Guiltless Alfredo Sauce

My husband loves alfredo sauce but it is soooo bad for you! 

I found this recipe at Our Best Bites and now I make it at least twice a month! 

The recipe makes more than we can eat for one meal so I freeze half each time I make it. 

It is easy to thaw (leave it in the fridge all day and then reheat) 

and still tastes good the second time around. 

Guiltless Alfredo Sauce

recipe from Our Best Bites

Ingredients 

2 cups low-fat milk 

1/3 cup low-fat cream cheese 

2 tbsp flour 

1 tbsp butter 

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup parmesan cheese

Directions 

Pour milk, cream cheese and flour into blender (I used my Magic Bullet and it worked perfect!). 

Blend until smooth. 

In a medium sauce pan, melt butter then add garlic. Simmer for about a minute. 

Add milk mixture and bring to a simmer (stirring constantly). 

Once simmering, reduce heat and allow to simmer without stirring for about 2 minutes. 

Take off heat and add parmesan cheese. 

Stir until smooth. 

Cover and let sit for about 10 minutes before using. This allows it to get nice and thick! 

Pour over some chicken and noodles or use as a dipping sauce.

I am linking up with....

Mangia Mondays 

Melt In Your Mouth Mondays

Make a Food-e-Friend Monday

Recipe Sharing Monday

Sharing Monday

Friday Night Dessert Night #17: Peanut Butter Ice Cream

Oh me oh my! 

So simple, only 4 ingredients needed! 

And it tastes like an iced peanut butter cookie 

(if that makes any sense at all!).
Not on the low cal plan, but only a few scoops won't kill you! 

Peanut Butter Ice Cream 

recipe adapted from yummly.com

Ingredients 

1 2/3 cup whole milk 

1 cup peanut butter 

1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp vanilla

Directions 

In a saucepan, mix together ingredients and cook on medium heat until smooth. 

Add vanilla and stir completely. 

Cool to room temperature.  

Pour into an ice cream maker and leave the mix in there for about 20 minutes. 

Transfer to an air tight container and pop it in the freezer. 

Leave in the freezer for a few hours. 

Scoop it out and eat it up!

I'm linking this recipe to:
Sweet Tooth Fridays
Strut Your Stuff Saturday
Sweets For A Saturday
Sweet Indulgences Sundays
Think Pink Sundays
Weekend Wrap Up Party
Weekend Show Off Party
Sunday Scoop Link to Party
More the Merrier Monday

This Week's Favorites

I was out of town last week so this list is what I have found over the last two weeks!

I am always happy to find some new crock pot recipes. 

Crock Pot Pizza Chicken 

from Chi-town Cheapskate

Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
from Gingerbread Girl

I found tons of dessert recipes that sound like perfect summer treats! 

Pink Lemonade Confetti Cupcakes 

from Gina's Skinny Recipes 

Pina Colada Ice Cream 

from Sweet Luvin in the Kitchen

Lemonade Pie

from Tidy Mom

Pineapple Yogurt Popsicles

from Homespun with Love

Peaches and Cream Popsicles 

from Debbie Does Dinner Healthy

This one sounds like the perfect kid dessert!

PB & J Cupcakes
from Life's Simple Measures

This one is on the menu for next week!

Baked Chimichangas
from Six Sisters' Stuff

My husband is going to love these...

Buffalo Chicken Braids
from the Rickett Chronicles

And last, a breakfast that looks amazing...

Sweet Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Casserole
from Imitation by Design

I'm linking up with Friday Favorite Finds.

Chocolate Pudding Chocolate Chip Cookies

My mother-in-law is coming over for dinner tonight so I needed to make a dessert with stuff I already had in the cupboard.
I saw some Pudding Cookies a few days ago and thought they looked delicious and I had enough of the ingredients, or a variation of some, to make them. 

I have only used pudding in cookies one other time to make the Cookies and Cream Cookies that my family is now hooked on. 

Since my experience with pudding in cookies has been good thus far, I gave it a go and they came out tasting tasty. 

Chocolate Pudding Chocolate Chip Cookies 

recipe adapted from Chef In Training

Ingredients 

3/4 cup butter, softened 

3/4 cup brown sugar 

1/4 cup white sugar 

1 box (2.1 oz) sugar free fat free chocolate pudding mix

2 eggs 

1 tsp vanilla 

1 tsp baking soda 

2 cups white whole wheat flour 

1 cup chocolate chips 

Directions 

Preheat oven to 350 and spray cookie sheets with non-stick spray. 

In a bowl, mix flour and baking soda together and set aside.

Beat butter and sugars together until well combined.  

Add pudding mix and beat again until mixed in. 

Add eggs and vanilla and beat again. 

Gradually add flour and baking soda, mixing slowly until well combined. 

*I used my KitchenAid and threw it all in, turned it on low at first and then gradually sped things up.

Add chocolate chips and stir. 

Using a small cookie scoop, scoop out dough and place on greased cookie sheet. 

Bake at 350 for about 8 minutes. 

This post is linked to...

Wow Me Wednesdays 

These Chicks Cooked
Full Plate Thursday
DIY Thrifty Thursday
Sweet Tooth Friday
Friday Potluck
Feasting In Fellowship Friday

Healthier Sloppy Joe's

Since I've seen this recipe, I have made it 3 times. Once for my whole, big family, and twice for my little family of 4 (well 3 cause Lu can't eat it yet!). 

Each time everyone loved it and had no idea it was packed with veggies!

I only changed a few things to make it work for my family. 

Healthy Crock Pot Sloppy Joe's 

recipe adapted from Finding Joy In My Kitchen

Ingredients

2 cups finely chopped carrots

1.25 ground turkey 

2 tsp minced garlic

1 medium zucchini, chopped

1 cup ketchup

2 tbsp white vinegar 

2 tbsp brown sugar 

garlic salt

Directions

Brown turkey until no longer pink. Season with garlic salt as it cooks.

Place meat in the crock pot, and put carrots, zucchini, and garlic on top. 

Pour in ketchup, vinegar, and brown sugar and stir really well. 

Cook on low for 6-8 hours. 

Serve on whole wheat buns. 

 

I am linking up with...

Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays

Made From Scratch Tuesdays

Tasty Tuesdays

A Little Birdie Told Me...

Turkey Enchiladas with Creamy Cilantro and Corn Puree

A few weeks ago my husband and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary. 

The night before our actual anniversary we went out to dinner (alone!) and then to our favorite place for milkshakes and ice cream sundaes. 

The next day Abby was extremely sad that we were not having a party on the exact day we got married. 

So we decided to have a mini party, just the 4 of us, right here at home. 

I made these Turkey Enchiladas with Creamy Cilantro and Corn Puree I saw over at Shugary Sweets.

It was a delicious and healthy dinner that everyone enjoyed. 

Turkey Enchiladas and Creamy Cilantro and Corn Puree

recipe adapted from Shugary Sweets

Ingredients 

1.25 pounds ground turkey 

1/2 cup yellow onion, chopped 

1 cup salsa 

1 cup whole kernel corn 

1 tbsp cornmeal 

1 tsp oregano 

2 tsp groung cumin 

1/2 tsp salt 

1/4 tsp pepper 

8 soft taco size flour tortillas

1 cup low-fat mexican blend cheese

1 cup whole kernel corn

1 cup fresh cilantro 

1/3 cup skim milk 

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

Directions 

Cook turkey and onion until turkey is brown. 

Meanwhile, combine the last 5 ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. 

Set aside. 

Add salsa, corn, cornmeal and spices. Mix well. 

Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, place meat mixture in the middle of the tortillas, roll them up, and stick them in a 9 by 13 greased pan (I used non-stick spray). 

Pour the puree over the top of the tortillas and sprinkle with cheese.

Bak covered fro 30 minutes, remove cover, and bake for about 10 more minutes. 

Serve immediately with light sour cream and tomatoes. 

I am linking up with...

Melt In Your Mouth Mondays

Mangia Mondays

Sharing Mondays

Make a Food-e-Friend Mondays

Baked Onion Rings

A long time ago I found a weight watcher recipe for baked onion rings.
I have changed it so many times that I don't even remember the original version.
Over the last few years, this is the recipe that makes my family happy.

Baked Onion Rings

Ingredients

1 large yellow onion 

1/3 cup all purpose white flour 

1/3 cup italian bread crumbs 

1/4-1/2 cup egg substitute

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 and spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spray.

Put flour, bread crumbs, and egg substitute in three separate bowls.

Cut onion and pull apart into rings.

Take one ring and dip in flour, then egg substitute, then bread crumbs.

Repeat for all rings and place them on the prepared cookie sheet.

Bake for 10 minutes, flip, then bake for 5-10 more minutes or until golden brown.

This post is linked to:
Make a Food-e-Friend Monday 
Melt In Your Mouth Monday
Mangia Mondays

Featured on Make a Food-e-Friend!

I am so excited to be featured on

The Saturday Evening Pot's



Make a Food-e-Friend Monday!

Each Monday there is a link party that is always full of great meal and dessert ideas.
Before the party starts there is an introduction to a new blogger each week.
This way you can get to know the people you are sharing recipes with.
This week you can get to know me a little better so head on over and join the party. 

Friday Night Dessert Night #16: Low Calorie Lava Cake in a Mug

This is another Hungry Girl recipe I saw on TV. It is so quick and easy and is about 225 calories per mug. I made it earlier this week to test it out and fell in love! 

Low Calorie Lava Cake in a Mug 

Ingredients 

3 tbsp devil's food cake mix 

1 tbsp egg substitute 

2 tbsp water 

1 packet diet hot cocoa mix (look for the 25 calorie packs)

1 sugar free chocolate Jello pudding snack

whipped cream for topping

 

Directions

In a microwavable mug, mix the cake mix, egg substitute, water and cocoa powder until combined. 

Add about 1/3 of the Jello and mix thoroughly. 

Microwave for 1 minute. 

Remove and stir in the rest of the Jello pudding. Stir completely and put back in the microwave for about 1 minute. 

This is what it looked like when it was finished. At first I thought it was kind of sketchy looking but once I tasted it, I was hooked!

I added a few tablespoons of whipped cream and then ate it up! 

I am linking up with...

Weekend Show Off Party 

Sweet Tooth Friday 

Sweets for a Saturday
Weekend Wrap Up Party 

Think Pink Sundays 

Sundae Scoop Link Party 

Sweet Indulgences Sundays
So Sweet Sundays

This Week's Favorites

We love anything pizza and when it's in a muffin...even better! 

Pepperoni Pizza Puffs

from Dishes and Socks

I am always looking for new side dishes and when they are low-fat, that makes me happy! 

Low-Fat Potato Salad

from Heidi's Recipes

A lower in fat chocolate chip cookie also makes me happy! 

Can't wait to try these! 

Skinny Chocolate Chip Cookies

from Finding Joy In My Kitchen

And another lower in calories and fat dessert recipe I came across this week is...

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Frozen Yogurt

from Sweet Tooth 

I am looking forward to trying this new crock pot recipe also! 

Crock Pot Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken

from Six Sisters' Stuff 

Enjoy your weekend! 

I am linking up with Friday Favorite Finds at Finding Joy In My Kitchen. 

Low-Fat Strawberry Nutella Muffins

Just yesterday I saw these muffins over at Crumbs and Caos. 

Instantly I knew I had to make them. 

My mom is having gall bladder issues, which means she can hardly eat any fat, so I attempted to make these muffins as low fat as possible and they came out great! 

Low-Fat Strawberry Nutella Muffins 

recipe adapted from Crumbs and Caos 

Ingredients 

1 1/2 cups white whole wheat all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt 

2 tsp baking powder 

1/2 cup sugar 

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce 

1/4 cup egg substitute 

1/3 cup reduced fat buttermilk 

1 tsp vanilla 

1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped 

1/3 cup Nutella 

Directions 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a muffin pan with non-stick spray. 

Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. 

In a small bowl, combine egg substitute, applesauce, buttermilk, and vanilla. Whisk until well combined. 

Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well. Batter will be thick. 

Fold in strawberries. 

Fill each muffin cup half way then add about a teaspoon of Nutella. Cover the Nutella with more batter. 

Bake for about 17-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. 

The original recipe made 9 muffins but I made 12 and they were still decent size. 

I ate these this morning with a little iced coffee and was in heaven! 

This post is linked to:
Friday Potluck
EKat's Kitchen
Weekend Showoff Party
Sweet Tooth Friday
Sweets for a Saturday
Weekend Wrap Up Party
Sweet Indulgences Sunday
Think Pink Sundays
Sundae Scoop Link Party 
Sharing Sundays
So Sweet Sundays
Muffin Monday

Abby Cooks: Pepperoni Pizza Cups

This is yet another Italian recipe from Abby. :) 

Pepperoni Pizza Cups
recipe adapted from For The Love Of Cooking 

Ingredients 

reduced fat biscuits 

2 % mozzarella cheese 

turkey pepperonis 

spaghetti or pizza sauce, jar or homemade (we made ours...see below)

Directions 

Preheat oven to 350. 

Spray a muffin pan with non-stick spray. 

Stretch out the biscuits a little bit and put them in the muffin pan. 

Put 1 pepperoni in the bottom of the each biscuit. 

Put about 1/2 tablespoon of sauce on top of the pepperoni. 

Our pizza sauce recipe is so good and easy: 

1 small can tomato paste, 1 can tomato sauce, pizza seasonings

Then put about 1 tablespoon of cheese of top of the sauce. 

Next, put one more pepperoni on top and sprinkle with a little more cheese. 

Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes. 

Serve with a side salad and enjoy! 

This post is linked to:

Tasty Tuesdays 

Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays 
These Chicks Cooked 
Wow Me Wednesdays
DIY Thrifty Thursdays
A Little Birdie Told Me...
Full Plate Thursday

BBQ Turkey Cups

This is a recipe I usually cook during the school year on a day when I have to teach. 

It is so quick and easy! 

This summer it has proven to be a great thrown together meal on a day when I have stayed a little too long at the beach or at my sister's house and dinner was nearly forgotten. 

BBQ Turkey Cups 

reduced fat refrigerated biscuits 

1 pound ground turkey 

1/2 cup barbecue sauce 

1 cup 2 % cheddar cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350. 

Spray a muffin tin with non-stick spray. 

Cook turkey until brown. 

Add 1/2 cup barbecue sauce and stir until covered. 

Abby likes hers with ketchup so I take a little turkey out and coat that 

in ketchup for her and the rest in barbecue sauce for us. 

Put biscuits in prepared muffin tins. I like to stretch them out a bit first and press them in the tins so there is a nice hole in the middle. 

Sprinkle a tiny bit of cheese in the center of each biscuit. 

Using a spoon, scoop a good amount of turkey mixture into the center of each biscuit. 

Sprinkle the top with cheese. 

Bake for 15-17 minutes or until the edges of the biscuits are brown and cheese is melted. 

Serve with some fresh fruit and a side salad. 

This post is linked to: 

Mangia Mondays 

Melt In Your Mouth Mondays 

Make a Food-e-Friend Monday 

Sharing Mondays

Funfetti Pancakes for My Birthday!

July 3rd was my birthday and, as usual, we were on vacation, spending the holiday weekend with my parents, 3 sisters, 2 brothers-in-law, my husband, and 5 kids (all ages 3 and under!). 

It is always a crazy time! 

For my birthday, and now every birthday from here on out, we made Funfetti Cake Batter Pancakes. 

The 3 "big" kids helped me make them and they were delicious!

Funfetti Cake Batter Pancakes
recipe from How Sweet It Is

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2/3 cup yellow cake mix
1 tbsp sugar
3/4 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1-2 cups milk
sprinkles

Directions

Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.
Add 1 cup milk, eggs, and vanilla. Stir until smooth.
The batter should look like regular pancake batter. Add more milk as needed.
Add sprinkles to batter and stir.

Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, pour batter onto skillet and let cook.

Serve with syrup for dipping or right on top!

Delicious! 

This post is linked to:
Make a Food-e-Friend
Sundae Scoop
Think Pink Sundays
Sweet Indulgences Sunday
Melt In Your Mouth Monday

This Week's Favorites

Abby loves hot dogs so I thought these would fun to make for her sometime soon. 

Hot Dog Cookies 

form Making Memories with Your Kids 

These two recipes have been added to my must try list for Friday Night Dessert Night. 

Homemade Jam Ice Cream

from Pinay Cooking Corner 

and 

PB & J Ice Cream Sandwiches

from Crumbs and Chaos 

This bread looks delicious! 

No-Fuss Focaccia

from Sweet as Sugar Cookies 

And a crock pot recipe that I cannot wait to try...

Crock Pot Tex Mex Chili

from Gingerbread Girl 

I am linking up with Friday Favorite Finds at Finding Joy In My Kitchen. 

Abby Cooks: Easy Stromboli

I am realizing a trend...

Abby only cooks Italian food. 

This is another recipe she can make pretty much all by herself! 

Easy Stromboli 

Ingredients 

1 loaf frozen bread dough 

low fat or part skim mozzarella 

turkey pepperoni 

Italian seasoning 

spaghetti/pizza sauce 

Directions 

24 hours ahead of time, allow bread loaf to thaw in the fridge. 

Take dough out and let sit on the counter for about 1/2 hour to an hour before starting. 

Preheat oven to 350. 

Spray counter top with non-stick spray and then stretch the dough into a rectangle shape, about 9 by 13. 

Sprinkle dough with Italian seasonings. 

Sprinkle with cheese and lay out pepperonis. 

She went a little crazy! 

Roll into a tube (hers seems to stretch while she did it!) then place on a greased cookie sheet. 

Bake for 30 minutes. 

Slice and serve with sauce for dipping. 

I'm linking up with DIY Thursdays.