Quick and Easy Tried and True Recipes
Do you have a few quick and easy, tried and true recipes that you cook for dinner? Today, I am sharing my favorites!
I am sharing some tried-and-true recipes I frequently make with you today. My favorite dinner recipes taste amazing and take only about thirty minutes to make!
Tried and True Recipes
We all need some tried-and-true, easy dinner recipes. Today, I am sharing four. If you want to share any, please add them in the comments below!
One of my favorite quick pasta dinners is Sausage and Peppers Pasta. I keep some staples on hand for some of my favorite quick dinners. When my garden is in bloom, I can make this any (or every!) day of the week.
If you’ve got time to boil pasta, you’ve got time to make this recipe. It is also a great Friday night dinner idea. At the end of a long week, this is easy to make and a crowd favorite.
Sausage and Peppers Pasta
I love how colorful this dish is. They say you eat with your eyes first, so pretty and colorful food is a plus!
I planted tomatoes earlier this spring; these are my first cherry tomatoes! Nothing is quite as wonderful as a freshly picked tomato from the garden!
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How to Make Sausage and Peppers Pasta
I love the colors red and yellow peppers add to this pasta dish. It’s good to cut peppers into what I call ribbons. They are substantial enough to bite into but don’t overpower the dish.
Fresh cherry tomatoes are one of my favorite things. For this recipe, I slice them in half and leave them uncooked.
Sauteed onions are just the best. Need I say more? I add olive oil, a little bit of butter, and a little fresh thyme to the pan and cook the onions until they are soft and browned. Sauteed onions take on a sweet and nutty taste, and adding the thyme during the sautee process adds a herby taste to the onions.
I discovered Trader Joe’s Sweet Italian Sausage earlier this year. The chicken is free-range and fed vegetarian feed, which means no antibiotics, hormones, or nitrates are added.
The Trader Joe’s Sweet Italian Sausage is fully cooked, so I slice it and brown it in a pan while the onions sautee.
Once the onions are softened and starting to brown, I add the red and yellow peppers to give them a quick cook. I don’t cook the peppers too long, as I like them to have a bit of crunch.
I recently discovered Bosari Seasoning, an herb—and spice-infused seasoning salt blend. So that you know, this is a game-changer. And it is gluten-free! This seasoning salt, added to pasta, avocado toast, fish, chicken, or anything, is amazing!
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Tried and True Recipes for Quick and Easy Delicious Dinners
Sausage and Peppers Pasta
Sausage and Peppers Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 package Chicken sausage, I used Trader Joes Sweet Italian Sausage, sliced into 1/4" slices
- Pasta - whatever shape you like, I used penne and gluten-free pasta
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespooons butter, I used Country Crock plant based butter
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 onions, sliced into rings
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced into ribbons
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced into ribbons
- 1 can diced fire roasted tomatoes, drained
- 10 cherry tomatoes, halved
- Bosari Seasoning Salt for seasoning
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme for garnish
Instructions
- Start water to boil. While water is heating,
- Slice sausage into 1/4" slices
- Slice onion into thin rings
- Slice red and yellow peppers lengthwise into ribbons
- Slice cherry tomatoes in half
- In a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Once butter is melted, add sliced onions and a little bit of thyme.
- In a separate saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Over medium heat, once oil is warmed, add sliced sausage and cook until browned. Once browned, turn off heat.
- Once the onions have started to soften add the red and yellow peppers. Continue to cook until onions are browned and peppers are softened just a bit. Once the onions are softened and browned and the peppers are softened, turn heat off.
- Once the water has come to a boil, add pasta and cook to desired doneness. I like my pasta al dente, meaning the pasta is cooked, but still has a bit of firmness, or bite to it.
- Drain pasta and let cool a bit.
- While pasta is cooling, add sausage, onions and peppers to the serving bowl. Add the drained fired roasted tomatoes and cherry tomatoes and toss.
- Once the sausage, onions and peppers and tomatoes are tossed, add the pasta and toss again.
- Season with Bosari seasoning salt to taste.
- Garnish with sprigs of thyme and serve!
When I shared this ahi recipe, I made it as an appetizer. Please know that I make this recipe all of the time as an entree. After I sear the ahi, I slice it in strips. I serve with white rice and the amazing soy sauce, and it’s the best dish (or bowl) ever!
Seared Ahi Tuna with Maple Ginger Soy Sauce Recipe
This recipe is one of those recipes that looks amazing, tastes amazing but was easy to make. This Seared Ahi with Maple ginger Soy Sauce is a crowd-pleaser for sure.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup wasabi powder (horseradish powder)
- 2 TBL chopped ginger
- 6 4-oz. sushi-grade yellowfin tuna ahi steaks
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 3 TBL canola oil
- 4 large scallions, chopped
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 3 TBL canola oil
- 1 tsp crushed ginger
Instructions
Combine the maple syrup, ginger, and soy sauce in a medium saucepan. Boil over medium heat until reduced to 1/2 cup, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes (do not boil over).
The sauce can be made 1 day ahead, just reheat before serving.
If you want spicier ahi, mix 2 tsp. of wasabi powder, and 2 1/2 tsp. water in a small bowl to form thick but spreadable paste. Mix with crushed garlic. Rub about 1/4 tsp. paste on both sides of each tuna steak. Place sesame seeds on a small plate. Press both sides of each tuna steak into sesame seeds.
Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add tuna to skillet and cook until sesame seeds turn light brown, about 20 seconds per side. Transfer to cutting board and cut each steak into small cubes.
Place small pieces into shot glasses or small plates. Drizzle with maple ginger soy sauce. Top with chopped green onions.
I serve this all of the times and it is just so delicious. It is great on a Tuesday night or at a dinner party on a Saturday. It’s just that good.
Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa
This recipe is my go-to recipe. It's delicious, healthy and easy to make.
Ingredients
- Salmon:
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 4 salmon fillets
- Avocado Salsa:
- 2 avocados
- 1/4 red onion
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 TBL chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
Place the salmon in a baking pan lined with parchment paper. Drizzle the olive oil on the top of the salmon and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and paprika.
Grill the salmon on high heat for five minutes on each side. Or bake it in the oven at 350 degrees for thirty minutes.
In a separate bowl, lightly toss avocados, 1/4 red onion, the juice from one lime, 1 Tbsp. olive oil and salt to taste.
Spoon avocado salsa on top of the cooked salmon. Top with finely cut cilantro and enjoy!
The Best Grilled Chicken with Pistachio Avocado Sauce
This is the best Grilled Chicken with Pistachio Avocado Sauce – marinated in soy sauce, honey, and garlic and grilled to juicy, golden-brown perfection. Then topped with an amazing green pistachio and avocado sauce. So easy!
Ingredients
- CHICKEN
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3/4 cup soy sauce
- 3/4 cup honey
- 3/4 cup water
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 TBL cilantro
- fresh lime, squeezed
- PISTACHIO AVOCADO SAUCE
- 1 avocado
- 1 cup packed parsley and cilantro leaves (combined)
- 1 jalapeño, ribs and seeds removed
- 2 cloves garlic
- juice of one lime (or two – get lots of limey goodness in there!)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup pistachios (you can sub other nuts)
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into chunks. Place in a large ziplock plastic bag or bowl.
- Pour the soy sauce, honey, water, and garlic into a bowl. Whisk until incorporated. Set aside about 3/4 cup of the sauce for brushing the chicken later.
- Pour the remaining sauce into the bag or bowl with the chicken. Seal or cover the mixture and refrigerate as long as you can – 4 hours is a good minimum but you can go as long as overnight.
- When you’re ready to grill, preheat the grill on medium-high for 5-10 minutes and oil the grates. Meanwhile, drain off the marinade and place the chicken pieces on skewers. Place the chicken on the hot grill, cover, and cook for 3-4 minutes. Brush with reserved sauce and flip. Repeat this process until you see that the chicken is browned to your liking and fully
cooked. - Serve with cilantro, lime, Magic Green Sauce, or any other dipping sauces you like. We also like this with a salad and some naan or rice.
- To make the five-minute green sauce, pulse all remaining ingredients – except pistachios – in a food processor until incorporated.
- Add pistachios and pulse until mostly smooth (depends on what consistency you want).
- Serve as a dip, spread, or sauce — or add additional water or oil to thin the sauce for use as a dressing or a marinade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Caramelizing onions takes much longer, typically about thirty minutes, over low heat until they are completely browned. Sauteeing onions is much faster, cooked over medium heat until soft and slightly browned.
Avocado salsa is not the same as guacamole. Guacamole is thoroughly mixed and is generally served as a dip. Avocado salsa is less mixed than guacamole with large chunks of avocado.
Yes! This is delicious as a cold pasta salad and perfect for leftovers on a summer evening!
Perfect Fall Kitchen Decor
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Recipes all look so yummy! Thanks
Oh, thank you! Hope you can try them and enjoy!
I use to read your blog every day, then just recently it disappeared. I tried twice to rejoin and have not received a link in order to do so….help!!!!!
You are missed.
If you scroll to the bottom of the blog, you can add yourself to the mailing list! Let me know if this helps!
EVERYONE needs to try the salmon with avocado salsa. It is so good! Think I got the recipe a couple of years back during the holidays and I make it frequently. Feels a little fancy but it’s really easy!
I am so glad you enjoyed! It is delicious!
Thank you for sharing these recipes! My family includes several members who are following a dairy and gluten-free diet. I appreciate finding recipes that fit into these guidelines and remain delicious for the entire family! Thanks, again.
Yay! I am so happy to help, Darlene. I hope you and your family enjoy!
I made the sausage and pepper pasta recipe tonight for dinner. It was YUMMY!! We all had second helpings. This is definitely going to be a go-to recipe for me. Thank you.
Yay! I am so glad you enjoyed! Second helpings are always a good sign!!
Yummy, so going to try these recipes. Thank you Leslie. Got to love a quick and easy meal.
Sharing my mom’s Casserole Italiano
1 pound ground beef
1/3 cup chopped onion and 1 carrot shredded
1 clove garlic, minced
½ teaspoon to 1 teaspoon oregano, ½ teaspoon salt
1 can tomato soup and 1/3 cup water
2 cups wide noodles, cooked (approximately 7 – 9 minutes)
1 cup shredded cheese
In frying pan, fry together meat, onion, garlic and spices until meat is cooked. In 1 ½ quart casserole, combine meat mixture with tomato soup and water and the cooked wide noodles. Place shredded cheese around the edge of casserole. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes.
and
Pork Chop and Pasta Dinner – my husband loves this one
1 ½ cups corkscrew macaroni or elbow macaroni
6 pork rib chops, cut ½ inch thick
2 tablespoons cooking oil or shortening
1 15 ounce can tomato sauce
¼ cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon dried basil, crushed
¼ teaspoon each sugar, salt, garlic powder and dried oregano
Dash pepper
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Cook macaroni in boiling salted water for approximately 7 minutes. Drain and place in 12×71/2 x 2 baking dish. In skillet brown chops in hot cooking oil; drain off excess fat. Season with a little salt and pepper. Arrange chops over macaroni in baking dish. Combine tomato sauce, onion, Worcestershire sauce, basil, sugar, salt, garlic powder, oregano and pepper; pour over chops and macaroni. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cover and bake in 350F oven for ½ hour to ¾ hour or until meat is tender and cooked thoroughly. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese. I have been making this recipe since 1987.
These sound great! Thank you so much for sharing, Janice!
I tried the Sausage & Pasta recipe, but substituted quinoa for the pasta. It was absolutely amazing and so quick to prepare. I really enjoy your blog and read it every day.
That sounds delicious and healthy! I am glad you enjoy, Crystal, thank you!
Enjoyed your salmon with the avocado salsa..yummy and easy as well as quick! A definite repeat! Made all 4 and we had 2 for dinner. We ate the other 2 in a wonderful salad the next day. Thanks
I am so glad you loved it! Oh that sounds great in a salad!