There’s nothing quite like a big pot of Charro Bean Soup simmering away on the stove. It smells divine! It’s one of those recipes that feels rustic and homey, but it’s also packed with so much flavor that it always surprises people.

With tender pinto beans, smoky bacon, spicy chorizo, and fresh veggies, this soup is hearty enough to be a main dish yet cozy enough to serve as a side dish to your favorite Mexican meals.

What is Charro Bean Soup?

In Mexico, charro beans are known as frijoles charros or cowboy beans, a traditional cowboy-style dish that’s been loved for generations. It consists of pinto beans slowly cooked with different meats (ham, chorizo and bacon) in a rich flavorful broth with peppers, onions and tomatoes.

Last year when I was figuring out the best charro beans recipe, I had the thought that if I added a little more broth and a few more ingredients, charro beans could be made into a bold, hearty soup. AND Charro Bean Soup was born! We are obsessed! It’s total Mexican comfort food!

Charro Beans vs. Borracho Beans

Many people have questions about the difference between charro beans and borracho beans because they are so similar. The short answer is beer. Ha! “Borracho beans” “drunken beans” included beer in the liquid that the beans get simmered in. That’s really the only difference. The beer gives the beans a deeper, more malty flavor, but both are made with smoky meats, pinto beans, vegetables and seasonings.

Ingredients for Charro Bean Soup

For the Beans

• Dried Pinto Beans: The base of the dish—hearty, creamy beans that provide protein, fiber, and body to the soup. Cooking them from dry gives a richer, more authentic flavor and texture compared to canned beans.
• Yellow Onion: Adds natural sweetness and depth to the cooking liquid. It builds a flavor base for the beans as they simmer.
• Garlic: Infuses the beans with a subtle, savory flavor that enhances the broth and ties in with the traditional Mexican flavor profile.
• Bay Leaves: Give a subtle earthy, herbal note that rounds out the flavor and makes the beans taste more complex.
• Kosher Salt: Seasons the beans from the inside out as they cook, enhancing their natural flavor.
• Dried Mexican Oregano: Distinct from Italian oregano, it has a slightly citrusy, earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with Mexican spices and beans. It’s traditional and really deepens authenticity.
• Water: The cooking medium that softens the beans and carries all the aromatics. Using water instead of broth at this stage lets the beans shine without overpowering them too early.

For the Soup

• Proteins: Bacon, Ham and Chorizo
• Vegetables and Aromatics: Yellow Onion, Jalapeño,

This sheet pan honey garlic kielbasa recipe is one of those dinners that makes weeknights feel easier. Everything bakes together on one pan — smoky kielbasa, tender vegetables, and a simple honey garlic sauce that turns sweet and savory in the oven.

It’s the kind of meal you can toss together quickly, pop in the oven, and walk away from while it cooks. Minimal prep, minimal cleanup, and a dinner everyone loves.

A Healthy One Pan Dinner That Actually Fills You Up

We’re always on the hunt for healthy one pan dinners! We want meals that feel balanced, satisfying, and don’t leave us rummaging through the pantry an hour later. That’s exactly why we love this one pan honey garlic kielbasa and vegetables.

The mix of sweet potatoes and regular potatoes makes this meal hearty enough to truly fill you up, while the broccoli adds freshness and color. More color on your plate isn’t just good for nutrients, it also helps your brain register the meal as satisfying, so you actually feel done when dinner’s over.

Why a Sheet Pan Works Best for This Kielbasa Recipe

• Even roasting: Spreading everything out on a sheet pan allows the kielbasa and vegetables to roast instead of steam, giving you better browning and caramelization.
• Perfect texture balance: The potatoes become tender, the broccoli gets lightly crisp, and the kielbasa browns beautifully — all at the same time.
• Hands-off cooking: Once everything is on the pan and in the oven, there’s very little to manage. No stirring, no babysitting.
• Big flavor, easy cleanup: The honey garlic sauce melts and coats the sausage as it bakes, creating big flavor without extra dishes.

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A one-skillet dinner that’s healthy, easy AND flavorful?! That’s right, this cheesy chicken, sweet potato and kale skillet meal is nutritious and delicious, just the way a busy weeknight meal should be!

Easily one of my go-to meals lately, my savory chicken and sweet potato recipe is packed with kale, veggies and protein.

There’s a lot of talk about perimenopause lately, so I wanted to create a dish that is not only perfect for busy families, but also something to help support those feeling like they might be entering perimenopause in their 30s and 40s. Heck, it’s a great recipe for menopause too! I love how healthy and balanced this meal is!

Ingredients for Healthy Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet

• Chicken Breasts: Main protein; provides heartiness, structure, and a mild flavor that carries the spices.
• Salt and Pepper: Core seasonings; salt enhances natural flavors, while pepper adds gentle heat and balance.
• Smoked Paprika: Adds smoky depth and warmth without spiciness, complementing the bacon and sweet potatoes.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Brings a touch of heat to brighten the dish and balance the sweetness of the potato.
• Bacon: Adds savory richness, smokiness, and a crisp texture that contrasts with tender chicken and vegetables.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing; carries flavors, prevents sticking, and adds a subtle fruitiness.
• Garlic: Infuses the skillet with aromatic depth, boosting the savory base of the dish.
• Sweet Potato: Adds natural sweetness, creaminess, and substance, balancing the spice and savory flavors.
• Chicken Broth: Keeps the skillet moist, helps cook the sweet potatoes, and builds a flavorful base.
• Kale: Provides a slightly bitter, earthy contrast, plus color, texture, and nutrients.
• Lemon: Adds brightness and acidity at the end, cutting through richness and making flavors pop.
• Parmesan: Adds a salty, nutty finish that melts into the skillet for extra umami and richness.

How to Make Chicken Kale Skillet

1. Prep the Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces and season with all the seasonings.
2. Cook the Bacon: Cook the chopped bacon in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Remove to a plate.

If you’ve ever wondered how restaurants get their roast chicken so juicy and full of flavor, the secret is simple — it’s all in the brine! This brined Roasted Chicken and Potatoes is one of those meals that makes you slow down and savor every bite.

The kids voted this was the best chicken and potatoes I’ve ever made and it was one pan and so dang easy.

The overnight brine infuses the meat with moisture and a subtle, herby flavor, while the garlic butter under the skin keeps every bite tender and golden. Add in roasted Yukon Gold potatoes that crisp up in the chicken drippings, and you’ve got a family dinner that is pure comfort food — with hardly any effort.

Why Brining Makes the Juiciest Chicken

The short answer is science! First, the salt in the brine breaks down the tight protein strands in chicken (or any poultry) which makes the structure more open to holding liquid molecules so it can retain more moisture.

When the chicken is submerged in the brine, the chicken soaks up the brine making it more juicy and more flavorful. The additional flavor in the brine like the lemon, fresh herbs and garlic all soak into the chicken so it’s flavored from the inside out!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Brine

• Water: The base that helps distribute the salt and flavors evenly.
• Kosher Salt: Draws moisture in and out of the chicken, resulting in juicy, seasoned meat.
• Honey: Adds a subtle sweetness and helps with browning during roasting.
• Peppercorns: Infuse mild spice and depth into the brine.
• Lemons: Brighten the flavor and help tenderize the meat.
• Bay Leaves: Add an earthy, aromatic note.
• Parsley & Thyme: Fresh herbs that lend light, savory flavor.
• Garlic: Deepens the flavor and complements the herbs beautifully.

For the Chicken

• Whole Chicken: The star of the recipe — roasting the entire bird keeps it juicy, flavorful, and beautifully golden while naturally basting the potatoes as it roasts.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances flavor, draws out moisture for crisp skin, and seasons both the chicken and potatoes evenly.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps the skin turn golden and crispy while keeping the meat tender and moist.
• Garlic: Brings depth and savory aroma to the butter mixture and infuses flavor into the chicken and potatoes.
• Fresh Thyme: Adds bright, earthy notes that complement the chicken’s richness and balance the buttery flavor.
• Lemon: Infuses the meat with a fresh citrus aroma, helps tenderize the chicken, and

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli and Cauliflower with Bacon

This indulgent Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli and Cauliflower with Bacon makes the most amazing side dish. It’s a one skillet recipe filled with tender cauliflower and vibrant broccoli simmering in a creamy garlic sauce topped off with gooey cheese and crispy bacon! I can’t wait for dinner!

Upgrade your vegetable game with this delicious and easy recipe for creamy garlic parmesan broccoli and cauliflower topped with crispy bacon. Perfect for an easy side dish or even as a meal on its own.

Ingredients for Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli and Cauliflower

There is so much flavor and creaminess packed into this dish, it almost seems like you aren’t even eating vegetables! Haha! Not that eating vegetables is bad! I love vegetables! But load them up with bacon and garlic and all sorts of cheese and even my picky kiddos eat them! Here is everything you need:

• Bacon: I found thick bacon worked the best, but it adds a lot of grease so make sure you follow the recipe and remove some before adding the butter.
• Butter: I prefer unsalted so that I can control the saltiness a little more.
• Onions: Regular yellow onion is great.
• Broccoli and Cauliflower Florets: The stars of the dish!
• Garlic: adds flavor
• Kosher Salt: adds flavor
• Aleppo Pepper: Aleppo Pepper is a must on top. That tiny fleck of sweet heat takes this dish to a whole new level. It’s not spicy, but it adds that wonderful flavor like a spice would.
• Heavy Cream: adds all the rich creaminess to the sauce
• Lemon Juice: adds a pop of freshness that takes this dish to a new level
• Mozzarella Cheese and Parmesan Cheese: We tried other cheeses like monterey jack and cheddar but the flavor was off with the garlic.

How to Make Creamy Broccoli and Cauliflower

Let’s walk through each step of making this indulgent vegetables dish…

1. Cook: Fry the bacon until crispy in an oven safe pan over medium heat. Once cooked, remove the bacon from the pan to a plate lined with paper towels. Drain most of the bacon grease.
2. Preheat: start the broiler
3. Sauté: Melt the butter in the skillet and add the onions. Cook it until transparent stirring occasionally.
4. Add: Place the broccoli, cauliflower and garlic and season with salt and pepper and toss everything together. Cook until the broccoli is bright green and fork tender.
5. Simmer: Pour the cream in and then reduce the heat to medium low and let it summer until the sauce thickens.
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