Enjoy easy & balanced recipes — ranging from 30-minute weeknight dinners to holiday appetizers and everything in between. My goal is to make sure you can cook a successful and memorable dish every single time.
Your summer cookout shortlist (and a tiny favor)
|
Hi, friend! It's officially cookout and potluck season! I pulled together a few of my recipes that are perfect for it right now — some easy sides, a really good cheesy dip, and a couple of mains for the grill: 🥔 German Potato Salad — warm, tangy, and bacon-y, a nice change from the usual mayo bowl. The one people always ask me about. 🧀 Queso Fundido — the melty, cheesy dip that disappears first at every party. One pan, 30 minutes. 🍜 Tuna Macaroni Salad — creamy, cold, and made for a crowd. Classic potluck. 🍗 Grilled Hot Honey Chicken — sweet, spicy, sticky, and made for grilling season. 🐟 Cajun Salmon — weeknight-fast, restaurant-good, grill or skillet. 🥗 Italian Orzo Pasta Salad — the make-ahead side I bring to every potluck. And here's the small favor: And here's my small favor: if you've made one of these (or any of my recipes!), would you scroll down to the recipe card and leave a comment with a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating? It takes less than two minutes, and it really does help other home cooks find these recipes when they're searching. It means more to me than you know! Thank you for being here — I truly appreciate it! Sara 💛 |
Real Balanced — Sara Nelson
Enjoy easy & balanced recipes — ranging from 30-minute weeknight dinners to holiday appetizers and everything in between. My goal is to make sure you can cook a successful and memorable dish every single time.
This week I'm keeping things contained — dinner happens in one pan or one pot, start to finish. Sheet Pan General Tso's Chicken — All the bold flavors of General Tso's, made with frozen popcorn chicken and roasted veggies on a single sheet pan in 30 minutes. Honey Mustard Pork Chops — One skillet, less than 30 minutes, and the honey mustard sauce thickens right in the pan while the pork finishes cooking. Broccoli Cheddar Ditalini — Creamy cheddar sauce, tender broccoli, and ditalini all...
Sliders, skillet cornbread, loaded tater tots — this is exactly the kind of food I want on the table this weekend. Roast Beef Sliders — Hawaiian rolls layered with deli roast beef, Swiss and cheddar, horseradish mayo, and an everything bagel butter crust. A lot of good going on here. Honey Butter Skillet Cornbread — Skillet cornbread with honey butter, ready in 35 minutes. Loaded Tater Tots — Tater tots, loaded up — a favorite that speaks for itself. Chicken Tater Tot Casserole —...
Some weeks I need dinner to be fast more than anything else. These four are all done in 30 minutes or less, and they are four different proteins, so the week does not taste the same twice. One-Pan Tuscan Garlic Shrimp and Spinach — Twenty-five minutes, and it all happens in one pan. The shrimp cooks first and comes out, then the onion, garlic, grape tomatoes, and spinach go into that same skillet with a little coconut milk before the shrimp goes back in. Crispy Shake and Bake Pork Chops —...