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

Easy Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl

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a bowl of rice topped with strips of teriyaki chicken and sauteed vegetables

Forget takeout! These teriyaki chicken rice bowls have juicy grilled chicken, fresh sautéed veggies and the stickiest homemade teriyaki sauce, all ready in about 30 minutes.

It’s faster than takeout, uses simple ingredients, and makes an easy weeknight dinner everyone can customize.

Yesterday I said to my husband, I want takeout-style teriyaki chicken, but I need an easy dinner I can make at home. And voila, we made these awesome teriyaki rice bowls!

The reality is, you want takeout but don’t have the time to pick up, budget to eat out or desire to eat fast food. So what do you do when you’re craving takeout?  Skip the Takeout: This Easy Teriyaki Chicken Bowl Is Ready in 30 Minutes and makes a great freezer meal!

The first time I made teriyaki chicken at home I was so disappointed by the dry chicken with a watery sauce that was overly sweet and nothing like my favorite takeout. We had to test a lot of different recipes and styles (ditch the slow cooker this time) to come up with a 20-30 minute dinner idea that’s a cheap recipe on a busy weeknight. Buying a low sodium sauce helps it not be too salty that you need to load it with brown sugar and still maintains the flavor. 

But there was still one problem: thin and watery sauce was not what I remembered from our local restaurant. I need a thick, glossy and sticky sauce. The perfect amount of cornstarch or ez gel solved that problem with just a few turns of the whisk and heat set to simmer! 

QUICK LOOK

  • Time: 30 minutes
  • Protein: Chicken thighs
  • Sauce: Homemade teriyaki
  • Veggies: Carrots, zucchini, squash + onion
  • Best for: Quick dinners and meal prep

Why You’ll Love This Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl

  • Ready in 30 minutes: Chicken, veggies, rice and homemade sauce without spending all night in the kitchen.
  • Better than takeout: That sticky homemade teriyaki sauce makes the whole bowl.
  • Kid-approved: This is one of the few dinners every single one of my kids devours.
  • Easy to customize: Swap the vegetables, protein or rice and make it your own.

Ingredients You Will Need

Teriyaki Chicken

  • Soy Sauce: The salty, savory base of our homemade teriyaki sauce.
  • Brown Sugar + Honey: Add sweetness and help create that

Viral Crispy Rice Salad

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a large bowl full of crispy rice slaad with cucumbers, peanuts, avocado, red onions and crispy rice

This crispy rice salad is a bold mix of crunchy roasted rice, fresh herbs, creamy avocado, and a tangy soy-lime dressing. Every bite is packed with texture, flavor, and that addictive crispy rice crunch that makes this salad completely unforgettable.

It works as a light lunch, easy dinner, or side dish, and once you make crispy rice this way, you’ll want to add it to everything.

What is Crispy Rice Salad?

Crispy rice salad is a fresh vegetable and herb salad tossed with crunchy roasted rice and a flavorful dressing. It is super viral on TikTok, and I’m a HUUUUGE texture gal, so I just had to try it! This salad hits the spot for me!

Why You’ll Love This Crispy Rice Salad

  • Incredible crunchy texture from crispy roasted rice
  • Fresh, bright flavors with herbs and lime
  • Easy to customize with extra veggies or protein
  • Great for lunch, dinner, or meal prep
  • Naturally dairy-free
  • Better than restaurant salads
  • Air fryer and oven options included

Ingredients You’ll Need

This crispy rice salad comes together with simple, fresh ingredients that bring a lot of texture and flavor to every bite.

Rice

  • White Rice: Base of the salad that crisps up in the oven or air fryer. Day-old rice works best for texture.
  • Gochujang Chili Paste: Adds spicy, savory depth and helps coat the rice for bold flavor and color.
  • Vegetable Oil: Helps the rice crisp evenly and turn golden and crunchy.

Salad

  • English Cucumber: Cool, crisp crunch that balances the rice.
  • Fresh Mint: Bright, cooling flavor that keeps the salad fresh.
  • Fresh Cilantro: Fresh, citrusy herb flavor that adds lift.
  • Green Onions: Mild onion bite and fresh crunch.
  • Shelled Edamame: Adds protein and a slightly sweet, nutty bite.
  • Shallot: Light onion flavor with a subtle sharpness.
  • Avocado: Creamy texture that balances the crunch.
  • Peanuts: Crunchy, salty nuttiness for extra texture and flavor.

Dressing

  • Soy Sauce: Adds salty, savory umami flavor and forms the base of the dressing.
  • Seasoned Rice Vinegar: Tangy-sweet acidity that brightens the salad.
  • Vegetable Oil: Smooths and emulsifies the dressing.
  • Brown Sugar: Balances the salty and tangy flavors with a touch of sweetness.
  • Lime Juice: Fresh citrus acidity that lifts everything.
  • Garlic: Adds bol

Stick of Butter Rice (Dry Onion Soup Packet)

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Stick of Butter Rice (Dry Onion Soup Packet)

I had this Stick of Butter Rice at a friend’s house years ago and have never stopped thinking about how good it was. It’s creamy, savory, and packed with flavor. When I recently came across the recipe again, I knew it was time to share it here.

Why settle for plain white rice when you can have something creamy, rich, and full of flavor? This butter rice has the perfect texture, never mushy or dry, and it’s easily one of my favorite rice recipes. The best part is, there’s no need to wait for water to boil or stand over a hot stove.

If you love this recipe, we also have a version made with beef broth that’s just as good.

Ingredients You’ll Need For Stick of Butter Rice Recipe

This buttery rice comes together with just a few pantry staples. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Long Grain White Rice: Basmati rice or jasmine rice works especially well here. They stay fluffy and hold their shape, which is key for the perfect texture. 
  • Dry Onion Soup Mix: This gives the rice a deep flavor with barely any effort. It adds a savory, salty kick with little flecks of onion throughout.
  • Chicken Broth: Using broth instead of water adds richness and extra depth.
  • Unsalted Butter: The star of the show. Butter makes the rice creamy, tender, and incredibly satisfying. Using unsalted helps control the saltiness from the soup mix.

These four ingredients work together to make a side dish that’s anything but basic. Stick of Butter Rice is cozy, flavorful, and the perfect accompaniment.

How to Make This Recipe:

Stick of Butter Rice is one of those recipes that’s almost too easy to be this good. It’s a no-fail side dish that everyone loves.

  1. Preheat: Set your oven to 425°F and spray an 8×8-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
  2. Mix: In a large bowl, stir together rice, soup mix, and chicken broth. Pour into the prepared baking dish.
  3. Top: Slice butter into pieces and place evenly over the top of the rice mixture.
  4. Bake: Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  5. Uncover: Remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes to allow the top to brown.
  6. Fluff: Remove from the oven and gently fluff the rice with a fork before serving.

What to Eat With Stick Of Butter Rice

This rich, flavorful rice makes the perfect side dish for a variety of meals. Serve it alongside 

Easy Chicken Taco Casserole

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Easy Chicken Taco Casserole

If you need a tasty dinner, be sure to try this cheesy Chicken Taco Casserole. We love family-friendly, easy, comfort food recipes that are a simple addition to our weeknight dinner rotation.

Ingredients For Chicken Taco Casserole

This chicken taco casserole recipe is full of bright flavors and melty cheese goodness! It’s an easy dish that is satisfying without being heavy. Here’s what you need:

Casserole Base

  • Shredded Chicken: Adds hearty protein and makes the dish filling and satisfying. Rotisserie chicken works great for this recipe!
  • Olive Oil: Helps sauté the aromatics and adds a light, rich base flavor.
  • Onion: Builds depth and savory flavor as it cooks down.
  • Chicken Broth: Cooks the rice while infusing the dish with flavor.
  • Red Enchilada Sauce: Brings warmth, spice, and classic enchilada flavor throughout.
  • Black Beans: Add texture, fiber, and a subtle earthy balance.
  • Rotel Tomatoes & Green Chilies: Provide acidity, moisture, and a mild kick of heat.
  • Long-Grain Rice: Absorbs all the flavors and gives the dish its comforting structure.
  • Mexican-Blend Cheese: Melts into the dish for a creamy, cheesy finish.

Optional Toppings

  • Sour Cream: Cools and balances the spices. Can swap for plain Greek yogurt.
  • Sliced Jalapeños: Add fresh heat and crunch.
  • Cilantro: Brightens the dish with fresh, herbal flavor.
  • Salsa: Adds extra moisture and layered flavor.
  • Tomatoes: Bring freshness and a juicy pop of acidity.
Chicken taco casserole baked until bubbly in an enameled pan, close-up angle

How to Make Chicken Taco Casserole

This Mexican chicken and rice casserole is an easy dinner made with simple ingredients and bold flavors. Everything bakes together in one dish for a meal that’s perfect for busy nights.

  1. Preheat: Heat the oven to 350°F. See note below for stovetop directions for a faster meal.
  2. Cook: Prepare the
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