Don’t Snooze on These 17 Quick Tricks Your Nonna Would High-Five

Finally, embracing these hacks is like unlocking a secret level in a game, but the prize is way better than any digital trophy. You’ll find yourself navigating the kitchen with a newfound confidence, ready to tackle even the most daunting of dishes with ease. And the best part? You can amaze friends and family with your cooking magic while keeping it low-key and stress-free. Just think of it as adding a pinch of magic to your cooking routine, which would surely get a chuckle and an approving nod from the most discerning grandmothers.

Greek Meatball Pita Sandwich served on a white rectangular plate.
Greek Meatball Pita Sandwiches. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter

A grilled steak with cowboy butter on a white plate.
Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

It brings a twist on a classic with Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter, combining the robust flavors of seasoned butter. Quick to prepare, this standout dish lets you host a backyard feast without the fuss. Nonna might not have used cowboy butter, but she’d surely give her stamp of approval for this flavorful addition. A trick that transforms good steaks into “Where did you learn to cook like this?” steaks. Your grill is waiting to serve up this beefy star with flair.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter

Pasta with Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce

A bowl of pasta with cherry tomato sauce, cherry tomatoes, and garlic.
Pasta with Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Revamps weeknight dinners with Pasta with Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce. This simple yet impressive sauce combines everyday ingredients and serves a meal in minutes. A tip from Nonna’s book: slow-simmering isn’t always necessary for a tasty pasta topping. You can all but hear the high-fives from the family table. It’s fresh, fast, and a true crowd-pleaser every time.
Get the Recipe: Pasta with Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce

Chicken Tinga

Chicken tinga in a blue bowl.
Chicken Tinga. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Casts a spell over shredded chicken, morphing it into a delicious sensation called Chicken Tinga. It’s a conversation starter with bold flavors, ideal for gatherings or a cozy family dinner. There are no complex steps to follow here – a straightforward recipe that promises heaps of flavor. It infuses every bite with a taste of tradition tweaked for the modern kitchen. Serve up and watch it disappear in record time.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tinga

Tacos Dorados

Tacos Dorados on a plate.
Tacos Dorados. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Crunchy, golden, and stuffed with flavor, Tacos Dorados are a hands-down hit. They marry convenience with hearty satisfaction, a quick trick that turns simple ingredients into a fiesta on a plate. Envision passing down the tradition of making these crisp delights to the next generation. It’s the simple yet satisfying meal that would make Nonna beam. Share them fresh off the skillet and enjoy the smiles around you.
Get the Recipe: Tacos Dorados

Steak & Pasta Salad

A black bowl filled with a pasta salad containing farfalle, steak slices, radishes, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, nuts, and crumbled blue cheese, garnished with parsley, on a wooden board next to a spoon.
Steak & Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Unites juicy steak with the incredible comfort of pasta salad for an unexpected pairing; that’s Steak & Pasta Salad for you. This dish is a nod to the days of summer picnics but with a hearty twist. Practicality meets pizzazz – this quick and refreshing option will refresh any meal plan. A welcome addition to the table, it’s a salad that knows it’s the main event. And as the last forkful is fought over, you’ll know it’s a winner.
Get the Recipe: Steak & Pasta Salad

4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken

4 ingredient slow cooker chicken on a black platter.
4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

This 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken showcases the marvels you can create with a handful of ingredients and a slow cooker. Simplicity shines through in a recipe that demands minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor. This dish is all about set-it-and-forget-it, a little secret for busy days. The result is tender, fall-off-the-fork chicken bound to make any dinner an occasion. Let the aroma of slow-cooked goodness fill your home.
Get the Recipe: 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken

Brisket Fried Rice

Brisket fried rice in black serving dish on white background.
Brisket Fried Rice. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

This is a brilliant way to repurpose leftovers into a meal that stands out. Brisket Fried Rice is quick in the making and rich in taste, a satisfying spin on a beloved classic. This bold, hearty addition gives the humble rice skillet new life. Each spoonful is a meal hug reminiscent of Nonna’s comforting creations. Let the flavor do the talking, and watch it become a new favorite.
Get the Recipe: Brisket Fried Rice

Chicken Stir Fry

A white plate with chicken and mushrooms in a sauce.
Chicken Stir Fry. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

This Chicken Stir Fry gets dinner at lightning speed without compromising on spice or nutrition. It tosses fresh veggies and tender meat into a whirlwind of flavor, a straightforward technique that brings a wealth of textures and colors to your plate. It’s not just food; it’s a vibrant, satisfying dish that tells a story. Every mouthful whispers ‘home-cooked,’ and that’s a feeling worth sharing.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Stir Fry

Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts

Chicken Salad with Walnuts and Cranberries in a bowl.
Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Excites the palate with a lovely combination of sweet and tangy notes. Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts is a comfort and a celebration in a bowl, mixing textures and flavors with aplomb. Almost too easy to prepare, it’s the quiet underdog that steals the show at picnics and potlucks. A fresh take on a classic that never fails to spark conversation, this dish is just waiting to become your following luncheon legend.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Salad with Cranberries & Walnuts

Cuban Sandwich Casserole

A piece of Cuban sandwich casserole on a plate with potato chips.
Cuban Sandwich Casserole. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

This Cuban Sandwich Casserole transforms beloved street food into a household staple. It’s a testament to the fusion of cultures and tastes. It’s the ideal sharing dish when the company’s over or comfort food is in order. While Nonna may not have made a casserole quite like this, the nod to home cooking is evident. It’s a taste of the tropics in each forkful without ever having to leave your kitchen. Feast your eyes (and belly) on this one.
Get the Recipe: Cuban Sandwich Casserole

Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp

Shrimp skewers on a white plate with lemon wedges.
Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Evokes the breezy Mediterranean coast with a simple seafood specialty, Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp captures the essence of simple coastal cuisine. With a quick prep and cooking time, it’s a no-brainer for those balmy evenings when you crave something light yet fulfilling. Rustic and vibrant, the dish brings the seaside to your dining table. A nod to Nonna’s resourceful cooking, it’s a treat for the senses.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp

Chicken Al Pastor Quesadillas

Al pastor chicken quesadillas pulled apart.
Chicken Al Pastor Quesadillas. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Infuses traditional Mexican flavors into a beloved snack. Chicken Al Pastor Quesadillas prove that some of the best meal creations come from a mash-up of cultures and tastes. Pairing juicy chicken with the smokiness of al pastor is nothing short of a revelation. It’s quick food with a gourmet twist, ideal for a casual get-together or that weeknight dinner when you crave something more. Every bite packs a memorable punch.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Al Pastor Quesadillas

Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe

A bowl of skillet gnocchi with sausage and broccoli rabe.
Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

It’s a dance of Italian favorites in one skillet. Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage and broccoli rabe strikes the perfect balance of leafy greens and meaty goodness. This dish is all about bringing family together with hearty Italian fare without hours spent in the kitchen. It’s suitable for those evenings when you want a touch of rustic charm on your dinner plate. Clinking forks against plates might be the best review you can get.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage & Broccoli Rabe

Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Air Fryer chicken cordon bleu on a plate.
Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

It takes the classic dish to new, crispy heights, all thanks to the air fryer. Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu revolutionizes how we approach this timeless entree. By trading the pan for the air fryer, you unlock convenience without skimping on that oh-so-important crunch. This dish is a high five waiting to happen – effortless, delicious, and sophisticated. Be ready for the encore request—it’s just that good.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Beefy John Wayne Casserole

A slice of beefy John Wayne casserole on a plate.
Beefy John Wayne Casserole. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

It is the cowboy hat tip to those with a hearty appetite, offering layers of flavor in a one-dish wonder. The Beefy John Wayne Casserole is as robust and satisfying as it sounds, conjuring images of the Wild West at your dining table. The meal invites stories and shared laughs, with a no-nonsense approach to dinnertime. Seconds? Almost mandatory. You’ll rope in smiles with every heaping helping.
Get the Recipe: Beefy John Wayne Casserole

Chicken Piccata

Two chicken piccata on a white plate with parsley and lemon wedges.
Chicken Piccata. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Pairs classic Italian flavors in a recipe that comes together quicker than you can set the table. Chicken Piccata is elegantly simplified, a dish that sings with bright capers and citrus notes. This staple champions the ease of cooking without sacrificing the dance of flavors on your palate. It’s a salute to home-cooked meals that resonate with love and care, and it’ll leave everyone waiting for the last slice of lemony goodness.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Piccata

Greek Meatball Pita Sandwiches

Greek Meatball Pita Sandwich served on a white rectangular plate.
Greek Meatball Pita Sandwiches. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Brings the Mediterranean to your fingertips with a tangy handheld feast. Greek Meatball Pita Sandwiches are a testament to flavor-packed simplicity, marrying spices and herbs to celebrate textures. They’re a quick, satisfying nod to street food with the comforts of home. It’s the go-to when lunch calls for a touch of exotic spice without the effort. Roll up your sleeves; this is casual dining with a twist.
Get the Recipe: Greek Meatball Pita Sandwiches

Leave a Comment