🍽️ Healthier Dinner Glow-Up: 3 Simple Swaps for Busy Nights!

[@louannpatton8754]

This 73yr old woman wants to say I thank the good Lord every day for you and your beautiful family. You make me and I'm sure the rest of your followers feel like we're part of your family. The world is blessed with people like y'all in it and we could definitely use a lot more. God Bless you! Happy 2025!

[@virginiasimer4171]

What a great hint. Thx

[@robylove9190]

Cauliflower and cheese has been around for ever. I'm in my 70s and I have eaten it since I was a child.❤

[@mdketzer]

You and me both, I think the Keto people thought it was their invention!😂

[@WandaRandall-o3w]

Remember the boil in a bag Green Giant Cauliflower and Cheese in the 70s?

[@Marta_is_here]

For sure! I’m 62, love the stuff and have been eating it for a very long time 😋

[@mdketzer]

@@WandaRandall-o3w Sure do!

[@M.E2429]

No need to wrestle and make such small cauliflower bits. Larger is yum.

[@paulachristopher9451]

Grate fresh nutmeg into the cauliflower

[@anniefenter8697]

Hey Mandi! Can you please do more sheet pan dinners? We would also love some Italian recipes. ❤

[@deborahlawing2728]

Cauliflower with cheese was a favorite side dish as I was growing up. When you roast a pan dinner again, add beets. So good.

[@adriannenash9852]

Helpful hint for removing core in cauliflower head: whack stem end of cauliflower on counter really hard a few times and the core breaks away from the flowerettes inside and can be easily pulled out of head. Love a good hack! Be well from washington state USA ❤️

[@MsC-o9j]

That works with lettuce too

[@MandyintheMaking]

I’ve never tried that trick before, thanks for sharing!

[@Emilyagnes-yb8fn]

Aren't fans great? I love, love reading everyone's comments. So full of tips and wisdom 😊😊😊​@@MandyintheMaking

[@StitchesGonnaStitch]

I feel like I'm not picturing this correctly but now I have to go look this up - thanks!!!

[@Emilyagnes-yb8fn]

@StitchesGonnaStitch you'll get it. Smash the core end on your counter/cutting board 💪 p.s. you really don't need muscles. Blessings to you 🤗

[@joniwarren3100]

When making Chili, add 1/2 cup of lentils in with it. Very tasty. Been using lentils for about 45 years. They make good veggie burgers also.

[@Emilyagnes-yb8fn]

Love, love lentils. I will be doing this. Thank you for sharing your tip. 🤗

[@denevaflath1397]

Another addition to the Cauliflower Mac N Cheese..add a Tablespoon of Dijon mustard to the roux.

[@shearview5134]

I like sheet pan dinners. I like your funny commentator 😅

[@janasnider]

Happy New Year! I haven't commented in a while but, i watch every video within about an hour of the release. Thank you so much for all you do. I pray 2025 is a great year for you and your family. You have so added to our lives and our meals.

[@MandyintheMaking]

Thank you so much! So very kind of you!♥️

[@harperwood3562]

Try popping a peeled, cut in half russet potato in your dish to soak up too much salt or spice! It works.

[@louettesommers8594]

Mandy, you are such a beautiful woman. I’m so thankful that you include your loving husband and sometimes your son. ♥️

[@KarenGreene51]

You two need your own cooking show. I could watch you all day long. ❤

[@robinm7197]

Thank you so much for creating your videos. For the 1st time in my senior life I really enjoyed cooking! With the supposed winter storm coming tomorrow,,, I think it's time to bring out the crock pot. I really enjoyed the easy peasy recipes , Please keep them coming! Hugs for a healthy winter! 💙💜

[@darlenesulit7078]

OK, I have never ever been a fan of cauliflower but you make it look and taste so good. I am actually going to try it.

[@judygruber3721]

A little tip on dicing sweet potatoes...if you slice them in discs and then dice them from the discs it is easier. Your dinners are always delicious and easy to make so thank you for sharing!

[@spurmarks]

That carmelization - brown bits is called the Maillard Reaction. It's what makes grilled food like steaks so tasty!

[@judycarter8199]

I’ve used cooked cauliflower as a substitute for potatoes in my southern-style potato salad. Even my picky husband liked it-helps me enjoy “potato salad” and keep my glucose numbers in check.

[@deborahmorris8283]

I neglected to tell you how excited I am to eat these healthier soups. I had made a request long ago, after my heart attack. Thank you for all you do!

[@justjane1984]

Cauliflower cheese has always been a thing. It couldn’t fail! 😋 Three winning recipes 👍🏽 👍🏽

[@kathyskinner4914]

I make a great chicken noodle soup with the yolk free noodles. I like to cur my chicken breast up the night before and cut up the onion and celery, mince the garlic and mix it all together and fridge it overnight. It gets the chicken flavored.

[@Syzygy629]

good tip ty

[@StitchesGonnaStitch]

The other thing I like a lot from Aldi besides chicken sausage is their turkey kielbasa. Often, actually even tonight I had this: cut up kielbasa seared in a skillet. Then put on top of heated baked beans (the Walmart version is solid and I can be a stickler for certain things). It's basically a grown up beanie weenie but also a bit better. And if you want to add more veg you can stretch it and add either cubed sweet potato or butternut squash in the baked bean sauce. For the other singletons out there - it's OK to buy the frozen cubed ones on a busy night or a night that you're just whooped. I think one also added onion before too but I don't always have onion on hand. Any leftovers are fantastic for lunch or the next couple nights. I usually get 3-4 servings total.

[@terrianderson1014]

We love turkey kielbasa!

[@christymoore9158]

Christy Mbigi, 32 (Florida girl) Hi Mandy and family!! First time commenting for the common tater… I love to watch your channel and every recipe I have made from here, my husband has LOVED. We have been married 3 years now and only since being married have I got in touch with my inner cook. (I know my granny has been lookin down throwin a hissy fit up til now 😂) I moved from FL to ND and the flavor out here is lacking! Just wanted to say I love the channel, and the energy between u and hubby, it’s good for the soul to be fun loving and a lil goofy together. Wishing yall a happy and blessed New Year 🎉

[@kellyc5283]

Made this sheet pan dinner tonight for supper. SCORE!! It was delicious! It will be a regular around here. We love watching y'all. Thank you for sharing all the yumminess!

[@TheMoodyshyte]

I love cauliflower cheese. It goes well with a roast dinner with lots of gravy. Yum 😀

[@grannynoraswihart8565]

Hi Mandy, Nora here from Indiana. Here’s a hint I saw your hubby scrape his sharp edge of a knife against the wooden cutting board to get the cilantro turn the knife backwards or get a bench scraper because that dulls your nice cooking knives.

[@lorihadley9789]

Cauliflower and cheese is an actual thing😊 I grew up in the Midwest and this and also broccoli and cheese are big deals lol I can sit down to a bowl of either one of these and feel as if I am having a quick hot meal.

[@karigrader9451]

Thank you for sharing! We use ground turkey quite often in Chili, pasta sauce, meatballs, tacos, gyros, and lasagna. I definitely want to try the cauliflower Mac and cheese.

[@vbo9872]

One thing I like to do with cauliflower is to add it to chicken noodle soup. OMG so good. Simmer until florets are tender.

[@michellehorning2216]

Loved these three healthy swap recipes and I intend to make them all. Thank you so much, Mandy for these! Hoping your 2025 is blessed! Looking forward to another year laughing in the kitchen with you all and some yummy recipes too. Have a wonderful week!❤😊

[@kathleenbigot54]

Hi Mandy. I add Tony Chachere on my sheet pan roasted vegetables. A wonderful Cajun Spice!! You and Your Husband are So Enjoyable to watch🤗

[@rachelmick4051]

I love ground chicken. I think it is so much better than ground turkey. Aidells chicken sausage is also very good but if you have a Lidl store nearby, I highly recommend the Lidl brand chicken apple sausage. A pack of 10 is less than $4 and they are delicious. When they were tasting the cauli-mac, did anyone else catch themself blowing on it to cool it off? Just me? Okay...

[@PatriciaCook-p1j]

Lol! I was too!

[@aprilEsmith]

Love those sheet pan ingredients, I never thought to put a squeeze of lemon in and look forward to trying that out. Someone else may have mentioned this in the comments already, but I found tearless sweet onions at Walmart a few weeks ago!! I was incredibly skeptical, cutting onions will have me in painful tears within seconds, but these things are some kind of miracle because I can now cut up an onion without having to run from the room in pain. 😂😂 Keep an eye out for them, there was a tag on the bag and stickers on the singles identifying them as such.

[@minide63]

The sausage veggie sheet pan meal is one of our favorites. The cauliflower and cheese looks really good. Cauliflower can also be mashed to make a pretty convincing mashed potato substitute.

[@beyesh3760]

😊😊 Mom used to make a veggie cheese casserole for us as kids. Whatever veggies in fridge with cheese sauce and bake it too. Whenever you cook a cream or cheese sauce, put a pinch of nutmeg in it. It evaluates it to another level, and you can't taste it. I love the idea of doing chicken sausage with veggies for sheetbpan. Our local meat market does a really good chicken brot (brat). 😊😊

[@rachelharris8956]

Hey Mandy! ❤ I'm so glad you put this video up, it means I have something to watch through the scary spider bit in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Sectrets! 😂 love the sheet pan meal. Love Rachel from Welwyn Garden City UK XxxX

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

Why couldn't they be butterflies?

[@debrabyrd592]

Mmm Mandy thank you for helping folks out. Helps remind us of the healthier options. Still delicious mmm

[@Melissa-sb7vn]

In the early 80's they used to sell cauliflower and cheese in the frozen section, used to serve it with pork chops. Prayers for you both, get healthy.😊

[@mdketzer]

@@Melissa-sb7vn I can still find it and cheese broccoli in some stores in my are of So. Ca

[@MistyPamperedChef]

Got my first thrive box yesterday w your discount. Thank you so much. We love it. And I love your eyeglass commercial ❤️ ♥️

[@maryjohnson3025]

I make the cauliflower “Mac n cheese” all the time and I love it! 😜

[@grannynoraswihart8565]

I have some cheese knowledge for you. If you hold it with your hand, you cannot store that cheese without it molding that’s why our blocks would mold on the ends that we touched.

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

That makes sense. Thank you.

[@pamelamcgee1634]

I love you guys! God Bless in every way this new year🎉🎉❤

[@darlenepaul8257]

Hey Mandy, this is refreshing after having so much heavy food over the holidays. I know I'm late watching this but this is good nonetheless. Thank you!! Much love😋

[@bstrange6236]

Oh my gosh, watching the sausage & veggie pan dish. I think I'm going to make that for breakfast with some scrambled eggs and start my day off right. Great recipe!

[@tammybabcock4802]

Good afternoon Mandy and Steven and thank you for sharing your yummy meals

[@tracylynn19719]

Now I'm in the mood for a big pan of roasted veggies!!! And I figured your cauliflower and cheese would be delicious!!! 🤤😋❤

[@EileenORiordan-cx7vr]

I use both lentils and pot barley in my stews. It means (horror upon horror) you can use less meat in the stew but still have it healthy and filling.

[@bonnieballew7762]

Another chicken chili is white chili. It is lighter than regular chili but really good.

[@chrisharmon5453]

The only way my mama could get me to eat broccoli or cauliflower when I was a kid was to make cheese sauce. 😅 But she was cheap and we were poor so we were not baking our vegetables in the sauce, but she would give me a little on the top of it. It’s still my favorite way to eat cauliflower and broccoli. Maybe I’ll try it this way. I like roasted vegetables a lot, this sounds interesting.

[@roxannemiller6550]

Ms. Mandy, hi, I love you. I am a chef, and the way I clean cauliflower is to cut the back end off, then set it on the flat side and quarter. You should then be able to just cut the core off like an apple. Top to bottom. Hope this helps. Love from a Southern girl living in the Rockies. 💕

[@Dindasayswhynot]

I cook quite a few English foods. One of them is Cauliflower Cheese. No big deal and very little fussing with it. Have had it my whole life this way: Whole head with a good cheese sauce over. That's a lot of work to break it up into florets and stir it around. I would be tempted to use cauliflower "rice" if I were trying to make it mimic Mac n cheese. So ready for cauliflower to get in season. PS oh!! The cheese sauce has a pinch of Coleman's Mustard (a powder) added. Gives the tiniest bite.

[@mary-s2p5y]

I love the sheet pan recipe. I use my oven in the winter mostly. Califlower is sweet when it's cooked. I use ground pork from Aldi for chili. It's cheaper than beef and no hormones, etc.

[@karend4055]

For cauliflower stalk removal: old cauliflower about shoulder height a over the counter top. Holding it stalk side and slam it down onto counter top. Turn it over and you should be able to wiggle most of stalk out.

[@stephanie2]

Awesome video. All 3 looks yummy ❤

[@MandyintheMaking]

So glad you liked it! ♥️

[@valeriehaertl9218]

Mandy I love your videos! Would you please consider making a couple of vegetarian meal videos? Thanks!❤️

[@MaryAnnRogowski-z6p]

Is AMAZING Steven's favorite word!!❤

[@danadyd59]

Love your channel! That cauliflower dish is cauliflower with cheese sauce!😅 65yo here. That's a 70s dish.

[@kathyclarke6327]

That’s what I was thinking I’m 69 years old, that used to be my favorite vegetable cauliflower and cheese, broccoli and cheese but the only way I would eat my vegetables this with cheese😂

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

Brown lentils are a great swap for reducing the amount of ground meat you are using. Try a 1:3 ratio for a light touch. I prefer a 1:1 ratio (I've already been reducing my meat intake). It can be swapped out completely for a vegan/vegetarian option.

[@PeggyYost-i1t]

Oh my dad was diabetic and he loved a macaroni cheese, but I started making his macaroni and cheese with cauliflower instead of macaroni and raved. He just loved it.

[@christywidner1122]

Already know Im going to love this video! ❤❤❤❤ Hope you’re feeling better with the migraines sweet lady! I definitely understand those all to well! Praying for you!

[@MaryWalker-sx1tc]

Absolutely ❤😢🙏🏾❤️

[@vickiehelms6201]

Sweet potatoes are my favorite potato. I love them anyway you fix them. I also love Aldi chicken sausages.

[@jayndough68]

I’m excited for some healthy swap episodes! ❤

[@denevaflath1397]

Healthy chili..try a veggie bean chili.

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

A favorite meatless meal. 😃

[@Julie-o3o]

I made the sheet pan dinner and served it over quinoa. DELICIOUS!

[@Justeli2024]

I mix broccoli in with the cauliflower n’ cheese…. so gooood!!!

[@Mphscat]

Mandy, love the low carb "mac & cheese". The brand Kevin's makes it just like that but it's very expensive for a small amount. I've really tried to love those chicken sausages but just can not get past the spongy texture. If you have a hack for dealing with that please do share. We're supposed to get snow here in DFW on Thursday and I'm going to cook chili too. I also found some purple cabbage and had some Eckrich Smoked Sausage already to will make that too and some cornbread (with the corn added in). You are so fortunate to have such a complementary and appreciative husband Mandy. You won the lottery with that Steven plus he cooks well too!

[@mdketzer]

@@Mphscat If you pan fry or roast the sausage like Mandy did it helps with the spongy texture.

[@Mphscat]

@@mdketzer I used some for "eggroll in a bowl" so you cook that on the stove in a skillet so to me that was pan fried. They were so disgusting that I have not tried to use them in anything else.

[@DawnMcilroy]

we have cauliflower cheese with our sunday roast in the UK - every sunday - yum yum get in my tum xxx

[@Ildikoprepperkitchen]

as a vegetarian fella, I find it funny (in a nice way)how a humble vegetable can make some feel doubtful. They are so yummy, keep discovering :)

[@monicat4436]

I bought a low carb, high protein pasta at Publix. It was called carbe diem. It was delicious. Try it.

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

😂What a great name. I'm in a Publix region, thanks.

[@rachelmorrow2823]

I made a homemade chicken noodle soup for dinner since my hubby is under the weather and we wanted a healthier dinner! Love all these recipes

[@carolheinze8178]

Definitely want to make the cauliflower Mac and cheese!❤

[@Shari-NevadaPuP]

Made the Cauliflower Mac and cheese today. It is in the oven. Looks so yummy. I changed it up a bit and used 3 different cheeses.... mozzarella, white cheddar and extra sharp cheddar. I only had a little of each so just used them all. I also subbed out the milk for almond milk. I wasn't sure if that was gonna work but it did 🙂 Gonna to make a grilled cheese sammie on my homemade low carb bread to go along with it. Thanks so much for your wonderful recipes "tink" ❤

[@brandiparis5411]

Gonna have to try that cauli cheese. I love cauliflower! My favorite is buffalo cauli…drool!!!!!

[@mariabean8627]

I love cauliflower cheese ❤ its a favourite in England 😊

[@marlenesistrunk5300]

A frozen Boil in bag of cauliflower and cheese sauce Any meat= great diet dinner

[@bun04y]

I saw recently that you can break up a head of cauliflower by smacking the stem against your counter top...similar to smacking a head of lettuce to get the core out of it.

[@kimstaggenborg3928]

I always use ground turkey in my chili and we love it. It keeps the chili from being so heavy, can’t think of a better word, and we prefer it like that now. I also make tacos with ground turkey and everyone thinks they are the bomb.

[@deborahmorris8283]

I don't remember the name of the brand, but I got it from Thrive. It was beef sticks or beef jerky. Maybe Chomps? Anyway, my son-in-law loves them.

[@MandyintheMaking]

Awesome!!

[@dstrick12]

The sheet pan dinner is one of my husband’s favorite meals. We use the same chicken sausage, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, onion, peppers and okra. I put the cauliflower and sweet potatoes in the microwave to soften so it doesn’t take as long to roast. I’ve also added chunks of zucchini. For seasoning, I add minced garlic, lots of paprika, parsley and lots of Mrs. Dash original seasoning. Toss with olive oil and roast. We then sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over it on our plates. 😋. I will try the cauliflower mac recipe because we love cauliflower and cheese! Thank you!

[@helenwilkins4337]

Cauliflower cheese is wonderful

[@marymasiakowski5042]

Mandy, you've converted to a ground chicken and chicken sausage cook. We absolutely love the chicken sausage. You've also gotten me to use more sweet potatoes. I have problems with russet potatoes and get bored with the yellow potatoes. Sweet potatoes are difficult for me because of the arthritis in my hands. But putting it in the microwave for a few is going to be a game changer for me. I've never had cheesy cauliflower. I also have problems with pasta. I can't wait to try this. I absolutely love your down to earth recipes. You and your family always put a smile on my face. I can't wait until Friday. I was wondering about the canned chicken. I can't stand the smell of the canned chicken from the store. How is the Thrive Market canned chicken?

[@kimnewton2407]

Hey Mandy .... I made the recipe with the Golden Mushroom Roast ... My Family LOVED it and ate it for lunch and dinner until gone .... soooooo good !!! Thank you

[@louisebutterworth1338]

Made the sheet pan for dinner Saturday, got it ready now will just have to place in oven.

[@shereeseturner4737]

for the chicken sheet pan meal, could that go into the air fryer as well> And, if so what temp and for how long?

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

It should be able to. Whatever you would roast your veggies at, this sheet pan meal should work. The sausage is already cooked.

[@karenwittfoth5380]

Mandy which chicken sausage did you use? Was it the Italian one?

[@harleyhoney20]

I made the sheet pan veggies and the cauliflower mac and cheese, ya'all yum~0...I wish I could send you a picture. Oh my word, They are so delicious. 😋

[@MaryLinton-j3s]

I Love the sign on the refrigerator ❤❤❤

[@denisep7116]

I love your guys relationship. 😊 I hope my picky eater will like that cauliflower and cheese recipe because it looked delicious!

[@angelabaugh4446]

Uk subscriber I make cauliflower cheese on a regular basis my grandchildren love it, put mustard in cheese sauce and sometimes I put in broccoli.

[@susanmolnar9606]

Can’t wait to try all 3. I do sheet pan meals all the time. Makes an easy and tasty meal. And you can make so many variations and just make it up with whatever you have. ❣️

[@apriltownsend8463]

I wonder if it works for cauliflower like it does for cabbage if you slam it core-down on a hard surface to break it away?

[@puddintame9989]

Regarding bowl cozies......not all can go in the microwave. Many people I know make them with "insulbrite" insulation to block the heat, it has a metallic film inside it and cannot be microwaved, so just be aware of this possibility. great recipes, thanks for your hard work

[@grannynoraswihart8565]

That cauliflower cheese is like a side dish we would make here in Indiana to go with like ham or something like that.

[@ThisJoyFilledLife]

We love our bowl cozies! So handy. The cauliflower dish looks delicious!😋

[@Marta_is_here]

Your sheet pan meal is basically something I’ve been making for years. We call it a hodge podge dinner 😅 Edit to add…sometimes we add a fried egg on top 👍

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

Adding an egg is a great idea, especially if reducing or eliminating meat (which I can see as an option in this recipe).

[@lorrieemery5143]

Mandy try banging the root on your cutting board like if it was a cabbage it may break off

[@MrsAlmaTrumble]

What makes chili..chili powder. Lol. You and Steven always make me laugh so hard with y'alls commentary.

[@Nicola-oh7hp]

Cauliflower cheese is a lovely side in 🇬🇧 all the meals looked great. Xx

[@juliem6587]

I can't believe you'd never had cauliflower cheese. I make it regularly. To step the cheese sauce up add a couple of teaspoons of English mustard, then before grilling at the end sprinkle some more grated cheese over the top. I always serve it with a smoked gammon and wedgies. You can also add broccoli to up the vegetables.

[@victorialane5368]

On the cauliflower, since you’re streaming before hand, I would probably just use a frozen bag of cauliflower heated in the microwave.