March 2025: Holly’s Cooking Contest Occasion
# Welcome to Holly’s Cooking Challenge: Easy Chicken Fajitas Edition
Greetings, food lovers! It’s that thrilling part of the month again—welcome to Holly’s Cooking Challenge! This time around, we’re exploring a scrumptious and adaptable recipe: **Easy Chicken Fajitas**. Whether you’re an experienced cook or just starting out, I invite you to join me in crafting this tasty dish that’s ideal for any event.
## About the Recipe
Chicken fajitas are a traditional Mexican dish that merges marinated chicken with vibrant bell peppers and onions, all wrapped in warm tortillas. This recipe is not only simple to prepare but also offers a lot of room for personalization. Feel free to add your preferred toppings, like guacamole, salsa, or sour cream, and even switch the chicken for beef, shrimp, or a vegetarian alternative. The options are limitless!
To begin, you can check out the complete recipe for my **Easy Chicken Fajitas** [here](https://www.spendwithpennies.com/easy-chicken-fajitas/).
## How to Participate
Once you’ve crafted your take on the Chicken Fajitas, I’d love to see your culinary masterpieces! Here’s how to take part in this month’s challenge:
1. **Prepare the recipe of the month (or a variation of it!).**
2. **Capture a photo of your dish.**
3. **Send your photos to** [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) **by the final day of the month at 11:59 PM PST for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card.**
This is an amazing opportunity to flaunt your cooking talents and creativity while connecting with other food enthusiasts!
## Holly’s Cooking Challenge Details
For comprehensive details about the challenge, including FAQs and past challenges, don’t forget to visit the [Holly’s Cooking Challenge page](https://www.spendwithpennies.com/hollys-cooking-challenge/). You can also find the [official contest rules](https://www.spendwithpennies.com/hollys-cooking-challenge-contest-rules/) there.
## Last Month’s Challenge Recap
Last month, we explored a cozy favorite: **Scalloped Potatoes**. I was delighted to see all the creative variations you came up with and how you presented them in charming ways. Your imagination truly stood out, making the challenge even more fun!
As for the winner of Holly’s April 2024 Cooking Challenge, stay tuned—**Coming Soon!**
## Join the Fun!
I’m looking forward to seeing the delicious Chicken Fajitas you create this month. Remember, whether you follow the original recipe or add your unique twist, the key is to enjoy yourself in the kitchen. Happy cooking, and let’s make this month’s challenge a flavorful triumph!
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Thorough Weekly Meal Schedule for the Week of May 5, 2025
### About the Author: Holly Nilsson
Holly Nilsson is a food enthusiast and the creative mind behind the widely recognized blog, Spend With Pennies. Her goal is to simplify cooking at home, focusing on creating easy, comforting dishes that appeal to the everyday cook. With a strong sense of nostalgia, Holly often incorporates flavors and methods reminiscent of family meals and gatherings.
#### A Passion for Comfort Food
Holly’s enthusiasm for cooking shines through in her recipes, which aim to be both user-friendly and fulfilling. She is well aware of the difficulties that busy home cooks encounter and strives to offer solutions that make preparing meals a pleasant experience. Her dishes frequently highlight familiar ingredients and simple techniques, enabling even those new to cooking to whip up tasty meals with assurance.
#### Author of “Everyday Comfort”
Beyond her blogging endeavors, Holly is the author of the book “Everyday Comfort.” This anthology of recipes embodies her conviction that hearty, home-cooked fare can be straightforward yet gratifying. The book is packed with comforting meals that suit various preferences and occasions, serving as a valuable tool for anyone eager to enhance their culinary skills.
#### Connect with Holly
Holly’s impact transcends her blog and book. She maintains an active connection with her followers on several social media channels, where she offers cooking advice, recipe inspiration, and insights into her culinary experiences. You can keep up with her on:
– [Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/spendpennies/) for creative ideas and visual treats.
– [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ispendwithpennies/) for news and community engagement.
– [Twitter](http://spendpennies) for quick insights and recipe highlights.
– [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/spendpennies/) for a peek into her cooking adventures and personal life.
### Conclusion
Holly Nilsson’s commitment to making cooking simple and enjoyable has earned her a cherished spot in the culinary world. Through her blog, book, and social media activities, she continues to motivate home cooks to prepare meals that are not only delectable but also imbued with love and cherished memories. Whether you’re an experienced cook or just beginning your culinary journey, Holly’s recipes are bound to bring warmth and happiness to your dining experience.
For more tantalizing recipes and cooking ideas, don’t forget to explore her work on [Spend With Pennies](https://www.spendwithpennies.com/author/holly/).
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Homemade Pasta Sauce with Ground Beef Recipe
# Homemade Pasta Sauce: A Robust Recipe That Would Make Any Nonna Proud
Savory, substantial, and bursting with flavor—this homemade pasta sauce recipe is a culinary treasure that celebrates traditional Italian cuisine. With its meaty base gently simmered to perfection, this sauce is not only adaptable but also a comforting essential that can enhance any pasta dish or lasagna.
## Why This Sauce Is Exceptional
### Flavor Profile
This sauce offers a delightful flavor profile, enriched by the freshness of herbs and the natural sweetness of tomatoes. The mixture of ground beef and a thoughtfully selected spice blend creates a rich depth of flavor that is both gratifying and unforgettable.
### Skill Level
One of the greatest advantages of this recipe is its simplicity. It’s ideal for beginners, featuring easy-to-follow steps that result in a rich and tasty sauce. Even inexperienced cooks can wow their family and friends with this dish!
### Technique
The secret behind this sauce is the spice blend introduced to the meat, reminiscent of homemade Italian sausage. This straightforward addition adds an extra dimension of flavor that elevates the overall taste of the sauce.
### Budget-Friendly Tips
To maximize your ingredients, think about incorporating leftover vegetables during cooking. This not only enhances the flavor but also contributes nutritional benefits to your dish.
### Prep Ahead
A fantastic benefit of this pasta sauce is its excellent freezing properties. You can effortlessly double or triple the recipe, ensuring that you have a delicious homemade sauce ready for upcoming meals.
## Ingredient Tips for the Ideal Pasta Sauce
1. **Meat**: Ground beef serves as the main component of this recipe, but you may substitute half of it with Italian sausage for additional flavor.
2. **Tomatoes**: The backbone of this sauce is premium canned tomatoes. San Marzano variety tomatoes are highly recommended for their deep flavor.
3. **Sugar**: A small amount of sugar helps mitigate the acidity of the tomatoes. Alternatively, you could use half a grated carrot for a natural sweetness.
4. **Seasonings**: Besides the meat seasoning, dried Italian herbs enhance the sauce. If you prefer fresh herbs, add them towards the end of cooking to maintain their delicate flavors.
### Variations
Feel free to personalize this sauce by adding sautéed mushrooms, onions, or even shredded zucchini and chopped spinach for an additional nutritional kick.
## Versatility of the Sauce
Beyond just pairing it with spaghetti, this ground beef pasta sauce can be utilized in a variety of dishes. Think about crafting meatball subs, layering it in lasagna, mixing it with rice for stuffed peppers, or creating a hearty casserole with vegetables and cheese.
## Storing Leftovers
Excess sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days in a sealed container. For longer preservation, freeze portions in zippered bags for up to three months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator or reheat directly from frozen on medium heat on the stovetop.
## Conclusion
This homemade pasta sauce is not merely a recipe; it’s an homage to Italian culinary heritage. With its rich flavors and hearty components, it’s bound to become a staple in your kitchen. Whether you’re pouring it over pasta or using it in a lasagna, this sauce is sure to impress.
Did you enjoy this Homemade Pasta Sauce? Leave us a rating and a comment below!
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