My family doesn’t love traditional fast food. Which I suppose is a good thing, except when I’m looking to just pick up a quick, on the go meal I’m limited by their taste buds!

Fortunately (or not) for us, our Panera Bread has a drive through, and it’s one of the “fast food” choices we all love. Except it’s pricey. They don’t have a dollar menu!

With today’s Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe, we may never have to actually go to Panera again.

When I can make Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup at home, I know I’m saving us some money and a trip out.

From start to finish, this Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe takes less than 30 minutes.

Real talk: It will probably take less time to make this soup at home than it would to get everyone in the car and drive to Panera. Not to mention the drive back home!

Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup is the perfect weeknight dinner idea when you are staring at your pantry unsure what to make! Most of the ingredients are things we almost always have on hand, so it’s super easy to pull together at the last minute.

You can always use fresh broccoli to make Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup, but it’s ok if you want to reach into the freezer for a bag of frozen broccoli florets. We’ve all done it a time or two and they’ll be just as delicious in this soup!

My Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe makes 3-4 decent sized bowls of soup…but you can easily double the recipe if you have hungry eaters, and this is your main dish.

Keep this soup vegetarian by using vegetable broth in place of the chicken broth.

INGREDIENTS

•  1/4 cup unsalted butter
•  1/2 cup diced onions (yellow or white)
•  1 cup shredded carrots (I used matchsticks that I cut into half inch pieces)
•  2 1/2-3 cups broccoli florets, chopped small
•  1 1/2 cups chicken broth
•  1 cup milk (I use skim/fat free)
•  1 cup heavy whipping cream
•  1/4 cup all-purpose flour
•  1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
•  1/2 tsp black pepper
•  pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (or more as desired)
•  2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large pot over medium high heat, melt butter. Add in onions, carrots and broccoli. Cook to soften about 5 minutes (may be more or less depending on the size vegetables you cut).
2. Slowly add in broth, milk, and cream. Sprinkle with flour and add salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Continue stirring and heating over medium heat until thickened. This will take about 10-15 minutes.
3. Once thick, add cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Serve soup and enjoy!

When you’re not sure what to make for dinner, this creamy coconut curry chicken always comes through.

It’s fast, flavorful, and healthy! This is one of my husband’s all time favorite meals, and while I tend to prefer veggies over meat (hiiii butternut squash curry), this is one of my favorites as well.

Today we’re using red curry in this dish alongside yellow curry powder and a good amount of coriander. If you’re wondering what coconut curry tastes like, it’s a bit sweet, but mostly savory with hints of spice from the red curry. Red curry is typically made from crushed red chilies, garlic, lemongrass, shallots, ginger, and fish paste. We amp up those flavors with additional garlic, ginger, and onions.

So as far as spiciness: I would rate this dish as mild, but it does depend on the brand of red curry you use. I’ve found Thai Kitchen is generally quite mild.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons coconut oil, separated
• 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced (~1/2 cup)
• 3 cloves minced garlic (~1 and 1/2 teaspoons)
• 2 tablespoons finely minced ginger (from a 1 and 1/2 inch piece)
• 2 teaspoons yellow curry powder
• 3 tablespoons red curry paste (I use Thai Kitchen; reduce or increase as desired for spice levels)
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 large red bell pepper
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1 inch pieces
• Fine sea salt and freshly cracked pepper
• 1 can full fat coconut milk (NOT lite)
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1-2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons fish sauce, optional
• 1/4 cup cilantro and/or basil, diced
• Serve over/with: cooked basmati rice and naan bread with additional lime wedges
• Optional: chopped peanuts or cashews

Instructions

1. Start by prepping ingredients: dice the onion, mince the garlic, and mince the ginger. I peel the ginger with a spoon or vegetable peeler and then finely mince it. Thinly slice the red bell pepper into long vertical strips and then cut those strips in half horizontally.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons coconut oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and saute for 3-5 minutes or until onions are beginning to get golden. Add the garlic and ginger. Stir to coat everything with the oil. Lower the heat to low and add in the curry powder, red curry paste, and coriander. Stir often for 2-3 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant.
3. Return the heat to medium high. Add in the remaining 1 tablespoon coconut oil and the red pepper. Stir for 1-2 minutes and then add in the bite-sized pieces of chicken. Sprinkle on salt and pepper to taste (I add 1 teaspoon fine sea salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper). Cook, stirring often for about 4-5 minutes or until the chicken is browned on both sides, but not cooked through.
4. Pour in the coconut milk, lime juice, and brown sugar (to taste; I start with just 1 tablespoon). Stir until chicken is cooked through (juices run clear and it is cooked to 165 degrees F) and curry is slightly thickened (Note 1). If desired, stir in the fish sauce.
5. Serve over rice and/or with naan bread. Garnish individual plates with cilantro, basil, and/or crushed peanuts/cashews. Serve additional lime wedges by the side if desired.

My ten year old steak loving son is always begging for steak every single week.  He loves steak and potatoes, and I love easy meals, so it is a win win situation.  Nothing better than steak and potatoes…  am I right?   Cooked in a buttery garlic herb sauce, this meal is full of flavor and one your family will love!

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter divided
• 1 pound yukon gold potatoes sliced about 1/2 inch in thickness
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 1 teaspoon thyme chopped
• 1 teaspoon rosemary chopped
• 1 teaspoon oregano chopped
• 1 1/4 pounds sirloin steaks cut into 1 inch cubes
• salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat and add olive oil and butter, potatoes, garlic, thyme, rosemary, and oregano. Cook for about 3 minutes, stir and cook and additional 3 minutes until fork tender. Remove and set aside on a plate.
2. Turn the skillet to high heat. Add the 1 tablespoon butter and steak bites. Let the steak sear for a minute and then continue to stir the steak until they are golden brown.
3. Top the steak with fresh chopped herbs.

Ingredients

• 
  
• 4 lb boneless pork loin trimmed if desired
• 1 cup apple juice (or soda)
• 1 tablespoon seasoning salt
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried mustard
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups barbecue sauce as desired

Instructions

1. Place pork loin in a 4-6 quart crock pot and pour in apple juice.
2. Combine seasoning salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, mustard, onion powder and black pepper and sprinkle half over pork loin. Turn and sprinkle on the remaining half.
3. Cover and cook on low until fall apart tender -- 8 to 10 hours. 
4. Shred with two forks, discarding excess fat. Toss in remaining juices and coat with barbecue sauce as desired. Serve on hamburger buns.

This crock pot french dip sandwich recipe is one of my favorite slow cooker recipes, and also, crazy enough, one of my most popular, too! It’s been pinned and tried by over 80,000 people on Pinterest and in my humble opinion is the best French Dip recipe there is! Especially if you’re after a French Dip Crock Pot dinner recipe.

Ingredients

• 3 pound chuck roast
• 2 T vegetable oil
• 2 cans Campbell's French Onion Soup
• 1 can Beef Consomme Soup
• 8 hoagie rolls
• 8-16 slices provolone (depending on if you want one or two pieces of cheese on each sandwich

Instructions

1. Brown Chuck Roast in vegetable oil on both sides
2. Add soups to chuck roast in the crockpot
3. Slow cook on high for four hours or on low for 8-10 hours
4. When slow cooker is done, move your roast to a bowl, remove fatty pieces and shred the meat.
5. Pour the juice from the crockpot into a pan that you can simmer in your stovetop
6. ** If you like a creamier french dip au jus combine 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of cold water. Then, add that mixture to the soups and boil until you reach the consistency you want
7. Otherwise, simmer au jus juice to reduce it to half (This will be your french dip sauce and it will be dang good.)
8. Put your shredded meat onto hoagie rolls or french bread slices and top with provolone cheese
9. Put sandwiches in the oven on low broil until the cheese is as browned as you like it - ENJOY!

Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders are perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner! Serve these crispy baked chicken tenders with sweet and tangy maple mustard dipping sauce for a meal that will be a hit with the whole family!

INGREDIENTS

• CHICKEN TENDERS
• 1 1/4 pounds chicken tenders
• 1/2 cup panko or gluten-free panko
• 2 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning
• Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
• 1 egg
• MAPLE MUSTARD DIPPING SAUCE
• 1/4 cup dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon sriracha
• Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400° F. and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. If using foil spray it with cooking spray.
2. Take two pie plates or shallow bowls. Crack an egg in one, add a splash of water and whisk together. Add the panko and everything bagel seasoning to the other and combine.
3. Take several chicken tenders and coat them in the egg wash. Use a fork to move them into the panko mixture and toss them around until coated. Place them on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Repeat the process until all the chicken is coated.
4. Bake for 12-15 minutes depending on their size. The chicken is cooked through when the internal temperature is 165° F. 
5. While the chicken bakes whisk together the ingredients for the dipping sauce. Serve with the finished chicken tenders.