Classic Beef Stroganoff is made by searing slices of steak in a hot skillet, along with mushrooms and onions. The beef and vegetables are then simmered in a sauce until tender. The dish is finished by stirring sour cream into the gravy, and Stroganoff is traditionally served over noodles.

I set out to create an Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff recipe that is simple to make and healthier than the traditional recipe. You’ll find no cream of mushroom soup in my recipe, less butter, and only wholesome ingredients. If you’re looking for a family-friendly meal that you can easily make at the end of a long day, then this Instant Pot stroganoff is for you!

This beef stroganoff recipe is an Instant Pot one pot meal. Everything – onions, mushrooms, beef and even noodles, all cook together in your Instant Pot. For more Instant Pot one pot meals, try my Instant Pot Chicken and Rice and Instant Pot Pasta. (more…)

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Meet my all-time favorite pumpkin bread recipe. It’s secretly a healthy pumpkin bread. Secretly, because you’d never know it… this bread is moist and sweet, with the best pumpkin spice flavor.

Baking pumpkin bread from scratch is much easier than you might think. This bread is a quick bread, which means that no yeast or rising time is required. If you want pumpkin chocolate chip bread, you can add chocolate chips to this pumpkin bread batter. Or try my delicious chocolate chip pumpkin muffins.

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A slice of homemade pumpkin pie is one of my favorite desserts during the fall and holiday season. I’ve updated my best pumpkin pie recipe with new photos and an improved recipe and instructions. Keep reading for all of my best pumpkin pie baking tips!

I’ve tested many, many pumpkin pie recipes and what I’ve found is that you don’t need complicated or time-consuming steps to make the best pumpkin pie. To make a delicious pumpkin pie worthy of your holiday table, it’s as simple as whisking together a few ingredients for the filling, pouring it into an unbaked pie crust, and baking the pie. This pumpkin pie is about as easy and delicious as it gets, even for beginning bakers.

My pumpkin pie recipe starts with a homemade buttery, flaky pie crust, although you can use store-bought if you’re short on time. The pumpkin pie filling is luscious and creamy and perfectly spiced with pumpkin pie spices, including cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. You are going to love this easy pumpkin pie! (more…)

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I’m always trying out more easy Instant Pot recipes, to help you get dinner on your table with less time and effort. This Instant Pot pasta is one of my family’s new favorites! It’s quick, flavorful, and you’ll only have one pot to wash after dinner.

I love one pot pasta dishes. Not only are they super easy to make, but the pasta turns out so flavorful because it soaks up some of the pasta sauce as it cooks. My Instant Pot Spaghetti and Instant Pot Mac and Cheese are family favorites because they’re so easy and tasty.

When you make this Instant Pot pasta, you can brown the sausage and onion right in the Instant Pot using the sauté setting. Then you’ll add bell peppers, pasta, water and marinara sauce and pressure cook. Finally, you’ll stir in fresh spinach and mozzarella cheese. This Instant Pot pasta is a family-friendly dinner that includes veggies, pasta and whole grains for a wholesome meal. (more…)

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Green bean casserole is a traditional holiday side dish that is often made for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter dinner. Once you try this fresh green bean casserole recipe, you’ll never go back to any other version.

Many green bean casserole recipes call for canned green beans, packaged fried onions and cans of cream of mushroom soup. But not my homemade green bean casserole recipe!

This old fashioned green bean casserole is made with fresh green beans, a homemade cream sauce and a crispy cheesy breadcrumb topping. This is simply the best green bean casserole recipe!

My Broccoli Casserole From Scratch is always one of my most popular recipes. The recipe quickly became a reader favorite, which got me thinking. If people are looking for a from scratch, broccoli casserole recipe, maybe you’d like a real ingredient full-flavored green bean casserole recipe as well? I think so! (more…)

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Homemade apple pie is a classic dessert that’s especially perfect for fall. But really, who wouldn’t love a slice of apple pie any time of year?

Making a pie from scratch can seem difficult, but it is actually really easy. If making pie dough from scratch intimidates you, don’t worry. I will walk you through the simple steps so that you can make your own scrumptious apple pie from scratch.

As I was testing this apple pie recipe, my whole family kept raving that it’s the best apple pie they’ve ever eaten. You’ll have to tell me which you like more, because I just can’t decide:  the juicy cinnamon-spiced apple pie filling or the buttery, flaky pie crust.

For Thanksgiving and the holidays, this delicious pumpkin pie recipe is my other favorite (and it’s really easy, too!). You’ll also love my blackberry pie and cherry pie recipes. (more…)

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Chicken and rice is a favorite dinner around here, including this Instant Pot chicken and rice, slow cooker chicken and rice, and this quick and easy one pot chicken and rice. My family also loves this comforting chicken and rice soup in the cooler months, but today we’re making baked chicken and rice in the oven!

I tested this recipe again and again (and again…) until I got it just right. I wanted to give you options, so that you can make this chicken and rice casserole with brown rice or white rice, and with bone-in or boneless chicken thighs. I even tried adding chopped veggies to the baking dish, so you can make this casserole with or without vegetables. I’ve included notes in this post with directions for all of these variations.

This baked chicken and rice casserole recipe will help you to get a homemade meal on your table with just a few minutes of prep time. While your casserole bakes, you’ll be free to help your kids with homework, do a load of laundry, or relax! Serve your chicken and rice casserole with a spinach salad, sautéed green beans, roasted broccoli or roasted carrots. (more…)

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These pressure cooker green beans are delicious served with my crispy baked chicken thighs, baked salmon, slow cooker chicken thighs and Instant Pot orange chicken.

When you’re trying to cook dinner for a family, keeping it simple is key. Especially when it comes to side dishes.

That’s why I love simple side dishes like these easy Instant Pot green beans. You just add water and fresh green beans to your Instant Pot and let the pressure cooker do the rest of the work. Even a steamer basket is optional.

If you’re a beginner to Instant Pot cooking, this Instant Pot green beans recipe is a great recipe to start with. It’s easy, with just a few simple steps. If you have questions about how to use your Instant Pot, my quick start Instant Pot manual is a great reference.

Instant Pot green beans are a healthy side dish that goes well with many easy meals. Using your pressure cooker, you can cook your green beans just how you like them: crisp-tender or softer. For more green bean recipes, see my sautéed green beans, roasted green beans and green bean casserole recipes. (more…)

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Chicken and Mushrooms

Chicken and mushrooms are a classic combination, conjuring up feelings of comfort food dinners at home. Crockpot chicken is a busy parent’s best friend for quick dinners, and this mushroom chicken recipe is no exception. Using your crockpot allows you to prep this easy meal ahead of time, so your dinner will be ready when you’re ready to eat on a busy weeknight.

Chicken thighs are perfect for cooking in your crockpot because they don’t dry out as easily as chicken breasts can – see this slow cooker chicken thighs recipe for another tasty example. If you prefer to make this mushroom chicken with chicken breasts, see my tips below.

My family loves crockpot chicken recipes, and this crockpot chicken and mushrooms is one of my favorites because the chicken, mushrooms and orzo pasta all cook together in the slow cooker. Serve with a spinach salad or these roasted green beans for a healthy and easy meal.

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Serve roasted green beans with baked chicken thighs, Instant Pot pork chops, or this easy salmon recipe. These green beans are also a delicious and easy side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter.

If you haven’t tried roasting green beans, you are missing out! Something magical happens when vegetables are roasted in the oven, and green beans are no exception.

This roasted green beans recipe is so simple to make, with fresh green beans and just three pantry ingredients. You’ll toss everything together on a sheet pan and bake in your oven. Then, use all the willpower you have to not eat the whole batch straight from the baking sheet, before it even has a chance to hit your dinner table!

Fresh from the oven, these green beans are soft in the center and crisp on the edges. As the green beans cool they soften, but they still have the same delicious roasted flavor. I like to make a big batch and save any leftover roasted green beans to serve alongside eggs for breakfast. (more…)

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If you like green beans, you are going to LOVE this recipe. These sautéed green beans with Parmesan are a simple yet flavorful way to enjoy crisp fresh green beans! There are just three ingredients, plus salt and pepper, in this easy recipe.

These sautéed green beans are an easy side dish to serve with Instant Pot pork chops, baked chicken, and this favorite salmon recipe. (more…)

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Zucchini is such a versatile ingredient. From savory main courses and side dishes to sweet baked goods, the ways to prepare this summer squash are practically limitless. You can even eat zucchini raw. Try making zucchini ribbons with a vegetable peeler and adding them to a salad, or add thinly sliced zucchini to a sandwich.

Zucchini season is at its peak from June through late August, so now is the perfect time to enjoy this nutrient-rich veggie. (Technically, zucchini is classified as a fruit but it’s commonly treated as a vegetable.)

You don’t need to peel zucchini before cooking or baking with it. In fact, many of the nutrients in zucchini are concentrated in the zucchini skin.

Jump to the Zucchini Recipes

How to Choose Zucchini

Choose a zucchini that is a deep, bright green color, with smooth skin that is free of blemishes. Small to medium zucchini have the best flavor, while large zucchini may be bland and watery. Try to buy zucchini with fresh-looking stems that are still attached, as those squash will last longer.

Buying zucchini at the farmer’s market (or growing your own) is the best way to make sure your zucchini will be fresh and flavorful.

How to Store Zucchini

Zucchini is best stored unwashed, in a bag that allows some air to circulate. When properly stored, zucchini will last in the refrigerator for up to one week. Wash zucchini right before using.

You can also freeze zucchini. Wash the zucchini, cut it into 1-inch pieces or rounds, and then blanch it. While blanching is optional, it helps to prevent zucchini from getting mushy after freezing. To blanch zucchini, boil it for a minute or two and then transfer it to a bowl of ice water. First freeze blanched zucchini in a single layer on a baking sheet and then transfer to a freezer bag and freeze for up to three months.

Best Zucchini Recipes

Below you’ll find zucchini recipes in each of these categories. Click on the links to go straight to the recipes in that category.

1. Zucchini Bread
2. Zucchini Noodles
3. Zucchini Lasagna
4. Zucchini Casseroles
5. Zucchini Boats and Stuffed Zucchini
6. Zucchini Fries
7. Baked and Roasted Zucchini
8. Zucchini Muffins
9. Zucchini Cookies and Bars
10. Zucchini Cakes

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These breakfast smoothie recipes are perfect for busy mornings. You can sip on a smoothie as you get ready for work or get the kids ready for school.

Most of these recipes are kid-friendly. My kids love it when I tell them they can have a smoothie for breakfast! It’s an easy way to get plenty of fruits and/or veggies in their bodies at the beginning of the day. Many of these smoothie recipes also have oats, too, which makes them super filling. (more…)

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This easy smoothie blends up deliciously thick and creamy. It’s full of rich banana flavor and is a good source of potassium. If you love banana smoothies, also try my strawberry banana smoothie and peanut butter banana smoothie recipes.

Do you often end up with more ripe bananas on your counter than you can eat? You can always make banana bread, but you can also freeze those bananas to use later in smoothies. Ripe bananas with a few brown spots are perfect for baking into bread and adding to smoothies because they are naturally sweet.

This banana smoothie is one of my easiest smoothie recipes. It’s made with simple ingredients that I always have in my kitchen, so I can make it anytime I need a quick breakfast. This easy smoothie is also a healthy snack for kids. (more…)

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Pork chops are an easy, family-friendly meal. Pork chops cook quickly, so they are perfect for quick dinners. My other easy pork chop recipes include my baked pork chops and these pan seared pork chops.

Today I’m sharing these Instant Pot pork chops, which have quickly become one of my go-to recipes when I need an easy meal for my family. My kids love these pork chops, especially the honey garlic sauce!

Cooking pork chops in your Instant Pot takes just a few minutes of prep time, and while the pork pressure cooks you can get the rest of your meal on the table. You’ll brown the pork chops right in your Instant Pot and then they’ll pressure cook in the honey garlic sauce. (more…)

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After you decide which Instant Pot to buy, you’ll probably wonder what accessories you’ll need for your new pressure cooker. You can cook many basic recipes using the parts and accessories that come with a new Instant Pot. When you’re ready to branch out and experiment with recipes beyond the “dump all of the ingredients in the pot” variety, you’ll need a few of these Instant Pot accessories.

The Instant Pot accessories that you need will depend on what you plan to cook in your Instant Pot. I suggest reading through this list and choosing the pressure cooker accessories that make the most sense for your cooking needs. All of these products are easy to use in your Instant Pot, and they won’t take up a lot of space in your kitchen.

My list of must have Instant Pot accessories includes:

• Instant Pot Inserts: These are items that you put in your Instant Pot to cook various foods.
• Instant Pot Lids: To use while cooking and for storing food.
• Pot in Pot Cooking: Cook two items at once in your Instant Pot, not mixed together!
• Official Instant Pot Replacement Parts: Sometimes you need an extra, especially the sealing ring.
• Pan for Making Cheesecake: Plus my favorite recipe.
• Hot Mitts: Safely remove hot items from your Instant Pot.

If you are new to Instant Pot cooking, be sure to read my Instant Pot beginner’s guide to learn how to use an Instant Pot. I have both an 8 quart Instant Pot DUO and the Instant Pot LUX 6 quart and lots of experience cooking with both. (more…)

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My easy guacamole recipe and restaurant-style salsa recipe are the perfect toppings for your chicken fajitas. On the side, try my Mexican Instant Pot black beans and Instant Pot corn on the cob.

Best Chicken Fajita Recipe

The best chicken fajitas are grilled chicken fajitas! Not only is this fajita chicken grilled to juicy perfection, it is perfectly seasoned with a simple marinade made of lime juice, garlic, honey and spices. I’ve taken all of my best tips for making perfect grilled chicken breasts and used them to make these the best homemade fajitas. (more…)

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Fruit salad is a favorite side dish that everyone can enjoy – both kids and adults! I often make my berry fruit salad for summer BBQs and potlucks, and these fresh fruit kabobs are an easy way to make individual servings of fruit salad!

These rainbow fruit kabobs are a fun twist on classic fruit salad. With fresh strawberries, clementine oranges, pineapple, kiwi, blueberries and purple grapes, these fruit skewers are a delicious way to eat the rainbow!

You can change up the fruits in these fruit skewers depending on what is in season. Below you’ll find lots of ideas of fruits for each color of the rainbow.

Served with my sweet lemon Greek yogurt dip, these healthy fruit kabobs are impossible to resist. The Greek yogurt adds some protein to this healthy snack, and the fruit provides fiber. Everyone is going to love this fresh fruit on a stick! (more…)

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If you love the flavors in orange chicken, you’ll also enjoy my Slow Cooker Orange Chicken and Chicken Lettuce Wraps with orange sauce. For more best Instant Pot recipes, try my Instant Pot Spaghetti, Instant Pot Beef Stew and Instant Pot Mac and Cheese.

If given the choice between ordering take-out and making a homemade version of my takeout favorites at home, I’ll always choose the latter. Cooking from scratch allows me to use fresh, wholesome ingredients to make healthier versions of my favorite dishes.

You can have this delicious Instant Pot orange chicken on your table in about the same amount of time that it would take you to run to your local takeout spot. You won’t have to leave your house and your meal will be fresh, flavorful and, the best part, homemade.

This is one of my favorite Instant Pot meals because everything cooks together in the pressure cooker. (more…)

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Corn on the cob is a delicious side dish for my turkey burger recipe, grilled chicken breast, pulled pork and Instant Pot ribs. Use your leftover cooked corn on the cob to make corn salad.

Best Corn on the Cob

Instant Pot corn on the cob is seriously life-changing. If you usually boil corn on the cob, you have to try cooking corn in your Instant Pot instead!

Cooking corn on the cob in your Instant Pot is faster, easier and more hands-off than boiling corn on the stove. You don’t have to watch a pot on the stove, and you will always know exactly when your corn on the cob is done. Pressure cooker corn is really foolproof – it always cooks to tender perfection! (more…)

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