One activity I loved when I was growing up was sleepovers. I loved having all my friends over to host and show them a good time. I would make snacks for everyone, and we would talk, laugh, and eat until we couldn’t keep our eyes open anymore. Now, my kids will have their close friends and cousins over for sleepovers, and I am just as excited to get the food ready for their fun memories they’re about to make. This week’s Menu Plan Monday is full of great recipes to share when all the kids are over for those late summer nights.

What is the most classic sleepover food? Pizza. Boxes of pizza overflowing with soda cans nearby is an image I have of lots of sleepovers I had. My Flatbread Margherita Pizza is a great late-night snack that most everyone is bound to love. I make these because I know the kids will eat them, even if they pull off the basil and Kale, and I can enjoy some too.

My Chicken Stuffed French Bread is a fun way to switch things up, but also make sure everyone is fed and full before they pass out. 

I know you’re thinking it, and I am here to deliver. Every sleepover needs a little something sweet. My Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are so fantastic. Layers of cheesecake and cookie with chocolate chips throughout. A piece of this with a scoop of ice cream is just about the best way to end any night!

From my kitchen to yours. – Holly xo

MONDAY

Chicken Stuffed French Bread

TUESDAY

Taco Spaghetti

WEDNESDAY

One Pan Brown Sugar Italian Chicken and Veggies

THURSDAY

Ranch Chicken

FRIDAY

Margherita Flatbread Pizza

SATURDAY

Leftovers

SUNDAY

Baked Burrito Casserole

DESSERT

Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

The post Menu Plan Monday #445 appeared first on Life In The Lofthouse.

One of my favorite things about summer is that almost every day feels like a weekend. The kids don’t have to get up early to be out the door, and I’m able to soak up some quality time with the family. This week my Menu Plan Monday is to treat every day like it’s Saturday. Kick your feet up and enjoy yourself with this fun and fabulous set of recipes that will make even the middle of the week feel like a party.

The number of cheeseburgers we eat during the summer can be a little shocking, because we at the Lofthouse casa love to grill. My Bacon Cheeseburger Wraps are a great way to indulge in a delicious cheeseburger with a little less guilt. By replacing the bun with a wrap, you have a lot more room and opportunity to enjoy a juicy grilled bacon cheeseburger all week long.

My Sheet Pan Chicken Alfredo Pizza is great for those days when the whole neighborhood is over to hang out. Everyone loves pizza, and this recipe makes plenty to share.

You want to know what goes great with slow summer mornings? Pancakes. Pancakes go great just about every morning. My IHOP Pancakes (Copycat) are a fluffy and fantastic breakfast to whip up any day of the week. A hearty homemade breakfast infused with love will get any day started right!

From my kitchen to yours. –Holly xo

MONDAY

Baked Parmesan Pork Chops

TUESDAY

Baked Buffalo Chicken Taquitos

WEDNESDAY

Cheesy Lasagna Roll Ups

THURSDAY

Bacon Cheeseburger Wraps

FRIDAY

Sheet Pan Chicken Alfredo Pizza

SATURDAY

Leftovers

SUNDAY

IHOP Pancakes (Copycat)

DESSERT

Watermelon Lemonade Slushies

The post Menu Plan Monday #444 appeared first on Life In The Lofthouse.

This week, we celebrate the 4th of July, our Independence Day. Being a proud American, I wanted to share a menu that I am equally proud of. We are going to celebrate the red, white, and blue with some grilling, swimming, and being outside with the family. This week’s Menu Plan Monday celebrates all these things and is full of tasty recipes that are reason enough to celebrate!

What is the 4th of July without cooking on the grill? Burgers, hot dogs, and anything else that you deem worthy of grill marks. My Grilled Apricot Chicken is a fun way to spice up regular grilled chicken. This sweet and savory way to prepare this protein is great all summer long. Pair this with a side of my Grilled Corn with Cilantro-Lime Butter. The pairing of these two off the hot grill will create fireworks right on your taste buds!

Towards the end of the night, you must have something a little sweet to snack on while you watch the fireworks in the sky above. My Red, White, and Blue Berry Trifle is what this holiday is asking for! Layers of fresh berries, whipped cream, and angel food cake. This dessert is so well themed for the holiday and is a perfect way to bring this fun-filled day to a close.

Happy Independence Day, everyone. I hope that you have a special one that is packed full of family and food.

From my kitchen to yours. –Holly xo

MONDAY

Copycat Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich

TUESDAY

BBQ Chicken Foil Packs

WEDNESDAY

Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

THURSDAY

Grilled Corn with Cilantro-Lime Butter

FRIDAY

Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Brisket

SATURDAY

Kitchen’s Closed

SUNDAY

Grilled Apricot Chicken

DESSERT

Red, White & Blue Berry Trifle

The post Menu Plan Monday #443 appeared first on Life In The Lofthouse.

My family and I love traveling to California. Disneyland is practically my second home. But, during this time of year, we usually avoid the West Coast due to ‘June Gloom.’ Oddly enough, the beaches can be quite overcast, and the vibe might not be what we want our escape from home to be like. This week’s Menu Plan Monday is full of recipes to brighten up your week!

My French Onion Beef Casserole is about as comforting as it gets. This is the perfect dinner to make on any day to fill your home with the aroma of delicious food. For another style of comfort, try my Chicken Pillows with Creamy Parmesan Sauce. These are so enjoyable, and they stick right to your ribs. You may want to take a nap right on one of the pillows!

Chocolate can turn any mood around. If there is any sort of gloominess hanging over the home, chocolate is the first thing I turn to. My Lunch Lady Brownies have the magical power to elevate any mood you might be in. This recipe will take you right back to those school days when a rich brownie with a layer of chocolate frosting on top would be the highlight of your week!

From my kitchen to yours. –Holly xo

MONDAY

French Onion Beef Casserole

TUESDAY

Mexican Tortilla Stack

WEDNESDAY

Chicken Pillows with Creamy Parmesan Sauce

THURSDAY

Apple, Bacon, & Gorgonzola Salad with Sweet Balsamic Vinaigrette

FRIDAY

Smothered Chicken Burritos

SATURDAY

Kitchen’s Closed

SUNDAY

Creamy Pasta Primavera

DESSERT

Lunch Lady Brownies

The post Menu Plan Monday #442 appeared first on Life In The Lofthouse.

The month of June is such a desirable time to get married. You can plan almost any type of reception. Indoor, outdoor, destination, you name it! One thing that is always in need after a ceremony is food. I have catered wedding receptions and other large events, and it’s one of the funnest things I’ve ever done. This week’s Menu Plan Monday focuses on great recipes that you can make a ton of to cater to large gatherings!

Hors devours are essential for a wedding. No matter if it is pre-ceremony or post-ceremony, you always need something to snack on. My Shrimp Taco Bites are fabulous and delicious finger foods. Load up a tray full and pass it around for everyone to have a bite! When it comes to a main course, give my Crock Pot Barbecue Chicken a try. You can use this for salads, sandwiches, or even sliders! This is a great recipe to cook for either a small, intimate ceremony or in large quantities.

Finally, you must serve something sweet to the guests that isn’t wedding cake. I have a dessert recipe so good; you might just want to put two plastic figures on top and call it a wedding cake. My Cookies and Cream Brownies are amazing. Rich and chocolatey, you can cut these into smaller pieces for guests to nibble on. Every event I serve these at, I am bound to have a few people ask for the recipe. That is why I am so thrilled to share it with you all.

From my kitchen to yours. –Holly xo

MONDAY

Crock Pot Barbecue Chicken

TUESDAY

Chicken Taco Alfredo

WEDNESDAY

Southwest Chicken Chopped Salad

THURSDAY

Easy Skillet Lasagna

FRIDAY

Chicken Caesar Sandwiches

SATURDAY

Kitchen’s Closed

SUNDAY

Shrimp Taco Bites

DESSERT

Cookies and Cream Brownies

The post Menu Plan Monday #441 appeared first on Life In The Lofthouse.

This week, we have a wonderful holiday in our midst. Flag Day is one in which we honor our beautiful American Flag. Old Glory, the Stars and Stripes, the Star-Spangled Banner. Whatever you want to call her, she is beautiful. There’s no better way to honor her legacy as the symbol for our incredible free nation than bringing a Menu Plan Monday full of recipes that are uniquely American. 

We Americans are known for being meat lovers. Most major holidays usually revolve around eating a tender and juicy piece of meat. Since there isn’t an ‘official’ Flag Day protein, let me be the one to offer one: Stuffing-Topped Pork Chops. This succulent dish is irresistible and packed with flavor. What should you serve with this juicy piece of pork? Try my Cheesy Broccoli Twice Baked Potatoes. These two served together are a match made in heaven.

In celebration of our Red, White & Blue, I wanted to serve up something that resembles our nation’s colors. My Strawberry Jell-O Poke Cake is a sweet salute to our beautiful flag. Jell-O is an American staple, and its addition to this strawberry dessert makes a soft cake with a red and white representation. Serve up a slice full of pride and flavor!

I hope that you spend this wonderful holiday with loved ones creating long lasting memories.

From my kitchen to yours. –Holly xo

MONDAY

Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli

TUESDAY

Chicken Taco Bites

WEDNESDAY

Stuffing-Topped Pork Chops

THURSDAY

Chicken Bacon Ranch Baked Penne

FRIDAY

Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas

SATURDAY

Kitchen’s Closed

SUNDAY

Cheesy Broccoli Twice-Baked Potatoes

DESSERT

Strawberry Jello Poke Cake

The post Menu Plan Monday #440 appeared first on Life In The Lofthouse.

It’s time to start singing along to the tune of June! What a beautiful summer we are having here in sunny Southern Utah. Now that the kids are out of school, we are looking at days full of outdoor activities. I try to avoid having everyone sit in the house all summer long, looking at our phones. It’s too beautiful to sit inside all day! This week’s Menu Plan Monday is full of meals that will help you get up and go!

Packing a picnic and finding a shady tree somewhere is one of my favorite things to do in this warm month. My Strawberry Chicken and Spinach Pasta Salad is one of the best and light salads to enjoy in the park. Pack up a frisbee, football, and your delicious lunch, and get outside to enjoy this flavorful salad. For the days that will be spent at home, or possibly by the pool, cook a large batch of my Slow Cooker Chicken Ranch Tacos. They are always satisfying!

Nothing says summertime quite like a frosty milkshake. My Oreo Milkshakes are full of Oreo cookie chunks with creamy vanilla ice cream. What a cool way to finish up a warm day! Everyone at my house is obsessed with all things Oreo, so these milkshakes are a regular occurrence during the summer.

Get outside and enjoy the sun with the ones you love, and share these meals made from the heart.

From my kitchen to yours. –Holly xo

MONDAY

Cheesesteak Sliders

TUESDAY

Slow Cooker Chicken Ranch Tacos

WEDNESDAY

Baked Spaghetti

THURSDAY

Strawberry Chicken and Spinach Pasta Salad

FRIDAY

Chicken Stir Fry

SATURDAY

Leftovers

SUNDAY

Honey Garlic Steak Bites

DESSERT

Oreo Milkshakes

The post Menu Plan Monday #439 appeared first on Life In The Lofthouse.

This week we celebrate Memorial Day. The holiday in which we honor all of those who have served and fought for our country. This is a special weekend spent with our loved ones and remembering those that we’ve lost. This holiday calls for an extra special Menu Plan Monday. It is filled with yummy homemade meals made that come straight from the heart.

First, I’m going to share a nostalgic meal made for gatherings. My Ham and Cheese Sliders are small in size, but big in flavor. Packed with protein, these shareable mini sandwiches are so delicious and can serve a crowd! For a small get-together, try my One Pan Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies. This hearty meal is perfect for a small group at your dinner table.

For a sweet finish to any meal, bake a batch of my Soft and Chewy M&M Cookies. They are sure to bring a huge smile to anyone’s face. Who doesn’t love M&M’s? Especially when they are baked into a cookie!

I hope that you are able to share some of these recipes with the ones closest to you. Cheers to this wonderful country that we live in, and to all of those who protect it for each one of us.

MONDAY

Ham and Cheese Sliders

TUESDAY

Sweet Pork Tacos

WEDNESDAY

Szechuan Chicken

THURSDAY

Meatloaf Cups

FRIDAY

Greek Chicken Wraps

SATURDAY

Leftovers

SUNDAY

Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies

DESSERT

Soft and Chewy M&M Cookies

The post Menu Plan Monday #438 appeared first on Life In The Lofthouse.

The Lofthouse is poppin’ on hot summer days, and I totally love it. We became the most popular house to hang out at after we had our pool put in, and I’m not mad about it. When my kids have their friends over, I make sure I have plenty of snacks ready. This week’s Menu Plan Monday is geared for those who have hungry mouths to feed after a long day in the sun.

Sometimes I think our front door should have been a revolving door. We’ll have kids coming and going all afternoon when a pool party is going on. To make sure everyone gets a little bite to eat, I’ll throw together my Cheeseburger Sliders. I’ll make a counter full of these fantastic little cheeseburgers. They are the perfect size for everyone to nab a quick bite. When the parents join the pool party, make a spread of my BBQ Chicken Salad Wraps. I guarantee these will be gone as quickly as the sliders!

Everybody needs a little something sweet after a long day of fun. Kids and adults. With the bright sun beaming down, I think it’s time for a treat just as bright. My Lemon Sugar Cookies with Lemon Frosting are light, bright, and delicious. They will bring a smile to everyone’s face as they head home. I hope that you have some fun plans as the kids start to finish their school year and head into these fun, warm months.

From my kitchen to yours. –Holly xo  

MONDAY

Crock Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken

TUESDAY

Doritos Taco Salad

WEDNESDAY

Stuffed French Bread

THURSDAY

Dutch Oven Sprite Chicken

FRIDAY

Cheeseburger Sliders

SATURDAY

Kitchen’s Closed

SUNDAY

BBQ Chicken Salad Wraps

DESSERT

Lemon Sugar Cookies with Lemon Frosting

The post Menu Plan Monday #437 appeared first on Life In The Lofthouse.

Let me be one of the first to wish you all a happy New Year! I love the beginning of a year. One of mine is to share lots of new and delicious recipes for you and your family. I will also continue to share my Menu Plan Mondays every week. Cooking dinner for your family creates quality time to spend with the ones you love.

This first menu of the year is filled with some great meal ideas. My Breakfast Bake is a holiday tradition that I like to make every Christmas morning with a side of salsa. It’s full of turkey sausage, eggs, bell peppers, and cheese with a flaky crescent dough crust.

For lunch, I’ve got you covered on a cold January afternoon with a bowl of Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken Soup. Don’t forget to serve it with Garlic Breadsticks on the side.

I’ve added my Soft and Chewy M&M Cookies for dessert. I have to beg my kids to let these cool off before they snatch them off the counter.  Enjoy!

Happy New Year from my kitchen to yours. – Holly xo

MONDAY

Breakfast Bake

TUESDAY

Sweet Pork Tacos

WEDNESDAY

Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken Soup

Enjoy the soup with a side of Garlic Parmesan Breadsticks

THURSDAY

Leftovers

FRIDAY

Chicken Bacon Ranch Baked Penne

SATURDAY

Kitchen’s Closed

SUNDAY

Taco Spaghetti

DESSERT

Soft and Chewy M&M Cookies

The post Menu Plan Monday #417 appeared first on Life In The Lofthouse.

It’s beginning to taste a lot like Christmas, with every meal you make!  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone. Just a few more days until Santa drops down the chimney with his sack full of goodies. This week is so special that I’ve filled it with some very exceptional recipes that will fill your home with holiday spirit.

I have searched through my favorite recipes for the quintessential Christmas dinner, and I am so excited to share with you my Crock Pot Pineapple Ginger Glazed Ham. This is the perfect meal after a full day of presents and quality time with the family. Gather everyone at the table for this special meal!

If you live somewhere that snows, just wait until you warm up with a bowl of my Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup. This is one of the cheesiest soups that you’ll ever have. It’s the perfect winter meal.

Last, but not least, my Pumpkin Rolls would be the perfect way to end your Christmas dinner. Perhaps you can make them on Christmas Eve and leave a few slices out for Santa. Ha!

Merry Christmas from me and everyone here in the Lofthouse! –Holly xo

MONDAY

Easy Skillet Lasagna

TUESDAY

Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup

WEDNESDAY

Chicken Stuffing Bake

THURSDAY

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

FRIDAY

Club Sandwiches

SATURDAY (Christmas Dinner)

Crock Pot Pineapple-Ginger Glazed Ham

SUNDAY

Leftovers

DESSERT

Pumpkin Rolls

The post Menu Plan Monday #415 appeared first on Life In The Lofthouse.

Christmas is a couple of weeks away, and I am more than excited! I love the holiday season for too many reasons to count. This time of year is all about comfort foods that fill you up and bring you joy. There is always a great excuse around the holidays to have that extra serving, eat one more cookie, and indulge in your favorite meals. This week’s meals will leave your family stuffed and satisfied.

One of my kids’ new favorite dinners is my Baked Spaghetti. They can’t get enough of it! This dish is incredible for larger families since it can feed an army. It has all the classic components of traditional spaghetti baked in the oven with tons of cheese. My Cheesy Ranch Chicken Pasta is another filling pasta dish that my kids devour. Serve with a green salad, and you’ll have one hearty dinner.

Since we are in the middle of cold weather, it’s time to get cozy, turn on a Christmas movie, and sip on some hot cocoa. My Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate will fill your home with the irresistible aroma of chocolate and peppermint. I like to make this towards the end of the day and serve it as a dessert. Throw a giant marshmallow in each cup as the perfect topping to this sweet drink.

I hope you enjoy this week’s delicious menu plan. –Holly xo

MONDAY

Crock Pot Honey Sesame Chicken

TUESDAY

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup

WEDNESDAY

Cheesy Ranch Chicken Pasta

THURSDAY

Chicken Stir Fry

FRIDAY

Margherita Flatbread Pizza

SATURDAY

Kitchen’s Closed

SUNDAY

Baked Spaghetti

DESSERT

Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate

The post Menu Plan Monday #414 appeared first on Life In The Lofthouse.

Happy December, everybody! The Christmas tree is up in our house, decorated, and ready for Santa.  It still may be a few weeks until the actual day, but in my house, Christmas runs all December long. I love to fill my home with holiday spirit from decorations, to holiday music, and of course, the food. It’s time to fill our homes with the wonderful aroma of delicious food.

Every time I make soup in the winter, I also say a little prayer that it will snow. A rare occurrence in Southern Utah, but a girl can dream!  What could be cozier than eating a bowl of warm, homemade soup while watching the snowfall? My Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup is hearty and wonderful for the holidays. This soup will permeate throughout your entire home with a mouth-watering scent.  It will fill the air and your stomach with irresistible flavor.

‘Tis the season for sweet treats, and my White Chocolate Pumpkin Bread with Streusel Topping is a great way to kick it off!  This is a recipe where just saying the title gets my mouth watering. Pair a slice of this incredible dessert bread with a warm cup of hot cocoa for the ultimate holiday treat. I am so glad I have a whole month to share incredible winter recipes with you. See you next week, everybody!

From my kitchen to yours. -Holly xo

MONDAY

Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup

TUESDAY

Shrimp Taco Bites

WEDNESDAY

Ham and Cheese Penne

THURSDAY

Chicken Cheesesteak Baked Potatoes

FRIDAY

Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas

SATURDAY

Leftovers

SUNDAY

Italian Chicken and Stuffing Bake

DESSERT

White Chocolate Pumpkin Bread with Streusel Topping

The post Menu Plan Monday #413 appeared first on Life In The Lofthouse.

I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday! Ours was absolutely amazing. I loved every minute. The first thing we did was turn on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade on TV to set the festive tone for the day. My oven and stove top were going non-stop! We enjoyed our dinner so much and played lots of board games after our meal. My favorite part was just having all my kids under my roof again.

I enjoy Thanksgiving leftovers almost as much as the traditional meal. There is more room to get creative with the ingredients the day after the holiday. That is my inspiration for this week’s menu!

My Thanksgiving Leftovers Panini is one of the best hot sandwiches you’ll ever have. This sandwich is layered with all your favorite leftovers with a side of cranberry sauce for dipping. Each bite is sheer perfection.

I saved my Turkey and Stuffing Roll Ups for the end of the week, so we can pretend to have another mini holiday meal. This recipe is great for trying a new way to present turkey breast. It is also the easiest recipe ever!

I hope you enjoy these meals and have another great week! -Holly xo

MONDAY

Thanksgiving Leftovers Panini

TUESDAY

Slow Cooker Chicken Ranch Tacos

WEDNESDAY

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Corn Bake

THURSDAY

Teriyaki Chicken Casserole

FRIDAY

Sheet Pan Chicken Alfredo Pizza

SATURDAY

Kitchen’s Closed

SUNDAY

Turkey and Stuffing Roll Ups

DESSERT

Apple Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Swirl

The post Menu Plan Monday #412 appeared first on Life In The Lofthouse.

All right, everyone, we did it! We’ve made it to the biggest food week of the entire year, Thanksgiving week. This edition of Menu Plan Monday is going to be an extra special one because of this amazing holiday.

I am so excited for you to try my Crock Pot Turkey and Gravy. It’ll save you so much time and convenience. If your family is like mine, then Crock Pot Creamy Mashed Potatoes are the number one side that everybody wants seconds or third helpings of. This recipe will make plenty to feed your entire family. You may even want to grab another crockpot to make a second batch if you’re feeding a really big crowd.

You can’t have a proper Thanksgiving meal without dessert. Even though we all get to the end where we are so full and couldn’t possibly eat another bite, there somehow seems to be room for a slice of pie. My Shredded Apple Pie is so satisfactory! Serve it warm with a cold scoop of vanilla ice cream to end this glorious feast on a sweet note.

I hope that you all get to spend a ton of wonderful quality time with your loved ones this week. Happy Thanksgiving!

From my kitchen to yours. –Holly xo

Crock Pot Turkey and Gravy

Crock Pot Creamy Mashed Potatoes

The Best Green Bean Casserole

World’s Best Dinner Rolls

Cranberry Fluff

Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

Sparkling Cranberry Cider

Shredded Apple Pie

The post Menu Plan Monday #411 appeared first on Life In The Lofthouse.

I can’t help but get a little excited when it comes to the types of recipes I am sharing with you lately on these Menu Plan Mondays. This week’s menu is full of fall recipes that don’t dissapoint.

Fall is the best time to curl up with a warm bowl of homemade soup. I know you have to agree, right? My Crock Pot Chicken Corn Chowder is heartwarming comfort food that I love to make this time of year. You’ll enjoy how simple it is to assemble all the ingredients for this fan favorite soup!

Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Meatballs are a great make-ahead dish for a night when all you have time to do is turn on the oven and bake.

Caramel goes with apples just like apples go with the fall season; hand in hand. My Caramel Apple Poke Cake is delicious and indulgent. Honestly, this is one of those desserts that is good at night, or in the morning with a warm cup of coffee. This dessert is layered with goodness that’s worth writing a poem about. I hope you all enjoy this week’s autumn-inspired recipes!

From my kitchen to yours. –Holly xo

MONDAY

Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Meatballs

TUESDAY

Honey Garlic Steak Bites

WEDNESDAY

Crock Pot Chicken Corn Chowder

THURSDAY

Meatloaf Cups

FRIDAY

Cheeseburger Flatbread Melts

SATURDAY

Leftovers

SUNDAY

The Best Bruschetta

DESSERT

Caramel Apple Poke Cake

The post Menu Plan Monday #410 appeared first on Life In The Lofthouse.