Recipes
Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Tortellini with Chicken Meatballs
The Trader Joe’s roasted red pepper soup works really well as a pasta sauce once it cooks down a bit. The tortellini absorbs some of the liquid as it cooks, so it turns into a creamy roasted red pepper coating instead of being a soup. Add air fried chicken meatballs, ricotta, basil, and spinach and it feels like a full comfort meal with very little effort.
Hot Honey Chipotle Chicken Bowls
Chipotle had this hot honey chicken for a limited time and I immediately knew I was going to miss it once it disappeared from the menu. I kept thinking about the sweet heat combo, so I ended up marinating some chicken thighs at home and turning it into these rice bowls for lunch prep during the week.
Creamy Rigatoni with Italian Sausage & Asparagus
I dreamt up this dish one day because I was craving pasta, but wanted to work some vegetables in too. Luckily for me, there was also a sale on Italian sausages, so it felt like it was meant to be. Since making it the first time, it's been added to my regular rotation.
Yum Yum Shrimp Rice Bowls
I love hibachi restaurants, especially the shrimp with yum yum sauce. I kept craving those flavors at home and started wondering if I could make my own version that felt a little easier for a weeknight. That’s how this bowl came together. It has the buttery rice, grilled shrimp, and creamy yum yum sauce I love, but in a simpler, cozy-at-home version.
Copycat Panera Fuji Apple Chicken Salad
I have a soft spot for the Panera Fuji Apple Chicken Salad. It is one of those lunches I used to grab constantly because it felt fresh but still filling. After making it at home a few times, I realized it tastes nearly identical for a fraction of the price, and now I make it whenever I want something easy that still feels a little elevated for lunch.
Weeknight Smoky Ground Beef Tacos
This recipe is one of my favorite ways to use the Smoky Ground Beef Taco Filling. Once I already have the meat made, these tacos come together really fast and end up being one of those easy weeknight dinners that I never really get tired of.
Trader Joe’s Creamy Coconut Curry Gyoza Bake
I kept seeing this dumpling bake everywhere and this is the version I ended up sticking with. It’s creamy, a little spicy, and comes together with a handful of things I already had in my fridge and freezer.
Bangers and Mash with Onion Gravy
Bangers and mash is one of those dishes that sounds humble on paper and then completely delivers on the plate. Juicy sausages, creamy mashed potatoes, and a rich, deeply savory onion gravy that ties the whole thing together - it is pure comfort food, and it is easier to make at home than most people expect. This is the version I come back to every time.
Classic Corned Beef & Cabbage
Corned beef and cabbage is the St. Patrick's Day dish. The one that fills the whole house with that unmistakable savory, spiced aroma the second it hits the pot. This version keeps everything approachable. No specialty ingredients, no fuss. Just a beautifully briny brisket, tender vegetables, and a pot of braising liquid that tastes like it's been going all day (because it has, and that is the whole point).
Mediterranean Chicken Protein Bowl
This Mediterranean Chicken Protein Bowl is a fresh, flavorful, and filling meal that works just as well for a quick lunch as it does for weekly meal prep.
Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
If you’ve ever wanted to make something that feels like you ordered takeout but better, these sticky honey garlic chicken thighs are it. The glaze is sweet, garlicky, a little tangy, and it caramelizes in the oven like magic. And the best part? It’s all done on one sheet pan with easy-to-love chicken thighs that come out juicy every time.
Classic Stuffed Bell Peppers
These classic stuffed bell peppers are simple, hearty, and full of everyday ingredients that you probably already have on hand. The combination of ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and cheddar cheese makes this a dependable, satisfying meal that works just as well for a weeknight dinner as it does for a small gathering.
Dan Dan Noodles
With a base of spaghetti, savory-sweet ground pork, crunchy peanuts, and a luscious chili-sesame sauce, this version brings the iconic Szechuan street food flavor to your weeknight dinner lineup — no specialty market required.
Spicy Sesame Garlic Noodles
These spicy sesame garlic noodles use regular pasta and everyday ingredients to make something that feels indulgent, cozy, and super satisfying. It's spicy, nutty, garlicky, and slurpable — exactly what you want when a takeout craving hits but you're staying in your pj's.
Simple Blackened Salmon with Garlic-Lime Butter
This is my go-to blackened salmon recipe for when I want something bold, fast, and packed with flavor—no fancy pans required. You don’t need a cast-iron skillet to get that crispy, spicy crust. A good nonstick pan and high heat do the trick beautifully. This recipe comes together in under 20 minutes and feels like something you'd get at a restaurant
Hot Honey Chicken Salad Sliders
These Hot Honey Chicken Salad Sliders are the kind of lunch that makes you look forward to leftovers. We’re talking juicy shredded rotisserie chicken in a creamy, tangy hot honey-mustard dressing, piled onto soft Hawaiian rolls with peppery arugula and zippy pickles.
Hot Honey & Ricotta Flatbread
If you’re in the mood for something fancy-ish but super easy, this Hot Honey & Ricotta Flatbread is your answer. It’s crispy, creamy, salty, spicy, and sweet all at once—and comes together in less time than it takes to scroll through your takeout app.
Weeknight Chicken Korma
If you’ve been craving something cozy but not overly spicy, Chicken Korma hits the spot. The sauce is velvety and warm with spices like cardamom, cumin, and cinnamon — and the chicken stays juicy from simmering low and slow in that creamy base. It’s a great intro dish if you're new to Indian cooking but still want something with depth and comfort built in.
Creamy Homestyle Palak Paneer
Palak Paneer is one of those dishes that just works — rich, flavorful, and surprisingly simple once you get into the rhythm. This version keeps things straightforward with no shortcuts on flavor. The spinach is fresh, the paneer gets a quick pan-fry for texture, and the spices hit that balance of warming without being over the top.
Oxtail Risotto Inspired by Bokeria in Split
I remember walking into Bokeria in Split—warm lights, chatter, and the promise of something new. I’d never tried oxtail before, but one bite of their risotto, with tender braised tail and creamy rice, sealed the deal: I was a fan—for life. Now I bring that moment back home with this cozy, indulgent recipe.