I Love Cheap & Easy Recipes

12/08/2025

11/24/2025

Making this for Thanksgiving day!

11/13/2025

Cheesy Beef Pasta Shells are comfort food at its finest—creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavorful ground beef in every bite! Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish is perfect for a cozy family dinner. 😋

Cheesy Beef Pasta Shells 🍽️

INGREDIENTS:
✓ 1 lb lean ground beef, browned
✓ 12 oz medium pasta shells, cooked al dente
✓ 1 small yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
✓ 2 cloves garlic, minced
✓ 1 cup tomato sauce
✓ 1/2 cup beef broth
✓ 1 cup heavy cream
✓ 2 tbsp butter
✓ 2 tbsp olive oil
✓ 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
✓ 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
✓ 1 tsp salt
✓ 1/2 tsp black pepper
✓ 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

INSTRUCTIONS:
1️⃣ Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and garlic, sauté until fragrant and translucent.
2️⃣ Add browned ground beef to the skillet and stir to combine.
3️⃣ Pour in tomato sauce and beef broth; stir and let simmer for 5 minutes.
4️⃣ Stir in heavy cream, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce cook for another 3-4 minutes until creamy and slightly thickened.
5️⃣ Add cooked pasta shells to the skillet, tossing gently to coat pasta with the sauce.
6️⃣ Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan over the pasta. Cover and cook on low until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly, about 5 minutes.
7️⃣ Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

⏱️ Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 20 min
👥 Serves: 4

11/13/2025

Indulge in the rich, velvety goodness of a classic Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie — a timeless dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious! 😋

OLD FASHIONED CHOCOLATE PIE 🍽️

INGREDIENTS:
✓ 1 (9-inch) baked pie crust, cooled
✓ 1 cup granulated sugar
✓ 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
✓ 1/4 cup cornstarch
✓ 1/4 teaspoon salt
✓ 3 cups whole milk
✓ 4 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
✓ 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
✓ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
✓ Chocolate shavings or cocoa powder for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS:
1️⃣ In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt.
2️⃣ Gradually whisk in milk until smooth.
3️⃣ Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and comes to a boil.
4️⃣ Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
5️⃣ Temper the egg yolks by slowly whisking a small amount of the hot mixture into the yolks.
6️⃣ Return the yolk mixture to the saucepan and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
7️⃣ Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla extract until smooth.
8️⃣ Pour the chocolate filling into the cooled pie crust.
9️⃣ Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until set.
🔟 Garnish with chocolate shavings or a light dusting of cocoa powder before serving.

⏱️ Prep Time: 15 min | Cook Time: 15 min
👥 Serves: 8

11/12/2025

Get ready to elevate your burgers with this luscious, creamy Homemade Big Mac Sauce that everyone will love! 😋

Homemade Big Mac Sauce 🍽️

INGREDIENTS:
✓ 1/4 cup Miracle Whip
✓ 1/4 cup Mayonnaise
✓ 2 tbsp French dressing
✓ 1 tsp Dried onion
✓ 1/2 tbsp Sweet relish
✓ 1 tsp White vinegar
✓ 1 tsp Ketchup

INSTRUCTIONS:
1️⃣ In a bowl, combine the Miracle Whip and mayonnaise until smooth.
2️⃣ Stir in the French dressing, dried onion, and sweet relish.
3️⃣ Add the white vinegar and ketchup, mixing well to combine all flavors.
4️⃣ Chill the sauce in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld together.

⏱️ Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 0 min
👥 Serves: 6

11/12/2025

Ready to bring a touch of Southern comfort to your table? This Cornbonad Dressing with its crispy, buttery crust and savory sage flavor is the perfect holiday side or cozy meal addition! 😋

CORNBONAD DRESSING 🍽️

INGREDIENTS:
✓ 2 cups celery, chopped
✓ 2 onions, chopped
✓ 1 stick margarine
✓ 5 cups cornbread, crumbled & dry
✓ 5 cups bread crumbs
✓ 3 cups chicken or turkey broth
✓ 1 stick butter
✓ 4 eggs, beaten
✓ 1 1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
✓ 3 tsp sage
✓ Salt & pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:
1️⃣ Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2️⃣ In a large skillet, melt the margarine over medium heat. Add the chopped celery and onions, and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
3️⃣ In a big mixing bowl, combine the crumbled cornbread, bread crumbs, and sautéed vegetables.
4️⃣ Stir in the chicken or turkey broth, beaten eggs, poultry seasoning, sage, salt, and pepper until everything is well blended.
5️⃣ Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish and dot the top evenly with the butter.
6️⃣ Bake for 45-50 minutes until the top is golden brown and crispy and you see those lovely browned peaks.
7️⃣ Let cool slightly before serving to enjoy the full comforting flavors.

⏱️ Prep Time: 15 min | Cook Time: 50 min
👥 Serves: 8-10

11/12/2025

Get ready to savor the perfect balance of smoky bacon, sweet caramelized onions, and tender fried cabbage in this easy, comforting skillet dish! 😋

Fried Cabbage with Bacon, Onion, and Garlic 🍽️

INGREDIENTS:
✓ 1 medium green cabbage, cored and thinly sliced (about 2 lbs)
✓ 6 slices bacon, chopped
✓ 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
✓ 3 cloves garlic, minced
✓ 2 tbsp butter
✓ 1/4 cup chicken broth (optional)
✓ Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:
1️⃣ In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving bacon fat in the pan.
2️⃣ Add butter to the skillet along with the thinly sliced onion. Sauté until onions are translucent and caramelized, about 5-7 minutes.
3️⃣ Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4️⃣ Add the sliced cabbage to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until cabbage softens and starts to brown slightly, about 10-12 minutes.
5️⃣ If desired, pour in chicken broth to add moisture and help soften the cabbage, cooking until liquid reduces.
6️⃣ Return the crispy bacon to the pan and mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7️⃣ Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley if you like.

⏱️ Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 20 min
👥 Serves: 4-6