main dishes, other Ava Dreessen main dishes, other Ava Dreessen

Pepperoni Sheet Pan Pizza

Looking for an easy family dinner? This is the video for you!!

We love our easy sheet pan pizzas, topped with everyone’s favoite toppings, and finished with a perfect sweet and spicy chili honey drizzle! Needless to say, the pan-ful of pizza was gone in a single serving. Take note, and you children will thank you without a doubt! Enjoy!!

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other, drinks & appetizers, sides & salads Ava Dreessen other, drinks & appetizers, sides & salads Ava Dreessen

Crispy Cajun Roasted Potatoes

Happy Saturday, once again! We grilled some steak a few days ago when the weather was just perfect! As an accompaniment to our main course, I decided to toast some baby potatoes with a slight and “spicy” spin! They came out crispy and delicious. Needless to say, there were no leftovers. The key is to make sure you are not overloading your cookie sheet— otherwise they will steam! So just get out that extra sheet pan and do a little extra washing that day. It will be SO worth it!

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main dishes, other Ava Dreessen main dishes, other Ava Dreessen

How to Grill Pork Chops

I hate to break it to you all, but YOU'RE GRILLING PORK CHOPS WRONG! I always get questions on how to cook pork chops, everyone's favorite grilled meal! The thing is, I can't tell you all how many times I've had pork chops that are way too dry!! In this video, I show you the best way to grill a tender, JUICY, and flavorful pork chops! Hope you all learn a few things and enjoy!!

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other, main dishes Ava Dreessen other, main dishes Ava Dreessen

Creme Focaccia with Pulled Barbecue Chicken

Happy Saturday and happy game day! When it comes to quick and easy, let me just say I have perfected this type of meal-making! I love love the pulled pork or pulled chicken you can buy at your local big warehouse or grocery store, and I’m always trying to find unique and yummy ways to use it, like in my pulled chicken (or pork!) soup! But today, I thought I would combine my easy focaccia bread with some smokey and juicy pulled chicken. If you don’t want to make the focaccia, no worries! Just pick some up at the bakery!

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drinks & appetizers, main dishes, other Ava Dreessen drinks & appetizers, main dishes, other Ava Dreessen

Beer Cheese and Bacon Loaded Fries

Guilty pleasure at it's finest... ... Wasps not included. Today, I try to cater towards my children, who you can always find in the Freddy's drive-through for loaded fries! I wanted not only to make a better fry than fast food has to offer, I wanted to combine some extra ingredients to make it unforgettable! So, I came up with this Beer Cheese and Bacon Fry... and wow. I don't think my kids will be driving thru anytime soon!! Hope you all enjoy it as much as they do, because I KNOW you'll be taking this recipe to your own kitchen!


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breakfast, desserts, other Ava Dreessen breakfast, desserts, other Ava Dreessen

Blackberry Custard Sugar Donuts

Happy Blog-Saturday, guys!How has your week been?? We had a big birthday in the Creme house last weekend. (Happy 15th, Maya Rose!) And, per usual, we had our birthday-morning donuts— candle included. (And perhaps a very off-pitch happy birthday serenade.... I can cook but I can’t sing, people.) I’ve been making these donuts every birthday morning for YEARS. No joke. It’s just expected now, even with the college-age kids. But to be honest, I adore the tradition!

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other, desserts, breakfast Ava Dreessen other, desserts, breakfast Ava Dreessen

Brown Butter Banana Bread

Wow, this one's going into our favorites... I'm sure some of you may wonder how you can top the age-old classic of banana bread, but I've found the way! And it's SO easy!! A quick and simple brown butter elevates this banana bread to a god-tier level. Don't believe me? Just make it and see how fast it gets eaten up!! Hope you all enjoy!


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main dishes, drinks & appetizers, other Ava Dreessen main dishes, drinks & appetizers, other Ava Dreessen

Roast Beef and Caramelized Onion Puff Pastry

Today we have another quick and easy appetizer, lunch, or dinner recipe for you all! Roast Beef with Caramelized Onion and Sharp Cheddar Cheese on Puff Pastry! Quite a mouthful, but even better after you take a bite! These simple ingredients match perfectly together, and I couldn't be happier with the result. We are suckers for the savory and sweet, so to add to the amalgamation, why not some fig jam? This is such a great lesson on flavor pairing, so good that the whole thing was gone within minutes!! Hope you all enjoy. Happy cooking!!


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breakfast, desserts, other Ava Dreessen breakfast, desserts, other Ava Dreessen

Peanut Butter & Jelly Stuffed French Toast

I tried to come up with a way to make french toast even better... and by adding peanut butter and jelly, I think I nailed it!! Today, I combine two of the most classic and delicious dishes into one incredible, sweet and rich, amazing recipe-- Stuffed French Toast! When it's not the perfect midnight snack, it is AMAZING for lunch, dinner, or dessert! And, best of all, its easy to make and SO worth the few small steps to make! Hope you all enjoy!


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sides & salads, other Ava Dreessen sides & salads, other Ava Dreessen

My Famous Dill Dip

Disregard what you saw in the first part of this video, okay? Today, for so many reasons other than completely failing on the first recipe, I'm making a tride and true Dreessen recipe! This is a dill dip so simple, yet so delicious, that it'll be hard to find any better. I'm not kidding! This recipe has been from family to family, event to event, and mouth after mouth. It's a hit every time! Although, when you combine cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise together in one of the best dips, how could it not be?? Hope you all enjoy!!

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mexican, breakfast, main dishes, other Ava Dreessen mexican, breakfast, main dishes, other Ava Dreessen

Cast Iron Tex-Mex Potato Hash

I love my one-dish recipes, especially with a cast iron, but this has to be near the top of my list. I mean, with potatoes, bacon, jalapeños, guacamole, and tortillas to top, how could you go wrong?? This dish is not only super easy, (one of the ingredients is store-bought guacamole!) it brings out the best in its simple yet dependable ingredients and makes an absolutely delicious dinner. I might just have to go make a plate with the leftovers... Hope you all enjoy!

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drinks & appetizers, sides & salads, other Ava Dreessen drinks & appetizers, sides & salads, other Ava Dreessen

Cheesy Garlic Bread with Basil Aioli and Mayonnaise Taste Test

Do you know if you keep the right mayonnaise in your fridge? Well in this video, I'll let you know! And with the most amazing mayonnaise on hand, I use it for this decadent, cheesy, highly-addictive garlic bread! This isn't something you can pick up at your local pizza store... Watch how it's made and enjoy!!

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main dishes, other Ava Dreessen main dishes, other Ava Dreessen

Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich


Easter found us soaking in the sun in our lake house in South Dakota. It had to be a record for the nicest weather this early in the spring! Paired nicely with those gorgeous days by the water is nothing but this Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich. To DIE for! That toasted brioche bun, perfectly marinated, breaded, and fried chicken, and an easy slaw to top it all off... I'm just getting hungry all over again. Watch how to make this amazing fried chicken sandwich and enjoy!

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drinks & appetizers, sides & salads, other Ava Dreessen drinks & appetizers, sides & salads, other Ava Dreessen

The Best Barbecue Chicken and Bacon Potato Cups With a Smokey Cheese Sauce

This has to be one of my favorite creations to date... of course, it's pretty much just a hodge-podge of all my favorite ingredients (I mean... bacon, potatoes, and cheese? there's nothing better.) All fit into a nice serving, perfect for parties, appetizers, or a midnight snack! Who cares? When you're using ingredients as good as these, there's really no shame... So enjoy!!

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main dishes, other Ava Dreessen main dishes, other Ava Dreessen

Almond Crusted Pan Sautéed Tilapia with the Easiest Lemon Creme Sauce

We celebrated our yearly Fat Tuesday this week with a bunch of yummy Creole food, the go-to menu with Shrimp Po’ Boys and Sausage Chicken Gumbo. Always finishing, of course, with a King Cake. (Imagine finding out that you ran out of purple sanding sugar the day of—good luck!) Now the Lenten season is upon us and I love creating special meals for Friday’s during this time. If you aren’t able to get to a fish fry this year, I’ve got an amazing fish recipe to share! Simple and yet oh, so sophisticated and yummy. Delicate white fish, like walleye or tilapia, pan seared with a light and crispy almond coating, then drizzled with a rich and creamy lemon sauce. Can you say YUM!!?

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drinks & appetizers, sides & salads, other Ava Dreessen drinks & appetizers, sides & salads, other Ava Dreessen

Valentine's Day Charcuterie Snack Board

With valentine's day *just* around the corner, it's time to plan the most important part of the evening... food!! Not only have charcuterie boards gained popularity over the past few months, they're easy, delicious, and show your family, friends, and significant others just how special they are to you! And for a day that's all about love, what better way to celebrate?

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desserts, other Ava Dreessen desserts, other Ava Dreessen

The Best Strawberry Cheesecake For Your Valentine

Valentine's Day is just around the corner... what better way to spread the love than with a delicious dessert? Strawberry cheesecake has never been more decadent than with the addition of some special ingredients, elevating a classic! And with a few simple and easy steps, it is sure to make the upcoming holiday extra special! Hope you all enjoy!

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main dishes, other Ava Dreessen main dishes, other Ava Dreessen

Perfect Sauerkraut and Czech Roasted Duck

Hello, once again! If you asked my kids what their favorite meal on our recent trip to the lake house was, there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that they would say the Czech dinner! I made it special for Christmas night, upon request. It had been almost a year since we last had it! Perfect roasted duck, and the most amazing and simple sauerkraut you could ever make, it really was the best meal to celebrate another Christmas spent with family. Hope you guys enjoy it as much as we did!

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