Garlic Butter Skillet Pork Bites & Green Beans (30 Minutes!)

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Close-up of seared pork chops and green beans on a white plate, highlighting the caramelized crust.

Garlic Butter Skillet Pork Bites & Green Beans is the kind of quick, flavorful dinner that makes you feel like a weeknight hero. Made with juicy, pan-seared pork bites and vibrant green beans tossed in a lemon garlic butter sauce, this one-skillet recipe is easy to throw together and is ready in under 30 minutes!

From Canned Veggies to Skillet Magic

Green beans were a staple in my house growing up, but with five kids and a mom from a farm in Idaho who was taught to save and preserve everything, our green beans were 99% canned by mom. They were tender and so flavorful, but that meant fresh green beans took me a little time to warm up to with all of that crunchy texture!

The Trick That Changed Everything

As an adult, I’ve discovered that the secret to really good green beans is in the prep workBlanching them in hot water until they’re vibrant green, tossing them straight into an ice bath to stop the cooking, and finally sautéing in a cast iron skillet for depth of flavor has been life-altering.

Can We All Agree Pork Is Better with Crispy Edges?

We love searing pork bites until the edges are crispy and caramelized. It takes the flavor up a notch – but that’s not even the best part. This healthy 30 minute meal finishes with a lemon garlic butter sauce that has us eating straight from the pan. And those green beans? They’ve never been this exciting.

What to Serve It With

This dish is perfect served with Creamy Mashed PotatoesThe Softest Homemade Dinner Rolls, or a crisp, fresh Salad de Maison to round it all out.

Ingredients for Garlic Butter Skillet Pork Bites & Green Beans

Simple, pantry-friendly ingredients come together for a flavorful, low-carb dinner that cooks in one cast iron skillet.

  • Pork Chops: Boneless and cut into 1-inch pieces. Loin or bone-in chops work too, just adjust cook time.
  • BBQ Rub: My Homemade BBQ Rub is perfect here. Make a batch to have quick seasoning without extra prep.
  • Olive Oil: For searing the pork. Use avocado oil if you pre

Grandma’s Homemade Minestrone Soup

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Grandma’s Homemade Minestrone Soup

This classic Minestrone Soup recipe comes straight from my grandma’s cookbook. It’s made with simple vegetables, hearty beans, and a rich, slow-simmered broth. It’s warm, familiar, and deeply nostalgic.

This is a recipe you’d expect from an Italian Nonna! (even though my grandma isn’t Italian). Perfect for cold nights, Sunday dinners, or anytime you’re craving a truly homemade minestrone that’s timeless.

Once a year we would visit my grandma, who became a widow far too early. It always made me sad to know how much she was alone, but gathering around her table brought so much light and joy into her eyes I knew she would be ok. In the winter, she almost always made a Minestrone Soup with pasta or potatoes. The house felt cozier when it was on the stove, and you were engulfed with the smell it as soon as you walked in.

She served it with garlic knots and salad, and we’d dip the bread straight into the soup, letting it soak up the warm broth before taking a bite. It’s usually hard to get kids excited about a bowl full of vegetables and beans, but this soup is different. We always finished it, and most of the time went back for seconds. Even now, Minestrone reminds me of sitting at her kitchen table.

Ingredients for Minestrone Soup

Grandma’s recipes are ALWAYS better! This Minestrone Soup is no exception. Packed with vegetables, beans, and savory seasonings, these ingredients come together to create this classic flavorful soup!

Soup Base

  • Olive Oil: Creates the base for sautéing and helps develop flavor from the very first step.
  • Onion: Adds sweetness and depth as the foundation of the soup.
  • Carrots: Bring subtle sweetness and color to balance the savory broth.
  • Celery: Adds classic aromatic flavor and structure to the soup base.
  • Kosher Salt: Enhances and layers flavor throughout the cooking process.
  • Zucchini: Adds texture and a light, fresh vegetable note.
  • Green Beans: Bring freshness and light crunch.
  • Garlic: Builds bold, savory flavor once sautéed with the vegetables.

Broth & Seasonings

  • Tomato Paste: Concentrates tomato flavor and deepens the broth.
  • Dried Oregano: Adds a traditional Italian herb flavor.
  • Poultry Seasoning: Brings warmth and subtle complexity to the soup.
  • Black Pepper: Adds gentle heat and balance.
  • Chicken Broth: Forms the rich, savory base of the soup (vegetable broth works too).
  • Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: Add acidity and a slightly smoky tomato flavor.
  • Bay Leaves: Infuse the broth with a subtle, aromati

How to Cook Filet Mignon (Perfectly Tender Every Time)

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the cross-section of a cookies filet mignon with a pink center and beautiful sear on the outside

Cooking filet mignon can feel a little intimidating because no one wants to mess up an expensive steak. But here’s the truth: once you know how to cook filet mignon the right way, it’s actually one of the easiest, most forgiving cuts of beef you can make at home.

No grill required, no fancy chef skills needed, just a simple method that works every single time. Tender, juicy, restaurant-quality filet mignon made right in your own kitchen.

the cross-section of a cookies filet mignon with a pink center and beautiful sear on the outside

In college there were only a couple of restaurants and quickly Texas Roadhouse became my favorite. A Dallas filet, loaded baked potato, no sour cream and house salad with ranch. It was my go-to and I’ve never forgotten that Dallas filet!

Over the years, I have become such a home body though. Is that normal? Once you become “middle-aged”, hitting the town starts to lose it’s appeal? Is that thing? Well, it’s a thing for me, and going out for Valentine’s Day along with every other human just sounds blah! So I’m cooking a fancy (but so easy) dinner at home again this year. Filet mignon it is! All the fancy restaurants can eat their heart out!

What You Need to Cook Filet Mignon at Home

You only need a few simple ingredients to add flavor to the filets, a good cast iron skillet and a pair of tongs. It really is that easy! Oh, a meat thermometer is very helpful too if you have one!

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Filet Mignon: A tender, buttery cut of beef that cooks quickly and stays incredibly juicy.
    • PRO TIP: Look for evenly sized steaks so they cook at the same rate.
  • Kosher Salt: Enhances the natural flavor of the steak and helps create a beautiful crust.
  • Ground Black Pepper: Adds just enough warmth and bite to balance the richness of the filet without overpowering it.
  • Oil: Used to get a hot, even sear. Choose a neutral oil with a higher smoke point so the steak browns beautifully without burning.
  • Unsalted Butter: Melted into the pan at the end for basting, adding richness and that classic steakhouse flavor.
  • Garlic: Cloves infuse the butter with savory flavor as the steak finishes cooking.
  • Fresh Rosemary: A

Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole (Creamy & Cheesy!)

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a photo of creamy pasta chicken bacon ranch casserole with a metal spoon scooping out a serving

This chicken bacon ranch casserole is the kind of dinner you make when you want something quick and easy that is cozy, filling, and guaranteed to be a hit. It’s creamy, cheesy, and packed with shredded chicken, crispy bacon, pasta, and just the right amount of ranch flavor.

It’s easy enough for a weeknight, comforting enough for a Sunday dinner, and flexible enough to make ahead which is exactly what we want from a good casserole.

a photo of creamy pasta chicken bacon ranch casserole with a metal spoon scooping out a serving

Ingredients You’ll Need

This chicken bacon ranch pasta bake is a hearty dinner recipe everyone will love! Here is everything you’ll need:

  • Butter: Forms the base of the sauce and adds richness while helping create a smooth, creamy texture.
  • Garlic: Adds savory depth and aromatic flavor that enhances the cream sauce without overpowering it.
  • Flour: Thickens the sauce, creating a creamy, cohesive base that coats the pasta and chicken evenly.
  • Heavy Cream: Provides richness and body, giving the casserole its signature creamy, comforting texture.
  • Chipotle Lime Ranch: Adds tangy ranch flavor with a subtle smoky kick, balancing the richness of the cheese and cream.
  • Salt and Pepper: Enhance and balance all the flavors, ensuring the dish doesn’t taste flat.
  • Chicken: Adds hearty protein and makes the casserole filling and satisfying.
  • Small Shells Pasta: Holds onto the creamy sauce thanks to its shape, delivering flavor in every bite.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Melts smoothly and creates that stretchy, gooey texture everyone loves.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Adds sharp, bold flavor that balances the creaminess of the sauce.
  • Bacon: Brings smoky, salty crunch that contrasts perfectly with the creamy casserole.
  • Parsley: Adds a fresh pop of color and a light herbal finish to balance the richness.
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Super Bowl Italian Sliders Recipe

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a photo of an italian slider on a golden bun loaded with lettuce, tomatoes, italian meats and a creamy italian dressing

Italian sliders are the perfect party dish for a Super Bowl get together! You start with slider buns and layer them with Italian deli meats like salami, pepperoni, and ham, then add melted provolone cheese.

For extra flavor, you drizzle some garlic parmesan sauce on top, then bake them until golden and crispy. To finish, load them up with your favorite sandwiches toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, pepperoncinis and black olives mixed with a creamy Italian dressing. These sliders are delicious, easy to assemble, and perfect for a crowd!

I’m going to fail you all a bit when it comes to the Super Bowl…we don’t watch it. It hasn’t always been easy, and it was an important decision for our family to not watch the Super Bowl. I know, don’t hate me, but Sunday is our one day set aside for our family and religion. However, we still enjoy a lot of good food (check out our Super Bowl Food Recipe Roundup for more ideas!), so I really wanted to step up a bit and provide our readers with more options for the big day. Food is everything for a football gathering, am I RIGHT?!

I decided to take a nod from our famous ham and cheese sliders and make a new version. Because of my love of chopped salads and the goodness of Italian delis I decided to jump into a fresh version of baked sliders.

What Do I Need to Make Italian Sliders?

Head to the deli and grab a few slices of your favorite Italian meats and some provolone. Then almost everything else you’ll either have at home already or you can grab it in the produce section. Here is everything you’ll need…

  • Hawaiian Slider Buns: You can either grab a pack of rolls at the store or make homemade Hawaiian sweet rolls.
  • Provolone: Grab it from the deli when you get your meats.
    • NOTE: If you aren’t a provolone fan, use mozzarella cheese instead.
  • Meats: Ham, Pepperoni and Salami

Garlic Parmesan Glaze

  • Butter: the base for the glaze on top of the buns
  • Parmesan: freshly and finely grated
  • Garlic Herb Seasoning: We love Johnny’s Garlic Spread, but any garlic herb seasoning will work great.

Toppings (Grinder Salad)

  • Mayonnaise: adds creaminess to the dressing
  • Italian Dressing: adds flavor
  • Sliced Black Olives: buy a can of sliced olives or slice whole olives yourself
  • Red Onion: I like them diced pretty small so they blend right in.
  • Shredded Lettuce: shred your own romaine lettuce or bu
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