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If you're the person in your family being asked "what's for dinner?" and in charge of meal planning, you know how relentless and exhausting it can be to figure out what everyone is going to eat every meal, every day. Here on Easier Meals, Anne talks through an easy recipe each episode with tips and tricks to help you make it in your kitchen. For your convenience, printable recipes are always linked in the show notes. Anne is the mom of two young kids, and the food blogger behind The Default ...
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This episode features a recipe developed by Mary at Life In The RV. Anne talks through this easy and delicious twist on the classic ham and cheese slider- making it on pretzel rolls! The full printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what you'll need: Cold Aisles: 1/2 pound thin sliced ham, 4 slices swiss chees…
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Got leftover meatloaf? Anne talks through making meatloaf sliders with them, complete with a quick homemade sauce if you don't have any of your glaze leftover. Want even less prep? Swap that glaze for your favorite bottle of BBQ sauce, which keeps the ingredients list short and sweet. The full printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making …
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Anne talks through this one-pot chicken pasta dish that is similar to alfredo, but a smidge less indulgent. Creamy cheesy pasta is a kid-friendly food, and it's quick enough to make on busy weeknights. The full printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what you'll need: Meat: 1 lb chicken breasts (boneless, ski…
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Anne talks through making some no-rice chicken stuffed peppers with Mediterranean flavors. They can be made in the oven or slow cooker after a little prep, and the stuffing mixture could be made ahead to save time on a busy day. These are great with a simple tzatziki sauce that you can make yourself or pick up at your grocery if they carry one. The…
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Pulled pork often makes a lot of leftovers, and you can only do sandwiches so many days before wanting a change of pace. Anne talks through using some in an easy pulled pork fried rice to mix up your leftover routine- especially if you have leftover rice from another meal too. The full printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your gro…
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Anne talks through this toddler-friendly homemade oat bar that's lightly sweetened with maple syrup for a more mild flavor and sugar content than store-bought. The full printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what you'll need: Produce: 1 overripe banana Cold: 2 eggs, 2 tbsp butter Inside Aisles: 1 cup rolled …
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This week Anne goes through how to roast bell peppers in the air fryer or oven, so that you can make them yourself when you have some on hand you're not going to use up in their prime. Great in sandwiches or dishes like last week's mediterranean inspired orzo, they store great in the freezer for whenever you need them. The step by step printable is…
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Anne talks through a low prep one pot dinner, baked chicken and orzo with pesto. Using jarred roasted red peppers and store bought pesto, this comes together quickly and is hands-off once you pop it in the oven. The full printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what you'll need: Meat: 2 chicken breasts (approx…
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Anne talks through making your own homemade slow cooker Chex Mix, along with microwave instructions if you need a snack stat. For an after-school snack or football game food, the best part of homemade is being able to make a ratio that's perfect for your house. The full printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's…
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This episode features a recipe developed by Chelsea Mae Plummer of Mae's Menu. Anne talks through this easy homemade white cheddar mac and cheese with a sauce that you can put together while the pasta cooks. This creamy, cheesy pasta is a great kid-friendly comfort dish! The full printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery l…
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Anne talks through this easy weeknight pasta that comes together in about 20 minutes. Perfect for a "meatless Monday" this spinach mushroom pasta is light on prep, especially if you buy your mushrooms already sliced. The full, printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what you'll need: Produce: Mushrooms (16 oz…
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Anne talks through baking or air frying premade Salmon Pinwheels both as fast as possible on the pan, or wrapped in a tin foil packet to steam. The nerdy temperature tables are in the full post linked above, but if you're making your grocery list all you'll need is: Cold section: Refrigerated salmon pinwheels Inside aisles: Cooking spray and/or alu…
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Anne talks through an easy set-and-forget casserole you can make in the crockpot or bake up in a classic casserole dish. The chicken broccoli potato casserole doesn't use "cream of" soup, so if no worries if you don't have any in your pantry. The full printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what you'll need: …
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This episode features a recipe developed by Deirdre of The Fiery Vegetarian. This week Anne talks through making a homemade curry with coconut milk and spices for a flavorful sauce that's great on rice, naan, and more. The recipe uses chickpeas for a perfect Meatless Monday meal that happens to be vegan making it a win for anyone with dairy sensiti…
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Anne talks through making a refresing berry focused smoothie that is perfect for the summer heat. A copycat of blueberry bliss from Tropical Smoothie, you can leave out the sugar if not trying to mimic the takeout taste. The full printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what you'll need for a 14-16 oz smoothie…
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Summer is a time for easy, lazy, light lunches, like your favorite brand of frozen spring rolls. Anne talks through making them in the air fryer or oven so you can enjoy a crispy appetizer whenever the mood strikes. The full printable instructions are linked above, but if you're making your grocery list all you'll need is your favorite frozen sprin…
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Anne talks through making a quick light breakfast for when it's too hot to want anything else in the morning. The matcha is added last in this strawberry smoothie, and can be left out for littles who don't need the caffeine boost. The full printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what you'll need: Produce: 1 c…
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Anne talks through caramelizing onions and mushrooms in a large skillet, a perfect summer cook out side. If you use cast iron you can even do it on the grill alongside the burgers or steaks you might want to have with them. The full printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what you'll need: Produce: 2.5 lb oni…
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This episode features a recipe developed by Prajakta Sukhatme of Profusion Curry. Anne talks through making this easy and delicious pasta fresca- a vegetarian pasta dish with a balsamic cream sauce that's perfect for summer. The full original instructions with photos are linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what you'll need: …
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It's getting too hot to turn on the oven, and come Thanksgiving freeing up some space in there is handy too. Anne talks through making a bone-in turkey breast in the crockpot with a honey maple glaze that you can get ready fast and then walk away from. The printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what you'll n…
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Anne talks through making a batch of homemade taco seasoning so you don't have to worry about running out of seasoning packets, and can customize it to your family's tastes. The printable version is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what Anne's base uses: 1/3 cup chili powder blend, 2.5 tbsp paprika, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp o…
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We're almost at Mother's Day, so today Anne is talking through an extra easy meal. One that you prep by just discarding the cardboard and plastic packaging! We're going over how to properly heat- and reheat- the La Terra Fina Quiche. You'll find it in a two pack at Costco and single pack at other grocery stores. If you want printable detailed instr…
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Anne talks through these super simple asian steak bites. You quickly marinate the steak with mushrooms in your favorite store bought asian inspired sauce. Then just cook on a sheet pan for a quick and easy dinner. The full printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what you'll need: Meat: 1 lb steak bites Produc…
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Anne talks through this quick to prep garlic parmesan chicken legs, which are great for nights where you're busy but home since bone-in chicken does take some time to cook through. The full printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list, here's what you'll need: Meat: 2 lbs drumsticks Dairy: 2 tbsp plain greek yogurt, 2 oz…
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Anne talks through this super fast air fryer tilapia with a parmesan breadcrumb coating. Between a quick prep and quick cooking fish, this is a busy night meal for when you need to be eating in a hurry. The full printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what you'll need: Seafood: 1 lb tilapia filets (or other w…
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Anne talks through making these Petco park-inspired nachos with tri tip, along with a simple 2 ingredient cheese sauce, sour cream, bbq sauce, and of course, nacho chips. The full, printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what you'll need: Produce: green onions, any other toppings you like such as avocado Dair…
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For Easter Monday, Anne talks through how to make these traditional Greek Easter cookies, that are perfect paired with tea or coffee. Fair warning, while the recipe isn't particularly challenging, rolling out and shaping the cookies by hand does take some time, so this recipe is more fun to make with family and friends. The full printable recipe is…
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This episode features a recipe developed by pastry chef and cookbook author Kimberly Houston of Coach Chef Kim. Anne talks through making these fun and easy bunny cinnamon rolls with just a can of refrigerator section dough and some fun decorations like sprinkles. The full original instructions with photos are linked above, but if you're making you…
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Anne talks through using up leftovers in these simple salmon spring rolls, along with cooking the salmon if you need to. The printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what you'll need: Inside aisles: Spring Roll Wrappers (rice paper), Sweet Chili Sauce (or other favorite sauce) Produce: Carrots, Cucumber, Spina…
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Anne talks through assembling this fun fruit rainbow with a few cloud options including a simple 3-ingredient yogurt dip, plus how to make those berries last longer. The printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what you'll need: Fruits: Approximately 1 cup Strawberries, 2 Clementines, 1 Banana, 1/2 cup Green G…
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Anne talks through making this easy honey soy pork tenderloin in the sous vide, but feel free to use this marinade with other cooking methods as well. The printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what you'll need: Meat: 1 pork tenderloin (about 1 lb) Marinade: Low sodium soy sauce (1/3 cup), honey (2 tbsp), bl…
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This episode features a recipe developed by cookbook author Marlynn Schotland of Urban Bliss Life. Anne talks through making this easy shrimp lo mein with a simple 4 ingredient sauce that comes together faster than you can call in and pick up takeout. The full, printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what you…
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Anne talks through this dump and go slow cooker balsamic chicken that is fast to prep (no, we're not browning anything) and then ready at dinnertime. The full printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what you'll need: Meat: Chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on Produce: 1 onion, 8 oz white mushrooms (whole) Insi…
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Anne talks through this air fryer pork tenderloin, along with how to make it in the oven instead. With a 3 ingredient marinade (plus salt and pepper), this is fast to get marinating, and slicing before cooking makes it fast to cook too. The full printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what you'll need: Meat: …
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Anne talks through these easy Hasselback style potatoes that cook right in your slow cooker. Keep them on warm and serve with toppings for an easy baked potato bar at the Super Bowl, or eat them with almost any main entree for an easy side dish. The printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what you'll need: Pr…
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This episode features a recipe developed by personal and pastry Chef Molly Pisula at Vanilla Bean Cuisine. Anne talks through making these light but satisfying tilapia foil packets with vegetables. If you're a fan of fish, easy prep, and minimal clean up, this dish is for you. The full, printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your gr…
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Anne talks through making this warm and cozy sausage potato casserole in the slow cooker, along with some common ingredient swaps you might want to make. The printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what you'll need: Meat: 14 oz Keilbasa (or other smoked sausage) Frozen: 32 oz bag hash brown potatoes (diced no…
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Leftover steak is great in a lot of dishes, but tacos might be the easiest. Anne talks through how to add seasoning and reheat it to get some tri tip tacos on the table fast. The printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what you'll need: Meat: Tri Tip Seasonings: Chili powder, cumin, and salt…
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When it's too cold to grill or your apartment doesn't allow grills (been there!) making tri tip in the skillet is fast, easy, and delicious. Anne talks through preparing the meat, cooking it, and slicing. The printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what you'll need: Meat: Tri Tip Roast (whole) Seasonings: Gar…
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Boneless short ribs need to be cooked low and slow to become tender. Usually that means they're well-done, but with sous vide we can hold a medium-rare temperature overnight and turn them into a steak-like meal the next day. Anne talks through the simple prep so you can enjoy this more budget friendly cut in a new way. The printable recipe is linke…
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When you have leftover mashed sweet potatoes or sweet potato casserole and are over eating them as-is, they make a great star ingredient in these easy sweet potato muffins. Anne talks through how to make them with leftover or plain sweet potatoes, so you can turn yours into an on the go breakfast or tasty afternoon snack. The full printable recipe …
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These ground pork meatballs use typical Italian seasonings for a quick and easy dinner that bakes fast and preps faster. Anne talks through making them, freezing them, and tips along the way. The full, printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list, here's what you'll need: Meat: 1 lb lean ground pork Cold: 1 egg Inside Ai…
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This episode features a recipe developed by Jessie Johnson at Life As A Strawberry. Anne talks through making Jessie's creamy spinach chicken pasta. If you like creamed spinach you're sure to love those core ingredients with pasta and rotisserie chicken to make it a satisfying meal. The full printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making yo…
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Anne talks through a simple sweet potato side dish that starts by slicing sweet potato circles for roasting. Then it's made extra delicious by caramelizing the brown sugar on top at the end of cooking. Perfect for a smaller crowd on Thanksgiving if you have the oven space, or as an easy side dish any night of the year. The printable recipe is linke…
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Anne talks through this simple dump and go crockpot lemon pepper chicken that uses just 4 ingredients and prepares in about the time of an average radio song. The full printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list, here's what you'll need: Meat: 2 lbs bone-in skin-on chicken thighs (about 6 thighs) Produce: 1 lemon (or le…
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Anne talks through making perfectly cooked teriyaki chicken. Using a sous vide machine ensures it won't be overcooked, and the simple teriyaki marinade uses ingredients you probably have. The full printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list, here's what you'll need: Meat: Chicken breasts (boneless and skinless) Inside a…
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Halloween is tomorrow! Which means lots of candy, fun costumes, and well, very little time for dinner. If you're at Costco to grab some candy bags today, I'd also recommend grabbing a take and bake dish, and today we chat about Costco's stuffed salmon. The full detailed recipe with temperature charts and other nerdiness is linked above, but there's…
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This episode features a recipe developed by Katy McAvoy at Mitten Girl. If you love bacon, and avocado, and pasta, you're in for a treat. This simple pasta dish uses all three, plus some other favorites like tomatoes and garlic for a delicious but easy meal. While we do have a bit of chopping it goes pretty quickly, and you can do it on the fly if …
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Anne talks through this slow cooker caprese chicken and pasta, which only has us putting 4 ingredients in our crock pot before walking away for a few hours. Cook up some pasta when it's almost done and you've got a complete, low effort dinner. The printable recipe is linked above, but if you're putting your grocery list together, here's what you'll…
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Anne talks through a simple 4 ingredient weeknight dinner- lemon pepper chicken legs. Prepped fast and kid-friendly, for more time fighting over homework instead of dinner. The full, printable recipe is linked above, but if you're making your grocery list here's what you'll need: Meat: 1 lb chicken legs (about 5 legs) Produce: 1 lemon, for juice (c…
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