Category: Miscellaneous (Unsorted)

Posted in Heat & Eat, Miscellaneous (Unsorted)

Refrigerator Clean-Out Quesadillas

Posted on by simplegoodfood

Quesadillas are one of the easiest “clean out the refrigerator” meals you can make.

Almost any cooked meat, vegetable, or cheese can become a delicious filling. Before buying more groceries, challenge yourself to build one meal using what’s already in your refrigerator. You’ll save money, reduce food waste, and might even discover a new favorite combination.

simplegoodfood's avatarsimplegoodfood

Refrigerator Clean-Out Quesadillas

Almost any leftover meat, vegetables, cheese, or rice can become a quesadilla.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 2
Course: Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 510
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 large flour tortillas 8-inch
  • 4 –6 cooked turkey meatballs chopped
  • 1 cup shredded cheese Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Mexican blend, or whatever you have
  • 1 cup assorted leftover vegetables chopped
  • o Bell peppers
  • o Onions
  • o Corn
  • o Mushrooms
  • o Spinach
  • o Zucchini
  • o Tomatoes drained
  • o Cooked broccoli
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil or butter
  • Salsa Greek yogurt, or sour cream for serving (optional)

Method
 

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Lightly brush one side of each tortilla with olive oil or butter.
  3. Place one tortilla, oiled side down, in the skillet.
  4. Sprinkle half of the cheese over the tortilla.
  5. Add the chopped turkey meatballs and leftover vegetables in an even layer.
  6. Top with the remaining cheese and place the second tortilla on top, oiled side up.
  7. Cook for 3–4 minutes until golden brown.
  8. Carefully flip and cook the second side until crisp and the cheese has melted.
  9. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
  10. Slice into wedges and serve with salsa, Greek yogurt, or sour cream.

Notes

Tips & Variations
  • Add a spoonful of black beans for extra protein and fiber.
  • Sprinkle in taco seasoning or Italian seasoning to change the flavor.
  • Mix different cheeses for more flavor.
  • Serve with a simple side salad or fresh fruit.
  • Leftover cooked chicken, pork, roast beef, or vegetables work just as well.
Don’t overstuff your quesadilla. It can be tempting to use every last bit of leftovers, but a thinner layer of filling lets the cheese melt around everything like glue. If you have lots of leftovers, make two quesadillas instead of one giant one.

Related Reading

🍽️ Keep Cooking Smarter

Continue building your budget-friendly kitchen with these helpful articles and recipes:

  • Stretch This Week’s Groceries Even Farther
  • Five Ways to Stretch Ground Turkey
  • Freezer & Make-Ahead Meals
  • Pantry Meal Starters
  • Side Dish Library
  • Meal Prep Collections
Posted in Miscellaneous (Unsorted)

Easy Family Dinners for Your Next Camping Trip

Posted on by simplegoodfood

Another week of delicious campground cooking is in the books! This week’s menu featured a variety of easy, family-friendly meals that are perfect for RV trips, camping weekends, and outdoor adventures. From hearty skillet meals and foil packet favorites to creamy pasta and grilled sandwiches, these recipes are designed to keep mealtime simple while delivering plenty of flavor.

Whether you’re planning your next camping trip or looking for easy dinner inspiration, these six campground meals offer something for everyone. Save your favorites and add them to your camping meal rotation!

This Week’s Campground Meals

🏕️ Campground Philly Cheesesteak Skillet

Tender strips of beef, sautéed peppers and onions, and melted provolone cheese come together in one hearty skillet meal that’s packed with classic cheesesteak flavor.

🏕️ Chicken Bacon Ranch Foil Packets

Juicy chicken, tender potatoes, crispy bacon, ranch seasoning, and melted cheddar cheese are wrapped in foil and cooked to perfection with almost no cleanup.

🏕️ Dutch Oven Sloppy Joe Casserole

A rich and savory sloppy joe filling topped with fluffy biscuits and melted cheese creates the ultimate campground comfort food dinner.

🏕️ Campfire Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Tender chicken and pasta simmer together in a creamy Parmesan Alfredo sauce for an easy one-pot meal that’s perfect after a day outdoors.

🏕️ Southwest Beef & Rice Stuffed Peppers

Colorful bell peppers filled with seasoned beef, rice, tomatoes, corn, and cheese bring bold Southwest flavors to the campground table.

🏕️ Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Sandwiches

Sweet grilled pineapple, juicy teriyaki chicken, melted provolone, and toasted buns combine for a taste of summer in every bite.

Final Thoughts

One of the best things about campground cooking is gathering around the table after a day of adventure and sharing a meal with family and friends. This week’s recipes offer a great mix of cooking methods, flavors, and ingredients while keeping preparation simple and campsite-friendly. Be sure to bookmark your favorites, share them with fellow campers, and come back next week for another round of easy campground meals!

Campground Philly Cheesesteak Skillet
ThisCampground Philly Cheesesteak Skillet is loaded with tender beef, peppers,onions, and melted provolone cheese.
Check out this recipe
Chicken Bacon Ranch Foil Packets
When it comes to easy campground dinners, foil packet meals are hard to beat.
Check out this recipe
Dutch Oven Sloppy Joe Casserole
This Dutch Oven Sloppy Joe Casserole takes a classic family favorite and turns itinto a hearty campground meal.
Check out this recipe
Campfire Chicken Alfredo
Creamy, comforting, and made in one pot! This Campfire Chicken Alfredo Pasta is packed with tender chicken, Parmesan cheese, and pasta for an easy campground dinner with minimal cleanup.
Check out this recipe
Southwest Beef & Rice Stuffed Peppers
TheseSouthwest Beef & Rice Stuffed Peppers are loaded with seasoned beef, rice,tomatoes, corn, and melted cheese.
Check out this recipe
Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Sandwiches
TheseGrilled Hawaiian Chicken Sandwiches feature juicy teriyaki chicken, meltedprovolone cheese, and sweet grilled pineapple on a toasted bun.
Check out this recipe

#CampgroundCooking, #CampingMeals, #RVRecipes, #CampfireCooking, #OutdoorCooking, #CampingFood, #EasyDinnerRecipes, #DutchOvenCooking, #FoilPacketMeals, #FamilyCamping, #CampingLife, #CampingRecipes, #CampKitchen, #WeekendCamping, #SummerCamping,

Posted in Miscellaneous (Unsorted)

Vacation Notice!

Posted on by simplegoodfood

Yep, I’m finally doing it! I’m taking a (very) much needed break for 2 weeks starting July 1st and returning on July 16th. I’ve scheduled some posts for that timeframe, so I won’t leave you hanging.

I’ve been posting for the last 2 years straight, through my husband’s declining health, and finally his passing. I love each and every one of my followers and don’t want to leave you wondering what happened.

To be perfectly honest, my intentions are to use this time to find a place to live in Pennsylvania that is near to my oldest daughter. In the year since my husband’s death, I’ve discovered that right now I can’t bear to visit that cemetery. By the same token, I can’t bear to stay in Florida without him. I’m sure that’s something that other widows and widowers can sympathize with.

So, like Arnold Schwarzenegger said in Terminator, “I’ll be back.”

Containers and freezer bags labeled 'Turkey Chili' filled with beans, corn, and ground turkey chili.
Posted in Chicken Meals, Freezer & Make-Ahead Meals, Miscellaneous (Unsorted)

Turkey Chili Freezer Meal Portions (Easy Make-Ahead Meal Prep)

Posted on by simplegoodfood

This turkey chili freezes beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep. With just a few simple steps, you can portion it into ready-to-go freezer meals for quick lunches or easy weeknight dinners later on.

Use this guide after cooking your chili in a larger batch so nothing goes to waste and future meals stay simple and stress-free.

🍲 Step 1: Cool Completely

Allow the chili to cool to room temperature before freezing.
This helps preserve texture and prevents excess ice buildup.

📦 Step 2: Portion the Chili

Divide into portions based on your needs:

  • Single servings → ideal for lunches or quick meals
  • Family-size portions → perfect for future dinners

Tip: Use measuring cups if you want consistent serving sizes.

🧊 Step 3: Choose Storage Method

Freezer-safe containers:

  • Best for stacking and easy reheating

Freezer bags:

  • Lay flat for space-saving storage
  • Great for quick thawing

🏷️ Step 4: Label Everything

Always label before freezing:

  • Recipe name: Turkey Chili
  • Date prepared
  • Suggested use within: 2–3 months

🔥 Step 5: Reheating Instructions

To serve:

  • Thaw overnight in the refrigerator (recommended), or
  • Reheat directly from frozen on stovetop or microwave

If needed, add a splash of broth or water to loosen texture while reheating.

💡 Optional Serving Ideas

Once thawed, this chili works great:

  • Over rice bowls
  • With baked potatoes
  • As a base for chili mac
  • Topped with simple sides from your Side Dish Library

❄️ Notes for Meal Prep Success

This is a flexible, make-ahead recipe designed for real-life use. Freezing portions helps reduce waste and makes future meals faster without sacrificing flavor.

#HeartHealthy #LowCholesterol #LowA1C #BloodSugarFriendly

#FreezerMeals #MakeAheadMeals #MealPrep #BatchCooking #CookOnceEatTwice

#EasyRecipes #WeeknightDinner #FamilyMeals

#WhatsForDinner #FoodInspiration

Bowl of hot shredded chicken garnished with herbs and spices
Posted in Chicken Meals, Miscellaneous (Unsorted)

Garlic Herb Shredded Chicken (Heart-Healthy, Budget-Friendly Base Recipe)

Posted on by simplegoodfood

Simple, flavorful shredded chicken made with garlic, herbs, and a light broth—perfect for meal prep and building multiple easy dinners.

🍽️ Why This Recipe Works

If you’re looking for a simple, practical way to get dinner on the table without starting from scratch every night, this recipe is a great place to begin.

This Garlic Herb Shredded Chicken is:

  • Heart-healthy (lean protein, low saturated fat)
  • Blood sugar friendly (no added sugars, balanced base)
  • Budget-conscious (great for bulk cooking)
  • Extremely versatile (use it in bowls, wraps, stuffed potatoes, and soups)

Make it once, and you’ve got the foundation for several meals.

Bowl of hot shredded chicken garnished with herbs and spices
simplegoodfood's avatarsimplegoodfood

Garlic Herb Shredded Chicken (Heart-Healthy, Budget-Friendly Base Recipe)

Simple, flavorful shredded chicken made with garlic, herbs, and a light broth—perfect for meal prep and building multiple easy dinners.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 165
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 pounds chicken breast or thighs boneless, skinless
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt optional, adjust to taste
  • Juice of ½ lemon

Method
 

Slow Cooker Method (Recommended)
  1. Place chicken in the slow cooker.
  2. Add garlic, broth, olive oil, and seasonings.
  3. Cover and cook:
  4. Low: 6–7 hours
  5. High: 3–4 hours
  6. Once cooked, shred the chicken directly in the pot using two forks.
  7. Stir in lemon juice and mix well to coat in the juices.
Stovetop Method
  1. Add chicken, broth, garlic, and seasonings to a large pot.
  2. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
  3. Cover and cook for 20–25 minutes, or until chicken is fully cooked.
  4. Remove chicken, shred with forks, then return to the pot.
  5. Stir in lemon juice and let it soak in the broth for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Storage & Meal Prep

  • Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days
  • Freezer: Freeze in portions for up to 3 months
  • Reheat: Warm gently with a splash of broth to keep it moist

🍴 How to Use This Chicken

This recipe is designed to be used in multiple meals throughout the week. Try it in:

💡 Tips for Best Results

  • Chicken thighs will give you a slightly richer flavor while still staying heart-friendly
  • Don’t skip the lemon juice—it brightens everything and balances the savory flavors
  • Shred while warm so the chicken absorbs more of the broth
  • If freezing, include a little of the cooking liquid to prevent dryness

🧩 Make It a System

Cooking once and turning it into multiple meals saves time, money, and effort during the week.

This recipe is part of a simple meal strategy:
Cook once → build 2–3 easy dinners → reduce daily cooking stress

📝 Notes

This is a lightly seasoned base recipe. You can easily adjust the flavor depending on how you plan to use it:

  • Add cumin and chili powder for a Tex-Mex version
  • Add Italian seasoning for pasta or soup
  • Add a yogurt-based sauce for wraps

Next Up: Turn this into easy meals like Chicken Rice Bowls or Stuffed Sweet Potatoes.

#MealPrepMadeEasy #CookOnceEatMultipleTimes #BatchCooking #SimpleMealPrep

#BudgetFriendlyMeals #StretchYourGroceries #EatWellForLess

#HeartHealthyEating #LowCholesterolMeals #BloodSugarFriendly #BalancedMeals

#EasyDinnerIdeas #SimpleCooking #RealLifeMeals #HomeCooking

#ChickenRecipes #ShreddedChicken #SlowCookerMeals #HealthyChicken

Posted in Miscellaneous (Unsorted)

Pork Chops and Scalloped Potatoes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

When you’re in the mood for comfort food, pork chops and scalloped potatoes are a dinner combination that everyone will love. But when they’re baked together, with layers of tender sliced potatoes and onions bubbling in an simple gravy, they turn into a pork chop and potato casserole that really is one of the easiest pork dinner recipes ever.

You briefly sear the pork chops for extra flavor, then add them to the covered casserole, where they stay moist and tender as they cook. It’s one of those crowd-pleasing meals that you can make for all kinds of occasions—dinner with the kids, a special weekend supper when your family comes over, or even to share with friends at a dinner party.

Ingredients for Pork Chops with Scalloped Potatoes

  • Pork rib chops: The casserole gets a long bake in the oven, so the type of pork chop you choose is essential. Pork rib chops have more fat than loin chops, which helps them stay juicy once cooked. Buy chops that are sliced about 3/4-inch thick.
  • Potatoes: Thinly sliced potatoes make a savory bed for the pork chops. Yukon Golds or russets are the best type of potatoes here; you’ll need about four to six medium potatoes to get 6 cups of sliced potatoes. A mandoline (an essential kitchen tool) makes thin, perfectly even slices.
  • Onion: Use yellow, white or even sweet onions for this recipe. Slice the onion into thin rings to cook with the scalloped potatoes.
  • Oil: You need just a little vegetable oil in the skillet to sear the pork chops. Browning meat in fat adds color and extra flavor.
  • Chicken broth: Use a good quality store-bought or homemade chicken broth. It’s the base of a simple gravy that simmers the potatoes and onions.
  • Butter: Use melted salted or unsalted butter to make the roux that thickens the gravy.
  • Flour: Whisk all-purpose flour into the melted butter to make the roux.
  • Seasonings: Season the pork chops simply with salt and pepper. Paprika and fresh parsley are optional seasonings you can use as a garnish for color and flavor.

Taste of Home