Jessica's Joyful Kitchen

Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 20–25 minutes Total Time: 45 minutes Servings: 8 Category: Main Dish Notes After Making Add Ingredients Pasta 1 pound angel hair or penne pasta Sauce ¼ cup salted butter ¼ cup all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3 cloves) 2 cups chicken broth 1 cup heavy cream 1 cup half-and-half 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese Protein 1 pound cooked shredded or ground chicken 4 ounces small diced ham Topping ½ cup panko breadcrumbs 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted ½ teaspoon garlic powder Instructions Prepare the Oven and Pasta Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and spread evenly in the prepared baking dish. Make the Sauce In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt but...

Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 55–60 minutes (oven), 3–8 hours (slow cooker), or 30–35 minutes (skillet) Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (oven) Servings: 6–8 Category: Main Dish Notes After Making Add Ingredients 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey 1 onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 packet taco seasoning 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained 3 cups diced potatoes (fresh or frozen) 1 cup sour cream 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or cheese of choice) Salt and black pepper, to taste Instructions Oven Method Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and onion until the meat is fully cooked. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Drain excess fat if needed. Stir in the taco seasoning and cook for 1–2 minutes until evenly coated. Reduce heat and stir in the black beans,...

Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes Servings: 6 Category: Main Dish Notes After Making Add Ingredients Casserole 1 pound ground beef ¼ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon black pepper 3 large russet potatoes, peeled and sliced ⅛-inch thick 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Sauce 2 tablespoons butter (if needed) ½ cup onion, finely diced 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour ½ cup beef or chicken broth ½ cup heavy cream, half-and-half, or whole milk ½ cup sour cream 4 ounces diced green chiles ½ tablespoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon hot sauce ½ teaspoon black pepper ½ teaspoon salt Instructions Prepare the Oven Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish. Make the Beef Mixture Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the ground beef, breaking it into small pieces. When the beef is about halfway cooked and still slightly pink, add the diced onion. Continue cooking until the beef i...

Prep Time: 25 minutes Cook Time: 45–50 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes Servings: 10–12 Category: Side Dish Notes After Making Add Ingredients 3 pounds russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed ¼ cup butter, melted, plus more for greasing the baking dish 1 cup sour cream 2 large eggs, lightly beaten ¼ cup finely diced onion 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste ½ teaspoon black pepper ½ teaspoon garlic powder, optional ½–1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional topping Instructions Prepare the Potatoes Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter. Place the cubed potatoes in a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for 15–20 minutes, or until the potatoes are very tender. Drain the potatoes well. Mash until smooth. Make the Casserole Stir the melted butter and sour cream into the mashed potatoes until smooth and well combined. Add the beaten eggs, diced onion, salt, pepper, and ...

Prep Time: 15 minutes Chill Time: 2 hours Cook Time: 60–65 minutes (when baked as a pie) Total Time: About 3 hours 15 minutes Yield: 1 double crust (9-inch pie) Category: Baking / Main Dish Notes After Making Add Ingredients ¾ cup butter, cubed (170 g) ¾ cup water (180 mL) 2¾ cups all-purpose flour (330 g), plus more if needed ¾ teaspoon kosher salt 1 large egg 1 tablespoon milk Instructions Prepare the Dough Combine the cubed butter and water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Once the butter has completely melted, remove from the heat. Add the flour and salt all at once. Stir vigorously until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and allow it to cool slightly. When cool enough to handle, knead the dough until smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky. Add a small amount of flour if needed. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate ...

  Prep Time: 1 hour Chill Time: 24 hours Total Time: About 25 hours Servings: 12–16 Category: Dessert Notes After Making Add Ingredients Filling 1¾ cups heavy whipping cream (410 g) 3 tablespoons sugar, optional 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional 2 boxes (3.4 ounces each) instant vanilla pudding mix 3 cups milk (732 g) 1 box graham crackers (about 3 sleeves) 2–3 tablespoons espresso powder, optional (for Espresso Éclair Cake) Chocolate Topping ⅓ cup cocoa powder (33 g) 1 cup granulated sugar (198 g) ¼ cup milk (61 g) ½ cup butter (113 g) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Instructions Prepare the Filling In a 9×13-inch baking dish, arrange a layer of graham crackers across the bottom, using about 1 full sleeve to cover the surface. In a medium bowl, add the heavy whipping cream. If using, add the sugar and vanilla extract. Beat on medium-high speed for about 4 minutes, until whipped and stiff peaks form. In a separate large bowl, combine the mil...

Prep Time: 25 minutes Chill Time: 24–36 hours Cook Time: 18 minutes per batch Total Time: About 25 hours Yield: 9–10 large cookies Category: Dessert Notes After Making https://youtu.be/RN3e4VJaLFQ?si=CTPuWkms7AlGKY7j Ingredients 1 cup all-purpose flour (145 g) ¾ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder (75 g) ¾ teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature (141 g) ¾ cup dark brown sugar, packed (150 g) ⅔ cup granulated sugar (133 g) 1 large egg 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (340 g) Instructions Prepare the Dough In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until ful...

  Prep Time: 10 minutes Chill Time: 2 hours (optional) Cook Time: 5–10 minutes (if serving warm) Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes Servings: 8–10 Category: Snack Notes After Making Add Ingredients 8 ounces sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, grated 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 2 tablespoons ranch dressing seasoning 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons sour cream or mayonnaise 2–4 tablespoons milk, as needed to thin 4 green onions, chopped, optional Pretzels or crackers, for serving Instructions Prepare the Dip Grate the cheddar cheese from a block and set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. Add the grated cheddar, ranch seasoning, Dijon mustard, and sour cream or mayonnaise. Mix until fully combined and creamy. Add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached. Fold in the chopped green onions, if using. Serve Cold Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 ...

  Prep Time: 45 minutes Chill Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 10–12 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes Yield: About 22 cookies Category: Dessert Notes After Making Add Ingredients Cinnamon Filling ¼ cup butter, melted (56 g) ¾ cup packed brown sugar (160 g) 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 plastic baby (optional, for Mardi Gras tradition) Sugar Cookies Sugar cookie dough recipe Topping 3 tablespoons green sanding sugar 3 tablespoons purple sanding sugar 3 tablespoons yellow sanding sugar Glaze Frosting 2 tablespoons butter, melted 1 cup powdered sugar (113 g) ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 1–2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream, as needed for spreading consistency Instructions Prepare the Cinnamon Filling Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a small bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until smooth. If using a plastic baby, place it into the center of one cinnamon filling portion. Divide the fi...

  Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 3–4 hours (slow cooker method) Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes Servings: 4–6 Category: Main Dish Notes After Making Add Ingredients Gyro Meat 1 pound ground meat (beef, turkey, or pork) 1 small onion, finely chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon dried oregano Juice of 1 lemon Shortcut Option Instead of making the meat mixture, use approximately 5 fully cooked meatballs per person, halved. Tzatziki Sauce 1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped 1 cup plain non-fat yogurt 1 tablespoon olive oil 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped Juice of 1 lemon Salt, to taste (optional) For Serving (Optional) Pita bread Lettuce Roma tomatoes, diced Pickled red onion Feta or Parmesan cheese Olives Extra tzatziki sauce Diced cucumber, especially when using store-bought tzatziki Instructions Option 1: Homemade Gyro Meat (Slow Cooker Method) P...