One Pan or One Pot Recipes - Cooking with Cassandra

Best Beef Chili Recipe

A bowl of hearty beef chili topped with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and fresh cilantro, served with toasted baguette slices.

Are you on the hunt for the best beef chili recipe? Look no further! This hearty, flavorful chili is my go-to comfort food, and I’m sure it’ll quickly become yours too. There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of chili on a chilly night (I couldn’t resist). Packed with tender beef, my secret ingredient smoky bacon, beans, and a special blend of spices with a hint of brown sugar, it’s the perfect combo of rich flavors. In our home, we find it hard to stop eating—I've even had to explain to my husband that we can’t have this for dinner every night! If he had to pick just one dinner for the...

Lasagna Soup

There’s something just so comforting about a big ol' bowl of lasagna soup. It captures all the rich flavors of traditional lasagna—savory meat, tangy tomato sauce, and creamy cheese—but in a warm, spoonable form. It’s the perfect easy dinner for cold nights when you’re craving lasagna but don’t have the time or energy for layering and baking. What makes this lasagna soup recipe extra special? It’s the flavor and the ease. We’re talking ground beef, garlic, Italian herbs, and a swirl of cream for that velvety finish. Add a generous sprinkle of cheese and a dollop of ricotta on top, and...

The Best Pasta alla Vodka

Pot of Pasta alla Vodka topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil

There’s something about a big bowl of creamy Pasta alla Vodka that just speaks to my soul—especially when the sauce is rich, garlicky, and clings to every bite of rigatoni. It’s one of those dishes that feels a little fancy but is surprisingly simple to make at home. The tomato paste gives it depth, the cream makes it silky, and the vodka? That’s the secret to pulling all the flavors together into one irresistibly smooth sauce. I’m sharing my secrets for making authentic, restaurant-worthy Pasta alla Vodka right at home. For this easy pasta recipe I toss the onion in a food...

Greek Sheet Pan Chicken

Looking for an easy, delicious dinner idea? This Greek Sheet Pan Chicken is packed with Mediterranean flavor, juicy marinated chicken, and roasted veggies—all cooked on one pan. It’s everything you want in a weeknight dinner: quick, healthy, and always a hit. I even featured it as one of my go-to recipes in the Winnipeg Sun, where I write the weekly food column! The simple lemon-garlic marinade adds bold, fresh taste, and the leftovers (if there are any!) are just as good the next day. Whether you're just starting out in the kitchen or you’ve got dinner down to a science, this one-pan...

Creamy French Onion Chicken

If you’re searching for an easy one-skillet dinner that feels fancy but is totally doable this Creamy French Onion Chicken has your name all over it. Juicy, golden-seared chicken breasts simmer in a silky sauce made with caramelized onions, garlic, fresh thyme, and cream—simple ingredients that taste SO good! Serve it on a chilly fall or winter night and let it bring a bit of French-inspired comfort to your table. This easy Creamy French Onion Chicken recipe was such a hit, it was featured as the Recipe of the Week in my Winnipeg Sun column—a cozy, crowd-pleasing dinner perfect for both...

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 Chicken

Overhead view of creamy lemon chicken breasts in a skillet, garnished with lemon slices and fresh parsley, with a gold spoon resting in the sauce.

If you’re craving a quick and easy one-pan meal that’s bursting with flavor, this creamy lemon chicken is just what you need! In just 25 minutes, you’ll have tender, pan-seared chicken breasts covered in a rich, tangy lemon garlic butter cream sauce that’s absolutely irresistible. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish uses simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry—think butter, garlic, and a splash of heavy cream. The best part? This family-friendly dinner is incredibly versatile and can be served over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice, making it a guaranteed favorite every...

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...

Garlic Butter Baked Shrimp

Garlic Butter Shrimp | cookingwithcassandra.com

Does anyone else find themself frequenting the frozen dinners aisle at Costco a lot more than they should? That was 100% me before I began my cooking journey… There are just so many different things to try! Who can say no to an easy, no-frills, microwaveable meal every now and then? My days of frozen dinners are behind me, but I recently thought about this garlic butter shrimp scampi I once had which actually tasted amazing. I decided to recreate it with my own spin on it. I present you: the best garlic butter shrimp you’ll ever have. Instead of going the pasta route, this...

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...

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?...