Nanny to Mommy

If you’re looking for a quick, budget-friendly dinner that the whole family will love, this Brown Sugar Italian Chicken is about to become a weeknight favorite! With just four pantry staples, this juicy, flavorful chicken recipe is perfect for busy parents who want to get a hearty meal on the table without stress, or a sink full of dishes.

This recipe is a go-to in our house. It’s sweet, savory, and packed with flavor thanks to the perfect combination of Italian dressing and brown sugar. And did I mention it’s baked in one pan? Less cleanup, more family time!

Why You’ll Love This Brown Sugar Italian Chicken

If your family is anything like mine, you know how tempting those quick drive-thru comfort meals can be, especially the classic KFC Famous Bowls. Creamy mashed potatoes, corn, crispy chicken, gooey cheese, and warm gravy… what’s not to love? But as a mom trying to feed my kids (and myself) a little more mindfully, I wanted a way to recreate this fast-food favorite in a “better-for-you” way, without losing the taste we all crave.

Enter this Copycat Better-For-You KFC Famous Bowl recipe! It’s everything you love about the original, made with simple, wholesome ingredients, and air-fried instead of deep-fried. Plus, it’s so easy to put together, perfect for those busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast.

Why You'll Love This Copycat KFC Bowl Recipe

Looking for a quick, satisfying weeknight dinner that skips the bun but keeps all the flavor? Let me introduce you to our new favorite meal: Cheeseburger in a Bowl. It’s everything you love about a classic cheeseburger: juicy beef, crispy lettuce, zesty pickles, melty cheese, and creamy Thousand Island dressing, served up in a bowl for an easy, low-carb twist.

This simple dinner recipe is kid-approved, budget-friendly, and perfect for busy families who need something delicious on the table in 30 minutes or less. Whether you're trying to cut carbs, eat more whole foods, or just shake up your dinner routine, this deconstructed cheeseburger salad is a total win.

Why You’ll Love Cheeseburger in a Bowl

Add in our 2025 goal of paying off debt and cutting down on takeout, and suddenly home-cooked meals have become a must, not a luxury. With inflation making restaurant prices soar, meal prepping has become one of the smartest strategies for saving money and staying sane.

Enter: this super simple, sweet-and-savory Crockpot Pineapple Chicken. It’s one of my go-to freezer dump meals that takes maybe 10 minutes of prep time, and I almost always have the ingredients on hand—especially when my husband impulse-buys multiple pineapples because they were "on sale." (Guess who ends up cutting them up?)

Crockpot Pineapple Chicken

As a busy mom, I’m always looking for ways to serve hearty, budget-friendly meals that don’t require hours in the kitchen. Between working, raising kids, and managing the everyday chaos that comes with parenting, I need recipes that are both comforting and convenient. That’s why I love this Slow Cooker Venison Tenderloin recipe.

This meal has become a staple in our home, especially during the colder months when comfort food just hits differently. It's rich, savory, and perfect for those evenings when you want something satisfying but don’t have the energy to hover over a stove. You can even set it and forget it before school pickup or afternoon activities and come home to a house that smells like you’ve been cooking all day!

As soon as the leaves start turning and there’s a crisp breeze in the air, I find myself reaching for my slow cooker more and more. There’s just something comforting about walking through the door to the smell of dinner already simmering, especially when your day has been packed with school drop-offs, after-school chaos, work deadlines, and that never-ending mountain of laundry.

If you’re looking for a hearty, low-effort meal that feels like a warm hug after a busy day, this Crockpot Chop Steak recipe is it. It’s one of our go-to dinners during fall and winter, not only because it’s incredibly simple, but also because it checks every box for a family-friendly, budget-conscious, flavorful meal.

I worked at Subway back in the day and fell in love with their meatball subs, but they were so large and too filling that even a 6-inch sub was too much. But on the hunt for more recipes, I thought I could make something that fit the craving without overindulging. Insert these Mini Meatball Subs that make a great quick dinner idea or even a fun party appetizer. 

 I used Hawaiian rolls for the base, but you could also use Aunt Millie's Carb Smart rolls, place in baking sheet. Tear an opening in each roll. Spray with butter or pour melted butter over the top. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and put a tablespoon of marinara in each hole. I use pre-made meatballs (I cook them first), then put one in each slot. Top with a little more marinara and some parmesan cheese. Heat in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes.

 So I thought I was so original when I came up with this idea. I had a box of Velveeta shells with cheese and half the stuff to make burrito bowls, then thought, "I bet I could whip something up both of those". So here is my version of Fajita Mac and Cheese. I have also included the recipe to make your taco seasoning as well as your cheese sauce, so you don't have to worry about so many preservatives. But there is nothing wrong with making dinner easy on yourself and using boxed. Also please ignore this terrible picture. I didn't take one and only realized it after the fact, so this is a screen shot from a video that you can find HERE.

So Here is what you need for Homemade Chicken Fajita Mac and Cheese:

As a busy mom, I’m always looking for quick, healthy, and budget-friendly meals that the whole family will actually enjoy. Bonus points if it doesn’t leave my kitchen looking like a tornado hit it. That’s why I absolutely love this Turkey & Sweet Potato One-Pan Hash, it's one of those go-to meals that checks all the boxes.

Whether you're trying to eat healthier, track macros, or just get a wholesome dinner on the table fast, this dish delivers. It’s savory, nutrient-packed, customizable, and yes, even weight loss friendly. In fact, this was a regular in my rotation while I was on my 65-pound weight loss journey. (Yes, you can still eat potatoes and hit your goals!)

What Is Turkey & Sweet Potato Hash?

Why You’ll Love This Southwest Taco Salad