Whenever I bring up favorite Thanksgiving sides in conversation, Green Bean Casserole always rises near the top. Even though Stuffing seems to be the emotional favorite.

Hello carbs!

Before we get too far in, this may or may not be the time to share that before now, I’ve never been a big fan of green bean casserole.

Inevitably, every Thanksgiving luncheon or dinner I’ve attended has included at least one of this hallowed dish. I want to like it.

I love green beans and I love casseroles. But over the years I’ve been disappointed with the lack of…..flavor.

I’m not going to hate on canned “cream of” soups. In fact, I embrace them at times. But I’m just going to suggest that the classic recipe could enjoy a flavor boost by including fresh ingredients.

Several years ago, when I and every other food blogger were deconstructing dishes, I came up with this recipe. It was actually really good.

So it is with that sentiment in mind that I’ve freshened up this holiday favorite and made a proper casserole.

The Casserole Ingredients

• Fresh green beans
• Fresh mushrooms
• Homemade parmesan cream sauce
• Crispy shallots
• Shaved parmesan cheese
• Finished with a little lemon zest for bright flavor

The Preparation

Blanch or steam green beans until just tender and bright green. I steam mine 8 minutes over a pan of boiling water. Alternately you can blanch them in boiling water for 3-4 minutes. Place in ice bath to stop cooking, then transfer to a 3 quart casserole dish.

The mushrooms are pan browned first, giving them their wonderful golden color and rich flavor.

Add the browned mushrooms to the casserole dish on top of the green beans.

Prepare a basic white sauce, then add parmesan cheese. The result is a luxurious sauce that single handedly turns this dish into comfort food!

The green beans and mushrooms are blanketed with the luxurious parmesan cream sauce.

The casserole is baked covered for 35 minutes, then uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes until lightly browned around the edges.

While the casserole is baking, prepare the crispy shallots. Thinly slice shallots then gently fry in batches in vegetable oil until deep golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

Top casserole with the crispy shallots and bake an additional 5 minutes. Garnish with shaved parmesan cheese and lemon zest.

Fresh Green Bean & Mushroom Casserole with Crispy Shallots has all the comfort you want with the beautiful fresh ingredients you deserve.

Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram and Facebook! And check out our latest TikTok videos and Pinterest boards too!

All my best,
xo Libby

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Fresh Green Bean & Mushroom Casserole with Crispy Shallots

Fresh Green Bean & Mushroom Casserole with Crispy Shallots has all the comfort you want with the beautiful fresh ingredients you deserve.

Course Side Dish

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Servings 12

Ingredients

For the Green Beans & Mushrooms

• 2 pounds fresh green beans ends trimmed
• 1 pound cremini (button) mushrooms sliced
• 4 fresh thyme sprigs
• 4 Tablespoons butter divided
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil divided

For the Parmesan Cream Sauce

• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 2 Tablespoons flour
• 2 cups half & half
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• salt & pepper to taste

For the Crispy Shallots

• 3 large shallots thinly sliced
• 2 cups vegetable oil for frying

For the Garnish

• 1/4 cup shaved parmesan cheese for garnish
• 1 zest of lemon for garnish

Instructions

For the Green Beans & Mushrooms

• Place a steamer basket over a large pot of boiling water. Add green beans and steam for 8 minutes or until just tender and bright green. Alternately you can blanch the green beans in boiling water for 3-4 minutes until just tender. Transfer cooked beans to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking.
• Add 2 Tbl. butter, 1 Tbl. olive oil and 2 sprigs fresh thyme to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the sliced mushrooms in a single layer and brown on one side without turning, about 4-5 minutes. Turn over mushrooms and brown on the other side, about 3 minutes. Remove from pan and reserve. Melt remaining 2 Tbl. butter, 1 Tbl. olive oil and thyme sprigs. Add remaining mushrooms and brown on both sides. Remove from pan and reserve.

For the Parmesan Cream Sauce

• In a medium sauce pan, melt 2 Tablespoons of butter over medium heat until hot and bubbly. Add flour and whisk to combine. Continue cooking until lightly golden brown, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in half & half. Bring to a gentle boil and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and add minced garlic and grated parmesan cheese. Whisk until cheese is melted. Season with salt & pepper to taste.

For the Crispy Shallots

• In a medium sauce pan bring 2 cups of vegetable oil over medium-high heat to 375° F. Working in batches, fry sliced shallots until deep golden brown. Remove with a mesh strainer and transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Continue with remaining shallots.

To Assemble Casserole

• Preheat oven to 350° F. Arrange green beans in a 3 quart casserole dish. Top with browned mushrooms and parmesan cream sauce. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake covered 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15-20 minutes until sauce is bubbling and lightly browned around edges. Add Crispy Shallots and bake an additional 5 minutes. Garnish with shaved parmesan cheese and lemon zest.

The post Fresh Green Bean & Mushroom Casserole with Crispy Shallots appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

Super cheesy, ultra creamy, with a little something special to make them go hmmmm.

Macaroni & Cheese Basics

The “Macaroni” Pasta

I LOVE Cavatappi (translated to “corkscrew” in English) or Cellantani (“whirl” in English).

These whirling twirling double elbow hollow pastas are THE BEST at holding on to cheese sauce. And isn’t that what makes a great macaroni and cheese?!!

The White Sauce

For those of us who took home economics in Middle School you’ll remember learning how to make this, the most basic of the five mother sauces.

I always start my cheese sauce by making a white sauce, also known as Béchamel Sauce.

Classically a white sauce is made with the following ratio:

• 2 Tablespoons of butter
• 2 Tablespoons of flour
• 1 cup of whole milk
• salt & pepper to taste

For this recipe, I finish my white sauce with a little seasoning of dry mustard and cayenne. Do not over salt the sauce as the cheeses bring that nice saltiness to the finished dish.

The Cheese

As the title of this post declares – we’ll use three cheeses in this recipe.

• Sharp Cheddar – great melting cheese that brings a deeper flavor profile than the milder varieties
• Gruyere – super creamy, excellent melting cheese with a slightly nutty flavor
• American or better yet, White Queso Dip – that’s right! American cheese gives this cheese sauce it’s incredibly creamy consistency and if your Queso has a little jalapeño kick, even better!

While it will take you a few minutes longer, grate your own cheese. The pre-packed shredded cheese is coated with preservatives like potato starch to keep it from sticking together. This coating changes the consistency and melting qualities.

Plus you get far more for your money when you invest a little elbow grease and grate your own!

Recipe Note: each 8 ounce block of cheese will yield about 3 cups of shredded cheese.

The Crumb Topping

Melted butter, panko breadcrumbs, and shredded parmesan cheese combine to make the most heavenly crumb topping!

Yes, I am squarely on team Crumb Topping. I love a good buttery crispy layer on top of my mac ‘n’ cheese. And my squash casserole. And my cassoulets.

However, for this recipe, if crumbs aren’t your thing (or your kids aren’t fans) then by all means replace the crumb with a little more shredded cheese on top before baking!

Things that make you go hmmm

I’ll never forget the first time I added queso dip to my macaroni & cheese. We were having a family dinner with the kids, a few significant others, and my sister Sarah.

Slowly as everyone began to take bites of the various dishes on their plates I could see a little mac ‘n’ cheese lovefest beginning to brew.

“This is really good mac ‘n’ cheese”

“It’s so creamy and cheesy….I love it”

“Omgeee is there queso in this? It’s sooo good!”

“Mom, this is the best mac ‘n’ cheese you’ve ever made.”

The truth is I’ve never made two the same in my life. Sure, there are certain similarities but I always manage to change it up.

Yesterday I had a neighbor ask for the recipe. Insert the emoji with big wide eyes.

So nearly 10 years after creating Lemony Thyme I’m finally putting the recipe in print! Wishing you a little mac ‘n’ cheese lovefest at your house!!

Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram and Facebook! And check out our latest TikTok videos and Pinterest boards too!

All my best,
xo Libby

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The Best Three Cheese Mac ‘n’ Cheese

If you want to deliver comfort, bring them The Best Three Cheese Mac 'n' Cheese. It's super cheesy and ultra creamy, with a little extra love.

Course Entree, Side Dish

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

For the Three Cheese Mac 'n' Cheese

• 1 pound dried Cavatappi or Cellentani pasta
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups whole milk
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• salt to taste
• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese freshly grated, divided
• 4 ounces gruyere cheese freshly grated
• 16 ounces White Queso Dip or sub small cubed white American cheese

For the Crumb Topping

• 4 Tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Instructions

For the Three Cheese Mac 'n' Cheese

• Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
• Prepare the pasta according to package instructions. Drain.
• Meanwhile, prepare the white sauce by melting butter in a medium heavy bottom pan over medium heat. Once melted and bubbly, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Mixture should be smooth and bubbly. Gradually whisk in milk. Continue whisking for another minute until fully incorporated and smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently. Continue cooking until mixture has thickened, about 5-7 minutes. Season with mustard powder, cayenne pepper, and salt.
• Reduce heat to low and begin adding grated cheeses and queso, reserving 1/2 cup grated cheddar for assembly. Whisk to combine after each addition, until all cheese is melted and smooth. Pour cheese sauce over cooked pasta and stir well to fully combine.
• Pour half of macaroni mixture into prepared pan. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese. Top with remaining macaroni.

For the Crumb Topping

• Melt butter in microwave or in small pan on stovetop. Remove from heat. Stir in panko and parmesan and mix to combine. Sprinkle crumb topping over mac 'n' cheese. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.

Notes

Recipe can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in refrigerator. Remove from refrigerator and bake at 350° F. for 30 minutes or until heated through.
Remove baking sheet from refrigerator at least 30 minutes prior to baking for more even baking/heating.

The post The Best Three Cheese Mac ‘n’ Cheese appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

The first way is rather traditional made with spaghetti and lots of cheese and pepper!

The second is prepared with spaghetti squash! Equally as delicious, gluten free and low carb friendly!

If I may, for just a minute, share the highlights of our weekend. There’s a Jump to Recipe button just above if you’d like to skip the recap. No hard feelings :)

I planned and delivered a Tailgate Luncheon Birthday Party for 45 people on Saturday! eeeek!

It was such an amazing experience AND they loved it!!

Tailgate Luncheon Menu

• Slow Smoked Pulled Pork Sliders with 4 BBQ Sauces, including White BBQ Sauce
• Classic Coleslaw
• Three Cheese Mac ‘n’ Cheese
• Baked Beans
• Asian Beef Meatballs
• Chili Cheese Dog Tailgate Sliders
• Mardi Gras Wings with Celery/Carrots/Ranch Dressing
• From the Earth Salad with Sherry Vinaigrette
• Buffalo Chicken Dip with Tostitos Scoops
• Apache Bread Dip with Fritos Scoops
• Million Dollar Bacon (for the Bloody Mary Bar)

After being apart for six weeks, our bus is back home – better than ever!! We took her to the VW Invasion at Caffeine & Octane on Sunday. Incredible group of passionate car owners! I made a video recap and shared it on TikTok!

After several days of planning and cooking, followed by the camaraderie we experienced at the car show….I’m pretty high on life!

With that great energy I’m making Cacio e Pepe. Cheese and pepper pasta (or cheese & pepper spaghetti squash).

My first taste of this dish was during a dream Italian vacation Nick and I took a couple years ago. The first leg of our trip was in Rome where we aptly took a “Cooking Class in Rome.”

We have relived this trip over and over through stories we’ve shared and recipes we’ve recreated at home. At the close of our class, our instructor, chef Andrea, gave us these words of advice. Do not leave Rome without having Cacio e Pepe.

He went further and recommended the restaurant Roma Sparita which was walking distance from our hotel. Little did we know at the time that Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservation’s in Rome episode featured this very dish.

I decided to share this recipe made in a parmesan cheese bowl, just the way it was served at Roma Sparita!

Well, almost the same way. I’m serving mine with spaghetti squash, but you do you!

How To Cook Spaghetti Squash

• Cut squash in half
• Use a spoon to scrape out the seeds
• Coat cut side with olive oil, sprinkle with salt & pepper
• Place cut side down on baking sheet
• Bake at 400 degrees F. for 45 minutes
• Using two forks, scrape the squash strands from skins

Cacio e Pepe Basic Steps

• Melt butter in a pan over medium heat
• Add freshly cracked pepper and toast for 1 minute
• If using pasta add in an little pasta water
• Add in cooked pasta or spaghetti squash
• Stir to coat with butter & pepper, reduce heat to low
• Sprinkle with pecorino romano cheese and toss to combine
• For spaghetti squash swirl in a little cream (in place of pasta water)
• Serve in parmesan crisp bowl

This dish is Italian comfort food made from the simplest of ingredients. It’s cheesy with a nice peppery finish. The Parmesan Crisp Bowl is like dessert!

Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram and Facebook! And check out our latest TikTok videos and Pinterest boards too!

All my best,
xo Libby

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Cacio e Pepe Spaghetti Squash (served in Parmesan Crisp Bowls

This dish is Italian comfort food made from the simplest of ingredients. It's cheesy with a nice peppery finish. The parmesan crisp bowl is like dessert!

Course Entree

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 55 minutes minutes

Servings 2

Ingredients

For the Spaghetti Squash

• 1 medium spaghetti squash
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• salt & pepper

For the Parmesan Crisp Bowls

• 1 cup parmesan cheese finely shredded

For the Cacio e Pepe

• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 3-4 cups cooked spaghetti squash see above
• 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano cheese grated
• 2 Tablespoons heavy cream
• salt to taste
• 2 Tablespoons Pecorino Romano for garnish

Instructions

For the Spaghetti Squash

• Preheat oven to 400° F.
• Cut squash in half and remove seeds. Coat cut side of each half with olive oil and sprinkle with salt & pepper. Place halves cut side down on a baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes or until a fork pierces skin easily.
• Using two forks, scrape squash to loosen strands. Remove squash to a bowl and reserve.

For the Parmesan Crisp Bowls

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Make 2 6"-7" diameter circles with the parmesan cheese. Bake for 5-7 minutes until lightly golden.
• Remove from oven and allow to cool for 1 minute. Using a spatula, lift cheese circles and place over inverted bowls. Allow to cool.

For Cacio e Pepe

• Melt butter in skillet over medium heat. Add pepper and toast for 1 minute. Add in cooked spaghetti squash and stir to coat with butter. Reduce heat to low and add Pecorino Romano cheese and stir well. Swirl in a little cream and mix well. Season with salt to taste.
• Transfer to parmesan crisp bowls. Garnish with a sprinkle of Pecorino Romano.

The post Cacio e Pepe Served Two Ways appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

We were at an away tennis match, where traditionally the home team provides a spread of food. 

These little bites of ooey-gooey-love got our attention in a hurry.  

I have no idea if we won or lost our match that day. However, there’s no question that leaving with the recipe for Antipasto Squares was a Win!

I have since made these yummy squares many times. Most recently I shared a batch at a neighborhood gathering.  They were a hit!

The smell of warm buttery croissants alone draws you in. 

Combine that with all your favorite Italian meats and cheeses and you’ve got flavor magic. 

The roasted red peppers give them that familiar antipasto flavor which all comes together as they bake. 

There’s no question, these Antipasto Squares are rich.  I found cutting them into 1 1/2″ squares gives you a nice two-bite sample that’s easy to handle and allows you to come back for more with no very little guilt ;)  

These are a fantastic party food served warm or perhaps even better at room temperature.  And if you happen to be throwing a Game Day Party these Antipasto Squares are a fan favorite!

Delizioso!

For my college kids cooking in an apartment…. Make these!! They’re so easy and everyone will love them!

Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram and Facebook! And check out our latest TikTok videos and Pinterest boards too!

All my best,
xo Libby

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Libby with Lemony Thyme

These Antipasto Squares combine all your favorite Italian meats, cheeses and roasted red peppers in buttery croissant dough! Winning!

Course Appetizer

Servings 30 squares

Author All Recipes

Ingredients

• 2 10 ounce cans refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
• 1/4 pound boiled ham thinly sliced
• 1/4 pound provolone cheese thinly sliced
• 1/4 pound Genoa salami thinly sliced
• 1/4 pound Swiss cheese thinly sliced
• 1/4 pound pepperoni sausage thinly sliced
• 1 12 ounce jar roasted red peppers drained, cut into thin strips
• 3 eggs
• 3 Tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp. pepper

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350° F.
• Unroll one package of crescent roll dough, and cover the bottom of a 9×13 inch pan. Layer the ham, provolone cheese, salami, Swiss cheese, pepperoni, and red peppers, on top of the dough.
• In a bowl, beat the eggs lightly, and stir in the Parmesan cheese and black pepper. Pour 3/4 of this mixture over the peppers.

  Unroll the second package of dough, and place over the top of the peppers. Brush with the remaining egg mixture. Cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove foil, and bake another 10 to 20 minutes, or until dough is fluffy and golden brown. Cut into squares. Serve warm or at room temperature.

The post Antipasto Squares {Winning} appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

Yes, I referenced the holidays. They will be here in no time and this year we’ll be ready! We’ll have a whole line up of appetizers queue’d up and ready to go!

It just so happens this warm & cheesy dip is also game day worthy!

For this oven baked dip think bacon-wrapped, cheese-stuffed jalapeño popper flavors! Fresh jalapeños, 3 kinds of cheese, bacon-love, and a buttery crisp topping make this dip a fan favorite.

Jalapeño Popper Dip Ingredients

• For the Dip
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
• 4 ounces Monterey jack cheese, shredded
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 5-6 jalapenos, roasted & diced
• 6 slices bacon, cooked crispy & chopped
• For the Topping
• 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
• 4 Tablespoons butter, melted

How to Assemble the Dip

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place a rack in a rimmed baking pan lined with aluminum foil
• Arrange bacon slices and jalapenos on rack and bake for 20 minutes (or until bacon is crispy)
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl combine the remaining dip ingredients
• Chop bacon and jalapenos (discard stems and seeds), mix into dip
• Transfer dip to an 8×8 baking dish coated with cooking spray
• In a small bowl, combine Topping ingredients and spread on top of dip
• Bake for 20 minutes
• Garnish with crispy bacon and sliced jalapeno
• Serve with favorite chips or crackers

Recipe Tips

• You can adjust the ‘heat’ on this dip by adding more jalapenos or including the seeds. I used 5 average sized jalapenos (about 4″ long) and discarded the seeds. The result was mild on the heat meter.
• Cooking the bacon in the oven makes for easy cleanup.
• Roasting the jalapenos first mellows them out a bit and adds a nice smoky flavor.

For my college cooking kids, this Easy & Delicious Jalapeño Popper Dip Recipe is right up your alley! You can even assemble it the day before and just pop it in the oven before serving.

Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram and Facebook! And check out our latest TikTok videos and Pinterest boards too!

All my best,
xo Libby

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Easy & Delicious Jalapeño Popper Dip Recipe

This Easy & Delicious Jalapeño Popper Dip Recipe is perfect for holiday entertaining and a great addition to your game day spread!

Course Appetizer

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

For the Dip

• 6 slices bacon
• 5-6 jalapenos
• 8 ounces cream cheese softened
• 4 ounces cheddar cheese shredded
• 4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese shredded
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

For the Topping

• 4 Tablespoons butter melted
• 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (gluten free for GF version)
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese shredded

To Serve

• garnish with reserved crispy bacon & sliced jalapeno
• serve with favorite chips or crackers

Instructions

For the Dip

• Preheat oven to 400° F. Place a rack in a foil lined rimmed baking sheet. Arrange bacon slices and jalapenos on rack. Bake for 20 minutes or until bacon is crispy.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl combine remaining Dip ingredients. In a small bowl, combine Topping ingredients.
• Remove bacon and jalapenos from oven. Allow to cool slightly. Dice jalapenos, discarding stem and seeds. Chop bacon, reserving 2 Tablespoons for garnish. Add remaining bacon and diced jalapeno to dip. Transfer mixture to an 8×8 baking dish. Spread topping over dip. Bake for 20 minutes.
• Garnish with sliced jalapeno and crispy bacon. Serve warm from oven with favorite chips or crackers.

The post Easy & Delicious Jalapeño Popper Dip Recipe appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

Nice big tender Italian Meatballs nestled into bed of spaghetti wrapped in a blanket of sauce & cheese.

It’s amazing how one casserole dish can bring a family together.

Do you and your family sit down to dinner on a regular basis? Or are you like us and you treasure those times when you’ve got the whole gang gathered around the table?

I sure do love it!

Today I’m delivering a Spaghetti & Meatball Casserole of Love! One of my dear friends is in the hospital and the best thing I can do for her right now is to help nourish her family. I happen to know spaghetti & meatballs are a favorite in their house :)

The Preparation

This dish begins with the meatballs. I use our nice big Italian Meatballs, you can find the recipe here.

You’ll want to double this recipe, using 2 pounds of ground meat. This will make a beautiful batch of 16-20 meatballs.

Plenty to feed a family of eight!

When I’m delivering a meal to a friend or family at a time of need I try to make it as easy as possible to heat & serve or freeze.

Foil pans are the unsung heroes here. Simply layer the al dente spaghetti, top with cooked meatballs and marinara sauce, add a nice layer of cheese and bake.

For the spaghetti, I actually love to use bucatini fusilli. It’s curly and fun and holds on to the delicious marinara sauce nicely too.

I’ve shared before that there are a few pantry staples that I always keep on hand. The pasta I mentioned above, our favorite Rao’s Sauce, and gluten free panko breadcrumbs. All of which are incorporated into this meal.

I delivered Spaghetti & Meatball Casserole of Love!, a tossed salad and Peanut Butter Cup Brownies to this special family. Love and healing energy included.

Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram and Facebook! And check out our latest TikTok videos and Pinterest boards too!

All my best,
xo Libby

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Spaghetti & Meatball Casserole of Love!

Nice big tender Italian Meatballs nestled into bed of spaghetti wrapped in a blanket of sauce & cheese.

Course Entree

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

• 2 batches Italian Meatballs see recipe link in post

For the Spaghetti Casserole

• 1 pound spaghetti or favorite pasta cooked al dente
• 24 ounces marinara sauce
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese shredded

Instructions

For the Meatballs

• Brown the meatballs using the Oven Method. Then transfer to sauce and finish cooking in the oven.

For the Spaghetti Casserole

• Preheat oven to 350° F. Prepare pasta al dente according to package instructions. Drain and toss with marinara sauce. Layer in casserole dish with meatballs. Top with shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese. Bake for 20 minutes.

The post Spaghetti & Meatball Casserole of Love! appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

IT IS AMAZING.

Every ingredient is so well thought out, each delivering a unique flavor and/or texture.

This chopped salad begins with a base of orzo pasta and builds from there. Check out the ingredients below.

The ingredients laid out above will make a gigantic crowd-worthy salad. Easily enough to feed 8 people as a meal, more as a side dish. We’ll be eating on it for days and I’m okay with that!

The Ingredients

• Orzo pasta – cooked, drained and cooled
• Boneless skinless chicken breasts – grilled and cubed
• Spinach and radicchio – julienned
• Tomatoes – diced
• Black olives – sliced
• Sundried tomatoes – chopped
• Pine nuts – lightly toasted
• Capers – drained
• Parmesan cheese – shredded or shaved
• Roasted Garlic Lemon Vinaigrette – garlic, lemon, red wine vinegar, honey, olive oil, salt

The Process

• Roast garlic at 400 degrees for 45 minutes (see How to Oven Roast Garlic)
• Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions
• Grill chicken breasts
• Slice and dice remaining ingredients
• When garlic is done, prepare vinaigrette
• Toss and serve

Right before serving, toss the salad with the Roasted Garlic Lemon Vinaigrette. The wonderful thing about this salad (and vinaigrette) is that it holds up nicely in warm weather. This might be my favorite picnic salad yet!

This Insalata Chicken Florentine also keeps well. We literally will eat on this for three days and it’s just as good as the very first bite.

Are there recipes that remind you of a favorite vacation that you’d like to see us recreate? I’d love for you to comment below. Your feedback is so important to me (and keeps the recipe love fresh).

Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram and Facebook! And check out our latest TikTok videos and Pinterest boards too!

All my best,
xo Libby

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Insalata Chicken Florentine (Macaroni Grill Copycat)

This crowd-pleaser salad is amazing! Every ingredient is so well thought out, each delivering a unique flavor and/or texture.

Course Entree, Salad Entree

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts grilled and cubed
• 1 pound orzo pasta cooked, drained, cooled
• 5 ounces fresh spinach julienned
• 1 head radicchio julienned
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
• 1 cup black olives sliced
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
• 1 cup pine nuts lightly toasted
• 3.5 ounce jar capers drained
• 4 ounces Parmesan cheese shredded or shaved
• 1 cup Roasted Garlic Lemon Vinaigrette see recipe link in post

Instructions

• Grill chicken and cut into bite-sized pieces. Prepare orzo according to package instructions. Drain and cool. Julienne, slice or chop remaining ingredients. Place all ingredients in a large salad bowl. Toss with vinaigrette. Garnish with additional parmesan cheese.

The post Insalata Chicken Florentine (Copycat Macaroni Grill) appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

If you’re like us, you shop the Farmers Markets over the weekend. With good intentions you buy a beautiful assortment of fresh summer veggies. By mid-week you’ve still got a bin full begging for their time to shine.

Enter this 15 minute shrimp & veggie pasta recipe and you’re now well on your way to hero status!

There’s something so sexy and delicious about beautiful Pappardelle pasta.  I’m certain simply a little butter and parmesan makes it a worthy meal.

But trust me when I say that adding shrimp and summer vegetables elevates this dish to RQ status.

RQ = Restaurant Quality

Our latest pasta dish is just bursting with fresh bright flavors. Shrimp, summer veggies, fresh herbs, garlic, lemon juice, and parmesan cheese are a wonderful combination. This is the kind of meal that’s quick to get to the table but has you wanting to slowly savor every bite.  

Preparation

• Slice or dice a nice assortment of veggies like asparagus, squash, zucchini, corn, peppers. Choose your favorites. Your veggie bin contents.
• Boil Pappardelle according to directions about 8-10 minutes.
• While pasta is cooking, lightly sauté veggies in olive oil in a large skillet until just tender, about 5 minutes. Add in shrimp, chopped garlic and season with salt & pepper and cook covered an additional 2-3 minutes until shrimp are cooked through.
• Squeeze in juice of half a lemon and 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese.
• Transfer al dente pasta to to sautéed shrimp and veggies. Add in 1/2 cup pasta liquid and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve family-style on a large platter. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and freshly grated parmesan cheese.

Simply delicious.

Side Note:  When searching for Pappardelle recipes, I discovered that the pasta’s name comes from the Italian pappare, a verb which means “to gobble up.”  And so we did…

Are there recipes that remind you of a favorite vacation that you’d like to see us recreate? I’d love for you to comment below. Your feedback is so important to me (and keeps the recipe love fresh).

Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook!

All my best,
xo Libby

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15 Minute Easy Shrimp & Summer Veggie Pappardelle Pasta

15 Minute Easy Shrimp & Summer Veggie Pappardelle Pasta needs to be on your dinner rotation this summer.

Course Entree

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

• 8 ounces dried pappardelle pasta
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 4 cups diced or sliced summer veggies such as: corn, zucchini, yellow squash, peppers, cherry tomatoes, asparagus, broccoli
• 1 pound medium or large peeled & deveined raw shrimp
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 lemon
• 1 cup parmesan cheese finely grated
• fresh parsley chopped
• salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

• Boil Pappardelle Pasta al dente, according to package instructions.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add in sliced and diced veggies and saute 3-4 minutes over medium high. Add in peeled and deveined shrimp and stir to combine. Cover and cook an additional 2-3 minutes, until shrimp are opaque and cooked through. Add in butter and garlic, stir to combine.
• Add drained pasta to shrimp and veggie pan, reserving 1/2 cup of cooking liquid. Add cooking liquid, juice of a 1/2 lemon, and 3/4 cup parmesan cheese to pan. Stir until pasta is well coated. Season with salt & pepper and additional lemon juice to taste.
• Serve shrimp & veggie pasta family style on a platter. Sprinkle top with remaining parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley.

The post 15 Minute Easy Shrimp & Summer Veggie Pappardelle Pasta appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

Mardi Gras still holds the top spot in my book, but these buttery garlic parmesan wings are insanely good.

There’s no spice, just lots of punchy garlic flavor mellowed by the buttery parmesan parsley toss sauce.

Garlic Parmesan Wings are super simple to make with just a few basic ingredients.

The Method

The wings are tossed with garlic powder, salt and pepper then placed on a rack lined baking sheet and into a 400 degree F. oven for an hour.

Ten minutes before wings are done baking prepare the sauce.

Melt butter in a small saucepan, remove from the heat and stir in lots of chopped garlic.

Allow to cool slightly, then just before you’re ready to use stir in parmesan and parsley.

Place crispy wings in a bowl, pour sauce over top and toss to coat.

Crispy Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings will melt in your mouth and leave you licking the buttery garlic sauce off your fingers.

Promise!

Are there recipes that remind you of a favorite vacation that you’d like to see us recreate? I’d love for you to comment below. Your feedback is so important to me (and keeps the recipe love fresh).

Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram and Facebook! And check out our latest TikTok videos and Pinterest boards too!

All my best,
xo Libby

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Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings will melt in your mouth and leave you licking the buttery garlic sauce off your fingers. Promise!

Course Entree or Appetizer

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Servings 4

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

For the Rub

• 2 pounds chicken wings flats & drummettes separated
• 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

For the Sauce

• 4 ounces butter
• 4 cloves fresh garlic minced
• 2 ounces parmesan cheese finely grated
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves chopped

Instructions

For the Rub

• Preheat oven to 400° F. Line rimmed baking sheet with foil. Place a rack onto pan.
• Combine the garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a zipper top bag. Add wings and shake to coat. Place wings on rack of prepared pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

For the Sauce

• Ten minutes before wings are done prepare the sauce. Melt butter in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in garlic. Allow to cool slightly. Just before ready to use, stir in parmesan and parsley. Place crispy wings in a bowl. Pour sauce over top and toss to coat. Best served immediately.

The post Crispy Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

It has the perfect balance of savory (hello pesto) with a hint of sweetness.

I’ve literally made five variations of it in the past several weeks, sharing it with friends & family along the way.

Rave reviews from all of my taste-testers!

For anyone following a gluten free diet, or looking to incorporate more veggies into their meals, or just loves sweet potatoes as much as I do….this is your new secret weapon!

Sweet potatoes are high in fiber, mineral rich (particularly potassium) and packed with vitamins (particularly immunity boosting Vitamin A / beta-carotene), which has anti-inflammatory properties – that’s music to my ears!

Sweet Potato crust is genius!

I first saw it in a Cooking Light post and instantly knew I would recreate it at home.

The Sweet Potato Crust Method

Because the crust is pre-baked before filling, causing the sweet potatoes to shrink, it’s important to overlap them a good bit and to be sure the diameter of the slices are large enough to stand above the edge of your quiche pan.

I’ve practiced several times now and believe I’ve found the right combination of slice thickness (1/8-inch), diameter (1-inch larger than the height of the pan), and spacing (overlap at least half of each slice).

Using a mandolin set at 1/8-inch thickness makes the slicing a breeze, but you can certainly cut the sweet potatoes by hand.

I found one large sweet potato will do the trick, but buy two just in case. The crust is baked at 375 degrees F. for 20 minutes before adding the fillings.

For the Veggie Quiche Filling

For this Veggie & Pesto Quiche I chose steamed broccoli, asparagus, and zucchini for my veggies, Basil Pesto, and feta and parmesan cheese.

The custard consists of 6 large eggs, 1 cup of heavy cream, salt, pepper and nutmeg.

Place the quiche on a baking sheet then bake a 350 degrees F. for 35-40 minutes, until the center is just firm to the touch.

Allow to cool slightly before slicing.

The result is a perfectly cooked sweet potato crust, with a delicious savory veggie filling.

The feta cheese and basil pesto really bring wonderful flavors to this dish and the ratio of custard to filling is perfect.

Not too ‘eggy’ as my husband would say.

Sweet Potato Crust Veggie & Pesto Quiche is easily one of my new favorite quiches.

Don’t forget to follow us @LemonyThyme on Instagram and Facebook! And check out our latest TikTok videos and Pinterest boards too!

All my best,
xo Libby

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Sweet Potato Crust Veggie & Pesto Quiche

This quiche has a perfectly cooked sweet potato crust, with a delicious savory veggie filling. The feta cheese and basil pesto really bring wonderful flavors to this dish and the ratio of custard to filling is perfect.

Course Breakfast, Brunch, Entree, Lunch

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes minutes

Prebake Sweet Potato Crust 20 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

• 1-2 large sweet potatoes, peeled sliced 1/8-inch thick
• 2 1/2 cups steamed veggies (such as broccoli, zucchini, asparagus, yellow squash)
• 1/4 cup basil pesto recipe link in post
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 6 large eggs
• 1 cup heavy cream or half & half
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375° F. Peel and slice sweet potato(s) into 1/8-inch slices. Spray pie plate or quiche pan with cooking spray, then line with sweet potato slices. Slices should be 1-inch taller than sides of pie plate and should be overlapped by half. Place pie plate on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, steam veggies and prepare pesto, reserve. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs with cream, salt, pepper and nutmeg.
• Remove prebaked sweet potato crust from oven. Lower oven temperature to 350° F. Arrange veggies in crust. Sprinkle with pesto and cheeses. Slowly pour custard over filling. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until center is set and just firm to the touch. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Delicious served warm or at room temperature.

Previous versions of sweet potato crust quiches. All delicious, but you’ll notice the crust is a bit wimpy. This is where using thicker and larger diameter sweet potato slices comes into play. Go big!

The post Sweet Potato Crust Veggie & Pesto Quiche appeared first on Lemony Thyme.