I had planned another type of post tonight, but in I had planned another type of post tonight, but in light of today’s news, it just doesn’t feel right. Some days it can be hard to find the sunshine, especially a day like today. I can’t make sense as to why things like today continue to happen while people spend copious amounts of energy worrying about banning books and drag shows. Make it make sense. Just make it fucking make sense. It doesn’t. You can’t. Until it does, use your voice. Show up to meetings. Sign the petitions. Text ACT to 644-33 to get involved (I did). Be so loud that you can’t be ignored, until things change. Twenty-one school shootings this year. When is enough, enough?
Weekend photos in review, old school edition. Cont Weekend photos in review, old school edition.
Context: 1) Lola has zero chill in the car, 2) fulfilling request for Chicken Parm Penne with Vodka Sauce, 3) Sunday vibes 4) my favorite porchetta sandwich 5) from @butlerandtheboard 6) affirmations, 7) the sun was out today
Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what phase you’re in. ✨ Got this one back in September and it’s one of my favorites. I sometimes forget it’s there until I get a random flash of it.
Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.
Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!
Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Recipe: Million Dollar Spaghetti {and the Third Annual Apres Thanksgiving Blogger Feast}

December 18, 2013 · Narrative

Looking for a hearty, easy pasta dish that is totally kid-approved? This riff on lasagna just might be the kids’ new favorite.

Millionaire Spaghetti - close up-001

Two weekends ago, friends and food converged once again as Patsy, Sarah, and I got together to celebrate our third annual Apres Thanksgiving Blogger Feast. No food theme this time, it was a total free for all, and we magically ended up with the perfect amount of appetizers, main dishes, and desserts.

Well, ok, there might have been slightly more dessert than the other items, but I don’t think an abundance of dessert is ever a bad thing.

Especially when we divide up the leftovers.

Sarah brought these slightly crispy, slightly soft Cheesy Loaded Potato Bites, Make Ahead Potato Hash, Pecan Toffee Wedding Cookies, and a Lemony Cauliflower Dip. My favorites were the dip (which I polished off the next day) and the cookies. Once she coughs up the dip recipe, I will share it. It would be awesome for raw vegetables or slathered on grilled chicken. Or, you know, pretty much just by itself on a spoon.

Roasted Cauliflower Spread-001

Mexican Wedding Cookies with Pecans-001

Patsy brought Chocolate Earthquake Cookies, Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread, Martha Stewart’s Snickerdoodle recipe (with Cinnamon Chips added to it), and Apple Pastry Bites. I loved the Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread, and the leftovers were the perfect time to find out that apparently Madeline loves Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread too.

Patsy's platter-001

Crackle Cookies-001

As for my contributions? I made the Baked Goat Cheese and Roasted Tomato Salad with Grilled Chicken, a recipe I shared last week, along with this Hot Bacon & Swiss Dip, which is a serious no-brainer for any gathering. I mean, really. Melted cheese and bacon? How could you go wrong?

And, because I wanted to make sure there was something that was kid-friendly, since we had three of our six kids in attendance, I made a new recipe called Million Dollar Spaghetti. Sarah’s daughter, Paige, came back for thirds, and Madeline for seconds (which pretty much never happens), so I think it’s safe to say that it is kid-approved. It’s a unique twist on lasagna, using spaghetti noodles instead, and a slightly different filling, that is the perfect main dish when you want something to make ahead. I made it earlier in the afternoon, and just popped it into the oven about half an hour before everyone came. You can find the recipe right here (the only changes I made were to use less butter and *light* ingredients where possible).

After a food prop exchange, countless photos (hello food bloggers!), shop talk, and the ensuing food coma, I’d say it was a pretty successful night. And I’m already looking forward to our Valentine’s Day get-together.

Because, well, Valentine’s Day.

Totally a favorite.

Hungry for more? Here’s the 2012 Blogger Thanksgiving Feast, and our very first one in 2011.

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPRINT

Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: blogger feast, Million Dollar Spaghetti

Comments

  1. Joanne says

    December 19, 2013 at 7:24 am

    Comfort food central!! Gah that sounds like such an awesome feast!!
    Joanne recently posted..Bagel, Broccoli, and Spinach Strata with Cooper Deli Cheese

    Reply
  2. patsyk says

    December 19, 2013 at 9:34 am

    It was a great time! I am hoping Sarah will share that dip recipe, too…
    Looking forward to our Valentine’s get together!
    patsyk recently posted..A Blogger Thanksgiving – The 3rd Year

    Reply
  3. julia says

    December 19, 2013 at 12:43 pm

    This looks great!! So comforting during the cold winter months in Chicago!

    Reply
  4. Lauren @ Healthy Delicious says

    December 19, 2013 at 4:25 pm

    I love the idea of a blogger thanksgiving-like feast!
    Lauren @ Healthy Delicious recently posted..Orange Rum Buns + Gingerbread Hot Chocolate #CaptainsTable

    Reply

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I had planned another type of post tonight, but in I had planned another type of post tonight, but in light of today’s news, it just doesn’t feel right. Some days it can be hard to find the sunshine, especially a day like today. I can’t make sense as to why things like today continue to happen while people spend copious amounts of energy worrying about banning books and drag shows. Make it make sense. Just make it fucking make sense. It doesn’t. You can’t. Until it does, use your voice. Show up to meetings. Sign the petitions. Text ACT to 644-33 to get involved (I did). Be so loud that you can’t be ignored, until things change. Twenty-one school shootings this year. When is enough, enough?
Weekend photos in review, old school edition. Cont Weekend photos in review, old school edition.
Context: 1) Lola has zero chill in the car, 2) fulfilling request for Chicken Parm Penne with Vodka Sauce, 3) Sunday vibes 4) my favorite porchetta sandwich 5) from @butlerandtheboard 6) affirmations, 7) the sun was out today
Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what phase you’re in. ✨ Got this one back in September and it’s one of my favorites. I sometimes forget it’s there until I get a random flash of it.
Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.

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I had planned another type of post tonight, but in I had planned another type of post tonight, but in light of today’s news, it just doesn’t feel right. Some days it can be hard to find the sunshine, especially a day like today. I can’t make sense as to why things like today continue to happen while people spend copious amounts of energy worrying about banning books and drag shows. Make it make sense. Just make it fucking make sense. It doesn’t. You can’t. Until it does, use your voice. Show up to meetings. Sign the petitions. Text ACT to 644-33 to get involved (I did). Be so loud that you can’t be ignored, until things change. Twenty-one school shootings this year. When is enough, enough?
Weekend photos in review, old school edition. Cont Weekend photos in review, old school edition.
Context: 1) Lola has zero chill in the car, 2) fulfilling request for Chicken Parm Penne with Vodka Sauce, 3) Sunday vibes 4) my favorite porchetta sandwich 5) from @butlerandtheboard 6) affirmations, 7) the sun was out today
Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what phase you’re in. ✨ Got this one back in September and it’s one of my favorites. I sometimes forget it’s there until I get a random flash of it.
Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.
Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!
Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef

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