cinderellasapron 
Today we are making 7 EASY dinners that are unique, delicious, and sure to get you out of that dinner time rut! Ready in 30 minutes or less, these dinners are sure to make the whole family happy! So, here’s what’s on the menu this week: Frito Pie, Chicken Parm Burgers, Lemon Garlic Shrimp Foil Packets, Crispy Pork Chops with Corn Orzo, Turkey Smashed Gyros, Crispy Chicken Baked Tacos, and Prosciutto and Pea Ravioli!
Easy Frito Pie
Ingredients
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tsp taco or chili seasoning blend of garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper
- 4 ounces salsa
- 2-3 ounces Fritos corn chips
- 2 ounces cheddar cheese
- sour cream and chives, or cilantro, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large oven safe skillet, heat a drizzle of oil. Add in the onions and bell peppers. Cook for about 3 minutes.
- Add in the ground beef. Cook until browned and no longer pink. Drain off the grease, if necessary.
- Stir in the taco seasoning, salsa, and 2/3 cup water. Simmer for a few minutes, or until thickened.
- Sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top, followed by the chips. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and chips are slightly browned.
- Sprinkle fresh chives or cilantro, and serve with sour cream.
Crispy Pork Cutlets with Creamy Corn Orzo
Ingredients
- 4 pork chops, pounded to 1/4 inch thick
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 cups panko
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- salt and pepper
- oil, for frying
Creamy Corn Orzo
- 2 TBSP butter
- 2 TBSP flour
- 1 cup milk
- 10 ounces corn kernels
- 5 ounces baby spinach
- 8 ounces orzo pasta, cooked
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the egg, Dijon, flour, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- On a large plate, combine the panko, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Pat the pork chops dry, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Dredge in the egg mixture, then panko. Set aside on a sheet pan to fry.
- In a large, high walled skillet, heat about 1/2 inch of oil to 350 degrees.
- Fry the pork chops about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown, and cooked to 145 degrees internally.
- While the pork chops are frying, melt the butter in a separate skillet.
- Whisk in the flour, and cook for 30 seconds. Whisk in the whole milk.
- Bring to a simmer, until slightly thickened. Stir in the orzo, corn, and spinach.
- Cook for 3 minutes, or until spinach is wilted. Turn off the heat, and stir in parmesan, salt, and pepper.
Cheesy Baked Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 7 ounces diced green chiles
- 2 tomatoes, seeded and diced
- 1/2 cup mild salsa
- 15 ounces black beans, drained
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
- 12 crunchy taco shells
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a 9×13 inch dish with parchment. Stand the taco shells in the dish, and bake for 4 minutes. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, drizzle some oil in the pan, and add the onions and chicken. Cook until the onions are softened and chicken is cooked through.
- Stir in the garlic, and cook an additional 30 seconds.
- Add in the seasonings, followed by the green chiles, tomatoes, and salsa. Bring to a simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in beans.
- Place a sprinkle of cheese in the bottom of each shell. Divide the filling among the taco shells. Top with remaining shredded cheese.
- Bake for 10 minutes, or until melted and golden.
Prosciutto and Pea Ravioli
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cheese ravioli, cooked according to package directions
- 4 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto
- 8 ounces peas
- 2 TBSP mint
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 TBSP butter
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of oil. Fry the slices of prosciutto 1 minute per side. Remove, and chop up.
- Heat the butter and heavy cream in the same skillet, until the butter is melted. Bring to a simmer. Stir in the parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Once thickened, stir in the ravioli, peas, half the prosciutto, and half the mint. Garnish with remaining prosciutto and mint.
Lemon Garlic Shrimp Foil Packets with Garlic Bread
Ingredients
- 1 pound jumbo shrimp
- 1 TBSP olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound asparagus spears
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced Plus more for wedges
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp fresh parsley plus more for serving
- salt and pepper
- 4 TBSP butter
Garlic Bread
- 1 loaf Italian bread
- 6 TBSP butter, softened
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp fresh parsley
- 1/4 tsp paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- In a large bowl, combine the lemon zest, juice, garlic, paprika, 1 TBSP oil, salt and pepper. Stir in the shrimp.
- Lay 4 rectangles of foil out on the counter. Brush a little oil on each.
- Divide the shrimp to one side of the center of the foil pieces. Place asparagus next to the shrimp.
- Drizzle some more oil, salt and pepper on the asparagus. Add a TBSP of butter on top of each packet. Seal up, crimping all of the edges together. Place on a sheet pan.
- Bake 15- 20 minutes. Rest for 2 before opening. Serve with parsley and lemon wedges.
- Cut the Italian bread in half horizontally. Spread the softened butter on both sides. Sprinkle the salt, garlic powder, parsley, and paprika all over.
- Broil for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown. Cut into strips, and serve with shrimp.
Chicken Parm Burgers
Ingredients
- 1/2 onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup marinara sauce, divided
- 1 cup breadcrumbs, divided
- 1/2 cup mozzarella, cubed or shredded
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp basil
- 1/2 tsp parsley
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 4-6 slices mozzarella cheese
- 4-6 burger buns
- 1/4 cup parmesan
- fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a drizzle of oil in a skillet. Cook the onion until softened.
- Add the garlic, and cook an additional 30 seconds.
- Combine 1/4 cup marinara, cubed mozzarella, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, seasonings, and onions. Mix in ground chicken.
- Shape into 4-6 patties. Dredge in remaining breadcrumbs.
- Heat more oil in a skillet. Cook 4-5 minutes per side. Top with slices of mozzarella.
- Toast buns, and serve burgers with more marinara and fresh basil.
Smashed Turkey Gyros
Ingredients
- 1/2 red onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1/2 cucumber, diced
- 1 TBSP olive oil
- 1/2 TBSP red vinegar
- 1 pound ground turkey or chicken
- 2 tsp gyro spice mix of oregano, parsley, paprika, coriander, rosemary, thyme, cinnamon, salt and pepper
- 4 pitas
- 4 ounces tzatziki
- 2 ounces feta
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the onion, garlic, tomato, and cucumber. Add olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.
- In a separate bowl, combine the turkey and spices. Divide into 4 balls.
- Heat oil over medium high heat. Place turkey balls into center of pitas. Press until thin and close to the edges.
- Place pita turkey side down in skillet. Cook 2-3 minutes. Flip, and cook an additional 2 minutes.
- Top with tzatziki, salad, and feta.
