The Christmas countdown is ON in the Mo'Betta house! I have a 6 year old that is literally counting down the days, and his excitement is contagious. (Let's just hope the cold he had last week is not. 'Tis the season.) I'm sure we all have some favorite recipes for the holidays, some being more labor intensive than others (can you say old-fashioned fudge?!), but we all need a few quick and easy ones lined up that will feed a crowd, yet be delicious. I thought I would share a few that have served me well over the years. These little 'holiday hacks' get me out of the kitchen, and able to spend more time with my friends and family.
These 3-ingredient meatballs have been around for years. They make an appearance around the holidays, as well as baby showers, bridal showers, you name it. I got the recipe from one of my uncles many years ago, and I'm surprised it has not made the blog before now. The ingredient list seems a little odd, but it works! I always have people asking for the recipe...and it's SO easy!
3-ingredient Meatballs
- 2 lbs. frozen meatballs
- 1 bottle (12 ounces) chili sauce
- 1 bottle (12-15 ounces) grape jelly
Add meatballs to crock-pot aka slow cooker. Mix together the chili sauce and grape jelly, then pour over meatballs. Heat through on high for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally, then turn heat to low or 'warm' setting for serving.
I've seen many variations of this recipe so feel free to play with it...you can use barbecue sauce in the place of chili sauce; you can use cranberry sauce in the place of grape jelly; you can use turkey meatballs instead of beef, which I do often. Farm Rich Snacks makes original and turkey meatballs that are also gluten free. They look like this:
but you can use the Farm Rich Product Finder to find them near you. Before heading out, I would go get $1.50 off 2 Farm Rich snacks coupon! Another quick and easy meal is to heat up your meatballs, and add them to slider buns with a little pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese. Stick them in the oven to melt the cheese...
In addition to frozen meatballs, you can save yourself a lot of time by stocking the freezer with other snacks that can easily be heated and served like Farm Rich Mozzarella Sticks, Loaded Potato Skins, Pepperoni Pizzeria Bites, Toasted Ravioli, and Breaded Mushrooms. My girls and I LOVE Loaded Potato Skins. Top with a little sour cream (or plain yogurt) and green onion and you are good to go.
Sausage Balls are another family favorite, and to save time, I mix up a batch early in the season, roll into balls, and freeze. Then when company comes or we want sausage balls, I can pop them in the oven straight from the freezer.
What about a breakfast timesaver?
These Oven Baked Pancakes can serve a crowd quickly with all the great comforting taste of pancakes, without all the standing and flipping over a griddle. Or this Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole that can be made up the night before and just baked when ready in the morning.
And of course, if you know me, you know that I will definitely have plenty of sweets...our favorites being a sweet and salty combo...
This Chocolate Lover's Snack Mix can be whipped up fast and easy, using basically whatever is in your pantry. Also, these little gems...
These easy Turtle treats can be made in minutes.
So, these are a few of my 'Holiday Hacks'...feel free to share yours!
You can find more recipe ideas by following Farm Rich on Pinterest. (They are also on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram)
I love the eat everything month idea ... lol!!!
ReplyDeleteMeatballs are my boys fav!
Sounds delish and easy. Catherine xo
ReplyDelete