I love the changes of the season. As much fun as our family has in the summertime, I’m excited that fall is almost here. The cozy meals at home, putting on an extra layer of clothes, getting into a regular routine again… it feels so comforting. Whatever season of life you’re in, these meals are designed to take a little stress off your shoulders and bring the whole family together.
Cozy Monday: Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
Our family loooves this one. If you’ve never tried adding juicy chicken and broccoli to pasta Alfredo, your life is about to get a whole lot better!
Hot tips
- This pasta dish pairs wonderfully with breadsticks and a garden salad.
Warm Tuesday: Split Pea and Lentil Soup with Pork Chops
Anyone who’s been around for a while knows that soups are an essential part of my world. My mom would always make this pork and lentil soup for me as a kid, and I’m still obsessed with how fresh and filling it is.
Hot tips
- Substitute the water with pork bone broth for a richer flavor.
- Keep it traditionally Slavic with a beet salad and honey wheat bread on the side.
Fiesta Wednesday: Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers
I’ve got plenty of stuffed pepper recipes on the site, but this one will always be extra special to me. Mexican flavors always remind me of my first restaurant job, and I fall in love all over again whenever I taste this dish.
Hot tips
- If you don’t feel like using ground turkey, feel free to swap it with ground beef.
- Homemade taco seasoning is the best way to take this recipe to the next level!
One Pan Thursday: Shrimp Orzo
This shrimp orzo is one of those dishes that will make you feel like you’re at a five-star restaurant. I love how rich, creamy, and decadent it is… the minimal effort it takes to make is almost unfair when you take that first bite!
Hot tips
- An arugula and avocado salad is just the thing you need to brighten this meal up. If you don’t feel like throwing together a whole salad, roasted broccolini is also a tasty side.
Stir Fry Friday: Beef Lo Mein
Have you caught on yet that protein + veggies is the name of the game this week? This beef lo mein is one of my most popular recipes — it’s loaded with tender beef and veggies, and it only takes 30 minutes to make!
Hot tips
- Make a double batch… you won’t regret it. The leftovers taste even better the next day, and you’ll be shocked how quickly they get eaten up.
Breakfast of the Week: Homemade Sausage Patties
If you’ve never made sausage from scratch, don’t be intimidated! These sage and brown sugar patties only take 20 minutes to whip up, and they’ll make the perfect addition to your usual eggs.
Dessert of the Week: Magic Coconut Bars
One of my friends brought coconut bars to my house a few years ago, and when I tried them, I immediately knew I had to add this recipe to the dessert rotation. A graham cracker crust, sweet coconut, melty chocolate, and crunchy walnuts… come on.
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