Lunch & Dinner Recipes - Cooking with Cassandra

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...

BEST Baked Mac and Cheese

Okay, I’m not going to reinvent the wheel with classic comfort food that everyone can agree on: mac and cheese. I used to love these as a kid and even when I stayed in my college dorm, I always made sure my tiny pantry had a box of instant mac and cheese. Dorm essentials, am I right? But if, like me, you’re ready to graduate from boxed foods and cook your own killer mac and cheese from scratch, read on! This recipe is loaded with secret tips and tricks to make a kick-ass homemade macaroni and cheese. This baked mac and cheese is bubbly, gooey, and indulgent. Most importantly, it...

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

This twice-baked potato casserole is probably one of the best things I’ve made with potatoes, aside from this hashbrown casserole. Enclosed in a layer of melted cheese and bacon are fluffy, baked potatoes loaded with sour cream, savory cheese, and more bacon! If you’re looking for comfort food, this is a sure win. But, let’s talk about ingredients for a moment. If you’re going to make a potato casserole, you’ve got to get the right potatoes for the job. For this twice-baked potato casserole recipe, we want to use Yukon Gold potatoes, which have a good balance of starch content...

Juicy Pork Tenderloin

Pork Tenderloin sliced | cookingwithcassandra.com

Pork tenderloin is one of those dishes that never fails to impress, whether you're cooking for a special occasion or simply looking to create a delicious meal for two. It's a versatile cut of meat that can be cooked in a variety of ways, from pan-seared to roasted, and can be paired with a range of flavors and ingredients. In this recipe, I’ll show you how to prepare a mouth-watering baked pork tenderloin that's tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor. This dish is perfect for a romantic dinner with your significant other or for any occasion where you want to show your...

Easy Pasta Bake (No Boiling Required!)

Last Friday, Walt and I hosted a get-together at our place with our circle of friends. Think geeky board games, wine, delicious food and the end of the night (after a few glasses of wine) Kareoke! After our recent trip to Italy Walt and I couldn't stop dreaming about pasta. I mean, who can blame us, right? When we got back I had a girls night and in a stroke of brilliance, one of my closest friends Hayley suggested we should give pasta its own special day. Move over Taco Tuesday, because we proudly present... Pasta Friday! Okay, maybe the name doesn't have that catchy ring, but who cares?...

Easy Turkey Cranberry Sliders

Holiday Dinner Leftover cranberry sliders | cookingwithcassandra.com

So, it’s the day after Thanksgiving, and much to nobody’s surprise – you have leftover turkey. Happens to us all the time! Especially, when there’s a spread of other yummy, tantalizing dishes on the table. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays for good reasons: incredible food, family, and friends! What I don’t like, though, is the food wastage. To overcome this, we have now gotten into the habit of pre-planning our Thanksgiving leftovers. Check out these fantastic turkey leftover recipes here! Walt and I have agreed that if we host Thanksgiving at our place, we...

Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Bacon and Pomegranates

Pomegranates with bacon roasted brussels sprouts | cookingwithcassandra.com

I remember growing up, I was a big desserts and candied yams girl at my holiday dinners. I always remember the one Christmas where my jaw dropped when I had oven-roasted Brussels sprouts for the first time. It was crazy good. I couldn’t believe that vegetables could be this delicious. In my take on this holiday classic, I have added crispy roasted bacon and its fats that make everything better, too. Now this recipe is one way to enjoy vegetables, and I mean REALLY enjoy them… not just tolerate them to meet our daily fiber intake. Even the pickiest eaters and vegetable haters...

Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Parmesan & Garlic Butter

I’m going back to basics with this roasted sweet potato recipe, you guys. The star of today’s recipe is sweet potatoes. The orange kind – not to be confused with yam, my friends. There are so many amazing ways to cook sweet potatoes: mashed, julienned into sweet potato fries, atop a hearty shepherd’s pie, and stuffed with black beans. Today, we’ll roast them in a garlic butter seasoning topped with grated parmesan cheese. Perfectly roasted, crispy, and well-flavored, it can easily serve as a carb replacement in a meal or side dish with other mains. I love its natural sweetness, but even...

Easy Cranberry Rosemary Chicken

Cranberry Rosemary Chicken | cookingwithcassandra.com

Especially at Christmas time, there’s nothing like decorating the house with stockings and wrapping gifts for the Christmas tree. The cherry on the top has got to be the food on the table, though. Here’s one dish I’m making for Christmas this year: cranberry rosemary chicken with a maple glaze. It is no secret that cranberry and rosemary go hand in hand as one of the most unique and sophisticated holiday flavors. From rosemary-infused cranberry vodka to cranberry rosemary bread pudding, this is a combination that will always guarantee satisfaction. I love how the tart cranberries...

Best Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Recipe

Spaghetti Squash Lasagna low carb lasagna | cookingwithcassandra.com

Do you like lasagna? I’ve had all types of lasagna, from those inexpensive Italian restaurants to the frozen type that they sell at the grocery store. Each one of those experiences has given me the joy of eating comfort food which is just so flavorful and rich. However, later on, I end up feeling bloated – because I always eat way too much! Is that just me or have any of you felt the same way? Anyway, that had been my fate with lasagna, until I came across the idea of using spaghetti squash to make lasagna. “What is spaghetti squash?” you ask. Spaghetti squash is a bright...

Delicious Steak Salad With Yogurt Dressing

I LOVE summer barbecues! However, too often, hearty dishes steal the spotlight. Think burgers and potato salads! I mean I adore these recipes. But sometimes I just crave a mouthwatering summer salad! And right now, Summer Salads are having their moment! For readers who have been here for a while, you know my beliefs on dressings, vinaigrettes, and sauces—they can truly make or break a recipe. It's all about that sauce! It adds that extra pizzazz and can be conveniently prepared ahead on the weekend for easy weeknight meals. This steak salad features scrumptiously marinated, thinly sliced...

Easy Pulled Pork Burgers

Pulled Pork With Coleslaw | cookingwithcassandra.com

This recipe is a true labor of love. There are quite a number of ingredients to prepare and it takes time to cook the different parts of it. Each time I’ve served this though, it never fails to put a smile on people’s faces. So, so worth it! It consists of tender, juicy shredded pork cooked for 3 to 4 hours and marinated in a spiced dry rub. Sandwiched between toasted brioche buns, this pulled pork burger is finished with homemade barbecue sauce and fresh coleslaw. Every bite packs a punch and is bursting with flavor – savory, sweet, spicy, buttery, smoky, tangy. Just writing this now...