Adventures of Mel

Author: Mel Lockcuff

  • Quick and Easy Campfire Hawaiian Pizza

    Quick and Easy Campfire Hawaiian Pizza

    How to make campfire Hawaiian pizza. Just 5 ingredients and a cast iron skillet are all you need for this simple and easy ham and pineapple pizza recipe.

    hand holding slice of Hawaiian pizza cooked over a campfire

    If you’ve never had the smoky flavors of Hawaiian pizza cooked over a campfire, then have I ever got the most delicious pizza recipe for you.

    Now… I have a confession. I’m not a fan of pineapple on my pizza.

    However, my family loves it. And if I have to eat pineapple pizza, I’d much rather have it cooked over the campfire in a cast iron skillet.

    Plus, I do love ham on my pizza. And cheese… I love a really cheesy pizza, and that’s exactly what this is.

    Love a good campfire pizza? You’ll LOVE this hamburger pizza on a campfire.

    sliced ham and pineapple pizza on a wooden cutting board

    Important Note: This recipe makes enough for 2 10-inch pizzas.

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?

    If you’d rather skip all of my tips for making cast iron pizza, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the pizza recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    BEFORE YOU GET STARTED COOKING…

    Your fire should be down to coals, with a little bit of flame here and there.

    We use a tripod grill. You’ll want to watch it closely, though, as you may need to adjust the height of the grill over the fire, so the pan or griddle you’re using doesn’t get so hot that it cooks everything too quickly.

    LET’S TALK DOUGH

    As this is meant to be a camping recipe, you can either take a pre-made pizza crust with you, or you can make our easy homemade pizza dough right in a Ziploc bag.

    Either way, don’t let the pizza dough trip you up and keep you from making pizza for dinner while you’re sitting around the campfire.

    WHAT IS ON A HAWAIIAN PIZZA?

    Hawaiian pizza toppings include the sauce, ham or Canadian bacon, pineapple, and mozzarella cheese.

    You can also add other favorite ingredients like bacon, mushrooms, peppers, etc. It’s your pizza, your choice of toppings.

    TIPS FOR HOW TO MAKE HAWAIIAN PIZZA

    Once your pizza crust is ready to go, you’ll just layer the pizza toppings right onto the partially cooked crust in a cast iron skillet.

    1. Begin with a layer of pizza sauce.
    2. Add a layer of sliced or shredded ham.
    3. Next add a layer of pineapple (you can use fresh pineapple or canned pineapple chunks; I used pineapple tidbits because they’re slightly smaller, the perfect size for pizza).
    4. Finally, finish it off with a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese.
    steps for making Hawaiian cast iron pizza in a cast iron skillet, including layering pizza sauce, ham, pineapple, and mozzarella cheese onto the pizza crust

    HOW TO COOK HAWAIIAN PIZZA ON A CAMPFIRE

    Now comes the part where you finish cooking your pizza. Don’t worry, cooking pizza on a campfire is really easy to do.

    All you need are a cast iron skillet (or two) and a cast iron lid to go with it.

    Once your pizza is in place on the grill, I’d recommend heating the lid over the coals and then placing it on top of the cast iron pan. This creates an oven like effect, which in turn, will bake your pizza.

    Again, be sure that your rack is not too close to the fire because if not careful, you can burn the bottom of your pizza crust.

    cooking ham and pineapple pizza on a campfire in a cast iron skillet with the lid

    Cook the pizza for about 8-10 minutes or so, until the crust begins to turn slightly golden on the edges and the cheese completely melts.

    Once the pizza is fully cooked, you can remove it from the fire, slice it up, and serve it.

    sliced campfire pizza with pineapple and ham on a wooden cutting board

    HOW ‘BOUT DESSERT AFTER DINNER? SWEET CAMPING RECIPES YOU MAY ENJOY…

    SHOP KITCHEN TOOLS AND CAMPING GEAR FOR THIS RECIPE:

    10.25-Inch Cast Iron Skillet x’s 2 – You can also find 14-inch cast iron pizza pans.

    Lid for Cast Iron Skillet and Lid Lifter

    Tripod Grill – While we rigged up our own tripod grill, you can also buy them. They come with slightly smaller grates, but still usable over the fire.

    Cutting Board and Outdoor Knife Set

    Pizza Cutter Wheel

    We’ve put together a list of camping cooking gear you may need for your next adventure. Be sure to check it out for all the essentials!

    GET THE PRINTABLE RECIPE

    If you love this Hawaiian pizza recipe as much as we do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

    quick and easy campfire Hawaiian pizza recipe

    CONNECT WITH ADVENTURES OF MEL!

    Be sure to follow me on social, so you never miss a post!

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    Sign up to receive my newsletter, filled with delicious recipes and outdoor travel adventures, in your inbox:

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    Quick and Easy Campfire Hawaiian Pizza

    How to make campfire Hawaiian pizza. Just 5 ingredients and a cast iron skillet are all you need for this simple and easy ham and pineapple pizza recipe.

    • 2 10- inch pizza crusts (partially cooked)
    • 1/2 cup pizza sauce
    • 8 slices deli ham (sliced or shredded)
    • 1/2 cup pineapple tidbits
    • 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
    1. Prep the pizza crust by partially cooking it, per individual recipe instructions.
    2. Begin layering each pizza crust with a layer of pizza sauce.
    3. Add a layer of sliced or shredded ham.
    4. Next add a layer of pineapple.*
    5. Finally, finish it off with a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese.
    6. Once your pizza is in place on the tripod grill, I’d recommend heating the cast iron lid over the coals and then placing it on top of the cast iron pan. This creates an oven like effect, which in turn, will bake your pizza (see notes about rack placement over the fire**).
    7. Cook the pizza for about 8-10 minutes or so, until the crust begins to turn slightly golden on the edges and the cheese completely melts.
    8. When it’s fully cooked, remove the pizza from the fire, slice it up, and serve.

    *You can use fresh or canned pineapple chunks; I used pineapple tidbits because they’re slightly smaller, the perfect size for pizza.

    **Be sure that your tripod rack is not too close to the fire because if not careful, you can burn the bottom of your pizza crust when you go to cook the pizza. Your campfire should have a little flame but be mostly burning coals. 

    Camping Recipes
    American
    campfire pizza, cast iron pizza, ham and pineapple pizza, hawaiian pizza, hawaiian pizza recipe, how to make hawaiian pizza, pizza on a campfire
  • How to Drive to Crystal Mill from Marble, Colorado

    How to Drive to Crystal Mill from Marble, Colorado

    What it’s like to drive alongside the Crystal River from Marble, Colorado, to Crystal Mill and the ghost town of Crystal in the beautiful Maroon Bells.

    beautiful Crystal Mill alongside the Crystal River in the Maroon Bells area of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado

    While you can take a Jeep tour to Crystal Mill, Colorado, you can also drive it yourself. Overlanding to Crystal, Colorado, is an experience of a lifetime. 

    We always knew we wanted to go back and drive the narrow shelf road that follows the Crystal River. The difference was that now we were visiting when aspens had reached their peak with rich golden leaves.

    Crystal Mill CO in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado

    I’ll tell you, there is nothing like the majestic Maroon Bells Wilderness with its towering Rocky Mountain peaks covered in shades of green and gold, amazingly beautiful fall colors.

    It takes your breath away, and it almost feels as though you’re looking through the lens of a fairy tale. 

    Crystal River flowing around and below Crystal Mill, Colorado, and golden aspens

    While we longed for serenity, we didn’t mind sharing the view with others who’d made the journey to photograph and capture such a peaceful yet mysterious place.

    It’s a road less traveled that’s quickly becoming more and more traveled, as Crystal Mill has become one of the most photographed sites in Colorado. 

    WATCH THE VIDEO OF OUR OVERLANDING ADVENTURE TO CRYSTAL MILL

    HOW TO GET TO CRYSTAL MILL

    Leaving the town of Marble, Colorado, you’ll pass by Beaver Lake. Its placid waters beckon to come back again for a li’l kayaking adventure.

    Beaver Lake in Marble, Colorado

    The road quickly changes to unpaved road and as you go on, it becomes more and more rocky. At one point, you’ll come to a fork in the road where you can decide to go on toward Lead King Basin or you can turn to your right, then take a sharp left past a mountainside house toward the mill.

    You may be tempted to turn around at this point because of the steep drop off to your right. Just keep going and don’t chicken out, because this narrow shelf road, built by settlers in the late 1800’s, is totally worth it.

    Lizard Lake near Marble, Colorado

    You’ll come upon the rippling waters of Lizard Lake pretty quickly. You’re likely to see others fishing or families exploring around the edges of this serene patch of water.

    Beautiful Lizard Lake in the autumn on the road to Crystal Mill

    Along the way are mountain views, natural spring waterfalls, and signs that this was once a thriving mining community.

    waterfall on road to Crystal Mill, Colorado

    The mountains are rugged and covered with fir trees and aspens that turn a vibrant gold in the autumn.

    Crystal River and golden yellow aspens in a Colorado fall

    Take a moment just to enjoy the view before you move on. 

    rugged Rocky Mountains near Crystal and Marble, Colorado

    The trail is narrow and rocky as it winds along, much of the time beside the Crystal River.

    how to get to Crystal Mill on a winding road beside the Crystal River near Marble, Colorado

    While you can hike it (and we passed many hikers), if you plan to drive it, 4 wheel drive vehicles are a must. 

    narrow rocky road to Crystal Mill Marble Colorado

    There are small turnouts all along the way. This ensures that if you meet another vehicle, one of you can maneuver mostly out of the way and let the other pass.

    road with turnouts to Crystal Mill Marble CO

    Though most of the time, one will have to back up to find said turnouts. 

    wreckage of a truck on the road to the semi ghost town of Crystal, Colorado

    You’ll even pass by the wreckage of one vehicle that didn’t quite make it. 

    ARRIVE AT CRYSTAL MILL, COLORADO

    Crystal Mill and the Crystal River Colorado with golden yellow aspens in autumn

    Finally, you’ll round the corner and there it’ll be… Almost like a dream but very real indeed. 

    ghostly Crystal Mill in Colorado surrounded by golden yellow aspen trees and mountains

    Crystal Mill, Colorado, is a historic landmark and one of the most photogenic places we’ve ever experienced. Its rugged appearance gives it a ghostly haunted feel. 

    overlanding to Crystal Mill and the Crystal River in Colorado

    Crystal Mill once operated as a powerhouse or power plant for mining operations. It was known as the Sheep Mountain Power House, or Lost Horse Mill.

    Now the mill sits mysteriously quiet, framed by the Crystal River and the aspen covered mountains of the Maroon Bells Wilderness. 

    haunted Crystal Mill in Colorado

    The river swirls and flows to the side and around to the front of the mill. Between both the blue of the sky and the clarity of the water, it boasts a beautiful blue green tint. 

    WHERE IS CRYSTAL, COLORADO?

    Crystal ghost town, Colorado, with cabins, a general store, and outhouse

    At one time, the Crystal ghost town, Colorado (just around the bend from Crystal Mill), had 400 residents, most of whom were miners and their families. They call it a semi ghost town, though there are people who come there to spend their summers. 

    Roger Neal, an author who has written extensively about the area, spends his summers there, sharing his Crystal Tale Books with visitors who come to Crystal.

    Roger had shared with us before that his family spent summers there when he was a child; now he and his wife do the same. 

    Jaden has read every single book of Roger’s that we bought on our last trip to Crystal, so he was excited to see Roger again and talk more with him. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see Mr. Neal on this trip, but hopefully, next time.

    cabin in Crystal, Colorado, a semi ghost town

    There are actually cabins to rent in the small town of Crystal now, so you can stay the night or longer.

    And there’s a general store (the Crystal Store), as well as an outhouse.

    The road continues on through the town of Crystal and winds its way to Crested Butte via Schofield Pass. Or you can experience the entire loop, including Lead King Basin, Devil’s Punchbowl, and Sheep Mountain. 

    haunted Crystal Mill outside Marble, Colorado

    KNOW BEFORE YOU GO TO CRYSTAL MILL, MARBLE, COLORADO

    There are definitely a few things to note before taking off on an overlanding trip to Crystal Mill and beyond…

    • You can either drive it yourself or take the Jeep tour to Crystal Mill with Crystal River Jeep Tours. Of course, if you don’t want to ride at all, you may even want to hike it; just plan enough time if you do.
    • While there is a bathroom in Marble and an outhouse in Crystal, there are no bathrooms along the way. Plan accordingly.
    • Roads are quite rocky, meaning lots of jolts and bumps.
    • Pack any water and snacks or food you need for the trip, maybe a small cooler; also, pack extra because the mountains are unpredictable, and you never know what may happen.
    • Wear comfortable clothing and shoes, and carry a jacket, even in summer.
    • Along those same lines, pack a spare tire or two or three. Just make sure your tires are fit and you have spare/s.
    • Crystal Mill is reachable on in the summer and fall months. So, the best time to travel the road is from Memorial Day to the end of November (this is when the Jeep tours operate), though the closer you get to winter, the more you risk snow. We’ve traveled the road to Crystal in both the middle of summer and September; both times were gorgeous.
    • Make sure you have a camera and binoculars! You don’t want to miss a thing.
    • The property along the road and even the mill itself is all private property. Don’t trespass.

    Finally, you know me well enough by now to know what my next point will be… Leave no trace! Pack out what you pack in.

    For real… Let’s just pledge right now to take responsibility in keeping this place a treasure.

    gorgeous Crystal Mill surrounded by yellow aspens in Colorado

    Crystal Mill is a Colorado treasure and one place that everyone should experience in their lifetime. Make this bucket list journey, and you’ll agree that it’s unforgettable. 

    MORE COLORADO TREASURES YOU MAY ENJOY VISITING

    PIN THIS POST TO SAVE IT FOR LATER!

    how to drive to Crystal Mill from Marble, Colorado
  • Ultimate Campfire Bacon Cheeseburger

    Ultimate Campfire Bacon Cheeseburger

    How to make the ultimate homemade bacon cheeseburger while you’re camping. Skillet or grilled, cooking tips and toppings ideas, all in one easy recipe.

    bacon cheeseburger with lettuce, onions, and tomatoes on wooden cutting board on picnic table

    I’m not gonna lie… I love a good cheeseburger, especially when it involves one of my favorite things ever, bacon.

    I mean, bacon, ground beef, and cheese… How can you go wrong? It’s such a delicious combination, especially when it has that smoky campfire flavor. Bonus points if you pair it with my favorite campfire chili cheese fries!

    Making a bacon burger over the fire is one of the simplest camping recipes you can make. It doesn’t involve a lot of prep or work, besides getting the fire going, which if you’re camping and allowed to have a fire, it’s a no brainer.

    Now if you’re not allowed to have a campfire, no problem. You can still make this recipe on a cook stove or even, if allowed, on a grill.

    Love a good grilling recipe? You’ll love our Chicago hot dog recipe and taco tuna melt.

    hands holding bacon burger over wooden cutting board on picnic table

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?

    If you’d rather skip all of my campfire cooking/grilling tips, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the bacon cheeseburger recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    WHAT’S ON A BACON CHEESEBURGER?

    So before we get started cooking, let’s take a look at what we put on our bacon cheeseburger for toppings. That way you have everything you need before you ever start making.

    Below are a few ideas for toppings that we like to use, as well as a few extras you may want to add too.

    • Bacon – Because of course.
    • Cheese – We sometimes use American, and sometimes extra sharp cheddar or pepper Jack. I especially love a good extra sharp cheddar cheese.
    • Lettuce
    • Sliced tomatoes
    • Sliced onions – Red onion really gives a pop of flavor and spice.
    ultimate bacon cheeseburger on wood cutting board with toppings, including lettuce, red onion, and tomato slices

    BEFORE YOU GET STARTED COOKING…

    Your fire should be down to coals, with a little bit of flame here and there.

    We use a tripod grill. You’ll want to watch it closely, though, as you may need to adjust the height of the grill over the fire, so the pan or griddle you’re using doesn’t get so hot that it cooks everything too quickly.

    cooking burgers and bacon on griddle and tripod grill over campfire

    HOW TO MAKE A GOOD BACON CHEESEBURGER

    While there are a few steps to making a good bacon burger, they’re super easy steps, and your burgers will be ready to eat in no time.

    1. First add the ground beef and seasonings to a mixing bowl (or plastic baggie).
    2. Add the water, as well, (this makes for a more juicy burger) and mix everything together with your hands.
    3. Then shape the ground beef mixture into patties and place on a griddle or skillet, with the already heated bacon grease, over the campfire. Cook bacon and burgers until the meat is fully cooked.
    4. Then top with cheese and continue cooking each burger patty until the cheese is melted or begins to melt.
    steps for making bacon cheeseburger recipe, including mixing ground beef with seasonings and cooking burger patties with bacon on griddle over campfire

    Also, I highly recommend toasting the burger buns in a little bacon grease, until they turn a nice golden brown. Not too toasty but just enough to add a li’l flavor and crispness to the edges of the buns.

    Once the burgers, bacon, and buns are done, you can remove them from the heat and begin assembling your burgers.

    sliced tomatoes and red onions on cutting board for cheeseburger recipe

    Just add the burger patties to the toasty buns, along with your favorite condiments and toppings.

    I usually go for mayo, ketchup, and mustard, all three. Then add my burger patty, bacon, lettuce, onions, and tomatoes.

    open faced bacon burger with lettuce, red onion, and tomato slices on wood cutting board

    WHAT TO SERVE WITH THE ULTIMATE BACON CHEESEBURGER

    Your bacon burger definitely needs some sides to go with it. Ideas may include…

    loaded bacon cheeseburger with toasted buns on wood cutting board

    SHOP KITCHEN TOOLS AND CAMPING GEAR FOR THIS RECIPE:

    Small Mixing Bowl or Plastic Bag

    Large Cast Iron Skillet – You can also find a 14-inch cast iron pizza pan, which is similar to our large homemade griddle and would work well for cooking burgers and bacon.

    Grilling Flipper

    Tripod Grill – While we rigged up our own tripod grill, you can also buy them. They come with slightly smaller grates, but still usable over the fire.

    Portable Charcoal Grill

    Cutting Board and Outdoor Knife Set

    Welding Gloves – These work so much better for cooking over a campfire than regular grilling gloves/mitts.

    We’ve put together a list of camping cooking gear you may need for your next adventure. Be sure to check it out for all the essentials!

    GET THE PRINTABLE RECIPE

    If you love this recipe as much as we do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

    ultimate bacon cheeseburger recipe

    CONNECT WITH ADVENTURES OF MEL!

    Be sure to follow me on social, so you never miss a post!

    Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter

    Sign up to receive my newsletter, filled with delicious recipes and outdoor travel adventures, in your inbox:

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    Ultimate Campfire Bacon Cheeseburger

    How to make the ultimate homemade bacon cheeseburger while you’re camping. Skillet or grilled, cooking tips and toppings ideas, all in one easy recipe.

    • 1 pound bacon
    • 2 pounds ground beef
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 2 tablespoons water
    • 1 tablespoon bacon grease
    • 6 slices American cheese*
    • 12 lettuce leaves
    • 1 medium red onion
    • 2 to matoes
    • 6 hamburger buns
    • 6 tablespoons ketchup
    • 6 tablespoons mayo
    • 6 teaspoons yellow mustard
    1. First add the ground beef and seasonings to a mixing bowl (or plastic baggie).
    2. Add the water**, as well, and mix everything together with your hands.
    3. Heat the bacon grease on a griddle or skillet over the campfire.***
    4. Then shape the ground beef mixture into patties and place on the griddle.
    5. Cook the bacon and burgers until all of the meat is fully cooked.
    6. Then top the burger patties with cheese and continue cooking until the cheese is melted.
    7. Toast the burger buns in the leftover bacon grease until they turn a nice golden brown.
    8. Add the burger patties to the toasted buns, along with your favorite condiments and toppings. I usually go for a little mayo or Miracle Whip, ketchup, and mustard. Then add my burger patty, bacon, lettuce, onions, and tomatoes.
    9. And that’s it, you’re ready to chow down on your burgers.

    *You can also use cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper Jack, or whatever type of cheese you love.

    **Water helps to make the burgers more juicy.

    ***Before you start to cook your burgers, your fire should be down to coals, with a little bit of flame. We use a tripod grill. You’ll want to watch it closely, though, as you may need to adjust the height of the grill over the fire, so the pan or griddle you’re using doesn’t get so hot that it cooks everything too quickly.

    Camping Recipes
    American
    bacon burger, bacon cheeseburger, bacon cheeseburger recipe, ultimate bacon cheeseburger
  • Classic Grilled Chicago Hot Dog

    Classic Grilled Chicago Hot Dog

    How to cook a delicious Chicago hot dog, char dog style. Grilled beef hot dogs recipe with all the best toppings and poppy seed buns. Perfect for a crowd!

    Grilled Chicago hot dog with dill pickle, tomato slices, mustard, pickle relish, white onion, and celery salt on baking sheet

    If you’ve never had a Chicago style hot dog, trust me when I say, you need this recipe in your life. Chicago-style is pretty much my go-to hot dog recipe now. In fact, I even top off my Crock Pot hot dogs the same way!

    The Chicago dog is perfect for grilling season, especially if you’re entertaining a crowd. Set up a buffet with all your favorite toppings, and you’re set for a mouthwateringly good time. These loaded chili cheese fries make the best appetizer!

    We’d never actually eaten a char dog until I researched it and came up with this Chicago dog recipe. In fact, the toppings seemed a bit much at first.

    But once you take your first bite, you’ll understand. It all comes together in a burst of flavor that packs a punch for the taste buds.

    Need a side to go with your hot dogs? Grilled corn on the cob and Mexican corn pair really well with char dogs, as do crispy steak cut fries, CrockPot baked beans and garlic parm chicken skewers.

    And never underestimate the power of a good burger. This campfire bacon cheeseburger is one in a million and pairs really well with grilled hot dogs! If you really want to get fancy, you could make roast beef Philly cheesesteaks to go with them!

    layered Chicago dog in poppy seed buns on baking sheet

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?

    If you’d rather skip all of my grilling tips, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the actual recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    WHAT IS A CHICAGO HOT DOG?

    I learned a lot about what’s on a Chicago hot dog while researching for this recipe…

    • Real Chicago hot dogs are boiled or steamed; but when they are occasionally grilled, they’re called a char dog. They also go by the name Chicago Red Hot.
    • Chicago dogs are made with beef hot dogs.
    • They come in a poppy seed bun… I’m going to teach you how to easily and simply make your own (don’t worry, no kneading or baking necessary).
    • It would be considered a travesty to add ketchup to a Chicago dog. In fact, most Chicago hot dog vendors don’t even carry ketchup.
    • This hot dog is filled to the gills with delicious, crunchy toppings.

    The only ingredient I maybe could’ve done without would’ve been the Dill pickle spears. Or maybe just trim my pickle spears to be a little less thick.

    However, I kinda fell in love with hot dogs made the Chicago way. And it was such a beautiful evening on the back deck, I couldn’t help but enjoy every second with my guys.

    boy eating a Chicago style hot dog

    TIPS FOR HOW TO EASILY MAKE POPPY SEED BUNS

    To make your own poppy seed buns, you just need a pack of brat buns or hoagie rolls.

    • Brush the tops and ends of the buns with butter.
    • Sprinkle on poppy seeds.
    • Place the buns on the grill or over the campfire until they start to get just slightly toasty. Then remove them from the heat and set aside.

    And that’s pretty much it. Easy peasy poppy seed buns that make yummy hot dog buns.

    TIPS FOR HOW TO MAKE A CHICAGO STYLE HOT DOG

    Assembling your hot dog is really simple and easy. Of course, you’ll want to grill the hot dogs first and make sure they’re cooked all the way through.

    hot dogs on the grill to make char dog recipe

    Also, before you get started, prep the onion and tomatoes so they’re ready to go. Chop the onion; wash and slice the tomatoes.

    NOW YOU CAN BUILD YOUR DOGS…

    1. Open up the buns. Place a dill pickle spear on one side and 2 to 3 tomato wedges on the other side. Then place the hot dog in the middle between the tomato slices and the pickle spear.
    2. Add a spoonful of pickle relish along the top of the hot dog on one side, and give a squirt of yellow mustard along the top of the hot dog on the other side.
    steps for making Chicago hot dog recipe, including layers of pickle spear, tomato wedges, yellow mustard, and pickle relish

    And for the finishing touch… Add pieces of pepperoncini (or sport peppers) and a small handful of chopped onion on top, and sprinkle with a dash of celery salt.

    Chicago dog with toppings on baking sheet

    And that, my friends, is all there is to creating a very yummy, delicious Chicago hot dog.

    My guys pretty much chowed down on all of this deliciousness and washed it all down with a nice big mason jar full of iced tea.

    Chicago style hot dog with toppings in hands

    MORE GRILLING RECIPES YOU MAY ENJOY:

    SHOP KITCHEN TOOLS FOR THIS RECIPE:

    Chef Knife and Cutting Board

    Pastry Brush

    Charcoal Grill or Gas Grill

    GET THE PRINTABLE CHICAGO HOT DOG RECIPE

    If you love this recipe as much as we do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

    Classic grilled Chicago hot dog recipe

    CONNECT WITH ADVENTURES OF MEL!

    Be sure to follow me on social, so you never miss a post!

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    Classic Grilled Chicago Hot Dog

    How to cook a delicious Chicago hot dog, char dog style. Grilled beef hot dogs recipe with all the best toppings and poppy seed buns. Perfect for a crowd!

    • 8 hoagie rolls*
    • 4 tablespoons salted butter (melted)
    • 1/4 cup poppy seeds
    • 8 beef hot dogs
    • 8 dill pickle spears
    • 3 to matoes (sliced)
    • 8 tablespoons sweet and spicy pickle relish
    • 8 teaspoons yellow mustard
    • 1/2 cup pepperoncini
    • 1 large white onion (chopped or minced)
    • 1 teaspoon celery salt
    1. Chop the onion; wash and slice the tomatoes. Set aside.
    2. To make your own poppy seed buns, brush the tops and ends of the hoagie rolls with melted butter. Sprinkle poppy seeds on. Place on the grill or over the campfire until they start to get just slightly toasty, maybe 5 minutes. Then remove from the heat and set aside.
    3. Grill the hot dogs until they're cooked through.
    4. Open up the buns. Place 2 to 3 tomato half slices on one side and a dill pickle spear on the other side.
    5. Place the hot dog in the middle between the tomato slices and the pickle spear.
    6. Add a spoonful of pickle relish along the top of the hot dog on one side.
    7. Then squirt yellow mustard along the top of the hot dog on the other side.
    8. Add pieces of pepperoncini and a small handful of chopped onion on top.
    9. Sprinkle with a dash of celery salt.
    10. Serve and enjoy!

    *You can use hoagie rolls or brat buns.

    Meat & Seafood
    American
    char dog, Chicago dog, Chicago dog recipe, Chicago hot dog, Chicago hot dog recipe, Chicago Red Hot, Chicago style hot dog
  • Easy Campfire Peach Cobbler Recipe

    Easy Campfire Peach Cobbler Recipe

    How to make an easy campfire peach cobbler recipe with canned peaches and homemade pie crust crumbled on top. One of our favorite cast iron skillet campfire recipes!

    Making peach cobbler has never been easier than this. Don’t let the fact that it’s cooked over the campfire scare you away.

    peach cobbler recipe dished up in blue enamel camping bowl with fork

    You can cook this peach crumble over a campfire or on a grill, totally up to you but probably dependent on fire bans.

    We use a regular pie crust that we just crumble on top, so there’s no bottom crust to deal with. And we use canned peaches mixed with just a few ingredients for added flavor.

    While this is a cast iron skillet peach cobbler, you can also use a Dutch oven. The Dutch oven would likely make it easier to put coals on top for browning that crumbled topping.

    There’s nothing quite like dessert cooked over the campfire, and old fashioned peach cobbler is just about the best dessert there is, especially when you wash it down with a warm cup of camp coffee. Unless, of course, you want to switch it up and make Dutch oven blueberry cobbler or Dutch oven cherry cobbler instead.

    It’s one of our favorite camping recipes to make when we’re cooking around the campfire.

    campfire peach cobbler in a cast iron skillet with large serving spoon

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?

    If you’d rather skip all of my campfire cooking tips, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the campfire cobbler recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    WHAT IS PEACH COBBLER?

    It’s easy to get peach cobbler, peach crumble, and peach crisp confused. I mean, really, they’re basically the same thing.

    Sometimes they’re made in different ways, though.

    • Cobbler can have a crumbled topping or a layer of crust on top (most of the time it’s biscuit), and it doesn’t always have a bottom crust. More traditional southern cobblers do have a bottom crust, though.
    • Crumbles and crisps usually have brown sugar, cinnamon, and sometimes other spices mixed into the streusel-like topping. A lot of times a crisp will have oats mixed into the topping, as well.

    Taste of Home has a really good explanation as to the difference between cobblers, crumbles, crisps, buckles, and more.

    uncooked old fashioned peach cobbler in cast iron skillet on tripod grill over campfire

    WHICH IS BETTER FOR CAMP COOKING? FRESH, FROZEN, OR CANNED PEACHES?

    In my humble opinion, fresh is always going to be better.

    But the fact of the matter is, being a seasonal item, fresh peaches aren’t always available. And it’s not always feasible to carry fresh peaches on a camping trip either, especially if it’s a long haul.

    So for this recipe, I made this peach cobbler with canned peaches. I made it a point to use sliced peaches in juice (not heavy syrup).

    Now I’ve made almost this exact same peach cobbler with fresh peaches, so I know it can be done, and it’s absolutely delicious. But for camping, canned peach cobbler is just so much easier.

    HOW TO MAKE PEACH COBBLER WITH CANNED PEACHES

    There are just a few steps to making this yummy dessert and getting it ready to cook over the fire.

    1. First mix up the crust by combining the dry ingredients, then mixing the softened butter and milk into the dry ingredients with a fork. Set the dough aside.
    2. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the canned peaches, sugar, salt, corn starch, and cinnamon.
    3. Pour the peach mixture into a cast iron skillet.
    4. Top the peaches with slices of butter and the crust crumbled over the top.
    steps to making canned peach cobbler, including mixing the crust, mixing the peach filling, and layering it in a cast iron skillet with crumb topping

    HOW TO COOK CAMPFIRE PEACH COBBLER

    Once you’ve assembled your peach cobbler crumble, you’re ready to cook it.

    You’ll want to make sure your campfire is ready to go and your skillet lid is placed on the hot coals so it can heat. Your fire should be down to coals, with a little bit of flame here and there.

    We use a tripod grill. You’ll want to watch it closely, though, as you may need to adjust the height of the grill over the fire, so the pan doesn’t get so hot that it burns the cobbler.

    1. Once you have your tripod or grill adjusted to the proper height, place the pan on the grill.
    2. When the cobbler starts to bubble or sizzle, place a heated lid on top to create an oven-like atmosphere for everything to bake.
    3. All in all, your cobbler will need to “bake” for about 45 minutes or until the crumbled topping starts to turn golden brown.
    4. You can place coals on top of the lid to help the cobbler bake through and through.
    steps for how to cook peach cobbler over the campfire in a cast iron skillet with lid

    When the cobbler is done, you can take it off the fire and serve while it’s warm. When we’re at home, we love eating this cobbler with vanilla ice cream.

    HOW TO STORE PEACH COBBLER

    Storing any leftover pie really depends on the weather conditions where you happen to be staying and also your camping digs.

    If it’s super hot and all of your stuff is either outdoors or in your vehicle, you may want to keep any leftover cobbler cold by putting it in an airtight container in the cooler.

    Otherwise, we usually don’t refrigerate peach cobbler when we’re at home, so I’d likely dish it into a sealed container and that be it.

    cooked peach crumble in a cast iron skillet with serving spoon

    ALTERNATIVE IDEAS FOR A CRUMB TOPPING

    If you don’t want to mix up an easy pie crust, you have a few options to make a pretty tasty crumb topping.

    • Use cookie dough instead.
    • Put dollops of biscuit dough on top or put actual biscuits on top.
    • Place a solid layer of biscuit dough on top of the cobbler, and cook it that way.
    • Add more of a streusel like topping onto it, making more of a peach crisp.
    • Roll out a can of crescent rolls, and place the dough on top after the peaches have cooked enough to warm them through.

    SHOP KITCHEN TOOLS AND CAMPING GEAR FOR THIS RECIPE:

    Large Cast Iron Skillet or Dutch oven 

    Lid for Cast Iron Skillet and Lid Lifter

    Tripod Grill – While we rigged up our own tripod grill, you can also buy them. They come with slightly smaller grates, but still usable over the fire.

    Mixing Bowl/s

    Welding Gloves – These work so much better for cooking over a campfire than regular grilling gloves/mitts.

    Tableware/Serving Bowls

    And if you really need to gear up, check out our ultimate guide for a camping kitchen setup with all the camping cooking gear you need.

    GET THE PRINTABLE PEACH COBBLER RECIPE

    If you love this peach cobbler recipe as much as we do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

    easy campfire peach cobbler recipe

    CONNECT WITH ADVENTURES OF MEL!

    Be sure to follow me on social, so you never miss a post!

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    Campfire Peach Cobbler

    How to make an easy peach cobbler recipe with canned peaches and homemade pie crust crumbled on top. One of our favorite cast iron skillet campfire recipes!

    Crumble Topping:

    • 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
    • 2 tablespoons pure cane sugar
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 2 tablespoons whole milk

    Peach Filling:

    • 58 ounces canned peaches (*)
    • 2/3 cup pure cane sugar
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 tablespoon corn starch
    • 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
    • 1/4 cup salted butter (sliced)
    1. Make sure your campfire is ready to go and your skillet lid is placed on the hot coals so it can heat. Your fire should be down to coals, with a little bit of flame here and there.
    2. For the crust, combine the dry ingredients and set aside.
    3. Combine the softened butter and milk.
    4. Then add the milk mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring with a fork.
    5. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the canned peaches, sugar, salt, corn starch, and cinnamon.
    6. Pour the peach mixture into a cast iron skillet** and top with the sliced butter.
    7. Crumble the crust topping over the entire peach mixture.
    8. Once you have your tripod grill adjusted to the proper height, place the pan on the grill.
    9. When the cobbler starts to bubble, place a heated skillet lid on top to create an oven-like atmosphere for everything to bake.
    10. All in all, your cobbler will need to “bake” for about 45 minutes or until the crumbled topping starts to turn golden brown. You can place coals on top of the lid to help the cobbler bake through and through.
    11. When the cobbler is done, take it off the fire and serve while it’s warm.

    *I recommend using sliced peaches in juice (versus heavy syrup). Also, I did not drain the peaches, though you may want to if you don't want a more juicy cobbler.

    **We used a 10.25" cast iron skillet.

    Camping Recipes
    American
    campfire peach cobbler, canned peach cobbler, old fashioned peach cobbler, peach cobbler, peach cobbler crumble, peach cobbler recipe, peach crumble
  • Campfire Cooking Equipment (The Ultimate Guide)

    Campfire Cooking Equipment (The Ultimate Guide)

    Ultimate guide and checklist for essential campfire cooking equipment, including the best cookware and utensils, along with storage ideas.

    Camping cooking equipment and cookware are the first things I pack for every camping trip we take, whether we’re camping in one of our favorite off the grid Arkansas camping spots or roadside camping on the Rita Blanca National Grassland in Texas. We have to eat, and since we do our best to include most of our food in our usual grocery budget, we need to make sure our camping kitchen setup is ready to go.

    campfire cooking equipment, including tripod grill with cast iron skillet over campfire

    We really try our best to keep things affordable, simple, and efficient when it comes to camping cooking gear, so we’ve put a lot of thought into our set up and take down. And because we prefer wild camping, we usually end up in the middle of nowhere, where bears or wolves can be an issue, so we have to be able to pack things up tight at night to keep everyone safe.

    Our campfire kitchen has come a long way since our early days of camping.

    While our camping cooking gear isn’t really fancy, it definitely works for us. We constantly look for ways to affordably improve it, but I have to say… We eat pretty darn good when we’re on the road.

    Keep reading, and you’ll find our YouTube video that shows how we cook while camping, toward the bottom of the page.

    Table of Contents

    If it’s camping recipes you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered.

    cheeseburger pizza cooked with camping cooking gear essentials

    Storage Ideas for Campfire Cooking Equipment

    When it comes to packing up our food, I like to stop and think before I ever pack. The way I pack our campfire cooking kit is how our food will be stored while we’re traveling, so it needs to be both efficient and easy to get out/put away.

    We Usually Pack 2-3 Ice Coolers:

    • One large cooler for most of our food
    • A drinks cooler with water (because I prefer cold water in my water bottle, especially during the summer) and maybe a few juice boxes
    • And sometimes a “lunch” cooler for sandwich and lunch materials

    We Also Have 2 Food Boxes, and We Picked up Plastic Bins for These.

    • One food box holds all our non-perishable food items.
    • The other we like to call the snack box because it holds all our snacks and foods we may want to get into through the day when we’re not necessarily sitting in a campsite but out exploring.

    Packing and Storage Accessories

    • Ziploc bags
    • Egg Holder – This protects eggs from any breakage or mess.
    • Water Jugs – We like the jugs with a spigot, since it can act as both water storage and a faucet.

    What to Pack in Your Portable Camp Kitchen Box

    The portable camp kitchen box is the heart of your camping kitchen. Kitchen in a box camping is the easiest way to cook in the great outdoors.

    It’s important to pack all the necessary camping kitchen items you’ll need for cooking meals while gone. Most of our camping kitchen essentials are from our own kitchen, and we’ve designated all of them for camping (not all but most). So they live in our camp box and/or camp trailer.

    Our campfire cooking kit includes kitchen tools, camping cooking utensils, dishes, and cookware.

    cooking bacon in a cast iron skillet on a camp stove

    Camping Cookware

    We love cooking with cast iron, which goes hand in hand with cooking over a campfire. Cast iron works well on a camp stove too, so it’s a winning choice.

    cooking chicken nachos over campfire using campfire cooking equipment like a cast iron pizza pan or griddle

    If you’re cooking solely on a camp stove, you might be able to get away with just a set of nesting pots.

    Camping Cooking Utensils

    We always need a few tools to help us make our meals. Things like…

    campfire for outdoor cooking

    Knives and Cutting

    Making Coffee and Tea over the Campfire

    My guys have recently started drinking coffee, and Jacob loves a warm cup of tea, so we’ve added a few things for this to our kitchen camp box.

    coffee percolator with coffee mug for camping cookware
    • Percolator – Our favorite way to make coffee over a fire is to cook it in a stainless steel percolator, with coffee grains added right into the water. A percolator gives options for making your morning brew.
    • Tea kettle – Ok, so we don’t actually have a tea kettle; we just use a pan for boiling water. But I’m thinking we definitely need this.
    • Insulated Mugs – Insulated will protect your fingers. Go with insulated.

    Camping Serve Ware

    Of course, we can’t eat without all the little things we take for granted at home. Things like…

    More Camping Kitchen Accessories

    camping cooking equipment, including camp stove, cast iron skillet, and camp stove toaster with bread toasting

    Clean Up Supplies

    When you’re camping, there’s not a ton of mess to clean up, but you still have dishes. Dishes will always be there, no matter what.

    And sometimes you have a bit to clean up from raw eggs or meat. So, it’s a good idea to keep a few things in your clean up kit.

    Also, don’t forget to pack a first aid kit, a must have for any camping trip.

    Bigger Camp Cooking Equipment

    In our early days, we relied on a small table that folded out the back of our old Honda. It was super small, but it helped a lot by giving us extra space to prep food.

    With overlanding and dispersed camping, you don’t usually have any of the perks of campground camping, like a picnic table or a grill. You’re lucky if you have a stump, and sometimes you have to improvise.

    Outfitting and supplying the best camp kitchen is a necessary improvisation for camping with a family. Just a few items we recommend…

    man cooking chicken fajitas outdoors on camp stove on camping kitchen table

    Coleman Pack-Away Deluxe Kitchen

    We bought this back when we first got our rooftop tent. While we don’t necessarily use the sink part, we use the table more as a prep area and place to hold our cookstove and set things like plates, condiments, and utensils when we’re making breakfast or dinner.

    This table has come in handy more times than I can count. 

    Cons: It’s pretty heavy (and a little bulky). But it works for what we need.

    Coleman 2 Burner Stove

    Sometimes we cook over a campfire, if we’re allowed to have one. But there have been many times when we’re not allowed to have a fire (when there’s a burn ban in the area we’re exploring). We use the heck out of our stove.

    Over the Fire Grate or Tripod Grill

    We love using our semi-homemade tripod grill, but since ours is homemade, it does have a bigger grill on it. A grill like this works really well for cooking just about anything you want to cook over the fire.

    making coffee over campfire on tripod grill, campfire cooking

    Portable Charcoal Grill

    Sometimes we take our grill along, and other times we leave it at home. It’s definitely nice to have with us when we’re craving a nice juicy burger and don’t want to spend the money to eat out.

    Propane Lantern

    We use a Coleman Distribution Tree with an extension hose for ours, and it lights up our whole campsite, plus saves so much money.

    Take my advice. There are times you will roll into a campsite after dark, your whole family is hungry, and you’ve got to cook a meal. Invest in a lantern or two.

    cast iron pan with s'mores dip and forks on stump, camping food

    Who’s Ready to Go Camping? (Raises Hand)

    After writing this post, I’m ready to hit the road and go camping. Just writing about it gets me excited for our next trip.

    Are you feeling a little more prepared to organize your own portable kitchen? What did I leave off the camping cooking gear list that you would add?

    If you have any questions about our setup or any of the cooking gear for camping we’ve mentioned, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or feel free to email me at [email protected]. We love sharing tips and tricks we’ve learned along the way, and we love to talk about taking your family camping. Happy camping!

    Watch Our Video to See How We Cook While Camping

    I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to leave a comment, and follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can subscribe to my email list too.

  • Ultimate Loaded Campfire Nachos with Chicken

    Ultimate Loaded Campfire Nachos with Chicken

    Loaded campfire nachos, with shredded chicken and hummus, are a cheesy delicious camping meal everyone will love. Easy recipe with all the best toppings!

    My family loves a good Tex-Mex meal, so we love making campfire nachos when we’re on a camping trip. Oh my word, just the thought of them has my mouth watering for more.

    campfire nachos with chicken cooking on a cast iron griddle on a tripod grill over the campfire

    While we love ground beef tacos and chicken tacos, there’s just something about chicken nachos, especially when you combine the chicken with ingredients like roasted red pepper hummus, shredded cheese, queso, avocados, red onion, and Roma tomatoes.

    And cheesy nachos that have been cooked over the campfire have a hint of a smoky flavor to them too. I’m telling you, they are sooooo good, almost as good as my campfire chili cheese fries.

    What I love about this nachos recipe is that it’s easy to make, especially if you use chicken that’s already been cooked. Just layer up your ingredients, give your nachos a few minutes to cook to let things melt together, and you’ve got one of the best camping meals ever.

    Well, besides camping tacos… Yet another one of my favorite camping recipes.

    loaded camping nachos with chicken, Roma tomatoes, avocados, and sour cream

    Maybe you’re at home and want to make these in your oven? No problem! Make these sheet pan nachos instead.

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?

    If you’d rather skip all of my tips for making camping nachos, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the chicken nachos recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    PREP FIRST BEFORE YOU COOK

    Before you starting the layering process, you’ll need to do a little prep work first.

    Making sure you have a campfire going is imperative, of course, because that’s where we’re going to cook these nachos.

    You can also cook them the same way on a grill, and I say that because I know a lot of the time when we’re out camping, we can’t even have a campfire. So if a grill is all you’ve got, you can definitely make grilled nachos.

    Another couple steps you’ll need to take are prepping all your veggies and cooking the chicken. Sometimes we’ll cook the chicken at the campsite, and sometimes we’ll cook it before we leave home, shred it up, and pack it in a plastic baggie in the cooler.

    Of course, you can also use canned chicken, making this recipe even easier.

    CAMPING GEAR FOR MAKING NACHOS

    When we made this recipe, we used a large homemade griddle we use for so many different recipes.

    cooking chicken nachos over the campfire on a large cast iron griddle

    While I wouldn’t change the way we did it, I might recommend using a Dutch oven or a larger cast iron skillet with a lid, so you have the heat both above (with coals) and below, much like an oven.

    I really do love using our homemade cast iron griddle because it’s big, it can hold a lot of tortilla chips, and we just use aluminum foil as kind of a tent to trap and hold that heat in while cooking (see picture on down below).

    HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN NACHOS WITH LAYERS

    Ready to layer up nachos with chicken and all your favorite toppings? While I like to use regular tortilla chips, you can also make chicken nachos with Doritos for a little extra kick.

    1. Add a generous layer of tortilla chips to your pan, spreading them out so they cover the entire pan.
    2. Add small dollops of roasted red pepper hummus around on top of the chips.
    3. Mix the shredded chicken with salsa and spread it around next, also giving it a little spritz of lime juice.
    4. Then spoon white queso all around on the nachos.
    5. Scatter minced or chopped red onion on as another layer.
    6. Finally add shredded cheese, spreading it out evenly all across the nachos.

    I mentioned giving the chicken a spritz of lime juice in the layering instructions. This step is totally optional, although I do feel like the lime juice gives the nachos a little oomph they’re kinda missing without it.

    spritzing fresh lime juice on top of cheesy nachos

    HOW TO COOK CAMPFIRE NACHOS

    Your fire should be down to coals, with a little bit of flame here and there.

    We use a tripod grill. You’ll want to watch it closely, though, as you may need to adjust the height of the grill over the fire, so the pan doesn’t get so hot that it burns the nachos.

    cooking chicken nachos on a cast iron pan over the campfire

    Once you have the height you think you need, place the pan on the grill, and you can either use a heated lid (with a skillet or Dutch oven), or use aluminum foil as sort of a tent wrapped around the griddle to trap the heat.

    using aluminum foil to act as an oven tent, trapping heat for chicken nachos recipe over the campfire

    Cook the nachos until you melt the cheese and everything else is heated through. It’ll probably take about 10 to 15 minutes.

    melted cheesy nachos in cast iron pan on campfire grill

    WHAT TOPPINGS TO SERVE WITH CHICKEN NACHOS

    Once your nachos are done and all the cheese is melted, you can add things like chopped tomatoes, avocados, salsa with basil, and sour cream.

    loaded chicken nachos in cast iron pan

    Other ideas might include things like black olives, green onions, maybe even strips of bell peppers. Some of these things can even be added before cooking the nachos.

    picking up campfire chicken nachos with melted cheese and all the toppings

    HOW ‘BOUT DESSERT AFTER DINNER? MORE CAMPING RECIPES YOU MAY ENJOY…

    SHOP KITCHEN TOOLS AND CAMPING GEAR FOR THIS RECIPE:

    Large Cast Iron Skillet or Dutch oven – You can also find a 14-inch cast iron pizza pan, which is similar to our large homemade griddle.

    Lid for Cast Iron Skillet and Lid Lifter

    Tripod Grill – While we rigged up our own tripod grill, you can also buy them. They come with slightly smaller grates, but still usable over the fire.

    Cutting Board and Outdoor Knife Set

    Welding Gloves – These work so much better for cooking over a campfire than regular grilling gloves/mitts.

    We’ve put together a list of camping cooking gear you may need for your next adventure. Be sure to check it out for all the essentials!

    GET THE PRINTABLE RECIPE

    If you love this chicken nachos recipe as much as we do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

    Ultimate Loaded Campfire Nachos Recipe

    CONNECT WITH ADVENTURES OF MEL!

    Be sure to follow me on social, so you never miss a post!

    Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter

    Sign up to receive my newsletter, filled with delicious recipes and outdoor travel adventures, in your inbox:

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    Loaded Campfire Nachos with Chicken

    Loaded campfire nachos, with shredded chicken and hummus, are a cheesy delicious camping meal everyone will love. Easy recipe with all the best toppings!

    • 12 ounces tortilla chips
    • 10 ounces roasted red pepper hummus
    • 2 chicken breasts (cooked and shredded)
    • 1/2 cup salsa
    • 1 teaspoon lime juice
    • 1/2 cup queso
    • 1/2 red onion (medium size, minced)
    • 4 ounces cheddar cheese (shredded)
    • 4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese (shredded)
    • 3 Roma tomatoes
    • 2 avocados
    • 1/2 cup sour cream
    1. Add a generous layer of tortilla chips to your pan, spreading them out so they cover the entire pan*.
    2. Add small dollops of roasted red pepper hummus around on top of the chips.
    3. Mix the shredded chicken with salsa and spread it around next, also giving it a little spritz of lime juice.
    4. Then spoon white queso all around on the nachos.
    5. Scatter minced or chopped red onion on as another layer.
    6. Finally add shredded cheese, spreading it out evenly all across the nachos.
    7. Once you have the height you think you need over the campfire, place the pan full of nachos on the tripod grill (you can either use a heated lid with a skillet or Dutch oven, or use aluminum foil as sort of a tent wrapped around the griddle pan to trap the heat).
    8. Cook the nachos until the cheese has fully melted and everything is heated through. It’ll probably take 10 to 15 minutes.
    9. Then serve with your favorite toppings like tomatoes, avocados, and sour cream.

    *When we made this recipe, we used a large homemade griddle we use for so many different recipes, along with aluminum foil. While I wouldn’t change the way we did it, I might recommend using a Dutch oven or a larger cast iron skillet with a lid, so you have the heat both above (with coals) and below, much like an oven.

    Appetizers, Camping Recipes, dinner
    American, Tex-Mex
    campfire nachos, camping nachos, cheesy nachos, chicken nachos, chicken nachos recipe, nachos with chicken
  • Hamburger Pizza on a Campfire

    Hamburger Pizza on a Campfire

    How to make the best homemade hamburger pizza on a campfire. Easy campfire pizza with ketchup, mustard, and pickles, cooked in a cast iron skillet.

    sliced hamburger pizza on a wooden cutting board

    We used to love visiting a local pizzeria that served the best cheeseburger pizza with pickles. It was pretty much our standing order when we’d go downtown to see a show or play at the theatre right next door.

    Since we’ve moved and can’t really get our favorite pizza anymore, we decided to make our own hamburger pizza recipe, only with a slight tweak… We made it into a campfire pizza.

    Let me tell you, there’s nothing quite as delicious as pizza on a campfire. And when you’ve been outdoors all day and come in to the campsite all ravenous, it really does a good job of filling you up.

    Making pizza over a campfire isn’t as hard as you think either. In fact, it’s pretty easy. I’ve even got you covered with an easy pizza dough you can make in a plastic baggie.

    cooking hamburger pizza on a campfire in a cast iron skillet, using a tripod grill

    Important Note: This recipe makes enough for 2 10-inch pizzas.

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?

    If you’d rather skip all of my tips for making campfire pizza, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the pizza recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    TIPS FOR HOW TO MAKE A CHEESEBURGER PIZZA

    Before you add all the layers on your pizza, you’ll need to cook the ground beef with the onion and garlic powder.

    When we’re at home, we really prefer to use minced garlic; but when we’re out on the road, we’ll usually just carry along a bottle of garlic powder.

    • Start by chopping or mincing the onion.
    • In a cast iron skillet, sauté the onion in the olive oil.
    • Then add the ground beef and garlic powder to the skillet, and cook until the beef is cooked thru.
    chopping onion, sautéing onion, and cooking ground beef in cast iron skillet over campfire for cheeseburger pizza

    We cook the meat over the fire, using a tripod grill. You’ll want to watch it closely, as you may need to adjust the height of the grill over the fire, so the skillet doesn’t get so hot that it burns the meat.

    HOW TO LAYER A HAMBURGER PIZZA

    Next comes the fun part, layering all the layers onto your partially cooked pizza crust.

    1. Begin with a layer of ketchup and mustard in place of pizza sauce. (This may seem a little weird, but I promise, it’s going to be delicious.)
    2. Add a layer of the cooked ground beef mixture.
    3. Next add a layer of both shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
    4. Finally, finish it off with a layer of dill pickle slices to really complete the entire masterpiece.
    making cast iron pizza by layering ketchup, mustard, cooked ground beef, cheese, and dill pickles onto pizza crust in cast iron skillet

    TIPS FOR HOW TO COOK CAMPFIRE PIZZA

    Now comes the part where you finish cooking your pizza. Don’t worry, cooking pizza on a campfire is really easy to do.

    All you need are a cast iron skillet (or two) and a cast iron lid to go with it.

    For all my fellow cast iron fans out there, this is just one of the cast iron pizza recipes we’re working on. We love cooking with cast iron, especially when we’re camping.

    Once your pizza is in place on the grill, I’d recommend heating the lid over the coals and then placing it on top of the cast iron pan. This creates an oven like effect, which in turn, will bake your pizza.

    placing heated cast iron lid on cast iron pan for baking cast iron pizza on a campfire

    Again, be sure that your rack is not too close to the fire because if not careful, you can burn the bottom of your pizza crust.

    Cook the pizza for about 8-10 minutes or so, until the crust begins to turn slightly golden on the edges and the cheese completely melts.

    cooked or grilled cheeseburger pizza with pickles in cast iron skillet on wooden cutting board

    Once the pizza is fully cooked, you can remove it from the fire, slice it up, and serve it.

    sliced hamburger pizza with pickles and melted cheese on a wooden cutting board

    Everything on this pizza melds together in such a way that it provides a hearty, delicious meal even your kids will enjoy.

    hand holding slice of homemade grilled cheeseburger pizza

    MORE CAMPFIRE PIZZA RECIPES:

    SHOP KITCHEN TOOLS AND CAMPING GEAR FOR THIS RECIPE:

    10.25-Inch Cast Iron Skillet x’s 2 – You can also find 14-inch cast iron pizza pans.

    Lid for Cast Iron Skillet

    Tripod Grill – While we rigged up our own tripod grill, you can also buy them. They come with slightly smaller grates, but still usable over the fire.

    Cutting Board and Outdoor Knife Set

    Pizza Cutter Wheel

    Check out our Camping Kitchen Guide for all the outdoor cooking essentials you’ll need.

    sliced cheeseburger pizza with one slice missing on wooden cutting board

    HOW ‘BOUT DESSERT AFTER DINNER? MORE CAMPING RECIPES YOU MAY ENJOY…

    GET THE PRINTABLE RECIPE

    If you love this recipe as much as we do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

    hamburger pizza on a campfire recipe

    CONNECT WITH ADVENTURES OF MEL!

    Be sure to follow me on social, so you never miss a post!

    Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter

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    Hamburger Pizza on a Campfire

    How to make the best homemade hamburger pizza on a campfire. Easy campfire pizza with ketchup, mustard, and pickles, cooked in a cast iron skillet.

    • 2 10- inch pizza crusts (partially cooked)
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 medium yellow onion (chopped or minced)
    • 1 pound ground beef
    • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
    • 6 tablespoons ketchup
    • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
    • 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
    • 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
    • 1 cup dill pickles (*)
    1. Prep the pizza crust by partially cooking it, per individual recipe instructions.
    2. In a separate cast iron skillet, sauté the onion in the olive oil.
    3. Then add the ground beef and garlic powder to the skillet with the onion, and cook until the beef is cooked thru.**
    4. Once the meat is cooked, drain any grease off the meat. 
    5. Mix the ketchup and mustard together in a small bowl.
    6. Begin layering each pizza crust with a layer of ketchup and mustard.***
    7. Add a layer of the cooked ground beef mixture.
    8. Next add a layer of both shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
    9. Finally, finish it off with a layer of dill pickle slices on each pizza.
    10. Once your pizza is in place on the grill, I’d recommend heating the cast iron lid over the coals and then placing it on top of the cast iron pan. This creates an oven like effect, which in turn, will bake your pizza (see notes about rack placement over the fire).
    11. Cook the pizza for about 8-10 minutes or so, until the crust begins to turn slightly golden on the edges and the cheese completely melts.
    12. When it's fully cooked, remove the pizza from the fire, slice it up, and serve.

    *You can use dill pickle slices, or you can even chop up the pickles, to suit your taste.

    **Be sure that your tripod rack is not too close to the fire because if not careful, you can burn either the meat or the bottom of your pizza crust when you go to cook the pizza. Your campfire should have a little flame but be mostly burning coals. 

    ***It's important to note that the layered ingredients need to be split between 2 10-inch pizza crusts.

    Camping Recipes
    American
    campfire pizza, cast iron pizza, cheeseburger pizza, hamburger pizza, pizza on a campfire
  • Easy Pizza Dough for the Campfire

    Easy Pizza Dough for the Campfire

    Quick and easy pizza dough recipe for the best homemade campfire pizza in a cast iron skillet. Grilled or wood fired, thick or thin crust, and no mixer!

    making easy pizza dough in a Ziploc bag for campfire pizza

    Part of the fun of camping is the food. Our favorite camping recipes are the easy ones, and this homemade pizza crust is no exception.

    While making campfire pizza from scratch may seem intimidating, I’m here to show you that it’s really not that hard at all. In fact, it’s one of my favorite foods to make over a campfire because we can pretty much make it any way we want.

    The kids love it because they can make pepperoni pizza if they want, or ham and pineapple pizza, or my favorite, hamburger pizza. The sky really is the limit with camping pizza.

    And to mix up this homemade pizza dough, you don’t even need a mixer. In fact, you just need a few ingredients and a gallon Ziploc bag.

    making campfire pizza from scratch in cast iron skillet over campfire

    One more note before we get started… This recipe makes enough pizza crust for 2 10-inch pizzas.

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?

    If you’d rather skip all of my tips for making homemade pizza dough over the campfire, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the pizza crust recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    CAN PIZZA DOUGH BE REFRIGERATED? IN OTHER WORDS, CAN PIZZA DOUGH BE MADE THE NIGHT BEFORE?

    This is a question most campers would ask because they’d rather mix up the dough before they ever leave home.

    While this particular crust is meant to be quick and easy for outdoor cooking, if you wanted to make it ahead, it would likely lead to an even more delicious crust because it would give it more time to rise and give all the ingredients time to really meld together.

    Peter Reinhart actually has a really good explanation as to why you may want to let your crust spend a night in the fridge. It’s all about the science.

    That said, it’s all right to make it ahead and let it sit in the fridge (or cooler) overnight. Just make sure it’s covered well so it can’t get any liquid in it.

    CAN PIZZA DOUGH BE FROZEN?

    Yes, you can freeze pizza dough. However, if you want a thicker crust, you need to let it rise first, then divide and freeze.

    It should be good for up to 3 months. Freezing it also means you won’t have to mix it up at the campsite, and you can put it straight from the freezer into your cooler, so win win.

    TIPS FOR HOW TO MAKE PIZZA DOUGH OUTDOORS

    The first time we made this pizza dough recipe, we actually let one batch rise for over an hour (probably closer to 2 hours), and we hardly let the second one have any rise time at all.

    What we ended up with was a thick crust with the one that had more time to rise, and a thin crust that was equally as delicious with the other. There is something to be said for a wood fired pizza crust.

    You really only need a handful of ingredients to make this pizza crust, including flour, salt, rapid rise yeast, water, and olive oil.

    flour and salt for homemade pizza crust in gallon Ziploc bag
    • Mix together the flour and salt in a gallon size Ziploc bag before you ever leave home. That way it’s ready to go.
    • Once you’re at the campsite and ready to make it, add one packet of rapid rise yeast to the mixture.
    rapid rise yeast with flour for pizza dough recipe in gallon size Ziploc bag
    • Then add in the water. The more lukewarm the water, the better.
    pouring lukewarm water into flour and yeast mixture for homemade pizza dough
    • Zip up the baggie, and mix everything together with your hands.
    mixing together ingredients for homemade pizza crust over the campfire in Ziploc bag

    IS PIZZA DOUGH SUPPOSED TO BE STICKY?

    This is where you may notice that your dough is a little sticky and hard to get out of the bag.

    This just means you may need to add a little more flour to the dough until you have more of an actual ball of dough, rather than a wet, sticky mess of dough.

    Tip: Carry a little extra flour with you in case you need to add a little more to your pizza dough.

    pulling pizza dough out of Ziploc bag

    WHAT ABOUT RISE TIME?

    Rise time depends if you want a thicker crust or a thin crust.

    If you want a thin crust, let it rise for about 10 to 20 minutes right in the bag or bowl.

    If you’d rather have a thicker crust, you may want to let it rise for about an hour or two.

    HOW TO COOK PIZZA CRUST OVER THE CAMPFIRE

    Once your pizza dough has risen enough for the kind of crust you want, it’s ready to cook.

    • Use olive oil to grease 2 10.25-inch cast iron skillets.
    • Take a little bit of that oil and rub on your fingers, and then divide the dough and press it into both skillets, making sure you press it all the way to the edges of each pan.
    pressing easy pizza dough into cast iron skillet
    • At this point, you can rub a little more olive oil on top of the crust if you want, which will help keep the pizza sauce and other ingredients from soaking into your crust.
    • Place the skillet over the campfire (or on a grill over hot coals), allowing it to cook until the crust starts to firm up and turn a slight golden color.
    homemade pizza crust in cast iron skillet
    • Remove the crust from the fire, add all your favorite toppings, and continue to cook with lid on for another 5 to 7 minutes, or until done (see individual pizza recipes for further instruction).
    making campfire pizza over a campfire

    Pizza over a campfire never tasted so good!

    cheeseburger pizza made with easy pizza dough over a campfire

    HOW ‘BOUT DESSERT AFTER DINNER? MORE CAMPING RECIPES YOU MAY ENJOY

    SHOP KITCHEN TOOLS AND CAMPING GEAR FOR THIS RECIPE:

    Gallon Ziploc Bags

    10.25-Inch Cast Iron Skillet x’s 2 – You can also find 14-inch cast iron pizza pans.

    Lid for Cast Iron Skillet

    Tripod Grill – While we rigged up our own tripod grill (and hopefully, soon we’ll show you how to make your own), you can also buy them. They come with slightly smaller grates, but still usable over the fire.

    GET THE PRINTABLE RECIPE

    If you love this recipe as much as we do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

    easy campfire pizza dough recipe

    CONNECT WITH ADVENTURES OF MEL!

    Be sure to follow me on social, so you never miss a post!

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    FREE EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION

    Easy Pizza Dough for the Campfire

    Quick and easy pizza dough recipe for the best homemade campfire pizza in a cast iron skillet. Grilled or wood fired, thick or thin crust, and no mixer!

    • 2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (*)
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
    • 0.25 ounces yeast (rapid rise)
    • 1 1/4 cups water (lukewarm)
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    1. Mix together the flour and salt in a gallon size Ziploc bag before you ever leave home. That way it’s ready to go.
    2. Once you’re at the campsite and ready to make the crust, add one packet of rapid rise yeast to the mixture.
    3. Then add in the lukewarm water. 
    4. Zip up the baggie, and mix everything together with your hands.
    5. If the dough seems really sticky, you may need to add a little more flour until you have a nice ball of dough, rather than a sticky mess.
    6. If you want a thin crust, let the dough rise for about 10 to 20 minutes right in the bag or bowl.
    7. If you’d rather have a thicker crust, you may want to let it rise for about an hour or two.
    8. Use olive oil to grease 2 10.25-inch cast iron skillets.
    9. Take a little bit of that oil and rub on your fingers, and then divide the dough and press it into both skillets, making sure you press it all the way to the edges of each pan.
    10. At this point, you can rub a little more olive oil on top of the crust if you want, which will help keep pizza sauce and other ingredients from soaking into your crust.
    11. Place the skillet over the campfire (or on a grill over hot coals), allowing it to cook until the crust starts to firm up and turn a slight golden color.
    12. Remove the crust from the fire, add all your favorite toppings, and continue to cook with lid on for another 5 to 7 minutes, or until done (see individual pizza recipes for further instruction).

    *Take along a little extra flour in a separate baggie, in case you need to add a little more flour to your pizza dough.

    Camping Recipes, dinner
    American, Italian
    campfire pizza, easy pizza dough, homemade pizza crust, homemade pizza dough
  • Easy Deviled Eggs in 30 Minutes or Less

    Easy Deviled Eggs in 30 Minutes or Less

    How to make easy deviled eggs in 30 minutes or less with this simple, classic recipe, the best ever for Easter, holidays, and summer get togethers!

    Making deviled eggs has never been easier than this. In fact, you can probably make them almost as fast as your family will eat them.

    easy deviled eggs sprinkled with paprika on a wooden cutting board

    My husband, Dan, came up with this deviled eggs recipe a few years back, so along with bacon Ranch deviled eggs, it’s one we’ve made over and over again. We like to make them for Easter and other occasions, especially summer holidays and potlucks.

    While we make these deviled eggs with Miracle Whip, we do occasionally switch up the recipe, and I’ll share a few ideas for toppings and mix-ins below.

    If you enjoy these classic deviled eggs, be sure to add the recipe to your Easter dinner menu for a crowd.

    classic deviled eggs on a wooden cutting board

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?

    If you’d rather skip all of my tips for how to make deviled eggs, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the deviled eggs recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    WHAT ARE DEVILED EGGS?

    Deviled eggs are boiled eggs that have been peeled, cut in half, and filled with a mixture made out of the yolks.

    Usually the yolks are mixed with things like mayo, Miracle Whip, mustard, paprika, and sometimes other ingredients like bacon.

    They’re usually served at holiday dinners, especially on special occasions like Easter, the 4th of July, etc.

    They go by other names too, like stuffed eggs, Russian eggs, dressed eggs, salad eggs, and mimosa eggs.

    WHY ARE THEY CALLED DEVILED EGGS?

    As I was making this recipe, my oldest son asked a really good question. Why do we call them deviled eggs?

    So, of course, we had to look it up, because honestly, I wasn’t really sure myself. I thought I had an idea, though, and I was close.

    In the 1800’s, the word deviled had to do with hot and spicy foods. And according to What’s Cooking America’s Culinary Dictionary, the word deviled describes food that is dark, rich, chocolate, spicily piquant, or stimulating…  Means a highly seasoned, chopped, ground, or whole mixture that is served hot or cold.

    History actually has a fascinating read on The Ancient History of Deviled Eggs, dating them all the way back to the days of ancient Rome.

    TIPS FOR HOW TO MAKE DEVILED EGGS

    First of all, you want to determine how many eggs you’ll need, based on how many people you’ll be feeding. We usually use about a dozen eggs, unless we’re making them for a big potluck, in which case we make more.

    Once they’re boiled, peeled, and cooled, the process is really simple.

    HOW TO BOIL EGGS FOR DEVILED EGGS

    You can simply boil eggs in water on the stove for about 12 minutes or a little longer.

    Or if you have an Instant Pot, you can follow this recipe for easy peel hard boiled eggs.

    Once you’ve cooled and peeled the eggs, they’re ready for making deviled eggs.

    HOW DO YOU MAKE DEVILED EGGS?

    Now you’re ready to prep the eggs and mix up the yolk mixture.

    • Slice each egg in half, and remove each egg yolk, setting each egg white aside.
    • Mash the yolks in a mixing bowl, and combine them with Miracle Whip. You can mash them with a hand mixer or just by hand.
    • Mix the mustard into the yolk mixture.
    • Then add pepper and stir it all up again.
    • Spoon the creamy yolk mixture back into each halved egg white.
    how to make deviled eggs, step by step, from removing the yolks to mixing up the yolk mixture and spooning it back into the egg whites

    Optional last step: Dust each egg with a dash of paprika.

    Easy deviled eggs are great for family dinners, church potlucks, holiday parties, and sometimes just a yummy snack.

    DEVILED EGGS TOPPINGS AND ALTERNATIVE IDEAS

    You can tweak this recipe to add a taste of this or that. Just a few ideas…

    • Use dijon mustard in place of yellow mustard.
    • Use mayo and pickle relish instead of Miracle Whip.
    • Or better yet, just add a little pickle relish or pickle juice either way.
    • Add bacon on top. Deviled eggs with bacon are very yummy.
    • Add a little mashed avocado to the yolk mixture.

    These are just a few ideas to get your wheels turning as to how many different ways you can make deviled eggs.

    WHAT GOES WELL WITH THESE YUMMY APPETIZERS?

    making deviled eggs with a sprinkle of paprika on a wooden cutting board

    HOW LONG DO DEVILED EGGS KEEP?

    Food Network really gives the lowdown in Easter Eggs 101, and it answers this very question.

    Normally, in our house, they don’t last more than a day. But 3 to 4 days max are how long I’d keep them.

    CAN DEVILED EGGS BE FROZEN?

    While you can freeze the egg yolks themselves or the yolk mixture, there’s no reason to do that without the egg whites. Freezing the egg whites would ruin the flavor and texture.

    So, no, I don’t recommend freezing them at all.

    HOW TO TRANSPORT DEVILED EGGS

    When looking for ways for how to store deviled eggs and transport them (because it’s likely you’re making them for a get together), there are a few options.

    Snapware Snap ‘N Stack Food Storage Container with Egg Holder Trays

    Rubbermaid Egg Keeper

    SnapLock Collapsible Egg Carrier

    Rubbermaid Specialty Egg Keeper

    Buddeez Deviled Tray with Lid

    SHOP KITCHEN TOOLS FOR THIS RECIPE:

    Mixing Bowl

    Hand Mixer

    Cake Decorating Tool – If you wanna get fancy and pipe the yolk mixture into the egg whites, this might come in handy.

    Egg Tray for Serving

    GET THE PRINTABLE RECIPE

    If you love this recipe as much as we do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

    Classic and easy deviled eggs recipe

    CONNECT WITH ADVENTURES OF MEL!

    Be sure to follow me on social, so you never miss a post!

    Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter

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    Easy Deviled Eggs in 30 Minutes or Less

    How to make easy deviled eggs in 30 minutes or less with this simple, classic recipe, the best ever for Easter, holidays, and summer get togethers!

    • 12 large hard boiled eggs
    • 1/2 cup Miracle Whip
    • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon paprika ((optional))
    1. Slice each hard boiled egg in half, and remove each egg yolk, setting the egg whites aside.
    2. Mash the yolks in a mixing bowl, and combine them with Miracle Whip.*
    3. Mix the mustard into the yolk mixture.
    4. Then add pepper and stir it all up again.
    5. Finally, spoon the creamy yolk mixture back into each halved egg white.
    6. Sprinkle each deviled egg with a tiny dash of paprika.
    7. Chill the eggs in a sealed container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

    *You can mash them with a hand mixer or just by hand.

    Appetizers
    American
    classic deviled eggs, deviled eggs, easy deviled eggs, how to make deviled eggs

    (Update Notes: Post originally published in March 2013, republished with more tips and larger photos in March 2019.)

  • Easiest Minecraft Pig Cake Ever

    Easiest Minecraft Pig Cake Ever

    Easy, no fail, Minecraft pig cake tutorial, made with buttercream, wafer cookies, and sugar paper (no fondant). Awesome birthday party idea for kids!

    Out of all the Minecraft characters, I have to say the pig was the first one to come to mind when I started to think about different Minecraft cake ideas.

    Minecraft pig cake decorated with sugar wafer cookies, sugar paper, and pink buttercream frosting on white cake board.

    While I mulled this idea over and even experimented with cupcakes in the beginning, I knew I wanted this particular Minecraft cake to be as easy as possible.

    And let me just say that anything with fondant just isn’t that easy (at least for me). We much prefer the taste of buttercream frosting over fondant any day.

    So I came up with an idea for how to decorate this Minecraft birthday cake without any fondant and without any cake tips. It’s as simple as spreading the icing on and adding the finishing touches.

    Related Recipes: Minecraft grass block cake and actual Minecraft cake. Or make easy Minecraft cupcakes instead!

    Pink pig Minecraft cake on white cake board

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?

    If you’d rather skip all of my cake decorating tips, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the easy Minecraft cake recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    SHOP KITCHEN TOOLS TO MAKE A MINECRAFT PIG CAKE:

    • Icing Spatula – This comes in handy for spreading the icing between cake layers and around the sides of the cake.
    • Cutting Board with Knife – for cutting the wafer cookies and the sugar paper.
    • Candles – If you’re making a birthday cake, add candles or whatever other decorations you want.

    THE TROUBLE WITH FONDANT

    If you’re trying to figure out how to make a Minecraft cake without fondant, you’ve come to the right place.

    There is no fondant whatsoever in this recipe. In fact, I have a love/hate relationship with fondant, and in my opinion (and my family’s opinions), it just never tastes as good as frosting.

    Plus I want this recipe to be easy. Anyone can make it, regardless of creative ability or time constraints.

    TIPS FOR HOW TO MAKE THIS MINECRAFT CAKE RECIPE

    Before you can decorate, you need to bake and cool 2 10-inch square cakes (I just used strawberry cake mixes).

    While the cakes are baking, it’s a good time to mix up the icing.  I use my favorite recipe for buttercream frosting.

    The regular buttercream icing needs to be pink, so add enough pink food color until you’re satisfied with the shade you have.

    white KitchenAid mixer with pink buttercream frosting in mixing bowl

    When the cakes have cooled, place them on a square cake board that’s been wrapped in white freezer paper.

    Once you have all of that done, you’re ready to decorate…

    • An optional step is to slice the rounded top off of the cakes with a cake slicer/leveller. This helps the cakes to have a flatter shape and makes them easier to decorate.
    • Spread about 1 cup of the buttercream frosting on top of one cake.
    • Then sandwich the two cakes together.
    • Spread more icing on top of and around the sides of the cake, until your cake is completely covered in pink icing.
    icing Minecraft birthday cake with pink buttercream frosting

    HOW TO DECORATE A MINECRAFT PIG BIRTHDAY CAKE

    First things first, you’ll need to prep both the wafer cookies and the sugar paper. You’ll need the following:

    Now you’re ready to put the decorations for your Minecraft pig face in place on top of the cake.

    • Find the center of your cake and place 1 layer of pink wafer cookies for the pig’s snout. You should have your center cookie and then 3 cookies on each side of the center, so 7 cookies total. As you place a second layer of 7 more wafer cookies on top of the first layer, use some of the leftover buttercream to hold those cookies in place. (see picture 1)
    • Using more buttercream for your “glue,” add the chocolate wafer cookies as nostrils on top of the snout. (see pictures 2, 3, and 4)
    • At the top corners of each side of the snout, place the 1″x2″ pieces of white sugar paper in place for the eyes. (see picture 5)
    • Then using buttercream as “glue,” place the smaller pieces of black sugar paper on the outside edge of the white sugar paper. (see picture 6)
    Decorating pink cake with pig face for Minecraft cake recipe

    And that’s pretty much it. I told you it was easy!

    pink Minecraft pig cake on white cake board

    At this point, if it’s a Minecraft birthday cake, you can add the candles. Then slice it up and serve to your guests!

    Tip: I do recommend refrigerating this cake before/after serving.

    slice of pink pig Minecraft cake on green plate

    MORE MINECRAFT PARTY IDEAS TO GO WITH YOUR CAKE

    Minecraft Creeper Pizza

    Free Minecraft Potion of Healing Drink Labels

    Creeper Punch

    Zombie Boogers

    Minecraft Nerf Gun Target

    SUPER AWESOME MINECRAFT PARTY SUPPLIES

    Minecraft Plates, Napkins, and Cups

    Happy Birthday Banner

    Miner Party Balloons

    Minecraft Character Wristbands

    Mining Fun Cupcake Stand

    Pixel Treat Bags

    Mining Fun Photo Props

    TNT Piñata

    MINECRAFT BIRTHDAY CAKE RECIPE

    If you love this Minecraft pig cake as much as we do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

    Pink pig Minecraft cake recipe and tutorial

    CONNECT WITH ADVENTURES OF MEL!

    Be sure to follow me on social, so you never miss a post!

    Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter

    Sign up to receive my newsletter, filled with delicious recipes and outdoor travel adventures, in your inbox:

    FREE EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION

    Easiest Minecraft Pig Cake Ever

    Easy, no fail, Minecraft pig cake tutorial, made with buttercream, wafer cookies, and sugar paper (no fondant). Awesome birthday party idea for kids!

    • 2 square strawberry cakes (*)
    • 4 cups buttercream frosting (colored pink)
    • 2 teaspoons pink food coloring (**)
    • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
    • 14 pink strawberry wafer cookies
    • 2 brown chocolate wafer cookies
    • 2 rectangles white sugar paper
    • 2 squares black sugar paper
    1. Bake 2 square cakes, using 10″x10″ cake pans and following recipe/cake mix instructions.
    2. While the cakes are baking, mix up the buttercream frosting.
    3. The buttercream icing needs to be pink, so add enough pink food color until you’re satisfied with the shade you have, about 2 teaspoons.
    4. When the cakes have cooled, place them on a square cake board that’s been wrapped in white freezer paper.
    5. An optional step is to slice the rounded top off of the cakes with a cake slicer/leveller. This helps the cakes to have a flatter shape and makes them easier to decorate.
    6. Spread about 1 cup of the buttercream frosting on top of one cake. Then sandwich the two cakes together.
    7. Spread more icing on top of and around the sides of the cake, until your cake is completely covered in pink icing.
    8. Prep the wafer cookies and sugar paper by cutting 2 chocolate wafer cookies in half; then cut 2 – 1″x2″ pieces of white sugar paper and 2 – 1″x1″ pieces of black sugar paper.
    9. Find the center of your cake and place 1 layer of pink wafer cookies for the pig’s snout. You should have your center cookie and then 3 cookies on each side of the center, so 7 cookies total.
    10. As you place a second layer of 7 more wafer cookies on top of the first layer, use some of the leftover buttercream to hold those cookies in place.
    11. Using more buttercream for your “glue,” add the chocolate wafer cookies as nostrils on top of the snout (on the left and right edges).
    12. At the top corner of each side of the snout, place the 1″x2″ pieces of white sugar paper in place for the eyes.
    13. Then using buttercream as “glue,” place the smaller pieces of black sugar paper on the outside edge of the white sugar paper.
    14. At this point it's ready to decorate with candles and serve. 

    *I used 2 strawberry cake mixes to make the cakes. You can also use cherry chip (my favorite).

    **I used a soft pink gel color.

    Tip: I do recommend refrigerating this cake before/after serving.

    Cakes & Cupcakes
    American
    minecraft birthday cake, minecraft cake, minecraft cake recipe, Minecraft pig cake
  • Old Fashioned Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

    Old Fashioned Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

    Our old fashioned homemade vanilla ice cream recipe is a summer staple to remember. Mix the ice cream base with this family favorite recipe; then freeze it, using an old fashioned ice cream maker. Best homemade ice cream for family gatherings and summer holidays!

    Along with old fashioned banana ice cream, my family’s favorite old fashioned ice cream recipe has been a part of every summer for a long time, as far back as I can remember. While it’s morphed from person to person, it’s pretty much the same homemade old fashioned ice cream recipe I remember enjoying with family on special summer occasions gone by. 

    old fashioned homemade vanilla ice cream in a green pioneer woman bowl

    When we visited Boquillas, one of the main souvenirs we came home with was a huge bottle of Mexican vanilla. So far, we’ve made a batch of chocolate chip cookies with it, and then we made a big freezer of old fashioned homemade ice cream. It has amazing flavor and makes the best old fashioned vanilla ice cream ever. 

    When You’ll Want to Make Old Fashioned Ice Cream

    You can make a batch of homemade ice cream for an ordinary everyday treat, but there are a few special occasions when you’ll definitely want to grab the ice cream maker and get freezing.

    • Family Gatherings – Whether it’s a holiday or just Sunday family dinner, family gatherings are the best time to make a freezer full of this delicious ice cream.
    • Holidays – Make a refreshing batch of old fashion ice cream for Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day… Even holidays like Easter and Thanksgiving, to go with all those delectable desserts on the dessert table.
    • Potlucks and Backyard BBQ’s – Church potlucks are one of the best times to serve this old fashioned ice cream maker recipe.
    old fashioned homemade ice cream in a green pioneer woman mixing bowl

    Ingredients and Substitutions Notes:

    Gather a few simple ingredients to make this old-fashioned vanilla ice cream base…

    • Large Eggs – You’ll need the whole egg, yolks and all, to make this custard base. (Just a note for housekeeping purposes: If you choose to make an old fashioned homemade ice cream recipe with raw eggs, do keep in mind that consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of food borne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions.) That said, we have always made homemade ice cream with eggs and have never had a problem. However, if you’re leery, some people prefer to temper and heat the eggs up to at least 160ºF in order to prevent any possible food poisoning. Here’s a great guide on how and why to temper eggs for custard-based ice creams. You can temper the eggs with the condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whole milk called for in this recipe, while following the instructions in that guide. Then just whisk everything else in as I explain in the recipe card below. If you’d rather make an egg-free version, my raw milk ice cream without eggs, using whole milk from our milk cow, is the best. Don’t worry, you can use store bought milk and cream if you don’t have access to raw milk.
    • Cane Sugar – You can use granulated sugar, as well.
    • Vanilla Extract – Use a really good dark vanilla extract, real vanilla if possible.
    • Sweetened Condensed Milk – My dad always loved using Eagle Brand; sometimes I use that, and sometimes I use Aldi’s brand to make this homemade ice cream with sweetened condensed milk and whole milk.
    • Evaporated Milk – If you prefer, you can use regular milk, but I do prefer to use evaporated milk. My mom and grandma always preferred to use Milnot evaporated milk; but I’ve always used what I can easily get, which is sometimes Milnot and sometimes generic or Aldi’s brand when making evaporated milk ice cream.
    • Salt – If possible, use a good sea salt.
    • Whole Milk – Although you can use 2% milk or 1% milk in a pinch, I highly recommend that you use whole milk, because it will make your ice cream much more creamy. You can even use Half-and-Half or part heavy cream to get a creamier texture.
    • Ice and Rock Salt – You’ll need crushed ice and rock salt to freeze the ice cream. While you can find rock salt online and smaller bags or boxes at the grocery store, sometimes you can get a bigger and less expensive bag at a hardware store or feed store. So just keep that in mind.

    Before you get started, you may want to check out our complete guide to ice cream accessories and tools for making ice cream at home. It’s the ultimate list for every ice cream lover’s kitchen and especially helpful if you’re planning an ice cream social.

    Also, make sure your ice cream freezer, especially the freezer bowl or canister, is washed out good. We store ours in the garage, so we always have to wash it before we use it.

    How to Make Old Fashioned Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

    Use a mixer or blender to mix up homemade vanilla ice cream with eggs; this will ensure that the ingredients are mixed really well, especially the eggs*. This recipe fills a 4-quart ice cream maker.

    1. Start by creaming (or mixing) the eggs and the sugar together.
    2. Then add in the vanilla extract to the egg mixture. Did you know you can even make your own vanilla?
    adding Mexican vanilla to mixer for homemade old fashioned ice cream recipe
    1. Next, mix in the sweetened condensed milk, scraping all the ooey gooey liquid out of the can with a spatula. 
    adding sweetened condensed milk to mixer to make homemade ice cream with sweetened condensed milk and whole milk
    1. Then add both cans of evaporated milk. 
    adding evaporated milk to mixture in Bosch mixer to make homemade evaporated milk ice cream
    1. Add in a good-sized dash of salt, which equals out to about a teaspoon.
    2. Mix everything together well.
    3. Pour the mixture into the metal canister of your ice cream maker. 
    4. Finish topping off the canister with whole milk, making sure to fill it about 3/4 of the way full, leaving room for expansion as it freezes. Your metal canister should have a fill line.
    filled ice cream maker canister with old fashioned ice cream mixture

    How to Freeze Homemade Ice Cream with an Old Fashioned Ice Cream Maker

    Freezing the mixture to make old fashioned ice cream is fairly easy, especially once you get it going. You will need to stay with it so you can monitor if it needs more ice, rock salt, or needs unplugged when done. 

    While I always advise you to follow manufacturer’s directions for your specific ice cream maker, here are a few tips.

    1. Set the freezer in a sink, or somewhere where it can drain without making a mess. Then put the lid on, place the metal canister down into the bucket of your ice cream maker, set the motor in place, and plug it in to turn it on and get the motor running, which will start to turn the canister.
    2. Crush a big bag of ice, gradually pouring ice around the canister. Tip: You can add up to a gallon of water if needed, as well. We sometimes do this because our motor will seize up. Adding a bit of water will help it keep turning.
    3. Add 2-3 cups of rock salt as you add the ice, making sure to top it off with rock salt.
    ice cream maker with ice and rock salt, freezing old fashioned ice cream
    1. Let the electric motor run until it stops. Once the ice cream freezes, the motor on your ice cream maker will stop churning. Unplug it immediately. This should signal that the ice cream is completely frozen. Wipe any excess ice or rock salt off the lid and out from around the top of the canister. Then remove the lid to reveal the best vanilla ice cream ever.
    creamy old fashioned vanilla ice cream in metal canister of ice cream maker set in ice
    1. Carefully remove the churning paddle, and let your kids battle it out over who gets it. Oh, the memories! 
    churning paddle in canister of vanilla old fashioned homemade ice cream
    1. Serve the ice cream immediately. If you’re not ready to serve it up just yet, you can always leave the lid on, remove the motor, top the canister off with ice, and place a towel or two over it to insulate it and keep it cold for an hour or two. 
    scooping old fashioned homemade vanilla ice cream out of an ice cream maker

    Homemade vanilla ice cream pairs really well with peach cobbler, blueberry cobbler, and apple crumb pie. I LOVE a scoop of vanilla ice cream on this Dutch oven cherry cobbler! You can use frozen leftovers to make delicious homemade ice cream sandwiches and ice cream cones.

    What Not to Do When Making Ice Cream

    I’ve shared how to make the ice cream, but here are a few tips for things to avoid when making and freezing homemade ice cream.

    • Avoid low-fat ingredients, for example, skim milk. You’ll get the best ice cream with a creamy texture when you use full fat ingredients, like whole milk.
    • If possible, try not to mix by hand. Blend the ingredients really well, using either a blender or a mixer. Either one works just fine. This will ensure you have a smooth, creamy mixture going into the ice cream maker.
    • Try not to overfill the ice cream canister in your ice cream maker. Overfilling will lead to one big mess if it overflows while freezing. Remember… Freezing means expansion. Always leave room for expansion, and don’t go over the fill line on your ice cream maker.
    • When freezing the ice cream in an ice cream maker, place the maker down in a sink, or freeze it outside on a porch. You’ll flood your countertop with a mess from all the ice, water, and rock salt if you don’t.
    • When the ice cream is done, don’t open the lid ’til you’ve wiped all the rock salt and ice off the top. That way you avoid getting any of the gunk in your ice cream.

    As long as you follow specific old-fashioned ice cream maker instructions for your ice cream maker, you’ll be fine.

    green bowl full of homemade vanilla ice cream

    Favorite Toppings and Mix-Ins for Old-Fashioned Ice Cream

    There are so many things you can mix into your ice cream to make it even more fun, especially with kids.

    • Fruit or Fruit Jam – We especially love mixing strawberry jam or old fashioned blackberry jam into our ice cream or on top of our ice cream to make ice cream sundaes.
    • Chocolate Syrup, Butterscotch Topping, Caramel Sauce, etc. – With whipped cream and a cherry on top, classic.
    • Oreo Cookies – I especially love crushing up Oreo Minis. It’s my favorite way to add mix-ins, especially when enjoying a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream.
    • Chocolate candies – Like M&M’s, Snickers, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and more treats.
    • Chocolate Chips and Sliced Strawberries
    • Brownies or Cookies
    old fashioned ice cream in green pioneer woman bowl with spoon

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    How should you store leftover homemade ice cream?

    We always have a lot of leftover ice cream when we make it homemade, so we purchased some of these freezer containers to hold all the leftovers. Each storage container is big enough to hold 2-3+ servings of ice cream. Then we just stick each airtight container down in the freezer. If you have an upright, I’d place it on the shelves, rather than the door, so it doesn’t melt or have a higher risk of freezer burn. Homemade ice cream usually keeps for up to about a month in the freezer.

    How can I get a more firm consistency to this ice cream?

    If you prefer a more firm ice cream than soft-serve that you can actually scoop, just place your ice cream in ice cream containers and stick it in the freezer, ’til it reaches the preferred consistency. It’ll usually firm up enough to scoop onto an ice cream cone within 3-4 hours.

    Why do you put raw eggs in homemade ice cream?

    Eggs give rich flavor to homemade ice cream, and they give that characteristic yellow color, as well. They act as a stabilizer and provide a custard base that turns to smooth, creamy ice cream when finished.

    More Homemade Ice Cream Recipes for Ice Cream Makers

    If you love this ice cream recipe as much as we do (isn’t it a great recipe?!), you’ll love these flavors too…

    green bowl of old fashioned homemade vanilla ice cream with spoon

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Old Fashioned Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

    Our homemade vanilla ice cream recipe has been a summer staple for as long as I can remember. How to make it the old fashioned way using an ice cream maker.

    • Mixer
    • Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Maker
    • Ice Cream Storage Containers
    • Ice Cream Scoop

    Ice Cream:

    • 6 large eggs
    • 1 1/4 cups cane sugar
    • 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
    • 24 ounces evaporated milk
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 6 cups whole milk

    Freezing Supplies:

    • 16 pounds ice
    • 3 cups rock salt

    1. Start by creaming (or mixing) the eggs and the sugar together using a mixer.

    2. Then add in the vanilla extract.

    3. Next, mix in the sweetened condensed milk, scraping all the ooey gooey liquid out of the can with a spatula.

    4. Add both cans of evaporated milk.

    5. Add in a good-sized dash of salt, which equals out to about a teaspoon, and mix everything together well.

    6. Pour the mixture into the metal canister of your ice cream maker.

    7. Finish topping off the canister with whole milk, making sure to fill it about 3/4 of the way full, leaving room for expansion as it freezes. Your metal canister should have a fill line.
    8. Put the lid on, and place the metal canister down into the bucket of your ice cream maker.
    9. Crush a big bag of ice, gradually pouring ice around the canister. Tip: You can add up to a gallon of water if needed, as well. We sometimes do this because our motor will seize up. Adding a bit of water will help it keep turning.
    10. Add 2-3 cups of rock salt as you add the ice, making sure to top it off with rock salt.
    11. Let the motor run until it stops. Once the ice cream is frozen, the motor on your ice cream maker will stop churning.
    12. Unplug it immediately. This should signal that the ice cream is completely frozen.
    13. Wipe any excess ice or rock salt off the lid and out from around the top of the canister. Then remove the lid.
    14. Carefully remove the churning paddle.
    15. Serve the ice cream immediately. If you’re not ready to serve it up just yet, you can always leave the lid on, remove the motor, top the canister off with ice, and place a towel or two over it to insulate it and keep it cold.

    *Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of food borne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions. Some people prefer to temper and heat the eggs up to at least 160ºF in order to prevent any possible food poisoning. Here’s a great guide on how and why to temper eggs for custard-based ice creams. You can temper the eggs with the condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whole milk called for in this recipe, while following the instructions in that guide. Then just whisk everything else in as I explain in the recipe card instructions above. 

    *You can use Half & Half in place of the whole milk if you want an even creamier texture to your ice cream.

    How to Store Leftover Vanilla Ice Cream

    We always have a lot of leftover ice cream when we make it homemade, so we purchased some of these freezer containers to hold all the leftovers. They’re big enough to hold 2-3+ servings of ice cream. Then we just stick it down in the freezer. If you have an upright, I’d place it on the shelves, rather than the door, so it doesn’t melt or have a higher risk of freezer burn. Homemade ice cream usually keeps for up to about a month in the freezer.

    Desserts
    American
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    double image with top image of homemade ice cream in metal canister with churn paddle; middle text of homemade ice vanilla ice cream from adventuresofmel.com; and bottom image scooping ice cream out of ice cream maker
  • Chocolate Covered Ritz Crackers with Peanut Butter

    Chocolate Covered Ritz Crackers with Peanut Butter

    Make chocolate covered Ritz crackers with peanut butter in a jiffy. Quick and easy no bake recipe, only 3 ingredients, and they’re the perfect bite-sized candy for the holidays, family gatherings, parties, and celebrations!

    Ritz cookies are another one of our favorite treats during the holiday season, and I’ve made them for years. My family can’t go a Christmas without making peanut butter Ritz crackers and rice crispy peanut butter balls; they make great Valentine’s Day and Easter candies too.

    stack of chocolate covered ritz crackers with peanut butter on wax paper

    Every single Christmas when I was a kid, my mom would make chocolate covered Ritz crackers with peanut butter, along with this easy buckeye recipe.

    I remember we’d store these crunchy little Ritz cracker peanut butter cups in the stairwell of our old farmhouse because there was no heat and they’d stay nice and chilled there. My bedroom was at the top of said stairwell, so of course, I’d help myself as I climbed past on the way to my room.

    So Many Reasons to Love This Christmas Candy

    • Chocolate Ritz crackers are so easy to make! And they’re no bake cookies, so they’re quick too! It’s super easy to make a double batch or triple batch of these delicious goodies.
    • You need a grand total of 3 ingredients to make them, unless you want to get creative and add extras, like festive sprinkles or sea salt flakes. But they’re delicious just the way they are.
    • I mean, if you think about it, what goes together better than chocolate and peanut butter?
    • As a sweet and salty treat, they’re the best of both worlds. You get a sweet snack, while at the same time, a salty snack. Yum!
    • They’re the perfect no bake treat for celebrations, holidays, and special occasions. They make an especially festive holiday cookie tray.
    • Along with a cold glass of milk, they make the perfect yummy treats for Santa.

    If you’re looking for more homemade candy, you may enjoy making chocolate peanut butter bars, homemade chocolate covered cherries, and chocolate covered almond coconut trees.

    Ingredients and Substitutions Notes

    You just need 3 simple ingredients to make Ritz cracker cookies dipped in chocolate…

    How to Make Chocolate Covered Ritz Crackers with Peanut Butter

    First things first, you’ll need to prep by placing a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Then…

    1. Use a knife to spread peanut butter between 2 Ritz Crackers, sandwiching the peanut butter crackers together.
    2. Set each sandwich cookie on the wax paper covered baking sheet, in preparation for dipping.
    hand making peanut butter Ritz crackers with creamy peanut butter

    How to Prep Chocolate for Dipping

    You’ll need melted chocolate that’s ready to go. Depending on the chocolate you decide to use, you can melt it a few different ways:

    • Melt it using a double boiler on the stove – The double boiler method is basically a pan inside of another pan with boiling water in the bottom pan. It allows for more even melting without burning, and it also keeps the chocolate warm for dipping.
    • Melt it in the microwave using a microwave-safe bowl or Pyrex measuring cup – This is usually the route I go. I like to use my glass measuring cup for melting the chocolate wafers in the microwave, according to package directions, usually in 15 to 30 second intervals, stirring after each increment ’til the chocolate is melted. The depth of my measuring cup makes dipping a lot easier
    • Or enlist the help of your family, and use a fondue pot for dipping.

    Also, depending on the type of chocolate used (chocolate almond bark, candy melts, or chocolate chips), some people like to use shortening or paraffin wax, adding it into their chocolate as it melts. This allows for a thinner coat and stretches the chocolate a little further. If you use a good quality chocolate, you likely won’t need that extra step.

    I started using Ghirardelli Dark Melting Wafers a few years ago, and I love them so much better than almond bark. They’re so much easier to work with, and they have fantastic flavor.

    making Ritz crackers with peanut butter dipped in chocolate using Pyrex glass measuring cup and tongs

    How to Dip Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz Crackers

    1. Once the chocolate is melted, dip each cracker sandwich in the melted chocolate, using the forks or tongs.
    2. Shake off any excess chocolate before placing the chocolate peanut butter Ritz cracker cookies back on the wax paper covered sheet pan to dry.
    3. When all your crackers have been dipped, chill them in the freezer for about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove them from the freezer and place them in an airtight container or festive Christmas tin (lined with wax paper) in the fridge.
    chocolate peanut butter Ritz cookies on wax paper covered baking sheet

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    How should you store chocolate Ritz crackers with peanut butter?

    Store in an airtight container in the fridge. They can be kept out at room temperature, but they won’t keep as long as they will if you keep them in the fridge or freezer. Kept chilled, they’ll last up to 2 weeks.

    Can you freeze Ritz cracker cookies?

    Yes, you can! Just be sure to keep them in an airtight container in between layers of wax paper, to avoid freezer burn.

    Can I use a different nut butter?

    Of course! You can use almond butter, cashew butter, etc.

    Alternative Recipe Variations for Ritz Cookies

    • Use marshmallow fluff instead of peanut butter in between the crackers.
    • Add a layer of marshmallow fluff, along with peanut butter, for an even creamier treat.
    • Use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy, especially if you like a crunchier treat. Or use a different nut butter, like almond butter, cashew butter, etc.
    • Double or triple the layers on your cracker sandwiches, using more crackers and more peanut butter for a triple layer treat.
    • Instead of dipping in chocolate, dip the cracker sandwiches in melted white chocolate chips, melted butterscotch chips, milk chocolate, peanut butter chips, mint chocolate chips, etc. The sky’s the limit.
    • Drizzle the dipped crackers with white chocolate or dark chocolate. Or double dip, dipping half of each cracker in chocolate and half in white chocolate… You get the idea.
    • Add sprinkles, sea salt flakes, or festive sugar on top of each of your Ritz crackers dipped in chocolate, before the chocolate hardens.
    bite out of chocolate peanut butter Ritz crackers, stacked on white plate

    More Holiday Dessert Recipes

    If you love this Ritz cracker cookies recipe as much as I do, you’ll love these recipes too…

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    Chocolate Covered Ritz Crackers with Peanut Butter

    Make chocolate covered Ritz crackers with peanut butter in a jiffy. Quick and easy no bake recipe perfect for holidays and parties!

    • Wax Paper
    • Baking Sheet
    • Double Boiler
    • Pyrex Measuring Cup
    • Candy Dipping Tools
    • Festive Christmas Tins
    • 3 sleeves Ritz Crackers
    • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
    • 20 ounces dark chocolate melting wafers ((or chocolate chips))

    1. Line a baking sheet with wax paper.

    2. Use a table knife to spread peanut butter between 2 Ritz Crackers, sandwiching the crackers together.

    3. Set each sandwich cookie on the wax paper lined baking sheet, in preparation for dipping.

    4. Add the chocolate to a microwave-safe measuring cup or bowl; and melt, starting at 30 seconds, then stirring every 15-20 seconds, 'til melted and smooth.

    5. Using 2 forks or tongs, dip each cracker sandwich in the melted chocolate; shake any excess chocolate off before placing back on the wax paper to dry.

    6. When all the crackers have been dipped, chill them in the freezer for about 15 to 20 minutes.

    7. Remove them from the freezer, and place them in an airtight container. They're best stored in between layers of wax paper in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

    Depending on the type of chocolate used (chocolate almond bark, candy melts, or chocolate chips), some people like to use shortening or paraffin wax, adding it into their chocolate as it melts. This allows for a thinner coat and stretches the chocolate a little further. But if you use a good quality chocolate, you likely won’t need that extra step. I started using Ghirardelli Dark Melting Wafers a few years ago, and I love them so much better than almond bark. They’re so much easier to work with, and they have fantastic flavor.

    You can also melt the chocolate using a double boiler on the stove. This is basically a pan inside of another pan with boiling water in the bottom pan. It allows for more even melting without burning, and it also keeps the chocolate warm for dipping.

    Sweet Snacks
    American
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  • Cheesy Delicious Taco Tater Tot Casserole

    Cheesy Delicious Taco Tater Tot Casserole

    Cook up a deliciously cheesy taco tater tot casserole with ground beef, cheese, and all your favorite taco toppings. Family favorite dinner recipe.

    taco tater tot casserole topped with tomatoes and green onions in a blue baking dish

    Did you know you can spice up tater tot casserole for Taco Tuesday? And wowsers, does it ever take this family favorite casserole to a whole new level!

    I’m talking full on Mexican tater tot casserole with all the fixin’s, including Monterey Jack, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, green onions, sour cream, and a Tex-Mex beef mixture that is so delicious.

    Now I never said this recipe was healthy. In fact, let’s just think of it as more of a comfort food treat.

    It’s tater tot hotdish on steroids. Tex-Mex steroids, that is.

    And I know y’all love tacos because some of my most popular posts and videos are taco related. Remember these?

    Tacos are life, am I right? I know, I’m so cheesy (no pun intended), but let’s just say I get very excited about tacos.

    Mexican tater tot casserole topped with sour cream and green onions on white plate

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE RECIPE CARD FOR TACO TATER TOT CASSEROLE?

    If you’d rather skip all of my cooking tips, important cooking info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the tater tot taco bake recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    LET’S TALK RECIPE LOGISTICS…

    This is the part where I try to answer any questions you may have as you follow along with the recipe. And if I don’t answer your question, just leave me a comment, and I’ll answer you there.

    WHAT KIND OF MEAT SHOULD I USE IN TACO TATER TOT HOTDISH?

    I prefer to use ground beef for this particular recipe. However, you can also use ground turkey or sausage.

    WHAT IF I DON’T LIKE CHILI BEANS?

    Listen, I get it. Beans all have different textures and flavors.

    I prefer chili beans (in their sauce) because that sauce really adds to the flavors of the entire tater tot hotdish.

    However, you can also use black beans. You might even give kidney beans a try.

    CAN I MAKE AHEAD TATER TOT CASSEROLE AND FREEZE IT?

    Yes, you can make it ahead and put it in the freezer for later. Just be sure to put it in the fridge in plenty of time to thaw before baking or add a little additional cook time, maybe 20 minutes or so.

    tater tot taco bake with scoop missing in blue baking dish

    You’ll also want to cover it well before freezing, so it doesn’t get freezer burn. If you have a covered casserole dish, that will work well.

    You can also make it the day before and put it in the fridge for baking the next day.

    TIPS FOR HOW TO MAKE TACO TATER TOT CASSEROLE

    Making taco tater tot hotdish is really simple and easy, even though it does require a bit of prep. There’s no taco seasoning mix or enchilada sauce in this recipe, since the meat mixture is made from scratch.

    cooking ground beef mixture for taco tater tot hotdish in cast iron skillet with wooden spatula
    • In a large skillet, sauté the garlic, onion, and bell pepper in bacon grease (or olive oil) for 3 to 5 minutes.
    • Add the lemon juice, chili powder, salt, pepper, and ground beef, cooking until the meat is almost browned.
    • Next stir in 2 to 3 chopped Roma tomatoes, browning the meat.

    HOW TO LAYER MEXICAN TATER TOT CASSEROLE

    • 1st Layer: Chili beans
    • 2nd Layer: Monterey Jack cheese
    • 3rd Layer: Ground beef mixture
    • 4th Layer: Nacho cheese soup
    • 5th Layer: Tater tots

    At this point, bake the casserole, per instructions in the recipe card below.

    • 6th Layer: Cheddar cheese
    6 steps to layer a taco tater tot casserole in baking dish

    And then you’ll bake it again for about 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

    And that’s all there is to it. Sprinkle with your favorite taco toppings, like sour cream, tomatoes, and green onions, and it’s ready to serve.

    My family loves a good Mexican tater tot casserole, and so do I.

    Mexican tater tot casserole on white plate with fork, also topped with sour cream and green onions

    MORE TEX-MEX CASSEROLE RECIPES YOU MAY ENJOY:

    SHOP KITCHEN TOOLS FOR THIS RECIPE:

    Cast Iron Skillet – for browning the ground beef. You could also layer the casserole in a larger cast iron skillet.

    Hamburger Chopper – This handy dandy tool makes it easier to chop up the meat into a much looser mixture.

    Ninja Food Chopper Express or Cutting Board and Chef’s Knife

    Spatula – especially helpful for scooping out and spreading the soup.

    Casserole Dish

    TACO TATER TOT CASSEROLE RECIPE

    If you love this taco tater tot bake as much as I do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest! If you make the recipe, be sure to share that you tried it on Pinterest. I love when readers share feedback!

    taco tater tot casserole recipe

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    Cheesy Delicious Taco Tater Tot Casserole

    Cook up a deliciously cheesy taco tater tot casserole with ground beef, cheese, and all your favorite taco toppings. Family favorite dinner recipe.

    • 1 tablespoon bacon grease (*)
    • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
    • 1/2 large yellow onion (chopped)
    • 1 large bell pepper (chopped)
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 pound ground beef
    • 3 Roma tomatoes (chopped)
    • 31 ounces chili beans
    • 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese (shredded)
    • 21 ounces nacho cheese soup
    • 32 ounces tater tots
    • 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)

    Taco Toppings:

    • 3 Roma tomatoes
    • 3 green onions (chopped)
    • 1 cup sour cream
    1. Pre-heat the oven to 350°F.
    2. In a large skillet, sauté the garlic, onion, and bell pepper in bacon grease (or olive oil) for 3 to 5 minutes, or until they begin to soften.
    3. Add the lemon juice, chili powder, salt, pepper, and ground beef, cooking until the meat is almost browned.
    4. Next stir in 2 to 3 chopped Roma tomatoes, browning the meat.
    5. Begin assembling the casserole by layering the chili beans in the bottom of your greased baking dish.
    6. Next layer the Monterey Jack cheese.
    7. Add the ground beef mixture as a third layer.
    8. Spread the soup over the ground beef mixture.
    9. Finally, add the tater tots to the top of the casserole.
    10. Bake the casserole at 350°F for 45 minutes, or until the tots are golden brown and everything is cooked thru.
    11. Sprinkle on a final layer of cheddar cheese, and bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
    12. Serve with all your favorite taco toppings, including tomatoes, green onions, and sour cream.

    *You can use olive oil instead, if preferred.

    Dinner Ideas
    American
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  • Toasted S’mores Dip 4 Easy Ways

    Toasted S’mores Dip 4 Easy Ways

    How to make kid-friendly s’mores dip over a campfire, on the grill, on the stove, or in the oven at home. Easy camping dessert recipe you can enjoy anytime.

    S’mores are the perfect way to end a busy week together as a family. And they’re an especially great way to enjoy time together around the campfire.

    fork with ooey gooey s'mores dip filled with melted chocolate, toasted marshmallows, and graham crackers

    We love hanging out by a campfire, especially when we’re camping. When at home, we’ll even fill up a tray with all sorts of campfire goodies and head outside to the fire pit.  

    Usually, we end up with a hodge podge assortment of whatever we have available, maybe hot dogs, the makings for s’mores, and our roasting sticks.

    But we’re not always able to have a campfire due to burn bans and fire restrictions. No worries, though. This is one of my favorite shortcuts for how to make s’mores without a fire.

    So whether you love the great outdoors or would rather enjoy a movie night in, this is the perfect dessert to share.

    Sometimes we make “normal” s’mores, and sometimes we make s’mores dip, banana boats s’mores, or sugar cone s’mores. 3 surprising ways to make s’mores that are all equally as yummy as the other.

    cooked skillet s'mores with melted chocolate, toasted marshmallows, and graham crackers in a cast iron skillet

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE RECIPE CARD FOR THIS TOASTED S’MORES DIP?

    If you’d rather skip all of my cooking tips, important cooking info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the s’mores dip recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    HOW TO MAKE S’MORES DIP

    Really, the only ingredients you need are graham crackers, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips.

    WHAT KIND OF GRAHAM CRACKERS SHOULD I USE?

    You can use regular graham crackers and break them up, or you can use smaller graham crackers in different shapes, like Teddy Grahams or Goldfish Grahams.

    If you’re wondering which crackers we used, I found these Teddy Grahams Outdoor Discoveries crackers at our grocery store, and they were perfect! They come in cute li’l outdoor shapes like butterflies, bumblebees, and leaves.

    s'mores in a pan made with Teddy Grahams Outdoor Discoveries crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows

    WHAT’S THE BEST CHOCOLATE FOR S’MORES?

    I’ll tell ya, I love using semi sweet chocolate chips. But you can use any kind of chocolate, whether you love milk chocolate or dark chocolate.

    HOW TO LAYER S’MORES IN A PAN

    Layer your ingredients in a oven or campfire friendly skillet, preferably an 8-inch cast iron skillet or 10.25-inch cast iron skillet.

    layer of chocolate chips and mini marshmallows for s'mores dip in cast iron skillet
    • Start with a layer of chocolate chips and mini marshmallows.
    • Add another layer of chocolate chips.
    • Then add a layer of graham crackers.
    • Add another layer of chocolate chips, then a top layer of mini marshmallows.
    layered skillet s'mores in black cast iron skillet

    You can add as many or as few layers as you want; I say, the more the merrier.

    HOW TO COOK S’MORES DESSERT DIP

    On a Campfire or on a Grill: Put your skillet s’mores over the fire or on the grill for about 3 to 5 minutes, or until things begin to show signs of melting… Not too long or your bottom layer will burn.

    how to make s'mores without a fire, cooking s'mores dip in a cast iron skillet on a grill

    On the Stove: Layer ingredients and warm on low heat until everything begins to melt. If you want to toast a top layer of marshmallows, just place in the oven for a few minutes.

    In the Oven: Place the skillet in the oven at about 450° for about 5 to 10 minutes, or until things begin to show signs of melting… Again, not too long or your bottom layer will burn.

    Don’t worry if the chocolate doesn’t look completely melted when you take it off the fire or out of the oven. Once you remove the skillet from the fire or oven, it will continue to radiate heat and melt the rest of your chocolate.

    And if your marshmallows aren’t toasted enough for your liking, you can keep your pan over the heat for just a bit longer until you have perfectly toasted marshmallows.

    s'mores dip in a cast iron skillet with forks on a stump

    These are not the type of s’mores you serve by hand; these are more the type of s’mores you dig in with a fork or a graham cracker, sharing the same skillet with the entire family.

    easy skillet s'mores with fork in cast iron skillet

    ALTERNATIVE RECIPE OPTIONS

    melted chocolate and toasted marshmallows in an easy s'mores dip in cast iron skillet with fork

    WANT MORE CAMPING RECIPES?

    SHOP KITCHEN TOOLS FOR THIS RECIPE:

    8-Inch Cast Iron Skillet or 10.25-Inch Cast Iron Skillet

    Heat Resistant Oven Gloves

    Grill – If you decide to make them over the grill.

    TOASTED S’MORES DIP RECIPE

    If you love this s’mores recipe as much as I do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

    S'mores Dip Recipe

    CONNECT WITH ADVENTURES OF MEL!

    Be sure to follow me on social, so you never miss a post!

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    Toasted S’mores Dip

    How to make kid-friendly s’mores dip over a campfire, on the grill, or in the oven at home. Easy camping dessert recipe you can enjoy anytime.

    • 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • 2 cups graham crackers (*)
    • 2 cups mini marshmallows
    1. In a cast iron skillet, start with a layer of chocolate chips and mini marshmallows.
    2. Add another layer of chocolate chips.
    3. Then add a layer of graham crackers.
    4. Add another layer of chocolate chips, then a top layer of mini marshmallows.**
    5. Cook following the desired instructions below.
    6. Once they’re cooked through, serve with forks or more graham crackers.

    Over a Campfire:

    1. Place your skillet over the fire for about 3 to 5 minutes, or until things begin to show signs of melting… Not too long or your bottom layer will burn.***

    On a Grill:

    1. Place your skillet on the grill for about 3 to 5 minutes, or until things begin to show signs of melting… Not too long or your bottom layer will burn.***

    On the Stove:

    1. Layer ingredients and warm on low heat until everything begins to melt.
    2. If you want to toast a top layer of marshmallows, just place in the oven for a few minutes.

    In the Oven:

    1. Place the skillet in the oven at about 450° for about 5-10 minutes, or until things begin to show signs of melting… Again, not too long or your bottom layer will burn.***

    *You can use regular graham crackers or smaller graham cracker snacks, like Teddy Grahams.

    **You can add as many or as few layers as you want; I say, the more the merrier.

    ***Don’t worry if the chocolate doesn’t look completely melted when you take it off the fire or out of the oven. Once you remove the skillet from the fire or oven, it will continue to radiate heat and melt the rest of your chocolate. If you want the marshmallows to be more golden brown, just cook the s’mores a bit longer, being careful that they don’t burn.

    Camping Recipes
    American
    s’mores dip, s’mores in a pan, skillet s’mores
  • No Bake Blueberry Yum Yum Dessert Recipe

    No Bake Blueberry Yum Yum Dessert Recipe

    Whip up a dreamy no bake blueberry dessert, aka blueberry yum yum recipe, layered with cream cheese, Dream Whip, blueberry pie filling, and a pecan crust. Easy recipe that’s perfect for potlucks and family gatherings!

    If you’ve been blueberry picking and have fresh blueberries, I’ve got the perfect blueberry yum yum dessert recipe for you. Made with the best pecan crust, blueberry pie filling, and a creamy layer of cream cheese lush, it’s just as dreamy as fresh strawberry yum yum and blueberry cobbler.

    dreamy no bake blueberry dessert, aka blueberry yum yum recipe, in turquoise baking dish on burlap kitchen linen

    Growing up, my mom always made what she called a cherry crunch; it was my dad’s favorite dessert. Well, this blueberry delight is a twist on that classic cherry yum yum dessert.

    While the pie crust does require bake time, the rest of this recipe is no bake. We’ll talk about other crust options too, just in case you don’t really want to bake a crust.

    Another no bake dessert and Dream Whip recipe perfect for Thanksgiving is no bake pumpkin dessert.

    bite out of slice of no bake blueberry dessert on white plate

    Ingredients and Substitutions Notes:

    • Crust – We’ll talk about crust options, both baked and no bake crusts, below. I’ll also show you how to make my favorite pecan crust recipe for this dessert, even though it’s baked.
    • Dream Whip – You can also use Cool Whip, but I really prefer the angelic fluff of Dream Whip. It’s like pudding, only lighter in texture.
    • Powdered sugar or Confectioners Sugar
    • Cream cheese – I recommend using fall fat cream cheese to make blueberry lush; however, you can use Neufchatel cheese, as well.
    • Blueberry pie filling – While I prefer to make this homemade with fresh or frozen (but thawed) blueberries, you can just buy cans of blueberry pie filling if you’d rather; they definitely work well and make the recipe a lot quicker in a pinch.
    • Homemade Whipped Cream – This really is optional; I’ve even saved back just a little bit of Dream Whip to add a dollop to the top of our dessert.

    Alternative Crust Options for Blueberry Yum Yum

    You can get creative with the crust, as well, especially if you’d rather have a fully no bake option. For instance…

    • Graham cracker crust – Crush graham crackers into graham cracker crumbs to make this crust, with or without bake time.
    • Pecan Sandies crust – Make it like you would a graham cracker crumbs crust.
    • Easy shortcut no-roll pie crust (without nuts)
    • Vanilla Wafer crust – Again, use Nilla Wafer crumbs to make this crust.
    • Buy a store bought crust and press pecans into it. (This would likely make a smaller pie.)
    • Line a graham cracker crust with sliced bananas.
    easy blueberry yum yum dessert recipe made in a blue baking dish

    How to Make This Blueberry Yum Yum Recipe

    Since this is a layered blueberry dessert, we’ll start with the bottom layer first.

    simple and easy no bake blueberry yum yum recipe in baking dish

    How to Make the 3-Ingredient Pie Crust

    If you want a baked crust, making the crust is so simple and easy and requires just a few minutes of bake time. It requires only 4 steps…

    1. Melt the butter.
    2. Mix the butter with the flour and pecans.
    3. Press the dough into a 13″x9″ baking dish.
    4. Then just bake and cool.
    pressed in nutty pie crust, made with butter, flour, and pecans in blue baking dish

    Ok, you’ve got your crust made and ready to go. And hopefully, you’ve got your blueberry purée or pie filling ready to go, as well.

    How to Make the Dream Whip Filling for No Bake Blueberry Dessert

    Before you get started, be sure to soften and whip your cream cheese with a whisking paddle, and then set it aside. This will help the cream cheese to soften up more, and it will blend in better with the Dream Whip, once you’re ready for that step.

    Now you can follow these steps to make blueberry delight with a Dream Whip filling…

    1. In a separate mixer bowl with an electric mixer, whisk together the Dream Whip with the milk and vanilla, according to package directions.
    2. Whisk the whipped cream mixture until it begins to form soft peaks, about 4 minutes. You can also follow this tutorial for how to make Dream Whip.
    3. Mix cream cheese and powdered sugar into the Dream Whip mixture.
    4. Whisk the cream cheese mixture for 3 to 5 minutes, or until it’s velvety smooth and creamy.
    4 steps for making Dream Whip cream cheese filling in metal KitchenAid mixing bowl, including whisking Dream Whip with milk and vanilla; whisking to soft peaks; adding cream cheese and powdered sugar to the Dream Whip mixture; and finished velvety smooth filling

    Layer Your No Bake Dessert

    1. Spread the Dream Whip cream cheese filling onto the prepared and cooled pie crust.
    dreamy whipped cream and cream cheese filling for blueberry cream cheese dessert
    1. Then top it all off with a layer of blueberry pie filling for a sensational blueberry topping. 
    blueberry pie filling added to blueberry dessert in baking dish
    1. Cover your no bake blueberry dessert and allow it to chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible.

    And that’s it! You can save back a little bit of Dream Whip and use the remaining whipped topping for the top, maybe add a dollop on each slice you serve.

    slice of creamy no bake blueberry yum yum recipe on white plate

    Another great tip… You can split the Dream Whip filling (and the blueberry topping) in half to make 2 smaller pies.

    no bake blueberry Dream Whip dessert in blue rectangular baking dish

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s

    Can I use whipped cream or Cool Whip instead of Dream Whip?

    I’ve tried making the cream cheese filling with homemade whipped cream; for some reason, it just hasn’t worked as well. So I usually reserve my whipped topping for the top and use Dream Whip for the filling, which is what my mom uses in her cherry crunch. Now some people do make this filling with Cool Whip, but I’ve carried on my mom’s tradition of a creamy Dream Whip filling. I like to call it angel fluff.

    How should you store blueberry delight?

    This recipe is so easy. If you’re not quite ready to serve it, just cover it and chill in the refrigerator; and it’ll be ready when you are. I do recommend making this no more than 1 day ahead of time. But it should keep in the fridge for 2-3 days, as long as you keep it covered.

    Can you freeze this easy blueberry dessert?

    You can definitely make this creamy dessert ahead of time, freeze it, and thaw it when you need it. Now one tip… I would definitely freeze it before adding the pie filling. Especially if you’re using canned pie filling, it’d be super easy to just add that later on after you’ve thawed the crust and creamy filling. Just be sure, if you do freeze this dessert, to cover it well so it doesn’t get freezer burnt.

    creamy blueberry delight in blue baking dish

    Want More Blueberry Dessert Recipes?

    If you’re a fan of blueberry desserts and sweets and you love this creamy blueberry delight recipe as much as I do, you will love these recipes…

    If you try this recipe, why not leave a star rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. And subscribe to my email list too!

    No Bake Blueberry Yum Yum Dessert Recipe

    Whip up a dreamy no bake blueberry dessert, aka blueberry yum yum recipe, with cream cheese, Dream Whip, blueberry pie filling, and a pecan crust. Easy recipe!

    • 9×13 Baking Pan
    • Stand Mixer
    • Rubber Spatula

    Pecan Nut Pie Crust:*

    • 12 tablespoons salted butter (melted)
    • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup pecans (chopped)

    No Bake Filling:

    • 16 ounces cream cheese
    • 2 envelopes Dream Whip ((1 box))
    • 1 cup whole milk
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 cups powdered sugar
    • 42 ounces blueberry pie filling

    Crust:

    1. Mix together the melted butter and flour, forming a dough.

    2. Stir in the chopped pecans.

    3. Press the crust into an un-greased 9×13 baking dish.

    4. Bake at 350° F for about 20 minutes, or until the crust begins to turn a golden brown.

    5. Let the crust cool before adding any filling.

    No Bake Filling:

    1. Using a mixer, beat the cream cheese well.
    2. In a separate mixer bowl, whisk together the Dream Whip with the milk and vanilla, according to package directions. Whisk it until it begins to form soft peaks, about 4 minutes.
    3. Add the cream cheese and powdered sugar to the Dream Whip mixture, and whisk for 3 to 5 minutes, or until it’s smooth and creamy.

    4. Spread the Dream Whip cream cheese filling onto the prepared pie crust.

    5. Then top it all off with blueberry pie filling. 
    6. Cover your no bake blueberry dessert and allow it to chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible.
    7. When it’s ready to serve, you can top it off with a dollop of homemade whipped cream or serve it as is. It’s so delicious!

    *Pie Crust Options:

    You can get creative with the crust, especially if you’d rather have a fully no bake option. For instance…

    • Graham cracker crust – with or without bake time.
    • Pecan Sandies crust – Make it like you would a graham cracker crust.
    • Easy shortcut no-roll pie crust (without nuts)
    • Vanilla Wafer crust
    • Buy a store bought crust and press pecans into it. (This would likely make a smaller pie.)
    • Line a graham cracker crust with sliced bananas.

    You can also split the Dream Whip filling (and the blueberry topping) in half to make 2 smaller pies.

    Can I Use Whipped Cream or Cool Whip Instead of Dream Whip?

    I’ve tried making the cream cheese filling with homemade whipped cream; for some reason, it just hasn’t worked as well. So I usually reserve my whipped topping for the top and use Dream Whip for the filling, which is what my mom uses in her Cherry Crunch. Now some people do make this filling with Cool Whip, but I’ve carried on my mom’s tradition of a creamy Dream Whip filling. I like to call it angel fluff.

    How to Store Blueberry Delight

    This recipe is so easy. If you’re not quite ready to serve it, just cover it and chill in the refrigerator; and it’ll be ready when you are. I do recommend making this no more than 1 day ahead of time. But it should keep in the fridge for 2-3 days, as long as you keep it covered.

    Desserts
    American
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  • Cheesy Spinach and Chicken Stuffed Bell Peppers

    Cheesy Spinach and Chicken Stuffed Bell Peppers

    Healthy, low carb chicken stuffed bell peppers with spinach and cheese, baked in the oven. Easy delicious recipe (with video), perfect for a weeknight meal!

    Chicken Stuffed Peppers are a flavorful and delicious dinner idea. I love stuffed peppers, especially for that pepper-y flavor (have since I was a kid).

    cooked chicken stuffed bell peppers on baking sheet with melted cheese and parsley

    Now most stuffed peppers are made with ground beef or ground turkey… But chicken adds a whole new twist. And there are so many things you can do with chicken to add variety and make it interesting.

    Picture fajita chicken, sesame chicken, and chicken salad… The sky’s the limit when it comes to stuffed peppers with chicken.

    More stuffed pepper recipes you may enjoy: sloppy joe stuffed peppers, beef taco stuffed peppers, and chicken and rice stuffed peppers.

    baking sheet with chicken stuffed peppers, melted cheese on top

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE RECIPE CARD FOR CHICKEN STUFFED BELL PEPPERS?

    If you’d rather skip all of my cooking tips, important cooking info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the delicious low carb stuffed peppers recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    HOW TO PREP PEPPERS FOR MAKING STUFFED PEPPERS

    While I usually cut my bell peppers in half, you can go with one of two options when prepping your bell peppers for a stuffed bell pepper recipe…

    • Remove the top of the pepper, along with all the pith and seeds that are down inside.
    • OR simply cut the peppers in half and remove all the pith and seeds inside. Just remember not to eat the stem if you leave the stem intact.

    If you need a refresher on how to cut a pepper, I’ve got you covered.

    DO I NEED TO PRE-COOK BELL PEPPERS BEFORE STUFFING THEM?

    You can, but you don’t have to. This is usually done to shorten the cooking time.

    The Cookful actually has a really helpful explanation for how to pre-cook peppers.

    HOW TO MAKE STUFFED PEPPERS

    These low carb chicken stuffed peppers are super easy to make. From prepping the peppers to stuffing them and cooking them, I’ll walk you through the entire process.

    PREP AND MAKE YOUR CHICKEN MIXTURE

    1. Prep the peppers… Slice them in half, right down the middle. You can leave the stems on or remove. Then remove the seeds, cores, and membranes from the peppers.
    2. Add the chicken, spinach, and spices to a mixing bowl.
    3. Don’t forget to add part of the shredded cheddar (about 1 1/2 cups).
    4. Then mix everything up together.
    how to make stuffed peppers with chicken, spinach, cheese, and seasonings, including the steps to making the chicken mixture in a white mixing bowl

    Once your chicken mixture is ready, just stuff the peppers full. The more, the better.

    stuffing bell peppers with chicken mixture on a baking sheet

    COOKING THESE HEALTHY CHICKEN STUFFED PEPPERS

    Then you’ll just bake the peppers either on a baking sheet or in a baking dish, per the instructions in the recipe card below.

    Once they’ve baked, sprinkle on the extra cheese, and bake an additional 10 minutes or so.

    baked low carb stuffed peppers with chicken on baking sheet, sprinkled with parsley over melted cheese

    And that’s it! They’re ready to serve, with their melty cheese and all those wonderful flavors.

    chicken stuffed bell pepper on white plate with fork

    WANT MORE DELICIOUS CHICKEN RECIPES?

    SHOP KITCHEN TOOLS FOR THIS RECIPE:

    Ninja Food Chopper Express or Cutting Board and Chef’s Knife

    Mixing Bowl – I love a bowl with a handle; this one’s pretty similar to mine.

    Cheese Grater – for shredding the cheese.

    Baking Sheet – You’ll place the peppers on a baking sheet to bake.

    PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD FOR CHEESY CHICKEN STUFFED PEPPERS

    If you love this chicken stuffed bell peppers recipe as much as I do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest! If you make the recipe, be sure to share that you tried it on Pinterest. I love when readers share feedback!

    Spinach and Chicken Stuffed Peppers Recipe

    CONNECT WITH ADVENTURES OF MEL!

    Be sure to follow me on social, so you never miss a post!

    Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter

    Sign up to receive my newsletter, filled with delicious recipes and outdoor travel adventures, in your inbox:

    FREE EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION

    Want to see how to make this recipe? Watch our cooking show video in the recipe card below!

    Cheesy Spinach and Chicken Stuffed Bell Peppers

    Healthy, low carb chicken stuffed bell peppers with spinach and cheese, baked in the oven. Easy delicious recipe (with video), perfect for a weeknight meal!

    • 5 large bell peppers
    • 2 pounds chicken
    • 1 cup spinach leaves (washed and chopped)
    • 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
    • 1 teaspoon ground sage
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese (*shredded)
    1. Pre-heat the oven to 350°.
    2. Wash and prep your peppers. Slice them in half, right down the middle.** Then remove all the cores, seeds, and membranes from the peppers.
    3. Dice the chicken into chunks or thin slices.
    4. In a separate mixing bowl, mix the chicken with the seasonings, spinach, and 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar.
    5. Stuff the peppers with the chicken mixture.
    6. Place the stuffed peppers on a baking sheet, and bake at 350° for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked thru. 
    7. Add the rest of the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese to the top of each pepper, and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
    8. Serve while warm and enjoy!

    *Or you can use Colby Jack cheese.

    **You can leave the stems on the peppers or remove them, totally your preference (just don’t ingest the stems, they’re only there for show).

    Dinner Ideas
    American
    chicken stuffed bell peppers, chicken stuffed peppers, low carb stuffed peppers, stuffed peppers with chicken
  • Instant Pot Sausage and Chicken Casserole

    Instant Pot Sausage and Chicken Casserole

    Easy recipe for sausage and chicken casserole in the Instant Pot. Low carb chicken casserole that makes a healthy dinner and a cheesy comfort food.

    sausage and chicken casserole with wooden spoon in black cast iron skillet

    This sausage and chicken casserole is a low carb dinner my family enjoys from time to time. It’s one of those meals we can pretty easily throw together, walk away from it, and let it cook.

    Even though it’s an Instant Pot casserole, it still requires just a little bit of prep work, like cooking the chicken and browning the sausage. I love that everything is mixed together, though, vegetables and all.

    That’s what makes this recipe so delicious. The meats, vegetables, cheeses, and seasonings just all mesh together to form this yummy low carb chicken casserole everyone in our family enjoys.

    Learn how to quickly use your Instant Pot with our Instant Pot Quick Start Guide, filled with practical tips, Instant Pot recipes, accessory ideas, and more!

    Love a good casserole? You may also enjoy this classic tater tot casserole recipe. And if it’s a one pot meal you’re after, Instant Pot sausage and rice is one you can throw together in minutes!

    low carb chicken casserole with cauliflower and sausage in black cast iron skillet with wooden spoon

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE SAUSAGE AND CHICKEN CASSEROLE RECIPE?

    If you’d rather skip all of my cooking tips, important cooking info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the delicious chicken casserole recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    CAN I USE CAULIFLOWER RICE FOR THIS RECIPE?

    You can definitely use already riced cauliflower to make a sausage cauliflower bake in the Instant Pot.

    However, I don’t recommend using frozen cauliflower rice, because that will add extra water, ultimately changing both the texture and consistency of the casserole.

    I do recommend using either fresh cauliflower or a fresh cauliflower rice over using frozen.

    TIPS FOR HOW TO MAKE THIS LOW CARB CHEESY CHICKEN CASSEROLE

    Gather your ingredients, per the printable recipe card below.

    PREP THE VEGETABLES FIRST…

    You’ll need to prep first by washing and chopping (or mincing) the celery, onion, and garlic. Also, wash and chop the cauliflower if you’re not using cauliflower rice.

    Then pre-heat the Instant Pot in sauté mode.

    ASSEMBLE INGREDIENTS IN THE INSTANT POT

    • Add the butter to your Instant Pot, and let it melt.
    • Sauté the celery, onion, and garlic for about 3 to 5 minutes.
    celery, onions, and garlic sautéing in the Instant Pot
    • Add the sausage in with your veggies and allow it to brown, crumbling it up with the veggies.
    browning sausage with vegetables in Instant Pot pressure cooker
    • Add the cream cheese and shredded chicken in with your vegetable mixture, and mix together well.
    mixing cream cheese and chicken into low carb cheesy chicken casserole in Instant Pot pressure cooker
    • Put the cauliflower, shredded cheeses, salt, pepper, and paprika on top of the vegetable mixture in the Instant Pot.
    adding shredded cheese, cauliflower, and spices to low carb chicken casserole in Instant Pot pressure cooker
    • Then add a cup of water, and place the lid on your Instant Pot.

    COOK YOUR INSTANT POT CASSEROLE

    Turn off the sauté function, press Manual, and set your timer for 8 minutes. Be sure to allow a natural pressure release.

    When it’s done, stir the casserole together… If there’s extra water, you may need to turn the sauté function back on and let it cook down just a little bit.

    You can top it off with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired.

    low carb cheesy chicken casserole in cast iron skillet with wooden spoon

    LOOKING FOR MORE LOW CARB DINNER IDEAS?

    SHOP KITCHEN TOOLS FOR THIS RECIPE:

    Ninja Food Chopper Express or Cutting Board and Chef’s Knife

    Instant Pot – We’ve used both our 6-quart and our 8-quart Instant Pot.

    Wooden Spatula – We use a wooden spatula when we need to sauté something.

    Glass Measuring Cup – Oh how I love my measuring cup for measuring liquids… I use it every single time I cook or bake anything.

    PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD FOR INSTANT POT SAUSAGE AND CHICKEN CASSEROLE

    If you love this low carb chicken casserole recipe as much as I do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest! If you make the recipe, be sure to share that you tried it on Pinterest. I love when readers share feedback!

    Instant Pot sausage and chicken casserole recipe

    CONNECT WITH ADVENTURES OF MEL!

    Be sure to follow me on social, so you never miss a post!

    Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter

    Sign up to receive my newsletter, filled with delicious recipes and outdoor travel adventures, in your inbox:

    FREE EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION

    Want to see how to make this recipe? Watch our cooking show video in the recipe card below!

    Instant Pot Sausage and Chicken Casserole

    Easy recipe for sausage and chicken casserole in the Instant Pot. Low carb chicken casserole that makes a healthy dinner and a cheesy comfort food.

    • 2 stalks celery
    • 1/2 large yellow onion
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • 1 head cauliflower (*)
    • 3 tablespoons salted butter
    • 1 pound breakfast sausage
    • 8 ounces cream cheese
    • 1 pound chicken (cooked and shredded)
    • 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
    • 1 cup Colby Jack cheese (shredded)
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
    • 1 cup water
    1. Wash and chop or mince the celery, onion, and garlic; also wash and chop the cauliflower.
    2. Pre-heat the Instant Pot in sauté mode.
    3. Add the butter to your Instant Pot, and let it melt.
    4. Sauté the celery, onion, and garlic for about 3 to 5 minutes.
    5. Add the sausage in with your veggies and allow it to brown, crumbling it up with the veggies.
    6. Add the cream cheese and shredded chicken in with your vegetable mixture, and mix together well.
    7. Put the cauliflower, shredded cheeses, salt, pepper, and paprika on top of the vegetable mixture in the Instant Pot.
    8. Add a cup of water.
    9. Put the lid on your Instant Pot.
    10. Turn off the sauté function, press Manual, and set your timer for 8 minutes; allow a natural pressure release.
    11. When it’s done, stir the casserole together… If there’s extra water, you may need to turn the sauté function back on and let it cook down just a little bit.
    12. You can top it off with chopped basil or parsley if desired. Serve and enjoy!

    *While you can use already riced cauliflower, I recommend using fresh for this recipe. Frozen riced cauliflower can have extra water, which changes the entire texture/consistency of this casserole.

    Instant Pot Recipes
    American
    Instant Pot casserole, low carb chicken casserole, sausage and chicken casserole
  • Perfectly Cooked Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal

    Perfectly Cooked Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal

    Simplify mornings with a quick and easy homemade maple brown sugar oatmeal. Dairy free Instant Pot oatmeal recipe using rolled oats and real maple syrup.

    white bowl of maple brown sugar oatmeal with blueberries and pecans

    I remember as a kid when the boxes of instant oatmeal came out on store shelves. They were pretty much an instant hit with most every kid, especially with flavors like peaches and cream, strawberry and cream oatmeal and maple brown sugar oatmeal.

    Both my mom and my grandma were HUGE fans of the maple and brown sugar oatmeal. We’d make it to go with our breakfast and even for the occasional snack.

    Now with the help of my Instant Pot, I like to make it homemade, giving me the option to add less sugar and maybe make it a bit more healthy than those instant packs probably are. My family prefer steel cut or old fashioned oats, so I like to use old fashioned rolled oats.

    If you’ve never made Instant Pot oatmeal, it’s really easy to make. And I’ve got a few tips for you below, especially to help prevent scorching and get that perfectly cooked texture to your oatmeal.

    Looking for more Instant Pot breakfast recipes? Learn how to make easy peel pressure cooked hard boiled eggs, a super quick breakfast when you’re on the go.

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    WHERE CAN I FIND THE MAPLE BROWN SUGAR OATMEAL RECIPE?

    If you’d rather skip all of my cooking tips, important cooking info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the delicious maple brown sugar oatmeal recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    Not Quite Sure How to Use Your Instant Pot Pressure Cooker?

    Learn how to quickly use your Instant Pot with our Instant Pot Quick Start Guide, filled with practical tips, Instant Pot recipes, accessory ideas, and more!

    spoonful of maple and brown sugar oatmeal above white bowl of oatmeal with pecans and blueberries

    What Kind of Oats Should I Use for Instant Pot Oatmeal?

    For maple oats, I prefer to use old fashioned rolled oats.

    However, you can use steel cut oats. Just keep in mind, you may need to increase the cooking time by a minute or two, since steel cut oats can take longer to cook.

    The nice thing is, with the pressure cooker, things tend to cook more quickly.

    The Kitchn has a great article explaining the difference between steel-cut, rolled, and instant oats.

    Tips for How to Make Maple and Brown Sugar Oatmeal

    With this oatmeal recipe, you can literally throw all your ingredients into the Instant Pot, set it, and forget it. It’s so quick and easy, but here are a few tips that may help you along the way.

    making maple cinnamon oatmeal with old fashioned rolled oats, cinnamon, and water in Instant Pot

    Tips for How to Keep Oatmeal from Scorching

    While I have used milk in the past, and it does tend to leave a film or scorch (but never leaves a burnt flavor), I prefer to use water now.

    With water, the oatmeal doesn’t scorch. In fact, it turns out perfectly cooked, and my family and I all think it tastes just as good or even better than oatmeal cooked with milk.

    maple oats in white bowl with spoon, pecans, and blueberries

    If you don’t want to use water, you may also be able to avoid scorching with the following methods:

    • Substitute another kind of dairy product (like almond milk).
    • If you find you just can’t make it without it scorching, reduce the cook time by a minute or two.
    • Throw everything in, adding the liquid last, and don’t stir. Just cook it.
    • Use the Instant Pot Porridge setting to cook oatmeal.

    Flavor Tips for Oatmeal in the Instant Pot

    How much brown sugar you should put in oatmeal depends on how sweet you want it. For this recipe, I use both maple syrup and brown sugar, so I only use 1/3 cup brown sugar.

    I also like to add a little cinnamon because I love the combo of maple cinnamon oatmeal!

    cooked maple and brown sugar Instant Pot oatmeal with a wooden spoon

    What to Put in Oatmeal

    When the oatmeal is ready to serve, have the following ingredients handy:

    • Sugar or Brown Sugar
    • Cream or Milk
    • Pecans
    • Blueberries
    • Bananas
    • Other Fruits

    I’ve always added cream or milk with a little sugar to my oatmeal after it’s cooked. Makes it oh so delicious!

    white bowl with maple brown sugar oatmeal, made with pressure cooker oatmeal

    More Oatmeal Recipes You May Enjoy

    I love baking, and I love these oatmeal cookies that remind me of my grandma. When I don’t want raisins, oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips will do.

    One of my go to dinner recipes is this easy meatloaf, made with old fashioned rolled oats. It’s by far one of our favorite family meals.

    Shop Kitchen Tools for This Recipe:

    Instant Pot – We’ve used both our 6-quart and our 8-quart Instant Pot.

    Liquid Measuring Cup

    Wooden Spoon

    Fun Cereal Bowls

    PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD FOR MAPLE BROWN SUGAR OATMEAL

    If you love this maple brown sugar oatmeal recipe as much as I do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest! If you make the recipe, be sure to share that you tried it on Pinterest. I love when readers share feedback!

    maple brown sugar oatmeal recipe

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    Perfectly Cooked Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal

    Simplify mornings with a quick and easy homemade maple brown sugar oatmeal. Dairy free Instant Pot oatmeal recipe using rolled oats and real maple syrup.

    • 2 cups rolled oats (*)
    • 3 1/2 cups water
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1/3 cup light brown sugar
    • 1/3 cup maple syrup
    1. Add all the ingredients to the Instant Pot, stirring the mixture together.
    2. Place the lid on your Instant Pot.
    3. Set the Instant Pot on the Porridge setting for 6 minutes, and let it cook and do a natural release.
    4. When the oatmeal has finished cooking, serve it with sugar, brown sugar, milk, cream, blueberries, pecans, bananas, and other fruits. 

    *We use old fashioned rolled oats for this recipe. If you prefer to use steel cut oats, you may need to increase the cooking time by a minute or two.

    Breakfast & Brunch
    American
    Instant Pot oatmeal, maple and brown sugar oatmeal, maple brown sugar oatmeal, maple cinnamon oatmeal, maple oats, pressure cooker oatmeal
  • Dump and Go Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

    Dump and Go Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

    Make an easy Instant Pot vegetable soup with potatoes, okra, and other frozen veggies. Healthy pressure cooker recipe the whole family will love!

    Instant Pot Vegetable Soup is one comfort food that warms a body up on a chilly day.

    white bowl of Instant Pot vegetable soup with spoon and crackers

    One of the things I love about this vegetable soup recipe is that it’s a vegetable soup without tomatoes. With Dan trying to stay low carb and my sometimes sensitive tummy, I know full well we can all eat it and enjoy it.

    I also love that it’s pretty much a dump and go soup. The hardest part about this recipe (and it isn’t even hard) is chopping up the garlic, potatoes, onion, carrots, and celery.

    While it does have potatoes, we fill this chunky vegetable soup with all sorts of veggies, including okra and green beans. Cooked in a beefy broth, it’s got the beef flavor without any meat.

    The only seasonings we use are salt and pepper. The vegetables do the rest, and it’s packed with flavor.

    Love a good chunky soup recipe? Me too. Some of my favorites include slow V8 vegetable soup, slow cooker white chicken chili, and creamy potato corn chowder.

    white bowls of chunky vegetable soup with crackers on a wooden cutting board

    WHERE CAN I FIND THE RECIPE CARD FOR INSTANT POT VEGETABLE SOUP?

    If you’d rather skip all of my cooking tips, important cooking info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the delicious vegetable soup recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

    Things to Keep in Mind When Making Pressure Cooker Vegetable Soup

    There are a few things you should keep in mind when making foods in your Instant Pot, including cook time and release.

    While the cook time is only 30 minutes, keep in mind that if you let the pressure cooker naturally release, it will take more time. It’ll also take time for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure, so it’s important that you add these times into your cook time.

    You can do a quick release (with protection, of course, so you don’t get burnt), but because we usually dump and go with this recipe, we just let it naturally release. That way the veggies get a little more time to soften up through the cooking/release process.

    scoop of pressure cooker vegetable soup in ladle above Instant Pot

    What Kind of Broth Should I Use for This Soup?

    You can use a vegetable based broth or a beef based broth. We use beef because we like the flavor of the beef base with the vegetables.

    You can either use broth you’ve saved from a roast, or you can use a beef base or bullion to make a broth. This beef base is the one we regularly use.

    Tips for How to Make a Chunky Vegetable Soup

    chopped potatoes, onion, carrots, and celery for Instant Pot vegetable soup recipe, on cutting board
    • Begin by washing and prepping all of the fresh vegetables, including the celery, carrots, and potatoes. You’ll also need to chop up the onion and garlic.
    • Just dump all of your chopped and frozen veggies, along with the beef broth, into your Instant Pot.
    fresh and frozen veggies for vegetable soup in Instant Pot pressure cooker
    • Put the lid on the Instant Pot and secure in place. Then set it to “Soup” for 30 minutes.
    • And that’s about it… You can just let it go, let it cook and naturally release, and then dinner will be ready.
    cooked vegetable soup in Instant Pot with wooden spoon

    What to Serve with Vegetable Soup

    Vegetable soup pairs well with crackers, cheddar cheese, toasted sourdough, homemade biscuits, bread rolls, grilled cheese, buttermilk cornbread, etc.

    Alternative Options for Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

    There are a few alternative ingredients you can add to this vegetable soup recipe to kinda switch it up…

    • Add a little pasta or rice.
    • Include other vegetables like lima beans or spinach, although you may need to increase the amount of liquid you add by a cup or so, depending on how much you add.
    • Add meat! You can add hamburger, stew meat, sausage, etc.

    Looking for more delicious Instant Pot recipes?

    Also, learn how to quickly use your Instant Pot with our Instant Pot Quick Start Guide, filled with practical tips, Instant Pot recipes, accessory ideas, and more!

    chunky vegetable soup in white soup bowl with spoon

    Kitchen Tools You’ll Need to Make This Soup:

    8 Quart Instant Pot – We use our Instant Pot almost every day. It makes a lot of meals in our house.

    Ninja Food Chopper Express or Cutting Board and Chef’s Knife

    Soup Bowls – Who doesn’t love a pretty bowl?

    INSTANT POT VEGETABLE SOUP RECIPE

    If you love this vegetable soup recipe as much as I do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

    Dump and Go Instant Pot Vegetable Soup Recipe

    Connect with Adventures of Mel!

    Be sure to follow me on social, so you never miss a post!

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    Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

    Make an easy Instant Pot vegetable soup with potatoes, okra, and other frozen veggies. Healthy pressure cooker recipe the whole family will love!

    • 2 stalks celery (chopped)
    • 4 carrots (chopped)
    • 1/2 large yellow onion (chopped)
    • 2 cloves garlic (chopped)
    • 5 medium potatoes (washed, peeled, and chopped)
    • 12 ounces frozen okra
    • 12 ounces frozen green beans
    • 12 ounces frozen corn
    • 12 ounces frozen peas
    • 4 cups beef broth (*)
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
    1. Prep all the veggies, including the celery, carrots, onion, garlic, and potatoes.
    2. Add all the chopped and frozen veggies to the Instant Pot.
    3. Add the beef broth to the Instant Pot.
    4. At this point, you can give it all a good stir.
    5. Put the lid on the Instant Pot and secure in place.
    6. Set to “Soup” for 30 minutes, and let it do its thing. 
    7. Once the soup has fully cooked and the valve has naturally released, the soup should be ready to serve.

    *If you don’t want to use a beef base, you can also use a vegetable base.

    Soups & Stews
    American
    chunky vegetable soup, Instant Pot vegetable soup, pressure cooker vegetable soup, vegetable soup