This Zesty Cheesy Chicken and Spaghetti has just a few ingredients but when they come together, they make for a brilliant meal that features crispy cheese and chicken on a bed of spaghetti covered in a sauce with a kick.
Let’s talk about comfort food for a minute. The weather is getting colder and I’m sure your thinking soups, casseroles, and things covered in gravy BUT might I remind you how comforting cheese is?
I mean…ccccchhhhheeeesssseeee. The gooey, melty goodness that only gets better when it’s cooked in a cast iron pan. The bits that get just a little overcooked and then the bits that are melted perfectly.
I mean look at that crispy chicken with the melty cheese! I’m not ashamed to say that when I make this chicken recipe, I grab a big forkful of all the goodness and take a big bite before serving.
Then to top it all off, this recipe comes together after you place the chicken on top of spaghetti noodles and a zesty sauce. EASY COMFORT FOOD – that’s what this is all about.
What beer pairs well with a cheesy chicken and spaghetti dinner?
The beer: 312 from Goose Island.
Light wheat beer pairs well with nearly every dish. Plus, it’s a great way to chase down the spiciness in the sauce.
What movie should you watch while eating chicken on top of spaghetti?
We’re starting the first of MANY times we’ll watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. It’s a family favorite for sure.
What is your family’s favorite Christmas movie?
How to make Zesty Cheesy Chicken and Spaghetti:
First, cook the spaghetti according to package directions.
Next, cut the chicken breasts into strips.
On a plate add the flour then HALF the packet of Zesty Italian Salad Dressing Mix to the flour, combine it using a fork.
Dredge the chicken into the flour mixture. Add to a heated cast iron pan that has 2 Tbs olive oil over medium/high heat.
Fry the chicken on each side for 5-6 minutes. Check the chicken to make sure that it has cooked through, turn off the heat and cover with the cheese.
Once the spaghetti it cooked, remove and drain the water. Add the noodles back into the pan.
Add the rest of the Italian Mix to the pan. Then finally add the spaghetti sauce and stir to combine.
Cook up some garlic bread, plate up the spaghetti and chicken and here you are……
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
Print Recipe
Zesty Cheesy Chicken and Spaghetti
Crispy chicken covered in cheese then served on top of spaghetti, Zesty Cheesy Chicken and Spaghetti is a dinner that everyone will love.
Instructions
Cook the spaghetti according to package directions.
Cut the chicken breasts into strips.
On a plate add the flour then HALF the packet of Zesty Italian Salad Dressing Mix to the flour, combine it using a fork.
Dredge the chicken into the flour mixture. Add to a heated cast iron pan that has 2 Tbs olive oil over medium/high heat.
Fry the chicken on each side for 5-6 minutes. Check the chicken to make sure that it has cooked through, turn off the heat and cover with the cheese.
Once the spaghetti is cooked, remove and drain the water. Add the noodles back into the pan.
Add the rest of the Italian Mix to the pan. Then finally add the spaghetti sauce and stir to combine.
Plate up the spaghetti and chicken. Enjoy!
Chunks of tender beef, tomatoes, spices, and jalapeno come together beautifully in this Instant Pot No Bean Beef Chili. Hearty and full of flavor you will not miss the beans in this chili at all.
We have been busy around here lately. School, sports, work, etc. and everything in between so why not add even more to our plate? Enter a new addition to the family.
So for this Mitten Movie Night instead of recommending a movie, I want to introduce you to Titan.
We have been in discussions about getting a puppy for some time now but once we saw his little face, we knew we didn’t want to wait any longer.
Titan was one of a litter that my husband found through Paws Of Hope in Stevensville, MI. They were so great to work with and I would highly recommend them if you are in the area and interested in adding a new member of your family.
What beer goes well with Instant Pot No Bean Beef Chili?
The beer: Spaten Oktoberfest.
Yes, I know it’s no longer October but this beer is something I purchased extra of in October because it’s great to use in recipes and a light drinkable beer to have on hand for guests who don’t particularly like IPA’s.
I chose to make a beanless chili recipe because I wanted a chili recipe that would also double as a great way to use up a bag of tortilla chips that had been hanging around my cupboard.
Let’s start by talking about the ideal meat to use in the Instant Pot. I picked up this 2-pound eye of round roast from the store. With the marbeling on it, I just knew it would be great. Just like when we smoke meat I’ve noticed that the more fat content meat has in it, the more tender it gets.
How to make Instant Pot No Bean Beef Chili:
Prepare the ingredients that will go into the Instant Pot. Cube the meat, chop the onion and garlic, and handle with care when seeding and chopping the jalapeno.
Should you add jalapeno to your chili?
Yes! I really like jalapenos and find that they just heighten the taste of everything from pasta to burgers.
Set the Instant Pot to saute and add 1 Tbs olive oil to the bottom. Add the roast to the pot and brown on both sides using tongs to turn the meat, around 2 minutes each side.
Turn the Instant Pot off. To the browned beef add the two kinds of tomato, tomato paste, onion, garlic, jalapeno, sugar, flour, and spices.
Finally, add the bottle of beer and stir everything together one more time.
Place the lid on the Instant Pot until you hear the ‘good to go’ dings. Make sure the lid valve is pointing at ‘sealing’. Set the Instant Pot to the ‘Meat/Stew’ setting and set the timer for 45 minutes.
Once the 45 minutes are up, let the pressure come down naturally for 10 minutes. Turn the valve to venting to release any further steam then open the lid.
The Instant Pot spends around 10 minutes building up the pressure and then another 10 minutes to bring the pressure down before taking the lid off. Make sure to factor this additional time for serving this instant pot chili.
I served this beanless chili with tortilla chips, sharp cheddar cheese, white onion, and sour cream. These toppings helped to cool down the jalapeno and add even more flavor.
And here you are…..
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
Print Recipe
Instant Pot No Bean Beef Chili
Instant Pot No Bean Beef Chili is so full of flavor, you will not miss the beans. The perfect cold-weather comfort food that will spice things up.
Instructions
Cube the meat, chop the onion and garlic, and handle with care when seeding and chopping the jalapeno.
Set the Instant Pot to saute and add 1 Tbs olive oil to the bottom. Add the roast to the pot and brown on both sides using tongs to turn the meat, around 2 minutes each side.
Turn the Instant Pot off. To the browned beef add the two kinds of tomato, tomato paste, onion, garlic, jalapeno, sugar, flour, and spices.
Add the bottle of beer and stir everything together one more time.
Place the lid on the Instant Pot until you hear the 'good to go' dings. Make sure the lid valve is pointing at 'sealing'. Set the Instant Pot to the 'Meat/Stew' setting and set the timer for 45 minutes.
Once the 45 minutes are up, let the pressure come down naturally for 10 minutes. Turn the valve to venting to release any further steam then open the lid.
Serve with tortilla chips, sharp cheddar cheese, white onion, and sour cream. Enjoy!
These Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chip Blondies are loaded with nuts from the crunchy peanut butter and sprinkled with chocolate chips throughout. The perfect PB & chocolate combination.
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
I received Imperial Sugar complimentary but all opinions stated in this post are my own.
When I think of comfort food desserts, my mind instantly goes to brownies. They are easy to make in one pan, don’t take too many ingredients, and can be easily customized to everyone‘s taste.
So for my first #Choctoberfest2019 dessert I knew it had to be blondies. Different from regular chocolate brownies, blondies have a sweet dough that let’s the additional ingredients be the star. Also, using Imperial Brown Sugar leaves that sweet brown sugar taste.
Speaking of Imperial Sugar, for this month only Imperial is holding a ‘Scary Scramble’ Contest 2019! Check out the rules here and find out how to join in on this fun game!
How to make Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chip Blondies:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
To a mixer or mixing bowl, add the peanut butter and stir to loosen it up. Add the eggs and melted butter.
Now add the salt, baking powder, and vanilla. Next, add the brown sugar. Then slowly fold the flour a 1/2 cup at a time.
Finally, add the chocolate chips. Stir to combine everything together.
Add the peanut butter brownie dough that’s loaded with chocolate chips into a 9×13 glass pan that has been lined with parchment paper. Bake for 35 minutes.
Let the blondies cool and then cut into 12 pieces and serve. And here you are…..
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy
Don’t forget to enter the #Choctoberfest giveaway! This prize pack has an ARV of over $400!
This is a prize pack worth over $400! Open worldwide, except where prohibited. Must be 18+ to enter (21+ in some locations). One lucky winner will be drawn randomly on October 20, 2019, and contacted via email. See terms and conditions for more details. Enter the giveaway now:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Check out all these delicious recipes from all the participants of #Choctoberfest!
Follow the other bloggers as well to get great ideas for your next chocolate craving. Here are all the bloggers who are part of #Choctoberfest 2019:
Triple Chocolate Kitchen •
2 Cookin Mamas •
A Day in the Life on the Farm •
A Labour of Life •
A Little Fish in the Kitchen •
A Southern Fairytale •
Amy’s Cooking Adventures •
An Affair from the Heart •
Bottom Left of the Mitten •
Broken Teepee •
Bunsen Burner Bakery •
Champagne and Coconuts •
Cindy’s Recipes and Writings •
Cook with Renu •
Cook’s Hideout •
Cookaholic Wife •
Crafty Cooking Mama •
Daily Dish Recipes •
Dixie Chik Cooks •
Everyday Eileen •
Fairyburger •
Family Breakfast Recipes •
First Timer Cook •
Fix Me a Little Lunch •
Frugal & Fit •
Fun Happy Home •
Get the Good Stuff! •
Glenda Embree •
Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks •
How Was Your Day? •
I Can Cook That •
Join Us, Pull up a Chair •
Karen’s Kitchen Stories •
Kate’s Recipe Box •
Kelly Lynn’s Sweets and Treats •
Life & Medicine Blog •
Life on Food •
Long Distance Baking •
Lynchburg Mama •
Makes, Bakes and Decor •
Making Miracles •
Mama Needs Cake •
Memories In The Kitchen •
Our Good Life •
Our Sutton Place •
Palatable Pastime •
Queenslee Appétit •
Reviewz & Newz •
Sarah Cooks the Books •
Sarah’s Bake Studio •
Seduction In The Kitchen •
Shockingly Delicious •
Simple Family Crazy Life •
Simply Inspired Meals •
Sneha’s Recipe •
Style Island •
Sumptuous Spoonfuls •
Sweet Coralice •
Sweet Dash of Sass •
Take Two Tapas •
That Recipe •
The Awesome Muse •
The Beard and The Baker •
The Delicious Spoon •
The Food Hunter’s Guide to Cuisine •
The Freshman Cook •
The Redhead Baker •
The Schizo Chef •
The Spiffy Cookie •
The Urben Life •
Trampling Rose •
Turnips 2 Tangerines •
Who Needs A Cape? •
Wildflour’s Cottage Kitchen •
Zesty South Indian Kitchen
Print Recipe
Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chip Blondies
Loaded with crunchy nuts, peanut butter, and chocolate chips these Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Blondies are the ultimate comfort food dessert.
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
To a mixer or mixing bowl, add the peanut butter and stir to loosen it up. Add the eggs and melted butter.
Add the salt, baking powder, and vanilla. Next, add the brown sugar. Then slowly fold the flour a 1/2 cup at a time.
Add the chocolate chips. Stir to combine everything together.
Place the peanut butter brownie dough into a 9x13 glass pan that has been lined with parchment paper. Bake for 35 minutes.
Let the blondies cool and then cut into 12 pieces and serve. Enjoy!
This is my THIRD year joining over 100 blogger to celebrate all things chocolate and giving away GREAT prizes!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
#Choctoberfest is an annual recipe-sharing event. I’m joining other food bloggers from around the world to create delicious chocolate recipes. This year, over 70 bloggers are joining together for a week full of chocolate cakes, pies, cookies, puddings, tarts, candies, and more. You can follow along by searching for the hashtag #Choctoberfest on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter. Or, simply follow any of the participating bloggers listed below.
We also have some awesome sponsors, who make #Choctoberfest possible every year. Our sponsors have banded together to put together a delicious prize pack worth over $400! Here’s what you get if you win! (Scroll down to enter.)
- Candy Gift Pack from blog host Triple Chocolate Kitchen, which includes 180-pack of Lindt LINDOR Chocolate Truffles (dark, milk, and white). Triple Chocolate Kitchen organizes #Choctoberfest, as well as posting chocolate recipes throughout the year.
- Chocolate and Cocoa Gift Pack from Divine Chocolate, which includes a variety of high-quality fair trade chocolate bars, cocoa powder, and Divine Chocolate swag. Divine Chocolate’s baking line consists of three premium quality flavors ranging from 55% to 100% cocoa for a wide variety of delicious desserts. Their chocolate products are made with 100% cocoa butter and are non-GMO and Vegan Society Certified.
- $100 Nordic Ware Gift Card and 40 Pounds of Granulated Sugar from Imperial Sugar. They are currently hosting their annual Scary Scramble, featuring delicious fall-inspired recipes using Imperial Sugar’s high-quality sweeteners. Imperial Sugar has been a kitchen staple for over 175 years!
- Collagen Fuel™ Drink Mix Gift Pack from Primal Kitchen. The ingredients in these drink mixes help support hair, skin, and nails. Their chocolate version has organic, fair-trade cocoa and coconut milk powders, with no wheat, soy, or dairy ingredients.
- Cracker Gift Pack from Mary’s Gone Crackers. The lucky winner will get to try a variety of crackers, many of which pair well with chocolate (check their recipe page for ideas!). Mary’s products are vegan, cruelty-free, and organic.
- Fig Spread Gift Pack from Dalmatia Spreads. With flavors like sour cherry, plum, blackberry, and orange, you’ll find that several of Dalmatia’s fig-based spreads work well in chocolate recipes. Use as a filling for crépes, serve warm over ice cream, or spread onto toast. They even have a fig cocoa spread that uses fair trade cocoa.
- Alkaline Water Pack from Perfect Hydration. Wash down all those delicious chocolate desserts with Perfect Hydration water. This 9.5+ pH alkaline water helps to effectively restore and rebalance the body to optimum pH levels. This water goes through a 9-stage filtration process, has no added sodium, chlorine, or fluoride, and is packaged in recyclable BPA-free bottles.
- Kitchen Conversions Chart and Etsy Gift Card from Moonflower Mountain. Winner chooses the colors for this flower-adorned conversion chart, which makes it easy to double any recipe or convert from cups to tablespoons.
This is a prize pack worth over $400! Open worldwide, except where prohibited. Must be 18+ to enter (21+ in some locations). One lucky winner will be drawn randomly on October 20, 2019 and contacted via email. See terms and conditions for more details. Enter the giveaway now:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Entries from spam or inactive accounts are invalid. #Choctoberfest bloggers, sponsors, and their immediate families/households are not eligible to win. This giveaway is not affiliated with or sponsored by Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.
Make sure you check out the participating bloggers to see #Choctoberfest recipes throughout the week:
Triple Chocolate Kitchen •
2 Cookin Mamas •
A Day in the Life on the Farm •
A Labour of Life •
A Little Fish in the Kitchen •
A Southern Fairytale •
Amy’s Cooking Adventures •
An Affair from the Heart •
Bottom Left of the Mitten •
Broken Teepee •
Bunsen Burner Bakery •
Champagne and Coconuts •
Cindy’s Recipes and Writings •
Cook with Renu •
Cook’s Hideout •
Cookaholic Wife •
Crafty Cooking Mama •
Daily Dish Recipes •
Dixie Chik Cooks •
Everyday Eileen •
Fairyburger •
Family Breakfast Recipes •
First Timer Cook •
Fix Me a Little Lunch •
Frugal & Fit •
Fun Happy Home •
Get the Good Stuff! •
Glenda Embree •
Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks •
How Was Your Day? •
I Can Cook That •
Join Us, Pull up a Chair •
Karen’s Kitchen Stories •
Kate’s Recipe Box •
Kelly Lynn’s Sweets and Treats •
Life & Medicine Blog •
Life on Food •
Long Distance Baking •
Lynchburg Mama •
Makes, Bakes and Decor •
Making Miracles •
Mama Needs Cake •
Memories In The Kitchen •
Our Good Life •
Our Sutton Place •
Palatable Pastime •
Queenslee Appétit •
Reviewz & Newz •
Sarah Cooks the Books •
Sarah’s Bake Studio •
Seduction In The Kitchen •
Shockingly Delicious •
Simple Family Crazy Life •
Simply Inspired Meals •
Sneha’s Recipe •
Style Island •
Sumptuous Spoonfuls •
Sweet Coralice •
Sweet Dash of Sass •
Take Two Tapas •
That Recipe •
The Awesome Muse •
The Beard and The Baker •
The Delicious Spoon •
The Food Hunter’s Guide to Cuisine •
The Freshman Cook •
The Redhead Baker •
The Schizo Chef •
The Spiffy Cookie •
The Urben Life •
Trampling Rose •
Turnips 2 Tangerines •
Who Needs A Cape? •
Wildflour’s Cottage Kitchen •
Zesty South Indian Kitchen
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
Juicy marinated mushrooms meld together with peppers, onions & mozzarella cheese. Basil mayonnaise finishes off this Portobello Mushroom Burger perfectly.

When I first got on IG I started something I hashtagged #MittenMovieNight. Usually, Friday nights hubby & I enjoy a few craft beers and watch a movie. I snapped what we are drinking and watching and tag it with this hashtag. I look forward to this fun little night and I also look forward to sharing it. So I thought, hey why not add a recipe to go along with it. YEAH! Dinner, Movie, Craft Beer! So that is how #MittenMovieNight was born.
Here is just a taste of some of my FAVORITE recipe & beer pairings:

What to watch while eating a juicy mushroom burger?
For this Mitten Movie Night we’re watching, The Bronze
. I love dark comedies!
What should I drink with a Marinated Portobello Mushroom Burger?
The beer: Boom Boom Betty from Three Blondes Brewing
Blondes are my favorite type of beer. Subtle with a nice fruity flavor and everyone I try is different from the other. But what I do know is that I will never go wrong. It’s delicious.
How to make Portobello Mushroom Burgers in the oven:
Start with the Basil Mayonnaise. In a food processor combine basil, garlic, and salt. While running add oil through the top and blend until smooth.
Take the ingredients from the processor and move to another bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir until combined. Cover and refrigerate. This will keep for around 3 days. *Pro-tip: Basil mayo is also great on sandwiches!

Next, mix the marinade ingredients together for mushrooms. Oil, vinegar, salt and lemon juice. Set aside.
Prepare the mushrooms by removing the stems and scraping the gills out. Don’t miss this step since leaving the gills in the mushroom can make them release more water, therefore, making them soggy.
Place mushrooms in a dish and pour the marinade over them. Let it sit in the marinade at room temperature for 10 minutes.

While the mushrooms marinate, chop peppers and onion.
Add 2 Tbs. of butter in a pan, let it melt over medium/high heat then add the peppers and onions to the pan. Sautee for 5 minutes.
Assemble the marinated mushrooms on a greased baking pan. With mushroom cup side up add onions and peppers. Top with mozzarella cheese.

Bake at 425 degrees for 20-22 minutes.
In the last 5 minutes of cooking the mushrooms, I put butter on my split rolls and put them in the oven as well to crisp up the buns.
Smear the rolls of your choosing with pesto mayo. Add mushroom burger. And here you are…..

From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
Originally published in August of 2016. Updated photos in October 2019.
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.


Print Recipe
Portobello Mushroom Burger
Juicy marinated mushrooms meld together with peppers, onions & mozzarella cheese. Basil mayonnaise finishes off this Portobello Mushroom Burger perfectly.
Ingredients
Portobello Mushrooms & Marinade
Ingredients
Portobello Mushrooms & Marinade
|
|
Instructions
Basil Mayonnaise
-
In a food processor combine basil, garlic and salt. While running add oil through the top and blend until smooth.
-
Take the ingredients from the processor and move to another bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir until combined.
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Cover and refrigerate. This will keep for around 3 days.
Portobello Mushrooms & Marinade
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Mix the marinade ingredients together. Oil, vinegar, salt and lemon juice. Set aside.
-
Prepare the mushrooms by removing the stems and scraping the gills out.
-
Place mushrooms in a dish and pour the marinade over them. Let it sit in the marinade at room temperature for 10 minutes.
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Add 2 Tbs. of butter in a pan, let it melt over medium/high heat then add the peppers and onions to the pan. Sautee for 5 minutes.
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Assemble the marinated mushrooms on a greased baking pan. With mushroom cup side up add onions and peppers. Top with mushrooms.
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Cook at 425 degrees for 20-22 minutes.
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Smear the rolls of your choosing with pesto mayo. Add mushroom burger. Enjoy!
Fall is here so it’s time to ‘Celebrate with 8’ Fall Cocktails just made for sipping by the fire or relaxing with after visiting the pumpkin patch.
Learn more about ‘Celebrate with 8’ on Bottom Left of the Mitten here.
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
Break out the boring apple juice and jazz it up for fall with this Apple Rosemary Whiskey Cocktail from Sidewalk Shoes.
Red, red wine makes this cocktail extra fall-like with this Red Wine Apple Cider Sangria from Zestful Kitchen.
Think apple butter is just for bread? Nope. Use it to make this Apple Butter Old Fashioned Cocktail from Simply Happy Foodie.
Is it a cocktail? Is it dessert? Why can The Ultimate Chocolate Martini from Inside The Rustic Kitchen be both?
This Maple Manhattan from Sidewalk Shoes is the perfect fall cocktail with a hint of sweet maple syrup.
This Sage-Fig Cocktail from Burrata and Bubbles with sweet figs and rum is one classy cocktail.
This Spiced Cranberry Moonshine from Whiskey & Sunshine will take you from fall all the way into Christmas.
Creamy ice cream, bourbon and caramel sauce make this Caramel Bourbon Milkshake from Call Me PMC is anything but boring!
“Notice that autumn is more the season of the soul than of nature.”- Friedrich Nietzsche
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.