Recipes Without a Lot of Ingredients

I recently posted a list of easy crockpot recipes that don't require a lot of ingredients. But this afternoon, as I was searching for something interesting and different to do with the pork chops in my fridge, I found a terrific non-crockpot recipe that only calls for a few ingredients, and I was inspired to put together a collection of recipes that don't require many ingredients. Dishes don't have to be complicated to be delicious! Here are some of my favorite recipes that don't require 20 different ingredients to make.

Creamy Cider Dijon Pork Chops

4 small boneless pork chops (or 2 thick chops, butterflied)
Salt and pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 cup apple cider (or apple juice)
1 tablespoon whole grain Dijon mustard
1/3 cup heavy cream (or half and half)

Season chops generously on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for a minute or two, then saute garlic, stirring frequently, for about 1 minute. Add the chops and cook about 5-7 minutes on each side, or until cooked through. Set aside on a platter and keep warm. Pour the cider into the pan (still on medium-high) and scrape up any bits of meat. Simmer for about 1 minute, then stir in mustard and cream. Cook for a few more minutes, then pour over chops and serve.

Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken 

1 pound baby potatoes, washed and halved
1 pound Brussels sprouts, washed and halved (or substitute green beans)
4 chicken breasts
2 tablespoons lemon juice, divided
1 tablespoon coarse ground mustard (or Dijon)
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon honey
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
salt and pepper

In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon lemon juice, mustard, garlic, honey, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons olive oil and set aside. Lightly coat a jelly roll pan or rimmed cookie sheet with nonstick spray and lay out the potatoes and Brussels sprouts (or green beans) in an even layer. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil and then with about half of the lemon mixture and toss to coat. Season generously with salt and pepper and spread out again in a single layer. Season each chicken breast with salt and pepper and lay them on the pan, then drizzle with the remaining lemon mixture.

Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes or until potatoes are tender and chicken is cooked through. Drizzle with a tablespoon of lemon juice and serve immediately.

Sesame Beef and Broccoli

1/4 cup Asian sesame dressing (Ken's Steak House brand is good)
3 teaspoons soy sauce, divided
4 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen and thawed)
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/4 lb boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into 2-inch pieces
2 teaspoons sesame seed (optional)

In a large bowl, mix together dressing and 1 TEASPOON soy sauce. Add broccoli and toss to coat. Spray a jelly roll pan or rimmed cookie sheet with non-stick spray and spread broccoli in pan. In the same bowl, combine brown sugar, salt, and 2 teaspoons soy sauce. Add beef and stir to coat. Roast in 450-degree oven for 10-14 minutes, until beef is cooked to desired doneness and broccoli is fork-tender. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve over rice.

Salsa Chicken

4 chicken breast halves
4 teaspoons taco seasoning mix
1 cup salsa (your preferred hotness)
1 cup shredded cheddar (or pizza cheese mix)
2 tablespoons sour cream (optional)

Place chicken breasts in a lightly greased 9x13" baking dish. Sprinkle taco seasoning on both sides of chicken breasts, and pour salsa over all. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 35 minutes, or until chicken is tender and juicy and its juices run clear. Sprinkle chicken evenly with cheese, and continue baking for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Top with sour cream if desired, and serve.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

4 chicken breast halves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
6 slices Swiss cheese
4 sliced deli ham
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs

Pound chicken breasts to 1/4 inch thickness. Sprinkle each piece of chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Place 1 cheese slice and 1 ham slice on top of each breast. Roll up each breast, and secure with a toothpick. Place in 11x7" baking dish sprayed with nonstick spray, and sprinkle chicken evenly with bread crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink.  Remove from oven and place 1/2 cheese slice on top of each breast. Return to oven for 3 to 5 minutes, or until cheese has melted. Remove toothpicks and serve immediately.

Mushroom Pork Chops

4 pork chops
salt and pepper
pinch garlic salt
1 onion, chopped (or 1/2 cup frozen chopped onion)
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 (10.75-oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup

Season chops with salt pepper, and garlic salt to taste. In a large skillet, brown the chops over medium-high heat. Add the onion and mushrooms and saute for for one minute. Pour soup over chops. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until chops are cooked through.

Parmesan Crusted Tilapia

3/4 cup grated Parmesan
2 teaspoons paprika
1 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
salt and pepper to taste
4 tilapia fillets (or other white fish, such as haddock or cod)
olive oil

Whisk Parmesan, paprika, parsley, salt, and pepper together in a shallow dish. Coat tilapia fillets with olive oil and press into the Parmesan cheese mixture. Arrange coated fillets on a baking sheet lined with foil. Bake at 400 degrees until the fish flakes easily with a fork, 10 to 12 minutes (thicker fillets may take a bit longer).

Chili Mac

1 pound ground beef
2 teaspoons chili powder
1-1/2 cups water
1 (15-oz) can kidney beans, rinsed
1 (15-oz) can tomato sauce
1 cup chunky salsa
3/4 cup elbow macaroni, uncooked
1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese

Brown meat with chili powder in a large saucepan. Drain fat. Add all remaining ingredients except cheese and mix well. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through. Serve topped with cheese.

Salmon Baked in Foil

2 teaspoons minced garlic
6 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
2 salmon fillets (~6 oz each)

In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients except salmon. Place fillets in a glass baking dish and cover with the marinade. Marinade in the refrigerator for about an hour, turning occasionally. Place fillets on aluminum foil, cover with marinade, and seal. Return to the glass dish and bake at 375 degrees for 35-45 minutes, until fish flakes easily with a fork.

Pizza Pasta

8 oz uncooked rotini pasta
1 pound lean ground beef
1 small onion, diced (or 1/2 cup frozen chopped onion)
1 (28 oz) jar spaghetti or pizza sauce
4 oz sliced pepperoni (and/or your preferred pizza toppings: olives, peppers, artichokes, etc.)
2 cups shredded mozzarella

Cook pasta as directed on package and drain. In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and onion until meat is browned, then drain fat. Combine with sauce, pepperoni, and pasta and pour into a 9x13" baking dish. Top with mozzarella. Bake (uncovered) at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, until cheese is melted and golden.