This is a roundup of delicious one-pan meals that have been the most asked for in our family as far back to the 1960s when mom used to make them.
You will find some new and old recipes that have been adapted to feed a large family economically with some great ideas when looking for something old or new to try.
Growing up we love tuna casserole but as time went on, the chicken was another idea to add as a substitute.
All these recipes can be adapted to satisfy your family's taste buds.
When I make Grandma's Baked Custard, it brings me back to the simple days of good old-fashioned desserts made with everyday pantry ingredients.
Grandma was quite creative making delicious desserts in the kitchen and this recipe brings back many fond childhood memories of her.
This 100 years old recipe is made with just 6 ingredients.
It was a great way to use up a large amount of milk we knew was going to expire soon and nothing went to waste back in the 1960s and when money was tight we used whatever we had.
The custard is done in either ramekin or in one large souffle baking dish (which I prefer) because we never had fancy dishes like those little white cups in our house in those days.
I must say this is a little tricky to make if it's your first time and you must read the tips on scalding milk as the temperature must be perfect when mixing with the eggs.
Do read all the instructions first before attempting a baked custard so the results are perfect!
Once you get the hang of it, you will have mastered what is considered now a gourmet-style dessert served all over the world right in your own home.
Back growing up as a child, these were simple ingredients and we had it often, it takes a little time to bake but so worth it.
Served as is with a little cinnamon or nutmeg baked on the top or sometimes with a dollop of whipped cream and berries, it's just amazing.
Scroll through all the tips and directions before you start and print off this recipe at the end.
I love 15 kinds of bean soups, in chili, and especially in this Italian sausage soup is bursting with flavor.
The real beauty of this basic bean soup is you can use anything from fresh Italian sausage to leftover pot roast, chicken or any other kinds of meat I will give you a list of suggestions for.
Ok, so you can't find 15 beans in one package? Buy several kinds you like and mix them together no problem.
Fifteen bean soup has all kinds of lentils, lima beans, some kidney beans that are red or white and those are just to name a few.
I have made this soup so many different ways and my family always comes back to loving that Italian spicy hot flavored sausage.
It's so rich and full of every nutrient and vitamin and easy to make on the stovetop, pressure cooker or slow cooker.
Cooking with beans is a great way to feed a large family economically and these recipes are all fabulous tried and true over more than a 100 years old.
Mom and Grandma were taught how to stretch a budget and feed large and in Italy, beans were a staple then and now.
Many recipes were made with white beans, red beans, lentils, peas and so on.
All of them were either combined with a rich tomato sauce and back in the 1960s when money was tight, it was a bonus to have meats of any kind added.
Grandma and mom used ham bones, chicken, ground meats and whatever was available.
Beans are a great source of protein and full of nutrients, the perfect comfort foods have been made through the years including, stews, soups and anything from Italian American Recipes to Mexican American entrees.
Take a stroll through these recipes, they are easy to make, delicious and something here for everyone.
Baked Italian Chicken Wings are healthier and a delicious alternative to fried!
Most of the time we enjoy our wings this way and they're so easy to make using less oil and still, have the crispy outside of fried chicken but oven-fried.
With just this vegetable salsa no top, it's really a meal in itself but my family just loves pasta as a side dish, I am happy with this seafood dish just the way it is.
Check out this easy recipe on the printable recipe card by just scrolling down to the bottom of the page.
There are times I just love a sweet blueberry corn muffin for breakfast or brunch and then I need my savory cornbread loaded with cheese, green chilies, and bacon, for picnics or dinner meals.
Since I made both this week, I decided to put both savory and sweet recipes in one place for you today.
Both cornbread recipes can be made into muffins or into square or cast-iron skillet pans.
Each recipe is unique in flavors but moist and tender like cake and so rich and delicious.
If I had to choose one over the other, it would be very difficult.
Guinness Beer Muffin Bread is the perfect little bread muffin to kick off a festive St. Patrick's Day meal with and this is easy how to make individual servings.
The Irish stout flavors are perfect for a festive party meal of any kind and then slathered with some Irish butter while still warm out of the oven, these are fit for a king!
This is just a plain style beer bread recipe, however, there are suggestions and additions below to make other flavors with bacon and cheese, garlic and herb and cheese with garlic beer bread.
The aroma alone will make your mouth water while baking.
This is a fabulous adult Chocolate Irish Whiskey Cake all made from scratch and a perfect way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with!
Every year, we love to be Irish for a day, being Italian we love all kinds of Irish foods made to celebrate the Patron Saint, St. Patrick especially Guinness Corned Beef, and if there are any leftovers our favorite Simple Reubens Sandwich made with that same corned beef.
Americans, in general, love festive parties and this cake is just one of the menu items we traditionally make every year.
Mom always made a great Bacardi cake made with a cake mix with rum and this is very similar to that recipe and how it's made.
Hopefully, with my simple instructions step by step photos, you will see just how easy this is to make.
The cake does taste better with age and the alcohol really keeps this delicious cake fresh for weeks in the refrigerator.
Chocolate cake is always a welcome dessert in our home and you could take this to any festive adult party any time of the year and not just on St. Patty's Day.
Double Chocolate Chip Gelato is an intense chocolate-flavored luscious and rich creamy Italian ice cream.
There really isn't anything better than this decadent ice cream dessert.
Ice cream has more cream where gelato is more milk.
In Italy, you will be amazed not only at the vibrant colors and flavors but some shops like in Rome churn it right in front of you.
The frozen smooth custard-like texture just melts on your tongue and makes a lasting impression to find this is a gourmet treat like no other.
Chocolate seems to be the flavor of choice in our home always.
With just a few changes of ingredients, you can change this to a Pistachio Gelato (which is in the recipe card below) that changes this basic recipe into another favorite.
Lobster is our favorite shellfish and I actually found Maine lobster this week and was so excited I had to buy it, although very pricey but so worth it.
Usually in Florida, we have the spiny lobster tails and they aren't as sweet and tender as Maine, but they are not that easy to come by.
Broiled lobster is very easy to make and with garlic butter, it's, of course, a little bit Italian right?
Ok, that's a bit of a stretch I know, but it's my favorite seafood and during the Christmas Eve holiday and lent, it's my treat.
We prefer the tails over the whole tail, most of my crew isn't fond of cleaning their food before they eat it.
However, you can proceed with this same recipe for whole Maine Lobster using this recipe with the exception or puffing up the tails with just boiling, broiled and then in the garlic butter dipping sauce recipe.
This is a basic Venison Bolognese Sauce much like a goulash style that is simmered slowly and poured over cooked pasta, baked potatoes, thick-sliced Italian bread, white cooked rice or mashed potatoes.
The recipe is basic for those who aren't a fan of deer meat and this recipe can be made with any other ground meats of choice which I will provide a list for below.
The sauce is hearty and perfect for feeding a large family and truly a hunter's delight.
Just remember, my recipes are all a basic model and anything can be substituted, however, all these recipes are stamped with the seal of approval of my husband who hunts every year and a huge venison lover.
If you love goulash, this venison recipe will fool everyone the sauce is bold with flavors without a gamey taste and the kids had no idea this wasn't a hamburger.
Check out the printable recipe below and for all my deer meat lovers, this is a keeper for sure!
These Air Fried Home Fries or Oven Roasted Potatoes are fabulous!
My mom made these often when we were growing up and they were always oven-roasted or pan-fried and they were often served for breakfast at many local restaurants.
If you love home fried potatoes, they really can be for breakfast, lunch or dinner and a great side dish anytime!
After getting a new air fryer, I was very pleased how delicious they crisped up on the outside and so delicious.
This method is the quickest and easiest way to get the best home fries I have ever had.
The air fryer cooks them perfectly using less oil which equals less fat and calories, without compromising the flavor.
For those who don't have an air fryer, I will give the instructions for oven-roasted, pan-fried, or grilled!
Scroll down to the recipe card to print this off, either way, you make them this is an old family recipe that is full-proof for all you spud lovers out there.
Baked Stuffed Eggplant Boats are fun to make, easy and so delicious.
There are so many possibilities and creations you can make with the stuffing with the several suggestions I have below.
We love these stuffed and baked but there are many other cooking methods show below as well.
These eggplant boats can be made all vegetarian or stuffed with a variety of meats.
This meal is a perfect alternative for those who practice Catholic beliefs during the Lent period before the Easter Holiday.
Mom love, hers stuffed with ricotta cheese and spices, the rest of us loved various vegetables added like mushrooms and peppers.
Adapt to the many stuffing ideas for an all in one fun meal and create each one tailored to however your family likes them.
We have many recipes using this versatile recipe and you can find most of them on my Eggplant Roundup of Recipes post.
Scroll down for this yummy stuffed eggplant recipe and print it off, it's a perfect way to kick off Spring with these delicious waistline-friendly eggplant boats!
These Sour Cream Coffee Cake Mix Cupcakes are moist with a light texture and taste like you made them from scratch and the best part is they can be baked in any pan or super easily!
I am a big fan of Drakes Coffee Cakes and these are pretty much a copycat in flavor, except for the addition of the nuts on top.
These little bite-size cupcakes are perfect for snacking on and a quick dessert at any time of the day.
We like the addition of nuts on top for the extra crunch and flavors but you can leave them off if you're not a fan.
Doctored cake mix recipes are super easy and they really can transform quickly into a fabulous dessert.
This basic batter is great with the addition of fresh fruit toppings baked in and I will give you several suggestions below.
If you prefer an all-homemade scratch recipe do try my Sour Cream Coffee Cake it's a great old fashioned
This stovetop one-pan meal is a classic salisbury steak made with a venison ground hamburger and so tasty.
The thick delicious brown gravy with mushrooms is just pure comfort food, especially when served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes.
If you are looking for venison recipes, this is surely a delicious one and you really can't tell it's not beef!
The kids loved it too and the best part no one even asked what it was because it tasted so good and the same as regular hamburger.
I know sometimes you can just think about wild game meats and not be interested in even trying it, but if you love venison and need ideas for using ground venison, try this recipe first!
You can leave the mushrooms out if you're not a fan and I will give other substitutions for ingredients below.
The gravy simmered with these burgers makes them tender and keep the venison moist not dried out.
Scroll down to the recipe card and check out this great recipe!
Easy Recipe
You can make this all from scratch or cut corners with some of the ingredients when you're in a hurry.
Even though I love the homemade gravy recipe for these salisbury venison steaks below, sometimes I get store-bought premade jar gravy in a pinch
We are big fans of salisbury steak and have made it with many other types of meat, so scroll down and if you aren't a venison lover, and check out this basic recipe.
Ingredients You Will Need to Make Venison Hamburger Salisbury Steak
Scroll down to the recipe card for the exact measurements
For the Patties:
ground venison hamburger or use another suggestion below
medium-size eggs
Worcestershire sauce
ketchup
prepared mustard
Italian style bread crumbs
white bread
milk
Parmesan Cheese
granulated garlic powder
salt, pepper to taste and we like a little cayenne pepper for heat
Optional Additions: jarred sliced or canned mushrooms rinsed around 8 ounces, 1/2 cup sliced onions
Homemade Brown Gravy Ingredients or Use Store-Bought Brown Gravy Bottled around 3 cups
French onion soup mix
beef stock
white wine, marsala wine or use apple juice
Worcestershire sauce
unsalted butter (unless you need the added salt)
cracked pepper
cloves minced garlic
flour
Meat Substitutions
Boneless Chicken Cutlets
Boneless Pork Chops
Steak Cutlets
Any Other Wild Game Meats
Hamburger beef Patties
Ground turkey, chicken or pork
Cube steaks
Tips:
Always use a combination of butter and oil for frying venison, it's very lean and needs fat.
The milk and the bread added keeps the venison moist don't skip that step
Keep the patties warm if making homemade gravy instead of using the bottled
These patties can be frozen to use another time
This mixture of venison meat can be used for shepherds pie or a meatloaf
This is a wild game recipe using ground venison hamburger meat to make a classic dish called salisbury steak. The patties are shaped into burgers sauteed and placed into a brown onion and mushroom gravy.
ingredients:
For the Patties:
2 lbs ground venison hamburger
2 medium-size eggs
4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup of ketchup
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
1/2 cup Italian style bread crumbs
1 slice of white bread added to 3 tablespoons whole milk and squeezed out
1/ teaspoon Italian dried seasoning
2 tablespoon Parmesan Cheese
1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
salt, pepper to taste (we like a little cayenne pepper for heat)
Optional Additions: jarred sliced or canned mushrooms rinsed around 8 ounces, 1/2 cup sliced onions
Homemade Brown Gravy Ingredients or Use Store-Bought Brown Gravy Bottled around 3 cups
1 pack French onion soup mix
2 cups beef stock
1/2 cup white wine, marsala wine, or use apple juice
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup unsalted butter (unless you need the added salt)
1 teaspoon cracked pepper
2 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup flour
instructions:
How to cook Venison Hamburger Salisbury Steak
For the Venison Patties:
In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients into the ground venison and shape it into patties.
In a large skillet add 1 tablespoon butter and 2 tablespoons any kind of cooking oil.
Fry the patties in oil for around 3 to 5 minutes on both sides.
Place in a dish and set aside.
For the Gravy ( homemade version)
Use the fat from frying the patties, add the butter and then the flour.
Cook the flour mixture for around 3 minutes on low heat.
Stir in the liquids, add remaining ingredients including the mushrooms if using.
Simmer until thick.
Add the patties and simmer for around 5 to 7 minutes.
Note: if using bottled gravy, I usually add around 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic and 1/4 cup of wine mentioned.
NOTES:
Substitute any meats of choice boneless for vension:
Boneless Chicken Cutlets
Boneless Pork Chops
Steak Cutlets
Any Other Wild Game Meats
Hamburger Patties
Ground turkey, chicken or pork
This classic-style chocolate cream pie is made a few different ways back in the 1960s.
The pies were either topped with toasted meringue or freshly whipped cream.
The crust was either made with graham crackers baked or regular pie crust and now I even use several different kinds of our favorite crushed cookie crumbs.
Any way you prefer your pie toppings, with cream or toasted meringue, this homemade chocolate pudding is divine, and using mom's Lemon Meringue Pie (another classic favorite) recipe for the meringue becomes perfection.
These pie styles are both vintage recipes and certainly, classics that bring back fond memories of my childhood!
These delicious Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes can be the easiest side dish on your holiday or weeknight meals!
There are two methods I have to make these whipped creamy potatoes.
Garlic in mashed potatoes bring a wonderful addition of flavor to you spuds, with just a little will enhance them to a gourmet potato flavor.
These creamy potatoes are going to be your family's favorite way to enjoy them especially served with your favorite Mom's Homemade Gravy.
The potatoes have butter, milk and whipped cream cheese in them instead of just plain ole potatoes we've adapted these to a fluffy potato delight everyone always wants the recipe for.
Roasting garlic is super simple with these instructions and adds a robust perfect flavor to this side dish.
This Tuscan White Bean Dip is so easy and done in just a few minutes and perfect when hosting a get-together with family and friends or just because you want a healthy snack.
The beans or pulsed in a food processor with all the fabulous Italian flavors of Italy including garlic, white beans olive oil, and some delicious herbs.
The best part there is no cooking involved besides deciding whether you like your dips hot of cold.
A few minutes in the microwave will have you on your way to this creamy delight.
Serve it up with Tuscan garlic bread or pita points and you will be sitting in front of this bowl with an addiction to your newly created appetizer!
If you love the flavors of Tuscany and a fan of beans, this healthy dip will be your new favorite way to serve white beans.
