Lunch & Dinner Recipes - cookingwithcassandra.com

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 testers...

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!...

Beef Enchiladas

Introducing a timeless favorite that's perfect for a bustling dinner party, a cozy night in, or sharing with friends — my beloved beef enchiladas! Bursting with Tex-Mex flair, these enchiladas are packed with tender ground beef, refried beans, onions, garlic, cheese, and a luscious homemade red enchilada sauce. Baked to golden perfection, then garnished with creamy avocado slices, fresh cilantro, and crumbled cotija cheese, these enchiladas are guaranteed to steal the show, every time. Ideal for prepping ahead, this recipe is a lifesaver for effortless entertaining or a quick fix after a...

Sheet Pan Shrimp Tacos With Cilantro Cream Sauce

Taco Tuesday meets Surf-n-Turf with this recipe, and oh, are you going to love this one. Imagine a warm, softshell tortilla filled with juicy shrimp that’s been baked in a hot cumin-chili-garlicky marinade. Accompanying the shrimps are sweet pineapple chunks, crunchy shallots, and creamy cilantro coleslaw. Flavor, texture, and nutrition – this recipe truly has it all. Also, depending on the type of tortilla wrap you use, these shrimp tacos can be gluten-free. It’s also a keto-friendly recipe and can be made low-carb by skipping the tortilla wrap and serving the shrimps over a bowl...

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...

Baked Balsamic Chicken with Mozzarella Cheese

Mozzarella Cheese Balsamic Chicken Breast | cookingwithcassandra.com

If you have been around the blog for a while, you’ll know that I can never say no to Italian food. As an ode to one of my favorite cuisines, I am always looking for ways to cook and share Italian dishes with my family and friends. (With some wine, of course!) This balsamic chicken with mozzarella cheese is one of those delectable dishes that is inspired by Italian flavors. The chicken breasts are roasted so tenderly that people can’t tell it’s breast meat. So juicy! Marinating the meat in a sweet balsamic glaze, which is accompanied by juicy cherry tomatoes and plenty of melted mozzarella...

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Noodle Soup Recipe | cookingwithcassandra.com

I don’t remember the last time I was able to say the words ‘chicken noodle soup’ without triggering a catchy song in the back of my mind. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, go listen to the Korean Pop song, Chicken Noodle Soup by BTS and Becky G, which pretty much took over the world in 2019. Real talk now, I’ve got a no-frills, easy chicken noodle soup recipe that will melt in your mouth. Every spoonful has tender cooked veggies, soft shredded chicken, and a heartwarming chicken broth. Oh, and noodles, of course, but more on that later. This one-pot chicken soup is healthy...

Lunch & Dinner

Cassandra Morris