Today’s post is a guest post by Sheenia Jackson! She is sharing some quick and easy meals in 15 minutes of less!
Sheenia previously wrote a post on Moms in May, you can check it out here.
Be sure to visit her site and Instagram!
If you would like to guest post on Leaf and Steel please visit our Guest Post page to view requirements and ideas!
Let’s get into it…
I have to say the kitchen is my happy place! But as a busy mom with much to juggle, my favorite meals are those that are simple, fast, and delicious.
Usually, my ultimate cooking goal is to get a healthy meal on the table, while adding a few minutes back into my day. To me, that’s a Win-Win!
Summer is quickly approaching, which means moms will be busy planning family activities and feeding big appetites. In this article, I will be sharing three of my favorite summer recipes that are kind to your budget, ready within minutes, and sure to please your family any day of the week!
From Sunday dinners, to lazy weeknight meals, to game-day appetizers… these dishes include simple ingredients and are perfect for many occasions!
Tasty Shrimp Tacos
Fresh and delicious! This recipe features crisp veggies, a tasty homemade sauce, and fresh squeezed limes. What’s not to love?
Since the only thing we’re cooking is the shrimp, dinner will be served in no time, and you’ll soon be resting your feet!
What You’ll Need…
For the Shrimp:
- 1 lb. shrimp
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Your favorite seasoning
For the Sauce:
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 ½ tablespoons lime juice
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Sriracha sauce
Ideas for Toppings: white corn tortillas, shredded purple cabbage, sliced red onions, grated Cotija cheese, chopped cilantro, fresh squeezed limes, sliced avocado
Let’s Make It!
- Start by rinsing your shrimp and patting it dry with paper towels. Place the shrimp in a large bowl and add your favorite seasonings. I personally enjoy Italian Seasoning, Smoked Paprika, and Kinder’s all-purpose seasoning blend. Follow your taste buds and make it your own!
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and sauté the shrimp until cooked through (1-2 minutes per side). Set the shrimp aside…
- Toast the tortillas in a skillet or on a hot griddle. Just a couple seconds will do!
- Build your tacos by arranging your desired toppings and shrimp over each tortilla.
- In a small bowl, whisk the sauce ingredients and serve over tacos.
Easy Peasy, right?!
I usually opt for fresh shrimp in this recipe, but you can use frozen if you prefer. Just be sure to thaw before cooking.
Shrimp tacos aren’t the same without corn tortillas in my opinion, but feel free to use flour tortillas if you’d like.
Build-Your-Own taco night is a delicious theme to add to your summer meal planning.
If you haven’t already, give Shrimp Tacos a try!
Sheet Pan Nachos
Loaded nachos. Simple ingredients. Kid-friendly. What more can I say?
What You’ll Need…
- 1 lb. ground beef or turkey
- Choice of seasoning mix
- 12 oz. bag tortilla chips
- 14 oz. canned pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned will do)
- Shredded Mexican cheese
Ideas for Toppings: diced tomatoes, shredded romaine lettuce, sliced red onions, fresh squeezed limes, sour cream, sliced avocado, chopped cilantro, diced jalapenos
Let’s Make It!
- Preheat your oven to 400F. Cover a large baking sheet with nonstick aluminum foil.
- Season your meat with your favorite spices and cook in a skillet until browned, 5-10 minutes tops! Then drain excess fat.
- Place tortilla chips in a single layer onto the baking sheet. Top tortillas with cooked meat, pinto beans, corn and your desired amount of shredded cheese.
- Place into the oven and bake for 5 minutes.
- Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
For the seasoning mix, I like to use a combination of several spices. Some of my favorites include cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and honestly… whatever I have on hand!
You may also use a 1 ounce packet of store-bought taco seasoning mix if you prefer to go that route. You really can’t go wrong with a simple meal like this. Be creative, be flexible, and enjoy!
Sloppy Joe Sliders
Who doesn’t love an old childhood favorite every once in a while?
I love serving this meal because it brings back precious memories. But I do have to say, this version of “Sloppy Joes” is much tastier than the one I remember growing up.
In this recipe, we’re trading in the canned sauce for a sweet and zesty homemade sauce that takes little time to cook up!
What You’ll Need…
For the Beef:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb. ground beef
For the Sauce:
- 8 oz. canned tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Ideas for Toppings: slider buns, sliced pickles, shredded lettuce
Let’s Make It!
- Add ground beef and minced garlic to a skillet, then cook until browned, 5-10 minutes. Drain grease from meat.
- Pour the sauce ingredients over the cooked meat and stir.
- Cover with a lid and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve on slider buns and enjoy with your favorite toppings!
If you get extremely lucky and have more time to spare, I highly recommend letting the meat sauce simmer just a tad bit longer. An extra 10 minutes will allow your sauce to reach peak flavor!
If you can’t spare the extra minutes, no worries!
Pair your sliders with potato chips or fresh fruit, and embrace the nostalgia!
Summing It All Up!
When it comes to quick and delicious meals, the options are endless.
The point of this article is to prompt you to think about fun and creative dinners to serve your family, without sacrificing TASTE, HEALTH, or TIME.
When using canned items in a recipe, try to aim for “organic” or “no sodium added” labels.
Remember, cooking well doesn’t mean cooking fancy… A few simple ingredients go a long way!
Homemade meals are the best, especially when they’re made EASY and with love.
Happy Cooking!
I’m Sheenia Denae, a SAHM who loves to write, cook, and create simple recipes.
You can find me on Instagram @made_to_be_marvelous or check out my website at sheeniadenae.wixsite.com/iwrite/
I’m always happy to share my thoughts, dishes, and other helpful tips with fellow mommas.
Let’s connect!
Thank you Sheenia for guest posting!
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O.