Main Dish Recipes
Here are some of Main Dish Recipes and most are “so easy even I’ll make it” recipes.
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Smoked Salmon Chowder Recipe
A hearty main dish recipe that’s filling and perfect for any time of the year.
See more Chowder Recipe Options on Chowderfest.
Low Country Boil Recipe
A Low Country Boil is a meal cooked in one boil pot
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 754kcal
Equipment
- Stainless Steel Kitchen Tongs Hiash Heavy Duty Cooking Tongs Good Grips 10-Inch Scissors Tongs with Comfortable Red Handle for Cooking Barbecue
- RAPICCA BBQ Grill Gloves 17 Inches,932℉, Heat Resistant-Smoker, Cooking Barbecue Gloves, Handling Heat Food Right on Your Fryer,Grill,Oven. Waterproof, Fireproof, Oil Resistant Neoprene Coating(XL)
- FEASTO 60QT Aluminum Boil Kit with Basket Perfect for Seafood Boiling and Steaming, Outdoor Propane Gas Cooker with Adjustable 0-10 PSI Regulator, Non-Assembly Frame Stand
- Zatarain’s Crawfish, Shrimp & Crab Boil, 3 oz (Pack of 6)
Ingredients
- 16 Small Potatoes
- 8 Ears of Corn on the Cob Broken in Half
- 2 Kielbasa Sausages cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
- 2 Fresh Lemons Cut in Half
- 1 Zatarain Crab Boil Bag
- 2 pounds Frozen Easy Peel Shrimp
Instructions
- Fill Boiler Pot with enough water to cover all ingredients
- Add Zatarain's Crab Boil Bag, lemon halves, potatoes and onions
- Allow water to boil and cook for 10 minutes
- Add sausage pieces and cook another 5 minutes
- Add corn and boil another 10 minutes
- Finally add frozen shrimp – cook 3-5 minutes or until shrimp are pink.
- Dump boil pot and allow liquid to drain
- Serve while hot.
Notes
If potatoes are large, cut in half.
Serve with cocktail sauce and/or melted butter
Season with additional Old Bay Seasoning if desired
BE CAREFUL OF HOT LIQUID AND STEAM WHEN DUMPING THE BOIL POT
USE PROTECTIVE GLOVES OR OVEN MITTS
Cilantro Lime Black Bean & Rice Skillet Meal
This is a vegetarian dish that’s super easy to prepare in a skillet. Plus it looks beautiful served right from the skillet. I shared this recipe as a side dish for our Cinco De Mayo Supper Club Dinner.
Cilantro Lime Black Beans Side Dish Recipe
Fresh & Healthy Side Dish
Servings: 6 People
Calories: 218kcal
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 1 15 oz. can black beans drained and rinsed
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
- 3 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 cup chopped onion
- â…“ cup lime juice approx. 3 limes juiced.
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ¼ cup fat free vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Cook Rice
- Add olive oil to skillet and salute onion & minced garlic until onion begins to soften
- Add Vegetable broth
- Add Lime Juice & Cayenne Pepper
- Add Rice, Black Bean & Cilantro and stir until hot.
- Garnish with Lime & Fresh Cilantro
- Serve Immediately
Easy Hot Chicken Salad Recipe – Refreshing Main Dish Recipe
This recipe is so easy and refreshing. It’s perfect for a brunch or afternoon tea.
This recipe is great served with Fresh Squeezed Lemonade.
Hot Chicken Salad
Easy and quick recipe
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 441kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- 2 cups Cooked Chicken Breast salt to taste
- 2 cups sliced Celery
- 2 tbsp chopped onion
- ½ cup Lemon Juice
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- ¼ cup crushed potato chips
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese sharp
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients except potato chips and shredded cheese together in mixing bowl.
- Transfer ingredients into a lightly greased baking dish.
- Top with crushed potato chips and cheese.
- Bake in 450° oven for 10-15 minutes. Just until hot
Notes
This recipe is easily doubled or tripled for a large gathering.
Note:Â
To reduce calories, you can substitute Plain Greek Yogurt for the Mayonnaise. Â
Easy Taco Soup Recipe
One of my favorite soup recipes. It’s a hearty main dish!
Easy Taco Soup Recipe
Easy Crock Pot Recipe
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 500kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Ground Beef
- 1 28 oz. can Crushed Tomato's
- 1 15 oz. can Pinto's Undrained
- 1 15 oz. can Black Beans Undrained
- 1 15 oz. can Corn Undrained
- 1 small Onion Chopped
- 1 Pkg. Ranch Dressing Mix – Dry
- 1 Pkg. Taco Seasoning Mix – Dry
- 2 cups Tortilla Strips Optional Topping
- 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese Optional Topping
- ½ cup Sour Cream Optional Topping
Instructions
- Cook ground beef and onion in skillet until done – drain juices and discard
- Combine all but optional ingredients in Crock Pot
- Cook on Low for 4-6 hours
- Serve with optional toppings if desired
Notes
Optional Toppings are not included in Calorie Count. Â
Optional Ground Turkey can be substituted for Beef – Approx. 440 less calories total or 73 less calories per serving. Â
Brad’s Famous Cheesy Shrimp & Grits
Brad has been perfecting is Cheesy Shrimp & Grits recipe since our daughter’s engagement party 10 years ago. Just when I think he’s got it perfect, he will do something different.
The good news is, you can’t mess this recipe up.
I hope you enjoy his version.
Brad’s Famous Cheesy Shrimp & Grits
Easy, inexpensive dish that can feed a large group
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 757kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup Stone Ground Grits
- 4 cups Chicken Broth
- 1 lb. Shrimp lightly cooked
- 1 Smoked Sausage Fully cooked Cubed
- 2 10 oz. Cans Ro-tel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies
- 2 cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Pepper
- 4 tbsp Sour Cream Optional
Instructions
- Peel and de-vein shrimp
- Lightly boil shrimp and set aside.
- Chop Smoked Sausage into cubes and set aside
- Combine Chicken Broth and Canned Tomatoes and bring to a boil in stock pot
- Add Grits and boil for 15-20 minutes
- Add Shrimp, Sausage, Old Bay, Salt & Pepper
- Stir and heat thoroughly
- Add Cheese and stir until melted.
- Serve with 1 tablespoon of Sour Cream for each serving if desired.
Notes
If shrimp are large, they can be chopped into smaller pieces if desired.Â
No water is required for cooking the grits as the chicken broth is substituted. Â
This recipe can be doubled and tripled easily. Usually less cheese is required when increasing the quantity. In addition, this recipe freezes well. You can prepare many dishes ahead of time for an event. Â
Colby Jack and Cheddar Cheese is also a great option.
Serving with Sour Cream is optional.
The sausage be hot if you like spicy shrimp & grits. Â
Easy Zucchini Bake Recipe
When the zucchini’s are coming in fast and furious, I love to use them in these dishes. This is also a great side dish as well.
Easy Zucchini Bake
This is a great recipe to use any vegetables that you prefer to mix together
Servings: 4 People
Calories: 131kcal
Ingredients
- 2-3 Zucchini's depending on size
- 1 Jalapeno Pepper chopped
- 1 tomato chopped
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp celery salt
- 1/4 tsp ground pepper
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350°
- Wash & Chop all vegetables
- Toss with olive oil & seasonings
- Place in baking dish
- Sprinkle cheese over top
- Bake for 1 hour at 350°
Notes
This is an easy recipe to double or triple. You can add any number of vegetables to the mixture. Broccoli, mushrooms, onion, squash, sweet pepper’s, etc. These all work great with these same techniques. Â
Zucchini Artichoke Lasagna Recipe
Zucchini’s are one vegetable that I can grow in my garden with semi success. I first had Artichoke Lasagna in Italy and I’ve tried to duplicate the recipe ever since.
This version uses Zucchini as the noodles and it’s really close that that delicious meal in Italy.
Zucchini Artichoke Lasagna
Delicious Recipe using Zucchini as Lasagna Noodles
Servings: 8 People
Calories: 310kcal
Ingredients
- 1 can Artichoke Hearts Drained & Chopped
- 2-3 Fresh Peeled Zucchini Sliced thin length wise
- ½ cup Mayonnaise or Vegan Mayo
- ½ cup Low Fat Sour Cream or Plain Greek Yogurt
- 2 cups Low Fat Mozzarella Cheese Shredded
- 1 med. red onion Sliced thin
- ½ tbsp garlic powder
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese Shredded
- ½ cup Cheddar Cheese Shredded
- ¼ cup Sliced Almonds
Instructions
- Preheat oven 350 degreesÂ
- Drain & chop artichoke hearts
- Mix together artichoke hearts, mayonnaise, sour cream, & garlic powderÂ
- Slice Zucchini length wise and Onion using a mandolin slicer to assure even thickness
- Lightly grease baking dish
- Layer ingredients in baking dish as listed below
- Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes
- Remove foil and continue cooking for 15 minutes, or until the top is slightly golden. Â
- Let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving
Notes
Layer in baking dish as follows
- Place layer of zucchini in bottom of dish.
- Cover with light layer of mozzarella cheese
- Layer of sliced onion
- Next a layer of artichoke mixture.
- Repeat once
- Final layer of zucchini
- Layer of mozzarella cheese
- Layer of onion
- Add a light layer of Parmesan cheese
- Sprinkle with of almonds
- Light layer of cheddar cheese.Â
Tangy Chicken Piccata with Caper’s Recipe
Tangy Chicken Piccata with Caper’s Recipe
Easy, low calorie and quick recipe
Servings: 4 People
Calories: 235kcal
Ingredients
- 4 Skinless Chicken Breast
- ¼ cup Flour – All Purpose
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup White Wine
- ¼ cup Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 tbsp Capers
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp Fresh Chopped Parsley
Instructions
- Pound Chicken Breast to ½ inch thick each
- Coat Chicken with Flour, pressing flour into the Chicken
- Melt Butter and Olive Oil over medium heat in Skillet
- Cook Chicken Breast’s until done with a slightly golden color. Approx. 3- 5 minutes per side
- Remove Chicken and keep warm. Leave drippings in the skillet
- Pour White Wine, Lemon Juice, Caper’s, and minced Garlic into skillet adding to the drippings.
- Bring mixture to a boil, scraping browned bits of drippings as you stir. Allow to slightly thicken, approx. 2 minutes.
- Add Salt and Pepper
- Drizzle over Chicken Breast and Garnish with Parsley
Notes
Using a large Cast Iron Skillet works great with this recipe. Â
If your mixture doesn’t thicken, you can add a dash of flour. Â
Easy Chicken Enchiladas
A friend gave me this recipe and I’ve been making it ever since.
Not only is this a great main dish recipe, but I can freeze the extra enchiladas (before they are cooked) and pulled them out when we don’t want to prepare a meal.
This is one you are going to love because it really is so easy.
Easy Chicken Enchiladas
Great for a quick dinner! Large portion and freezes well.
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 509kcal
Ingredients
- 1 15.5 oz pinto beans drained
- 1 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 Jar Pace chunky salsa
- 2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast rotisserie or grilled ahead of time
- 8 X-large flour tortillas
- 2 cups shredded colby jack cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven to 350°
- Place cream cheese, salsa, and beans in sauce pan. Heat until cheese has melted, stirring continuously. Add cooked chicken breast and stir until heated thoroughly. Â
- Spoon mixture into tortilla shells and roll.Â
- Place rolled tortilla’s in greased baking dish.Â
- Add cheese topping.
- Cover with aluminum foil and place in preheated oven. Â
- Bake for 30 minutes at 350°
Notes
I used 8 x-large tortilla shells in this recipe and still had extra filler when I finished.Â
This recipe freezes well.Â
To Freeze!
Spoon mixture into tortilla’s and roll. Wrap in tin foil and freeze. Remove from freezer to thaw. Once thawed, place in greased baking dish, add cheese and bake for 30 minutes at 350
Brad’s Pulled Pork Recipe – Dutch Oven Recipe
I’ve shared that Brad is the grill master. He has two smokers and loves to smoke pork, chicken and so much more.
However, he recently discovered that pulled pork prepared in a Dutch Oven is absolutely the best.
Here’s how he does it.
Best Pulled Pork Recipe in a Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Great Cast Iron Dutch Oven Recipe
Servings: 10 people
Calories: 353kcal
Ingredients
- 1 – 8 lb Boston Butt Pork Roast
- 2 cups Beef Broth
- 2 tbsp. Ketchup
- 2 tbsp. Mustard
- 1 tbsp. minced garlic
- 2 tbsp. Lime Juice or Lemon Juice
- ¼ cup Favorite Rub Amount may vary, you want it well coated
Instructions
- Trim excess fat from the bottom of the pork butt – Don’t remove all fat
- Sprinkle Rub liberally over both sides of the pork butt and press into the pork
- Sear both sides of the butt for approx. 4 minutes on each side until crispy on searing burner
- Place all remaining ingredients in Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- Stir until well mixed
- Add pork butt with the fat side down into the liquid. Broth should not cover the pork.
- Cover with lid
- Bake at 300° for approx. 8 hours – Check every few hours to be sure there is still broth in the pot. If more liquid is needed, add water or additional beef broth.
- Remove from oven & from dutch oven to shred.
- Use shredding claws to create pulled pork.
Notes
A pork shoulder can be substituted for the Boston Butt.
You are steaming the pork, not boiling it so don’t cover the entire butt in broth. Â
Be sure to keep a check on the broth and add more liquid if necessary. Â
When shredding the pork it’s best to doing it while still hot or at least warm because it will just fall apart at this point. Â
Baked Chicken Reuben Recipe
Baked Chicken Reuben
Easy, Delicious & Great for Large Parties
Servings: 8 People
Calories: 295kcal
Ingredients
- 8 Small Boneless Chicken Breast
- 16 oz. Sauerkraut
- 6 slices Natural Swiss Cheese
- 1 8 oz. 1000 Island Salad Dressing
- 1 tbsp Chopped Parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven 375°
- Add One Layer Chicken Breast into greased baking dish
- Rinse & drain sauerkraut squeezing out all excess moisture
- Sprinkle Sauerkraut over top of Chicken Breast
- Cover with Cheese Slices
- Pour bottle of 1000 Island Dressing over the top
- Bake for 45 Minutes
Notes
Chicken Breast should be small and thin. If necessary, cut the Chicken Breast in half for thinner layers or use Chicken Breast Tenders. Â
Refreshing Rotisserie Chicken Salad
Refreshing Rotisserie Chicken Salad
Easy, simple recipe great on a croissant.
Servings: 6 People
Calories: 348kcal
Ingredients
- 2 cups Rotisserie Chicken Breast Shredded and Skin Discarded
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- ¼ tbsp Spicy Mustard
- 1 Lemon Juiced
- ¼ tsp Garlic Salt
- ½ cup Celery chopped fine
- ½ cup Chopped Pecans
- ½ cup Onion chopped fine
- ½ cup Seedless Grapes Halved
- ¼ tsp Dill Weed
Instructions
- Remove Skin & Shred Rotisserie Chicken
- Chop onion, celery, pecans
- Halve grapes
- Mix all ingredients together
- Cover and chill
Notes
Serve with fruit or on a flakey croissant.Â
Option:Â You can cook or roast your own chicken breast.
Recipe is easy to double. Â
Black Bean Cakes
Black Bean Cakes
Easy Recipe and Freezes well.
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 233kcal
Ingredients
- 2 15 oz. Black Beans
- ½ cup Green Onions Finely chopped
- 2 med. Jalapeno Peppers Finely Chopped
- 3 tsp Minced Garlic
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 2 tbsp B B Que Sauce
- ½ cup Dried Bread Crumbs
- ¼ cup Fresh Cilantro Chopped
- dash Red Pepper Flakes
Instructions
- Drain & Rinse Black Beans
- Mash Beans
- Add all ingredients except bread crumbs
- Mix well and separate into 6 patty size rolls
- Spread Bread Crumbs on wax paper and roll patties over bread crumbs pressing crumbs into the patties.
- Press into patties
- Cook in skillet over med. heat until hot.
Notes
Note: If patties appear to wet, add bread crumbs to the mixture to thicken the consistency. Â
This is a great recipe to freeze. Leave black bean patties in a ball to freeze. Â
Delicious when served with any of the following sides/condiments.
Sour Cream
Salsa
Corn Relish
The Best Seared Ahi Tuna
Seared Rare Ahi Tuna & Marinate
Easy Delicious Rare Tuna Recipe
Servings: 2 People
Calories: 260kcal
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Lime Juice
- ¼ cup Olive Oil Extra Virgin
- â…› cup Balsamic Vinegar
- 1½ tsp minced garlic
- ¼ cup Fresh Cilantro
- ½ tsp Jalapeno Salt
- 2 Ahi Tuna Steaks
- 2 tsp Balsamic Glaze
Notes
Mix first 5 ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Â
Place Tuna Steaks in a zip lock bag and pour mixture over the Tuna. Seal
Place in refrigerator for 1-2 hours prior to cook time. Â
Just prior to cooking, sprinkle Jalapeno Salt over the Tuna Steaks. Â
Heat searing burner. Place Tuna Steaks on Burner for approx. 1 1/2 minutes per side.
Removed from heat and serve immediately. Drizzle the Balsamic Glaze over the Ahi Tuna Steaks once they are on the plate. Â
Tuna Steaks will be crispy on the outside and rare on the inside. Â
Note: If you don't have a searing, another option is to sear the Tuna Steaks in a Cast Iron Skillet. Heat Skillet until very hot and sear Tuna approx. 1 1/2 minutes on each side. Due to limited space, cooking time may be extended by another 3-4 minutes. Â