easy recipes

Name: Instant Pot Sausage & Spinach Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 pound of ground pork sausage; 1 Tablespoon of olive oil; 1 onion, diced; 1 yellow bell pepper, diced; ½ cup of mushrooms, chopped; 15.5 ounce can of white beans (I used great northern beans); 4 cups of reduced sodium chicken broth; 2 cups of water; 3 cups of russet potatoes, chopped and peeled; 3 Tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon of garlic powder; 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes (optional); 4 cups of spinach

Instant Pot Sausage & Spinach Soup Recipe

March 16, 2021 by Rachel 8 Comments

Busy weeknights are back. And that means I have even less time to make dinner for our family of 5. One of my favorite ways to save time on meals is by using my Instant Pot. Y’all know how much I adore my Instant Pot. I mean, these meals are so. darn. easy! And this Instant Pot Sausage & Spinach Soup recipe is to die for! Seriously.

Why the Instant Pot

If you’ve been following my blog for a while you’ll know that I’m basically obsessed with pressure cooking and one-pot cooking in the Instant Pot. It’s just… easy. And, when food is made in a pressure cooker, it is 100 times juicier and more flavorful. Sure, you could make soup in a stock pot on the stove; but I highly suggest you try using an Instant Pot. It’s a complete game-changer.

What you’ll need for Instant Pot Sausage & Spinach Soup

Besides your Instant Pot (or other pressure cooker equivalent), you’ll only need the following:

1 pound of ground pork sausage
olive oil
an onion
one yellow pepper
mushrooms
great northern beans
chicken broth
water
russet potatoes
Worcestershire sauce
garlic powder
Italian seasoning
red pepper flakes (optional)
fresh spinach

The Recipe

Yield: 4 - 6

Instant Pot Sausage & Spinach Soup

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Additional Time 10 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound of ground pork sausage
1 Tablespoon of olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
½ cup of mushrooms, chopped
15.5 ounce can of white beans (I used great northern beans)
4 cups of reduced sodium chicken broth
2 cups of water
3 cups of russet potatoes, chopped and peeled
3 Tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
4 cups of spinach

Instructions

INGREDIENTS -

STEP 1 -

Turn your Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add oil to pot. Once hot, add your sausage. Saute until meat is browned (about 5 minutes).

STEP 2 -

Then add onion, bell pepper, and mushrooms to Instant Pot. Stir and cook until softened; about 3-5 minutes.

STEP 3 -

Add in your remaining ingredients EXCEPT or the spinach to your Instant Pot.

STEP 4 -

Close the lid. Close the valve and set your IP to High Pressure for 10 minutes.

STEP 5 -

Once the cooking is complete, wait 10 minutes for a slow release of pressure. Then use the quick release valve to release the leftover pressure.

STEP 6 -

Remove the lid and add in your spinach. Stir.

STEP 7 -

Serve in your favorite soup bowl! Enjoy!

PIN FOR LATER

St. Patrick’s Day “Gold Treasure” Cake Pops

March 10, 2021 by Rachel 13 Comments

Hiiiiii… my name is Rachel and I am kinda, sorta, obsessed with cake pops. It’s true. Once, my ‘true love’ was cupcakes. But nowadays it’s those perfect little bite-sized perfections of dessert — cake pops. And, of course, I love my local pop-maker, I sometimes just like to spoil my kids with homemade cake pops. But when a holiday rolls around? Well we THEME those desserts! And these St. Patrick’s Day “Gold Treasure” Cake Pops are so much fun!

Here’s what you’ll need to make these “Gold Treasure” Cake Pops

You really don’t need much for this recipe at all. My suggestion is to first make a white cake ahead of time. Let it cool completely. You’ll only need about a quarter of it (unless you want to quadruple the recipe — which isn’t a bad idea!).

¼ of a white cake (such as a box cake), cooked
2 Tablespoons of cream cheese frosting, softened
8 ounces of candy melts, green
10 count 6 – inch cookie sticks
3 Tablespoons of white sprinkles
10 gold coins

That’s it! The gold coins are the item that really pushes these cake pops over the edge. Kids love chocolate coins, am I right?! So you know they’re going to freak out for these.

The Full Recipe

Yield: 10

"Gold Treasure" Cake Pops

Prep Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

¼ of a white cake (such as a box cake), cooked
2 Tablespoons of cream cheese frosting, softened
8 ounces of candy melts, green
10 count 6 – inch cookie sticks
10 gold coins
3 Tablespoons of white sprinkles

Instructions

INGREDIENTS -

STEP 1 -

In a large bowl, crumble your cake.

STEP 2 -

Add in your cream cheese frosting. Mix well with a hand mixer, spoon, or stand mixer.

STEP 3 -

Divide your cake into 10 sections. With the palm of your hand, round out each portion into a ball shape.

STEP 4 -

Place your cake pops on a sheet pan or plate, and place in the freezer for 15 minutes.

STEP 5 -

While your cake pops are in the freezer, place all of your candy melts in a medium sized bowl. Microwave for 30 second intervals until completely melted.

STEP 6 -

Remove the cake pops from the freezer.

STEP 7 -

Place your cookie stick in the candy melt, then the cake pop. Then add your cake pop to the candy melts. Coat the pop completely with the melt. On the side of the bowl, tap it gently with the stick removing any excess chocolate from the cake pop to create a smooth finish.

STEP 8 -

Place the cake pop on the parchment paper. Immediately add your sprinkles before the chocolate dries. In the corner of your cake pop, push in your gold coin.

STEP 9 -

Continue steps 6 – 8 until each cake pop is complete.

STEP 10 -

ENJOY!

If you’re looking for another St. Patrick’s Day recipe, try these St. Patrick’s Day Hot Cocoa Bombs! They’re covered in Lucky Charms marshmallows!

PIN FOR LATER

St Patrick’s Day Hot Cocoa Bombs Recipe

March 8, 2021 by Rachel 6 Comments

On St. Patrick’s Day, we’re all a little Irish, right? My son has declared “I just want St. Patrick’s Day to be over so we can have Easter!” And, honestly, I get it, kid. But instead of doing the ‘catch a leprechaun’ activities that seem to leave my kids unimpressed, I’ll wow them in other ways. Specifically, through their bellies. And this twist on hot cocoa bombs is sure to delight them. So I’ll share with you these St Patrick’s Day Hot Cocoa Bombs recipe!

WHY THE INSTANT POT?

What you’ll need

I used my Instant Pot, but it’s not necessary. Any double-boiler situation will work. I just prefer using my pressure cooker for everything. The other items are super easy finds. Here’s what you’ll need:

24 ounces of green candy melts, 2 ounces reserved
7 Tablespoons of hot cocoa powder with miniature marshmallows
2 blocks (4 ounces) of white Almond Bark
42 Lucky Charms Marshmallows

Your kids will totally love this (and you will, too!). You’ll get major mom points, for sure! PS. the Lucky Charms marshmallows (which you can find here) are a game changer. Don’t skip them.

Full St Patrick’s Day Hot Cocoa Bombs Recipe Details

Yield: 14 hot cocoa bombs

St. Patrick’s Day Hot Cocoa Bombs

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

24 ounces of green candy melts, 2 ounces reserved
7 Tablespoons of hot cocoa powder with miniature marshmallows
2 blocks (4 ounces) of white Almond Bark
42 Lucky Charms Marshmallows

Instructions

INGREDIENTS -

St. Patrick’s Day Hot Cocoa Bombs

STEP 1 -

Turn your instant pot onto sauté mode. Place one and a half cups of water inside your instant pot. Place a glass bowl that will fit in your instant pot as it will act as a double broiler.

STEP 2 -

Add in your candy melts to the bowl. Continue to mix until the chocolate has completely melted.

STEP 3 -

Lightly grease the inside of your silicone molds. Add chocolate to your molds making sure that chocolate is completely coating the mold on the inside. Place in the freezer for about five minutes.

STEP 4 -

Remove your molds from the freezer. Add a half a tablespoon of cocoa powder and mini marshmallows per mold.

STEP 5 -

Add more of your melted chocolate on top of the marshmallows to close the mold and lock the cocoa and marshmallows from coming out. Return to the freezer for about 5 to 10 minutes.

STEP 6 -

Remove your cocoa bombs by pushing on the silicone side of the mold until the bomb pops out.

STEP 7 -

In another medium sized bowl, melt your almond bark chocolate and 2 oz candy melts in the Instant Pot as a double broiler.

STEP 8 -

With a spoon, drizzle your melted almond bark mixture over the bombs. Immediately add your Lucky Charm marshmallows before the chocolate hardens.

St. Patrick’s Day Hot Cocoa Bombs

STEP 9 -

Place one or two bombs in your favorite mug and pour hot milk over it to melt the chocolate releasing the hot cocoa and marshmallows.

St. Patrick’s Day Hot Cocoa Bombs

STEP 10 -

Stir with a spoon and enjoy!

St. Patrick’s Day Hot Cocoa Bombs

PIN FOR LATER

Instant Pot Philly Cheesesteak Sliders Recipe

March 5, 2021 by Rachel 6 Comments

Over the last few months, my life has become a lot more hectic. Between homeschooling and my other work-from-home gig, I am completely spent by 3PM. Which means easy dinners are the absolute only way we all eat at a reasonable time. And these Instant Pot Philly Cheesesteak Sliders are easy, delicious, and sure to please the whole family!

Why the Instant Pot?

If you’ve been following my blog for a while you’ll know that I’m basically obsessed with pressure cooking and one-pot cooking in the Instant Pot. It’s just… easy. And, when food is made in a pressure cooker, it is 100 times juicier and more flavorful. Sure, you could cook the steak another way; but I highly suggest you try using an Instant Pot. It’s a complete game-changer.

How to make Instant Pot Philly Cheesesteak Sliders

Yield: 12 sliders

Instant Pot Philly Cheesesteak Sliders

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

2 lbs of pepper marinated hanger steak. (Flank steak can be substituted, marinated to taste)
2 bell peppers, any color (I used yellow and red), thinly sliced
1 cup of water
12 Hawaiian dinner rolls
8 ounces of provolone cheese, sliced (12 slices)
1 Tablespoon of butter
1 Tablespoon of cornstarch (optional – see step 2)
Parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

INGREDIENTS -

STEP 1 -

Place meat, peppers, and water in the instant pot.

Cover and close pressure valve. Set to high pressure for 10 minutes.

STEP 2 -

When finished, release pressure valve and open lid.

Remove meat and shred. Add your meat back to your Instant Pot with peppers. For thicker sauce, add A tablespoon of cornstarch.

STEP 3 -

Slice Kings Hawaiian Roll in half. Add the bottom portion of the buns to a 8 x 8 baking pan.

STEP 4 -

Spoon the meat and peppers onto the buns. Evenly distribute.

STEP 5 -

Cover meat and peppers with provolone cheese. Add top of buns and cover with aluminum foil. Set under the broiler on high.

Should take about 3 minutes for cheese to melt.

STEP 6 -

Remove from broiler. Butter buns and top with parsley.

STEP 7 -

ENJOY!

PIN FOR LATER

How To Make TikTok Pasta – Viral Recipe

March 1, 2021 by Rachel 11 Comments

Confession: I only get on TikTok when someone sends me something funny. I don’t have a login. And I have not made a single TikTok (or Reel, for that matter). I’m just not a huge fan of being ‘funny’ on camera. But that doesn’t mean that amazing things don’t happen on those videos. And I’m grateful that someone sent me this recipe that seems to have gone totally viral on TikTok. And so I decided to use my oven and Instant Pot to recreate it. So I’m going to share with you how to make TikTok Pasta!

What you’ll need to make this recipe

When I first saw this video, I was — no joke — dumbfounded at how easy this was. Like, why hadn’t any of us thought of this before?! It’s silly easy. And crazy delicious.

Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:

20 ounces cherry tomatoes
10.5 ounces feta cheese, brick
3 Tablespoons of olive oil
1 Tablespoon of Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
1/2 Tablespoon of coarse sea salt
1/2 Tablespoon of pepper
1 Tablespoon of minced garlic
10 ounces of your favorite pasta (I used spaghetti noodles)
Basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instant Pot (optional)

The Instant Pot is totally optional, but I have to say this — if you’ve never made pasta in a pressure cooker, you’re totally missing out. Pressure cooker pasta is cooked to perfection. Alternatively, you can absolutely just boil water and cook the pasta that way.

How to make TikTok Pasta

TikTok Pasta - Viral Recipe

Ingredients

20 ounces cherry tomatoes
10.5 ounces feta cheese, brick
3 Tablespoons of olive oil
1 Tablespoon of Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
1/2 Tablespoon of coarse sea salt
1/2 Tablespoon of pepper
1 Tablespoon of minced garlic
10 ounces of your favorite pasta (I used spaghetti noodles)
Basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

INGREDIENTS -

STEP 1 -

Place tomatoes in a 13 x 9 baking pan and coat with 2 tablespoons of oil and garlic.

STEP 2 -

Place the brick of feta in center of tomatoes and top with spices and remaining oil.

STEP 3 -

Bake in oven on 400 degrees for 30 minutes.

STEP 4 -

While feta is baking, place pasta in instant pot and cover water. Seal lid and pressure valve.

Cook on high pressure for 6 minutes. Manually release pressure when done and drain pasta water.

STEP 5 -

Once feta is done, stir tomatoes and feta until creamy sauce forms.

Pour over drained pasta and serve garnished.

STEP 6 -

ENJOY!

PIN FOR LATER

Air Fryer Fried Oreos Recipe — Super Easy!

February 26, 2021 by Rachel 13 Comments

We’re in the midst of what feels like the longest Winter of all time. I kid, because I know it has basically been the longest year of all time. But one of the things I feel like many of us missed over the last year was going to county fairs and state fairs. Maybe we can hit up our local fair this year, but if not I have the perfect solution to your fair-food problem. Just make these super easy Air Fryer Fried Oreos from the comfort of your own home!

What you’ll need for this recipe

Besides your air fryer, this recipe has very few ingredients.

15 OREO cookies (regular or Double Stuffed). If you ask me, always go with Double Stuf. Always.
8 canned biscuits or 8 homemade biscuits
1/2 a cup of powdered sugar
1/2 a cup of milk

That’s it! Just a few ingredients and you’ll have delicious, better-than-fair-food, from the comfort of your own kitchen! Check out the full air fryer fried Oreos recipe below!