The Little Things Newsletter #486 – Life, laughter, and lots of great food!

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Welcome to the weekend, my friends! I’m in Santa Fe, NM this weekend with my sisters. We’re soaking up the cool, rainy day today and enjoying our coffee this morning with vacation pastries. (Anyone else make the most of the fun pastries when traveling and rarely do that at home? I’m all about it.) We’ll be playing games, likely doing another puzzle or two, and heading out for more walking as well, if and when the weather clears. It’s thrills a minute over here – just the way I love it.

ON THE BLOGS THIS WEEK: Have you seen the new website design? I’m loving it so much. Hopefully, you’ll find it easier to navigate and find exactly what you’re craving!

We’re making all my favorite and easiest recipes this weekend, and I’m looking forward to everything. Egg roll in a bowl ramen is an irresistible skillet of deconstructed egg rolls tossed with ramen noodles, and I’m telling you now that you are going to love it.

And you can’t have an egg roll bowl without the drizzle of bang bang sauce, can you? It’s simply irresistible. This sweet and spicy sauce has become a staple in my fridge over the past few years. 

I’ve been making this chicken waldorf salad on repeat every week for months now, and it’s the lunch plan for today. I’m nowhere near tired of it. 

I’ll give you one guess what’s for breakfast over here. At home or when traveling, it’s my go-to meal. And these jammy eggs will be happening as well. 

Hot tea and steamed milk are all you need to make a London fog. Made with or without caffeine, this is a drink you’ll enjoy all day long. And I plan to enjoy at least one later today while it’s rainy outside and I’m cozy inside. 

Is there anything more cozy than a piping hot melting grilled cheese on a rainy day? Ours will have to wait until tomorrow’s lunch, since the bread won’t be ready until then, but it will be worth the wait. (Also, if you aren’t using sourdough for your grilled cheese sandwiches, you’re missing out! It’s a real game changer.)

These hibiscus margaritas are deeeelicious. Jenny made them for us last night and added a chamoy rim – 1000 stars, highly recommend. I’ll be sharing our version of the recipe soon! 

What I’m CRAVING: My little sister has been making sourdough for a while, and it’s soooo good. She is a big fan of Maurizio Leo (highly recommend his site for Read more

Easy Pizza Casserole Dinner

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Easy Pizza Casserole Dinner

a photo of a cheesy pepperoni pasta casserole topped with sliced olives and melted cheese

This delicious and simple pizza casserole is the perfect weeknight dinner solution. Made with layers of pasta, pizza sauce, pepperoni, cheese, and your choice of toppings, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

This is an emergency post. We’ve had a pizza casserole recipe on the blog since it first began, almost 17 years ago. Until now. I went to pull it up for dinner one night a few weeks ago and it was gone. Where did the pizza casserole recipe disappear to?!

I still have no idea what happened, but thankfully I still had the recipe with one change, we ONLY use our homemade pizza sauce. You’ll have to trust me on this one, it totally transforms the dish from good to amazing.

Every time I ask my kids for dinner ideas, they always say pizza…every single time. I love pizza as much as the next person (four cheese margherita pizza, pizzeria pizza dough, pesto pepperoni and sausage pizza), but homemade pizza takes time and planning ahead. Let me be honest, sometimes I’m not that on the ball. Pizza pasta casserole to the recipe! It tastes like you are eating pizza but it’s on the table from start to finish in less than an hour.

What is Needed to Make Pizza Casserole?

If you’re looking for a delicious and quick weeknight meal, this easy pizza casserole dinner is a recipe that the whole family will love. With simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you’ll have dinner on the table in no time! Here is everything you’ll need…

  • Ground Beef: We used 85/15 which I recommend for the best flavor.
    • PRO TIP: You can use just ground beef or just sausage, but I found that the combination of both meats provided a depth of flavor that was so tasty. Ground beef is also so kid-friendly!
  • Mild Italian Sausage: Adds that signature meat lovers pizza flavor.
  • Homemade Pizza Sauce: You really have to try this homemade pizza sauce in this recipe, but if you don’t have the time, buy a good quality store-bought sauce.
  • Pasta: We use rigatoni but any pasta will work fine. I’d recommend a big hearty noodle for the best texture.
  • Mozzarella: The best melty cheese for pizza.
  • Pepperoni: any brand of pre-sliced pepperoni works great
  • Parmesan Cheese: adds bold pizza flavor
  • Sliced Black Olives: totally optional but I love olives so they are a must for me
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Ultimate Hawaiian Haystacks

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Ultimate Hawaiian Haystacks

Ultimate Hawaiian Haystacks

Ditch the soup cans and crispy chow mein noodles, this homemade Hawaiian Haystacks recipe is the ultimate version of the classic! Made with a creamy from-scratch chicken sauce and layered with rice, fresh toppings, and plenty of flavor, these haystacks are a family favorite you’ll want on repeat.

Easy to customize, fun to serve, and perfect for weeknight dinners or feeding a crowd, this is Hawaiian Haystacks done right.

Alright, alright! I’m clearly not in Washington anymore, Toto. I’ve lived in Utah for well over a decade now, and Utah loves food and family—and you better get on board or risk being an outcast…ha! A Hawaiian haystack, also known as a “chicken sundae,” is a convenience dish with a rice base topped with chicken gravy, diced pineapple, tomatoes, Chinese noodles, cheese, and really whatever you want for a topping.

When we first moved here, we learned about Funeral Potatoes—a cheesy potato casserole with a terrible name. Then there’s the Swig cookie debate (I don’t do cold cookies), Navajo Tacos and Cafe Rio Sweet Pork, Cafe Rio Chicken, Cafe Rio Cilantro Lime Rice, Magleby’s Buttermilk syrup, and Waffle Love Copycat. Utah loves to be social and eat. I mentioned at a Relief Society meeting (a meeting with the women of our church congregation) that I’d never had Hawaiian Haystacks, and I swear fiery darts shot from everyone’s eyeballs.

Ingredients For Hawaiian Haystacks

Hawaiian haystacks are all about layering flavors and textures, and the right ingredients make all the difference. Gather everything before you start, and you’ll be ready to build these classic Utah comfort-food stacks that are perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any casual gathering.

Base & Sauce

  • Butter: Melted to create the base of the sauce
  • Garlic: Whisked in for flavor
  • Flour: Cooked with butter and garlic to form a roux
  • Salt: Seasons the sauce
  • Fresh Black Pepper: Adds a mild spice and depth
  • Onion Powder: Enhances savory flavor
  • Sour Cream: Stirred in to add creaminess and tang
  • Lemon Juice
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Soft and Chewy Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Soft and Chewy Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

Soft chocolate chip cookies on white ceramic plate with banana in background.

These FLUFFY banana chocolate chip cookies are the cookies of my childhood! You are going to love EVERYTHING about these banana bread cookies! It’s your favorite quick bread in cookie form!

The other day, a neighbor posted on Facebook that she had some ripe bananas that she was going to throw away unless someone wanted them. And then I sprinted to her door! Ok, just kidding, but never ever, under any circumstances, should ripe bananas be thrown away! I’ll take them all!

I’d use them to make these amazing banana cookies, and if there are any left over, I’d make a loaf of our perfect banana bread! Oh shoot, but what about our banana bundt cake?! We can’t forget about that one! Needless to say, don’t throw away the bananas!!

Ingredients for Banana Bread Cookies

  • Shortening: Creates a tender, softer texture and helps the cookies hold their shape without spreading too much.
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor, moisture, and contributes to slight spreading and a crispy edge.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness, moisture, and chewiness thanks to its molasses content.
  • Sugar: Balances sweetness and contributes to crisp edges and spreading
  • Eggs: Bind the dough, provide structure while also helping with leavening
  • All Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for the cookies.
  • Baking Soda: Neutralizes acidity (from brown sugar and banana) and encourages browning/spread.
  • Baking Powder: Provides lift and helps keep cookies light and soft and not dense.
  • Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness.
  • Banana: Adds natural sweetness and banana flavor, moisture, and a soft, tender texture while also reducing need for extra fat.
  • Vanilla Extract: Rounds out and enhances the flavor of the dough.
  • Chocolate Chips: Add rich bursts of chocolate, balancing the sweetness of the banana cookie base.

Shortening and Butter??

Yes, I know this is a little unusual but it just works in this recipe! Shortening helps with structure, while butter keeps flavor and tenderness. You can use all shortening or all butter, but I really prefer the combo of the two!

My mom made these growing up with only shortening and only white sugar. My adaptations are what work for our household but you can do it however you like.

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Bacon, Egg & Cheese Breakfast Croissant Sandwiches

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Bacon, Egg & Cheese Breakfast Croissant Sandwiches

Maybe I shouldn't call these, Killer Maple Mustard Croissant Breakfast Sandwiches. They aren't healthy, but they are the best breakfast sandwich ever.

These breakfast croissant sandwiches are everything a savory breakfast lover dreams of! A flaky croissant, crispy bacon, juicy sausage, fluffy eggs, melted cheese, and a killer maple mustard sauce that pulls it all together. It’s not exactly a health food, but they are everything you’ve ever wanted (and more)!

Watch How This Breakfast Sandwich is Made…

Not long ago, we were visiting our friends Dave and Sarah in Colorado, and they casually mentioned we had to try our go-to favorite breakfast sandwiches on croissants with mustard and maple sauce. That was all I needed to hear. No recipe, no explanation. I was sold! Oh, and let me tell you: it’s that sweet, tangy maple mustard sauce that takes this croissant sandwich from good to unforgettable. You may just want to drench everything in it.

Are you a sweet or savory breakfast person? Both are so dang good, and it really depends on the day for me. Some days you just want some fluffy melt-in-your-mouth pancakes with buttermilk syrup, and other days you want something that’s going to stick to your ribs and pump you full of protein. If I go savory, I want it big and hearty and full of meat, cheese, and eggs. This breakfast sandwich recipe is just that.

What You’ll Need To Recreate This Breakfast Croissant Sandwich:

After trying this sandwich, you’ll never want a McDonald’s Egg McMuffin ever again. Seriously, they’ll be ruined. Here’s what you’ll need for this life-changing sandwich:

  • Bacon: Crispy, smoky strips that add crunch and a salty punch to every bite.
  • Maple Breakfast Sausage: Sweet and savory sausage that brings warmth and heartiness to the sandwich.
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