Happy birthday to me! This is my birthday week and so I'm sharing some of my favorite meals, including a luscious triple layer chocolate cake with mocha buttercream for my birthday! Enjoy!
Happy Easter, too! 🐰
This week's meal plan includes a classic, southern Easter dinner menu that I think you'll love!
![Collage of images from this meal plan.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/meal-plan17.jpg)
📅 Food Holidays
- April 16 is National Eggs Benedict Day and I think you'll love my southwestern inspired eggs benedict.
- April 20 is National Pineapple Upside Down cake day. I've added a traditional recipe for that below but you might want to be adventurous and try this pineapple upside down cheesecake.
- Remember you can keep the pizza dough in the fridge for up to a week, and use it as you need it. Create your own pizzas with leftovers - it's a great way to use them up.
- I like to make a double batch of the crockpot meatballs and keep them in the freezer so I can have them whenever I want.
- Make or buy extra baguettes and have meatballs sandwiches with the leftover meatballs.
- Have leftover Angel biscuits? Grab some sausage patties and fried them up. Assemble your own sausage biscuits and freeze them in individual servings for an inexpensive breakfast to on the run.
- Have leftover cabbage? Slice some smoked sausage in there, mix with cooked egg noodles, and you've got a delicious lunch or dinner!
- If you have leftover chicken tenders use them in this fried chicken po' boy sandwich - hearty and delicious!
- I make a lot of meals in my crockpot and also my multi-cooker. If you're i the market for one and want to know which would work best in your kitchen be sure to read, Is a multi-cooker better than a slow cooker?
🍹This week's cocktail
![Tiffany Blue Sparkler is an easy cocktail recipe that works for any romantic or feminine occasion. From RestlessChipotle.com](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/easy-cocktail-recipes-tiffany-blue-sparkler-feat.jpg)
Tiffany Blue Sparkler
This Tiffany Blue Sparkler is a bubbly drink is somewhat like a mimosa - but so pretty.
Easter Brunch Menu
![A loaf of Italian Easter bread with powdered sugar dusted over it.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/easter-bread-feat-600-compressor.jpg)
Italian Easter Bread
Italian Easter bread is a bit like a sweet brioche wreath with pretty eggs decorating it.
![Overhead view of smoked deviled eggs with chipotle and bacon.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/smoked-deviled-eggs-feat-700x700.jpg)
Chipotle Deviled Eggs
Chipotle and bacon makes these deviled eggs amazing but follow the instructions for smoking them and honestly everyone will ask how you did them.
![Overhead view of pineapple fluff in a white bowl](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Pineapple-Fluff-feat-31-700x700.jpg)
Pineapple Fluff
Whether this is a dessert or a salad depends a lot on what part of the country you're from. Either way Pineapple Fluff is delicious.
April 16
![A closeup of a slice being removed from a pizza.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/pizza-3.jpg-copy-700x700.jpg)
Pizza
Pizza is one of my favorites! This easy, no knead, homemade pizza dough means I can have it whenever I want. Serve with a big salad and a zesty Italian dressing.
![Overhead view of a bowl of green beans, tomatoes, potatoes, and red onions created for the feature image of this post.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Italian-Green-Bean-Salad-feat-700x700.jpg)
Green Bean Salad
Tender-crisp green beans are tossed with tomatoes and baby potatoes and marinated in Italian dressing. It's an easy salad that's a delicious change from ... you know... salad.
![Closeup of apple pandowdy in an iron skillet.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/apple-pandowdy-horizontal.jpg)
Apple Pandowdy
This dessert goes together quickly and easily. Apple pandowdy is like a cross between a pie and a cobbler - super simple to make!
April 17
![Close up of casserole dish with a serving removed.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/buffalo-chicken-pasta-feat1-700x700.jpg)
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake
If you love buffalo wings you'll love this cheesy, creamy buffalo chicken pasta!
![Overhead view of this recipe showing the onion garnish.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/broccoli-salad-feat-700x700.jpg)
Broccoli Salad
Broccoli salad brings a sweet crunch to this meal. This is keto friendly but you can make it with sugar instead of sweetener if you prefer.
![Banana pudding in serving dishes with 'Nilla Wafers on top.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/homemade-banana-pudding-700x700.jpg)
Banana Pudding
When I make banana pudding I usually have to double the recipe. It's a family favorite. We also love this Nutter Butter Banana Pudding.
April 18
![Closeup of chicken and rice for feature image.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/crockpot-smothered-chicken-feat-700x700.jpg)
Crockpot Smothered Chicken
Fall apart tender chicken in a creamy mushroom gravy? Oh yes! This easy crockpot smothered chicken is so yummy!
![Close up of biscuits piled on a plate.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/angel-biscuits-recipe-1-700x700.jpg)
Angel Biscuits
I love these light and fluffy biscuits! Angel biscuits are a cross between a biscuit and a dinner roll - you'll love them.
![Close up of finished carrots.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/maple-roasted-carrots-feat-700x700.jpg)
Maple Roasted Carrots
Even your carrot haters will gobble these sweetly glazed maple roasted carrots right up.
![Pink ice cream made from frosted animal crackers in a ice cream glass.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/circus-animals-cookie-icecream-recipe.jpg)
Circus Animal Ice Cream
My eldest daughter and I are in love with the frosted animal cookies - usually called Circus Animals. When I came up with this pretty pink ice cream with pieces of cookie in it? We both swooned.
April 19
![Closeup of salisbury steak on a plate with a bite removied.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/salisbury-steak4-1-1-700x700.jpg)
Salisbury Steak
Just like old fashioned diner food! Salisbury steak is tender and delicious with a rich and creamy mushroom gravy. It's made in the slow cooker so it couldn't be easier.
![Closeup of fried cabbage and bacon in a skillet.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/fried-cabbage-6-700x700.jpg)
Fried Cabbage
I could eat fried cabbage every single day. Caramelized onions and cabbage slowly saute in bacon grease until it's perfectly delicious. Stir crispy bacon in just before serving.
![A plate of cookies with chocolate filled centers.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/earl-grey-chocolate-thumbprints-3-compressor-700x700.jpg)
Earl Grey Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
These old fashioned chocolate thumbprints are delicate and delicious. The chocolate is flavored with a little earl grey tea.
April 20
![Crispy baked chicken on a white plate.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/French-Onion-Chicken-9-700x700.jpg)
French Onion Chicken
Tastes just like dinner at a French inn. Tender chicken is coated with a dry onion soup seasoning and then baked to perfection. French onion chicken is magnifique!
![Close up overhead view of a bowl of gree](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/southern-green-beans-feat-700x700.jpg)
Southern Green Beans
Southern green beans usually take hours to cook but when you use my method they're done in less than 20 minutes and still have all. that. flavor. Add a can of drained, diced potatoes just before serving.
![Uncut pineapple upside down cake dusted with confectioner's sugar.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/recipe-image-pineapple-upside-down-cake.jpg)
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Pineapple upside down cake is an iconic dessert from my childhood! I used to pick the cherries out of the pineapple centers before it ever got to the table - no matter how many times I got in trouble for it! SO GOOD!
April 21
![Homemade Italian meatballs are fantaastic! From restlesschipotle.com](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/homemade-italian-meatballs-feat.jpg)
Spaghetti & Meatballs
When I was little I was a picky eater. One of the ONLY things I would eat? Spaghetti and meatballs. Use the crockpot meatballs and commercial marinara for a quick, easy meal.
![View of a baguette from the top showing crust detail](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/homemade-baguette-2-new-2-compressor-1-700x700.jpg)
Garlic Bread
Nothing is easier than this 30 minute baguette! If you have a little more time try my potato garlic baguette recipe!
![Closeup of a slice of layer cake.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/chocolate-mayonnaise-cake-feat-700x700.jpg)
Birthday Cake
Happy birthday to me! I'll be celebrating with my favorite, deep chocolate mayonnaise cake with mocha buttercream.
April 22
![baked crispy chicken strips will be a family favorite. Easy , fast, and delicious.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/baked-crispy-chicken-horizontal600.jpg)
Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders
I love these easy baked chicken tenders! Be sure to season them with my homemade Popeye's chicken seasoning! It gives them a little kick.
![Wooden spatula removing fried potatoes out of iron skillet.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/fried-potatoes-title-new-1-1-1-1-700x700.jpg)
Fried Potatoes
There's nothing that smells more like home to me that a skillet of crispy fried potatoes cooking on the stove!
![Stack of brownies with pecans.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/brownies-5-17-copy-copy-2-700x700.jpg)
Brownies
These dark chocolate brownies are the bombdiggity! So much chocolate in a chewy, gooey brownie - the only way to make it better is to serve warm with homemade chocolate ice cream melting on top.
📚 Related recipes
My slow cooker is necessary for my mental health! Between that and my multi-cooker I get meals on the table relatively easily.
I love my ice cream maker. It's a little pricey but I can make a half gallon of homemade ice cream anytime I want. It has a freezer compressor right inside so no need for salt.
Deborah
Have you tried cooking cabbage in the microwave? You cut it similar to slaw, layer cabbage and onion, salt and pepper, and bacon grease. Microwave at 5 minute intervals until as done as desired. It’s like fried without the skillet.