Who came in #1 this year?
Read on to see my Top 10 Blog Posts of 2017 + 5 Runner-Ups!
When each year ends, I love taking a look back and seeing what recipes took off and which ones died an ugly death. I've found you can't please everyone! And as always, many surprise me.
What? That dish didn't go over well? We loved it! Or - how in the bloody heck did that one get hundreds of shares...I literally didn't plan a lick of it and threw it together on a whim. It just goes to show you never know what people are in the mood for.
So cheers to 2017! Let's take a look back at the year and see what was popular, and five extras that just squeaked by making the top 10. If you are reading this, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.
#10 Zesty Spaghetti Salad. I made this pasta salad for the first time this past summer and I'm not ashamed to admit, I've made it 267 times since. My middle daughter LOVES it. I love it. Honestly, I could probably eat it as a meal. What's fun about it, is that each and every time I whip it up it comes out different. Sometimes I add black olives, sometimes I add diced pepperoni. Often I go heavy on the shredded Parm {because, hello, Parm} and sometimes I add sliced green onions. Whatever you have on hand in your fridge works.
#9 Chicken & Spinach Stuffed Shells. Top pasta dish of the year! My local friends and I recently had a freezer swap {you make multiple pans of the same dish, gather with friends, then swap} and I brought this dish. It has become a family favorite. I've since had those said friends text me and say their family raved about this one - including the kids! And it's includes green stuff {spinach}, so I'm giving this one a BIG win.
#8 Strawberry Swirl Sweet Rolls. Aren't these beauties pretty? They kinda scream happiness in my opinion. These came in second for breakfast. Did you know you can actually make cinnamon rolls in an hour? Feel free to spread any fruity jam in between these doughy layers, strawberry just happens to be my favorite. I often make these in three disposable pans and deliver two of them to friends!
#7 Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Coffee Creamer. This homemade coffee creamer went crazy over the Fall months when everyone is gaga over anything pumpkin pie spice. It's super simple to make and lasts for a good week in the fridge. All coffee lovers will love this one, especially those of you who enjoy doctoring up your coffee a little {like me}.
#6 Hot Cast Iron Skillet Herbed Bread with Spinach Artichoke Dip. A friend commented last week on my Facebook page that she has made this appetizer three times already! It's that good. Any skillet works, as long as it is oven proof - as baking both the bread {dippers!} and the dip in one pan is genius. I plan on making this for New Year's Eve. It can be prepped ahead and taken to whatever party your attending, thrown in the oven, ready in just 20 minutes.
#5 Holiday Gift Guide: 20 Gifts for Under $20. People love help when it comes to shopping, especially during the holidays. So many people to buy for! This list was a fun one as I hand picked 20 items that are budget friendly. I still want to buy myself {they are saved in my Amazon cart for checkout} the elephant bookends and the cute camera strap.
#4 20+ Valentine's Day Treats. Guess what major holiday is next? Yep, Valentine's Day. This list contains both salty and sweet items from sweet breads to mini pizzas to funfetti popcorn. Whether you have a sweetheart or not, I feel it is still fun to bake for your kids or invite loved ones over, just because. Come late January {or now!} browse through these selections and find one that is perfect for you.
#3 5 Minute BLT Frito Dip. I first created this dip pre-summer of this year anticipating pool parties and summer picnics. And wowza, did it go over well! Here's the thing it's great anytime of the year. Filled with all your BLT favorites, it's creamy, salty, cheesy and pretty darn delicious. But only eat with Fritos, I repeat, only Fritos. It makes the dip.
#2 Amish Breakfast Casserole. This is our new favorite egg dish. I made it for our Christmas morning breakfast and even my 8 year old boy who would sometimes rather do extra chores than eat eggs, eats this one. There is one secret ingredient. It makes the dish. The addition of onion, bacon and sometimes when I'm feeling frisky, ground sausage all comes together for the perfect breakfast.
#1 Meal Plan: 2 Weeks, 5 Mouths, All for Under $115. After being a food blogger for 8 years, I've learned a few things. What I've learned is that come January, once the holidays are past us, people want meal plans. They want to get organized and get back on track {say goodbye Christmas cookies!}. Moms especially feel the need {me included} to plan, plan, plan and attack the new year with avengance. This blog post clearly won all the awards. It's easy, budget-friendly and included all our favorite meals.
And because I always love an underdog....here are five honorable mentions.
I'm going to try those healthy brownie bites. They look delicious!
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