This Easy Chicken Pot Pie Recipe is delicious and easy to make. You can use turkey instead of chicken and save even more money on this classic favorite!
Blog
-
Cream Soup Recipe Copycat: Ultimate White Sauce & Easy Dinners!
This homemade white sauce recipe is super easy to make and is useful for enhancing all kinds of meals. This white sauce is easily adaptable for various recipes and we have included easy dinner recipes and tips for great ways to use the white sauce!
White sauce and white gravy are essentially the same thing, so you can use it for biscuits and gravy or as a sauce for many main dish and breakfast recipes. Read on to find some easy meal ideas you can make with it!
This is the white sauce recipe that grandma used to make when she made biscuits and sausage gravy or hamburger gravy on toast. This classic dish is easy to make and it’s actually pretty nutritious.
[dining]
Here are some tips to use white sauce and you’ll find easy recipes below!
How To Use White Sauce – Tips And Ideas
White sauce, also known as white gravy, is super easy to make and a great way to stretch meals, especially when you’re looking to make the most of meat. (Basically, white sauce is just an unflavored gravy.) Below are some creative ways to use homemade white sauce, turning simple ingredients into delicious meals while often utilizing leftovers at the same time!
Ideas for Using White Sauce:
Add to White Sauce:
- Hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- Canned tuna and/or frozen peas
- Ham
- Dried beef
- Fried hamburger
Serve White Sauce on Toast:
- Top with any of the above options for a hearty, flavorful meal.
Make White Gravy:
- Mix with fried sausage and serve over warm biscuits for a classic breakfast dish.
Use White Sauce as a Side with:
- Cubed, cooked potatoes with melted American cheese
- Cooked broccoli with a sprinkle of cheese
- Cooked cauliflower with cheese
- Macaroni and cheese: Mix cooked macaroni and cheese into white sauce, then bake until bubbly and golden.
Use White Sauce as a Base for:
- Chicken pot pies
- Casseroles – It’s the perfect creamy base to bind everything together.
This white sauce recipe is my preferred recipe because I can usually find regular milk on sale, and I personally prefer it over dry milk.
As a side, serve white sauce with:
Easy Recipes That Use White Sauce
This easy meatballs with mushroom gravy recipe combines savory meatballs with a rich mushroom gravy. Add a vegetable on the side, and you’ve got a quick, easy, and delicious home-cooked meal that’s perfect for busy nights!
This golden morning sunshine recipe is a quick and tasty breakfast recipe! You can make it any time but since it’s also a great way to use hard boiled eggs, it’s an especially good way to use all those colored eggs from Easter and have a tasty breakfast or dinner! You can find this recipe in our Dining On A Dime Cookbook, Volume 1.
This sausage stroganoff recipe makes a creamy home cooked dinner that’s hearty and delicious!
This crockpot salisbury steak recipe is an easy comfort food recipe your family is sure to love! Why pay so much for it at a restaurant when you can make it at home fast and save. It’s quick to put together and then you can let it cook in the crockpot until you’re ready to serve!
For this recipe, you can start with white sauce and adapt to make the brown gravy.
This easy ham and noodles recipe is a quick and easy recipe that kids and families love! It’s a great way to use leftover ham! Keep some ham in the freezer just to use for easy recipes like this and it’ll be even quicker!
This easy crockpot meatball soup recipe makes a hearty meal great for busy days! Your family will love this comfort food recipe and you won’t have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen! Win-Win!
This creamy chicken recipe is an easy dinner recipe that you can make in the oven or the crockpot. Serve over rice, potatoes or your choice of vegetables. It takes just a few minutes to make and everyone will love it!
This chicken fried steak recipe is quick and easy and so delicious that your family is sure to love it! Save on your food bill with this inexpensive recipe, which costs dramatically less than the restaurant version!
This chicken supreme recipe makes a hearty casserole that is a great way to use leftover chicken or hard boiled eggs. It’s a nice variation that will please your family or guests!
This easy ham and potatoes recipe makes a tasty one dish meal that’s quick and easy to make. This is a hearty classic favorite comfort food that’s sure to please!
This chicken pot pie recipe is a delicious one dish meal that’s quick and easy to make. This is a great way to use chicken leftovers or use turkey instead of chicken and save even more money on this classic favorite!
This Mexican cheese casserole recipe is a quick and easy meal your family is sure to love! It only takes a few minutes to toss together and you can easily adapt this to your own family’s preferences.
This easy scalloped potatoes recipe makes a super yummy potato side dish to serve alongside your favorite ham or chicken dinner! It’s super cheesy and delicious!
[dining]
-
Easy St. Patrick’s Day Recipes And Themed Food!
These easy St. Patrick’s Day recipes, along with an easy meal plan and tips for St. Patrick’s Day fun will help you add to your family’s fun this holiday!
Easy St. Patrick’s Day Recipes And Themed Food
We love St Patrick’s Day! It’s such a fun time to have a little feisty Irish fun with the kids! We love to make it a fun and exciting day full of green themed food and fun and laughter! In recent years, I have kept the Christmas tree up into the Spring, changing the decorations to blue and silver in January, pink and red with hearts for Valentine’s Day and Green with shamrocks and other Itish themed decorations in March!
Here are some fun ideas to get you started, but feel free to be creative and come up with other fun traditions with your family!
You’ll find lots of easy St. Patrick’s Day recipes here, mostly for salads and desserts, but you can also find some recipes for traditional Irish corned beef and cabbage and amazing soda bread here!
Fun St. Patrick’s Day Tips:
- Surprise your kids by adding a few drops of green food coloring to the milk in their cereal. For even more fun, have a pitcher of green milk sitting in the fridge for them to grab for when they get up in the morning.
- Try making green oatmeal or cream of wheat.
- Start fun traditions like having everyone wear green on St. Patrick’s Day or making shamrocks for them to wear. It doesn’t take much to get into the spirit of things, but it can make a fun and memorable time!
- Add green food coloring to almost any food for a very unusual “green” meal.
- Green Fruits: kiwi, green grapes, honeydew, green apples
- Green Veggies: Broccoli, green peppers, Brussels sprouts, green beans, peas, asparagus
- Green Meats: I advise you to stay away from any green meats unless you want to spend some time in the hospital HA! HA! But you can serve corned beef (fresh, of course ;-).
Easy St. Patrick’s Day Meal Plan:
Beef Brisket (or the more traditional corned beef and cabbage)
Rice (add a few drops of green food coloring to the water before tossing in the rice)
Steamed broccoli
Celery sticks and green olives
Hope’s Lime Salad*
Brownies covered in green mint frosting
St. Patrick’s Day Slush*Easy St. Patrick’s Day Recipes
Here’s a St. Patrick’s Day recipe that just screams St. Patrick’s Day! Not only is it green, but it uses all that cabbage you got on sale the week of St. Patrick’s Day. The ingredients are different but it makes a very light and refreshing salad when served on a lettuce leaf.
St. Patrick’s Day Cookies
For a fast St. Patrick’s Day treat, dip Oreo cookies into melted white chocolate or almond bark then sprinkle with green sprinkles. All you need to do is to hold a cookie and dip it halfway in the melted chocolate. You can now get Oreos with the filling colored for different holidays and these would be fun to use.
You can do this for any holiday. Just change the color of the sprinkles and, of course, you could use different types of cookies.
[dining]
-
Easy Coconut Cake Recipe (Only 5 Ingredients and So Delicious!)
This easy coconut cake recipe is one of the most delicious desserts you’ll ever make—and it only takes five ingredients! Moist cake, sweet condensed milk, coconut, and whipped topping come together to create a creamy tropical treat that disappears fast.
Easy Coconut Cake Recipe (Only 5 Ingredients!)
This easy coconut cake recipe is one of my favorite quick desserts! It’s a simple coconut poke cake made with sweetened condensed milk and topped with coconut and whipped topping for a light, creamy finish.
With just five ingredients, this cake is easy to make quickly but tastes like something much more complicated. The sweet coconut flavor and optional pineapple give it a delicious tropical twist.
Because it’s served cold, this coconut cake is perfect for warm summer days, pool parties, picnics, potlucks, or family dinners any time of year.
If you love quick, budget-friendly desserts like this easy coconut cake, be sure to check out more recipes in our Dining on a Dime Cookbooks.
How to Make Coconut Cake
This coconut cake starts with a boxed cake mix, which keeps it simple and foolproof, even while making a gourmet style cake!
- Bake the cake mix according to the package directions in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, poke holes all over the cake using a fork or straw.
- Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the cake so it soaks into the holes.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour so it can absorb the milk and firm up.
- While the cake chills, mix the whipped topping, coconut, and optional pineapple together.
- Spread the topping over the chilled cake.
- Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
Serve cold and enjoy! (Full recipe below.)
Ingredients for Coconut Cake
Yellow or White Cake Mix
Either works well. A white cake mix gives a lighter, more delicate texture, while a yellow cake mix tends to be slightly richer and more moist because it contains egg yolks.Sweetened Condensed Milk
Do not confuse this with evaporated milk. Sweetened condensed milk is thick and sweet and is essential for the creamy texture of this poke cake.Whipped Topping
Use one 8-ounce container of whipped topping.Flaked Coconut
One 8-ounce package of sweetened flaked coconut adds great flavor and texture.Crushed Pineapple (Optional)
If you want a tropical twist, add one 15-ounce can of crushed pineapple.How to Make a Pineapple Coconut Cake
If you love pineapple and coconut together, simply add the optional crushed pineapple to the whipped topping mixture.
This turns the recipe into a delicious pineapple coconut cake with even more tropical flavor.
Tips to Make the Best Coconut Cake with Cake Mix
One reason I love this recipe is how easy it is. Still, a few simple tips will help your cake turn out perfectly every time.
Use clean bowls and utensils
Greasy residue can affect how well the batter mixes.Beat the batter as directed
Most cake mixes recommend 30 seconds on medium and 2 minutes on high. Skipping this step can result in a dense cake.Use baking spray with flour
This is the easiest way to prevent sticking and saves time when preparing your pan.How to Grease and Flour the Pan
If you don’t have baking spray, you can easily grease and flour the pan yourself.
- Spread a thin layer of shortening over the pan using a paper towel.
- Add about ¼ cup flour to the pan.
- Shake the pan to coat the bottom and sides evenly.
- Turn the pan upside down over the sink and tap it to remove excess flour.
Storing Leftover Coconut Cake
Does Coconut Cake Need to Be Refrigerated?
Yes. Because this cake contains sweetened condensed milk and whipped topping, it should always be kept refrigerated.
Serve it cold and store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator.
Can This Cake Be Frozen?
Yes, this cake freezes well, just like any other slice of cake.
For best results:
- Freeze slices on a cookie sheet first until firm.
- Wrap each slice in parchment paper.
- Store in an airtight container or freezer bag.
- Remove as much air as possible if using zipper bags.
More Delicious, Easy Cake Recipes to Try!
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
A beautiful, classic dessert everyone loves.The Best Chocolate Cake Recipes
Perfect when you need an easy chocolate fix.Cake Mix Recipes
Stock up on cake mixes when they’re on sale and make quick desserts anytime!Another Easy Coconut Cake Recipe
A completely different take on coconut cake using cake mix.This Easy Coconut Cake Recipe is from our Dining On a Dime Cookbook, Volume 2!
[dining]
-
Irish Corned Beef And Cabbage Recipe And Soda Bread!
If you’d like to serve a yummy St. Patrick’s Day themed meal, here are some traditional recipes to get you in the mood for the “wearin’ o’ the green”! This is a great week to stock up on corned beef, which you can really serve anytime so grab a couple of extras and put them in the freezer for later! Don’t forget to grab an extra cabbage to make cole slaw later in the week!
Irish Corned Beef and Cabbage with Traditional St. Patrick’s Day Recipes!
If you’d like to serve a fun and festive meal for St. Patrick’s Day, this simple Irish-inspired menu is a great way to celebrate the “wearin’ o’ the green” without spending a fortune! These classic recipes come together into a hearty, comforting meal that feels special but still uses basic ingredients you can easily find at the grocery store.
Grocery stores almost always put corned beef on sale for St. Patrick’s Day. Even if you only plan to cook one brisket now, it’s a smart idea to grab an extra while the price is low and toss it in the freezer. Corned beef freezes well and can be used later for soups, sandwiches, or another easy family dinner.
A traditional Irish-American St. Patrick’s Day meal usually centers around corned beef and cabbage, and for good reason. It’s hearty, delicious, and feeds a crowd. The brisket slowly simmers until tender, soaking up the seasoning while the vegetables cook right alongside it. Potatoes, carrots, onions, and cabbage make it a complete meal in one pot, which means fewer dishes and an easy dinner for busy families.
One helpful tip when serving corned beef is to slice it across the grain. This simple step makes the meat much more tender and easier to chew. Another great trick is to save the cooking juices after dinner. If you have leftovers, dice the remaining corned beef and use those flavorful juices to make a simple corned beef soup later in the week.
While you’re shopping for your corned beef dinner, consider grabbing an extra cabbage as well! Cabbage is inexpensive and versatile, and it’s perfect for making a quick batch of homemade coleslaw later in the week. Stocking up on seasonal sale items like this is an easy way to stretch your grocery budget.
To round out the meal, serve your corned beef and cabbage with homemade Irish soda bread. This classic bread has a slightly crisp crust and a soft, dense interior that pairs perfectly with hearty meals. It’s wonderful served warm with butter, and any leftovers are fantastic toasted the next morning. You can even use leftover soda bread to make French toast for a special breakfast.
And of course, no St. Patrick’s Day celebration is complete without a little something sweet! Blarney Stone cookies are a simple and festive treat made by adding green coloring to your favorite sugar cookie recipe. They’re fun for kids to help decorate and add the perfect finishing touch to your holiday meal.
Together, these recipes create an easy, budget-friendly St. Patrick’s Day menu your family will look forward to year after year. Sláinte! 🍀
[dining]
Corned Beef Tips:
- Cut corned beef across the grain for more tender slices.
- Save juices and reduce. Dice leftover corned beef and make corned beef soup with leftovers.
St Patrick’s Day Corned Beef Meal Plan:
Irish Corned Beef and Cabbage
Irish Soda Bread
Blarney Stone CookiesRecipes:
Blarney Stone Cookies
Add a couple of drops of green food coloring to the dough of your favorite sugar cookie recipe. Sprinkle with green sugar* or frost with green frosting.
*Make green sugar by placing sugar in a container with a couple of drops of green food coloring and shaking.
-
Cheap Dinner Ideas – $30 for 1 Week of Family Dinners!
Use these cheap dinner ideas to make easy and cheap meals your entire family will love! I think a lot of people are under the impression that in order to have cheap meal plans you have to have just beans and rice. The fact is that’s just not true! By watching sales and shopping at discount stores you can eat very well for just $30-$50 a week!
Cheap Dinner Ideas – $30 for 1 Week of Family Dinners
Here is a week’s worth of cheap dinner ideas that can simplify your meal preparation, getting you out of the kitchen faster and saving you a lot of money on your family food budget. Each dinner idea includes a meal plan for the day and some of the recipes that go with each meal plan.
You don’t have to strictly stick to any one of these meal plans. You can easily modify any of these easy dinner ideas to suit our family’s own taste, so if you want to switch around the order of the meals or substitute a different main dish or side, don’t be afraid to adapt it for your own convenience.
You can feel free to modify these dinners.
We put these dinner plans together with the idea of saving time and money, so you can make the meal plans just as they are described here for the $30. If you’re not as concerned about having the lowest possible price, you can feel free to substitute any more expensive dinner items that you prefer.
These meal plans assume that each person eats one serving of the meal. Many people eat a lot more than the recommended number of servings per person. If you serve each family member more than one serving, you will naturally be paying more, so keep that in mind.
If you have optional food preferences, you are choosing to pay more. For example, if you eat all organic or only buy free-range chicken, you are choosing to pay more for the food. It’s fine to choose that if you can afford it, but don’t expect to pay the same low price that other people are paying who do not make that choice.
How to shop for the best prices
In order to get the best prices, especially on meats, you MUST shop smart! If you decide to make a meal today and go to the store today to buy the meat, you will probably pay too much. I made these menus and recipes based on prices I am able to get regularly by paying attention to prices and stocking up when the meat and other ingredients are cheap.
To get the best prices on meat:
Keep your eye out for sales whenever you’re at a store. If you notice that something is a much better price than usual, stock up while it’s cheap so you can have inexpensive leat to use to make these meals. For example, I never pay more than $1.99/lb. for boneless skinless chicken breasts because I buy a lot of them when they are on sale and do NOT buy them when the price is high.
Check the ads to see what each store is offering this week. When you see that a store is offering chicken, ground beef, pork chops or something else at an unusually good price, stock up and buy as much as you have room to store. Then wait to buy it again until you find another great deal.
Don’t shop at just one store. We often have people say that meat is so expensive at the store where they shop, but they refuse to shop at any other store or even check the prices at other stores. If you only ever are willing to shop at one store, you will pay a lot higher prices than you need to.
Cheap Dinner Ideas – Family Meal Plan Week 1
Total Cost = $30Meal Plan Day 1
Baked Apple Pork Chops
Rice (make and save 2 cups extra for another day)
Steamed Broccoli
Old Fashioned Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding– Total=$8.40
Meal Plan Day 2
Homemade Chicken Tenders
Mashed Potatoes
Mixed Vegetables
Sour Cream Blueberry Muffins Total=$6.50This 3 Ingredient Parmesan Chicken Tenders Recipe is a quick and easy chicken recipe that is super yummy! It makes a great quick meal for your family!
Meal Plan Day 3
Use leftovers from chicken for soup and in place of noodles use leftover rice from day 1.
Homemade Chicken Soup
Cheese Slices and Crackers
Raw Veggie Platter Total= $1.50
Meal Plan Day 5
Crumble or cube up leftover meatloaf from yesterday into spaghetti.
Use any leftover cucumber and tomatoes from yesterday for salad.Spaghetti
Garlic Bread
Tossed Salad Total = $1.50
Meal Plan Day 6
Spaghetti Pizza (using the leftover spaghetti from above)
Confetti Salad
Brownie Sundaes Total=$4.50
Day 7
Serve leftovers for whatever is left or if you go out for date night go ahead and go out and give the kids leftovers!
For more super easy and cheap dinner ideas, check out our easy cookbooks, filled with recipes your family will love!
[dining]
-
14 Easy Eggless Dessert Recipes – Egg Free Desserts To Make At Home
Here are 14 easy eggless dessert recipes you can make at home! These super tasty recipes include eggless cake recipes, cookies, fudge, cheesecake and more!
14 Easy Eggless Dessert Recipes
Are you having trouble finding eggs at the store or did you just find that you’re out of eggs? Or are you simply unable to eat eggs? Here are a bunch of super tasty eggless dessert recipes al in one place. There is a wonderful variety – choose from eggless fudge cake, eggless no bake fudge cookies, super easy eggless chocolate lava cake and more!
Many of these easy eggless dessert recipes are no-bake recipes. Some of the eggless recipes do contain milk but you can substitute coconut milk or almond milk if you’re avoiding dairy. And it’s OK to substitute sweetened condensed coconut milk in place of sweetened condensed milk in the 2 ingredient fudge recipe – oh YUM!!
Here Are The Tasty Eggless Dessert Recipes
This easy eggless no bake fudge cookies recipe is a great recipe to satisfy your kids on those hot summer days! Older kids can easily make this recipe themselves! These eggless fudge cookies are our kids most favorite recipe!
Are you looking for an easy fudge recipe? This is the #1 most popular recipe on our website. I guarantee you will love it (and hate me) for making it so easy to make!!! We’ve tried all the different variations of these 2 ingredients easy fudge recipe and NONE of them have ever failed. This is the best easy fudge recipe you will ever make! Enjoy!
This easy lava cake recipe is a tasty hot fudge cake that is quick and easy to make and you’ll love it! This is sometimes called chocolate lava cake or molten lava cake. It is easy to bake in the oven, but you can also make it in a single serving mug or as a crockpot lava cake!
All of us love this cake and it’s usually gone within about 10 minutes after it’s made because the kids love it so much. You can serve it with whipped cream or ice cream on top. There’s no need for chocolate sauce since it makes it’s own!
This lava cake is so easy to make that our older kids sometimes make their own. It’s easy to adapt if you want to make it in a crockpot or in a mug in the microwave!
Easy No Bake Cheesecake Recipe
1- 8 oz pkg. cream cheese
1/3 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1- 8 oz. container whipped toppingBeat first 3 ingredients together. Fold in whipped topping. Spoon into a graham cracker crust and chill.
Easy No Bake Peanut Butter Snacks
1/4-1/2 cup honey or corn syrup (to taste)
1 cup dry milk
1/2 cup peanut butterCombine all the ingredients and roll into 1-inch balls. These can then be rolled in coconut, sunflower seeds, granola or nuts. Store in an airtight container. Makes 1 dozen.
Homemade Frozen Bananas
bananas
skewers (optional)Cut the bananas in half crosswise. Insert a skewer in the thicker end. Place the bananas on a tray and place in the freezer. When frozen, move to a plastic bag and keep frozen until ready to use.
Toppings
yogurt nuts, finely chopped
peanut butter applesauce
melted chocolate coconut
wheat germAllow the bananas to thaw slightly. Put the toppings in small bowls. Dip the banana before each bite. Eat plain or roll or dip into any of the toppings. Use the wet topping first so the others will stick.
[dining]
-
Easy Banana Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting!
This banana cupcakes recipe is a super delicious treat for the kids or for a nice dessert item! It has always been one of our kids’ favorite recipes. You can use it to make banana cupcakes or banana bread and it’s a perfect way to use very ripe bananas before they go bad. These cupcakes are a nice alternative to plain banana bread or muffins.
If you’re looking for a simple dessert that uses up ripe bananas and feels a little more special than traditional banana bread, this easy banana cupcakes recipe is a wonderful option. I’ve been making this recipe for years, and it’s one of those dependable family favorites that never goes out of style. While the batter works perfectly for a classic loaf of banana bread, my favorite way to use it is to turn it into soft, fluffy cupcakes.
These Banana Cupcakes Are A Family Favorite!
Whenever I bring these banana cupcakes out, people are always pleasantly surprised. Most people expect banana bread or banana muffins when they see ripe bananas on the counter, but cupcakes feel a little more fun and festive. They’re perfect for family gatherings, church potlucks, bake sales, or just as a sweet treat after dinner. Frost them with a simple buttercream frosting and they instantly become a dessert that looks bakery-worthy but is incredibly easy to make at home.
This easy banana cupcakes recipe is extra special because it has been in my family for more than 75 years! Recipes that last that long usually do so for a good reason—they work, they taste great, and they’re easy enough that you actually want to keep making them. Over the years I’ve tested plenty of banana bread and banana muffin recipes, but I always come back to this one. It has the perfect balance of banana flavor, sweetness, and moisture.
Another reason I love this recipe is that I pretty much always have tehe ingredients available. You probably already have most of them in your kitchen. A few very ripe bananas, basic pantry staples, and a quick mix in one bowl are all it takes to get the batter ready for the oven. In less than 20 minutes of baking time, you’ll have warm, tender cupcakes that smell absolutely amazing.
If you have bananas getting a little too ripe on the counter, this easy banana cupcakes recipe is a great way to turn them into something delicious your whole family will love.
[dining]
Tips:
- When a recipe calls for you to beat the eggs before adding, I usually break the eggs on top of the ingredients that are already in the bowl, whisk slightly with a fork and continue mixing into the other ingredients with the mixer. This prevents you from getting out and dirtying a separate bowl to beat the eggs.
- If you want to make banana bread with this recipe, bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes.
- You can add raisins or other dried fruit if you like.
- This banana cupcakes recipe is a great way to use up ripe bananas.
- Many people love cream cheese frosting but I prefer vanilla buttercream for this recipe. It gives it a different flavor than the typical cream cheese frosting you find in many places. Cream cheese frosting is also good, but, but buttercream gives a more unique flavor.
-
Homemade Fruit Smoothies Recipe And Extras! Cool, Easy And Delicious!
Try this Homemade Fruit Smoothies Recipe, along with lots of extra add-in suggestions to give you lots of variety! Fruit Smoothies are both healthy and delicious. They make a great quick breakfast or a tasty snack! These Homemade Fruit Smoothie recipes can be found in volume 2 of our cookbook!
If you’re looking for a quick, refreshing drink that’s both nutritious and budget-friendly, this homemade fruit smoothies recipe is the perfect solution! Smoothies are one of the easiest ways to enjoy fresh fruit, add extra nutrition to your day, and create a delicious treat that the whole family will love. With just a few simple ingredients and a blender, you can whip up a creamy smoothie in minutes.
This homemade fruit smoothies recipe uses a simple base of fruit, milk or yogurt, ice, sugar, and vanilla. The beauty of this recipe is how flexible it is. You can use fresh fruit when it’s in season, frozen fruit for convenience, or even canned fruit from your pantry. That means you can enjoy smoothies all year long without spending a lot of money.
Another great thing about this smoothie recipe is how easy it is to customize. You can mix and match fruits like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, bananas, and pineapple to create endless flavor combinations. If you want a tropical smoothie, try pineapple and banana with coconut flavoring. For a berry blend, mix strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Even fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, and kiwi work beautifully for a refreshing twist.
You can also switch up the liquid in this fruit smoothies recipe depending on the flavor you want. Milk makes smoothies creamy and filling, while fruit juices like orange juice, pineapple juice, or apple juice give them a bright, refreshing taste. For a little fizz, top off your smoothie with ginger ale or sparkling water.
If you want to boost the nutrition, try adding extras like oatmeal, wheat germ, bran cereal, protein powder, or flaxseed oil. These simple additions can turn a smoothie into a satisfying breakfast or an energy-boosting snack. You can even add cocoa mix, instant pudding mix, or chocolate syrup for a fun dessert-style smoothie.
Whether you’re making a quick breakfast, a healthy snack, or a cool drink on a hot day, this homemade fruit smoothies recipe is a simple and delicious way to enjoy fruit in endless combinations. Once you start experimenting with flavors and add-ins, you’ll find that smoothies quickly become a favorite in your kitchen
This Fruit Smoothie recipe is from our Dining On A Dime Cookbook, Volume 2:
[dining]
You can make any combination of the following items for your homemade fruit smoothies. When you use juices, substitute juice in the recipe in place of milk.
- Top off any smoothie with ginger ale or sparkling water.
- strawberries, blueberries, peaches and a sprig of mint
- strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries
- strawberries, raspberries and banana
- orange juice, pineapple juice, banana
- crushed pineapple, 1/4 tsp coconut flavoring
- apple juice, coconut and 1/4 tsp. grated ginger
- banana and 2 Tbsp. peanut butter
- banana, strawberries, 2 Tbsp. chocolate syrup
- strawberries, banana, peaches and apple
- mixed berries and peaches or pears
- bananas and kiwi fruit
- watermelon
- cantaloupe
- peaches and 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 cup mint extract, 1/4 cup chocolate syrup
- 4 tsp. malted milk powder
- 1/4 cup chocolate syrup
- 1/3 cup unsweetened grape juice
- 1/4 cup chocolate syrup and 1/4 cup coffee (don’t use with fruit)
Here are some other tasty add-ins For Your Homemade Fruit Smoothies:
- 1/4 cup oatmeal
- 1 Tbsp. wheat germ
- 1/4 cup bran cereal
- flaxseed oil
- bee pollen
- breakfast powder
- protein powder
- powdered milk
- cocoa mix
- instant coffee
- instant pudding mix
- powdered soft drink mix
- 2 Tbsp. fruit juice concentrate
- cinnamon
- nutmeg
- any flavorings such as cherry, strawberry, peppermint etc.
- whipped cream
-
Best Scalloped Potatoes Recipe – Creamy, Easy, and Absolutely Delicious!
If you’re looking for the best scalloped potatoes recipe, this easy version is rich, creamy, and absolutely irresistible! Tender potatoes bake in a buttery, savory sauce that turns simple ingredients into a comforting dish everyone loves. One bite and you’ll see why this classic recipe keeps people coming back for seconds!
This best scalloped potatoes recipe is one of those classic comfort foods that never goes out of style! Creamy, savory, and incredibly satisfying, scalloped potatoes are the kind of dish that brings everyone to the table. The simple combination of tender potatoes, buttery sauce, and just the right seasonings makes a side dish that tastes like it took far more effort than it actually did.
One of the best things about this recipe is how quick and easy it is to put together. With just a few basic pantry ingredients, you can create a rich, creamy sauce that bakes right into the potatoes as they cook. There’s no complicated technique and no fancy ingredients required. Just layer everything in the dish, pour the sauce over the top, and let the oven do the work.
This best scalloped potatoes recipe is also incredibly flexible. If you want to add extra flavor, try mixing in diced ham, bacon, or sausage between the layers. The smoky, savory meat pairs perfectly with the creamy potatoes and makes the dish even more hearty and satisfying. If you prefer a cheesy version, simply add shredded cheese to turn it into delicious au gratin potatoes.
Because the ingredients are simple and budget-friendly, this recipe is perfect for feeding a family without spending a lot at the grocery store. Potatoes are one of the most affordable foods you can buy, and when baked in a creamy sauce like this, they turn into a dish that feels special enough for holidays, Sunday dinners, or anytime you want a comforting homemade meal.
Once you try this best scalloped potatoes recipe, you’ll see why it’s a favorite that families have been making for generations. It’s creamy, buttery, easy to make, and absolutely delicious — the kind of simple homemade cooking that everyone loves.
This scalloped potatoes recipe is from Volume 1:
[dining]
-
Gluten Free Carrot Cake Recipe That Tastes Amazingly Delicious!
This gluten free carrot cake recipe is moist, delicious, and incredibly easy to make! Packed with warm cinnamon, sweet carrots, and crunchy pecans, it has all the classic carrot cake flavor you love. Top it with rich cream cheese frosting and you have a dessert no one will believe is gluten free!
If you’ve been looking for a gluten free carrot cake recipe that is moist and delicious, this one is simple to make and tastes just as good as the traditional version. Carrot cake is a longtime favorite for good reason. The combination of warm cinnamon, sweet carrots, and crunchy pecans creates a cake that’s rich in flavor and incredibly moist.
One of the great things about this gluten free carrot cake recipe is how flexible it is. If you want a quick and easy option, you can start with a gluten free yellow cake mix and simply add cinnamon, shredded carrots, and pecans for that classic carrot cake flavor. It’s a fast way to make a delicious homemade dessert without a lot of extra work.
At the same time, some people prefer to make everything from scratch. If that’s you, we also have a simple gluten free yellow cake recipe you can use instead of the mix. It’s straightforward to make and doesn’t require complicated substitutions, so you can easily turn it into a homemade gluten free carrot cake recipe from start to finish.
The carrots help keep the cake soft and moist while adding natural sweetness. The cinnamon gives it that warm spice that makes carrot cake so good, and the pecans add just the right amount of crunch. Together, they create a cake that has all the flavor you expect from a classic carrot cake.
Of course, the cream cheese frosting really brings it all together! It’s smooth, rich, and perfectly sweet, with chopped pecans and coconut mixed in for extra flavor and texture. Spread it over the cooled cake and you have a dessert that looks beautiful and tastes even better.
You can bake this gluten free carrot cake recipe in a variety of ways: as a layered cake for special occasions, a 9×13 cake for an easy family dessert, or cupcakes for parties and gatherings. However you make it, this is one of those recipes people will come back to again and again — because it proves that gluten free desserts can still taste amazing.
[gfdf]
-
Gluten Free Yellow Cake Mix Recipe That Actually Tastes Great!
If you’ve been looking for a gluten free yellow cake mix recipe that actually tastes like your favorite “regular” cake recipe, you’re going to love this easy gluten free recipe! It’s soft, fluffy, and perfectly sweet—without the dry or crumbly texture that so many gluten-free cakes have. This easy recipe makes a delicious cake, perfect for birthdays, cupcakes, or anytime you want a classic homemade dessert.
Gluten Free Cake That Actually Tastes Good!
If you’ve ever tried pre-made gluten-free cake, you know it can be a little… disappointing. Dry, crumbly, or with that strange aftertaste that makes you wish you had just skipped dessert altogether. That’s exactly why I worked so hard to create this easy Gluten-Free Yellow Cake recipe that actually tastes like real cake!
This recipe gives you everything you love about a classic yellow cake — a soft texture, rich buttery flavor, and just the right amount of sweetness. The best part? Most people can’t even tell it’s gluten free. It’s the kind of cake you can confidently serve at birthdays, family gatherings, or potlucks without having to warn everyone first.
One of the keys to a good gluten-free cake mix recipe is using the right balance of ingredients so the texture turns out soft and tender instead of dry or crumbly. Using a good gluten-free all-purpose flour blend along with xanthan gum helps give the cake structure so it isn’t crumbly. The vinegar and dairy-free milk also work together to keep the cake tender and moist.
Another thing I love about this gluten free yellow cake recipe is how versatile it is. You can bake it in a 9×13 pan for an easy sheet cake, make two or three round layers for a birthday cake, or turn it into cupcakes for parties and school events. It’s one of those reliable recipes that works for almost any occasion.
And of course, you can dress up this gluten free yellow cake any way you like. It’s delicious topped with rich chocolate frosting, classic vanilla buttercream, or even a simple dusting of powdered sugar. Add sprinkles for birthdays or keep it simple for an everyday dessert.
Whether you’re gluten free because of allergies, sensitivities, or you’re baking for someone who is, it’s always exciting to find a recipe that doesn’t feel like a compromise. This cake is soft, fluffy, and full of flavor — proof that gluten-free baking can still be absolutely delicious.
Once you try it, this will definitely become your go-to gluten-free cake recipe. Enjoy!
This Gluten Free Yellow Cake Recipe is From My Cookbook:
[gfdf]
-
12 Tips for Beautiful Nails and Hands
These 12 tips for beautiful nails and hands will get your nails and hands in tip-top shape and keep them looking and feeling amazing!
Whether your hands and nails are suffering or whether you’d just like to pamper yourself, try these 12 tips for beautiful nails and hands! These are easy things you can do to keep your hands healthy and radiant!
Tips for Beautiful Nails and Hands
- To soften hands or feet, rub liberally with petroleum jelly, put on a pair of gloves or socks and wear overnight.
- Use a nail buffer to shine nails between manicures.
- Cut a slit into the center of a sponge. Place the sponge into a small container and fill with nail polish remover. Dip fingernail in slit and slide around to remove polish.
- Use an old toothbrush as a nail brush.
- Go to the local beauty school to have manicures, pedicures and facials. You can feel pampered without spending a fortune. Five bucks is a great deal for a facial!
- Wash dry hands with a small amount of cornmeal or sugar mixed with water. It will remove the dry skin. Thanks to Cyndi in California
- When finished eating a grapefruit or lemon, place your elbows in the halves for 10-30 minutes to soften them. (Thanks to Erin in Washington for this tip.)
- Purchase nail care kits at half price after Christmas and other holidays. You can get several polishes and tools for $2-$4.
- An easy way to remove cuticles is to rub them with oil. Then gently push back the cuticles. I saw a product that was a miracle treatment for nails. It was $29 for about a tablespoon of it. Guess what the ingredient was? — vegetable oil.
- Save the cotton from aspirin bottles. Use for your face or for manicures.
- Thin thickened nail polish using nail polish thinner (not remover!). It’s found by the nail polish remover.
- Soak nails in lemon juice to remove stains.
For lots of easy tips and recipes for elegant all-natural homemade bath and beauty products, take a look at our Pretty for Pennies Frugal Bath and Beauty Guide!
Pretty for Pennies is also included in our Dining On a Dime Cookbook, Volume 1:
[dining]
-
Hamburger Casserole Recipes For Quick And Easy Meals!
Here are 15 quick and easy hamburger casserole recipes to make dinner a snap! You’ll find lots of variations on traditional hamburger casserole that the entire family will love and you’ll be in and out of the kitchen fast!
15 Hamburger Casserole Recipes For Quick And Easy Meals!
This easy hamburger casserole recipe is a great recipe when the kids are hungry and you don’t have a lot of time. It’s popular with virtually everyone! Serve with a vegetable and some applesauce and you’ve got an entire meal in minutes! You can find this recipe in our Dining On A Dime Cookbook, Volume 1.
This easy hamburger casserole recipe is from Volume 1 of our cookbook:
[dining]
-
Easy Homemade Mini Pizzas Recipe They Will All Love!
This easy mini pizzas recipe is super easy to make and versatile enough that everyone can have pizza exactly the way they like it! This is one of my kids’ favorite recipes. It’s super simple, they can make it themselves and everyone can have the toppings they want on their own mini pizzas.
How To Make Mini Pizzas Everyone Loves!
If you need a quick, budget-friendly meal that everyone will actually eat, this easy homemade mini pizzas recipe is about to become a favorite in your kitchen! It’s one of those super simple recipes you can pull out on busy weeknights, lazy weekends, or those afternoons when the kids walk in the door starving.
This mini pizza recipe is wonderfully easy! With just a can of refrigerated biscuits, a little sauce, shredded cheese, and whatever toppings you have on hand, you can have hot, cheesy mini pizzas on the table in about 15 minutes. No mixing dough. No complicated prep. Just flatten, top, and bake.
This recipe is also perfect for introducing kids to cooking and getting them involved with helping in the kitchen! Set out small bowls of toppings—pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, olives, peppers, or even leftover hamburger—and let everyone build their own pizza. Kids love having control over what goes on top, and they’re much more likely to eat dinner without complaints when they made it themselves. As our kids got older, they felt especially proud fo themselves for learning to make this simple meal for themselves, with a little help from mom to get it into the oven! 😉
Another bonus? These mini pizzas are incredibly versatile. Serve them with a simple side salad for a fast dinner, pack them in lunches, or make a double batch for after-school snacks. You can even set up a mini “pizza bar” for sleepovers or game nights without spending a fortune on takeout.
If you’re trying to stretch your grocery budget while still keeping meals fun and satisfying, this recipe is perfect. It’s quick, customizable, family-friendly, and made with affordable ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
Simple, practical, and delicious—that’s a win all around!
[dining]
-
3 Ingredient Recipes – Chicken Tacos and More!
This quick and easy 3 ingredient chicken taco recipe will satisfy your family and get you in and out of the kitchen fast!
[dining]
3 Ingredient Recipes – Chicken Tacos Meal Plan:
Chicken Tacos
Tomato, Mozzarella and Avocado Salad
Chips
No Bake Ice Box CakeTips:
- Frozen Yogurt Popsicle – Stick a popsicle stick into the center of a container of yogurt, leaving foil the lid on. Freeze.
- Fast Frosting – If you don’t have time or ingredients to frost your cake, lay a paper doily on it then dust with powdered sugar. Carefully remove the doily and you’ll have a sweet topping with a pretty pattern!
- Freeze Blueberries – Freeze blueberries in the basket they come in. Do not wash them first. Wrap it all in foil or plastic wrap. This helps them keep their color and shape better.
-
Easy Chinese Chicken Recipes – Simple, Quick And Delicious!
When the mood strikes for Asian food, nothing else will do. If you live near a great place for takeout, that can be great. But if you want to save some money, make your own, or don’t have a great place nearby these easy Chinese Chicken recipes are the perfect solution.
These easy Chinese chicken recipes are simple and delicious, and much cheaper than buying Chinese food at a restaurant. The first 4 recipes start from the same Chinese chicken base recipe and then each has its own sauce and variations. You’ll find an easy sweet and sour chicken recipe, sesame chicken, garlic chicken, an easy orange chicken recipe and more!
The base Chinese chicken recipe is breaded. If you do not want the chicken to be breaded or if you are gluten free, you can fry the bite sized pieces without the breading and then serve with the rice, sauces and add-ins, if desired.
You can split the chicken between multiple sauces depending on what you like. If you prefer to serve more than one flavor, this is a quick and easy way to make multiple styles of Chinese Chicken at the same time.
All of these recipes are delicious and they are especially popular with teenagers and picky eaters!
You can find this and other tasty recipes in our Dining On A Dime Cookbooks! (The Chinese chicken is from Volume 2 and the stir fry is from Volume 1.)
How To Make The Chinese Chicken Recipes
Chinese chicken dishes are not only delicious but also surprisingly easy to make at home. The beauty of these recipes lies in their simplicity and versatility. The first 4 Chinese chicken recipes begin with a foundational base recipe, which serves as the perfect canvas for a variety of flavorful sauces and creative variations.
- First, pour the frying oil into a medium frying pan and heat it on high until hot.
- While the oil is heating, mix the batter for the chicken. Combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda and water and mix until the batter has a smooth consistency. (If you don’t want your chicken to be breaded, you can skip this step and the next one. Instead, season with seasoned salt and fry unbreaded.)
- Add the chicken pieces to the batter and stir to coat them with the batter.
- Drop the chicken pieces individually into the hot oil so that they don’t clump together. (If you just pour them all in, they will fry into one large clump of breaded fried chicken pierces.)
- Be careful not to splatter the hot oil on yourself as you add the chicken to the oil. I like to use a large metal ladle or spoon to carefully drop the chicken pieces into the oil.
- Fry the chicken pieces until they are golden brown. As they cook, remove them from the oil with a slotted spoon and lay them on a plata covered with a couple paper towels to catch the extra oil drippings. (If you skipped breading, the chicken will only brown a little.)
- If you will be adding any optional vegetables that you would like sautéed, sauté them now. For example, you may want to sauté bell peppers and onions for Sweet and Sour Chicken. For a crunchier texture, only lightly sauté them.
- To make your desired sauce (recipes below): Add the sauce ingredients to a medium saucepan, stir to mix. Cook for 5 minutes, until the sauce begins to thicken. Then pour over the chicken or serve on the side if some people might not want sauce.
- Serve over white rice, fried rice or Chow mein noodles.
Easy Chinese Chicken Variations and Tips
- If you would like to add Chinese vegetables to the chicken as these dishes are served in your favorite restaurant, you can also lightly sauté your choice of veggies like bell peppers, chunks of white onions and carrots. Then, when the chicken and the sauce are finished, you can add the vegetables and pour the sauce over the top. The vegetables add a little extra flavor and color, and make the dish look even more like a restaurant served meal.
- If you have picky eaters, you can make the Chinese chicken base and then serve the rice, chicken, vegetables, and sauce separately so each person can customize to his or her own taste.
- If you would like fresh homemade eggrolls to go with the Chinese chicken recipes, you can make our easy eggrolls recipe and serve them along with the chicken.
- You can also make a big batch of Chinese Chicken, split it into two or three bowls, and add a different sauce to each. I’ve included the basic chicken recipe plus four sauce recipes in this post. Each of the sauce recipes makes enough sauce for two pounds of chicken.
- If you do not want the chicken to be breaded or if you are gluten free, you can fry the bite sized pieces without the breading. If you are gluten free, be sure that all of your ingredients for the sauces and add-ins are also gluten free. For example, you would want to use gluten free soy sauce.
These Easy Chinese Chicken Recipes Are From Our Dining On a Dime Cookbook, Volume 2.
[dining]
Sauce Variations for our Chinese Chicken Recipes
If you’d like to make more than one flavor of chicken for the same meal, prepare as much chicken as your family wants. Then make two or more of the sauces and serve separately from the chicken so each person can choose his or her own sauce.
Each of these sauce recipes makes enough sauce for two pounds of chicken. If you have extra sauce, freeze the extra portion in a freezable plastic jar to thaw and use later when you want Asian food again.
If you prefer, here is our Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe cooked without the breading.
What To Serve With These Chinese Chicken Recipes
White Rice. – How To Cook Rice Recipe – Easy Way To Make Rice
Easy Fried Rice Recipe – Homemade Chinese Fried Rice
Vegetable Spring Rolls
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using these links, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
-
Easy Banana Bread Recipe – How To Make Moist Banana Bread
Here is an easy banana bread recipe that has been in our family for generations! This is the BEST banana bread recipe!! It is super quick and easy to make and makes delicious and moist banana bread. It’s great in lunches and makes a great snack for when the kids get home from school!
This easy banana bread recipe is from Volume 1 of our cookbook:
[dining]
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something after clicking one of these links, we may receive a small share of the sale at no cost to you.
-
Quick And Easy Beef Stew Recipe – Mom’s Crockpot Beef Stew
This quick and easy beef stew recipe is mom’s beef stew recipe and it is the best beef stew you will ever eat! Every time I make it, everyone raves about how great it is. It’s so great we hardly ever have leftovers! If you need a quick and easy meal to put in the crockpot or on the stove to simmer, this is the recipe for you!!
This beef stew recipe is a tasty, tummy warming recipe for cool winter days! It is so quick and easy to make that I make it frequently. My kids have always loved it and they still request it if too much time has gome by since the last time we ate it.
This stew is very versatile. You can easily use leftovers in places of some of the ingredients. For example, in place of the round steak, you can use leftover round steak, roast or other leftover beef.
This is a very low cost recipe and is very tasty as written, but you can feel free to modify it to your liking. If you prefer, you can add or take away veggies and if you don’t mind the extra cost, you can add more meat.
If you have leftover potatoes, carrots or onions, this recipe is a great way to use them. You can really add any other stew vegetable that sounds good to you, so if you have leftovers you need to use, you can throw them into this recipe. Bell peppers and celery might also go well with this recipe.
This quick and easy beef stew recipe is from volume 1 of our cookbook:
[dining]
-
The BEST Homemade Egg Noodles Recipe! Simple And Delicious!
This homemade egg noodles recipe makes the best egg noodles! This is the recipe from my Great Grandma on my dad’s side who I got my love of gardening from! She always made the best egg noodles and was always so shocked when everyone loved them so much because are really simple to make. Good food doesn’t have to be hard or complicated to make! I hope you enjoy these egg noodles as much as we do!
For more easy recipes like this easy homemade egg noodles recipe, check out our cookbooks!
[dining]
-
4 Dinners, 1 Roast, $15! How To Plan Ahead Pot Roast
Here’s how to plan ahead pot roast so you can get 4 dinners from 1 pot roast for just $15! You’ll also find our easy and delicious slow cooked roast recipe!
4 Dinners, 1 Roast, $15! How To Plan Ahead Pot Roast
One important key to saving money on groceries while feeding your family tasty meals is to plan ahead! One of my favorite ways to plan ahead is to prepare one meal, keeping in mind how I will use what would have been the leftovers to craft entirely new meals!
Here is what I will serve to spend just $15 feeding my family meals they will love! Not only are these pot roast recipes easy and delicious, but they are also significantly faster and cheaper than wasting your time in a drive-thru line and without all the frustration!
Here’s our easy and super delicious slow cooked pot roast recipe in the oven you can use to make the tastiest roast you will ever eat! We also share how to plan ahead pot roast so you can get 4 meals to feed your family out of this roast!
These easy slow cooked pot roast recipes are from our Dining On A Dime Cookbook, Volume 1:
[dining]
This easy beef and noodles recipe makes a tasty main dish that makes an easy 5 dollar meal and that your family will love!
-
Easy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe – Tastes Like Grandma’s!
This chicken and dumplings recipe is an easy way to make chicken and dumplings like mom and grandma used to make! It’s a warm and savory comfort food, and a perfect meal for winter! This recipe is in volume 1 of our Dining On A Dime Cookbook!
There’s something timeless about a steaming bowl of chicken and dumplings! It’s simple, filling, and tastes like it came straight from Mom or Grandma’s kitchen. This easy chicken and dumplings recipe brings all that comfort to the table without a lot of fuss or expensive ingredients.
What makes this recipe so practical is how simple it is! With just a few pantry staples—chicken broth, cooked chicken or turkey, celery, carrots, and basic seasonings—you can have a hearty meal on the table fast. It’s a perfect way to use up leftover chicken or turkey, turning yesterday’s dinner into today’s warm and satisfying comfort food.
Here’s the process (Full Recipe Below):
Start by combining the broth, chicken, celery, carrots, bay leaf, and parsley in a Dutch oven. Bring everything to a gentle boil so the flavors can blend together. While that’s simmering, stir up the dumplings. The baking mix keeps things easy and dependable. Just add thyme, parsley, and milk, stirring until the dough is just moistened. Be careful not to overmix—this helps keep the dumplings light and tender.
Drop spoonfuls of dough straight into the boiling broth. Let them cook uncovered for 10 minutes, then cover the pot and cook another 10 minutes. And here’s the key: don’t peek! Lifting the lid releases steam and can leave you with soggy dumplings instead of fluffy ones.
When they’re done, remove the dumplings with a slotted spoon, discard the bay leaf, and ladle the rich broth and vegetables over the top. In about 30 minutes, you’ll have a comforting, homemade meal that tastes like it took all day—simple, budget-friendly, and absolutely delicious.
This Easy Chicken and Dumplings recipe is from Volume 1:
[dining]
-
Pecan Pie Muffins Recipe
This Pecan Pie Muffins recipe makes delicious muffins that are full of all that rich, buttery, nutty flavor you crave—without the hassle of making a fill pie and pie crust. If you love pecan pie but need something quicker and easier, this recipe is perfect for lunches, holidays, potlucks, or a simple weeknight treat. They’re easy to make fast with just a handful of ingredients you probably already have on hand!
If you love pecan pie but don’t love the time (or fuss) it takes to make one, this Pecan Pie Muffins recipe is about to become your new favorite treat! They have that rich, buttery, caramel-like flavor of traditional pecan pie—just in a perfectly portioned, handheld muffin. No crust to roll out. No complicated steps. Just mix, pour, and bake.
This recipe is special because of how quick and simple it is to make! With just five basic ingredients—chopped pecans, brown sugar, flour, eggs, and melted butter—you can whip up a batch in minutes. The brown sugar creates that classic sweet, slightly gooey texture, while the pecans add the perfect crunch in every bite. The result is a soft, tender muffin with crisp edges and a rich center that tastes just like the filling of a homemade pecan pie.
How to Make The Pecan Pie Muffins (Full recipe below):
To make them, start by preheating your oven to 350°. Combine the chopped pecans, brown sugar, and flour in one bowl. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until foamy, then stir in the melted butter. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently blend until just moistened—be careful not to overmix. Spoon the batter into lined muffin tins and bake for 20–25 minutes.
These pecan pie muffins are perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, bake sales, or adding something special to a lunchbox. They also freeze well, making them a great make-ahead dessert for busy weeks. Or if you’re just craving a tasty dessert, you can also enjoy a few of them now and freeze the rest for later.
Warm, sweet, nutty, and incredibly easy—these Pecan Pie Muffins deliver all the comfort of a classic dessert in a fraction of the time!
[dining]
-
20 Cooking Ideas To Save Time And Money!
Here are 20 cooking ideas that will help you save time and money! You’ll find easy tips for organizing your kitchen better, using leftovers and more.
20 Cooking Ideas To Save Time And Money!
Looking for simple ways to save time in the kitchen and cut your grocery bill at the same time? You’re not alone. With rising food prices and busy schedules, home cooks everywhere are searching for budget-friendly cooking tips, easy meal shortcuts, and smart ways to stretch leftovers without sacrificing flavor.
The good news? Saving money on groceries doesn’t require complicated meal plans or gourmet skills. Sometimes it’s the small, practical kitchen habits — like organizing spices for quicker access, repurposing leftovers into brand-new meals, or adding a few simple upgrades to frozen foods — that make the biggest difference.
Here are 20 simple ideas to help you save time, cut costs, and make everyday cooking easier:
- Put flour in an old spice bottle to use when flouring cake pans.
- Unsure what a Dutch oven is? It’s just a 6-8 quart saucepan or large pot.
- Use a sharpie to mark the TOPS of your spice bottles so you can see at a glance which spice it is.
- If you frequently bake, buy a pretty set of measuring spoons and hang them on the wall. Then you don’t have to dig around to find them all the time.
- Use a small basket to store bottles of extracts and food colorings. Then you can just bring the entire basket down off the shelf without fumbling over a bunch of small bottles
- Keep salt all over your kitchen. My kitchen is very tiny but I have salt on the table, salt in my baking cabinet, salt on the stove AND salt in with my spices. Then I’m not walking back and forth each time I need to salt something.
- Having leftovers again? Serve them by candlelight with tablecloths or place mats. A tablecloth and candles make even plain meals look special.
- This is an unexpected canape and a handy little finger food. Take your favorite cream cheese dip and roll about 1 teaspoon full into a ball. Press it between two walnut halves. Lay on a platter to serve.
- Save dry cereal odds and ends to add to your Chex mix when you make it.
- Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting it in the fridge. It will keep much longer.
- When you have one hot dog, hamburger, sausage patty, or slice of ham left over, throw it in a container in the freezer. Use these leftovers to make a meat lovers pizza or to add a little more zip to a regular frozen pizza.
- Don’t forget to add a few of your favorite spices to a frozen pizza or add extra cheese and toppings.
Mix and match any of these:
- Bread and honey butter. This is an old fashioned easy stand by. Place some soft, fresh bread on a plate and honey butter in a bowl for something that is good and couldn’t be easier. (Make honey butter by mixing a little bit of honey into regular butter.)
- Sliced fruit of any kind. Cantaloupe, watermelon, strawberries, kiwi and others work well.
- Sliced veggies of any kind. Try tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots or celery.
- Sandwiches of every kind. You aren’t committing a sin by serving your family easy sandwiches on a hot summer day. Combine them with fresh fruits or veggies and you’ve got a meal.
- Salads – Jello, fruit, veggie, pasta or potato salads make great summer fare.
- Desserts – Ice cream, ice cream and more ice cream. Make it into floats, banana splits, brownie sundaes or regular sundaes, milk shakes, ice cream pie or ice cream sandwiches.
- If you have leftover brownies or cake, add a few pieces to the bottom of a dish and then top with pudding and whipped cream.
- Keep a bag or container in your freezer to store that 1 or 2 pieces of coffee cake, donuts or other baked goods that are sometimes left over (which doesn’t happen often in my house ;-). Then when you get enough for your favorite bread pudding recipe (hopefully one that is in Dining on a Dime ;-), use them instead of bread.
[dining]
