Welcome to the weekend, my friends! As Anne Shirley reminds us each year, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” The weather here has been unseasonably warm during the days, but absolutely glorious in the cool mornings. We’re entering birthday season in our home this month, and I’m looking forward to it. We have birthdays each month through the end of the year, and combined with the traditional holiday things, I’m just excited for all of it.

ON THE BLOGS THIS WEEK:  How cool is it that this Last Minute Chicken recipe is the easiest chicken we make, and it is also some of the tastiest chicken we make? Seasoned with plenty of terrific flavors and quickly cooked in any number of ways, this chicken is a staple in my meal planning.

Hand over a bag of chips and a bowl of Cowboy Caviar, dinner is ready. With fresh peppers, onion, tomatoes, and avocados in a light dressing, this is so good! This would also be terrific served as a side with that chicken.

Tender chicken, salsa, green chile, and black beans are simmered through the day in the crock-pot and then scooped into warm tortillas to create the easiest, tastiest, Salsa Chicken tacos and burritos.

I’ve been on an air fryer kick for a while now and these thin and crispy, Air Fryer Green Beans are irresistible with a squeeze of lemon juice or a side of bang bang sauce. I’ve been making a batch with my lunch several times a week for months now.

The best Green Chile Stew is loaded with bite-sized chunks of pork that are seasoned with onion and plenty of garlic. The pork is simmered in a green chile sauce until tender enough to almost fall apart when you bite it.

Two-ingredient Pineapple Angel Food Cake is a fun treat that takes nearly no effort to make! That’s right; it’s made with just two simple-to-find ingredients that you may already have in your pantry.

Smooth and creamy Honey Ice Cream, infused with cardamom and cinnamon, is the ultimate complement to a bowl of berries. The flavors in this ice cream are unforgettable.

What I’m CRAVING: ALL the vegetables, PLEASE! I’ve been off my routine for meal planning (that changes TODAY) and as a result, there’s been a bit of a vegetable shortage in my life. I’m making these crispy Smashed Brussels today, along with a batch of Honey Sriracha Roasted Broccoli. 

My FAVORITE THINGS this week are my kids. Despite the ups and downs of

Crispy Cheese and Herb Roasted Acorn Squash

Try this delicious and easy recipe for crispy cheese and herb roasted acorn squash. Perfect for a tasty side dish or a vegetarian main course. 

Our crispy cheese and herb roasted Parmesan acorn squash is our new favorite way to serve up the old classic. It’s the perfect side dish for any occasion, and kids love it. The savory squash’s delicious flavor is taken out of this world with it’s crunchy exterior. It’s like you’re eating french fries!

Ingredients To Make Savory Acorn Squash

One of the things I love about this recipe is that most of the ingredients are items we already have at home. If I grab an acorn squash at the store or from the farm stand, I know I have the rest at home ready to go. Here is what you will need:

• Acorn Squash: a small or medium size squash
• Parmesan Cheese: freshly grated from a blog will work the best
• Garlic Salt: adds flavor and saltiness
• Chili Powder: adds a little heat and bold flavor
• Dried Thyme: adds herbaceous flavor
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: helps brown and caramelize the squash
• Parsley: adds a pop of freshness

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Make Herb Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe

Roasting vegetables is my favorite way to cook veggies! It’s so easy and adds so much flavor. Here are the steps for making this squash recipe:

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Slice: Half and remove the seeds from the acorn squash with a spoon and cut into 1″ slices.
3. Combine: Add the parmesan cheese and seasonings to a small bowl and stir to combine.
4. Coat: Place the squash slices on the prepared baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil and then sprinkle with the cheese mixture. Lay the squash in a single layer.
5. Roast: Stick the tray in the oven and roast for 20 minutes until fork tender.
6. Serve: Sprinkle with parsley and serve hot!

Keep scrolling to the end of the post for the recipe with all the complete instructions.

Watch How This Video is Made…

How cool is it that this quick chicken recipe is the easiest chicken we make, and it is also some of the tastiest chicken we make? Seasoned with plenty of terrific flavors and quickly cooked in any number of ways, this chicken is the weeknight main dish that the whole family enjoys.

The Fastest Way to Cook Chicken

You only need a few minutes to get this chicken ready to cook and you’ll be sitting down to eat just ten minutes later. The chicken is great on its own with a side of raw vegetables and ranch dip. It can also be sliced thin for sandwiches, or chopped bite-size for soups, salads, or pasta.

I’ve been making this chicken probably every other week for over 5 years now. And yes, it’s taken that long for me to share it here on the website.

The recipe is another favorite from The Weeknight Dinner Cookbook. However, I use the chicken in so many other recipes, I decided it was past time to share the original here.

Why make this chicken?

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Instant Pot Taco Soup

This Instant Pot Taco Soup is a quick and easy weeknight dinner packed with bold Mexican flavors. Loaded with beef, beans, corn, and spices, it’s perfect topped with cheese, sour cream, and avocado for a hearty, family-friendly meal.

The Best Taco Soup Recipe

One of my favorite memories as a mom is of our daughters coming home on a chilly late fall afternoon, while our son, still just a toddler, stood at the window waiting for them. The moment they passed the big bush in our yard and came into view, he would light up with pure excitement, bouncing with joy until they walked through the door. That year felt like the happiest season for our little family. The girls would scoop him up in hugs, and that night we all gathered around the table with steaming bowls of taco soup topped with crunchy chips.

It’s funny how the simplest, most ordinary days become the ones we treasure most. There’s something about a pot of soup on the stove that feels grounding and safe. I honestly think every family should make soup at least once a month during the school year! Kids go through so much, and soup has a way of bringing comfort, warmth, and calm to the whole house.

Instant Pot Taco Soup Ingredients

This hearty taco soup is loaded with beef, beans, corn, and bold taco flavors. It’s quick to make and perfect for weeknight dinners or game-day gatherings.

• Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps brown the beef and onions.
• Ground Beef: Provides hearty, savory flavor as the base of the soup. Can swap for ground chicken or ground turkey.
• Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the broth.
• Corn: Brings a touch of natural sweetness and texture.
• Pinto Beans: Adds protein, fiber, and heartiness. Can swap for black beans or kidney beans.
• Rotel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies: Adds a mild kick and bright tomato flavor.
• Diced Tomatoes: Provides a rich, savory tomato base for the soup.
• Dry Ranch Seasoning Mix: Adds creamy, tangy flavor for extra depth.
• Taco Seasoning: Gives the soup classic taco spices and a flavorful punch.
• Beef Broth: Creates a savory, flavorful liquid base for the soup. Swap with chicken broth in a pinch.

Serve it with your favorite toppings and enjoy a warm, comforting bowl that’s sure to become a family favorite.

Note: This recipe calls for dry ranch seasoning, not ranch dressing. Ranch seasoning usually comes in small packets and can be found in the spice aisle.

How to Make Taco Soup in an Instant Pot

This easy taco soup is packed with bold flavors and ready in no time using your Instant Pot or slow cooker.

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The best green chile stew is loaded with bite-sized chunks of pork that are seasoned with onion and plenty of garlic. The pork is simmered in a green chile sauce until tender enough to almost fall apart when you bite it.

New Mexico Green Chile Stew

This is the ultimate comfort food.

Filled with that irresistible pork, potatoes, and roasted green chile, this stew is what I dream of when the weather starts cooling off each fall. And before any other native New Mexican can correct me, I am well aware of the ridiculousness of actually claiming the BEST NM Green Chile Stew, because technically, I do love them all.

That said, this is my family’s best green chile stew, and we love it more than all the others. Made with chunks of tender pork and potatoes, spicy hot green chile, and a savory broth that you’ll be dipping your tortillas into and scraping the bowl clean, this is it for me.

Green Chile Stew

Over the years, I’ve made Green Chile Stew with many different kinds of meat: pork, ground beef, steak, and chicken. However, this Green Chile Stew is hands-down our favorite.

Not that I won’t happily try YOUR green chile stew recipe if you send it to me! I don’t discriminate between green chile recipes. We love adding green chile to our enchiladas, burritos, tacos, soups, and scrambled egg skillets. If the dish includes green chile, my boys will dive straight into it.