Saucy BBQ pork tucked into melted cheese in a buttery crisp tortilla? That’s something I can’t possibly resist. This pulled pork quesadilla is a quick and easy way to get a hearty meal on the table, even on the busiest of weeknights.

Pulled pork is one of my favorite food leftovers to have in the house and these quesadillas make the most of it.

BBQ Pork Quesadilla

The beauty of quesadillas is that you can fill them with almost any cheese, meat, or vegetable combination and they taste delicious. Chicken and caramelized onions? Check. Cheesy pepperoni pizza? Definitely. Meat lover’s steak and cheese? Oh yeah. Fully loaded with all the vegetables from the fridge? Every chance I get.

There isn’t a quesadilla you can make that my crew won’t devour. (Or, if there is, I haven’t found it yet.) At our house, bbq pork, green chile shredded pork, and carnitas are made on a regular basis and plenty of that pork gets tucked into the freezer for quick meals later.

For something a little bit different, this Honey Lime Pork Roast is a little bit spicy and a little bit sweet, with just a hint of citrus.

Slow Cooker Mexican Pork is some of the best pulled pork you can make at home and it requires about 5 minutes of prep time before you turn on the crockpot and walk away.

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Roasted potatoes and Brussels sprouts are combined with spicy sausage and plenty of cheese to create an irresistible dinner.

Quite a few years ago, I stumbled across a dish that combined Brussels sprouts with pasta and potatoes. Several days later, I couldn’t get that combination out of my head.

Sausage and Brussel Sprouts

As I started playing with the idea of using Brussels sprouts in a main dish, I wanted something a little heartier than the bacon that I typically pair with Brussels sprouts.

Sausage is one of those magic recipe ingredients. It almost doesn’t matter what you add to it, sausage has the ability to flavor all the other ingredients brilliantly.

I paired some spicy sausage with the Brussels and I LOVED the combination of flavors in this meal. One of my boys pointed out that the very best bites were the ones with a potato chunk, a sprout, sausage, and cheese together; I couldn’t agree more.

The first time I made this, I tasted it before taking a picture and then I couldn’t stop sneaking bites as I was attempting to photograph it. I lasted for about 30 seconds worth of clicks and then we dove into this meal.

In the years since then, I’ve attempted to reshoot this recipe multiple times in order to update the photos, and without fail, I decide not to bother with photos as soon as it’s out of the oven. This is one of my all-time favorite recipes on this website.

A couple of weeks ago, I finally practiced enough restraint to shoot new photos before diving into this and I’m still as much in love with this recipe as

This creamy Smoked Salmon Chowder is filled with carrots, onions, celery, garlic, wine, and a hint of bacon. With thyme and dill added as well, this is a memorably rich and flavorful chowder. If you enjoy smoked salmon, you will love this chowder.

Smoked Salmon Chowder

My husband’s trips to Alaska always result in a freezer full of fish, especially smoked salmon. Its smoked salty goodness is perfect for snacking, lox, and making some of our favorite dishes like this chowder.

It’s been a few years since he was there though, so I’m thinking it’s about time to plan another visit. Pretty sure he won’t mind taking that trip in the interest of more recipe work. This smoked salmon soup is reason enough for me.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been ten years since my sisters and I met in Seattle for a getaway weekend. It was rainy and drizzling almost the entire time and we still had a fabulous three days.

The food I remember most clearly of all was the clam chowder that we ate after spending the morning at Pike Place Market.

This salmon chowder reminds me of that day and as a result, I find myself grinning every time I make it. It’s definitely time for another sister trip.

When I saw my friend Larry share this recipe, I immediately printed it to try. (And I made it just a few days later too!)

The chowder was a hit from the very first bite and we’ve made it numerous times over the years since then. The recipe below has been lightly adapted from and with thanks to Boundary Bay Brewery via Big Dude’s Ramblings.

The flavors in this chowder come from white wine, smoked salmon, and dill. They pair together so very well. For the white wine in this chowder, I’ve found that chardonnay goes best with the rich creamy base.

Not a fan of seafood? I recommend trying this Baked Potato Soup for a creamy rich soup that is guaranteed to make everyone smile. Either one of these soups is a memorable first course or a full meal by itself depending o

Fluffy mashed sweet potatoes top a saucy mixture of seasoned ground beef and vegetables to make this Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie.

Can you Make Shepherd’s Pie with Sweet Potatoes?

Yes, you can! Traditionally, a shepherd’s pie is topped with mashed potatoes. However, in this recipe, savory sweet potatoes create a welcome depth of flavor in this dish.

While we’re talking about traditional shepherds pie, let’s go ahead and note that classic shepherds pies are made with ground lamb vs the more popular beef today. For my everyday cooking though, ground beef is simply more accessible.

The beef here is seasoned with Italian seasonings and a splash of balsamic vinegar. In addition to that, a bit of green chile is in the mix as well. While you can certainly skip the chile, it works nicely to enhance the flavors without bringing much heat at all.

Most people call this type of dish a shepherd’s pie regardless of the meat inside it. Technically, when made with beef, this is a Rancher Pie or a Cottage Pie. (Though many believe that a cottage pie should be made with layered slices of potatoes vs the mashed potatoes that are more common.)

In other words, you’ll never please everyone. So, call it whatever you like, but rest assured it will be devoured just about as soon as it hits the table.

Mouthwatering is not the word I typically use to describe a shepherd pie or a cottage pie. This is man food, right? Truth be told I have never been a big fan of dishes featuring ground beef as a main component.

I have come to love the simple flavor and the way I can add a few easy ingredients to create a delicious and filling meal for my hungry crew. Filling them up in a budget-friendly way is not an easy feat! Ground beef has become my best friend in the process.

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Broiled Tilapia with a lemon garlic marinade is quite frankly the easiest and some of the best fish I have ever made.

Broiled Tilapia

The garlicky lemon marinade was absolutely perfect for the tilapia. I can imagine using this marinade again and again with all kinds of different meats.

I was inspired to try broiling tilapia after I saw this recipe over at Mel’s Kitchen Cafe. I’m so glad I tried the broiler because it turned out perfectly. This recipe is a keeper for sure.

How To Broil Tilapia

Tilapia is finished cooking when it flakes apart with a fork and is opaque or white all the way through. Remember that fish will keep cooking once you remove it from the oven, so be sure to remove it a minute or two early.

For those of us in the midwest, Tilapia is a great way to change up meal time and enjoy seafood in a rather budget-friendly way. Tilapia is a freshwater farm-raised fish that is high in protein and considered low in saturated fat.

I have found it to be super simple to prepare and it tastes fantastic with a simple marinade and cooks in less than 10 minutes, sometimes less than 5 minutes. Fast and flavorful, I think we can all agree on the awesomeness of that combination.

How Long to Broil Tilapia

Broiling has become my favorite way to prepare fish. It takes just minutes and (as long as I watch it closely!) it almost always turns out well. If the broiler intimidates you, did you know that you can broil with the oven door open? You may need to add a minute, but it still works beautifully.

Depending on the size of your Tilapia filets broiling for this recipe takes very little time. I have found the sweet spot to be about 4-7 minutes depending on the size and thickness of the filets.