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
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.
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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This Easy Ground Beef Vegetable Soup, or commonly called Hamburger Soup, is the perfect easy soup recipe for a busy day. Our 30 minute soup recipe is a flavorful ground beef based soup loaded with vegetables, lean ground beef, diced tomatoes and potatoes. It’s a one-pot dinner that makes it an easy cozy soup recipe!
Hamburger Soup is a quick and easy ground beef recipe, but don’t worry, as simple as it is to make, it’s still packed with flavor. And best of all, it hits 5 major wins:
- It’s great made ahead of time
- Totally budget friendly
- A one pot meal
- Reheats well, even better than day 1
- AND freezes perfectly!
Mom’s Wisdom
One of the first things I learned when I got married was that my mom’s budget-food recipes she sent me off to college with were exactly what I needed as a busy newlywed as well. Easy beef vegetable soup is a filling and inexpensive recipe that makes life so much easier when you’re trying to get dinner on the table.
Mom taught me that homemade soups are super easy to throw together and they’re much tastier than store-bought canned soup, plus healthier too. I like to make a double batch so I can eat one and freeze one!
Carrian’s Tips
If you’re not in a hurry, reduce the broth. Letting the broth simmer and reduce for 30-35 minutes or even all afternoon will concentrate the flavors and slightly thicken the soup.
Taste for seasoning OFTEN. Taste the broth as some broths are extra salty. After adding all of the ingredients, taste it again before serving. This is where you can bring a little personality with smoked paprika, extra salt, hot sauce etc. to make it to your liking.
Ingredients for Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup
- Olive Oil: Used to sauté the onion, garlic, and veggies. It adds flavor and helps everything soften before the broth goes in.
- White Onion: Builds the savory flavor base for the soup. Onions add natural sweetness and depth.
- Ground Beef: The hearty protein that makes this soup filling and comforting. Browning it first adds rich flavor. We use 90/10.
- Garlic: Adds aromatic depth and classic savory notes that round out the broth.
- Carrots: Add sweetness, color, and texture while bringing natural balance to the savory beef.
- Celery: Contributes a mild, earthy flavor that pairs with onion and