Fresh greens, nutty edamame, sweet cranberries, plenty of cheese, wonton crisps, and a handful of fresh mushrooms tossed in a tangy sweet honey mustard dressing add up to this unforgettable Crunchy Spinach Salad. Inspired by one of my favorite restaurant salads, this salad never fails to remind me of road trips with family.

As you already know, I grew up in New Mexico and I have loved Dion’s Pizza for as long as I can remember. There’s no such thing as a trip back home that doesn’t include a stop there for at least one meal. Even my green chile ranch was inspired by our love for their dressing, since we couldn’t get it after moving out of state. So, I’m thrilled to share another Dion’s copycat salad today.

Dion’s Crunchy Spinach Salad

I fell for the crunchy spinach salad the very first time I tried it. I was visiting my sister Jenny in NM and she ordered this salad along with our pizza. I had always ordered their chef salad, so when this one showed up, I wasn’t sure what to think about it.

It’s hard to believe that was almost ten years ago. I can not believe it took me until this summer’s road trip to Arizona to finally try my hand at this recipe. But, I am proud of myself for remembering to put the ingredients on my shopping list while I was still eating it. How’s that for thinking ahead?

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Groceries seem to get more expensive every time we walk through the store, and feeding a family on a budget has become more challenging than ever. The good news? Delicious dinners don’t have to cost a fortune. This collection of budget-friendly meals is packed with recipes made from affordable pantry staples like pasta, rice, beans, potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and budget-friendly proteins.

Many of these cheap family meals make a big batch, reheat beautifully, freeze well, and are perfect for packing lunches or enjoying leftovers throughout the week, helping you save both time and money without sacrificing flavor.

Chicken Meal Prep

Chicken is one of the most affordable proteins you can buy (especially if you find a good sale!), and these recipes prove it. They’re easy to prep ahead, make generous portions, and are perfect for lunches and dinners all week.

If you have been searching for a high-protein (12g) and low-carb (2g) breakfast that is actually satisfying and easy to make ahead, these are the best cottage cheese egg bites you will ever try. Fluffy, cheesy, packed with bacon, and loaded with protein, they are way better than anything you can order at the drive-through.

These egg bites have become a total staple in our house. The cottage cheese blends right into the egg mixture and creates the most incredibly soft, custardy texture while adding a serious protein boost. The secret to getting that perfectly fluffy bite is the pan of water on the lower oven rack; it creates just enough steam to keep them tender all the way through. Make a batch on Sunday, and breakfast is handled for the entire week.

Ingredients For Egg Bites

These egg bites are even better than the ones at Starbucks! They’re easily customizable and perfect for a quick, on-the-go breakfast. Here is what goes into this egg bite recipe:

• Bacon: Cooked and chopped, bacon adds a salty, smoky flavor throughout every bite.
• Eggs: The base of the entire recipe that provide structure, protein, and that classic egg bite texture.
• Full-Fat Cottage Cheese: The secret ingredient. It blends seamlessly into the egg mixture and creates an incredibly soft, fluffy, custardy texture while adding a significant protein boost.
• Protein Powder: A scoop of plain or vanilla adds even more protein without changing the flavor or texture in any noticeable way. It sounds crazy, but I swear it just works!
• Colby Jack Cheese: Melts into the egg mixture for a creamy, cheesy richness in every single bite.
• Kosher Salt: Seasons the eggs and brings all the other flavors together.
• Garlic Powder: Adds a subtle savory depth that makes these taste like way more than just a basic egg bite.
• Cooking Spray: Essential for keeping the egg bites from sticking so they pop right out of the muffin pan cleanly.

Everything here is simple, affordable, and easy to find, which makes these incredibly easy to keep in your regular rotation.

How to Make Cottage Cheese Egg Muffins

These egg cups could not be more straightforward. A bowl, a muffin pan, and about 30 minutes are all you need.

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 325°F and generously spray a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Whisk: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, cottage cheese, bacon, Colby Jack cheese, protein powder, salt, and garlic powder until well combined.
3. Fill: Evenly distribute the egg mixture among all 12 muffin cups.
4. Steam: Place a pan of water on the lower oven rack to create steam, then gently place the muffin pan on the upper rack.
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Heading off to college means learning how to cook for yourself without spending a fortune, filling your tiny kitchen with unnecessary gadgets, or surviving on ramen every night. If I were stocking my first apartment or dorm kitchen, these are the easy college meals I’d keep on repeat.

They’re quick, budget-friendly, made with simple ingredients, and most of them taste just as good as leftovers the next day. Whether you’re cooking for one, feeding roommates, or meal prepping for the week, these recipes make college life a whole lot easier.

Pantry Staples Every College Student Should Keep

Our oldest has finished a couple years at college now, and these are some of these things that she kept in stock:

The “I Have 15 Minutes Before Class” Meals

When you’re racing between classes, work, and studying, dinner needs to be quick, filling, and made with ingredients you can actually keep on hand.

School nights can feel like a race against the clock. Between homework, sports practices, dance classes, and everything else on the calendar, getting dinner on the table isn’t always easy. That’s why we’ve rounded up our favorite school night dinner recipes that are quick to make, family approved, and packed with flavor.

Whether you need a 20-minute meal, a cozy casserole, a one-pan dinner, or something you can prep ahead, these recipes will help make busy evenings a little less stressful and a whole lot more delicious.

30-Minute Dinners

When everyone is hungry and there’s not much time before homework or sports practice, these quick dinners come together fast without sacrificing flavor.