Main Dishes Archives – Crayons & Cravings

Baked Manicotti

Jaclyn Shimmel — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 17:09:35 +0000

This baked manicotti is comfort food made simple. Tender pasta tubes are filled with a creamy ricotta filling, topped with marinara and mozzarella, and baked until bubbly and golden. It looks like a dish you’d order at a cozy Italian restaurant, but it’s surprisingly simple to make—especially with a few shortcuts. There’s no need to...

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Slow Cooker Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

Jaclyn Shimmel — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 19:52:17 +0000

Slow Cooker kielbasa and sauerkraut is a classic comfort dish made with smoky Polish sausage, tangy sauerkraut, sweet apples, and a rich brown sugar and beer mixture. It’s simple, satisfying, and packed with big flavors. The slow cooker does all the work here—just layer, pour, and let the magic happen. What you get is a...

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Slow Cooker Ham with Pineapple and Brown Sugar

Jaclyn Shimmel — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 18:55:32 +0000

This slow cooker ham with pineapple and brown sugar is tender, juicy, and full of sweet-tangy flavor. The pineapple brown sugar glaze gets a little boost from ginger and Dijon, which adds just enough zip to balance the sweetness. It’s perfect for a holiday or family dinner, with just 5 minutes of prep and hardly...

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Crack Chicken Noodle Soup

Jaclyn Shimmel — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 15:50:13 +0000

This crack chicken noodle soup is the cozy, cheesy soup I make when I want something comforting and packed with bold flavor. It starts with chicken thighs simmered right in the broth. Once cooked and shredded, we add to the tender chicken egg noodles, cream cheese, sharp cheddar, dry ranch seasoning, and a generous sprinkle...

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Hamburger Noodle Soup

Jaclyn Shimmel — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 14:46:05 +0000

Hamburger noodle soup is a cozy one-pot dinner made with lean ground beef, tender egg noodles, and frozen veggies simmered in a savory tomato broth. It’s warm, filling, and comes together in about 30 minutes — perfect for busy weeknights! This hug-in-a-bowl is the kind of meal I turn to when the temperature drops and...

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Cracker Barrel Pot Roast

Jaclyn Shimmel — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 20:17:52 +0000

Cracker Barrel pot roast is a classic restaurant dish made even better at home in the slow cooker. Tender beef, soft carrots and celery, in a rich, savory onion gravy, come together effortlessly! You may have noticed by my Cracker Barrel meatloaf copycat and slow cooker Cracker Barrel fried apples that I’m a big fan...

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Crockpot Honey Bourbon Steak Tips

Jaclyn Shimmel — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 19:56:02 +0000

Honey bourbon steak tips are one of those set-it-and-forget-it meals that feel special—but are secretly so simple. The meat turns fork-tender, coated in a sweet-and-savory sauce that thickens into a glossy glaze, kind of like barbecue sauce—with a little something extra from the bourbon. I’m not one to sip bourbon straight, but it works magic...

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Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken Wings

Jaclyn Shimmel — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 16:15:11 +0000

Crockpot Hawaiian wings are a no-fuss, crowd-pleasing favorite that deliver big sweet-and-savory flavor with almost no hands-on work. They’re similar to huli huli chicken wings, thanks to a pineapple-soy marinade that’s rich with garlic and ginger. But unlike traditional wings, these don’t require deep frying. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, and a...

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Cheesy Shrimp and Grits

Jaclyn Shimmel — Sat, 19 Jul 2025 01:36:36 +0000

Cheesy shrimp and grits are a cozy Southern classic with rich, creamy grits and buttery, lemon-garlic shrimp. There’s something deeply comforting about a bowl of cheesy shrimp and grits. For me, it’s the kind of dish that feels like home—simple ingredients, bold flavors, and a creamy base that hugs every bite. This version leans into...

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Walking Taco Recipe

Jaclyn Shimmel — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 15:45:33 +0000

Walking tacos are a fun, portable way to eat tacos on the go! Load up a bag of chips with seasoned beef and your favorite toppings—no plates required. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or game day! There are so many ways to use the elements of delicious tacos in a recipe mash-up like big mac tacos,...

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Barbecue Pulled Pork In Oven

Jaclyn Shimmel — Tue, 13 May 2025 13:44:20 +0000

Barbecue pulled pork in the oven is an easy way to cook and shred pork shoulder faster than any low-and-slow method! It’s packed with flavor from the delicious dry rub and beer and gets even better when drenched in your favorite BBQ sauce. Pork is one of the most flavorful kinds of meat all on...

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Baked Eggplant Parmesan

Jaclyn Shimmel — Tue, 06 May 2025 13:14:15 +0000

This baked eggplant parmesan is crispy, cheesy, and comforting—made entirely in the oven with no frying needed. Along with penne a la vodka and baked manicotti, eggplant parmesan has always been one of my favorite comfort foods. Whether tucked into a toasted sub or served over spaghetti, it was a go-to meal growing up. Years...

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