Cookie Dough Fudge

Cookie Dough Fudge

I found this recipe and made it on a whim, was not disappointed! This is excellent fudge, and so easy!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16 pieces

Ingredients
  

  • 3/4 cup butter, room temp, (3/4 block / 1 1/2 sticks)
  • 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/4 cup whipping cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions
 

  • Line a 9x9 pan with foil.
  • Add the butter, cream, vanilla, and condensed milk to a mixing bowl, mix with an electric mixer until creamy and smooth.
  • Add the brown sugar and mix again.
  • Add the flour and mix that in with the electric mixer.
  • Remove the mixer and clean off the blades. Swap those out for a sturdy spoon. Add half the powdered sugar and mix that in, then add the remaining powdered sugar and mix that in, the dough will be quite stiff. Then add the chocolate chips.
  • Mix in the chocolate chips.
  • Scoop the dough into the prepared pan, and pack down evenly. Place in the fridge to chill for at least 3 hours.
  • Run a butter knife along each side of the pan where there is no foil, then use the foil and lift the fudge out of the pan and place on a cutting board. Use large knife and cut into 16 squares.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Chinese Pie

Chinese Pie

Adapted from an internet recipe.
No, this is not Chinese, not even close, this is a French Canadian dish very much like a Shepherd's Pie. The French name for this is Pâté chinois. Possibly created by Chinese immigrants working on the Canadian Pacific Railway, or just a variant of making Shepherd's Pie.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Canadian
Servings 4 servings

Equipment

  • Casserole (3 quart)

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground beef, or ground pork, (1 lb)
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 can whole kernel corn, drained, (16 oz / 454 g)
  • 1 can creamed corn, (16 oz / 454 g)
  • mashed potatoes, as needed, about 4 cups

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the mashed potatoes, fresh made or instant. I made fresh, using 5 medium potatoes, peeled, boiled, mashed with milk and butter.
  • Preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F), get out a 3 quart casserole and lightly grease with butter.
  • Brown the ground beef in a non stick pan, season with salt and black pepper as desired, drain the fat after no more pink is visible.
  • Place the drained beef on the bottom of the casserole and spread out evenly.
  • Open the kernel corn and drain the water, sprinkle corn evenly over the beef.
  • Open the creamed corn and spread that out over the kernel corn.
  • Spread mashed potatoes evenly over the corn.
  • Bake for 30 minutes or until the edges of the potatoes are starting to brown.
  • Let casserole rest for 5 minutes, then serve and enjoy.

Notes

Fair cost per serving using beef.
Variants: 1. Add some sliced canned mushrooms or sliced fresh mushrooms to the beef while browning that.  2. Add a diced green bell pepper to the beef when browning. 3. Sprinkle the mashed potatoes with Cheddar cheese for the last 5 minutes of baking.
Beef Alphabet Soup

Beef Alphabet Soup

Adapted from an internet recipe.
Sounds like an excellent soup, and tasty. On my to make and taste list. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground beef, or ground pork, (1 lb)
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 1 carrot, peeled and diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 2 tablespoons dried minced onion
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, Shortcut
  • 1 can Great Northern Beans, (15 oz / 425 g), Shortcut
  • 1 can diced tomatoes, undrained, (15 oz / 425 g)
  • 1 cup dry alphabet pasta

Instructions
 

  • Brown the ground beef in a large pot, when no longer pink, drain, and return the beef to the pot.
  • Add the broth, carrot, garlic, onion, Italian seasoning, beans, and tomatoes. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and let cook, stirring occasionally, for 40 minutes.
  • Stir in the dry pasta, cook an additional 10-15 minutes or until the pasta is tender.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Shortcuts: Italian Seasoning, Great Northern Beans (Pressure Cooker).
Variants: 1. Use orzo in place of alphabet pasta. 2. Use beans cooked from dry, use about 2 cups cooked to replace 1 can.
Chocolate Malt Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Malt Chocolate Chip Cookies

Excellent cookies, probably the chocolate cookies I have made, everyone loved these. Highly recommended!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 2 dozen

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup butter, room temp, (1 block / 2 sticks)
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup malted milk powder
  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups chocolate chips

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, baking soda, salt, cocoa powder, and malted milk powder. Whisk together.
  • In another mixing bowl, add the butter, brown sugar, and sugar, cream together using an electric mixer until fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla, mix with electric mixer until fully incorporated.
  • Now use a sturdy spoon and add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until combined, repeat until all the flour mixture is mixed in. The dough will be stiff.
  • Add the chocolate chips and mix those in.
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for at least 1 hour or even overnight. (I chilled it for an hour then proceeded with cooking them.)
  • When you are ready to bake, preheat your oven to 180 C (350 F) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Spoon dough by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 minutes or until set.
  • Remove from oven and let cool on sheet for 5 minutes.
  • Then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Creamy Baked Tortellini

Creamy Baked Tortellini

This is absolutely delicious, I did however use a jarred sauce, but the flavor of the dish is excellent. Highly recommended.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 567 grams cheese tortellini, refrigerated, (20 oz)
  • 2 cups ham, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
  • salt and pepper, to taste, as desired
  • 1 2/3 cups milk
  • 1 1/2 cups Sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 cup frozen peas, thawed

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C (350 F), get out a 9x13 baking dish.
  • Cook the tortellini per the package instructions, boiling would be the preferred method. Drain.
  • In a saucepan, melt the butter with the garlic and basil on medium heat. Cook for a few minutes or until fragrant.
  • Whisk in the flour and season with salt and pepper as desired. Cook and whisk for 1 minute.
  • Slowly whisk in the milk, bring to a boil while continuously whisking on medium heat.
  • Remove from heat and whisk in 1 cup of Cheddar and the Parmesan cheeses. Whisk until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
  • Add the cooked tortellini, ham, and peas to the 9x13 baking dish, pour the sauce in.
  • Mix everything together and spread out evenly.
  • Sprinkle on the remaining Cheddar.
  • Bake for 20 minutes.
  • Serve with sides of your choice and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Variant: 1. In place of making the sauce, use your favorite jarred Alfredo sauce (22 oz jar), just heat sauce, stir in the cheese, and proceed per the instructions.
Inspired by Spend With Pennies and the link to this recipe is here.
United States.
Fusilli with Meat Sauce

 

Fusilli with Meat Sauce

Holly - Spend with Pennies
Or Rotini, either way, this is a quick and tasty meal. I made this on 21 Apr 2020 with several of the Variants listed, delicious. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams ground beef, (1 lb)
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, Shortcut
  • 1/4 cup beef broth
  • 1 jar pasta sauce, (24 oz / 680 g)
  • 250 grams dry fusilli pasta, (8 oz)
  • 1/4 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions
 

  • Heat a large non stick pan and add the beef, onion, and garlic, cook beef until no pink remains. Drain any fat.
  • While the beef is cooking, heat a pot of salted water to a boil then cook the pasta until just tender. Drain the pasta.
  • Return the pan with the beef to heat, add the broth and Italian seasoning, stir into the meat, simmer until the broth evaporates.
  • Stir the sauce into the meat, simmer for a few minutes to heat the sauce through.
  • Add the pasta and stir into sauce, simmer for another few minutes to warm the pasta through.
  • Sprinkle the cheeses on the top.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Shortcut: Italian Seasoning.
Variants: 1. Use bulk Italian sausage in place of ground beef. 2. Use ground pork in place of beef. 3. Use rotini or sprials, or colored versions.
Inspired by Spend With Pennies and the link to this recipe is here.
United States.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Lasagna

Chicken Cordon Bleu Lasagna

Sounds like an excellent lasagna, on my to make and taste list. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 package lasagna noodles, oven ready type, you will not use all of them
  • 1/2 cup butter, (1/2 block / 1 stick)
  • 1 package cream cheese, softened, (8 oz / 250 g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups Swiss cheese, shredded, (8 oz / 250 g)
  • 1 3/4 cups warm milk
  • 2 1/2 cups rotisserie chicken, diced, Shortcut
  • 250 grams deli ham, chopped, (8 oz)
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, Shortcut

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 200 C (400 F). Get out a 9x9 baking dish.
  • Melt the butter in a saucepan on medium heat then stir in the cream cheese.
  • When the cream cheese is melted, about 5 minutes, stir in the salt, onion powder, and pepper.
  • Slowly whisk in the milk and continue whisking until smooth.
  • Once the mixture is smooth, whisk in 1 1/2 cups of shredded Swiss cheese. Whisk until cheese has melted and sauce thickened, 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Place 3 lasagna noodles on top of the sauce. Three noodles should fit well, break noodles to and fit as needed to cover the bottom.
  • Spread half the chicken and half the ham over the noodles.
  • Pour 1 cup of sauce over the chicken and ham.
  • Repeat with another layer of noodles, remaining chicken and ham, and another 1 cup of sauce.
  • Add another layer of noodles, remaining sauce, remaining 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese, bread crumbs, and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
  • Cover with foil, bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes or until the crumbs are nicely browned.
  • Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes.
  • Slice, serve, and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Shortcuts: Rotisserie Chicken, Italian Seasoning.
Variants: 1. Use boil first lasagna noodles in place of oven ready. 2. Use ham slices instead of chopped. 3. Use your favorite roasted chicken in place of rotisserie chicken.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
White Chocolate Biggies

White Chocolate Biggies

For Christmas 2019 my Mom gave me a cookbook, specifically 'the chocolate cookbook' and that is where this recipe comes from. These are excellent cookies, hands down! Highly recommended.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 2 dozen

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 2/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups butter, softened, (1 1/2 blocks / 3 sticks)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 package white chocolate chips, (312-340 g / 11-12 oz)
  • 3/4 cup pecans, chopped
  • 1/2 cup golden raisins, or sun-dried raisins
  • milk, as needed, just a tablespoon or two

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C / 350 F, line baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly greased foil.
  • In a mixing bowl, add the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt, whisk together.
  • In another mixing bowl, add the butter, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer until well mixed.
  • Add the flour mixture and use a sturdy spoon to mix together until well mixed. The dough will be very stiff, if too stiff, mix in 1 tablespoon of milk at a time, but keep the dough stiff.
  • Stir in the chips, pecans, and raisins.
  • Drop by very heaping tablespoons, 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Flatten dough slightly.
  • Bake for 12-14 minutes or until firm in the center. Cool on the sheets for 5 minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Low cost.
Adapted from a recipe listed in 'the chocolate cookbook', page 42.
Chili Seasoning Mix

Chili Seasoning Mix

Adapted from an internet recipe.
This recipe makes the equivalent of one packet of store bought chili seasoning. Use in recipes that call for 1 packet of chili seasoning.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Cuisine American
Servings 1 packet

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, none for mild, as stated for hot
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • About the cayenne pepper, for a mild mix, omit the cayenne, for a hot mix use the amount as stated.
  • Add everything to a small bowl and mix, use as 1 packet of store bought chili mix.

Notes

Used in Recipes Listed on this Site:
15 Bean Slow Cooker Chili

 

15 Bean Slow Cooker Chili

Holly - Spend with Pennies
This is excellent chili! Easy and flavorful. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 15 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 bag 15 Bean Soup, with Ham flavor packet, Shortcut
  • 500 grams ground beef, or ground pork, (1 lb)
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes, (14.5 oz / 411 g)
  • 1 can green chilies, drained, (4 oz / 113 g)
  • 1 can tomato paste, (6 oz / 170 g)
  • 2 quarts beef broth, (8 cups)
  • 1 packet chili seasoning mix, Shortcut
  • salt and pepper, to taste, as desired

Instructions
 

  • Heat a non stick pan and brown the ground beef, drain, and add the beef to your slow cooker.
  • Rinse the beans and add those to your slow cooker.
  • Add the diced onion and bell pepper, bean seasoning packet, and 1/2 of the chili seasoning packet.
  • Add the broth and stir to mix. Set on High setting and let cook for 5 hours.
  • At the 5 hour mark, check if the beans are tender, if not, cook for another hour.
  • If the beans are tender, add the can of diced tomatoes, green chilies, tomato paste, and the rest of the chili seasoning packet.
  • Stir, taste, and season with salt and pepper as desired, cook for another 30 minutes.
  • Serve and enjoy with your favorite chili toppings.

Notes

Low cost per serving.
Shortcuts: Chili Seasoning Mix, 11 Bean Soup Mix.
Inspired by Spend With Pennies and the link to this recipe is here.
United States.