Lunch & Dinner Recipes - Cooking with Cassandra

Creamy French Onion Chicken Recipe – Easy One-Pan Dinner

Creamy French Onion Chicken with caramelized onions

Creamy French Onion Chicken Recipe Try this one-pan Creamy French Onion Chicken recipe for a comforting dinner that's full of rich flavor. Juicy chicken breasts are cooked with caramelized onions and fresh thyme in a luscious cream sauce. Perfect for weeknight meals or entertaining guests! 4 chicken breasts1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil4 tablespoons butter (divided)3 large yellow sweet onions (halved and sliced into thin half moons)6 cloves garlic (minced)1 bay leaf2 teaspoons granulated white sugar2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves (leaves only, stems discarded, and roughly...

Best Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Recipe

Do you love lasagna? I’ve tried it all from homemade, at my favorite Italian spots, and even the frozen kind from the grocery store. Each one of those experiences has given me the joy of eating comfort food which is just so flavorful and rich. But I love lasagna so much that I tend to overdo it! Is that just me, or can anyone else relate? So, when I discovered the idea of using spaghetti squash to make lasagna, I was excited to try it out. I’m here to prove that comfort food can be both cheesy and healthy! That’s exactly why I created one of my all-time favorites: Spaghetti Squash...

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Noodle Soup Recipe | cookingwithcassandra.com

There’s nothing better than curling up with a comforting bowl of this one-pot turmeric ginger chicken noodle soup, which delivers on both flavor and nourishment. The power combo of ginger and turmeric is nature’s way of soothing colds and upset tummies, making this the perfect go-to when you're feeling under the weather. Packed with chicken, veggies, and egg noodles, every bite is hearty and satisfying—no more empty spoonfuls of just broth! I’m going to be repeating this recipe, along with my old-fashioned beef stew, all winter long. These are two meals I love to make in big batches,...

Easy Creamy Lemon Pasta (Pasta al Limone)

In just 30 minutes, you can whip up this Creamy Lemon Pasta the most delicious comfort food! It’s quick and easy for busy weeknights but fancy enough for guests. The mix of lemon, rich cream, and Parmesan creates a flavorful sauce that clings perfectly to the pasta. Even my father-in-law who is a basic meat and potatoes guy, asks for this every time he comes over. Trust me, you're going to LOVE this one! Creamy lemon pasta, also known as “Pasta al Limone” in Italy, is a classic, no-fuss dish from the Campania region. It’s especially popular along the Amalfi Coast in places like Amalfi and...

Baked Sesame Ginger Salmon

Sesame Ginger Salmon Baked | cookingwithcassandra.com

This baked sesame ginger salmon is my answer to a lunch meal-prep or a simple weeknight dinner alongside some brown rice and steamed vegetables. This Asian-inspired seafood dish is marinated in sesame oil, ginger, garlic, white wine vinegar, and brown sugar. We will also make a thick honey ginger glaze that tastes sweet, tangy, and a little spicy. Sesame oil is a key ingredient in this salmon recipe. It is normally stocked in the international foods aisle in the supermarket. Just a little splash of it imparts a deep nutty flavor that makes this salmon pretty irresistible. You’ll...

Easy Steak Marinade

How do you like your steak done? Cooking steak to a certain degree of doneness is hands-down one of the hardest things for me to get right. The perfect steak needs to be juicy, tender, and flavorful. Whenever I got a chance to practice, I’d try on so many cuts of steak. Walt became my taste testers when I started get comfortable with the grill. My practice steaks were always the cheaper cuts of beef. We couldn’t afford to burn an expensive steak every time – what a waste that would be. I also learned to make a steak marinade to add some flavor to the steak. My poor taste...

Caprese Stuffed Balsamic Chicken

Say it with me: stuffed meat is one of the greatest culinary ideas that humanity has come up with. I mean, think about it: stuffed meatballs (gooey cheese oozing out of juicy meat? Yum), beef braciole (love me a stuffed Italian beef roll), chicken cordon bleu (ham and chicken? Yes, please), and Thanksgiving turkey (okay, technically not many people actually stuff the turkey anymore, but still). And now, my new favorite: Caprese stuffed chicken. Why is this my new favorite? Glad you asked. It marries a classic appetizer (the caprese salad) with a versatile poultry to...

Easy Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter

Salmon is one of my favorite seafoods to work with. One, because it's so versatile, and two, because it’s rich with Omega-3 fats and that makes for a healthy meal! This lemon butter salmon may look like a sophisticated dish, but trust me: it’s easy peasy, lemon squeezy. I just put all the ingredients together, then I let the oven do all the heavy lifting while I kick back and relax. No oven at home? Good news! You can also use a frying pan (See Tips & Variations section for details). It is especially a lifesaver for the days when I have guests coming over and...

Warm Potato Salad (Earls Restaurant Copycat)

Earls Copycat Warm Potato Salad | cookingwithcassandra.com

This potato salad is the MOST delicious potato salad from Earls Kitchen + Bar, a Canadian casual dining restaurant. I managed to recreate a version of it here! Every time I go with Walt or my girlfriends, I always make sure I get the Blackened Chicken, as the potato salad comes as a side with it. I took the opportunity to go to Earls for a few dinners and extra wine nights with the girls so that I could do some very important research on recreating this potato salad recipe at home. Fun was had! Walt now only wants this version. The secret? The bacon grease. SO GOOD!...

Healthy Turkey Burgers With Spinach, Feta & Tzatziki

Spinach Feta Turkey Burger Patty | cookingwithcassandra.com

These spinach feta turkey burgers will transport you straight to Greece! They’re a classic family favorite at our house, with juicy patties and buttery burger buns. Slather the burgers generously with a refreshing, creamy tzatziki sauce made of yogurt, lemon, herbs and voila! This recipe is a tribute to Greek cuisine which is rich with cheeses, meat, olive oil, herbs, yogurt and citrus flavors. Still, Greek recipes are quite balanced, providing the nutrients our bodies need! These burgers are far from those at any fast food joints. I try to avoid highly processed foods when...

Best Turkey Taco Salad

Taco night holds a special place in my heart—it's more than just a meal, it's a nostalgic tradition that brings back memories of family gatherings and fun-filled evenings. There's something comforting about the simplicity of tacos, and this Turkey Taco Salad recipe offers a modern twist on this classic favorite that is always a hit. For taco salad lovers looking for a healthier option, this Turkey Taco Salad recipe is the answer. Made with lean ground turkey, fresh vegetables, and a zesty cilantro lime yogurt dressing, this salad is a flavorful and satisfying meal. What's more, it's easy...

Earls Santa Fe Chicken Salad (Earls Restaurant Copycat)

For the Canadians frequenting this site, you are no doubt familiar with Earl’s restaurant. Earls changed their recipe for this and the salad, sorry Earls, just doesn't taste the same anymore. I went on a mission to recreate this recipe at home. After many attempts and ingredient variations, I finally crafted the perfect replica of Earls' famous Santa Fe Chicken Salad. The taste testers—the girls I went and had this with for so many years—couldn't believe it. Dare we say this version is even better than the original. I'm so excited to share it with you here! This salad is truly a must-try!...