QUICK FIX RECIPES
This blog is for the harried cook, busy families, beginning cooks, anyone who needs or wants to get a simple meal on the table in 30 to 60 minutes. FORGET FEEDING YOUR FAMILY FAST FOOD AS A REGULAR DIET. Save fast food for an occasional treat and feed your family quick, healthy meals at home! Some recipes are original and some are ones I have collected over the years and found to be practical and tasty.
Thursday, September 10, 2026
EASY APPLE CINNAMON ROLL CASSEROLE
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
COPYCAT PANERA MACARONI AND CHEESE
Note: This recipe and photo are from Shurgary Sweets
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk (I used skim)
- 2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cup shredded white cheddar (I used Cabot seriously sharp cheddar)
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dry mustard
- 1lb, pasta, cooked (cavatapppi, shells, or elbow)
Directions:
- Cook pasta according to package directions while making the sauce. Drain and set aside until ready to use.
- In a large pot on medium high heat, add butter until melted. Whisk in the flour and cook for about one minute. Reduce heat to medium and add milk, heavy cream, salt, dry mustard and pepper. Continue whisking until it begins to bubble. Reduce to low and add white cheddar. Stir until melted.
- Add cooked pasta, stirring until combined. Remove from heat and allow to sit about 5 minutes to thicken. Season with additional salt and pepper if desired. ENJOY.
Saturday, September 5, 2026
QUICK AND EASY ZESTY CORNBREAD
1 pkg (8.5-oz) Jiffy corn muffin mix
1 egg
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup milk
1/4 oil
1/4 cup diced jalapenos
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl until well combined. Transfer to an 8-inch square baking pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake at 400-degrees for 20 minutes.
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Note: Be careful handling jalapenos. It is best to wear gloves and do not touch eyes before washing hands with soap and water.
Friday, September 4, 2026
CHILI NACHO BAKED POTATOES
8 (4-oz each) white potatoes
1 can (15.5-oz) kidney beans
1 can ( 15-oz) beef chili without beans
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 tsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
Sour cream for serving, optional
Preheat oven to 350-degrees.
Prick potatoes all over with a fork and microwave until tender. Allow to cool slightly.
In a bowl, combine beans and chili; set aside.
Halve potatoes lengthwise and scoop out potato flesh, leaving a 1/4-inch shell. Reserve the potato flesh.
Transfer the potato shells to a baking dish. Dividing evenly, spoon chili mixture into the shells. Top with the potato flesh then the cheese. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake until heated, 10 to 15 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro. If desired, serve with the sour cream.
Thursday, September 3, 2026
POTATO BEET PANCAKES
1 (8-oz) potato, peeled, grated
1 (4-oz) beet, peeled, grated
1/2 cup grated onion
1 egg, beaten
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tbsp undrained prepared horseradish
6 tbsp olive oil
Sour cream and chopped chives, optional
Heat oven to lowest setting. In bowl, mix potato, beet and onion. Transfer mixture to paper towels and squeeze out excess liquid. Return to bowl; stir in egg, flour, horseradish, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
Working in 3 batches, in nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil per batch over medium heat. Drop mixture by rounded tablespoonfuls into oil; cook, flipping once, until browned, 2-3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
Transfer pancakes to baking sheet and keep warm in oven while cooking remaining pancakes. If desired, serve pancakes with sour cream and chopped chives.
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
GREEN BEANS AND POTATOES WITH BACON
1 medium regular red potato, unpeeled, ½-3/4″ dice
¼ tsp. coarse ground black pepper
3 strips crisp-cooked bacon, thinly sliced
½ tsp. finely minced garlic
1½ tsp. dry Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing or Dips Mix (either work)
1 (14.5 oz.) can green beans, drained
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
MEATBALL HEROES
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1/2 cup Italian-style dry breadcrumbs
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup chopped parsley
2 garlic cloves, minced
6 hoagie rolls, split
1 1/2 cups tomato-basil pasta sauce, warmed
6 slices mozzarella cheese
Thinly sliced fresh basil for garnish
In a medium bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, parsley, and garlic. Coat a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. In batches, cook meatballs, turning occasionally until browned, about 5 minutes per batch. Return all meatballs to the skillet and reduce heat to medium low. Cover and cook 15-20 minutes, until cooked through.
Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Dividing evenly, fill rolls with the meatballs and sauce. Top with the cheese. Place on baking sheet. Broil until cheese melts, about 3 minutes. Garnish with the basil.
Yield: 6 servings
Monday, August 31, 2026
MICROWAVE PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE
1 lb box Confectioners' sugar
2 T butter
1/3 C milk
1 C peanut butter
Place sugar, butter and milk in a large mixing bowl. Cook in the microwave 2 minutes on high. Take out, beat ingredients with hand mixer until combined. Microwave 30 seconds more, then add peanut butter and mix by hand or mixer until combined. Spread in foil lined 8x8 pan. Let cool then cut and ENJOY! Everyone will LOVE this!!!!!!!
Saturday, August 29, 2026
FRIED BOW-TIE PASTA SNACK
3 tbsp Creole seasoning
Canola oil
Cook the pasta according to package directions, omitting the salt. Drain well and blot dry with paper towels.
In a large bowl combine the cornmeal and seasoning. Toss pasta, a handful at a time, in the mixture to coat; shake off excess.
In a Dutch oven, pour oil to a depth of 2-inches. Over medium heat, heat the oil to a temperature of 375 degrees.
Fry the pasta in batches 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown; drain on paper towels.
Cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Friday, August 28, 2026
MAPLE-ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH PUREE
A tasty dairy-free side dish.
6 lbs butternut squash, peeled, seeded, cubed (about 6 cups)
3 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
3 tbsp maple syrup
1/3 cup lite coconut milk
1 tsp minced fresh chives
Heat oven to 350-degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss squash with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Roast, stirring once, until tender, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool slightly.
In batches, in food processor, pulse squash with the maple syrup, remaining oil and coconut milk until smooth and creamy. If necessary, reheat in the same pot over low heat. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with the chives.
Yield: 6 servings








