Beef Chow Mein Casserole

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a large serving spoon scooping out a serving of mock chow mein casserole

Confession: this beef chow mein casserole was one of my LEAST favorite dinners as a kid. Right up there with tuna casserole. And now? I totally get why my mom made it.

This old-fashioned mock chow mein casserole is made with ground beef, rice, cream of mushroom soup and a few simple pantry ingredients, then topped with those crispy chow mein noodles that every kid fights over. It’s inexpensive, filling and makes enough to feed the whole family.

As a kid, I would stare at that pan of beef, rice and soup wondering why we couldn’t just order pizza.

Funny how growing up changes things.

Somewhere along the way, I realized my mom’s casseroles weren’t punishment. 😂 They were the recipes she grew up eating—the kind of simple, budget-friendly dinners that could feed a family without a lot of fuss.

And wouldn’t you know it, now I’m the one craving mock chow mein casserole.

Mom, you win.

QUICK LOOK

  • Prep: About 15 minutes
  • Main Ingredients: Ground beef + rice
  • Bake: 2 hours
  • Best for: Family dinners + leftovers
  • Don’t Skip: The crunchy chow mein noodles!

What is Mock Chow Mein?

Despite the name, mock chow mein isn’t traditional Chinese chow mein. It’s an old-fashioned American casserole made with ground beef, rice, condensed soup and soy sauce, with crispy chow mein noodles sprinkled over the top.

It’s one of those vintage recipes that showed up in family cookbooks and casserole dishes for generations and this is the version my mom made for us growing up.

Why You’ll Love This Mock Chow Mein Recipe

  • Budget-friendly: Ground beef, rice and pantry staples make this an inexpensive way to feed the whole family.
  • Easy to make: Brown the beef, stir everything together and let the oven do the work.
  • That CRUNCH: Crispy chow mein noodles on top are easily the best part.
  • Old-fashioned comfort food: It’s one of those simple family recipes that tastes exactly like childhood.

Ingredients You’ll Need

One reason recipes like this have stuck around for generations? Simple, inexpensive ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Ground

The Best Taco Meat

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Ground beef is seasoned generously with Mexican spices and tossed with black beans and corn to create what we at our house consider “The Best Taco Meat”. It’s perfect for tacos, salads, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, you name it. Or, just served hot from the pan with plenty of shredded cheese (if you’re my nieces).

This recipe is so simple that I initially almost didn’t post it. But, I’ve come to realize that simple recipes are what most of us need as we try to balance all of our responsibilities while feeding our families. What could be better than the super easy recipes I turn to on my busiest days? Plus, if you keep some homemade taco seasoning on hand, this meal can literally be on the table in minutes.

Taco Meat

This taco meat recipe was my saving grace year after year when we got back into the routine of school and other activities. My boys declared that it was “The Best Taco Meat, Ever!” and so it was likely to be our lunch and/or part of our dinner at least once a week.

There are so many ways to serve it that my family never gets bored of having the same core ingredients over and over again. It’s an easy recipe that you can enjoy in tons of different ways. And, it portions and freezes beautifully, making it even easier for the kids to grab and go now that they’re older.

squeezing lime juice over a taco bowl

How to Grill a Steak

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a grilled ribeye steak with a pat of garlic butter on top

Learning how to grill steak doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right cut of meat, proper seasoning, and a few simple grilling techniques, you can make juicy, tender steaks that rival your favorite steakhouse.

Today I’m sharing exactly how we grill ribeye steaks, along with all the tips and tricks we’ve learned over the years for getting that perfect crust, juicy center, and incredible flavor every single time. Finish everything with a slice of homemade garlic butter and you’ll never want steak any other way.

Why You’ll Love This Grilled Steak Recipe

  • Easy step-by-step instructions
  • Perfect for beginners
  • Juicy, tender ribeye steaks
  • Restaurant-quality results at home
  • Simple ingredients
  • Incredible garlic butter topping
  • Great for summer grilling
  • Perfect for special occasions
  • Works on gas or charcoal grills
  • Easy to customize doneness
  • Foolproof steak grilling method

Ingredients You’ll Need

Great steak starts with great ingredients. The good news is that you only need a few simple ingredients to make an incredible grilled ribeye.

  • Rib-Eye Steaks: Richly marbled and incredibly flavorful, ribeye is one of the best cuts of steak for grilling.
  • Olive Oil: Helps the seasonings stick and encourages beautiful browning.
  • Kosher Salt: Enhances the natural flavor of the beef.
  • Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Adds a subtle peppery bite.

Garlic Butter

  • Unsalted Butter: Creates a rich, flavorful finishing butter.
  • Steak Seasoning: Boosts the savory flavor of the butter.
  • Garlic: Adds bold flavor that pairs perfectly with steak.
  • Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: Enhances the flavors and gives a little heat.

How to Grill Steaks

Follow these simple steps for perfectly grilled ribeye steaks every time.

  1. Make the Garlic Butter: Mix the butter, garlic, seasoning, salt, and pepper. Form into a log using parchment paper and refrigerate until firm.
  2. Prepare the Steaks: Pat the steaks completely dry. Drizzle with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. For the best flavor, leave the steaks uncovered in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.
  3. Preheat the Grill: Heat the grill to medium-high heat, approximately 450-500°F.
  4. Grill the Steaks: Place steaks directly over the heat and grill until

The Best Patty Melt Recipe

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a patty melt that is broken in half and stacked on each other so you can see the inside of the patty melt with melty cheese and juicy patties

Learn how to make the best patty melt recipe! Our mouthwatering sandwich features thin beef patties grilled to perfection for that nostalgic diner-style flavor. Crispy bread and melty cheese make every bite irresistible, while the caramelized onions add the perfect sweet and savory touch with a tangy homemade dressing!

I had my first patty melt during a road trip from Texas to Chicago years ago, and I still remember it perfectly. We pulled into a tiny greasy diner somewhere along the drive, ordered patty melts, and from the first bite I was hooked. Crispy buttery bread, juicy beef, melty cheese, caramelized onions, and sauce dripping down my hands… honestly, it changed me a little.

Ever since then, I’ve been obsessed with recreating that perfect diner-style patty melt at home. Sometimes I go classic with Swiss cheese on rye, other times I swap in cheddar, sourdough, or a quick burger sauce depending on my mood.

That grease and sauce dripping down my fingers is what officially made me fall I love with sauces and spreads and I’m still a believer all these years later. The beauty of a patty melt is that it’s simple, comforting, and almost impossible to mess up.

What Is a Patty Melt?

A patty melt is a sandwich that’s part hamburger and part grilled cheese. It’s made with seasoned beef patties, caramelized onions, melted cheese, and toasted bread instead of a traditional hamburger bun.

Patty melts are usually cooked on rye bread, but sourdough, Texas toast, or white bread also work great.

Why You’ll Love This Patty Melt

  • Ready in about 30 minutes
  • Crispy buttery toasted bread
  • Juicy beef patties
  • Melty cheese and caramelized onions
  • Easy weeknight comfort food
  • Better than diner-style patty melts

Patty Melt vs Hamburger

A hamburger is served on a bun and usually topped with traditional burger toppings like lettuce and tomato. A patty melt is served on toasted bread with melted cheese and caramelized onions, giving it more of a grilled cheese vibe.

Patty Melt vs Smash Burger

A smash burger is cooked by smashing the beef thin on a hot griddle to create crispy edges. A patty melt uses a slightly thicker burger patty and is assembled like a sandwich with cheese and toasted bread.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Patty Melt

  • Ground Beef: We like 85/15 ground beef for juicy flavorful patties.
  • Onions: Slowly caramelized onions add sweetness and classic diner flavor.
  • B

Swedish Meatballs Recipe

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a bowl of creamy Swedish meatballs on a bed of mashed potatoes and sprinkled with fresh parsley

This Swedish Meatballs Recipe is packed with tender homemade meatballs simmered in a rich, creamy gravy that’s perfect served over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice. Warm spices like allspice and nutmeg give them their classic flavor, while a silky cream-based sauce makes them the ultimate comfort food dinner.

Years ago, a friend of a family member made tiny Swedish meatballs with gravy for a party. I remember thinking they were one of the most delicious things I’d ever eaten, and I’ve been making some version of them ever since.

Over the years I’ve tweaked and tested this recipe more times than I can count, but the biggest change came when I swapped the traditional sour cream for heavy cream in the gravy. Both versions are delicious, but the cream creates an incredibly silky, rich sauce that takes these Swedish meatballs to a whole new level.

Why You Will Love This Swedish Meatballs Recipe

  • Tender, juicy homemade meatballs
  • Rich and creamy gravy
  • Better than IKEA Swedish meatballs
  • Perfect comfort food dinner
  • Great for meal prep
  • Freezer-friendly
  • Easy enough for weeknights
  • Family-friendly recipe
  • Made with simple ingredients
  • Delicious over potatoes, noodles, or rice

Ingredients You’ll Need

The secret to the best Swedish meatballs is a combination of tender meatballs, warm spices, and a rich homemade gravy. Every ingredient works together to create the classic flavor everyone loves.

For the Meatballs

  • Olive Oil: Used to sauté the onions and brown the meatballs.
  • Yellow Onion: Adds sweetness and flavor to the meat mixture.
  • Garlic: Brings savory depth to every bite.
  • Panko Breadcrumbs: Keeps the meatballs tender and light.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds richness and savory flavor.
  • Eggs: Help bind the meatballs together.
  • Milk: Adds moisture and tenderness.
  • Kosher Salt: Enhances all the flavors.
  • Oregano: Adds subtle herb flavor.
  • Ground Allspice: A classic Swedish meatball ingredient.
  • Ground Nutmeg: Adds warmth and depth.
  • Black Pepper: Provides gentle heat.
  • Ground Beef: Creates a hearty, flavorful meatball.
  • Ground Pork: Adds richness and tenderness.

For the Sauce

  • Beef Stock: Forms the base of the Swedish meatball sauce.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Enhances the beef f
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