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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.

Baked ravioli being scooped out from casserole dish.
Featured Post

BAKED RAVIOLI with frozen ravioli is the easiest dinner you’ll make this week

This Baked Ravioli with Frozen Ravioli is really a game-changer for busy weeknights. It's reminiscent of lasagna, but with a lot less effort. Using frozen cheese ravioli cuts down on prep time, and layers of marinara sauce and melted cheeses create a great meal that's easy and comes together in 1 hour. This recipe works so well because of its layering technique, similar to lasagna, but with half the effort. Using frozen cheese ravioli as a base eliminates the need for boiling pasta, so that...

Two shake and bake pork chops on a plate.

This Shake and Bake Pork Chops recipe features an effortless way to achieve flavorful, crispy pork chops without frying — with oven and air fryer instructions included — all in just 25 minutes. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this recipe is a family favorite that is extra easy to make and a great choice for beginner cooks or anyone who just wants to get a good meal on the table fast. The secret behind this shake and bake pork chops recipe lies in the coating. Instead of traditional breading...

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce in a skillet.

This Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is a delicious 30-minute meal made in only one pan. Featuring chicken thighs that are smothered in a creamy mushroom sauce, this dish is filling, flavorful, and a great option for a weeknight dinner or an impressive date night meal. This chicken recipe uses straightforward ingredients you may already have at home, or that are very easily accessible at the grocery store. It's filling and can be served on its own or on top of your favorite grain, on top...

Garnished creamy dijon chicken on a white pan atop a marble countertop.

This Creamy Dijon Chicken is a delicious one-pan recipe that is made in only 30 minutes. It features seasoned chicken thighs, a creamy dijon mustard sauce, fresh spinach, and crumbled bacon. This one is really easy to make. The key steps are to season and cook chicken thighs, crisp up some bacon, and build a creamy Dijon mustard sauce with a few pantry staples like chicken broth, cream, and Parmesan. Toss in fresh spinach and finish it off with crumbled bacon. Make it for dinner tonight, and...

A hand dipping a ridged potato chip into a bowl of creamy dill pickle dip, garnished with chopped pickles and fresh dill. The bowl is surrounded by scattered potato chips on a light-colored surface.

This Dill Pickle Dip is quick to make and a great option for parties, potlucks, or just a late-night snack. The ingredients are simple, and it comes together in just 30 minutes. Serve it with chips, crackers, bread cubes, or fresh veggies, and you’ve got a dip that works for any crowd. Mix up some sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped dill pickles, and a few seasonings, and that’s pretty much it. Let it chill for 20 minutes, and it’s good to go! FIND THE RECIPE HERE Pin this recipe on Pinterest for...

A hand holding a cracker with jalapeño cranberry dip.

This Jalapeño Cranberry Dip is sweet, tart, spicy, and creamy and is a perfect addition to your holiday table. Whip it together in minimal steps with minimal effort and serve as a flavorful and memorable appetizer. All you’ll do is measure out the ingredients, blend together the jalapeño cranberry mixture, mix the creamy base mixture, and then arrange everything in a serving dish. That’s it! I like to serve mine with Ritz crackers. Easy and so delicious! FIND THE RECIPE HERE Pin this recipe...

A slice of honey butter skillet cornbread being lifted from a round dish.

This Honey Butter Skillet Cornbread is a great side for family dinners, holiday spreads, or just a cozy meal at home. Its buttery crust and subtle honey sweetness make it unforgettable. And since it comes together in only 35 minutes, it’s perfect for last-minute gatherings or weeknight dinners. If you’re new to making homemade cornbread or just want something dependable, this recipe’s as simple as it gets Mix dry and wet ingredients separately, combine, and let your skillet handle that...

These Warm Marinated Olives are a quick, impressive appetizer that comes together in just 20 minutes. Whether you're hosting a party or just need something to snack on, this recipe is a great addition to any spread. If you’ve never made marinated olives before, this recipe is a great place to start. You’ll heat olive oil with garlic, fennel seeds, and red pepper flakes, toss in a mix of high-quality olives and fresh herbs, and finish with a splash of vinegar and cracked pepper. These olives...

This Wild Rice Mushroom Soup is hearty and full of rich, nutty flavor. The rice cooks while you simultaneously cook the other ingredients to ensure you can prep and serve the soup as quickly as possible. Cooked right on the stove, this creamy mushroom wild rice soup is perfect for a cozy family dinner. The flavors and textures from the mushrooms and wild rice pair together perfectly, leaving you with a memorable meal that is surprisingly easy to whip together. FIND THE RECIPE HERE Pin this...

These Parmesan Crusted Potatoes are made in less than an hour and are an impressive and memorable side dish. You can whip this dish together with straightforward ingredients you may already have on hand. Enjoy them with a protein for a weeknight dinner, or include them in your holiday menu. These bake up with a perfectly crisp crust and a soft, fluffy middle. Easy to toss together with common kitchen staples, they’re a no-fuss side dish that adds a little something extra to your table. FIND...