30-Minute Meals

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...

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...

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...

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...

Pasta With White Wine Lemon Sauce

Lemon Pasta topped with Cherry Tomatoes and fresh Basil | cookingwithcassandra.com

When life gives you lemons, what do you do? You concoct a divine lemon sauce with white wine to go with fettuccine pasta. This lemon white wine pasta sauce recipe is the ultimate game changer. While I do love myself a rich carbonara and a light aglio olio, this white wine sauce is the perfect in-between. What I love about this pasta is that it is light and simple to make. Great on its own or as a side with Easy Creamy Lemon Chicken or Baked Salmon with Lemon Butter. This is one of my go-to weeknight pastas during the Summer months. Coated with a lemon-infused garlic cream...

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...

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...

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!...

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...

Best Fettuccine Alfredo

Chicken and Fettuccine Alfredo Sauce | cookingwithcassandra.com

If you are a sucker for comfort food, then this chicken fettuccine alfredo recipe will be right up your alley. It’s perfect for lunch or dinner at home, and at a potluck party, it’s sure to be a swoon-worthy contribution. It’s luscious, filling, and has the most incredible flavor. And no, we are not going to use any canned alfredo sauce to make this recipe. I’m going to teach you how to make homemade alfredo from scratch. Once you find out how easy it is to put together a delicious sauce, you’re going to skip the artificial, canned stuff. This chicken fettuccine alfredo recipe is...

How to Make French Toast

French toast with Syrup and Strawberries | cookingwithcassandra.com

French toast is a breakfast staple, though I don’t see anything wrong with enjoying it throughout the entire day. It’s yummy even at teatime or as an after-dinner sweet treat. This easy French toast recipe has soft Brioche bread soaked in an egg mixture that is milky and sweet which is then pan-fried with butter. Whether you are making French toast for two or twelve, this recipe is so quick and easy that it won’t feel like cooking at all. Read on for a no-nonsense guide on how to make french toast. What is the Best Bread to use for French Toast? This French toast recipe...