Recipes
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Taqueria Pork Bowls
These Taqueria Pork Bowls are bold, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights. The seasoned pork comes together quickly in one skillet, and everyone can build their bowl just the way they like it. It’s one of those flexible meals that works great for leftovers, too. Ingredients (Serves 4–6) For the Pork For the Bowls Instructions Step 1: Brown the PorkHeat a skillet over medium-high heat and add oil. Add ground pork and cook for 3–5 minutes, breaking it up as it browns. Season with salt and pepper. Step 2: Cook the AromaticsAdd diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for another 3–5 minutes, until the onions soften and…
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Chicken Bacon Ranch Loaded Potatoes
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Loaded Potatoes recipe is one of those hearty, crowd-pleasing dinners that always disappears fast in our house. Crispy roasted potatoes, juicy seasoned chicken, smoky bacon, melty cheddar, and plenty of ranch make this the ultimate comfort food bowl. It’s simple enough for a weeknight but filling enough to satisfy everyone at the table. Ingredients (Serves 4–6) Instructions Serve warm and enjoy! For a fun twist, we love drizzling Tastefully Simple’s Bold Buffalo Ranch over the top. It adds just the right kick and takes these loaded potatoes to the next level. đź›’Shop the Ingredients I Used In this recipe, I used one of my favorite Tastefully…
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Easy Pizza Sliders (Perfect for Busy Nights)
These pizza sliders are one of my go-to dinners when I need something quick, kid-friendly, and guaranteed to disappear fast. They’re cheesy, warm, and easy to customize with your favorite toppings. Perfect for weeknights, game days, or even casual get-togethers. Ingredients (Serves 4–6) Instructions Tips & Variations đź›’ Shop the Ingredients I Used In this recipe, I used one of my favorite Tastefully Simple seasonings: You can shop these (and browse my full collection) in my online store here:👉 https://tastefullysimple.com/?ref=samchristensen9291 Disclosure: As an Ambassador for Tastefully Simple, I may earn a commission from purchases made through my links. I only share products I personally use and love in my own…
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KFC Bowls (Easy Copycat Dinner)
These cozy “KFC-style” bowls are one of my favorite comfort meals — mashed potatoes, corn, crispy chicken, gravy, and lots of cheddar. Perfect for busy nights and super kid-friendly! Ingredients (Serves 4) Instructions Notes & Tips These make great leftovers — store components separately if you can, then reheat and assemble. Want extra flavor? Add a sprinkle of pepper, a dash of garlic powder in the potatoes, or a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce. Simply Samantha 🌻Simply Real. Simply Me.
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🧑‍🍳 Oven Sliders — Our New Favorite Weeknight & Game-Day Bite!
Lately at our house, oven sliders have become the go-to recipe for busy weeknights, casual game nights, and anytime we want something comforting without a lot of fuss. They’re simple to make, totally customizable, and always disappear fast! Below are four of our favorite slider recipes — from classic ham & cheese to savory Philly cheesesteak. Each one uses pantry-friendly ingredients and bakes up in under 30 minutes! They are also easily customizable, so follow to a T or switch up with your favorites! Note:This post contains links to recipes from other food bloggers we love. All credit goes to the original creators, and I encourage you to visit their…
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Cozy Night, Crockpot Delight: White Bean Chicken Chili 🌧️🍲
It was a cold, windy, and rainy day here today—the perfect excuse for a crockpot supper! We decided to try something new, and it turned out to be a total hit with everyone: White Bean Chicken Chili. I started it this morning with three frozen chicken breasts (and before anyone comes for me—yes, frozen! We buy them in bulk and use the crockpot for batch cooking almost every week) in the crockpot on low, along with one cup of chicken stock, a pinch of oregano, and a dash of cumin. You could certainly use thawed or even rotisserie chicken too—do what works best for you and your family! After a…
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🤠Cowboy Casserole (aka Cornbread Casserole)
It’s recipe time! There’s nothing better than getting supper on the table quickly — and having no one complain about it! One of my favorite tricks for meal planning success is letting everyone (who can) pick one supper each week. This week, our 6-year-old made the call — his all-time favorite, which he proudly renamed “Cowboy Casserole.” 📝 Ingredients 👩‍🍳 Directions 🌮 Samantha’s Notes This recipe is a staple in our house because it’s so easy to adjust or substitute: When it comes to supper, don’t sweat the small stuff. Simple, hearty, and family-approved — that’s what counts. 🍳 Cookware In need of some new cookware? We recently purchased this…
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Meal Planning Made Simple 🍴
Hi friends, and welcome to my very first post on Simply Samantha! Since this space is all about real life made simple, I thought it was only fitting to start with one of the things that keeps me sane as a busy wife, mom, and employee: meal planning. Now before you roll your eyes and picture color-coded binders or endless hours in the kitchen, let me stop you right there. Meal planning doesn’t have to be complicated—it can be as simple as writing down a few ideas on the back of an envelope. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s about reducing stress, saving time, and making sure your family is fed…






