Halloween is just around the corner, and it’s time to make some creepy treats! Whether you're hosting a full-blown party or looking for festive fall snacks, these easy recipes will have everyone under your delicious spell. There are some spooky recipes and some not so spooky recipes, but they are all a perfect option for your Halloween gathering. From savory bites to sweet treats, these dishes are as fun to make as they are to eat! If you love these recipes, I would love to know! You … [Read more...]
Pumpkin Banana Muffins
These Pumpkin Banana Muffins use simple ingredients, and are incredibly easy to make this fall season. Whether you’re looking for a delicious pumpkin pie spice breakfast option or a sweet snack, this recipe has got you covered. Ingredients Each ingredient in this recipe plays a specific role, whether it’s enhancing flavor, contributing to texture, or supporting the baking process. Together, they create a perfectly balanced, moist, and flavorful muffin ideal for fall or anytime … [Read more...]
Steak Quesadillas
Steak quesadillas are a delicious meal that’s easy to make and packed with bold flavors. This dish is a crowd-pleaser, whether you’re whipping up a quick lunch, preparing dinner for your whole family, or entertaining guests. Let’s dive into what makes steak quesadillas so special and how you can make them at home! Why Steak Quesadillas? Quesadillas are a classic in Mexican cuisine, known for their crispy tortillas and gooey melty cheese. When you add succulent steak to the mix, you … [Read more...]
Homemade Mexican Spice Blend
From tacos to enchiladas, the right blend of Mexican spices can transform a simple dish into a flavorful fiesta. A homemade Mexican spice blend is convenient to have on hand especially for fast weeknight cooking. While store-bought seasoning blends or taco seasonings can be convenient, nothing beats the freshness and customizability of a homemade Mexican spice mix. Plus, making your own homemade blends allows you to adjust the flavors to your liking and avoid unnecessary additives or … [Read more...]
3-Ingredient Steak Marinade
The right marinade can transform a good cut of meat into a mouthwatering masterpiece. You just need a few simple ingredients to achieve expensive steakhouse flavor. Here's a shortcut 3-ingredient steak marinade using a store bought balsamic vinaigrette that’s sure to elevate your grilling game. Ingredients This flavorful steak marinade uses a store bought balsamic vinaigrette as a great way to save on time. It makes this easy recipe achievable for a busy weeknight. Of course you can … [Read more...]
Roasted Broccoli and Carrots
Need an easy, nutritious and delicious side dish? Roasted broccoli and carrots are the perfect addition to any meal. This easy recipe brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetables while giving them a satisfying crunch. Plus, it’s super simple side dish making it perfect for weeknight family dinner or as a meal prep staple. You can use this roasting method for a lot of my other favorite vegetables like butternut squash or roasted brussels sprouts. Ingredients Fresh Broccoli - … [Read more...]
Recipes Using Pesto
Pesto, with its vibrant green color and rich, aromatic flavor, is a beloved staple in many kitchens. Traditionally made with basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon juice, and extra-virgin olive oil, this Italian pesto sauce, pesto alla genovese, is incredibly versatile. Whether you have a fresh batch of homemade basil pesto, like my easy recipe Homemade Pesto in a Blender, or store-bought pesto, there are countless ways to incorporate it into your meals. I like using my blender to … [Read more...]
Oven-Baked Bacon
Bacon is a beloved breakfast staple, but frying it on the stove can be messy and time-consuming. Enter oven-baked bacon—a method that promises cooking bacon into perfectly crispy strips with minimal effort and cleanup. It's my favorite way to cook thick-cut bacon. Also, it's the easiest way/only way to cook a big batch of bacon for a crowd or just large amounts for your family to have on hand. Why Bake Bacon? Even Cooking - The oven provides consistent heat, ensuring that each strip is … [Read more...]
Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas
Are you in the mood for something savory, crispy, and utterly delicious? Look no further than this Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadilla recipe! This easy recipe combines the smoky richness of bacon, the creamy tang of ranch, melty cheese and the succulent tenderness of chicken, all enveloped in a golden, crispy tortilla. Whether you're planning a quick lunch, a casual dinner, or a game day snack, these quesadillas are sure to your new favorite flavor combination the whole family will … [Read more...]
Quick Mexican Chicken Marinade
When you're short on time and looking for an easy recipe, this quick Mexican chicken marinade using simple ingredients is your ticket to a delicious meal in no time. This chicken recipe bursting with flavor and perfect for those busy days when you need dinner on the table fast. This chicken is also great recipe for meal prep. Some different ways to use it would be for chicken fajitas, tacos, burrito bowls, enchilada stuffing or for a chicken quesadilla! Marinade Ingredients Chicken … [Read more...]
Easy Frozen Vegetable Fried Rice
Looking for an easy weeknight dinner recipe? This Frozen Vegetable Fried Rice recipe is a lifesaver for those busy nights. It's a quick, easy, and incredibly versatile dish that's sure to become a staple in your meal rotation. Fried rice is a great recipe to have on hand because of its simplicity and adaptability. You can use up any leftover protein or vegetables to add to this leftover rice dish and customize it to how you like. The sauce requires little ingredients and simple pantry items … [Read more...]
Mexican Shredded Beef Tacos
Whether you're hosting a taco night with friends or simply craving a delicious homemade meal, these easy Mexican Shredded Beef Tacos are sure to impress. These shredded beef tacos, also known as beef barbacoa, are slow cooked in a savory broth for several hours, also known as braising, with a blend of authentic Mexican spices until it falls apart. Barbacoa is actually a cooking technique that originated in the Caribbean. Generally it's a term used for large fatty cuts of meat that have been … [Read more...]
Roasted Garlic Butter
Nothing elevates a recipe like adding a pad of homemade roasted garlic butter before serving. You can add this compound butter on top of grilled ribeye steaks or chicken, roasted vegetables, seared seafood or freshly toasted bread to add a nice mellow garlic-y flavor to your favorite dish. This homemade garlic butter also makes the best garlic bread and it's so much better than just regular butter. This is one of those delicious recipes you'll want to make a big batch of ahead of … [Read more...]
Thinly Sliced Chicken Breasts
Thinly sliced chicken breasts, also known as a chicken cutlets, are such a versatile ingredient and great for a high protein meal. Meal prep a big batch of this easy recipe once a week to add to salads, pastas, wraps or sandwiches. Here is my complete guide on the best way to cook thin juicy chicken breasts including a list of my favorite chicken recipe ideas. How to slice chicken breasts You can find pre-sliced cutlets at the grocery store, but it's more economical to cut them … [Read more...]
Pan Fried Crab Cakes
These easy pan fried crab cakes are seriously delicious. Be sure to use real crab meat and not imitation to ensure maximum deliciousness. You can find real crab meat in the refrigerated seafood section usually next to the butcher. It usually comes in half pound containers which makes the perfect amount for four substantial cakes! How do you make crab cakes from scratch? Crab cakes are surprisingly simple to make while looking very impressive. First, mix together your fresh crab meat, … [Read more...]
Quick Cheese Grits
Quick Cheese Grits are a delicious side dish not just for breakfast. Using only six ingredients, this recipe is a simple way to add some comfort to your next meal. This quick grit recipe is my go to side dish for dinners like smoked sausage and peppers, cajun chicken, or shrimp and grits. It also makes an easy side for breakfast or brunch. One of my favorite breakfasts is having a poached or fried egg on top of these grits with a runny yolk. Reasons to love Quick Cheese … [Read more...]
Pizza Dough Cinnamon Rolls
Next time you're at the grocery store, pick up some store-bought pizza dough (or make homemade pizza dough) and try these easy Pizza Dough Cinnamon Rolls for a sweet treat.They are almost as good as homemade cinnamon rolls. Whenever we do pizza nights, we always have leftover pizza dough and instead of freezing it or wasting it, we will whip up a little pizza dessert. These easy cinnamon rolls made from extra pizza dough honestly have me questioning why I make my traditional cinnamon … [Read more...]
Mexican Vegetables
Looking for a healthy Mexican vegetable side dish? This colorful vegetable medley only takes 15 minutes to make and is a perfect companion to tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas and more! You can also enjoy them as is or as a vegetable fajita. Reasons to love these Mexican vegetables Ingredients Mexican Vegetables - This recipe uses an assortment of peppers, onions, zucchini and yellow squash. You could add other vegetables too such as corn. Seasonings - Chili powder, paprika, cumin … [Read more...]
Simple Refried Bean Quesadillas
This Refried Bean Quesadilla recipe is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner. This is a great recipe for using up a can of refried beans, which I feel is an underrated pantry staple. I love using corn tortillas, which is not traditional for a quesadilla recipe, but i find they are less dense than flour and add a yummy corn flavor. Feel free to substitute flour tortillas. Reasons to love this recipe Ingredients Corn Tortillas - I like yellow corn tortillas, but white corn would … [Read more...]
Pan Fried Gnocchi
One of my favorite ways to eat packaged gnocchi is pan fried in lots of butter. These potato bite-sized dumplings get crispy on the outside and pillowy on the inside. They are a quick, easy side dish as is, or spruce them up with your favorite sauce. Ingredients For this recipe I use butter, Parmesan, Italian seasoning and lemon for a "sauce", but pan-fried gnocchi is so versatile when it comes to sauce pairings. I've included some other sauce ideas further down. You can also … [Read more...]
Bacon and Gruyere Egg Bites
These Bacon and Gruyere Egg Bites are a copycat of the Starbucks egg bites recipe without the sous vide equipment! This savory copycat Starbucks egg bites recipe is a perfect grab and go breakfast for those busy mornings. The combination of the bacon and the gruyere (a hard Swiss cheese perfect for melting) is utterly delicious but feel free to use a regular Swiss cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, or even cheddar if you like. These egg bites are packed with protein and will keep you full for … [Read more...]
Pasta with Peas
Pasta with peas is a great quick and easy dinner idea that uses pantry ingredients. This classic Italian recipe, Pasta e Piselli, is great as is or delicious with some meaty additions such as bacon or pancetta. I veer from the classic recipe and add some lemon at the end to brighten all of the flavors. One of the main reasons I love this recipe is it's kid friendly. I prefer using the small shell pasta because the peas get nestled in the little shell crevice like a little cup. It makes it … [Read more...]
Kale and Mushroom Egg Bites
These Kale and Mushroom Egg Bites are a copycat of the Starbucks egg bites recipe without the sous vide equipment! These vegetarian egg bites are great for a grab and go breakfast or a high protein snack. They are surprisingly easy to make and will cost way less than getting the ones at Starbucks. What ingredients are in Starbucks Copycat Kale and Mushroom Egg Bites? The most surprising ingredient in the easy egg bites is cottage cheese. I love it though because it adds extra protein … [Read more...]
Easy Broccoli Cheese Rice
Looking for an easy side recipe? This easy broccoli cheese rice made on the stovetop is a healthier alternative for that classic Rice-a-Roni Cheddar Broccoli Rice, because it has whole ingredients. Recipe Update: This recipe has been updated and refined based on feedback from readers in the comments. If you prefer the original version, you can find the old recipe here. In fact, I bet you have almost all the ingredients on hand because the base of this recipe uses pantry staples. Unlike … [Read more...]
Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip
This Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip made with Franks sauce is a favorite on our house for any gathering. Honestly, I'll whip this up anytime , no gathering required, it's so addicting. I like using Franks RedHot sauce because in my opinion, it's the best hot sauce for this recipe (not sponsored, just love!). It has the perfect spicy to vinegar to flavor ratio. What is buffalo chicken dip made of? So I feel like everyone likes their dip a little different, and this recipe leaves a lot of room … [Read more...]
Cajun Salmon
This Cajun Salmon recipe comes together in under 30 minutes for a quick weeknight meal. This pan-seared salmon has a crispy, slightly spicy crust that compliments the rich buttery salmon fillet so beautifully. Plus it's so easy to make, I don't even know if it qualifies as a recipe. It's on repeat at our house and also one of my emergency meals if I can't think of anything for dinner. I started buying frozen salmon, and realized it only takes a few minutes to defrost running it under cold water. … [Read more...]
Favorite Fall Recipes
Fall is one of my favorite seasons because I get to make all of my favorite foods! Below are some of my favorite fall recipes. I wanted to start with my Chicken Paprikash Soup because it's soooo good and my ultimate comfort food. I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as we do! If you love this recipe I would love to know! You can rate this recipe and leave a comment, and tag a photo on Instagram @hungrywaitress! Looking for more recipes? Check out some of these easy dinner … [Read more...]
Easy Warm Quinoa Bowl
This healthy, easy warm quinoa bowl are a perfect transition from the hot summer days to the cooler, crisp nights. Plus they reheat pretty well making a great meal prep option. The nutty, bitter Brussel sprout compliment the creamy sweet potatoes so well. Don't skip the toasted nuts either! They provide a much needed crunch. How do you make this warm bowl? There are a few components to this warm quinoa bowl, but you can knock them all out at the same time since the veggies go in the … [Read more...]
Chocolate Chip Banana Bran Muffins
Lately we've been in need of a lot of grab and go type meals and these Chocolate Chip Banana Bran Muffins have been great as a quick breakfast, healthy snack or even a sweet treat at the end of the day. There are probably healthier versions of a bran muffin, but in my house no one will eat them if I make them too healthy (hence the chocolate chips). It's about balance right? How do you make Chocolate Chip Banana Bran Muffins? I won't lie, baking is not my favorite thing to do, but I do … [Read more...]
Greek Buddha Bowl
Craving something a little different for lunch but still want it to be healthy? Try out this Greek Buddha Bowl. I don't know about you, but I am getting tired of the same ole salad or sandwich for lunch. This grain bowl has exciting textures and yummy flavors mixed throughout. Also, a lot of the ingredients can be found already put together in the store, so it's a time saver! What goes in a Greek Buddha Bowl? For this bowl I used a rice blend, romaine lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, feta, … [Read more...]
Easy Pesto Potato Salad
Looking for an easy summer side dish? This easy Pesto Potato Salad will be your next summer staple. Fresh basil pesto gives the old standard potato salad a nice refresh. You can make your own pesto or buy it to keep this recipe super easy. How do you make Pesto Potato Salad? Start by chopping Yukon gold potatoes into 1-2" chunks. Be sure all your potatoes are chopped roughly the same size for even cooking. Boil them in salted water for 12-15 minutes until for tender. Important: … [Read more...]
Creamy Mushroom Chicken
This Creamy Mushroom Chicken is an elevated homemade version of the classic cream of mushroom chicken made with that can of soup. This Creamy Mushroom Chicken is a delightfully simple recipe that requires little time to make. It's a great weeknight recipe that comes together in about 30 minutes. If you love mushrooms, you'll die for this creamy pan sauce. It's so much more flavorful than the cream of mushroom sauce you get in a can for your chicken. How do you make Creamy Mushroom … [Read more...]
Spicy Salmon Roll Bowl
Craving sushi but don't want to go out to get it? This Spicy Salmon Roll Bowl is an easy way to recreate the classic spicy salmon roll with common household ingredients (well minus the seaweed snacks). I also cook the salmon instead of serving it raw because I am weary of the quality of fish we get at our local grocery store. This recipe is a healthy dinner recipe or would even make a great cold lunch! How do you make a Spicy Salmon Roll Bowl? Start by making some white rice, or for … [Read more...]
Simple Egg Salad
Simple Egg Salad is great to have on hand for a quick lunch or snack. You can make a big batch and keep it in the fridge for up to four days. This is a base recipe that can be kept simple or spruced up with whatever you prefer. What can you put in egg salad? This recipe includes mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper and paprika. It also pictures dill and green onion for a touch of green, but these additions are optional. You can add chopped celery or celery seed, capers, relish or … [Read more...]
Roasted Greek Meatballs and Vegetables
Roasted Greek Meatballs and Vegetables are a versatile dinner that satisfies anyone's craving for a hearty meal. Toss these meatballs on a sheet pan with some vegetables of choice and roast for twenty minutes. You can serve them in as is, in a pita or alongside some couscous or rice. How do you make these Greek meatballs? Start by mixing together 1lb of lean ground beef (I use 85/15) some ricotta cheese, feta cheese, Italian seasoning, Panko breadcrumbs, an egg, salt and pepper together … [Read more...]
Roasted Garlic Flatbread without Yeast
In need of a quick flatbread recipe? This roasted garlic flatbread without yeast requires no rising time and can be whipped together in about 30 minutes! The key is using baking powder as the rising agent. Using full fat yogurt gives these flatbreads great texture and the roasted garlic is what really makes these flavorful. How do you roast garlic? Roasted garlic is an underrated ingredients and with just a few added steps you can have it at your disposal to enhance the flavor in other … [Read more...]
Breakfast Crunchwrap
This Breakfast Crunchwrap is a delicious way to start the day. Loaded with cheese, eggs, bacon and tater rounds, how could it get more delicious? These are a great meal or snack on hand. This recipe uses tater rounds (tater tots) instead of traditional breakfast hash browns. We also only use one burrito tortilla instead of two per wrap. The key is not stuffing them too full. How do you make a Breakfast Crunchwraps? Start by making all of your fillings. We stuffed ours with scrambled eggs, … [Read more...]
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls
These no-bake chocolate peanut butter energy balls are a quick healthy pick me up whether you are running out the door or just in need of a snack before or after dinner. They will cure any sugar craving and last in the fridge for about a week. They are loaded with ground flax seed and chia seeds for some added health benefits and who doesn't love chocolate and peanut butter! You could swap out any other nut butter if you would like too. How do you make these no-bake chocolate peanut butter … [Read more...]
Honey Sesame Chicken (Panda Express Copycat)
This yummy take on the popular Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken will become your family's next meal on repeat. Who doesn't love a good copycat recipe? This better than takeout crispy honey sesame chicken recipe is a must! The fried chicken is amazing but what really makes this dish is the sweet and spicy sauce. It's delicious. How do you make Crispy Honey Sesame Chicken? Start by cutting up some chicken tenders, whisking together some milk and an egg in a bowl, and blending some … [Read more...]
Pumpkin Spice Pop Tarts
Looking for an easy fall recipe that uses pumpkin spice? These Pumpkin Spice Pop Tarts with a brown sugar icing are a fun dessert or breakfast recipe that will satisfy you pumpkin craving. I keep these cute little treats simple by using store bought pie crust, but feel free to make your own. This recipe also makes a lot of extra pumpkin spiced puree which can be frozen or added to your favorite muffin recipe. How do you make Pumpkin Spice Pop Tarts? Start by rolling out two sheets of pie … [Read more...]
Creamy Chicken Paprikash Soup with Gnocchi
Looking for a unique chicken soup recipe? Creamy Chicken Paprikash Soup with Gnocchi is rich with flavor and only takes 30 minutes to make. This recipe is a fun take on the original Hungarian recipe, Chicken Paprikash. Use sweet or Hungarian paprika to make this recipe taste authentic. What is Chicken Paprikash made of? Authentic Hungarian Chicken Paprikash is made of bone-in chicken pieces browned in butter, some Hungarian paprika, salt and flour for the roux, chopped onions, broth and … [Read more...]
Sheet Pan Breakfast Hash
Need a quick breakfast or brunch recipe for a crowd? This Sheet Pan Breakfast Hash uses simple ingredients and the clean up is a breeze. This recipe calls for bell peppers, onions and potatoes for the base but you could certainly get creative and add whatever you have on hand. Yet another reason I love this recipe! It's so versatile. How do you make Sheet Pan Breakfast Hash? Start by chopping all your vegetables and throwing them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Toss the vegetables … [Read more...]