Category: Garlic Powder

Santa Fe Salad

This Santa Fe salad is the ultimate Southwestern salad. It’s loaded with tender, juicy chicken, fresh veggies, and creamy black beans.

The post Santa Fe Salad appeared first on Budget Bytes.

I have a major weakness for Southwestern flavors, and this Santa Fe salad is the ultimate combination. It’s loaded with tender, juicy chicken, fresh veggies, and creamy black beans. I love it tossed in our creamy avocado dressing. It’s a great hearty entrée-sized salad that’ll keep you full for hours. If you are plant-baseed, this flavor bomb of a salad still packs the same punch without the chicken. This salad is a true crowd pleaser.

creamy avocado dressing drizzled over santa fe salad in a large white bowl.

What Is A Santa Fe Salad?

This tasty Santa Fe salad recipe starts with a bed of romaine lettuce topped with Southwestern favorites, like corn, black beans, bell pepper, cheese, and tortilla chips. Top it off with our favorite creamy avocado dressing, some fresh pico de gallo, and a dollop of homemade guacamole for a filling salad that’s bursting with flavor!

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make a Santa Fe salad:

  • Chicken Breasts: Tender, juicy chicken breasts are a great source of protein on this hearty salad. For a budget-saving option, chicken thighs work well. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, substitute the chicken with extra-firm tofu (seasonings and all) or go heavier on the black beans. Mmm!
  • Olive Oil: Helps the spices stick to the chicken and helps the chicken sear in the pan.
  • Seasonings: Chili powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper add Southwestern flair to the chicken.
  • Romaine Lettuce: The perfect crunchy base for this salad. Buy whole heads rather than the pre-chopped bagged stuff to save money.
  • Bell Pepper: I like to use a green bell pepper, but any color works well to add some crunch!
  • Frozen Corn: You can also use fresh or canned corn– just be sure to drain and rinse first if you use canned.
  • Canned Black Beans: Add creaminess and extra protein to this salad.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Adds a hint of saltiness. Mexican blend also works well.
  • Tortilla Chips: I like to crumble some on top for extra crunch.
  • Creamy Avocado Dressing: Pulls the whole salad together. If you’re short on time, use a store-bought chipotle or Southwest ranch dressing.
  • Pico de Gallo: Adds a hit of freshness and acidity.
  • Guacamole: This is totally optional but ups the creaminess of this salad!

What Else Can I Add?

This Southwestern salad is a great fridge clean-out recipe. Here are some other things I love to add when I have them on hand:

How To Store Leftovers

As with most salads, I recommend storing the veggie components separately from the chicken and dressing and tossing everything together just before serving. This helps protect the lettuce from wilting. Stored correctly, this salad should keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it great for meal prep!

tossing santa fe salad in a large white bowl with wooden spoons.
creamy avocado dressing drizzled over santa fe salad in a large white bowl.
Print

Santa Fe Salad

This Santa Fe salad is the ultimate Southwestern salad. It's loaded with tender, juicy chicken, fresh veggies, and creamy black beans.
Course Salad
Cuisine American, texmex
Total Cost ($17.21 recipe / $2.95 serving)
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 516kcal
Author Jess – Budget Bytes

Ingredients

For the Dressing

  • 1 avocado $0.89
  • 1/2 cup sour cream $0.24
  • 1 clove garlic, minced $0.08
  • 1/4 tsp salt $0.02
  • 2 tbsp lime juice $0.50
  • 1/4 bunch fresh cilantro $0.20
  • 1/4 cup water $0.00

For the Salad

  • 2 heads romaine lettuce, chopped into bite-size pieces $2.98
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced $0.89
  • 5 radishes, sliced thin $0.49
  • 1 cup frozen corn, thawed and rinsed $0.47
  • 1 15oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained $0.89
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese $0.83
  • 1/2 cup pico de gallo $0.44
  • 1 cup crushed tortilla chips $0.50

For the Chicken

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts $5.69
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil, divided $0.08
  • 1 Tbsp chili powder $0.30
  • 2 tsp paprika $0.20
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper $0.06
  • 1 tsp ground cumin $0.10
  • 1 tsp garlic powder $0.05
  • 1 tsp onion powder $0.05
  • 1 tsp salt $0.05
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper $0.05

Instructions

  • Add the avocado, sour cream, minced garlic, salt, lime juice, and cilantro to a food processor or blender. Puré until smooth. Cover and set aside in the refrigerator.
  • Chop romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and transfer to a large salad bowl.
  • Dice bell peppers, slice radishes, thaw frozen corn, and rinse and strain canned black beans. Add this and 1/2 cup of pico de gallo to the large salad bowl on top of chopped romaine lettuce. Cover and keep in the refrigerator while you prepare the chicken.
  • Place the chicken breasts inside a heavy duty food storage bag and flatten with a rolling pin or a tenderizing mallet until the breasts are consistently about 3/4 inch thick. Start in the middle at the thickest part of each breast for more even cooking. This step helps the chicken cook more evenly.
  • Prepare the Santa Fe Chicken seasoning blend by combining chili, paprika, cayenne, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
  • Rub chicken breasts with 1 Tbsp olive oil and divide the seasoning blend between the them, making sure to thoroughly coat the entire surface of each chicken breast with seasoning.
  • In a large skillet, add 1 Tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is glistening and hot, add the chicken breasts. Cook your chicken for a total of 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway. While the chicken cooks, do not wiggle or disturb it except for flipping. Remove the chicken from the heat when it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. Allow chicken to rest on a cutting board for 5-10 minutes before slicing into strips. After resting, the chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. 
  • Fan out the sliced chicken on top of the salad and drizzle creamy avocado dressing over the top. Toss and serve!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

Nutritional information does not include the guacamole. Click the recipe link to view nutritional information.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 516kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 21g | Sodium: 1791mg | Fiber: 14g
overhead view of a santa fe salad in a white bowl.

how to make a Santa Fe Salad – step by step photos

ingredients for avocado dressing in food processor

Add 1 avocado, ½ cup sour cream, 1 clove of garlic (minced), ¼ tsp salt, 2 Tbsp lime juice, and ¼ bunch cilantro to a food processor or blender.

creamy avocado dressing in food processor

Puré until smooth. Cover and set aside in the refrigerator.

chopping lettuce

Chop 2 heads of romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and transfer to a large salad bowl.

ingredients for santa fe salad in a white bowl

Dice 1 bell pepper, slice 5 radishes, thaw 1 cup frozen corn, and rinse and strain 1 can of black beans. Add this and 1/2 cup of pico de gallo to the large salad bowl on top of chopped romaine lettuce. Cover and keep in the refrigerator while you prepare the chicken.

pounding chicken

Place the chicken breasts inside a heavy duty food storage bag and flatten with a rolling pin or a tenderizing mallet until the breasts are consistently about 3/4 inch thick. Start in the middle at the thickest part of each breast for more even cooking. This step helps the chicken cook more evenly.

spice rub for chicken

Prepare the Santa Fe Chicken seasoning blend by combining 1 Tbsp chili, 2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp cayenne, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper together.

chicken coated with spice rub

Rub chicken breasts with 1 Tbsp olive oil and divide the seasoning blend between the them, making sure to thoroughly coat the entire surface of each chicken breast with seasoning.

chicken in skillet

In a large skillet, add 1 Tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is glistening and hot, add the chicken breasts. Cook your chicken for a total of 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway. While the chicken cooks, do not wiggle or disturb it except for flipping. Remove the chicken from the heat when it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. Allow chicken to rest on a cutting board for 5-10 minutes before slicing into strips. After resting, the chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. 

completed santa fe salad

Fan out the sliced chicken on top of the salad and drizzle Creamy Avocado Dressing over the top. Toss and serve!

More Salad Recipes

The post Santa Fe Salad appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Porcupine Meatballs

These easy and flavorful Porcupine Meatballs are made with ground beef and rice, then simmered in a savory tomato sauce.

The post Porcupine Meatballs appeared first on Budget Bytes.

I don’t know how I let Beth talk me into making these porcupine meatballs, but I’m glad she did!😄 They’re incredibly tender, super flavorful, very filling, and so delicious! They were a hit in my house and my husband and kids absolutely loved them! And don’t let the name scare you, these meatballs are simply made with ground beef, rice, seasoning and a savory homemade tomato sauce. Adding in inexpensive rice is also a great way to stretch a pound of beef into more servings. And did I mention this meatball recipe is also perfect for meal prep!

Overhead view of porcupine meatballs on a serving plate with white rice and a fork cutting a meatball in half.

What Are Porcupine Meatballs?

Porcupine meatballs are an American comfort food dish that was popular during the Great Depression. During that time supply was limited and these porcupine meatballs only required a few basic ingredients like ground beef, rice, and tomato soup. Their funny name comes from their unique appearance. As the meatballs cook the rice begins to poke out of the side, resembling the look of a porcupine! Does anyone else remember these tasty little meatballs growing up?

Ingredients For Porcupine Meatballs

Here’s everything you need to make these easy porcupine meatballs:

  • Lean Ground Beef: I used 93% lean ground beef to reduce the amount of grease that collects inside the pot while the meatballs are cooking. But 85% lean should also work pretty well.
  • Long Grain White Rice: Rice is a key ingredient! Not only does it help bulk up the meatballs and makes them more filling, but it’s also how you get the classic porcupine look! You’ll want to use long-grain white rice for this recipe. 
  • Onion and Garlic: Onion and garlic creates a wonderful flavor base for the meatballs. 
  • Seasoning:  The meatballs are seasoned with Italian seasoning for lots of herbal flavor along with onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
  • Egg: The egg is used as a binder to help keep the meatballs from falling apart.
  • Tomato Sauce: Another key part of this meatball recipe is the delicious tomato sauce. Instead of just using a can of plain tomato sauce, I added Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper to add more depth of flavor. I also added a can of crushed tomatoes to thicken the sauce, a little bit of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes, and water to help the rice cook. All together this sauce adds wonderful flavor to these porcupine meatballs!

Should You Cook The Rice First?

You may be wondering if you have to cook the rice first before adding it to the meatballs. The answer is no. Cooking the rice first just adds an extra step to the process, and I didn’t find it necessary. Using uncooked rice allows the rice to cook at the same time as the meatballs and soak up all the seasoning and flavors from the dish.

How To Store & Freeze Porcupine Meatballs

You can store any leftover cooked meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply microwave for about 2 minutes, or until heated through.

If you want to freeze the meatballs, I suggest freezing them uncooked, then make the tomato sauce fresh when you need a quick weeknight dinner meal. To freeze uncooked meatballs, place the raw meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze on the baking sheet until solid (1-2 hours) before transferring to a gallon-sized freezer bag to store for up to three months. When you’re ready to cook them, thaw the meatballs in the fridge overnight, then simmer them in the sauce as directed.

Serving Suggestions

You can easily serve these porcupine meatballs with a simple side salad or caesar salad. We served them over a bed of rice, but mashed potatoes or pasta would also be good.

Overhead view of porcupine meatballs in a dutch oven covered in tomato sauce.
Overhead view of porcupine meatballs on a serving plate with white rice and a fork cutting a meatball in half.
Print

Porcupine Meatballs

These easy and flavorful Porcupine Meatballs are made with ground beef and rice, then simmered in a savory tomato sauce.
Course Dinner
Cuisine American, Italian
Total Cost $11.34 recipe / $1.89 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 6 (4 meatballs each)
Calories 191kcal
Author Marsha – Budget Bytes

Equipment

Ingredients

Meatballs

Tomato Sauce

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, stir together the Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
  • Rinse the rice in cool water and drain well. Add the lean ground beef to a large bowl along with the rice, finely diced onion, minced garlic, egg, and the seasoning mixture.
  • Use your hands to mix everything together until evenly combined. Try not to overmix as this can make the meatballs tough.
  • Divide and shape the meat mixture into 24 meatballs, about two tablespoons each. Place the shaped meatballs into a large pot or dutch oven. It’s ok if the meatballs are touching each other. I also stacked a few on top of each other.
  • Now make the sauce. In a medium bowl combine the tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, black pepper, garlic powder, and water. Mix all the ingredients together until well combined. Pour the tomato sauce mixture over the meatballs.
  • Cover the pot with a lid and bring the pot to a low boil. Once boiling, turn the heat down to medium-low and let the meatballs simmer for 35-40 minutes.
  • Serve over rice or mashed potatoes with fresh chopped parsley on top and enjoy!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 4meatballs | Calories: 191kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 5g | Sodium: 685mg | Fiber: 1g
Overhead view of porcupine meatballs on a serving plate with white rice.

How to Make Porcupine Meatballs – Step by Step Photos

Overhead view of spice ingredients for porcupine meatballs.

In a small bowl, stir together 2 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper.

Meat and ingredients for porcupine meatballs added to a large bowl.

Rinse 1/2 cup uncooked long grain white rice in cool water and drain well. Add 1 lb. lean ground beef to a large bowl along with the rice, 1/2 finely diced onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 egg, and the seasoning mixture. Use your hands to mix everything together until evenly combined. Try not to overmix as this can make the meatballs tough.

Overhead view of meatballs being rolled and shaped.

Divide and shape the meat mixture into 24 meatballs, about two tablespoons each.

Porcupine meatballs added to a dutch oven.

Place the shaped meatballs into a large pot or dutch oven. It’s ok if the meatballs are touching each other. I also stacked a few on top of each other.

Overhead view of homemade tomato sauce ingredients in a medium bowl.

Now make the sauce. In a medium bowl combine one 15oz. can tomato sauce, one 15oz. can crushed tomatoes, 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 cup water. Mix all the ingredients together until well combined.

Tomato sauce being poured over meatballs in the dutch oven.

Pour the tomato sauce mixture over the meatballs.

Cooked porcupine meatballs inside dutch oven.

Cover the pot with a lid and bring the pot to a low boil. Once boiling, turn the heat down to medium-low and let the meatballs simmer for 35-40 minutes.

Overhead view of porcupine meatballs on a serving plate with white rice and a fork cutting a meatball in half.

Enjoy by themselves or serve over extra rice or mashed potatoes and top with fresh chopped parsley. I’m a believer now Beth, you were right about this one!😄

Overhead view of porcupine meatballs in a dutch oven covered in tomato sauce.

More Meatball Recipes

The post Porcupine Meatballs appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Air Fryer Potatoes

Air fryer potatoes are soft on the inside, crispy on the outside, and made for dipping. They’re the perfect side for any meal!

The post Air Fryer Potatoes appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Potatoes, or “spuds” as my Irish brother-in-law affectionately calls them, are truly a favorite for just about everyone. Potatoes can be cooked 1,000 ways and they always steal the show! These air fryer potatoes are proof of that. Soft on the inside and crispy on the outside, they’re like mini baked potatoes. They are seriously delicious dipped in ketchup, mayo, or Comeback Sauce. This air fryer potato recipe is great to use with whatever potatoes you have on hand, making it the perfect recipe for fridge clean out day.

air fryer potatoes in a bowl with ketchup.

Why Make Potatoes in the Air Fryer?

Listen, we love roasted potatoes. They’re simple and delicious. But sometimes you need potatoes right now, and roasting just isn’t quick enough. Using an air fryer, these potatoes are roasted to perfection in less than half the time. So, the next time you have a potato emergency, this air fryer potato recipe is here for you. You can thank us later!

Ingredients for Air Fryer Potatoes

Here’s what you’ll need to make air fryer potatoes:

  • Potatoes: You can use any variety of mini potatoes. We found some tri-color potatoes on sale, so we used those!
  • Oil: Helps keep the potatoes moist as they cook and helps them get nice and crispy on the outside. We used olive oil, but you could also use vegetable or canola oil.
  • Spices: A combination of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper creates a smoky and savory flavor and the paprika adds a pop of color.
  • Fresh Parsley: Adds a little bit of greenery and freshness.

Should I Soak the Potatoes?

We did not do this, but cutting and soaking potatoes in cold water releases some of the starches and can make the potatoes crispier! Our potatoes were more like tiny bites of the perfect baked potato!

What Else Can I Put On Air Fryer Potatoes?

We love the seasoning mix listed in the recipe below, but the sky is the limit! Here are some other ways you can season your air fryer potatoes:

What To Serve With Air Fryer Potatoes

These air fryer potatoes are a great side dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They go great with dishes like Breakfast Frittatas, Air Fryer Bacon, Homemade Meatloaf, or Baked Chicken Drumsticks.

Or, if you want to just add some dip and serve them as a snack, try dipping them in Comeback Sauce, Lemon Dill Tahini Dressing, Chimichurri Sauce, or Homemade Ranch Dressing.

seasoned potatoes in an air fryer basket with herbs.
fork dipping an air fryer potato into ketchup.
Print

Air Fryer Potatoes

Air fryer potatoes are soft on the inside, crispy on the outside, and made for dipping. They're the perfect side for any meal!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Total Cost $3.60 recipe / $0.90 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 106kcal
Author Jess – Budget Bytes

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 4 minutes. Wash and quarter the baby potatoes.
  • Add the potatoes to a large bowl. Toss the potatoes with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
  • Cook for 15 minutes in the air fryer, until golden brown with crispy edges, stopping halfway through to shake.
  • Garnish with minced parsley and additional salt and pepper, if needed.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 106kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 17mg | Fiber: 3g
seasoned potatoes in a bowl with herbs.

how to make Air Fryer Potatoes – step by step photos

cutting tricolored potatoes on a bamboo cutting board.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 4 minutes. Quarter 1 lb. of baby potatoes.

seasoned potato wedges in a white bowl.

Add the potatoes to a large bowl. Toss the quartered baby potatoes with 1/2 Tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

seasoned potatoes in an air fryer basket.

Cook for 15 minutes in the air fryer, until golden brown with crispy edges, stopping halfway through to shake. Garnish with 1 tsp minced fresh parsley and additional salt and pepper, if needed.

fork dipping an air fryer potato into ketchup.

These air fryer potatoes are the ultimate crispy side dish!

More Air Fryer Recipes

The post Air Fryer Potatoes appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Chorizo Stuffed Bell Peppers

These Chorizo Stuffed Bell Peppers are packed with southwest flavor, perfectly portioned for meal prep, and freezer-friendly!

The post Chorizo Stuffed Bell Peppers appeared first on Budget Bytes.

We’re in love with stuffed bell peppers here at the Budget Bytes kitchen, so I decided to make a new variation just so I could have an excuse to eat stuffed bell peppers again. These Chorizo Stuffed Bell Peppers are full of super flavorful Mexican chorizo, hearty rice, and a rich sauce, then topped with melty mozzarella cheese. They’re SO filling, perfectly portioned for meal prep or freezer cooking, and quite flexible if you want to change up the ingredients to make them even more budget-friendly! Put this one one your to-cook list because I know you’re going to love them!

Overhead view of chorizo stuffed bell peppers in a baking dish on a yellow background.

Ingredients for Chorizo Stuffed Bell Peppers

These stuffed bell peppers are packed with flavorful herbs and spices and a rich tomato-y sauce so that every bite is deee-licious. Here are the ingredients for chorizo stuffed bell peppers:

  • Bell Peppers: You’ll need three bell peppers to make six servings for this recipe. We used a mix of colors to make it more festive, but you can use any color pepper that fits your budget.
  • Mexican Chorizo: Mexican chorizo is a fresh (not cured) sausage that is packed with spices. You can usually either buy this loose or in links. If you buy them in links, simply squeeze the meat out of the casing into the skillet. I like Johnsonville brand, but many larger grocery stores also make their own generic version.
  • Garlic & Onion: A little fresh onion and garlic add flavor and texture to the bell pepper stuffing.
  • Rice: Long grain white rice bulks up this meal to make it filling while keeping the cost low. We cook the rice right in the pot with the chorizo, spices, and broth for maximum flavor.
  • Chicken Broth: The rice is cooked in chicken broth to ensure that every bite is super flavorful. We use Better Than Bouillon to make our broth because it’s budget-friendly and has great flavor.
  • Tomato Paste: Tomato paste is added to the broth to help create an enchilada sauce-like flavor in the rice mixture.
  • Diced Green Chiles: Green chiles add even more flavor, color, and texture to the filling. If you prefer a milder stuffed pepper, you can leave out the green chiles or look for a mild green chile.
  • Spices: We packed this bell pepper stuffing with even more spices including chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt.
  • Mozzarella: The stuffed bell peppers are topped with mozzarella cheese for a rich finish, but you can substitute with a different type of cheese if preferred, like Monterey jack, pepper jack, cheddar, or a Mexican blend.
  • Green Onion: A few sliced green onions sprinkled over top of the stuffed bell peppers add a fresh finish, but are entirely optional!

What Else Can I Add?

This recipe is pretty flexible, so if you want to change it up or make it more budget-friendly, here are some other ingredients you can add:

  • Beans: Try swapping half of the chorizo with a can of black beans or pinto beans for more fiber and less cost.
  • Diced Tomatoes: If you want more color and texture in your bell pepper filling, try adding a drained can of petite diced tomatoes, or diced tomatoes with chiles (Rotel).
  • Sweet Potato: Chorizo and sweet potato are a perfect flavor pair. Replace half of the chorizo with one small finely diced sweet potato for a spicy-sweet flavor profile (add it with the rice so it can simmer and soften with the rice).

Mexican Chorizo vs. Spanish Chorizo

It’s really important to use the correct type of chorizo for this recipe. You’ll need Mexican chorizo, which is a fresh (uncooked & uncured) sausage. You’ll find Mexican chorizo in the fresh meat department, usually near bratwurst and other fresh sausages. Spanish chorizo is a cured, sliceable sausage that you’ll usually find near cheese, pepperoni, or other charcuterie-type foods.

What to Serve with Chorizo Stuffed Bell Peppers

These southwest-inspired peppers are really filling on their own, but if you want to serve something on the side they pair really well with Cumin Lime Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Cowboy Caviar, Sweet Potato Cornbread, or Warm Corn and Avocado Salad.

How To Store Leftovers

I love making stuffed bell peppers for meal prep, so this is how I store and reheat them. The cooked bell peppers can be stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. I like to reheat them quickly in the microwave (about 2 minutes each).

Or, once chilled in the refrigerator, you can transfer them to the freezer. I suggest packaging them individually in a freezer-safe, air-tight container, so you can reheat one at a time as needed. Frozen stuffed bell peppers can be thawed in the refrigerator overnight and then reheated the next day in the microwave, or thawed straight from the freezer in the microwave using the defrost function, then heated through on full power.

Side view of a fork lifting some stuffing out of the bell pepper with the cheese pulling.
Overhead view of chorizo stuffed bell peppers in a round baking dish.
Print

Chorizo Stuffed Bell Peppers

These Chorizo Stuffed Bell Peppers are packed with southwest flavor, perfectly portioned for meal prep, and freezer-friendly!
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Amercian, Mexican
Total Cost $12.91 recipe / $2.15 serving
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 380kcal
Author Beth – Budget Bytes

Ingredients

  • 3 bell peppers $4.07
  • 1 lb. Mexican chorizo $4.99
  • 1 yellow onion $0.37
  • 2 cloves garlic $0.16
  • 1 4oz. can diced green chiles $0.99
  • 2 Tbsp tomato paste $0.20
  • 2 tsp chili powder $0.20
  • 1/2 tsp cumin $0.05
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder $0.05
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper $0.02
  • 1/4 tsp salt $0.02
  • 1/2 cup long grain white rice (uncooked) $0.13
  • 1 cup chicken broth $0.19
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella $1.25

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Cut each bell pepper in half so there is a top and bottom portion, then remove the seeds and ribs. You can either carefully cut the stem out of the center of the top half, or eat around it later. Place the halved bell peppers in a baking dish, cut sides up. Par-bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
  • Add the chorizo to a large deep skillet and cook over medium heat until browned. While the chorizo is cooking, dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add the onion and garlic to the chorizo and continue to cook until the onions are softened.
  • Add the diced green chiles, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt to the skillet and stir until combined.
  • Add the uncooked rice and chicken broth to the skillet and stir until combined again. Place a lid on the skillet, turn the heat up to medium-high, and allow the broth to come up to a boil.
  • As soon as the broth begins to boil, turn the heat down to low and let the rice simmer over, low without lifting the lid or stirring, for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, turn off the heat and let it rest for five more minutes.
  • Finally, remove the lid and gently stir the rice and chorizo mixture. All of the broth should be absorbed and the rice tender.
  • Divide the rice and chorizo mixture between the six bell pepper halves, then top with shredded cheese. Cover the baking dish and return it to the 350ºF oven and bake for 20 minutes more. Finally, top with sliced green onions and serve!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pepper | Calories: 380kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 24g | Sodium: 1032mg | Fiber: 3g
Overhead view of two stuffed bell peppers on a plate with a fork digging into one.

How to Make Chorizo Stuffed Bell Peppers – Step by Step Photos

Prepped bell peppers in a baking dish.

Begin by preheating the oven to 350ºF. Cut three bell peppers in half to create a top and bottom piece for each pepper. Scoop out the seeds and ribs. You can either cut out the stem from the top half of the peppers, or eat around them later. Place the halved peppers in a baking dish and par-bake them for 15 minutes in the fully preheated 350ºF oven.

Cooked chorizo and onion in a skillet.

Meanwhile, cook 1 lb. of Mexican chorizo in a large deep skillet over medium heat until browned. The chorizo has plenty of fat, so you likely won’t need to add any additional to the skillet. Dice one yellow onion and mince 2 cloves of garlic. Add the onion and garlic to the skillet with the chorizo, and continue to cook until the onions are softened.

Green chiles, tomato paste, and spices added to the skillet.

Add one 4oz. can of diced green chiles, 2 Tbsp tomato paste, 2 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp cumin, ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp cayenne pepper, and ¼ tsp salt to the meat and onions. Stir to combine.

Rice added to the skillet, broth being poured in the side.

Add ½ cup of uncooked long grain white rice and 1 cup of chicken broth to the skillet. Stir well to combine, then place a lid on top, and turn the heat up to medium-high. When the broth reaches a full boil, turn the heat down to low and allow it to continue to simmer over low (without removing the lid or stirring) for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, turn the heat off and let it rest for 5 more minutes.

Cooked chorizo and rice in the skillet being scooped to the side with a spoon.

After simmering for 20 minutes the broth should be absorbed and the rice should be tender. Gently stir the rice and chorizo mixture with a spoon.

Filled bell peppers in a baking dish being topped with shredded cheese.

Divide the rice and chorizo mixture between the six par-baked bell pepper halves, then top with shredded mozzarella cheese (about 1 cup). Cover the dish and bake in the 350ºF oven for 20 minutes.

Finished stuffed bell peppers topped with sliced green onion.

Top the chorizo stuffed bell peppers with sliced green onions and serve!

Close up side view of a fork lifting some of the filling out of a stuffed bell pepper.

Enjoy the cheesy chorizo-y goodness!!

More Chorizo Recipes

The post Chorizo Stuffed Bell Peppers appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Easy Egg Tacos

You won’t believe the flavor in these fast and easy egg tacos! The vegetarian “taco meat” filling works for any…

You won’t believe the flavor in these fast and easy egg tacos! The vegetarian “taco meat” filling works for any meal of the day.

Egg tacos

Looking for a 5-minute breakfast idea, an easy lunch, or a fast and easy dinner? Well, here’s a recipe that’s all three at once. (Audible gasp.) Meet these amazing egg tacos! This is one of our favorite kitchen tricks of all time. We created it as a dare from my sister to create a dinner recipe that can be made in 5 minutes. Sounds impossible, but it works!

Did you know that eggs can taste like taco meat? Yes, somehow the spiced scrambled eggs filling channels the flavor of taco meat. Alex and I have used this trick over and over to get fast dinners on the table, and our kids love it! It works for easy breakfasts or lunch ideas, too. This one’s in our arsenal of recipes every cook should know.

The key ingredients for egg tacos

Wait a minute: egg tacos that taste like they have meat? Yes, this trick is like kitchen magic. These scrambled eggs are perfectly seasoned and they take only 5 minutes to make. Here are the ingredients you need for the filling:

  • Eggs: Buy organic eggs if you can, and local eggs if possible.
  • Chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, and salt: You’ll notice it’s a heavy amount of seasoning: ½ tablespoon each for the chili powder, garlic powder and cumin. But trust us: this is what brings the meaty flavor!
  • Tortillas: Flour tortillas are our preference, but as a gluten free recipe this works with corn tortillas or grain free tortillas.
  • Toppings: We like pico de gallo, red onion, and cilantro, but you can use any toppings you like.
Egg Tacos Ingredients

How to cook the eggs: a few tips!

The key to these egg tacos is the special method for cooking the eggs. Many people over cook scrambled eggs, and break them into too small of pieces. This method makes luscious folds of eggs, so the filling texture holds up in the tacos. Here’s what to know:

  • Cook over medium low heat. Don’t have the heat too high: you’ll want it just above low heat.
  • Scrape with a spatula as the eggs solidify, for 3 to 4 minutes. They’ll start to form together into a meat-like texture.
  • Don’t stir too much! You don’t want tiny bits of eggs, you’ll want it to hold together into a cohesive texture.

Toppings for egg tacos

Once you’ve cooked the eggs (in just 5 minutes!), all you have to do is top the tacos! For this egg tacos recipe, we tried to keep it as simple as possible. But if you have more time, the sky’s the limit! Here’s what we added to these tacos, then a few more ideas to get your wheels turning:

  • Salsa fresca or pico de gallo: We used store-bought to keep it quick, but you can also use homemade.
  • Jarred salsa: Or go traditional with a jar of red salsa or salsa verde.
  • Red onion: Use thinly sliced fresh onion (rinse and drain it a few times to remove the bite, if you like!). Pickled red onion adds a tangy flair.
  • Cilantro: Quickly tear off a few leaves for a great garnish
  • Lettuce: Crunchy romaine lettuce adds another nice texture
  • Sour cream: Use standard or dairy free sour cream.
  • Jalapeno: Add a kick! Try thin sliced fresh or pickled jalapenos.
  • Crema or sauce: Try Cilantro Lime Crema, Cilantro Lime Sauce or Creamy Cilantro Sauce.
Egg tacos recipe

Tip: how to warm tortillas

You absolutely must warm your tortillas for egg tacos: it gives them just the right supple texture. No one likes a tough, cold tortilla! While you’re at it, place them in a tortilla warmer to keep them toasty while you’re eating (here’s the tortilla warmer we use). Here are two ways for how to warm tortillas:

  • Stovetop: Char the tortillas by placing them on an open gas flame on medium for a few seconds per side, flipping with tongs, until they are slightly blackened and warm (this also infuses a charred flavor).
  • Oven: Wrap a few tortillas (in packets of no more than 5) in aluminum foil and place on the oven grates to 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes.

Sides to serve with egg tacos

Want to make these egg tacos into a full-blown meal? They work as a fast breakfast, healthy lunch or easy dinner. If we only have 5 minutes, we just whip these up and scarf them down. But if we have a few extra minutes, here are some sides we like to pair:

Black beans recipeEasy Black BeansHomemade refried beansRefried BeansMexican saladMexican Chopped SaladBean dip5 Minute Bean DipHomemade corn tortilla chipsTortilla Chips

More egg recipes

These egg tacos are one of our favorite tricks that we make again and again! Egg recipes are always saving us for quick weeknight meals. Here are some of our other ways to make eggs into a meal:

Dietary notes

This egg tacos recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free.

Print
Egg tacos

Easy Egg Tacos (5 Minutes!)

★★★★★

5 from 1 review
  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 2 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings (4 tacos)
Print Recipe

Description

You won’t believe the flavor in these fast and easy egg tacos! The vegetarian “taco meat” filling works for any meal of the day.

Ingredients

  • 4 eggs
  • ½ tablespoon chili powder
  • ½ tablespoon garlic powder
  • ½ tablespoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 taco-sized flour tortillas or corn tortillas
  • Pico de gallo or salsa fresca
  • 1 handful thinly sliced red onion
  • Torn cilantro leaves
  • Hot sauce

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the 4 eggs. Add the chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, and kosher salt, and whisk until combined.
  2. In a skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the eggs and cook over medium low heat, scraping as the eggs solidify, about 3 to 4 minutes total. As you scrape, they’ll start to form together into a meat-like texture. Don’t scrape too much or you’ll make too small of pieces: just enough for that it comes together! 
  3. If time, warm and char the tortillas by placing them on an open gas flame on medium for a few seconds per side, flipping with tongs, until they are slightly blackened and warm. (See How to Warm Tortillas.)
  4. Top with salsa fresca (drain extra liquid before serving), thin sliced red onions, torn cilantro leaves, and hot sauce.
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Mexican Inspired
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Egg tacos

Chicken Parmesan

Chicken parmesan is the ultimate comfort food– crispy, saucy chicken topped with melty cheese! So easy to make and guaranteed to be a hit.

The post Chicken Parmesan appeared first on Budget Bytes.

When I think of comfort food, I always think of chicken parmesan. It’s everything I want in a cozy meal– crispy, saucy chicken topped with melty cheese! This one-pan chicken parmesan recipe is so easy to make and guaranteed to be a hit. Served over spaghetti and topped with a healthy dose of parmesan cheese, it’s a recipe I come back to time and time again.

overhead view of 4 fried chicken breasts topped with marinara sauce, melted cheese, and parsley in a stainless skillet.

What Is Chicken Parmesan?

You’ll probably recognize Chicken Parmesan as a dish from every American-Italian restaurant menu. It is a dish that consists of breaded chicken breast covered in tomato sauce and mozzarella, parmesan, or even provolone cheese.

Ingredients Needed

Here’s what you’ll need to make chicken parmesan:

  • Chicken Breasts: You’ll need 2 large chicken breasts for this recipe because each chicken breast will be sliced into 2 cutlets for 4 servings.
  • Breadcrumbs: We’re using plain breadcrumbs so we can season them to our liking and create a crispy breading on the chicken.
  • Grated Parmesan: You can use pre-grated or grate your own parmesan.
  • Seasonings: Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper season the chicken as well as the bread crumbs.
  • Egg: Egg helps adhere the breading to the chicken.
  • All-Purpose Flour: A bit of flour helps to thicken the sauce.
  • Cooking Oil: Any neutral oil that you like to cook with is fine.
  • Marinara Sauce: We like using our Homemade Marinara Sauce! But your favorite jarred sauce would work just fine.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: We used pre-shredded, but you’re welcome to shred your own! Low moisture, whole-milk mozzarella will work best here, as fresh mozzarella has a bit too much moisture. You can even use provolone cheese if you like.
  • Fresh Parsley: Totally optional, but it does add a lovely freshness at the end!

What To Serve With Chicken Parmesan

We recommend serving Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti marinara and a simple mixed greens salad. You can use store bought or our Homemade Marinara! You could also serve with Lemon Parsley Pasta and Homemade Garlic Bread.

Recipe Tips and Notes

  • Most chicken parmesan recipes will have you crisp up the chicken in a pan and then transfer it to the oven to finish cooking and melt the cheese. In this recipe, everything is done in the skillet to save time and clean up!
  • Make sure your pan is big enough to accommodate all of the chicken pieces (we used a 12-inch skillet) and you’ll need a lid that will fit the pan in order to melt the cheese and warm the marinara.
  • If you don’t have a lid or something to tent the pan with (tin foil should work as well!) You can transfer to a baking sheet lined with a rack and bake at 375°F for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted.
  • You’re welcome to warm up your marinara sauce before adding it to the chicken, but I find that it warms up enough while the cheese is melting.
overhead view of a serving of chicken parmesan over spaghetti with a side salad on a white plate.
overhead view of 4 fried chicken breasts topped with marinara sauce, melted cheese, and parsley in a stainless skillet.
Print

Chicken Parmesan

Chicken parmesan is the ultimate comfort food– crispy, saucy chicken topped with melty cheese! So easy to make and guaranteed to be a hit.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Total Cost $10.61 recipe / $2.65 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 570kcal
Author Paige – Budget Bytes

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 1.5 lbs) $6.75
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs $0.60
  • 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese $0.67
  • 1 tsp garlic powder $0.10
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning $0.10
  • 1 tsp salt $0.05
  • Freshly cracked pepper $0.02
  • 1 egg $0.17
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour $0.10
  • 1/4 cup cooking oil $0.15
  • 1/2 cup marinara sauce $0.35
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella $1.25
  • 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley, optional $0.30

Instructions

  • Use a sharp knife to carefully filet the chicken breasts lengthwise into two cutlets, making 4 cutlets total. You can also use pre-cut chicken cutlets.
  • Lightly season both sides of the chicken with a pinch of salt and pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
  • In a wide shallow bowl or container, combine the bread crumbs, parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and some freshly cracked pepper.
  • In a separate wide shallow bowl or container, whisk the egg until smooth.
  • In a third shallow bowl, add the flour.
  • Dredge each piece of chicken into the flour, dusting off any excess. Then, dip in the egg mixture, making sure to fully coat the chicken and dripping off any excess. Finally, dip the chicken in the seasoned bread crumbs, again coating well on both sides.
  • Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the skillet and oil are very hot, add the chicken and cook on the first side until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
  • Flip the chicken and turn the heat down to medium. Top each cutlet with 2 tbsp of marinara sauce and ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese. Place a lid on the skillet to allow the cheese to fully melt, the marinara sauce to warm up, and the chicken to cook all the way through, about 5-7 more minutes.
  • Top the chicken with fresh chopped parsley (optional) and serve with spaghetti and additional marinara.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 570kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 29g | Sodium: 1402mg | Fiber: 2g
close up overhead view of a serving of chicken parmesan over spaghetti with a side salad on a white plate.

how to make Chicken Parmesan – step by step photos

4 seasoned chicken breasts on an orange cutting board.

Use a sharp knife to carefully filet 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts lengthwise into two cutlets, making 4 cutlets total. You can also use pre-cut chicken cutlets. Lightly season both sides of the chicken with a pinch of salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.

an egg, flour, and seasoned breadcrumbs in separate white bowls.

In a wide shallow bowl or container, combine 1 cup breadcrumbs, 1/3 cup grated parmesan, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 tsp salt, and some freshly cracked pepper. In a separate wide shallow bowl or container, whisk 1 egg until smooth. In a third shallow bowl, add 1/2 cup all-purpose flour.

dredging a chicken breast through egg, flour, and breadcrumbs in separate bowls.

Dredge each piece of chicken into the flour, dusting off any excess. Then, dip in the egg mixture, making sure to fully coat the chicken and dripping off any excess. Finally, dip the chicken in the seasoned bread crumbs, again coating well on both sides.

4 fried chicken breasts in a stainless skillet.

Heat 1/4 cup cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the skillet and oil are very hot, add the chicken and cook on the first side until golden brown, about 5 minutes.

4 fried chicken breasts topped with marinara sauce and shredded cheese in a stainless skillet.

Flip the chicken and turn the heat down to medium. Top each cutlet with 2 tbsp of marinara sauce and 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese. Place a lid on the skillet to allow the cheese to fully melt, the marinara sauce to warm up, and the chicken to cook all the way through, about 5-7 more minutes.

parsley topped fried chicken breasts with marinara sauce and melted cheese in a stainless skillet.

Top the chicken with 1 Tbsp fresh chopped parsley (optional) and serve with spaghetti and additional marinara.

side view of a sliced serving of chicken parmesan on a bed of spaghetti with a side salad.

This chicken parmesan is the ultimate comfort meal!

More Comfort Food Recipes

The post Chicken Parmesan appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Perfect Sauteed Shrimp

This sauteed shrimp recipe comes out juicy and seasoned to perfection in less than 10 minutes! Here are the secrets…

This sauteed shrimp recipe comes out juicy and seasoned to perfection in less than 10 minutes! Here are the secrets to how to saute shrimp.

Sauteed shrimp in pan.

Here’s a recipe that knocks us off our feet every time. This really is the perfect sauteed shrimp! This basic kitchen skill is something that many home cooks have yet to master. It’s easy once you know a few tricks on how long to cook shrimp and how to season it.

What we love about this recipe: Turns out, it tastes even better than good: it’s truly great! The tender, juicy savory flavor is so remarkable, you won’t be able to stop taking bites. We can’t, and it’s always a hit with our kids. Here’s our secret seasoning blend and exactly how to make what we think is the best sauteed shrimp.

What type of shrimp to buy for sauteed shrimp?

There are lots of options for shrimp at the store, which can be overwhelming (frozen, fresh, tail on, shell on, size, and more). Here’s what to look at for this sauteed shrimp recipe:

  • Find medium or large shrimp. Medium shrimp may be labeled 41 to 50 count, and large is labeled as 31 to 40 count, indicating how many shrimp per pound.
  • Use tail on or peeled. The best shrimp for this recipe is tail on or peeled. Tail on looks nice, but you do have to pull them off when eating. If you accidentally buy shell on shrimp, don’t worry: you can remove the shell with your fingers before cooking, leaving the tail on.
  • Fresh or frozen. Both are essentially the same freshness since most shrimp are immediately flash frozen after they are caught. Just make sure to thaw the shrimp in advance.
  • Wild caught. Fish that is wild caught in your country is usually a sustainable choice. There are also quality options in well-regulated farms; see Seafood Watch Consumer Guide.

How to sauté shrimp: step by step

Shrimp is so easy to cook on the stove, you’ll find yourself whipping up sauteed shrimp on the regular! Here are the basic steps for how to sauté shrimp:

Shrimp in bowl

Step 1: Toss the shrimp with seasonings in a bowl. Use our secret seasoning blend (below), or you can simply use salt and pepper. Do this first so the shrimp are evenly coated in spices.

Sauteed Shrimp Step 2

Step 2: Heat butter or olive oil in an aluminum or cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Add the shrimp.

Sauteed Shrimp Step 3

Step 3: Cook 1 to 2 minutes per side until the shrimp are just opaque and cooked through: not longer. The biggest mistake people make with shrimp is overcooking it, which makes it tough. Cook it just enough so it’s tender and juicy.

💡Pro tip: The best skillet for sauteing is aluminum, copper, or cast iron, which gets the best sear and caramelization on the outside of the shrimp. Non-stick works too: there will be less browning, but it will still taste delicious.

Best seasoning for shrimp

The shrimp seasoning in this recipe is simple but ultra effective. We based the recipe on our Magic Seafood Seasoning, which we’ve been using for years and always gets great reviews. People take one bite and say, “What’s in this?” For this sauteed shrimp, we used a pared down version of that blend so you only need 4 spices. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Smoked paprika
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Cumin
Sauteed shrimp recipe

Other seasoning variations

Of course, the sky’s the limit when it comes to sauteed shrimp! You don’t have to make our perfect seasoning blend: though of course we hope you do! This shrimp comes out fantastically with just a little S&P. Or, you can mix it up with other sauces and seasonings. Here are a few other shrimp seasoning ideas:

How to saute shrimp

How to thaw shrimp

Frozen shrimp is so convenient: you can pull it out of the freezer at moment’s notice for a quick meal! The only problem is…it’s easiest if you remember the day before. But if not: we’ve got a quick fix for you! Here’s the best way to thaw shrimp for this sauteed shrimp recipe:

  • Day before: Place the frozen shrimp in the refrigerator overnight.
  • Day of: Place the frozen shrimp in a large bowl with very cold water. Stir the bowl every 5 minutes to break up clumps of shrimp that freeze together. The shrimp should defrost in about 15 minutes. Make sure to pat it dry before using!

Make it a meal!

Sauteed shrimp is ready in 10 minutes, and you only need a side to make it a meal! Here are a few quick healthy side dish recipes to make it into a tasty, filling easy dinner:

Dietary notes

This sauteed shrimp recipe is pescatarian, gluten-free and dairy free (with olive oil).

Fresh or frozen shrimp?

Both work! Buy fresh if you can, but frozen is just as delicious. If using frozen, thaw the shrimp completely and pat dry before cooking for even browning.

What kind of pan should I use?

A large skillet or sauté pan with a heavy bottom is ideal for even heat distribution. Aluminum, copper, or cast iron are excellent choices.

What’s the secret to perfectly seared shrimp?

Medium high heat is key! Get your pan nice and hot with a drizzle of oil before adding the shrimp. Don’t overcrowd the pan – cook the shrimp in batches to avoid them steaming instead of searing.

How long does it take to cook shrimp?

Shrimp cook very quickly! Depending on the size, they typically only need 1 to 2 minutes per side, until they turn opaque and pink. Overcooked shrimp become rubbery, so watch them closely.

Print
Sauteed shrimp

Perfect Sauteed Shrimp (Really!)

★★★★★

4.1 from 12 reviews
  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4
Print Recipe

Description

This sauteed shrimp recipe comes out juicy and seasoned to perfection in less than 10 minutes! Here are the secrets to how to saute shrimp.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds medium shrimp, deveined (tail on or peeled)
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika (or substitute standard paprika)
  • ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¾ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¾ teaspoon cumin
  • 3 tablespoons butter or olive oil
  • 3 lemon wedges
  • Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Thaw the shrimp, if frozen. Pat the shrimp dry. In a medium bowl, mix the shrimp with the salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin.
  2. In a large skillet, heat the butter on medium high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until just opaque and cooked through, turning them with tongs.
  3. Spritz with juice of the lemon wedges and serve immediately.
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Sauteed
  • Cuisine: Seafood
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Keywords: Sauteed shrimp, sauteed shrimp recipe, how to saute shrimp

More great shrimp recipes

Shrimp is one of our favorite ways to a fast and healthy meal! Here are a few more great shrimp recipes we make on the regular:

Buffalo Chicken Pasta

This Buffalo Chicken Pasta recipe is the perfect combination of creamy, tangy, and spicy flavors. It’s a must-try for spicy food lovers.

The post Buffalo Chicken Pasta appeared first on Budget Bytes.

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that most dips can also double as an amazing pasta sauce, and this Buffalo Chicken Pasta is a great example. I took all of the creamy, tangy, spicy goodness of buffalo chicken dip and made it into a deliciously cheesy one-pot pasta. So gather around all of my spicy food friends, you’re going to want to make this easy, creamy, and addictive Buffalo Chicken Pasta ASAP!

Close up overhead view of a bowl full of buffalo chicken pasta with a fork.

Ingredients for Buffalo Chicken Pasta

This cheesy buffalo chicken pasta starts with all of the same ingredients as buffalo chicken dip, then we add a few more to make it a little saucier and give the dish just a touch more flavor and texture. Here’s what you’ll need to make buffalo chicken pasta:

  • Chicken Breast: We use one boneless, skinless chicken breast for this recipe and stretch it across four servings to keep things budget-friendly. You can use diced boneless, skinless chicken thighs for an even less expensive option. Or, you can add leftover chopped or shredded cooked rotisserie chicken to the pasta at the end. If using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, just add the remaining spices to the sauce.
  • Seasoning: We seasoned the chicken breast with garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt for extra flavor.
  • Butter: Butter balances the heat and acidity of the hot sauce and helps give this dish that classic buffalo sauce flavor.
  • Chicken Broth: In true one-pot pasta style, the pasta is cooked in chicken broth for maximum flavor.
  • Pasta: We used a classic penne pasta for this dish, but you could also use bowtie, rotini, or any short pasta shape.
  • Cheese: A combination of cream cheese and Monterey jack cheese keeps the sauce extra creamy and smooth without the need for a flour and butter roux.
  • Hot Sauce: Franks Red Hot Sauce is the classic sauce used for any “Buffalo” flavored dish, but any vinegar-based cayenne hot sauce will also be delicious.
  • Worcestershire sauce: Worcestershire adds just the right of umami and sweetness to the buffalo sauce, preventing it from having a flat flavor.
  • Petite Diced Tomatoes: To give this pasta more texture and flavor, we added a can of petite diced tomatoes.
  • Green Onion: We topped this pasta with sliced green onion for a little dose of savory freshness at the end.

What Else Can I Add?

If you have a little extra wiggle room in your budget, you can add even more goodies to this buffalo chicken pasta to make it ✨extra✨. Try topping the pasta with crumbled blue cheese, or stirring in some bacon crumbles. If you love a crunchy topping, try crushing some butter crackers or tortilla chips and sprinkling them on top of the pasta just before serving. And while it is totally unconventional, I think some small broccoli florets would be awesome in this, kind of like broccoli mac and cheese!

What to Serve with Buffalo Chicken Pasta

This buffalo chicken pasta is pretty rich, so you’re going to want something light and refreshing to serve on the side. You can opt for a super Simple Side Salad, a classic Caesar Salad, or maybe a simple Cucumber Tomato Salad. Or just go with the theme and serve up some carrot and celery sticks with blue cheese dressing for dipping!

Tips for Making One Pot Pasta

One-pot pasta can be tricky for some because the pasta is cooked in a much smaller amount of liquid than traditional pasta cooking methods. Here are a few tips to make sure your one-pot pasta cooks evenly and to the right texture:

  • Use heavy, thick-bottomed cookware to help the ingredients heat evenly.
  • Use a burner that is close in diameter to the bottom of your pot to ensure even heating.
  • The broth does not need to fully cover the pasta for it to cook, so resist the urge to add more water or broth in the beginning. Steam will help the pasta above the water line to cook, and the pasta will be stirred to ensure it all has contact with the liquid.
  • Make sure the liquid is simmering the whole time the pasta is cooking. If the heat is too low, or the liquid is only simmering in the center of the pot, the pasta will cook unevenly and get gummy.
  • Stir the pot occasionally to prevent sticking and help everything cook evenly.
  • Use your judgment. If the pasta looks close to being cooked through, but there is too much liquid left in the skillet, let it finish simmering with the lid off. If the liquid is gone but your pasta is still not tender, add a splash of more water or broth and continue to simmer until tender.
Overhead view of a pan full of buffalo chicken pasta with a striped napkin on the side.
Overhead view of a bowl full of buffalo chicken pasta.
Print

Buffalo Chicken Pasta

This Buffalo Chicken Pasta recipe is the perfect combination of creamy, tangy, and spicy flavors. It's a must-try for spicy food lovers.
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Total Cost $8.13 recipe / $2.03 serving
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 545kcal
Author Beth – Budget Bytes

Ingredients

  • 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast (about ⅔ lb.) $3.33
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder $0.05
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder $0.05
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper $0.05
  • 1/4 tsp salt $0.02
  • 1 Tbsp cooking oil $0.04
  • 2 Tbsp butter $0.26
  • 8 oz. penne pasta $0.67
  • 1 15oz. can petite diced tomatoes $1.00
  • 1.5 cups chicken broth $0.28
  • 4 oz. cream cheese $1.10
  • 1/4 cup hot sauce $0.52
  • 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce $0.02
  • 1/2 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese $0.58
  • 2 green onions, sliced (optional) $0.16

Instructions

  • Cut the chicken into ½-¾ inch pieces. Combine the garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt, then sprinkle it over the chicken pieces. Toss the chicken in the spices until everything is well coated.
  • Heat the cooking oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Once hot, add the chicken and allow tge chicken to brown on all sides. The chicken does not need to be cooked through at this point.
  • Add the uncooked pasta, canned diced tomatoes (with the liquid), and the chicken broth to the skillet with the chicken. Stir to dissolve all of the browned bits off the bottom of the skillet.
  • Place a lid on the pot and allow the broth to come up to a strong simmer. The broth will not fully cover the pasta, but that is okay. Once the broth is simmering, briefly stir the pasta, replace the lid, then turn the heat down to medium-low.
  • Allow the pasta to simmer in the broth for 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, stirring once or twice throughout, and always replacing the lid after stirring.
  • Once the pasta is tender and only a small amount of thickened liquid remains in the skillet, cut the cream cheese into chunks and add it to the past along with the butter, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir and cook over medium-low heat until the cream cheese has fully melted into the pasta.
  • Add the shredded Monterey jack cheese and stir until melted into the sauce. Top with sliced green onions, then serve hot.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cups | Calories: 545kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 26g | Sodium: 1193mg | Fiber: 2g

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pasta – Step by Step Photos

diced chicken breast with seasoning being sprinkled on top.

Dice one boneless, skinless chicken breast (about ⅔ lb.) into small ½-¾ inch pieces. Combine ½ tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, ½ tsp cayenne pepper, and ¼ tsp salt, then sprinkle it over the chicken. Toss the chicken until it is evenly coated in spices.

Browned chicken pieces in a skillet.

Heat 1 Tbsp of cooking oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high until very hot. Once hot, add the chicken and allow it to brown on all sides. The chicken does not need to cook through here, just let it brown on the outside.

Tomatoes, pasta, and broth added to the skillet.

Add 8 oz of uncooked pasta, one 15oz. can of petite diced tomatoes (with the liquid), and 1.5 cups of chicken broth to the skillet with the chicken.

Uncooked pasta in the skillet with the chicken and tomatoes.

Stir everything well, making sure to dissolve all the browned bits off the bottom of the skillet. The broth will not fully cover the pasta, but that’s okay. Do not add extra liquid at this point.

Cooked pasta in the skillet, a spatula pulling the pasta to the side to show the thickened sauce.

Place a lid on the pot and allow the broth to come up to a strong simmer. Once simmering, give the pasta a quick stir to loosen it from the bottom, replace the lid, then turn the heat down to medium-low. Let the pasta simmer over medium-low for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and only a small amount of saucy liquid remains.

Cream cheese, hot sauce, butter, and Worcestershire added to the skillet.

Once the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, it’s time to make the buffalo sauce. Add 4oz. of cream cheese (cut into chunks), 2 Tbsp butter, ¼ cup hot sauce, and ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce. Continue to stir and cook over medium-low until the cream cheese is fully melted into the sauce.

Shredded cheese added to the skillet.

Add ½ cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese to the skillet and stir until it has melted into the sauce.

buffalo chicken pasta topped with sliced green onions.

Top the buffalo chicken pasta with sliced green onions and serve hot!

Overhead view of a bowl full of buffalo chicken pasta.

More Buffalo Sauce Recipes

The post Buffalo Chicken Pasta appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Air Fryer Pork Chops

These Air Fryer Pork Chops are the perfect weeknight recipe! They’re deliciously seasoned and ready in just 30 minutes!

The post Air Fryer Pork Chops appeared first on Budget Bytes.

If you’re looking for a simple yet flavorful pork recipe, these Air Fryer Pork Chops are it! Coated in a sweet and savory spice blend and cooked to crispy perfection, this air fryer pork chops recipe is a far cry from the leathery chops you may have experienced in the past. We’re raiding the pantry for this one, utilizing staples that really pack in the flavor for not a lot of added cost. With this easy dinner recipe, you’ll have tender, juicy pork chops in 30 minutes!

partial overhead view of an air fryer pork chop on a white plate with potatoes and green beans.

The spice rub for these air fryer pork chops is the real star of the show. Classic onion and garlic powder combine with smoked paprika for a smokey, savory flavor, while brown sugar adds a balancing sweetness and delightful texture to the crust. A little bit of ground mustard adds pleasant bitter notes and tanginess. This rub is super versatile and also works great on extra firm tofu and chicken!

Ingredients for Air Fryer Pork Chops

Here’s what you’ll need to make Air Fryer Pork Chops:

  • Pork Chops: We were able to fit two boneless center-cut pork chops in our air fryer basket. You’ll want chops that are 1-1 1/2 inches thick to ensure they stay nice and juicy.
  • Seasoning: Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, ground mustard, and dark brown sugar create a smoky, sweet, savory, and tangy spice rub. Make sure to save extra for dusting on top when you flip the chops– this helps them crisp up beautifully.
  • Cooking Oil: We like budget options like canola or vegetable oil, but olive oil will also work.

MORE SEASONING IDEAS

If you want to switch things up, here are some other ways you can season your air fryer pork chops:

Tips For Making Air Fryer Pork Chops

  • Seasoning the chops with the seasoning rub 20-30 minutes before cooking and letting them sit on the counter at room temp will ensure 1. the flavor is as maximized as possible and 2. the outside doesn’t overcook while the inside gets to the proper temperature. Giving your chops a little extra time on the counter before they hit your air fryer ensures that they will have a nice crust on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside!
  • There should be about 1 Tbsp of the seasoning leftover. Save it and sprinkle it over the chops after flipping them. This will help to ensure they stay nice and crispy.
  • Remove your pork chops from the air fryer as soon as they reach 145°F and let them rest for at least 3 minutes before slicing to lock in the juices.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Pork Chops

These air fryer pork chops are so versatile and pair well with just about anything you can imagine. You could make a simple side salad, steamed green beans, or creamy polenta. Or use your air fryer to quickly whip up some air fryer Brussels sprouts!

overhead view of a partially sliced air fryer pork chop on a white plate with potatoes and green beans.
overhead view of a partially sliced air fryer pork chop on a white plate with grits and green beans.
Print

Air Fryer Pork Chops

These Air Fryer Pork Chops are the perfect weeknight recipe! They're deliciously seasoned and ready in just 30 minutes!
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Total Cost ($3.82 recipe / $1.91 serving)
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 373kcal
Author Jess Rice

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, ground mustard, onion powder, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 420ºF for at least 5 minutes. Pat pork chops dry with a paper towel.
  • Drizzle the cooking oil over top of pork chops on cutting board, then add the seasoning mixture. Rub the pork chops until they are well coated in oil and spices. The brown sugar will caramelize in the air fryer and make the texture of the pork chops perfect! Reserve at least 1 Tablespoon of the sugar seasoning mixture to rub on top when you flip half way through!
  • Place the pork chops in the air fryer basket and cook for 7 minutes. Flip, sprinkling reserved seasoning mixture evenly over top and cook for 8 minutes more.
  • Use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature has reached 145ºF, and if not, cook for 1-2 minutes longer.
  • Remove from heat and let the pork chops rest for 3 minutes and then serve with your favorite simple sides!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pork chop | Calories: 373kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 17g | Sodium: 1845mg | Fiber: 1g
three-quarters view of a partially sliced air fryer pork chop on a white plate with grits and green beans.

how to make Air Fryer Pork Chops – step by step photos

spices in a white bowl.

In a small bowl, combine 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp ground mustard, 1/4 tsp onion powder, 4 Tbsp dark brown sugar, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4  tsp pepper. Preheat the air fryer to 420ºF for at least 5 minutes. Pat 2 boneless center-cut pork chops dry with a paper towel.

seasoned raw pork chops on a red cutting board.

Drizzle 1 Tbsp cooking oil over the top of the pork chops on a cutting board, then add the seasoning mixture. Rub the pork chops until they are well coated in oil and spices. The brown sugar will caramelize in the air fryer and make the texture of the pork chops perfect! Reserve at least 1 Tablespoon of the sugar seasoning mixture to rub on top when you flip halfway through!

spooning spices over seasoned pork chops in an air fryer basket.

Place the pork chops in the air fryer basket and cook for 7 minutes. Flip, sprinkling the reserved seasoning mixture evenly over top, and cook for 8 minutes more.

cooked seasoned pork chops in an air fryer basket.

Use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature has reached 145ºF, and if not, cook for 1-2 minutes longer. Remove from heat and let the pork chops rest for 3 minutes and then serve with your favorite simple sides!

partial overhead view of a partially sliced air fryer pork chop on a white plate with grits and green beans.

These juicy, crispy air fryer pork chops are the perfect weeknight meal!

More Air Fryer Recipes

The post Air Fryer Pork Chops appeared first on Budget Bytes.

DIY Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

Spicy, savory, salty, and sweet? Jamaican jerk seasoning has it going on! When a recent craving arose for the bold, balanced flavors of this Caribbean spice mix, we got into the kitchen attempting to replicate its magic with ingredients we had on hand….

DIY Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

Spicy, savory, salty, and sweet? Jamaican jerk seasoning has it going on! When a recent craving arose for the bold, balanced flavors of this Caribbean spice mix, we got into the kitchen attempting to replicate its magic with ingredients we had on hand.

Our inspired version comes together in just 5 minutes with easy-to-find ingredients! It’s so versatile and adds instant flavor to everything from chicken to plantains, veggies, chickpeas, and more.

DIY Jamaican Jerk Seasoning from Minimalist Baker →