespoons of lime juice
• 2 teaspoons of lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Place your chicken breast in a pan with salt and pepper, and two tablespoons of olive oil, and cook on medium high heat.
2. Cook on each side for 5-7 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked.
3. Remove the chicken from the pan, and shred it using two forks.
4. Return the chicken to the pan.
5. Add in the corn, taco seasoning, and half a cup of water, and cover it.
6. Cook it on medium for 10 minutes.
7. While it cooks, seed and peel two avocados and place them in a blender.
8. Add in the lemon juice, lime juice, olive oil, and salt and pepper to the avocado and puree until smooth.
9. Cook the rice as directed.
10. Serve the chicken mixture over the rice, and drizzle the sauce over the top of the chicken mixture.

The post Chicken Burrito Bowls appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Mexcian food is well-loved in our house. We find new ways to eat it and re-invent it all the time! We have our old go-to classics like burritos, enchiladas, and tacos, but we like to think outside the box sometimes too. A recipe my family loves to eat is this super Easy Mexican Pizza!

Easy Mexican Pizza is so simple, you will enjoy making it. It uses store-bought crescent rolls as the crust, so there’s no rolling or kneading involved. You can top it with all your favorites, but I love the combination we’ve come up with! This Easy Mexican Pizza is even good to eat as leftovers the next day! It stays delicious in the fridge, and tastes great heated up in the microwave. Good luck having any leftovers, though! We never do!

Other delicious recipes:

• Mexican Zucchini Boats
• Mexican Lasagne
• Chicken Burrito Bowls

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Easy Mexican Pizza

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• Author: Sammie
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 12 mins
• Total Time: 27 mins
• Yield: 4
• Category: Entree

Ingredients

• 1 roll of refrigerated crescent rolls
• 1 can refried beans
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup guacamole
• 1 can black beans, rinsed
• 1 12 oz bag of frozen corn
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet of taco seasoning
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup shredded cheddar blend cheese

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Instructions

1. Roll the dough out onto a 9×13 baking sheet.
2. Press all the holes together, so you have one solid square of dough.
3. Bake as directed, but cut four mins off the time, since you’ve rolled the dough flat.
4. While it bakes, brown the hamburger.
5. Drain the grease, and add the 1/2 cup water, and the taco seasoning.
6. Mix well to combine the seasoning and the meat.
7. Add in the rinsed and drained black beans, and the corn.
8. Let the mixture cook on medium high heat for 8-10 minutes.
9. Remove from the heat, and cover.
10. Heat the beans in the microwave, or on the stove top until they’re hot.
11. Spread them over the crescent roll crust.
12. Top with small dollops of the sour cream and guacamole.
13. Sprinkly the meat mixture over the top evenly.
14. Top the whole pizza with the cheese, and allow it to melt before serving.
15. Cut into squares and serve.

If you liked this Easy Mexican Pizza, you would probably like these other Mexican recipes too:

Easy Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

Mexican Zucchini Boats

The post Easy Mexican Pizza appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Eating healthy doesn’t mean you need to eliminate familiar flavors from your diet! Sometimes eating healthy means just finding a different approach to your favorite foods. Sometimes I’m a little leery of trying healthier versions of food I love, in fear that I will hate it. Mexican Zucchini Boats were definitely a pleasant surprise! They were super easy to make, and the texture and flavors are awesome!

Mexican stuffed zucchini boats, or taco boats, are a great alternative to regular tacos or burritos, and are good for you too!   This recipe is quick and involves baking the zucchini a while before adding the toppings, so it’s nice and soft when you eat it. You can customize the toppings to add or take away what you and your family enjoy most on Mexican night!

Other snack ideas:

• Zucchini Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Healthy Zucchini Pizza Bites

Mexican Zucchini Boats

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• Author: Sammie
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Yield: 10
• Category: Entree

Ingredients

• 5 mini zucchini
• 1 can of refried beans
• 1 lb hamburger
• 1 12 oz bag frozen corn
• 1 can of black beans, rinsed
• 1 packet of taco seasoning
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese
• Cumin

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400.
2. Cut both ends of the mini zucchini off, and then cut the zucchini in half long ways.
3. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds from the zucchini.
4. Place the zucchini on a baking sheet, with the peel side down, and sprinkle liberally with the cumin.
5. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes.
6. While the zucchini bakes, brown the hamburger.
7. Drain the grease from the hamburger once it’s cooked through.
8. Add the taco seasoning, water, black beans, and corn to the hamburger, and cook on low for ten minutes.
9. Heat up the refried beans on the stove top until they’re warm.
10. Remove the zucchini from the oven. Use a spoon to swipe refried beans along the inside of the zucchini.
11. Fill the Mexican Zucchini Boats with the meat mixture and top with the cheese.
12. Allow the cheese to melt, and serve once it melts.

The post Mexican Zucchini Boats appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Have you ever tried a Chick-fil-A chicken salad sandwich? They are amazing! I don’t live close to one, so I figured out how I could make it at home. You’ve to go try this simple recipe!

It never fails. Anytime I really am craving Chick-fil-A, it’s on a Sunday when they’re closed. UGH.  And the one thing I usually crave is their chicken salad sandwich.  Now that it is not only no longer on the menu (so I can’t get it when I want), I’ve had to get creative.

After a little trial and error, I was able to come up with this simple recipe that is pretty close to the original Chick-fil-A chicken salad sandwich, if I do say so myself!  And, the first time my husband tried it, he thought it was back on their menu.

If you’ve never tried one before, their sandwich is the perfect mix of tangy and sweet, with the right balance of chicken to dressing. Make sure you also make a frosted lemonade to go along with your sandwich!

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Copycat Chick-Fil-A Chicken Salad Sandwich

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Recreate the famous chicken salad sandwich at home with a few simple ingredients.

• Author: Sammie
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 20 mins
• Yield: 8
• Category: Sandwich

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts, boiled
• 1/3 cup chopped celery
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 hard boiled eggs
• 1/4 cup sweet relish
• Wheat bread slices
• salt and pepper to taste
• Loose leaf lettuce (optional)

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Instructions

1. Boil the chicken breasts, until they’re cooked through.
2. Allow the chicken to cool, and then cube the chicken into small bite size pieces or smaller.
3. Chop the boiled eggs up to the same size as the chicken pieces, or smaller.
4. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, celery, mayonnaise, relish, and boiled eggs. Mix until the mayonnaise has completely coated all the ingredients, and everything is evenly dispersed.
5. Salt and pepper the mixture to taste.
6. Refrigerate the mixture, for 1-2 hours, or until you’re ready to serve.
7. To serve, scoop a generous amount onto a slice of wheat bread, and top with a second slice.
8. You may also choose to add a slice of loose leaf lettuce
9. Makes approximately eight sandwiches.

Notes

Can be stored for up to one week in the refrigerator.

The post Copycat Chick-Fil-A Chicken Salad Sandwich appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Three Meat Stromboli

Three meat stromboli is one our our favorite recipes. I found this a few years ago and made modifications so that it would work for my own family. I love that it is so easy to make!

I think what I love most of all is that this can work for my kids’ lunches as well! I just warm it before they leave and toss it into an insulated thermos.  It is still warm at lunch time and they gobble it down.  This never lasts for very long in the fridge though as the kids just absolutely LOVE it.

Make sure you check out a few of my favorite recipes:

• Pepperoni Ziti Casserole
• Simple Stuffed Peppers
• Saucy White Chili

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Three Meat Stromboli

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• Author: Tracie
• Cook Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Category: Entree

Ingredients

• 1 1 lb loaf of frozen bread dough
• 1/8 lb of deli ham
• 1/8 lb of deli salami
• 1/8 lb pepperoni (we use the sandwich sized slices)
• 1/8 lb of provolone cheese
• 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese (or can use a few slices of mozzarella cheese)
• 1/4 Tbs garlic powder
• 1/4 Tbs dried oregano  or Italian Seasoning
• 1 egg yolk, beaten

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Instructions

1. Allow bread dough to thaw and rise according to package instructions (I take mine out in the morning and let it rise all day).
2. Heat oven to 375.
3. Roll dough out flat onto a cookie sheet (try to stretch as wide as you can).
4. Layer in the ham, salami, pepperoni and provolone cheese. Top with mozzarella cheese and sprinkle on spices.
5. Roll up the bread dough, jelly roll style, starting on the long side.
6. Seal the seams and edges so that it is completely closed.
7. Place the roll seam side down onto the pan.
8. Brush the top with the egg yolk.
9. Bake for 25 – 30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown.
10. Slice and serve with sides.

The post Three Meat Stromboli appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Today you can buy a box mix for just about anything you may want to make.  The issue is that these mixes often contain things you may not want.  Not only that, sometimes, it is just fun to make your own products!

I’ve rounded up some of the best mixes you can find online, and put them here in just one place so you can find what you need when you are ready to mix it up!   To find the details and the recipe, just click on the link or the photo and we’ll get you the details you need to make it.

1. Homemade Bisquick from Kitchen Nostalgia.

2. Homemade Brownie Mix by Today’s Creative Life.

3. Homemade Yellow and Chocolate Cake Mixes created by A Few Short Cuts.

4. Homemade Cornbread Mix by Wicked Good Kitchen.

5. Homemade Pancake Mix courtesy of Cooking Classy.

6. Homemade Onion Soup Mix from Culinary Hill.

7. Homemade Taco Seasoning from The Country Cook.

8. Homemade Greek Seasoning by The Hill Hangout.

9. Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix courtesy of Add a Pinch.

10. Homemade Sloppy Joe Seasoning Mix from Not Quite Susie.

11. Homemade Burger Seasoning from It’s a Keeper.

12. Homemade Chocolate Pudding Mix from Country Cleaver.

13.  Homemade Nesquick Mix by Penny Pinchin’ Mom.

14.  Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice by Ten at the Table.

15. Homemade Chai Spice Mix from Graceful Little Honey Bee.

The post Homemade Mixes (Bisquick, Nesquick, Cakes and More)! appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

These cheddar bacon turkey burgers are a unique spin on an American classic. We love them as they are bursting with so much flavor!

We love to grill.  It doesn’t matter the temp outside; we will still fire up the grill.  In fact, we’ve been known to put on a winter coat and head out for a freshly grilled steak in the middle of winter!

We do our best to make sure that what we eat is healthy, so we don’t always use beef on the grill.  Of course, that can be tough if you want a burger.  Another option is to use turkey.  However, a turkey burger is sooooo boring!   I mean, a plain old turkey burger isn’t fun – is it?

However, that isn’t the case if you make it this way!  Turn a simple turkey burger into a fantastic BBQ Cheddar Bacon Turkey Burger that you’ll be making time and time again!!

Other incredibly simple recipes you’ll love include:

• Stuffed Peppers
• Easy Stromboli
• Pork Carnitas

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BBQ Cheddar Bacon Turkey Burgers

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• Author: Tracie
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 8 mins
• Total Time: 13 mins
• Category: BBQ
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground Turkey
• 1/4 cup Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup finely diced green onions
• 1/3 cup chopped bacon
• Seasonings: Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, McCormicks Montreal Steak Seasoning, Johnny’s (your choice, use one or all)

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Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to a large bowl.
2. Mix well with your hands and into handful size balls, flatten into patties. Season.
3. Place on hot grill and cook for approximately 4 minutes on each side, until cooked all the way through.
4. Serve on a bun or over a bed of lettuce.

The post BBQ Cheddar Bacon Turkey Burgers (Turn Ordinary Into Extarodinary) appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Homemade cream of broccoli soup is one of our favorites when the weather turns cooler.  You want something to warm you down to your toes and this is the perfect soup to do just that.

When the weather turns cooler, it makes you want to curl up with things that are warm like a blanket or to sit by the fire.  These things are so comforting for your outside, but what about the inside.

Cooler evenings make me want something special for dinner – like soup!  One of those that I love to make is cream of broccoli soup!  Mmm……

This is not just that icky stuff you get out of the can (blech).  This made-from-scratch-make-your-belly-happy cream of broccoli soup recipe is absolutely divine!  I alawys tell my kids everything homemade tastes better because it’s made with love.

It is not difficult to make, and you might find that you even have everything you need on hand!

Other warm and filling soups and chilis:

• Cheeseburger Soup
• Easy White Chicken Chili
• Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

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Cream of Broccoli Soup

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• Author: Tracie
• Category: Dinner

Ingredients

• 3 cups broccoli
• 1 cup sweet onion, diced
• 4 TBSP flour
• 6 TBSP butter
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream or whole milk
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup water
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder
• Sour cream & Cheddar cheese (optional toppings)

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Instructions

1. Pour chicken broth, water, broccoli into a large stockpot. Turn stove top to high and bring to a boil.
2. Meanwhile in a saucepan melt butter over medium heat, saute onions until translucent. Add flour and create a rue. Once it has a thick paste like consistency, slowly add cream and whisk well.
3. Add cream mixture to boiling broccoli (do not drain liquid).
4. Let simmer for 15 minutes. Add salt, pepper or other seasonings to taste.
5. Serve with cheddar cheese and sour cream.

Notes

***If you do not like your broccoli chunky you will want to follow this tip: Once the broccoli has cooked completely, blend with a hand mixer or blender and you will get a softer, creamier texture.

The post Homemade Cream of Broccoli Soup Recipe appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Sloppy Joes. A kid favorite. Don’t use the can to create a batch, make it yourself instead!

I’m about keeping things simple.  Anything I can do to make things easier works for me!   This Sloppy Joe recipe is one of the ways I do just that!  Not only is it simple, it tastes so good (much better than that canned stuff from the store).

Even though it is great the night we make it, it’s even better as leftovers.  The flavors have more time to really blend together.  Sadly, the leftovers only make it 1 – 2 nights around here – as we just can’t leave them alone!

Other easy meals include:

• Stuffed Peppers
• Sour Cream and Onion Chicken
• Three Meat Stromboli

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Simple and Delicious Sloppy Joes

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• Author: Tracie
• Cook Time: 12 mins
• Total Time: 12 mins

Ingredients

• 1 tbs Olive Oil
• 1/2 white onion, finely chopped (can increase full onion if you desire)
• 1/2 green pepper, finely chopped (can increase or eliminate this item)
• 1 clove of minced garlic
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1 lb of ground beef or turkey
• 1 can of tomato sauce, 15 oz
• 1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup of ketchup
• Hamburger Buns

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Instructions

1. Put oil into a skillet and add veggies and garlic. Lightly salt and pepper (as much or as little as your family likes). Cook until softened (around 5 min or so).
2. Add ground beef or turkey and cook through. Drain off excess fat.
3. Put the meat back into the skillet and add the tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce and ketchup. Simmer for around 7 – 9 minutes – until well blended and slightly thickened.
4. Spoon onto buns and add more salt and pepper (as desired).
5. Serve with chips and fresh veggies!!

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This potato chowder is a recipe I discovered a few years ago. Toss it into your slow cooker and it does the rest. This is one of those dishes that tastes even better the second day!!! Yum!!

If you want a yummy, warm comfort food, then you will want to try this recipe for Creamy Potato Chowder!  It is super easy to make and includes what I call “real” ingredients!

It is the perfect recipe to toss into the slow cooker before you leave for work in the morning and it will be ready for dinner when you walk through the door.  That is the PERFECT type of meal, in my opinion!

Other amazing soups and slow cooker recipes:

• Saucy White Chili
• Corned Beef & Cabbage
• Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

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Creamy Potato Chowder

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• Author: Tracie
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Total Time: 8 hours
• Category: Entree

Ingredients

• 7 – 8 medium potatoes, cubed
• 3 cans of Chicken Broth (14.5 oz)
• 1 can of Cream of Chicken Soup
• 1/4 – 1/3 cup of onion (preference)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 8 oz cream cheese cubed (the smaller the better)
• Bacon (optional – I use Oscar Mayer Precooked bits)
• Chives, minced (optional)

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Instructions

1. Place the potatoes, broth , soup, onion and pepper into a slow cooker (good idea to use a liner or spray before hand for easy clean up).
2. Cover and cook for around 8 hours (the smaller the cubes of potatoes, the quicker they will cook.
3. If you use bigger cubes, you may need to cook longer, until the potatoes are cooked through).
4. At about 7 hours, add in the cream cheese and stir. You will want it to melt down as much as possible so as to not have large chunks. It usually takes around 1 – 1 1/2 hours for it to break down completely.
5. Top each serving with bacon and chives (as desired). You can cook your own bacon or use the Oscar Mayer pieces like we do.
6. Serve with homemade bread (cuz home made bread makes everything taste even better)!!!

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