Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Hazelnuts & Lemon

Cooking Time: 27 minutes
Servings: 4

Recipe found on: everylastbite.com
Click the photo for the full recipe.

This Shaved Brussels Sprouts dish is a fresh, flavorful twist on a warm salad. With crispy bacon, bright lemon, and crunchy hazelnuts, it’s a perfect side dish or light meal that’s both satisfying and nutrient dense.

Ingredients

  • 500 grams Brussels sprouts

  • 4 slices bacon

  • 1 onion, finely diced

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • ½ cup vegetable or chicken stock

  • Zest from 1 lemon

  • ⅓ cup hazelnuts, roughly chopped

  • ⅓ cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Prepare Brussels Sprouts

Cut each Brussels sprout in half lengthwise.

Place flat side down and thinly slice into shreds.

Set aside.

2. Cook the Bacon

Heat a skillet over medium heat.

Cook bacon until crisp, about 5 minutes.

Remove, chop into small pieces, and set aside.

3. Sauté Aromatics

In the same skillet (with bacon fat), add:

  • onion

  • garlic

Cook until onions are soft and fragrant.

4. Cook Brussels Sprouts

Add to skillet:

  • shaved Brussels sprouts

  • lemon juice

  • stock

Cook for about 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened and liquid has mostly evaporated.

5. Finish & Serve

Stir in:

  • chopped bacon

  • hazelnuts

  • parsley

  • lemon zest

Serve warm.

One Pan Italian Sausage & Veggies

Cooking Time: 55 minutes
Servings:

  • 4 (without rice or quinoa)

  • 6 (with rice or quinoa)

Recipe found on: chelseasmessyapron.com
Click the photo for the full recipe.

This One Pan Italian Sausage & Veggies is a family favorite that’s both easy and packed with flavor. Loaded with colorful vegetables and seasoned perfectly, it’s a great weeknight dinner or meal prep option.

Ingredients

Main

  • 2 large carrots (~2 cups), thinly sliced

  • 2 red potatoes (~2 cups), chopped small

  • 1 small–medium zucchini (~2⅓ cups), sliced into thick coins

  • 2 red bell peppers (~2 cups), chopped

  • 1 head broccoli (~1½ cups), chopped

  • 16 oz smoked Italian turkey or chicken sausage, sliced

Seasonings

  • ½ tablespoon each:

    • dried basil

    • dried oregano

    • dried parsley

    • garlic powder

  • ½ teaspoon each:

    • onion powder

    • dried thyme

  • ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

  • 4½ tablespoons olive oil

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Toppings

  • ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

  • Fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven

Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Prep Vegetables (Important for even cooking)

  • Slice carrots very thin

  • Chop potatoes into small pieces

  • Slice zucchini into thick coins

  • Chop broccoli coarsely

  • Dice peppers into medium pieces

  • Slice sausage into thick coins

3. Combine on Sheet Pan

Add all vegetables and sausage to a large sheet pan.

4. Add Seasoning

In a small bowl, mix:

  • all seasonings

  • olive oil

  • salt and pepper

Pour over sheet pan and toss thoroughly to coat.

5. Bake

Bake for 15 minutes.

Remove, toss everything, and return to oven.

Bake an additional 10–20 minutes, until veggies are tender and slightly crisp.

6. Finish & Serve

Top with:

  • Parmesan cheese (optional)

  • fresh parsley (optional)

Serve:

  • as is (low carb option)

  • or over rice or quinoa

Honey Mustard Sheet Pan Pork Chops

Cooking Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 4

This Honey Mustard Sheet Pan Pork Chops recipe is a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and hearty. With tender pork chops, roasted veggies, and a flavorful honey mustard glaze, it’s an easy all-in-one dinner.

Ingredients

Main

  • 1 lb. Brussels sprouts, halved or quartered (~4 cups)

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed (~3 cups)

  • 10 sprigs fresh thyme

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or ghee

  • 1½ teaspoons kosher salt

  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

  • 4 center-cut pork chops (1-inch thick, ~2½ lbs total)

Honey Mustard Sauce

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated

  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

  • 2 tablespoons honey

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven

Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Prep Vegetables

On a rimmed sheet pan, combine:

  • Brussels sprouts

  • sweet potatoes

  • thyme

  • olive oil (or ghee)

  • salt

  • pepper

Toss until evenly coated.

3. Make Sauce

In a small bowl, mix:

  • garlic

  • Dijon mustard

  • honey

4. Add Pork Chops

Nestle pork chops between the vegetables on the sheet pan.

Brush both sides of the pork chops with half of the honey mustard sauce.

Season lightly with salt and pepper.

5. Bake

Bake for 10 minutes.

Remove from oven and brush pork chops with remaining sauce.

Return to oven and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, until pork reaches 145°F internal temperature.

6. Serve

Divide pork chops and vegetables between plates.

Serve hot.

Slow Cooker Sausage & Peppers

Cooking Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 5

Recipe found on: wholelottayum.com
Click the photo for the full recipe.

This Slow Cooker Sausage & Peppers is a simple, flavor-packed meal made with juicy Italian sausage, tender peppers, and savory sauce. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it dinner that works great on its own, with cheese, or served on a bun.

Ingredients

  • 5 Italian sausages (uncooked)

  • 2 bell peppers (red & green), sliced

  • 1 large onion, sliced

  • ½ teaspoon garlic salt

  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning

  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

  • 1 cup marinara sauce (Rao’s recommended)

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Optional

  • ½–¾ cup shredded mozzarella (or Monterey Jack, Italian blend, or Colby Jack)

Instructions

1. Sear the Sausage

Heat a skillet over medium heat and add olive oil.

Sear sausages for 2–3 minutes per side, until lightly browned (not fully cooked).

Transfer sausages to the bottom of the slow cooker.

2. Add Vegetables & Seasoning

Add sliced:

  • peppers

  • onion

Sprinkle with:

  • garlic salt

  • Italian seasoning

  • black pepper

3. Add Sauce

Pour marinara sauce evenly over the top.

4. Slow Cook

  • LOW: 6–7 hours

  • HIGH: 3–4 hours

Cook until sausages are fully cooked and vegetables are tender.

5. Optional Cheese Finish

Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top.

Broil for 1–2 minutes (about 4” from heat source) until melted.

6. Serve

Serve:

  • as is (low carb option)

  • over rice or quinoa

  • on a bun (non-low carb option)

White Beans & Sausage

Cooking Time:

  • 20 minutes (canned beans)

  • 6 hours (dry beans with soaking & cooking)

Servings: 6–8

Recipe found on: simplyrecipes.com
Click the photo for the full recipe.

This White Beans & Sausage dish is a simple, hearty meal that combines rich Italian sausage with creamy beans in a flavorful tomato sauce. It’s a great way to increase protein while lowering carbs—without sacrificing comfort or taste.

Ingredients

Dry Beans Method

  • 1 lb. dried cannellini beans

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

  • 4–5 sage leaves

  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed

  • 3 teaspoons kosher salt

  • 4 black peppercorns

Canned Beans Method (Faster Option)

  • 4 (15 oz) cans cannellini beans

  • 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

  • 1½ lbs. sweet Italian sausage

  • 4 cloves garlic, crushed

  • 3–4 plum tomatoes, chopped

  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes

  • 1 cup tomato puree

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Option 1: Dry Beans Method

1. Soak the Beans

Rinse beans and remove any debris.

Soak in water:

  • 4+ hours, or

  • Quick soak: cover with boiling water for 1 hour

2. Cook the Beans

Drain and return beans to pot.

Add:

  • 3 quarts water

  • olive oil

  • sage

  • garlic

  • salt

  • peppercorns

Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook:

  • 1 hour at medium heat

  • then 1–2 hours at low simmer until tender

Reserve ½ cup cooking liquid, then drain beans.

Option 2: Canned Beans Method

Taste liquid from cans:

  • If good → reserve ½ cup liquid

  • If not → discard and use ½ cup water

Drain beans and set aside.

Final Cooking Instructions

1. Cook Sausage

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Remove sausage from casings if needed.

Cook until lightly browned, about 3–4 minutes.

2. Build the Sauce

Add:

  • reserved bean liquid (or water)

  • remaining olive oil

  • garlic

  • chopped tomatoes

  • red pepper flakes

Cook for about 5 minutes, until slightly thickened.

3. Combine

Add:

  • cooked beans

  • tomato puree

Season with salt and pepper.

Simmer a few more minutes until:

  • sausage is fully cooked

  • sauce thickens

Stir gently to avoid breaking the beans.

4. Serve

Serve warm:

  • on its own (lower carb option)

  • or over pasta, rice, or quinoa

Instant Pot Pork Chops with Brussels Sprouts

Cooking Time: 37 minutes
Servings: 4

Recipe found on: onceamonthmeals.com
Click the photo for the full recipe.

These Instant Pot Pork Chops with Brussels Sprouts are cooked to juicy perfection with tender veggies in a savory garlic and thyme broth. It’s a quick, all-in-one dinner that’s perfect for busy nights.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. boneless pork chops

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1 cup onion, sliced

  • 2 teaspoons garlic, minced

  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme

  • 2 cups Brussels sprouts, halved

  • 1 cup carrots, chunked

  • 1 cup chicken broth

  • 1 tablespoon tapioca flour

Instructions

1. Season & Load Instant Pot

Sprinkle pork chops with salt.

Add to Instant Pot:

  • pork chops

  • onion

  • garlic

  • thyme

  • chicken broth

2. Pressure Cook (Round 1)

Secure lid and set valve to sealing.

Cook on HIGH pressure for 15 minutes.

Quick release pressure.

3. Add Vegetables

Open lid and add:

  • Brussels sprouts

  • carrots

4. Pressure Cook (Round 2)

Close lid and cook on HIGH pressure for 3 minutes.

Quick release pressure.

5. Make Gravy

Remove pork chops and vegetables from pot.

Add tapioca flour to remaining liquid and whisk until thickened.

6. Serve

Serve pork chops and vegetables with gravy poured over the top.

Notes

  • Cooking times are based on 4 servings (fresh)

  • Larger batches may require slightly longer cook times

  • Avoid overcooking Brussels sprouts to keep texture firm

Instant Pot Pork Roast

Cooking Time: 1 hour
Servings: 2–4

Recipe found on: pressurecookrecipes.com
Click the photo for the full recipe.

This Instant Pot Pork Roast is a juicy, tender, and budget-friendly meal made with simple pantry ingredients. Cooked with vegetables and a rich, savory gravy, it’s a perfect comfort food dinner—ready in about an hour.

Ingredients

Main

  • 1–2 lbs. pork shoulder (pork butt)

  • 2 large russet potatoes (~1 lb), chunked

  • 8 large cremini mushrooms, roughly chopped

  • 2 carrots, cut into large chunks

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 2 tablespoons coconut aminos

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 6 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 bay leaves

  • Dash of balsamic vinegar

  • 1 cup unsalted chicken stock

  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Thickener

  • 2 tablespoons arrowroot flour

  • 2 tablespoons cold water

Optional

  • Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Brown the Pork

Set Instant Pot to Sauté (More) until it reads HOT.

Season pork with salt and pepper.

Add olive oil and sear pork for 5 minutes per side until browned.

Remove and let rest for 5 minutes.

2. Sauté Mushrooms

Add butter to the pot.

Add mushrooms, season lightly with salt and pepper.

Cook until moisture evaporates and mushrooms begin to brown, about 7–12 minutes.

3. Prep Pork

Slice pork into ½-inch thick pieces while mushrooms cook.

4. Build Flavor Base

Add garlic and sauté for about 20 seconds until fragrant.

Add carrots and bay leaves, sauté for 2 minutes.

5. Deglaze

Add a splash of balsamic vinegar.

Scrape up all browned bits from the bottom of the pot.

Add:

  • chicken stock

  • coconut aminos

Stir to combine.

6. Pressure Cook

Add sliced pork (with juices) back into the pot.

Layer potatoes on top.

Seal lid and cook on:

  • HIGH pressure for 5 minutes

  • Natural release for 10 minutes

7. Make Gravy

Remove pork and vegetables to a serving dish.

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Mix arrowroot flour with cold water.

Stir into gravy gradually until desired thickness is reached.

8. Finish & Serve

Return pork and vegetables to the pot and gently coat with gravy.

Serve warm, garnished with parsley if desired.