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Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

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Another sheet pan dinner to keep your meal time easy! This delicious dinner comes together in 30 minutes and cooks up on one sheet pan.

Healthy boneless skinless chicken breasts, peppers, onion, tomatoes, and pinto beans are baked in the oven and then drizzled with a delicious cilantro lime vinaigrette.

Chicken and veggies being drizzled with a cilantro lime vinaigrette

This is a super versatile dinner. You can serve it as is with some chips and guacamole on the side, or scoop the chicken and veggies into flour tortillas and top with all your favorite burrito toppings: sour cream, avocado, salsa, hot sauce, or cheese.

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Best 15-Minute Canned Refried Beans

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You can turn canned refried beans into a great side dish perfect for any Mexican Dinner! This recipe is the perfect mixture of a can of refried beans combined with the texture of canned whole pinto beans, seasoned with garlic, onions, sour cream and Mexican spices. Top all that off with some gooey cheese and you have a perfect Mexican side dish.

refried bean side dish in a glass dish topped with cheese and tomatoes

The truly great thing is that once all the ingredients are mixed together it bakes up in just 15 minutes! Gives you more time to mix up Margaritas and relax!

This recipe for Mexican Refried Beans makes a great side dish for burritos, tacos, or enchiladas… all your favorite Mexican Dinners. You can also add some Mexican Rice to complete the dinner.

RELATED: Instant Pot Refried Beans

Ingredients

Just a few simple ingredients from your pantry and spice cabinet, plus some cheese and sour cream and you have an amazing refried bean side dish.

Onion- In most Mexican recipes we prefer to use white onion. Any onion will work, but the flavor of white onion is most traditional.

If you like a crunchier onion in your beans you can skip the sauteing.

Cheese – use any cheese you have on hand in this recipe. Fresh shredded cheese from a block will melt up creamier, but pre-shredded will still work. If you like a little spice you can choose to use pepper jack!

Pinto Beans – You will be using two kinds of pinot beans; refried beans and whole pinto beans. More on buying canned refried beans in the section below.

Canned Refried Beans

Refried beans are traditionally whole pinto beans that are cooked soft and then pureed or smashed into a creamy texture. They are a staple in Mexican and Tex-Mex Cooking. However, recipes vary quite a bit from home to home and by region.

In this recipe we are taking advantage of the canned refried beans at the grocery store.

PRO TIP: I do recommend that you DO buy the traditional refried beans, not the fat free refried beans. The traditional ones have a much creamier consistency! The fat free beans can tend to be dry.

How to Make The Best Canned Refried Beans

This is a super simple recipe to put together. Buying canned refried beans and whole pinto beans cuts down on cooking time considerably!

a baking dish of refried beans with a spoon

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, and grab a small baking dish, like an 8×8 or 9×9.

In a small frying pan sautรฉ the chopped onion and garlic in ยฝ tablespoon of oil, just until they are softened, about 4 minutes.

(If you like a crunchy onions in your beans you can skip the sautรฉing step)

Meanwhile, stir together the canned refried beans, the drained and rinsed whole pinto beans, sour cream, and all the seasonings.

When the onions and garlic are ready stir them in as well.

If you like a kick or heat or vinegar add a couple dashes of Tabasco or your favorite hot sauce. It gives it a little vinegar tang and great flavor! But, it’s totally optional. But also you should do it.

Pour the bean mixture into your baking dish.

Mexican Side dish of refried beans topped with cheese, tomatoes and cilantro

Sprinkle the top with your preferred cheese (I like pepper jack or colby jack). Cover the pan with foil and pop it into the oven with the timer set for 10 minutes.

Pro Tip: Spray the underside of your foil with non-stick spray so the cheese doesn’t cook to the foil.

Then remove the foil and bake another 5 minutes.

Garnish with cilantro and diced tomatoes if you are feeling fancy.

They are ready to eat as soon as they come out of the oven!

Variations

Here are a few ideas on how you can change up this Canned Refried Bean recipe to suit your taste buds:

  • Add a tablespoon or two of your favorite hot sauce.
  • Sautรฉ some chopped jalapeno with the onion and garlic for a kick of heat.
  • Sprinkle in some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for extra heat.
  • Substitute Refried Black Beans and a can of whole black beans.
  • If you like your beans super cheesy stir a ยฝ cup of cheese into the bean mixture and then top the beans with an additional ยฝ cup of cheese.
  • Top the beans with whatever cheese you like: cheddar, monterey jack, pepper jack, colby jack, queso fresco (however, note that the queso fresco will not melt).

Make It a Meal

Refried Beans are a traditional side dish served to accompany a dinner. They are also traditionally served with a Mexican Rice on the side (or try this Instant Pot Mexican Rice). Here are some favorite Mexican Main Dishes to check out:

  1. Barbacoa Tacos
  2. Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
  3. Chicken Enchiladas
  4. Beef Enchilada Casserole
  5. Grilled Steak Tacos
  6. Chicken Enchilada Suiza

Appetizer

You can also serve this refried bean recipe as a dip with some tortilla chips along side some salsa and guacamole. I would recommend smashing some of the whole pinto beans with a potato masher to serve it as a dip.

More Mexican Side Dishes to Check Out

Of course Refried Beans and Mexican Rice are traditional Mexican side dishes, here are some more to add to your dinner:

Susie leaning on the kitchen counter

Did you make this recipe?

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a pan of refried beans topped with cheese, cilantro and tomatoes

The Best 15-Minute Canned Refried Beans Recipe

A perfect mix of smooth canned refried beans and canned whole pinto beans seasoned with sour cream, Mexican spices, garlic, and onions. Top it all with your favorite cheese and bake for 15 minutes.ย 
This dish makes a perfect and easy Mexican side dish!
5 from 12 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 191kcal
Author: Susie Weinrich

Equipment

Ingredients

  • ยฝ cup onions - finely diced
  • 1 large garlic clove - minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 16 oz canned refried beans - buy the "Traditional" not the fat-free
  • 15.5 oz canned whole pinto beans - drained and rinsed
  • โ…“ cup sour cream
  • ยผ teaspoon each: cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt
  • couple dashes of tabasco or hot sauce - (optional)
  • 1 cup shredded cheese , divided – - cheddar, pepper jack, colby jack, queso fresco, monterey jack
  • **optional garnish- cilantro and diced tomatoes

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350. Grab a small baking dish, 8×8 or 9×9
  • In a frying pan, over medium low heat, sautรฉ the diced onions and minced garlic in the oil until they are translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
    ยฝ cup onions, 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil, 1 large garlic clove
  • While the onions and garlic cook, in a mixing bowl stir together the refried beans and drained whole pinto beans, sour cream, all the seasonings, and optional hot sauce.ย 
    16 oz canned refried beans, 15.5 oz canned whole pinto beans, โ…“ cup sour cream, ยผ teaspoon each: cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, couple dashes of tabasco or hot sauce
  • Once the onions and garlic are ready, stir them into the bean mixture. Add ยฝ cup of cheese and stir it in.
  • Pour the beans into the baking dish. Top with the additional ยฝ cup shredded cheese. Cover the pan with foil and bake for 10 minutes.
    Pro Tip: spray the under side of the foil with non-stick spray to prevent the cheese from sticking.
  • Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
  • Garnish with cilantro and diced tomatoes if you are feeling fancy.ย 
    Enjoy this awesome Mexican side dish!
    **optional garnish- cilantro and diced tomatoes

Recipe Tips and Notes:

REFRIED BLACK BEANS: For refried black beans simply substitute 1 can of whole black beans and 1 can of refried black beans.
INSTANT POT REFRIED BEANS
OPTIONAL VARIATIONS:ย ย 
  • Add a TABLESPOON of your favorite hot sauce for more heat and vinegar tang.
  • Sautรฉ some chopped jalapeno with the onion and garlic for a kick of heat.
  • Sprinkle in some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for extra heat.
  • If you like your beans super cheesy stir a ยฝ cup of cheese into the bean mixture and then top the beans with an additional ยฝ cup of cheese.
  • Top the beans with whatever cheese you like: cheddar, monterey jack, pepper jack, colby jack, queso fresco (however, note that the queso fresco will not melt).
Did you make this recipe?Connect with me and let me know by commenting below!
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Serving: 1serving | Calories: 191kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 694mg | Potassium: 247mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 206IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 123mg | Iron: 2mg

Rosemary Paloma

by 3 Comments

Tequila is one of my go-to mixers when I want to have a cocktail. I like the salty flavor of tequila, I love a shot of tequila followed by salt and a lime, and I love a tequila mixed drink. However I don’t always love a super sweet drink, like a margarita.

That is one reason I really love this recipe for Rosemary Palomas. It has the salty tequila flavor that I love, mixed with a tart grapefruit juice and just a hint of sweetness from the rosemary infused Triple Sec.

Two glasses of Rosemary Paloma with a rosemary sprig garnish

The rosemary flavor in this cocktail is just a hint of piney earthiness. It has just the right amount of rosemary flavor to compliment the salty tequila and tart grapefruit.

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Savory Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Roast

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Chicken Pot Roast?! What!? Yes! You are going to love it. This is a savory dish, just like Beef Pot Roast, but here you are using chicken thighs and slow braising them in a pot with carrots, potatoes, mushrooms and turnips, all in a savory creamy gravy that is seasoned perfectly with garlic, rosemary, and bay leaves. Then it is served in bowls topped with crispy French fried onions!

a bowl with chicken pot roast topped with crispy french fried onions

Chicken Pot Roast is the comfort food you want on a cold fall or winter night, at a Sunday family dinner, or when you are entertaining family and friends.

If you love a chicken dinner, definitely check out all the chicken recipes on Mom’s Dinner, there are over 50 amazing recipes.

What is Pot Roast?

The term “pot roast” actually means a piece of meat that is cooked slowly in a covered pot. So, yep, Chicken Pot Roast is a thing and it is delicious.

I have seen some recipes online that consider Roasted Whole Chicken the same thing as Chicken Pot Roast. Here at Mom’s Dinner these are two totally different things! See below:

roasted chicken in a Dutch Oven
THIS IS ROASTED CHICKEN
chicken pot roast topped with french fried onion
THIS IS CHICKEN POT ROAST

Ingredients

Even though the ingredient list is a little long for this Chicken Pot Roast recipe, it is full of simple ingredients that are easy to find. You may even have quite a few of them in your kitchen already:

  • Fresh Vegetables: onion, garlic, carrot, celery, turnip, red potatoes, cremini mushrooms.
  • Pantry: canola or olive oil, flour, chicken stock or broth, boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • Spice Cabinet: kosher salt, black pepper, dried basil, bay leaves
  • Fridge: butter, chicken base, fresh rosemary, chicken thighs, heavy cream

When you cut and process all your veggies, try to cut them all about the same size, around 1 ยฝ inches thick.

How to Make Chicken Pot Roast

Start by preheating the oven to 300 degrees.

Pro Tip: you are processing a lot of veggies in this recipe, you can save scraps, peelings and stems in the freezer and use them for this Instant Pot Chicken Stock!

In a large Dutch Oven slightly brown the chicken thigh pieces in oil over medium heat, about 3-4 minutes. They do not need to be cooked thru just browned on the outside.

chicken thighs and veggies in a dutch oven

Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.

Melt the butter in the pot and then sprinkle the flour into the butter, whisk or stir them together, creating a roux.

Roux (pronounced Roo): a mixture of fat, especially butter, and flour used in making thick sauces an thickening liquids.

Pour the chicken stock into the roux and whisk it together, making sure it is smooth. Let the broth simmer for about 5-10 minutes, until it starts to thicken a little. Turn the heat off and stir in the salt, pepper, dried basil, heavy cream, rosemary sprigs, and bay leaves.

Add all the cut veggies and the chicken back to the pot. Give it a good stir, pop the lid on, and put it in the oven for 90 minutes.

It will thicken as it cooks and the chicken and veggies become perfectly tender.

Cooked chicken pot roast in a Dutch Oven

French Fried Onions for Serving

While the Chicken Pot Roast cools you can crisp up some French fried onions for garnish. You can find them in the grocery store, usually in the soup aisle. They are commonly used to top green beans casserole.

On a sheet pan scatter the store bought French fried onions and pop them in the 300 degree oven for 4-5 minutes until they are golden and crisp. Serve these in a bowl on the table so everyone can garnish their own Chicken Pot Roast.

Serving

If you are serving this on a weeknight I would honestly consider this a one pot meal and just serve it with warm bread or rolls, no side dishes. It has your protein, vegetable, and starch, and it is super filling!

If you are entertaining or having Chicken Pot Roast for Sunday dinner then this would be a great menu:

More Roast Recipes

If you love a classic roast dinner you are in the right place! You will love any of these recipes:

Susie leaning on the kitchen counter

Did you make this recipe?

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I would love to hear your review, especially if you have tips and tricks to add! Pop down to the comment section and connect with me

Rate This Recipeโ†’
chicken pot roast topped with french fried onion

Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Roast Recipe

Tender chicken thighs are slow braised with vegetables in a savory and creamy gravy flavored with garlic, rosemary, and bay leaves. The final dish is garnished with crispy french fried onions.ย 
5 from 10 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 407kcal
Author: Susie Weinrich

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs - cut into 1 inch chunks
  • 1 tablespoon oil - canola or olive oil
  • 4 tablespoon butter
  • ยผ cup flour
  • 1 ยฝ teaspoon chicken base
  • 3 cups chicken stock or broth
  • ยฝ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup yellow onion - cubed
  • 4 garlic cloves - chopped into large rough pieces
  • 3 large carrots - peeled, cut into large coins
  • 2 celery ribs - chopped into 1 inch chunks
  • 4 red potatoes - , cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 1 turnip - peeled, cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 4-5 cremini mushrooms - quartered
  • ยฝ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ยฝ teaspoon dried basil
  • ยผ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary - leaves removed and chopped
  • 2 bay leaves

Garnish

  • 6 oz French Fried Onions

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
  • In a large Dutch oven over medium heat sautรฉ the chicken thigh pieces in the oil until they are just browned on the outside (they do not need to be cooked thru).ย 
    Remove them from the pot and set aside.
    1.5 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs, 1 tablespoon oil
  • In the now empty Dutch oven, over medium-low heat, melt the butter. ย 
    Add the chicken base and stir into the butter. Then add the flour and stir or whisk until it is combined, about 1 minute.ย 
    4 tablespoon butter, ยผ cup flour, 1 ยฝ teaspoon chicken base
  • Pour the chicken broth into the pot and scrape up any brown bits on the bottom of the pot. Whisk the liquid to ensure it is smooth.
    Simmer the broth over medium-high heat until it begins to thicken, about 3 minutes.ย 
    3 cups chicken stock or broth
  • Turn the heat off and stir in the heavy whipping cream.ย 
    ยฝ cup heavy whipping cream
  • Next add all the veggies and browned chicken pieces to the pot.
    Finally stir in the kosher salt, pepper, dried basil, rosemary sprigs, and bay leaves.
    1 cup yellow onion, 4 garlic cloves, 3 large carrots, 2 celery ribs, 4 red potatoes, 1 turnip, 4-5 cremini mushrooms, ยฝ teaspoon kosher salt, ยฝ teaspoon dried basil, ยผ teaspoon black pepper, 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, 2 bay leaves
  • Place the lid on the Dutch oven and place in the preheated oven for 90 minutes.ย 
  • Let the pot sit for 10 minutes to cool. Then remove the bay leaves before serving.
    (while it cools jump down and make the French Fried Onions!)
  • Serve in bowls garnished with Crispy French Fried Onions.

French Fried Onion Garnish

  • Make the garnish while the Chicken Pot Roast cools.
  • Spread the French fried onions on a rimmed baking sheet and bake in the 300ยฐ oven for 4-5 minutes, until they are golden and crispy.
    6 oz French Fried Onions
  • Serve them in a bowl on the table so everyone can garnish their own Chicken Pot Roast.

Recipe Tips and Notes:

MORE POT ROAST:
If you are looking for a Beef Pot Roast then pop over to this recipe for Beef Pot Roast with Gravy.
Or for and Instant Pot Version check out this Instant Pot Beef Pot Roast.
For a Whole Roasted Chicken you can check out this Ultimate Guide to Roasted Chicken or this Roasted Half Chicken.
Did you make this recipe?Connect with me and let me know by commenting below!
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Serving: 1serving | Calories: 407kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 909mg | Potassium: 1199mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 5661IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 3mg

Healthy BBQ Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

by 10 Comments

We all love an easy dinner and we all want healthy dinners that taste great. Right!?

I’ve got you covered with this one pan recipe, Healthy BBQ Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner. It has tender chicken thighs roasted together with sweet potatoes, onions, brussel sprouts, and carrots.

After the veggies and chicken are roasted in the oven you drizzle everything with a homemade BBQ Vinaigrette that is out of this world.

brussel sprouts, chicken, carrots, sweet potatoes, and onions drizzles with bbq vinaigrette
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10 Meal Train Dinner Ideas with Recipes

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We’ve all been there. Your neighbor is sick. A mom friend just had a baby. A family just lost their Father. It’s in times like these that communities come together to take care of each other. Provide support, provide a meal, and simply be there to help.

meal train meal being delivered

Just Sign Up & Bring the FOOD

I remember when I had just had my first baby I wanted to tell everyone, if you are coming over to see the baby please bring FOOD! It was one job that I just couldn’t wrap my mind around with a newborn.

The thought of cooking a meal for my family was just too overwhelming. But we all needed to eat, right!? Especially if you are caring and nursing a newborn around the clock.

What is A Meal Train

A great way to provide support to our friends and neighbors in need, in an ongoing and organized way, is by setting up a meal train.

If you are not familiar with mealtrain.com it is a web site that allows you to create an online meal sign up for a family or person in need. You then email that sign up out to all the people that would like to help the family. Everyone signs up for a particular day to bring a dinner.

The family receiving the meals can even note on mealtrain.com if they have allergies, how many people you should plan on feeding, and if they have strong food aversions or picky eaters (for example that would be fish and seafood for me).

The other nice feature of using meatrain.com is that you can space it out so the family doesn’t have a fridge full of food one day and nothing the next week. You can also see what other people are bringing, so the family doesn’t end up with lasagna three nights in a row!

Meal Train Etiquette

Let’s get one two things straight:

  1. A family will appreciate any meal you bring, etiquette or not.
  2. I am not an etiquette expert, but I have participated in a meal train or two in my life!

Here are just a few things to remember when providing a meal for a family in need:

  • Take the food in containers that do not need to be returned to you… and make sure they know that! A great place to get cheap plastic containers or foil pans is the Dollar Store.
  • Include reheating instructions. If the family is not eating the dinner that night provide cooking temps and time for easy meal prep when they are ready to eat the dinner you brought.
  • It does not have to be a stand out gourmet dinner! Take-out is totally acceptable if you are not comfortable in the kitchen… although some of the recipes below are SUPER easy.
  • Try to keep the meal family friendly. This is not the time to try that spicy curry dish you saw in Bon Appetite! Keep it simple, like the recipes below.
  • Be okay with the drop and go. Sometimes the families receiving the meal are not up for company and an hour long convo. It is not personal, it is just a product of the situation at hand. In this case, simply text or call the family with the exact time you will drop the dinner at their doorstep, and then shoot them a quick text and well wish after it is left at the door.
  • Don’t forget the drinks! Especially if the family has kids, provide a few juice boxes to keep dinner really simple. If the adults enjoy wine I will usually pop a bottle or red or white in the box too.
  • Don’t forget dessert! This does not need to be an over-the-top dessert. Some ideas would be bakery cookies, ice cream, Peppridge Farms Milano cookies, or grocery store bakery cupcakes.

Free Printable Gift Tag

If you are taking a meal it is nice to attach a note letting them know that you are thinking of them. On this note card you can also date the meal, give them cooking instructions & temps, or reheating instructions.

FREE PRINTABLE NOTE CARD HERE 

Dinner Ideas For A Meal Train

If you are paralyzed by the idea of making a dinner for another family then you are in the right place. Here are 10 dinner ideas for that meal train you want to sign up for.

These are recipes that travel well, reheat perfectly, and will be enjoyed by the entire family:

Creamy Chicken Tacos OR Ground Beef Tacos

If you know the family is not going to eat these chicken or beef tacos the night you are bringing it, no problem.

Two soft shell tacos with chicken filling, sitting on a wooden cutting board

Simply mix all the ingredients in a disposable foil baking pan and cover, uncooked. Make sure to write out the baking instructions for them.

What to send along:

Rotisserie Chicken & Cheesy Potato Casserole

This is a super easy option if you are short on time!

This cheesy potato casserole makes quite a bit, so you could even make it in two smaller pans and have one for your family and one to take to the meal train family.

cheesy potatoes being served out of a casserole dish

If the family is not going to eat this dinner right away, simply mix the cheesy potato casserole and place in a disposable foil pan, uncooked. Then write out the baking time and instructions.

Buy a Rotisserie Chicken and cut the two breasts into slices, and remove the legs. Place all the pieces in a pan for easier serving.

What to send along:

  • Cut up rotisserie chicken
  • Cheesy Potato Casserole (either baked and ready to eat, or unbaked with baking instructions)
  • Grab a vegetable salad from your grocery deli. Like a 3 bean salad, or a broccoli salad.
  • Dinner Rolls
  • Chocolate Chip Cookies (from the grocery store bakery)

Classic Chili OR White Chicken Chili

We all know Chili tastes better with time. So this is a great dinner for a meal train!

a bowl of white chicken chili topped with avocado, lime wedges and cilantro

If the family doesn’t get to it right away, no problem!

What to send along:

  • Chili in a disposable Container
  • Saltine Crackers or Fritos
  • Additional Toppings *optional (cheese, sour cream, green onions)
  • Raw Veggies with Ranch or Blue Cheese Dip
  • Cinnamon Rolls (these can be purchased at your grocery store bakery)

Deluxe Chicken Tetrazzini OR Shepherd’s Pie

This is comfort food at it’s finest. This is exactly what I would want if I had a meal train being delivered to my house. A carb-full casserole, with veggies and chicken!

chicken tetrazzini in a glass casserole pan

Make sure you vent the pan when you take it to the family. You do not want the noodles to over cook during travel time! Or it can be prepped ahead and baked at their home.

What to send along:

  • Chicken Tetrazzini or Shepherd’s Pie
  • Store Bought Bagged Salad Kit (Since the casserole is creamy I would choose a salad with a vinaigrette. Place the salad in a disposable pan with the dressing packet on top so the salad doesn’t get soggy)
  • Dinner Rolls
  • Fruit Pie (store bought from your grocery store bakery)

Make Ahead Sausage Egg Cups

Breakfast for dinner is always a winner at my house! These Make Ahead Egg Cups are great to take for a meal train because you can make them ahead, pop them in the fridge and then reheat them before you take them to the family, or send them refrigerated with reheating instructions (which are included in my recipe).

sausage egg cups on a breakfast buffet

If you are taking these to a house with kids they are easily made kid-friendly. Simply pull some of the sausage out of the skillet before adding the spinach. I know my kids can be finicky about green stuff in their food. Then you can make a few cups that only have sausage, egg, and cheese in them.

What to send along:

  • Sausage Egg Cups
  • Fresh Fruit Salad (can buy pre-cut fruit at the grocery store, cut your own fruit, or make one at the grocery store salad bar)
  • Kale & Cranberry Salad (store bought bagged salad, put into a bowl with the dressing packet on top so the salad doesn’t get soggy)
  • Mini Pancakes & Syrup (I would just buy the frozen mini pancakes, put them into a foil pan, covered, and warm in the oven for a few minutes)
  • Half Gallon of Chocolate Milk & Half Gallon of OJ

Lasagna OR Lasagna Roll Ups OR Veggie Lasagna – Possible Vegetarian Option

This is a little more labor intensive meal. It is great to make if you have a little extra time or are taking dinner on the weekend.

You can take this hot and ready to eat, or prep the lasagna roll ups in the pan and cover with foil, uncooked, and send the dish with cooking instructions.

Table set with veggie lasagna in the center and two plates with lasagna and salad

To make this option vegetarian simply replace the sausage with frozen spinach that has been thawed and completely pressed and drained of it’s liquid.

What to send along:

  • Lasagna of choice
  • Caesar Salad (store bought salad, put into a serving bowl with the dressing packets on top so the salad doesn’t get soggy)
  • Garlic Bread
  • Brownies
  • Red Wine (if they drink alcohol) & half gallon of chocolate milk (if they have kids)

My Favorite Chicken Enchiladas OR Chicken Enchilada Suiza

These truly are My Favorite Chicken Enchiladas. This is a great option for a meal train because I have yet to hear a bad review on this recipe!

A pan of my Favorite Chicken Enchilada Recipe momsdinner.net

Don’t most people love Mexican food!? Maybe it’s just the people I choose to surround myself with?

What to send along:

  • Chicken Enchiladas in a disposable foil pan
  • Cilantro lime rice (you could even pick this up from Chipotle!)
  • Black Beans or Pinto Beans flavored with salt, pepper, and cilantro, heated in a disposable foil pan.
  • Chips, Guacamole, Salsa
  • Assorted Cookies – store bought at the grocery store bakery

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken Noodle Soup always makes you feel better. It is what our Mom’s gave us when we were sick!

Two bowls of Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup with carrots in the background

This is another recipe that gets better with time. However, it can also tend to thicken as it sits in the fridge. So, I would recommend sending reheating instructions, they may want to add ยฝ cup of water or chicken broth to the soup to reconstitute.

This is also a meal that I consider a one pot dinner. I wouldn’t send a lot of extra side dishes with this. It is pretty filling on it’s own. I will recommend some other items to send to fill the box.

What to send along:

  • Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
  • Saltine Crackers
  • A decadent chocolate dessert (store bought)
  • A bag of really good local ground coffee
  • Biscotti Biscuits for the coffee
  • Half gallon of chocolate milk (if they have kids)

Easy Meat Lasagna Recipe – Freezer Friendly Option

This is a great freezer friendly option if you are taking dinner to a family that will not eat the food for a week or two. There are freezing tips as well as reheating tips in this post.

a slice removed from the lasagna showing the inside layers

I think this is also a great option if there are kids in the family.

This Baked Penne with Sausage is also a great freezer friendly option!

What to send along- Freezer option:

  • Frozen Lasagna with reheating instructions
  • Frozen Garlic Bread
  • Bag of fancy frozen green beans
  • Decadent Ice Cream

What to send along- Cooked option:

  • Baked Lasagna
  • Garlic Bread
  • Caesar Salad (store bought and put in a serving container with the dressing packet on top so the salad doesn’t get soggy)
  • Decadent Ice Cream or Brownies
  • Red Wine (if they drink alcohol) & half gallon of chocolate milk (if they have kids)

Take Out or Gift Card

Do not think that because you signed up for the meal train that it has to be some show stopping home-made-with-love type of meal. Most of the families that are receiving a meal train just need the FOOD!

So if you are short on time or feel completely out of place in the kitchen, just grab take out from your favorite restaurant or a gift card to a restaurant near the families house. They will feel your love no matter what you show up with… as long as they can easily eat.

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Cajun Rice and Beans

by 45 Comments

Skillet Dirty Rice & Beans is a super easy skillet dinner, made in one pan. The rice is cooked with warm aromatics like onions, garlic, Cajun seasoning,  and smoked paprika. Then you add diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and smoked beef sausage. Finally the kidney beans get added and you are left with a delicious dinner that is cooks in under 30 minutes, without a watchful eye.

All Clad skillet full of Dirty Rice and Beans

This is not a spicy dish, it is simply full of warm and comforting flavors. Of course, you can make it spicy by adding extra red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.

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A Perfect One Pan Dinner

I love a one pan dinner. There is nothing better than finishing dinner and only having one pan to wash.

This one skillet dinner is great on a night when you are busy and just want to be able to throw dinner in a pot and get on with your night.

A bowl of dirty rice and beans with two spoons to the side, an all clad skillet at the top of the picture

Some of our other favorite one pan dinners are:

What Makes Dirty Rice, Dirty?

I actually had to look this up when I thought about this recipe. So I thought I would provide the information right here on Mom’s Dinner.

A bowl of dirty rice and beans with two spoons to the side, a skillet full of dirty rice and beans in the background.

What I found is that Dirty Rice is called dirty because when white rice is cooked with all the Cajun and Creole spices the rice takes on a dirty appearance. Makes sense!

Cajun Seasoning

I like to use Louisiana Fish Fry Cajun Seasoning in this recipe.. and all my Cajun style recipes. It has a great mix of spices and salt.

A can of Louisiana Fish Fry Cajun Spice

Now if you choose to use a different Cajun seasoning check and see if it contains salt. If it does not, add a little less than ยฝ teaspoon of salt when you add the other seasonings to the onion-sausage mixture. Then wait to taste for additional salt at the end.

How to Make Cajun Red Beans and Rice

This is a great set it and forget it recipe. Once all the ingredients are in the pot you have about 20-25 minutes to leave the kitchen and get other things done.

  1. In a large skillet with a lid heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic to the pan and sautรฉ for about 5 minutes.
  2. While the onions and garlic sautรฉ chop the sausage into a dice, about the size of a kidney bean. Toss that into the skillet.
  3. Add all the seasonings and stir to coat the onions and sausage.
All Clad skillet filled with Dirty Rice & Beans with a wooden spoon to the side

4. Pour the chicken broth and tomatoes into the skillet and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Now add the rice and bring the heat up to medium high and let the liquid come to a hard simmer.
5. Lower the heat to low and pop the lid on. Simmer on low for 18-20 minutes.

A wooden spoon full of rice, beans, sausage and tomatoes in a pan of dirty rice and beans

6. Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, with the lid on for 5 minutes.
7. Stir in the kidney beans and it is time to eat!

Cajun Red Beans and Rice Recipe Tips

Sautรฉ the onions first until they begin to soften, then wait to add the garlic so it has a more pronounced flavor.

Choose the sausage link flavor that you like – smoked beef sausage or Cajun style Andouille.

Use the Cajun seasoning that you love. If you use one that doesn't include salt, add a little to taste.

If you use a rice other than long grain white rice, use the rice cooking time on your packaging.

What to Serve With Sausage Beans and Rice

This Sausage Beans and Rice is a pretty complete meal on it's own, so don't feel bad if you serve it without sides! But if you want to add some dishes, here are some great ideas:

How to Store Cajun Red Beans and Rice

Leftover Cajun Beans and Rice store really well! It makes a great leftover lunch. Keep in the fridge in a covered container for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet with a little broth or water.

More Cajun Recipes

 

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Dirty Rice and Beans in a skillet

Sausage Beans and Rice

Skillet Dirty Rice & Beans is a one pan dinner that is easy to make and full of Cajun flavors and spices. Smoked beef sausage, beans and rice are cooked in a spiced broth with diced tomatoes, onions and garlic.
4.89 from 27 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Resting Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 5 people
Author: Susie Weinrich

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions
 

  • In a large skillet (use one that has a lid) heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and sautรฉ for about 5 minutes, add the garlic and sautรฉ for 1 more min.
    1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 cup yellow onion, diced, 3 plump garlic cloves
  • Add the diced sausage to the skillet.
    12 oz fully cooked Smoked Beef Sausage Link
  • Sprinkle in all the seasonings and spices.
    1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, heaping **see note about salt, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, heaping, ยผ teaspoon chili powder, ยฝ teaspoon each- garlic powder & onion powder, pinch red pepper flakes
  • Stir in the (uncooked) rice.
    1 cup long grain white rice (uncooked)
  • Pour the chicken broth and tomatoes into the pot and scrape up and browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
    Turn the heat to medium high and bring the liquid to a hard simmer for 1 minute.
    Turn the heat to low and pop the lid on the pot. Cook for 18-20 minutes.
    1 ยฝ cups chicken broth, 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, do not drain
  • Remove the pot from the heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes.
  • Stir the bean into the mixture. Taste for seasoning and serve.
    15.5 oz light or dark red kidney beans, drained

Recipe Tips and Notes:

**If you use a different Cajun seasoning that does not contain salt, add a little less than ยฝ teaspoon salt when you add the other seasonings to the onion-sausage mixture.
For extra heat add a dash or two of cayenne pepper.
If you use a different type of rice (ie: basmati, jasmine, or brown rice) the cooking times will vary.
Did you make this recipe?Connect with me and let me know by commenting below!
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Homemade Instant Pot Chicken Stock

by 2 Comments

This Instant Pot Chicken Stock is a super fast and easy way to make chicken stock. It has wonderful depth of flavor and great health benefits. This is also a great recipe to use up leftover vegetable scraps and rotisserie chicken carcasses that would otherwise go in the trash!

Chicken stock in mason jars with an instant pot

It really enhances recipes like Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup, Corn Chowder, or even Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo!

Why Make Your Own Broth

  • Homemade Chicken Stock will have better, more intense flavor than the store bought chicken broth.
  • If you don’t compost, it is a great way to use veggie scraps that would end up in the trash.
  • You can adjust the flavor to your liking… rosemary, thyme, more onion, extra garlic, whatever you like!
  • Enhances the flavor of any recipe you use it in – soups, stews, or casseroles.

Broth, Stock, & Bone Broth, What’s the Difference?

Broth, Stock and Bone Broth are not the same things. The real difference comes from how they are prepared and the strength.

Broth – Considered a lighter/delicate version of these three. Broth is made by simmering meat, veggies and aromatics. No bones are used in making broth.

Stock – A heartier and more flavorful option. Stock is made by cooking the bones/carcass of a chicken with veggies and aromatics. It will have a richer color as well.

Bone Broth – The most intense of all three. Bone broth is similar to Stock in that it is made with the bones/carcass of the chicken. It should be simmered for so long that the bones almost bread down, releasing their collagen into the broth.

Ingredients

You just need a few simple things to make amazing chicken stock in your Instant Pot:

ingredients for chicken stock

Veggies – Did you know that you can use veggie scraps to make Chicken Stock!? When you peel carrots, slice onions, or trim celery you can pop those scraps in a freezer bag and keep them for up to 6 months.

Chicken Base – This is a completely optional ingredient. I always have it in my fridge so I add it when I make chicken stock. It just adds a richer flavor that my family likes.

Making Homemade Chicken Stock in Your Instant Pot

Add your onion, garlic head to the pot.

Now add in the chicken carcass, bones, and veggie scraps, making sure not to go past the max fill line on the inside of your pot.

chicken carcass and veggies in the Instant Pot

Pour water over the top so that it fills just under the max fill line in your pot.

Close the lid and turn the vent to seal.

Set your pot to cook on manual- high pressure for 30 minutes.

Do a 10 minute natural release and then finish with a quick release.

chicken stock made in the instant pot

Strain the solids from the stock by using a fine mesh colander over a large bowl. Then with a wooden spoon press the solids so they release all their flavor into the broth!

straining the solids from chicken stock

Portion your stock into containers for storage.

Storing

I like to portion my Chicken Stock into 2-4 cup size portions. These plastic containers from Amazon work great. I also like to use large mason jars in the fridge.

Keep your strained Chicken Stock in the fridge for up to 7 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

After it has been refrigerated and completely cooled the fat will solidify on the top of the broth. Skim off the majority of that and discard before using.

Why Did My Stock Turn Into Jelly

It helps with everything to inflammation, arthritis, and boosts immune systems. Read all about it here!

It will turn back into a complete liquid with just the smallest amount of heat.

Making Bone Broth

To make this “bone broth” instead of stock, just increase the cooking time to 60 minutes.

Eating or drinking homemade bone broth or chicken stock has great health benefits. Here are just a few:

  • It is considered a nutrient dense food
  • Boosts immune systems
  • It’s high mineral content is great for your bones and teeth.
  • The collagen content is great for your joints, hair, nails, and skin.
  • Aids in metabolism health and gut health.
a bowl of chicken stock

Tips To Make it Amazing

These are great tips for making super flavorful and easy chicken stock in your kitchen:

  • Save all your veggie scraps in your freezer- carrot tops and peels, celery ends, potato peels, sweet potato ends and peels, turnip tops, onion peels and ends, etc…
  • Next time you have rotisserie chicken save the carcass in the fridge or freezer until you are ready to make homemade chicken stock.
  • When you have veggies in the fridge that are too soft to eat, or you forgot about them in the fridge (like me), chop them up for chicken stock.
  • Use chicken base! I know it is a cheat, but it adds such amazing flavor that it is worth it. You can find chicken base in the soup aisle at your grocery store, near the bouillon. It comes in a paste form in a tub or jar.

Recipes To Use Your Chicken Stock

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mason jars with chicken stock and an instant pot in the back

Homemade Instant Pot Chicken Stock

A super flavorful Chicken Stock that is made easily and quickly in your Instant Pot. Reuse all those veggie scraps and leftover rotisserie chicken carcass to make this beautiful stock.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Natural Release: 10 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 9 cups
Author: Susie Weinrich

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 onion, peel on, quartered
  • 1 head of garlic, peel on, cut in half lengthwise
  • 1 rotisserie chicken carcass - cleaned of chicken meat
  • few handfuls of veggie scraps - ** see note
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ยฝ teaspoon black pepper - or peppercorns
  • 2 bay leaves
  • water
  • 2 tablespoon chicken base - – optional!!

Instructions
 

  • Add the cut onion and head of garlic to the pot.
    Put the chicken carcass and bones on top of the onions.
    Add in a few handfuls of veggie scraps (if no veggie scraps see notes), salt, pepper, bay leaves and optional chicken base.
  • Pour water into the pot so it reaches just below the max fill line marked on the inside of your Instant Pot.
  • Lock the lid in place and turn the pressure valve on top to lock. Turn the pot on to high pressure for 30 minutes.ย 
    To make bone broth increase to 60 minutes.
  • Do a 10 minute natural release, then finish with a quick release of the pressure.ย 
  • Strain the solids from the liquid using a mesh colander.ย Press the solids with a wooden spoon so they release all their flavor into the stock.
  • After the chicken stock has been refrigerated the fat will solidify on the top, skim and discard before using.

Storing

  • Save the Instant Pot Chicken Stock in air tight containers in the fridge for 7 days .
    You can also freeze the Chicken Stock for up to 3 months.
    These are great storage containers from Amazon!

Recipe Tips and Notes:

Veggie scraps: I save everything from celery ends, onion tops, sweet potato peels, broccoli stems, turnip peels, etc… Really any veggie that you process in your kitchen. The part that would normally end up in the trash can be saved in a zip lock baggie, in the freezer, until you are ready to make Chicken Stock.
If you do not have any veggie scraps add in 4 large carrots cut in half, 4 celery stalks cut in half,ย  1 bunch green onions, 1 bunch parsley, and your favorite herbs (rosemary, thyme, dill, etc..)ย 
Instant Pot Rotisserie Chicken Recipe
Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker: I use the 6qt Duo Plus 9-in-1 Instant Pot
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Easy Banana Bread Muffins Made with Greek Yogurt

by 77 Comments

These Banana Bread Muffins have been made thousands of times by Mom’s Dinner readers, and if you look at the recipe card it has over 60 Five Star Ratings! They are tender, delicious, and moist. They have the banana flavor that you love and just a hint of vanilla from the vanilla extract and vanilla Greek yogurt.

Banana Bread Muffins among over-ripe bananas

They make a perfect quick breakfast on-the-go, a lazy breakfast on the couch with coffee, a great after-school snack for the kids, or a little something special to throw in their lunch box.

Kids Didn’t Eat The Bananas They Wanted

You bought the bananas.

You bought a lot of bananas because last week your kids couldn’t get enough bananas!

This week they have decided they hate bananas and will only eat apples. Sound familiar?!?

3 over-ripe bananas, one is half peeled

Now you are left with a pile of over-ripe bananas that, at any minute, will start attracting fruit flies.

This is the time that you need this recipe for Banana Bread Muffins with Greek Yogurt.

Simple Recipe for Banana Bread Muffins

We have discussed this before, but let me say it again… I am not a profesh baker. So, when you see me baking on Mom’s Dinner, you know it is going to be an easy recipe!

This recipe for Banana Bread Muffins is no exception. Put away your stand mixers and your hand held mixers. All the stirring and blending is done by hand!

I told you, I keep it real simple.

A banana bread muffin with the paper liner peeled down half way, sitting on a gray plate with a fork

You only need 3 ripe bananas for this recipe, so if you have more than that I always recommend breaking them into 1 inch chunks and popping them into the freezer, they are perfect for morning smoothies!

Why Use Greek Yogurt?

By using a โ…“ cup of vanilla or plain Greek yogurt in this recipe you are able to cut the traditional amount of butter in half, to just a ยผ cup. The Greek yogurt adds great flavor and moisture to the muffins.

close up of a banana muffin in a muffin tin

Making This Into Banana BREAD

Yes, you can make this recipe into banana bread instead of muffins. It actually makes incredible banana bread; full of flavor, tender, and moist. 

Simply prepare the batter as directed in the recipe, place the batter into a greased loaf pan, and bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes until the center is cooked through.

How to Make Banana Bread Muffins

This is a super simple recipe. All you need are 2 bowls, a fork, a mixing spatula, a mesh colander, and a muffin tin lined with paper liners.

Over-ripe bananas scattered around baked banana bread muffins sitting on a counter
  1. MASH THE BANANAS: Start by peeling the 3 over-ripe, medium sized bananas and placing them in a small bowl. Using the back of a fork, mash them down until they are pretty smooth and there are no large chunks remaining. You should have a little over 1 cup of mashed bananas. Set that aside for later.
Over-ripe bananas mashed in a bowl with a fork
  1. MIX BATTER: In another mixing bowl, stir together the vanilla Greek yogurt, softened butter, and sugar, until it is creamed together. Add the eggs, salt, vanilla, and mashed bananas, and stir by hand until all the ingredients are combined.
  2. ADD DRY INGREDIENTS: Put the mesh colander over the bowl and sift in the flour, baking powder, and baking soda into the banana mixture. Stir everything together just until all the flour is incorporated.
A mesh colander with flour sitting over a mixing bowl filled with banana bread batter
  1. MEASURE INTO MUFFIN TIN: Scoop the banana muffin batter into the muffin tin that is lined with paper cups. Fill each cup about โ…” full. This should give you between 15-18 muffins.
banana muffin batter in a muffin tin

green yogurt banana muffins baked in a muffin tin

  1. BAKE: Pop it into the 350ยฐF preheated oven for about 14-16 minutes, until the muffins are cooked thru and golden brown on top.

Let the muffins cool before digging in… If you can wait!

Variations on This Banana Bread Muffin Recipe

I love a traditional Banana Bread Muffins, but if you want to add some extra flavors this recipe plays well with others.

So what can you put in your banana bread muffins? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • If you like nuts in your muffins, add ยฝ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts.
  • A ยฝ cup of raisins or dried cranberries would be delicious.
  • Add ยฝ cup of mini chocolate chips for an awesome chocolate chip banana bread muffin.
  • If you do not have vanilla Greek yogurt you can also use plain Greek yogurt… or try one of the fun seasonal flavors that would work well with banana. For example, Chobani’s blended flavors: apple cinnamon, or pumpkin spice!
A banana bread muffin sitting on a cooling rack with the paper wrapper peeled off

Banana Bread Muffins at Brunch

If you love this recipe for Banana Bread Muffins, here are some additional breakfast and brunch recipes from Mom’s Dinner:

More Muffin Recipes

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a banana bread muffin in a muffin tin

Ultimate Banana Bread Muffins with Greek Yogurt + Video

Super Simple Banana Bread Muffin recipe made with Vanilla Greek Yogurt, which makes the muffins a little healthier by cutting the amount of butter used! Delicious, moist, and tender muffin recipe with great banana and vanilla flavor. (can also be made into banana bread)
4.87 from 69 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12 muffins
Calories: 188kcal
Author: Susie Weinrich

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoon butter, softened at room temp
  • โ…“ cup vanilla Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ยฝ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (heaping) over-ripe bananas, peeled and mashed - will be 3 small OR 2 large bananas
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 ยฝ cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a muffin tin with paper liners.
  • Peel the over-ripe bananas. Using the back of a fork mash the bananas until they are smooth and no large chunks are remaining. Set aside
    1 cup (heaping) over-ripe bananas, peeled and mashed
  • In a mixing bowl stir together the Greek yogurt, butter, and sugar until it is creamed together.ย 
    Add the bananas, salt, eggs, and vanilla. Stir to combine.
    NOTE: you can reduce the sugar to ยฝ cup or ยพ cup to reduce the sugar content and calories.
    4 tablespoon butter, softened at room temp, โ…“ cup vanilla Greek yogurt, ยฝ teaspoon salt, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 cup sugar
  • Place a fine mesh colander over the banana mixture bowl. Sift the flour, baking soda, and baking powder into the mixture. Stir it into the batter just until all the flour is mixed in.
    1 ยฝ cups all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • Scoop the batter into the lined muffin tin, filling each cup about โ…” full.
  • Place in the pre-heated oven for 14-16 minutes until the banana muffins are cooked thru and golden brown on the top.
  • Let cool about 10 minutes before eating.
    Store in an air tight container, at room temperature, for up to 4 days.
    You can also store them in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Banana Bread

  • To make this recipe into banana bread, Simply prepare the batter as directed in the recipe, place the batter into a greased loaf pan, and bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes until the center is cooked through.
Did you make this recipe?Connect with me and let me know by commenting below!
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Serving: 1muffin | Calories: 188kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 266mg | Potassium: 102mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 168IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg

More recipes you will love

Beef Sausage & Veggies with Smoked Paprika Vinaigrette

by 48 Comments

A super flavorful sheet pan dinner that is easy-to-make and ready in 30 minutes! It can even be made ahead for easy weekly meal prep. This one pan dinner is full of all the fall colors and flavors that you want in your comfort food this time of year.

The smoked beef sausage is warmed thru and the fresh veggies are roasted and perfectly caramelized.

Close up picture of the smoked beef sausage, carrots, onions, brussel sprouts, broccoli, and sweet potatoes drizzles with smoked paprika vinaigrette

When the sheet pan dinner is pulled hot from the oven you drizzle on a smoked paprika vinaigrette that adds another delicious layer of flavor. It compliments the fall veggies and smoked beef sausage perfectly.

Sheet Pan Dinner

You need to get on board with the sheet pan dinner trend, asap! You can have your entire dinner made in one pan, in the oven, all cooked together, and these recipes are usually done in 30 minutes or less!

Not only is this an incredibly easy way to get dinner on the table… it leaves very little clean-up after the fact.

PIN THIS SHEET PAN DINNER RECIPE HERE!

If you like a one pan or one pot dinner, definitely check out my One Pot Dutch Oven Lasagna or my Dutch Oven Spinach Artichoke Lasagna

Roasting Not Steaming

This is a great tip for just about any recipe that calls for roasting or browning in a pan. The key to roasting is making sure you have enough space on the pan between the veggies.

If you over crowd the pan they will steam instead of roast. This is also the same when you are trying to brown in a pan, if you over crowd (or add too much liquid) your item will steam instead of brown.

How to Make a Healthy Sheet Pan Dinner

Grab your largest sheet pan and preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

Cut all your veggies:

  • Sweet potatoes are peeled and chopped into ยฝ to 1 inch cubes
  • Onion are peeled and cut into โ…›th’s
  • Cauliflower & Broccoli are cut into large florets
  • Carrots are peeled and cut into ยผ inch thick coins
  • Trim the stem on the Brussel Sprouts and cut in them in half
veggies cut into bite size pieces

Put all the vegetables on the sheet pan and drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss everything around with clean hands so it is all coated with oil.

Pop that into the preheated oven for 15 minutes.

PRO TIP: Do not crowd the pan with the veggies or they will steam instead of roast. If you need to use two sheet pans, err on the side of too much room.

Meanwhile cut the sausage link into about 20 pieces.

Pull the sheet pan of veggies from the oven, they will be about half way cooked. Give them a good toss with a spatula and then add the sausage to the pan, right on top of the vegetables.

Put it back in the oven for an additional 12 minutes. This will warm the sausage thru and start to caramelize the veggies.

While the sheet pan dinner finishes, go ahead and make the smoked paprika vinaigrette. In a mason jar, mix together all the vinaigrette ingredients:

  • olive oil
  • apple cider vinegar
  • honey
  • dijon mustard
  • garlic clove
  • smoked paprika
a jar of smoked paprika vinaigrette

Put the lid on the jar and shake it vigorously, until all the ingredients are emulsified together. If you do not have mason jars use a bowl and whisk.

Pro tip: I do not recommend adding salt to your vinaigrette. The veggies and sausage are salty enough! Promise.

Once you pull the sheet pan out the oven, drizzle the vinaigrette over the veggies and beef. Give it a toss with a spatula to distribute the vinaigrette and it’s time to eat.

drizzling smoked paprika vinaigrette over the sheet pan dinner

Make Ahead Dinner

If you know that you are going to have a really busy week, this is a great dinner to prep and have in the fridge for later!

Simply cut all the veggies and place them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. You can also prep the vinaigrette in a mason jar and keep it in the fridge.

When it is time for dinner, just follow the baking instructions and dinner will be ready in under 30 minutes!

More Super Easy Dinners to Check Out

beef sausage and veggies drizzled with smoked paprika vinaigrette

Healthy Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies with Smoked Paprika Vinaigrette

A super flavorful sheet pan dinner that is easy to make and is ready in under 30 minutes. All the veggies get caramelized and the smoked beef sausage get warmed thru perfectly. This sheet pan dinner is finished with a drizzle of delicious smoked paprika vinaigrette.
This makes a great weeknight meal and can even be prepped ahead for a busy night!
LISTEN TO THE AUDIO RECIPE WITH THE PLAYER BELOW.
5 from 28 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Author: Susie Weinrich

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 small red or yellow onion, chopped into 1 inch chunks
  • 15 fresh brussel sprouts, stem trimmed and cut in half
  • 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into ยฝ to 1 inch chunks
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced into coins
  • ยฝ head of broccoli, cut into florets
  • ยฝ head of cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 12 oz Fully Cooked Smoked Beef Sausage Link, cut into 20 pieces
  • 1 ยฝ tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • black pepper to taste

Smoked Paprika Vinaigrette (most people say they like to double this vinaigrette recipe!!)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grab the largest sheet pan you have.
    Pro Tip: if the veggies are crowded on the sheet pan, use two sheet pans and err on the side of too much room. You want the veggies to roast, not steam!
  • Prep all the veggies and place on a large sheet pan. With clean hands toss the veggies in the olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper.
    Place in the oven for 15 minutes.
    1 small red or yellow onion, chopped into 1 inch chunks, 15 fresh brussel sprouts, stem trimmed and cut in half, 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into ยฝ to 1 inch chunks, 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced into coins, ยฝ head of broccoli, cut into florets, ยฝ head of cauliflower, cut into florets, 1 ยฝ tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, black pepper to taste
  • Meanwhile cut the sausage link into 20 pieces.
    12 oz Fully Cooked Smoked Beef Sausage Link, cut into 20 pieces
  • Toss the veggies with a spatula. Then place the sausage pieces over the cooked veggies. Place back in the oven for an additional 12 minutes.
  • To make the Smoked Paprika Vinaigrette put all the ingredients into a mason jar. Screw the lid on tightly and shake vigorously until all the ingredients are emulsified.
    Note: a lot of people on Pinterest say that they like to double the vinaigrette recipe because it is SO tasty!
    1 ยฝ tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, 1 ยฝ teaspoon honey, 1 garlic clove, minced, ยผ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Pull the sheet pan out of the oven and drizzle the vinaigrette over the veggies and sausage. Toss to coat.
  • Serve right away!

Recipe Tips and Notes:

TO MAKE AHEAD:
Peel and cut all the veggies and place in an airtight container, in the fridge, for up to 2 days. Make the vinaigrette and store in the fridge.
Follow the cooking directions when you are ready to make this for dinner.ย 
Did you make this recipe?Connect with me and let me know by commenting below!
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