Food and Beverage
Holiday Beef Recipes That Make the Season Simple
Hosting this holiday season? Try these simple beef recipes—Beef & Veggie Quiche, Mini Lasagna Bites, and Prime Rib Pasta—for festive flavor without the kitchen stress.
Raw beef meat on a dark wooden board. Top view
Holiday Beef Recipes That Make the Season Simple
The holidays in the Valley have a certain rhythm: a little more traffic, a little more hustle, and a whole lot more people coming through your front door. Whether you’re hosting family from out of town, inviting neighbors over after a community event, or just trying to keep dinner moving between school concerts and end-of-year deadlines, the big question is always the same:
What can I make that feels festive without living in the kitchen?
A new set of holiday-friendly recipes from the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand (funded by beef farmers and ranchers) leans into exactly that: flavorful, comforting dishes that are practical for real-life hostingand smart enough to stretch into leftovers.
Holiday hosting tip: Plan one anchor dish per gathering
If you’re hosting this season, here’s a simple way to keep it stress-free: pick one anchor recipe that does the heavy lifting, then fill in around it with easy sides, a salad, or something store-bought you’re not ashamed to serve.
These three beef-forward ideas fit that approach perfectly.
Start the day with something warm: Beef & Veggie Quiche
If you’ve got family and friends coming over for breakfast or brunch, a Beef & Veggie Quiche is one of those dishes that feels special the moment it hits the table.
It combines seasoned ground beef, vegetables, and cheese inside a flaky pie crust comfort food that still looks like you planned ahead (even if you’re running on holiday-level sleep).
Why it works for a community-style brunch:
- It’s make-ahead friendly, so you’re not cooking while guests arrive
- It feeds a group without a lot of extra steps
- It’s flexible use whatever veggies you already have in the fridge
Put out an appetizer that keeps people mingling: Mini Lasagna Bites
The best holiday gatherings aren’t always formal sit-down meals. Sometimes it’s an open-house vibe: people popping in, kids running around, and everyone grazing while catching up.
That’s where Mini Lasagna Bites shine. They bring the classic comfort of lasagna, but in a bite-sized format that’s easy to serve.
The concept is simple: line a mini muffin pan with cooked pieces of lasagna noodles, add your ground beef mixture, top with cheese, and bake.
Why they’re a hosting win:
- Easy to grab, easy to eat, no balancing plates required
- Familiar flavors that work for picky eaters and foodies alike
- Great for potlucks, watch parties, and neighborhood drop-ins
Make your holiday dinner leftovers feel brand new: Prime Rib Pasta with Broccoli and Cheese
If you’re doing a traditional rib roast for your holiday centerpiece, the best move is planning for leftovers on purpose. Because the day after a big meal is when you want comfort, but you don’t want another big cooking project.
A standout idea: Prime Rib Pasta with Broccoli and Cheese. Cut leftover prime rib into bite-sized pieces, cook pasta, then toss everything together with sun-dried tomatoes and a finishing touch of truffle oil for that holiday glam flavor.
Why it’s perfect for the post-holiday week:
- Turns a special roast into a quick, satisfying dinner
- Feels elevated without extra effort
- Helps you stretch the grocery budget while still eating well
Keep it simple. Keep it together.
Holiday food doesn’t have to be complicated to be memorable. The best meals are the ones that let you stay present, talking, laughing, checking in with neighbors, and making sure everyone feels welcome.
If you’re looking for more ideas to build out your holiday menu, the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand has additional recipes on their Holiday Entertaining page at BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.
Source: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program (PRNewswire release, Dec. 12, 2025).
Related Links:
Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. — Recipes
Holiday Entertaining Recipes (BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com)
Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. — Home
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA)
Cattlemen’s Beef Board / Beef Checkoff
Culver’s Thank You Farmers® Project Hits $8 Million Donation Milestone
Link: https://stmdailynews.com/culvers-thank-you-farmers-project-hits-8-million-donation-milestone/
Cool Down This Summer with a Sweet Slushie
(Family Features) Each season throughout the year seems to
have its own “flavor,” and summer is no exception. Hamburgers and hot dogs off
the grill, refreshing watermelon at snack time and cool, delicious ice cream on
warm evenings.
While many people think of sweetpotatoes during the
holidays, you can make this sweet vegetable a key ingredient all year-round –
including summertime. As one of the most versatile veggies you can find,
they’re easy to add to a variety of recipes while enhancing flavor and boosting
nutrition content.
Sweetpotatoes can be your summer staple in both simple and
elevated recipes alike, as well as in both sweet and savory dishes. They can be
cooked or prepared in several ways: on the stove, baked, microwaved, grilled or
slow cooked.
Or, for an easy way to cool down in the heat, try them in a
creamy drink like this Sweetpotato Summer Slushie. It may surprise you, but
sweetpotatoes are ideal for sipping – smoothies and cocktails are both
crowd-pleasers, especially during sweltering summer days. This refreshing treat
can be made with or without the boozy kick; just break out the blender and kick
back in the sunshine.
To discover more ways to cook and enjoy sweetpotatoes all
summer long, visit ncsweetpotatoes.com.
Watch video to see how to make this recipe!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5xyuKDlklQ?si=JiKNgtk78Vc8NiMU&controls=0]
Recipe courtesy of the North
Carolina Sweetpotato Commission
- 1 cup cooked,
mashed North
Carolina Sweetpotatoes - 1 cup
pineapple juice - 1/2 cup orange
juice - 1/4 cup lemon
juice - 1/4 cup coconut
milk - 2-3 tablespoons
simple syrup or honey (adjust to taste) - 1 teaspoon
vanilla extract - 2 cups crushed
ice - 2 ounces
spiced rum, coconut rum or bourbon (optional) - pineapple
slices or orange wedges, for garnish (optional)
- In blender, blend sweetpotatoes, pineapple juice, orange
juice, lemon juice, coconut milk, simple syrup or honey, vanilla extract and
ice until smooth and slushy. - Pour into glasses and serve.
- For alcoholic version: Add spiced rum, coconut rum or
bourbon after blending. Pulse in blender or stir after blending for layered
effect. - Garnish with pineapple slices or orange wedges, if desired.
SOURCE:
North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission
Food and Beverage
McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie Returns June 23—A Limited-Time Summer Throwback
McDonald’s is bringing back its OG Fried Apple Pie starting June 23 for a limited time at participating restaurants nationwide—plus a 35-foot pie photo stop on Route 66 near Chicago.
Summer tends to fly by, but certain bites slow time down. McDonald’s is betting its Fried Apple Pie is one of them.
According to a new announcement from McDonald’s USA, the OG Fried Apple Pie returns to participating restaurants nationwide starting June 23 for a limited time. The classic dessert is described as featuring a signature filling made with 100% American-grown apples, wrapped in the same golden, crunchy, flaky fried crust longtime fans remember.
Why the Fried Apple Pie comeback matters
McDonald’s is framing the return as a nostalgia play with a patriotic twist, tying the seasonal rollout to the lead-up to America’s 250th birthday. If you grew up hearing people talk about “the fried pies,” this is the moment they mean: hot, sweet, and unmistakably old-school.
And if you’ve never tried it? McDonald’s is positioning June 23 as your entry point—an “if you know, you know” menu item that’s meant to feel like a summer memory in dessert form.
A classic that started as a family recipe
The company also shared a bit of origin story: the Fried Apple Pie traces back to the 1960s, when East Tennessee McDonald’s Owner/Operator Litton Cochran created a fried apple hand pie that became a local favorite. Over time, it made its way into McDonald’s history.
Eric Cochran, a McDonald’s Owner/Operator, said the pie is one of those foods that “take you back,” and credited his grandparents—Litton and Jo Cochran—with helping shape the recipe when McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc was looking for a dessert that would resonate with customers.
The 35-foot Fried Apple Pie (yes, really)
To make the return feel like a road-trip moment, McDonald’s is also unveiling a giant roadside installation: The McDonald’s Largest Fried Apple Pie, a 35-foot version of the dessert placed along Route 66—built to be a photo stop.
Fans can snap a selfie and pick up a McDonald’s souvenir map at:
- 920 N Broadway St., Joliet, IL 60435 (just outside Chicago)
If you’re near Chicagoland, here are the dates
- Kickoff event (June 23): 3:30–6:00 p.m. CT, with live music, an ice-cold Coca-Cola, and complimentary Arch Cards
- June 23–July 4: The installation remains up through the holiday stretch
How to get it
McDonald’s says the Fried Apple Pie will be available all day at participating restaurants nationwide, and can also be ordered via the McDonald’s App, while supplies last.If your summer plans include a long drive, a late-night snack run, or just chasing a little nostalgia, June 23 might be the date to circle. Some menu items are built for convenience—this one is built for the detour.
Related
Source
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Nourishing Our Heroes: Eight Years of Impact at Phoenix VA’s Veggies for Veterans
Pair Summer Favorites with a Simple
Potato Salad
(Family Features) Ideal for
neighborhood cookouts, quick family dinners and anything in between, potato
salad is a tried-and-true summer favorite. This version from Cookin’ Savvy
comes together in a snap so you can spend more time enjoying the sun and less
time in the kitchen. Pair this easy potato salad with more warm-weather recipe
inspiration found at Culinary.net.
Watch video to see how to make this recipe!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhUIPGWfbrw?si=UJ2zY8g_aHMcWTsV&controls=0]
Potato Salad
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6
- 3 pounds
potatoes - 4 boiled
eggs, coarsely chopped - 2 dill
pickles - 1 tablespoon
garlic powder - 1 tablespoon
onion powder - 1 package
(2 1/2 ounces) real bacon pieces - 2 cups
mayonnaise - 2 tablespoons
mustard - salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- smoked paprika, for garnish
- Coarsely chop potatoes. In Dutch
oven, boil until fork tender. Drain then add coarsely chopped eggs and pickles. - Add garlic powder, onion powder,
bacon pieces, mayonnaise and mustard. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Mix well. - Transfer to large bowl and
refrigerate 1-2 hours. Garnish with smoked paprika.
SOURCE:
Nourishing Our Heroes: Eight Years of Impact at Phoenix VA’s Veggies for Veterans
Nourishing Our Heroes: Eight Years of Impact at Phoenix VA’s Veggies for Veterans
