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Beef Stuffed Acorn Squash

September 30, 2022 by Dinner Tonight

It’s fall somewhere, right? Try out this cozy Beefy Stuffed Acorn Squash to make good use of those squashes available at the grocery store!


Beef Stuffed Acorn Squash
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  • CourseMain Dish
Servings
6 servings
Servings
6 servings
Beef Stuffed Acorn Squash
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  • CourseMain Dish
Servings
6 servings
Servings
6 servings
Ingredients
  • 3 each each acorn squash
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon ground or to taste
  • 1 pound ground beef 97% lean
  • 1 small white onion
  • 1/2 Tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger ground
  • 14.5 ounce peas and carrots unsalted, drained and rinsed
  • 14.5 ounce diced tomatoes no salt added
  • 1 teaspoon cumin ground
  • 1 teaspoon coriander ground
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
Servings: servings
Units:
Instructions
  1. Wash your hands and clean your preparation area. Rinse acorn squash under cool running water to remove dirt and debris. Preheat oven to 375*F.
  2. On a cutting board, slice each acorn squash in half as well as cut a slice off of the bottoms of each half, so the squash rests, inside pointing up. Remove the seeds and fibrous strands.
  3. Rest the six squash halves facing up on a baking sheet. Distribute the olive oil over the flesh of the squash, and sprinkle cinnamon over the halves.
  4. Roast in the oven for 35 minutes.
  5. While squash is roasting, in a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat, begin to brown the meat and discard any excess fat. Add in the onion, garlic, and ginger and cook until the onion is soft.
  6. Add the drained peas and carrots, and diced tomatoes plus their juices to the pan. Begin to heat through.
  7. Add in all of the spices and cook until flavors are combined.
  8. Remove the squash from the oven and spoon the beef mixture into the centers of the squash halves. Return the stuffed squash halves to the oven and cook for another 20 minutes. Cover with foil if you are worried about the beef mixture drying out.
  9. Remove and serve hot. Remove the skin of the acorn squash and discard it as you are eating.
Recipe Notes

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: acorn squash, Beef, fall, ground beef, main dish, protein, squash, winter squash

Baked Ziti

April 7, 2022 by Dinner Tonight

Big pasta dishes are always so comforting! Try our Baked Ziti recipe the next time you’re craving pasta.


Baked Ziti
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  • CourseMain Dish
Servings
12 1 1/4 cup servings
Servings
12 1 1/4 cup servings
Baked Ziti
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  • CourseMain Dish
Servings
12 1 1/4 cup servings
Servings
12 1 1/4 cup servings
Ingredients
Turkey "Sausage"
  • 2 pounds ground turkey
  • 2 Tablespoons Tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon dried parsley
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
Ziti
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium white onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic sliced
  • 28 ounces tomato sauce unsalted
  • 28 ounce diced tomatoes no salt added
  • 2 teaspoons Italian herb blend without salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 pound ziti noodles
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella reduced fat
  • 16 ounces cottage cheese, low-fat
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley
  • 2 large eggs
Servings: 1 1/4 cup servings
Units:
Instructions
  1. In a medium bowl, place turkey and all of the spices, and mix to combine well. Cover and let rest for 10-15 minutes while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
  2. In a large pot, heat the olive oil and sauté the onions and garlic until beginning to soften. Add in the turkey sausage and cook until browned.
  3. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian herb blend, and red pepper flakes. Let simmer for 20-30 minutes. Remove from heat to begin the cooling process or place in an ice bath if you’re going to freeze.
  4. While the sauce simmers, boil the ziti noodles to less than “al dente”. Once noodles are cooked, drain and rinse them under cool water running water. Add into the sauce and stir to gently combine.
  5. In a bowl, combine the cheeses, parsley, and eggs. Whisk to combine.
  6. Option #1: In a 9x13 inch casserole dish place a layer of ziti noodles evenly on the bottom. Next, layer the cottage cheese mixture either in a single layer or in dollops centered where the 12 slices would be. Finally, layer the remaining ziti on top.
  7. Options #2: Layer your ziti in smaller sets of pans to eat now and later. For example, two 8x8 pans, or 4 loaf pans. Cover and prepare for freezing.
Cook Immediately
  1. Preheat the oven to 375*F. Cook covered in the oven for 30-40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165*F.
Freeze, Thaw & Cook
  1. Place in the freezer and store for up to 2 months. Ensure you've assembled your ziti for freezing in freezer-safe containers.
  2. Remove from the freezer 24 hours before cooking and place in the refrigerator to thaw.
  3. Cook covered in the oven at 375*F for 30-40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165*F.
Recipe Notes

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: 400, main, main dish, pasta, protein, Turkey

Avocado Nachos with Cilantro Lime Crema

February 1, 2022 by Dinner Tonight

Try changing up your regular nachos by replacing the chips with these air-fried crunchy and creamy avocado slices. Avocados are a nutrient-dense food full of healthy fats, fiber, and a number of other vitamins and minerals.


Avocado Nachos with Cilantro Lime Crema
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  • CourseAppetizers, Main Dish, Snacks, Vegetables, Vegetarian
Servings
6 1 cup servings
Servings
6 1 cup servings
Avocado Nachos with Cilantro Lime Crema
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  • CourseAppetizers, Main Dish, Snacks, Vegetables, Vegetarian
Servings
6 1 cup servings
Servings
6 1 cup servings
Ingredients
Nachos
  • 1/2 pound of lean ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons of water
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon low sodium taco seasonings
  • 1 cup plain panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 avocados seeded, peeled and sliced
  • 2 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes
Cilantro Lime Crema
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 1/4 cup cilantro
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
Servings: 1 cup servings
Units:
Instructions
Nachos
  1. In a medium skillet brown the ground beef. Cook until it reaches 160°F. Add the water and 1 tablespoon of taco seasonings stir to combine. Take off heat and set aside.
  2. In a shallow plate combine the breadcrumbs and remaining taco seasoning.
  3. Take the avocado slices and roll in the breadcrumbs and place on a plate.
  4. Place avocadoes slices in an air fryer basket and spray tops with nonstick cooking spray. Cook at 375°F for 7 minutes. Note: Refer to the air fryer owner’s manual for specific cooking times. The time and temperature listed above are general guidelines.
  5. Place avocado slices on a serving plate. Top with ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, and cilantro lime crema
Cilantro Lime Crema
  1. Place all ingredients in the food processor. Blend until combined.
  2. Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Recipe Notes

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: air, air fry, air fryer, appetizer, appetizers, avocado, nacho, nachos, snack, vegetable, Vegetarian

Pumpkin Chili

October 19, 2020 by Dinner Tonight

The nights are starting to cool off! Warm you and your family back up with this delicious pumpkin chili recipe! In this dish, veggies provide essential nutrients, beans that provide fiber and protein, and lean beef that also increase the protein content. This is a chili dish that you can feel good about serving to your family and friends!


Pumpkin Chili
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Rating: 3
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  • CourseMain Dish
Servings
6
Servings
6
Pumpkin Chili
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Rating: 3
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  • CourseMain Dish
Servings
6
Servings
6
Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup yellow onion chopped
  • 1 cup green bell pepper chopped
  • 1/2 cup jalapeno seeded & chopped
  • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
  • 1 pound extra lean ground beef
  • 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes with the liquid
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 15 oz can pumpkin puree
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 15 oz can kidney beans rinsed and drained
Servings:
Units:
Instructions
  1. Wash your hands and clean your preparation area.
  2. Heat oil in a large pot over medium high heat.
  3. Add onion, bell pepper, jalapeños and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until tender.
  4. Add lean beef and cook until browned.
  5. Add diced tomatoes, pumpkin puree, water, chili powder, cumin, and bring to a boil.
  6. Reduce heat to medium low and add beans.
  7. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes more. Ladle chili into bowls and serve.
Recipe Notes

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: Beef, chili, dinner, fall, protein, pumpkin, pumpkins, recipe, recipes, vegetable, vegetables

Nacho Mac n’ Cheese

August 29, 2019 by Dinner Tonight

This dish is sure to be a hit with the kiddos! Creamy Mac N Cheese combined with the crunchiness of nachos? Sign me up too!


Nacho Mac n' Cheese
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Rating: 4
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Servings
10
Servings
10
Nacho Mac n' Cheese
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Rating: 4
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Servings
10
Servings
10
Ingredients
  • 12 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 1 pound ground beef lean
  • 2 cups frozen corn kernels
  • 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup 2% milk
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 1/4 cups reduced fat cheddar cheese shredded
  • 2 cup tortilla chips crushed
Servings:
Units:
Instructions
  1. Cook macaroni according to package directions.
  2. In a large skillet brown the ground beef. Once the beef is browned, add corn, diced tomatoes, milk and flour; bring to a slow boil.
  3. Add in the cooked macaroni and the cheese. Stir until cheese is melted and macaroni is coated.
  4. Remove from heat and top with crushed tortilla chips.
Recipe Notes

Nacho Mac n' Cheese Nutrition Facts Serving size (201g) servings per container 10 Amount per serving Calories 350 % Daily Value Total Fat 8 g 10 % Saturated Fat 3.5 g 18 % Trans Fat 0 g Cholesterol 50 mg 17 % Sodium 230 mg 10 % Total Carbohydrate 45 g 16 % Dietary Fiber 3 g 11 % Total Sugars 4 g Added Sugars 0 g 0 % Protein 25 g Vitamin D 0 mcg 0 % Calcium 195 mg 15 % Iron 3 mg 15 % Potassium 500 mg 10 %

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: 400, Beef, frozen, kid friendly, nacho, protein

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