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Weeknight Dinners

Easy One-Pot Mac ‘n’ Cheese

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Easy One-Pot Mac ‘n’ Cheese

Easy One-Pot Mac ‘n’ Cheese

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This easy mac and cheese is a quick and delicious dinner option for busy weeknights! Elbow macaroni is cooked right in the same pot with milk, butter, and Cheddar cheese, resulting in a creamy and comforting dish that’s sure to please everyone. Add in some chopped bacon or cooked veggies for a twist on the classic recipe, or enjoy it as-is for a simple and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Item Quantity
Whole Milk 5 cups (1.25 L)
Elbow Macaroni 1 box
Unsalted Butter ½ cup (115 g)
Cheddar Cheese (shredded) 2 cups (200 g)
Salt To taste
Pepper To taste
Fresh Parsley To serve

About the Ingredients

  • Whole Milk: Creates a creamy base and helps cook the pasta evenly.
  • Elbow Macaroni: Traditional and perfect for soaking up cheese sauce, but feel free to use shells or rotini.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Sharp or mild works great—just be sure to shred it fresh for best results.
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and smoothness to the sauce.
  • Parsley: Adds a touch of freshness and color at the end.

Cooking Instructions

  1. In a large pot on medium-high heat, gently bring the milk to a simmer.
  2. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  3. Once the macaroni is cooked, remove the pot from the heat.
  4. Add the butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is melted and combined into a creamy sauce.
  5. Top with freshly chopped parsley and serve warm.

Nutrition Info (Approx. per serving)

  • Calories: 410
  • Fat: 22g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Protein: 16g

Cooking Tips

  • Use freshly shredded cheddar for a smoother melt and better flavor.
  • Stir continuously while simmering milk to avoid scalding.
  • Mix in cooked bacon, broccoli, or peas for extra flavor and nutrition.

 

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Weeknight Dinners

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

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Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Transport your taste buds to Italy with this rich and flavorful Creamy Tuscan Chicken. With juicy chicken breasts simmered in a luscious garlic-Parmesan cream sauce, this dish is perfect for a cozy family dinner or an elegant date night meal. Let’s dive into the full recipe with step-by-step instructions!

Ingredients Table

Ingredient Quantity
Extra-virgin olive oil 1 Tbsp
Boneless skinless chicken breasts 4
Kosher salt To taste
Freshly ground black pepper To taste
Dried oregano 1 tsp
Butter 3 Tbsp
Garlic (minced) 3 cloves
Cherry tomatoes (halved) 1 1/2 cups
Baby spinach 3 cups
Heavy cream 1/2 cup
Parmesan (freshly grated) 1/4 cup
Lemon wedges (for serving) As desired

Ingredients About

  • Chicken Breasts: Lean and protein-rich, perfect for soaking up creamy sauces.
  • Oregano: Adds earthy flavor with a hint of bitterness that balances the creaminess.
  • Butter: Helps build richness in the sauce and deglazes the pan for extra flavor.
  • Garlic: Adds aromatic depth and classic Tuscan touch.
  • Cherry Tomatoes & Spinach: Add color, freshness, and nutrition.
  • Heavy Cream & Parmesan: Create a silky, rich, and cheesy sauce.
  • Lemon Wedges: Optional, but add a zesty finish that cuts through the richness.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Cooking Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until hot.
  2. Add chicken breasts, season with salt, pepper, and oregano. Cook about 8 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through (165°F). Remove and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Add cherry tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and cook until they start to burst.
  5. Add baby spinach and cook until wilted.
  6. Pour in heavy cream and stir in grated Parmesan. Simmer on low for about 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  7. Return cooked chicken to the skillet, spoon sauce over it, and let simmer for 5–7 minutes until heated through.
  8. Serve hot with lemon wedges for a fresh finish.

Nutrition Info (Approx. per serving)

  • Calories: 420 kcal
  • Protein: 35g
  • Carbohydrates: 7g
  • Fat: 28g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Sugar: 3g

Cooking Tips

  • Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and smoother sauce.
  • Don’t overcrowd the skillet while searing chicken—cook in batches if needed.
  • For a deeper flavor, substitute cherry tomatoes with sun-dried tomatoes.
  • Let the sauce simmer on low for a creamy consistency without curdling.

 

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Weeknight Dinners

Best Birria Tacos

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Best Birria Tacos

Best Birria Tacos

These red-stained, flavor-packed tacos are made from slow-braised beef in a rich, spicy broth. This dish is perfect for parties, gatherings, or any special occasion. Get ready to impress your guests!

Ingredients Table (Serves 6)

Ingredient Quantity
Dried Guajillo Chiles 5
Dried Morita Chiles 3
Dried Pasilla Chiles 3
Beef Brisket or Chuck Roast 2 lb
Oxtails or Short Ribs 2 lb
Kosher Salt & Black Pepper To taste
Vegetable Oil 2 tbsp
Roma Tomatoes 3, halved
Garlic Cloves 6
Whole Cloves 10
Cinnamon Stick (3″) 1
White Wine Vinegar 1/4 cup
Cumin Seeds 1 ½ tsp
Dried Oregano 1 tsp
Yellow Onion 1, quartered
Bay Leaves 5

Ingredients About

This recipe uses a flavorful combination of dried Mexican chiles (guajillo, morita, and pasilla) to create a rich and spicy consomé. Beef cuts like brisket and oxtails are slow-cooked until tender. Aromatics like garlic, cinnamon, cloves, and cumin give the dish its traditional depth of flavor.

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Toast the dried chiles in a heavy pot over medium heat for 2–3 minutes.
  2. Transfer chiles to a bowl and cover with boiling water. Soak for 20 minutes until soft.
  3. Generously season beef with salt and pepper. In the same pot, heat oil and brown the meat on all sides. Set aside.
  4. In a blender, combine soaked chiles, 1½ cups chile water, tomatoes, garlic, cloves, cinnamon stick, vinegar, cumin seeds, and oregano. Blend until smooth paste forms.
  5. Return beef to the pot, add onion, bay leaves, and the chile paste. Add enough water to cover the beef. Season with salt.
  6. Bring to simmer, then cover and bake for 4 to 4½ hours until beef is tender.
  7. Remove bay leaves and onion. Shred beef using two forks.
  8. Taste the consomé and adjust seasoning. You may thin it out with water or broth as needed.
  9. Use the shredded beef to fill corn tortillas. Dip tortillas into the consomé before frying for crispy edges. Serve with lime and extra broth for dipping.

Nutrition Info (Approx. per serving)

  • Calories: 470
  • Protein: 38g
  • Fat: 28g
  • Carbohydrates: 15g
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 600mg

Cooking Tips

  • Use a mix of beef cuts (bone-in and boneless) for better flavor.
  • Toast the chiles briefly to bring out their aroma but avoid burning them.
  • You can make the birria and consomé up to 5 days ahead and refrigerate separately.
  • For extra crispy tacos, fry the tortillas in a little oil after dipping them in the broth.
  • Add cheese like Oaxaca or mozzarella for cheesy birria tacos.

 

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Weeknight Dinners

Chicken Teriyaki Fried Rice

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Chicken Teriyaki Fried Rice

Chicken Teriyaki Fried Rice

Why You’ll Love Chicken Teriyaki Fried Rice

This sizzling one-wok meal is packed with sweet and savory flavors, juicy marinated chicken, crisp vegetables, and fluffy rice. It’s the ultimate comfort food that’s fast, flavorful, and family-approved. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep!

What is Chicken Teriyaki Fried Rice?

Chicken Teriyaki Fried Rice is a fusion dish that combines Japanese-style teriyaki-marinated chicken with classic Asian fried rice. It brings together bold umami flavor with the textures of tender meat and sautéed vegetables all in one hearty meal.

Ingredients

Ingredient Quantity
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cubed) 2
Teriyaki sauce 1 cup (240 mL)
Oil 2 teaspoons
Onion (diced) ½ cup (75 g)
Garlic (minced) 1 tablespoon
Carrot (diced) ½ cup (60 g)
Broccoli florets 1 cup (150 g)
Eggs (beaten) 3
Brown rice (cooked) 3 cups (690 g)
Soy sauce 2 tablespoons
Sesame oil 1 tablespoon
Pepper To taste

About the Ingredients

  • Chicken: Provides lean protein; marinated in teriyaki sauce for depth of flavor.
  • Teriyaki Sauce: A sweet and savory blend that caramelizes beautifully on the chicken.
  • Vegetables: Onion, garlic, carrot, and broccoli add color, crunch, and nutrition.
  • Eggs: Boost protein and create a classic fried rice texture.
  • Brown Rice: Nutty and hearty, a healthier alternative to white rice.
  • Soy Sauce & Sesame Oil: Amplify umami flavor and aroma.

Cooking Instructions

  1. Marinate the chicken in teriyaki sauce for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
  2. In a wok or large skillet, cook the marinated chicken (with sauce) over high heat until fully cooked. Set aside.
  3. Add oil to the same pan. Sauté onions, garlic, and carrots until onions are translucent.
  4. Add broccoli and cook for 3-4 minutes.
  5. Push vegetables to one side. Pour beaten eggs into the cleared side and scramble them.
  6. Add the cooked rice, chicken, soy sauce, sesame oil, and pepper. Stir-fry until everything is well combined and rice is slightly crispy.
  7. Serve hot and enjoy!

Nutrition Info (Approx. per serving)

  • Calories: 450 kcal
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Fiber: 4 g

Cooking Tips

  • Use cold, day-old rice for the best texture.
  • Substitute chicken with tofu or shrimp for a variation.
  • Feel free to toss in bell peppers, peas, or corn for extra veggies.
  • Don’t overcook the eggs — scramble them quickly and mix in gently.

 

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