Name: Meatball Orzo Soup
Yield: 8 2 cup servings
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 cup yellow onion chopped; 2 carrots (diced); 2 stalks celery (diced); 2 cloves of garlic (minced); 12 ounces frozen turkey meatballs (thawed and cut in half); 1 quart chicken stock – no salt added; 15 ounce can crushed tomatoes – no salt added; 15 ounce white beans – drained and rinsed; 1/2 teaspoon dried basil; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 cup frozen spinach (thaw and drained); 1/3 cup of dried orzo pasta

Meatball Orzo Soup

May 4, 2022 by Dinner Tonight

Whether you are trying to stay warm on these cool spring days or just wanting the flavors of your favorite pasta dish, this Meatball Orzo Soup is what’s for dinner. Using frozen meatballs helps to get dinner on the table faster for those busy spring evenings. Leftovers are perfect the next day to be packed for lunch with a salad.

Meatball Orzo Soup

CourseMain Dish

Servings

8 2 cup servings

Servings

8 2 cup servings

Meatball Orzo Soup

CourseMain Dish

Servings

8 2 cup servings

Servings

8 2 cup servings

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup yellow onion chopped
2 carrots diced
2 stalks celery diced
2 cloves of garlic minced
12 ounces frozen turkey meatballs thawed and cut in half
1 quart chicken stock – no salt added
15 ounce can crushed tomatoes – no salt added
15 ounce white beans – drained and rinsed
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 cup frozen spinach thaw and drained
1/3 cup of dried orzo pasta

Servings: 2 cup servings

Units:

Instructions

Heat oil in a large pot and add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook, stirring until softened. Add cut-up meatballs. Cook for 2 minutes.
Add chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, beans, dried basil and dried oregano. Bring the pot to a boil and then turn it down to a simmer.
Add dried orzo pasta and spinach. Cook for 10 minutes or until orzo pasta is tender. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

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

CourseMain Dish

Servings

12 1 1/4 cup servings

Servings

12 1 1/4 cup servings

Baked Ziti

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
In a bowl, combine the cheeses, parsley, and eggs. Whisk to combine.
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.
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

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

Place in the freezer and store for up to 2 months. Ensure you've assembled your ziti for freezing in freezer-safe containers.
Remove from the freezer 24 hours before cooking and place in the refrigerator to thaw.
Cook covered in the oven at 375*F for 30-40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165*F.

Recipe Notes

Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

June 14, 2017 by Dinner Tonight

Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

CourseMain Dish

Servings

10 1 sandwich

Servings

10 1 sandwich

Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

CourseMain Dish

Servings

10 1 sandwich

Servings

10 1 sandwich

Ingredients

2 cups carrots grated
1 medium yellow squash grated
1 medium zucchini grated
1 medium yellow pepper finely chopped
2 medium tomatoes seeded and chopped
1/2 cup red onion finely chopped
1/2 cup ketchup low sodium
3 teaspoons dried basil
3 tablespoons molasses
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 garlic cloves minced
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 pounds ground beef extra lean
10 whole-wheat hamburger buns

Servings: 1 sandwich

Units:

Instructions

Clean your preparation area and wash your hands
Wash your fresh vegetables and prepare as directed.
In a 5 quart slow cooker, combine all ingredients except ground beef and buns.
In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat 8-10 minutes or until browned.
Drain and transfer the ground beef into the slow cooker. Stir ingredients to combine.
Cook on low 5-6 hours. Using a slotted spoon, serve beef mixture on buns

Recipe Notes

One Skillet Chicken Couscous

May 8, 2016 by Dinner Tonight

One Skillet Chicken Couscous

CourseMain Dish

Servings

One Skillet Chicken Couscous

CourseMain Dish

Servings

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon olive oil
3 garlic cloves minced
1 1/2 cups cooked chicken breast chopped
2 cups fresh spinach
1 1/4 cups chicken broth unsalted, reduced fat
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 5.9 ounce package couscous dry

Servings:

Units:

Instructions

Toast pecans and 1 tablespoon of oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Add remaining oil and garlic to pan and saute for 1 minute.
Add chicken, spinach, chicken broth, pepper and basil.
Bring to a boil and stir in couscous.
Remove from heat; cover and let stand for 6-10 minutes or until broth is absorbed.
Stir in mixture adding in the pecans and cheese.
Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

Rub – Fancy

August 18, 2013 by Dinner Tonight

This meat rub consists of spices you probably have in your cabinet but when they are blended together it creates a fancy rub for your meats! Check out our rub tips and become a rub master!

Rub - Fancy

Servings

12 (1 tablespoon)

Servings

12 (1 tablespoon)

Rub - Fancy

Servings

12 (1 tablespoon)

Servings

12 (1 tablespoon)

Ingredients

2 1/2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons paprika
2 teaspoons mustard powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon ground bay leaves
3/4 teaspoon ground coriander seed
3/4 teaspoon ground savory
3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
3/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt

Servings: (1 tablespoon)

Units:

Instructions

In a small bowl, mix together all of the spices.
Store in an airtight jar at room temperature until ready to use.

Recipe Notes

Recipe makes enough marinade for 2 pounds of meat, serving size was based on a 4 ounce serving for a total of 8 servings.

This recipe is not a significant source of vitamins or minerals.

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