I always say that we are all blessed with two families: the one we are born into and the one we put together along the way. Mathlete and I are so fortunate to have some amazing friends that we truly think of as family. One of our favorite things to do is get together for dinner with them or to hang out whenever we can. Of course, with the busy holiday season, this gets harder than ever and getting the meal on the table becomes more of a challenge. Knowing how crazy the holiday season can get, I always like to stock on a few party friendly favorites so I have an easy option if an impromptu dinner chance comes along. After all, I am a planner so I like to #planahead for things that might happen.
Last weekend, the stars aligned and schedules opened up to allow a few of us to get together for dinner and a football game at our house. I was so thankful to have my go to freezer meals handy to throw together something quickly.
Our menu included: – A macaroni and cheese bar – Lasagna with Meat Sauce – Pepperoni Pizza {for the kids} – House salad – Peppermint Wonderland Ice Cream Pie – Very Merry Eggnog Graham cracker mini pies
For the macaroni and cheese bar, I offered toppings such as bacon pieces, chopped broccoli and even some pork bbq. Using an option like the Stouffer’s Macaroni and Cheese made my job easy because I could just put it in the oven and set the time.
We had the kids enjoy their pizza in the kitchen while we ate in the dining room that hardly ever gets any use!
After dinner, we headed down to the basement to watch football. I brought out the dessert options at half time. The peppermint ice cream pie was so easy to make. I just crushed chocolate wafers and mixed with about 2 Tbsp of melted butter. Then, I pressed them into the bottom of my pie plate before spreading ice cream on top. A drizzle of chocolate syrup and it was all done! I did something similar with eggnog ice cream and graham crackers but they went so fast that I never got a picture! #bloggerfail
How do you celebrate with friends during the holiday season? What are your go to options to keep on hand for impromptu dinners with friends?
Be sure to visit Nestle on Facebook and Twitter for more ideas on how to use their products for delicious meals. You can calso check out this great digital magazine to get ideas for the holiday. Nestle is featured in this issue and they are sharing some easy meal solutions that are sure to help during these busy times.
I love the idea of a macaroni and cheese bar – that is brilliant.
That ice cream pie idea is brilliant, too. I need to make one soon. Well, probably two – one for me, and one for the rest of the family.
Tracie recently posted…It Is All Sweet Until The Candy Won’t Crush
Thanks! We had a great time.
Can I come to your house for dinner? 🙂
Lisa recently posted…10 Ways To Lower Your Holiday Season Stress
Come one over anytime 😉
Great time with friends and family…Ice cream pie looks delicious!
Thanks! We had a great time.
I try to do many get togethers with friends and family during the holidays. Every year Hubs and I host a Christmas Party in December for all of our friends and family. This year will mark the first time that I am hosting Thanksgiving at my house which will make for extra time spent with family. I try to spend time with my family and extended family throughout the year, not just around the holidays- but sometimes life makes that a little difficult.
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Oh, I hope you have a great Thanksgiving. Hosting for the first time is always so fun and a little stressful too.
I have never thought of a mac-n-cheese bar before. And that dessert looks so yummy. I’m coming over for dinner tonight! 🙂
Laura @ Inspiration for Moms recently posted…A New Bathroom Light + Win A Complete Bathroom Makeover
Come on over! I’ll start getting the mac and cheese bar ready 😉
GREAT ideas… I normally slave all day getting things ready for get togethers, this would be so much easier, HA!
I definitely spend a ton of time getting ready for get togethers a lot of time. This was nice because it was low stress and limited work.
Peppermint Icecream pie! awesome idea!
Debbie Denny recently posted…Debating the WHY of a Water Ionizer System!
Thanks! Everyone like it so I was excited about that.
Your meal looks super delicious. I am really liking the desert. I hope to find the recipe.
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Thanks so much! The dessert was so easy. Just crush chocolate cookies and mix with 2 Tbsp of melted butter. Press it into the bottom of the tin and cover with peppermint ice cream. I drizzled chocolate syrup over mine too.
A mac and cheese bar sounds wonderful and an easy way to entertain company too!
Jennifer B recently posted…Three Tips for Storing and Using Digital Pictures
The mac & cheese bar is definitely something I will be doing again. It was a huge hit.
I just adore the Stouffer’s Lasagna with Meat Sauce! I use it all the time when I need an easy dinner idea. And that Peppermint ice cream pie looks amazing!
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This was the first time I had purchased the party size lasagna but it was definitely a hit.
We don’t host many dinners at our house, but I would like to. Peppermint Wonderland Ice Cream Pie sounds so delicious!
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You could totally throw that pie together for a yummy dessert after your regular dinner.
That pie looks so good! I am ready to have a slice of it after seeing the picture.
THanks! It was so ridiculously easy to make but definitely was a hit.
WOW.. I loved your simple yet elegant dinner ideas … the pie is amazing… my favorite, did you save me a piece?? Yummm.. thanks for sharing
Melanie a/k/a CrazyMom recently posted…Time to say our Thanks and Goodbye to being a #PopsicleMom
Thanks so much! I didn’t save any but it was so easy to make that I’ll make you another one 😉
I love it when all of our friends and family can get together for dinner and some fun times. Everyone got together for my son’s 16th BDay. My best memory of 2013. I will have to try that yummy looking pie recipe for our next get together.
Chrishelle @ Cheer MamaDrama recently posted…WORDY WEDNESDAY: MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHEER
Getting together with friends and family is my absolute favorite thing. I wish we could do it much more than we do.
That peppermint ice cream pie looks yummy!
Heather M recently posted…Vaseline Spray & Go, a Moisturizing Love Affair
Thanks! I was looking for a way to dress up the ice cream a little bit and everyone loved it.
looks delicious, Surprisingly Stouffers has delicious foods for frozen foods – my family enjoys them. The Edy’s dessert looks yummy!
Mama to 5 BLessings recently posted…Bumbo Floor Seat With Play Tray Review & Giveaway
I am always happy with the Stouffers items we get. Plus, I know their ingredients are overly processed.
What a perfect meal for a football game day. You fed everyone so well, and I like the macaroni and cheese bar!
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell recently posted…Three Cheers for Three Choices! PCH #GiveBack
THanks! It worked out well and everyone was definitely full by the end of the game.
Looks so yummy, I have a secret addiction to stouffer’s mac and cheese 🙂
jordyn @ Almost Supermom recently posted…Diagnosing Emily
Ok, so now you have to share what that ingredient is 🙂
mmm everything looks so delicious what a yummy meal
Kristyn recently posted…ShopLately Blogger Week :: Floral Lace with Publik
Thanks so much. All of the items shared for the dinner looked amazing.
Love the idea of a Mac and Cheese bar! When Can I come over for dinner? The ice cream pie is so delicious looking also!
Cynthia L. recently posted…Buttery Caramelized Brussels Sprouts #STAROliveOil
Come on over! I’ll serve up a mac & cheese bar and some ice cream. You bring your brussels sprouts! An easy dinner for sure 🙂
That ice cream looks so good. My mouth is watering now.
Debi recently posted…Manhattan Toy:Imaginations at Play
The peppermint ice cream was delicious. I will definitely be buying it again.
I love the mac and cheese bar- what a great idea!
Elizabeth @ Food Ramblings recently posted…Texas Straw Hat
Thanks! The mac & cheese bar was a huge hit so I was glad we tried it out.
Never thought to have a mac and cheese bar – what a great idea!
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The mac and cheese bar was a huge hit! I will definitely be doing that again at parties.
My house is the go to house for Thanksgiving everyone comes here and spends the holidays with us.. Including my best friend and her kids.. she is my sister and her kids are my nieces and nephews even if we are not blood related…
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I love hosting family and friends for Thanksgiving! So fun to have everyone together.
During the holidays I like to have fresh food that I can make with my company. Normally I don’t have visitors who just drop by, but I do like to keep a few premade meals ready for surprises.
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Ice cream pie sounds amazing! Lovely photos too!! #client
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