Ingredients Used:

You can keep most of these ingredients stocked in your pantry, and then pick up the fresh items at the last minute.

• Orecchiette Pasta – I love this pasta shape with this recipe, but you could use something else as well.
• Spicy Sausage – Use whatever type of sausage you prefer. I often use a lighter turkey sausage but it’s hard to find at times. This version includes a spicy pork sausage.
• Broccoli – You will need a good portion of three heads (or more, depending on size) of broccoli, but will cut off most of the stems.
• Butter plus Olive Oil – These two ingredients are the base to the easy sauce for this pasta.
• Garlic – The minced garlic adds so much flavor. I recommend using fresh garlic over the powdered version.
• Parmesan Cheese – Use freshly grated parmesan for best results. The fresh stuff actually melts!
• Salt and Pepper – I always use kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. You will need plenty of salt for boiling the pasta.
• Pasta Water – THIS is another very important part of this pasta recipe. Make sure you reserve some for the sauce!
• Red Pepper Flakes – An optional ingredient but makes it so good.

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

• Dutch Oven
• Global 7-inch Knife

Why This Recipe Works:

• A LABOR OF LOVE – This soup recipe takes a little extra time to make but it’s worth it. Make this Italian favorite on the weekend and enjoy it all week long.
• FULL OF ITALIAN FLAVOR – We’ve got plenty of Italian flavoring and parmesan cheese (plus a rind!)
• CROWD PLEASER – I’ve made this for people who have had surgery and moms who’ve had babies and it’s always a hit. Plus our whole family are fans too!
• GREAT MEAL PREP – The leftover soup is even more delicious than the first day. So meal prep is perfection!

Storing and Freezing:

• Store leftover Italian Wedding Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also store in meal prep containers to prep for quick lunches on the go!
• This soup doesn’t freeze well due to the spinach. But you can freeze the meatballs in advance which makes weeknight dinners quick.

Prep-in-advance suggestions:

1. Make the meatballs and store them in the refrigerator.
2. Chop up all the veggies in advance, and remove the stems from the spinach.
3. Place all pantry items out on the counter ready to go – the orzo pasta, broths, and spices.

If you prep in advance, you can easily make this Italian wedding soup on a weeknight.

Best Bread for Italian Wedding Soup

Bread and soup are an absolute MUST! I love keeping the following breads in the freezer for all the soups!

• Chewy French Bread
• Italian Focaccia Bread
• Jalapeno Cheddar Sourdough Bread
• Italian Herb Bread

Kitchen Tools Used: (Affiliate Links)

• Global 7-inch Knife
• Glass Mixing Bowls
• Box Grater

Taco Bowls

Our love language is everything tacos. We especially love a taco bowl recipe where we can choose from a variety of ingredients and toppings to make everyone in the family happy. While most of our bowls include a grain, these use sweet potatoes instead. And let me tell you, they’re pretty dang delicious!

Why This Recipe Works:

• SIMPLE INGREDIENTS – These taco bowls combine simple ingredients that are easy to find in most grocery stores. We keep many of these stocked in our pantry. I recommend making a batch of our homemade taco seasoning and keep it handy for all of the Tex-Mex things!
• NUTRIENT DENSE – We’re using nutrient dense sweet potatoes – rich in beta carotene, fiber, and potassium. Ground turkey is also a lean meat and we use it in many recipes.
• TACO NIGHT DONE RIGHT – Tuesdays aren’t just taco nights here. We normally eat them in some form a couple of times per week!
• CUSTOMIZABLE – Like I mentioned, you can add or subtract ingredients for these sweet potato turkey bowls according to what you like best. For instance, instead of using our cilantro lime dressing, try some Avocado Crema, Chipotle Ranch Dressing, or some Blender Salsa mixed with sour cream.

Ingredient Notes:

• Sweet Potatoes – a combo of sweet potatoes, olive oil, salt, and pepper
• Ground Turkey Mixture – a combo of ground turkey, onions, jalapeños, and seasonings
• Cilantro Lime Dressing – a blend of Greek yogurt, mayo, olive oil, cilantro, lime juice, and seasonings
• To Serve – any combination of beans, corn, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, avocado, and onions

How to make Sweet Potato Taco Bowls:

Step 1
Prep sweet potatoes. Peel and chop sweet potatoes. Place on a large baking sheet (or two if needed) lined with parchment paper and drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Step 3
Cook meat mixture. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey, onions, and jalapeños and cook until meat is cooked through. Then add the seasonings and garlic – and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat.

If the turkey mixture gets dry, add a little bit of water to help moisten as it cooks.

Step 5
Assemble bowls. To four individual serving bowls, add sweet potatoes, ground turkey mixture, beans, corn, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, etc. Add cilantro lime dressing right before serving.

We keep our Spicy Pickled Onions handy for bowls, wraps, and salads. They’re good in practically anything!

Recipe FAQs:

Other Delicious Tex-Mex Recipes:

• Carne Asada Quesadillas
• Taco Crunch Wraps
• Crispy Black Bean Tacos
• Wonton Taco Cups

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

• Le Creuset Dutch Oven
• USA Half Sheet Pan
• Mini Food Processor

Cheesy Turkey Taco Skillet

How many ways can we make tacos, burrito bowls, nachos, and quesadillas? Let me count the ways!

Yes, we’re huge Tex-Mex people (as if you didn’t already know that) and this one is the EASIEST! You’ll cook everything in just one skillet (plus the rice if serving it that way) and voila – dinner served.

Why This Recipe Works:

• NUTRIENT DENSE – This ground turkey meal is lean and mean, includes REAL, simple ingredients, and is loaded with fiber and protein. I can that a win/win.
• FILLING MEAL – Even the biggest eaters will feel satisfied after a serving of this simple meal.
• CUSTOMIZABLE – Feel free to change up the ingredients as you like. Use ground beef, ground sausage, or ground chicken. Add or subtract veggies. Include different types of cheese.
• EASY TO DOUBLE – Serving a large group? Simply double the ingredients!

Ingredients Used:

• Ground Turkey -I recommend using 93% lean ground turkey. You could also substitute ground beef or ground chicken instead.
• Fresh Veggies – You’ll need onion, jalapeño, bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes – plus frozen corn (or use fresh corn if in season). Other veggies could be used as well, including zucchini, mushrooms, or squash.
• Canned Goods – You’ll need a can of black beans and a can of fire roasted diced tomatoes.
• Taco Seasoning – I have a homemade seasoning that I keep handy for all the Tex-Mex things, but store-bought seasoning works too.
• Olive oil, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper – My go-to’s for almost all of my recipes.
• Cheese – While I used shredded Mexican cheese, you could use any version or combination you prefer. Try to use freshly grated cheese so it melts properly.
• Toppings – Cilantro, avocado slices, sour cream, tortilla strips, etc.
• To Serve – Depending on how you’re serving this meal, you may need rice, taco shells, tortillas, lettuce, chips, or a combination.

How to make Cheesy Turkey Taco Skillet:

You can easily make this recipe under an hour, including the slicing of the veggies. I like to prep the day before and store the veggies in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Makes dinner time a snap!

Step 1
Sauté the meat. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, ground turkey, onion, jalapeño, and bell peppers – and cook until turkey is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Add taco seasoning and cook another couple of minutes.

How to enjoy ground turkey taco skillet:

We appreciate our Tex-Mex here, and we especially love how many different ways you can enjoy it.

• Scoop taco mixture into a hard shell taco or a flour tortilla. Top it with sour cream and salsa.
• Enjoy turkey mixture over a bed of lettuce – with a drizzle of our Skinny Chipotle Ranch Dressing or Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing.
• Consume this meal as a bowl alongside cilantro lime rice or Green Chile Rice. Add sour cream, tomato slices and avocado slices to serve.
• Add cheesy turkey mixture to a bowl, top with chips and other toppings, and enjoy.

Other Delicious Skillet Meals:

We have a large stash of cast iron skillets and love using them for so many different meals.

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

• Global 7″ Vegetable Knife
• 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet

Lasagna Soup

Any lasagna lovers out there? I see you. Let’s make lasagna but in soup form. Plus here’s the deal – it’s way simpler!

I’m all about lasagna in all shapes, sizes, and versions. The Ultimate Lasagna Recipe, Spinach Ricotta Lasagna, Butternut Squash Lasagna with Spinach (a new favorite), Classic Lasagna Roll Ups, Creamy White Lasagna Soup, and now THIS SOUP.

How to make Healthy Turkey Lasagna Soup:

Step 1
Combine cheese. In a small bowl, combine the three types of cheese – ricotta, shredded mozzarella, and shredded parmesan. Stir to combine.

What to serve with Lasagna Soup:

• Chewy French Bread – To dip and soak up all of that goodness!
• Arugula Caprese Salad – A nice easy salad to pair with an easy lasagna soup.
• Italian Chopped Salad with Creamy Italian Dressing – A great big, delicious salad so you have leftovers all week long!
• Frozen Kahlua Cocktails – The perfect after-dinner dessert cocktail.

Possible Recipe Variations:

1. Use ground pork or ground beef, a spicy Italian sausage, or a combination of any meat you like best.
2. Beef broth or veggie broth could be substituted if so desired.
3. You can use any pasta. I often use broken up lasagna noodles.
4. Add some veggies like zucchini, squash, fresh mushrooms, spinach, etc.
5. Make individual lasagna soup bakes by adding sliced cheese to the top of oven-ready bowls (individual size), and bake to melt the cheese before serving.
6. Boil some gluten-free lasagna noodles or zucchini noodles for those with gluten intolerance.

Other Delicious Soup Recipes:

Soup Season at our home looks like a constant rotations of flavors and textures.

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

• Global 7-inch Knife
• Dutch Oven

Other Delicious Thai Recipes:

We’re loving all the Thai food lately, including these recipes.

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

• Global 7-inch Knife
• Dutch Oven

Step 5
Finish burgers. Top each burger with some pepper jack cheese (or cheese of your choice). Add burgers to some grilled buns!

Some extra toppings include avocado slices, tomato slices, lettuce leaves, or some fried eggs!

Walking Taco

Have you ever ordered a walking taco at a sporting event or carnival? Well, these are a casserole version of those little bags that people walk around with. Or do they? Either way, this casserole is definitely one that you should sit down to eat!

Why This Recipe Works:

• SIMPLE STEPS – This easy taco casserole uses simple ingredients that the whole family will love. Making your own taco seasoning and refried beans takes a little extra time but is totally worth it. 
• HEALTHIER VERSION OF WALKING TACO – This hearty casserole is made healthy with ground turkey and gluten-free corn tortillas (instead of Frito corn chips or Doritos).
• FLAVORFUL – Make this simple casserole recipe for taco Tuesday or Cinco de Mayo and enjoy all of our favorite taco flavors. Creamy, a little bit spicy, and crunchy on top!
• NOSTALGIC – Make a basic walking taco from back in the day into the most delicious meal in casserole form. It will soon become a family favorite for you too!

Ingredients for Walking Taco Casserole Recipe:

• Ground Turkey
• Yellow Onion
• Homemade Taco Seasoning – or use store-bought packets
• Diced Tomatoes (salsa-style is what we like)
• Cheddar Cheese (or use Mexican blend cheese or Monterey Jack cheese)
• Corn Tortillas
• Homemade Refried Beans (see below)

For the Refried Beans:

• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
• Pinto Beans – two 15 oz. cans
• Onion, Jalapeno, and Garlic
• Seasonings – cumin, salt, and pepper
• Butter
• Lime

How to make Walking Taco Casserole:

Step 1
Make refried beans.

• Warm a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and when hot, the diced onion and jalapeño. Sauté until veggies are softened, about 4-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and seasonings and stir for another 30 seconds.
• Add pinto beans to the skillet and cook for another couple of minutes.
• Pour the bean mixture into a large food processor. Add butter and lime juice and process for a minute or two, or until smooth. If needed to thin, add a little bit of water and mix again.

Step 2
Sauté corn tortillas. In a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil and when hot, add the cubed corn tortillas. Cook, stirring frequently, until the tortillas are browned and crisp. Remove to a clean plate.

We use sauteed corn tortillas in our Mexican Breakfast Skillet too!

Step 5
Assemble Casserole.

• Add the meat mixture to the bottom of a 9×9 deep casserole dish.
• Then add the refried beans and smooth to all sides.
• Top beans with freshly shredded cheddar cheese.

What to serve with Walking Taco Casserole:

• Add a side of Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice.
• Serve with some Chunky Guacamole Recipe or Cowboy Caviar with Avocado.
• Pair with some delicious Mexican Cornbread Muffins.
• How about a margarita? Try our Cherry Margaritas, Pineapple Coconut Margaritas, or Blood Orange Margaritas.

Other Tex-Mex Recipes:

We love our Tex-Mex, and these are some of the favorites.

• Taco Crunch Wraps
• Fajita Taco Salad
• Southern Chicken and Rice Recipe
• Tinga Tostadas

Recipe FAQs:

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

• All-Clad Non-Stick Skillet
• Food Processor
• Large Cast Iron Skillet

Taco Cups

We love a simple recipe that doubles as a snack and appetizer. The first time I made this was for a quick dinner. The second was for game day. I highly recommend these taco cups for Taco Tuesday or your next party!

Why This Recipe Works:

• SIMPLE – These mini taco cups use simple ingredients and take just over 30 minutes to make. Taco night done right!
• GREAT APPETIZER – We love enjoying these simple appetizers for game day. They’re easy to eat and unfussy! They also make a fun dinner.
• CRUNCHY TACOS – These little tacos are a fun twist on classic tacos and are a great recipe for many different occasions. 
• CUSTOMIZABLE – Add a variety of toppings to customize your wonton tacos. We love changing it up every time we make these easy taco cups!

Possible Variations:

• We occasionally add refried beans or a spoonful of black beans to the cups. Use about half of the meat in this case.
• Change up the taco filling and use a different type of ground meat. 
• Instead of using wonton wrappers, try using a small flour tortilla in the little taco cups instead.

Ingredients Used:

• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
• Ground Turkey – You could also use lean ground beef or ground chicken in these.
• Veggies – onions, jalapeños, and garlic
• Taco Seasoning – We love keeping a large jar of our homemade taco seasoning handy at all times. You can also use a packet of taco seasoning instead.
• Wonton Wrappers – We use a double layer of these crispy wontons for each taco cup.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese – Or use cheddar jack, Monterey Jack, or a combo of anything you like.
• A variety of toppings – We like adding a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of pico de Gallo. You could also use avocado, chopped tomatoes, green onions, etc.

How to make Wonton Taco Cups:

Step 1
Preheat oven. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Favorite Taco Toppings:

Here are some of our favorite toppings to dress your crunchy taco cups.

• Sour cream and Easy Pico de Gallo (as pictured).
• Tex-Mex Dressings – Try our Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing, Chipotle Ranch Dressing, or Jalapeno Ranch Dressing.
• Add sliced avocado or Chunky Guacamole.
• Try some Grilled Salsa, Cowboy Caviar with Avocado, or Avocado Crema.

Other Taco Recipes:

• Taco Crunch Wraps
• Walking Taco Casserole
• Blackened Fish Tacos with Slaw
• Crunchy Shrimp Tostadas

Recipe FAQs:

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

• Cast Iron Skillet
• 12-Cup Muffin Pan

Shepherd’s Pie

I recently had a friend ask me if I had a recipe for Shepherd’s Pie and since I didn’t, I knew it was time to add this simple recipe to the menu. I decided to add a twist and use ground turkey instead of lamb or beef, and my family agreed that it was just as delicious.

What is Shepherd’s Pie?

Shepherd’s Pie is a savory British dish traditionally made with minced or ground meat (typically lamb or mutton) cooked in a rich gravy with vegetables, and topped with a layer of mashed potatoes. The entire dish is then baked until the mashed potato topping forms a nice golden crust. It’s comfort food to the max.

Why This Recipe Works:

• SIMPLE – This easy shepherd’s pie recipe uses simple ingredients that can easily be found in your local grocery store. You can have this hearty dish on the table in just over an hour.
• FULL OF FLAVOR – The whole family will love the delicious flavor in our easy turkey shepherd’s pie. Don’t skip the seasonings because they add depth of flavor..
• HEARTY AND COMFORTING – Shepherd’s Pie is ultimate comfort food with tender veggies, savory broth, turkey meat, and fluffy mashed potatoes.
• USE UP LEFTOVER MASHED POTATOES – Feel free to use any leftover mashed potatoes in the topping.

For the potatoes:

This mashed potato recipe is one of our favorites. You can make a full batch and use up the leftovers for the topping on shepherd’s pie. A great way to work smarter in the kitchen!

For the meat mixture:

• Ground Turkey
• Veggies – onions, carrots, garlic, frozen corn, and frozen peas
• Seasonings – dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper
• Flour
• Tomato Paste
• Beef Broth
• Worcestershire Sauce

How to make Shepherd’s Pie:

Step 1
Prep potatoes. Peel the potatoes and chop them into large chunks. Add them to a medium saucepan and cover with water.

Storing and Freezing:

• Store leftover pie in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• To freeze Shepherd’s Pie, wrap dish tightly and store it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

What to serve with Shepherd’s Pie?

• BREAD – Irish Soda Bread with Dried Cranberries, Chewy French Bread, or Multigrain Sourdough Bread
• SALAD – Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad, Spinach and Goat Cheese Salad, or Arugula Caprese Salad
• OTHER – Ricotta Crostini, Browned Mushrooms, or Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes

Recipe FAQs:

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

• Le Creuset Dutch Oven 5.5 quart
• Global 7-Inch Knife

Pumpkin Chili

Soup and chili are most definitely some of my favorite things to cook. Everything in one pot is something I can get excited about! For a beef chili, try my Easy Slower Cooker Chili, and for a chicken version, my Green Chili Chicken Soup is to die for!

Why We Love This Recipe:

• FILLING – There is plenty of protein (22 grams per serving) and fiber (25 grams per serving) in this chili to fill you up for hours. WOW!
• NUTRIENT-DENSE – In addition to protein and fiber, this comforting meal is low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals.
• FULL OF FLAVOR – This chili is packed with so much flavor. Spicy seasonings and jalapeno pepper balanced out with pumpkin puree and a touch of cinnamon.
• PERFECT FOR CHILLY WEATHER – Don’t you just love a warm bowl of chili in cooler temperatures? But of course, soup and chili are great for any time of year.

What to Serve with Pumpkin White Bean Chili:

My perfect meal is this easy chili recipe and one or two of the following.

• Mexican Cornbread Muffins or Jalapeno Cheddar Focaccia
• A green salad with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette or Creamy Italian Dressing
• Dessert? Try our Mini Lava Cakes, Cream Cheese Fruit Tart, or Super Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

Baked Pasta

While pasta isn’t something I make regularly, I occasionally enjoy it and especially love serving it to guests. How can you go wrong with Baked Feta Pasta with Spinach or Butternut Squash Lasagna with Spinach? This Baked Rigatoni Recipe is a perfect one to add to your list of pasta dishes. 

Why This Recipe Works:

• MAKE-AHEAD DISH – This baked rigatoni can be prepped ahead of time, refrigerated, and then baked at mealtime.
• HOMEMADE SAUCE – We use this homemade marinara in several other dishes, including Classic Chicken Parmesan or Spinach Ricotta Lasagna. This is our favorite red sauce!
• CHEESY – One of my favorite parts of this baked pasta is the delicious ricotta cheese. The ricotta plus parmesan cheese adds a ton of flavor to this family-favorite meal!
• GREAT MEAL PREP – If you pack food for your hubby’s lunches as I do, large serving dishes (like this pasta bake) are always nice!

What You’ll Need:

This Baked Ricotta Recipe uses simple-to-find ingredients.

• Turkey Sausage – We love the Jenni-o turkey brand and if I can find the turkey sausage, I use that in this recipe. If you can’t find a good turkey sausage, use any kind of ground meat like ground turkey, spicy Italian sausage, sweet Italian sausage, ground chicken, or ground beef.
• Olive Oil – I normally use extra-virgin olive oil.
• Veggies – Some onions and garlic are used in the sauce. You could add extra veggies like some carrots and zucchini too.
• Canned Goods – A combo of crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and lower-sodium chicken broth.
• Sugar and Seasonings – Just a pinch of sugar plus basil, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. I occasionally use some red pepper flakes for some heat.
• Rigatoni – If you’d rather use a different pasta shape, that’s perfectly fine too.
• Cheese – You’ll need some ricotta cheese and parmesan cheese. If you want to add extra cheese, fresh mozzarella cheese is always a nice addition.

How to make Baked Rigatoni with Ricotta:

Step 1
Cook turkey sausage. In a large pot over medium-high heat, add a drizzle of olive oil and the turkey sausage. Use a rubber spatula to break up the meat and cook until browned and completely cooked through. Remove the ground meat to a clean plate for later.

Step 2
Make the marinara sauce.

• In a large saucepan, sauté the onions in a little olive oil for 4-5 minutes over medium heat. When the onions are soft and translucent, add the garlic, seasonings, and tomato paste – and stir for another minute or so.
• Then add all the tomatoes (crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste), the chicken broth, and sugar. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and then reduce heat to a simmer.
• Continue cooking the sauce for about 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce cooks down slightly. Test and add seasonings as needed.

​Recipe FAQs:

What to serve with Baked Rigatoni:

• Summer Panzanella Salad
• Arugula Caprese Salad
• Chewy French Bread or Italian Herb Bread (or some simple garlic bread)
• How about dessert? Try some Mini Chocolate Bundt Cakes or the best Apple Pie Banana Bundt Cake!

Kitchen Tools Used:

• Dutch Oven
• Box Grater
• Lasagna Pan