Ella's Pantry

All Recipes

5145 recipes found

Instant Pot® Ham

Instant Pot® Ham

My Instant Pot has been a total game changer for weeknight dinners, and this ham recipe is proof of why. You get a tender, juicy ham with a beautiful sweet and tangy glaze in just an hour, which means no thawing required and minimal hands on time. The crushed pineapple adds wonderful flavor while bringing natural enzymes that aid digestion, plus it keeps everything moist without extra fat. This is honestly one of my go to recipes when I need to feed a crowd without spending all day in the kitchen.

1 hr
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeEgg-Free
Instant Pot Tacos al Pastor

Instant Pot Tacos al Pastor

This Instant Pot Tacos al Pastor recipe is my go to when I want restaurant quality Mexican food on a weeknight without the fuss. The beauty of using your pressure cooker is that what normally takes hours of slow roasting happens in just sixty minutes, so you can have tender, flavorful pork tacos ready for dinner faster than you'd expect. The marinade combines bright citrus juices with smoky chipotle peppers and warm spices to create that authentic al pastor flavor we all crave. Plus, pineapple isn't just there for taste, it's packed with bromelain, an enzyme that helps with digestion and reduces inflammation. With simple pantry staples and minimal prep work, you'll have your whole family gathered around the table enjoying street style tacos in no time.

1 hr 15 mins
Dairy-FreeEgg-Free
Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken

Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken

This is my go to weeknight dinner when I need something tasty on the table fast. Sweet and sour chicken comes together in just 25 minutes total, making it perfect for busy nights when cooking time is tight. The combination of ketchup, lemon juice, and pineapple creates that irresistible tangy sweet sauce that my family absolutely loves. Plus, it's packed with fresh vegetables like bell peppers and celery, which are full of vitamin C and fiber to keep everyone healthy. Best of all, it's made with simple pantry staples and affordable chicken breasts, so it won't break the bank.

25 mins
Dairy-FreeEgg-Free
Sweet and Sour Chicken III

Sweet and Sour Chicken III

This is my go to weeknight dinner when I want something delicious but don't have much time. Sweet and Sour Chicken III comes together in just twenty minutes from start to finish, which makes it perfect for busy nights when you still want to feel like you've made something special. The beautiful thing about this dish is how affordable it is to put together, and all those colorful bell peppers and carrots aren't just pretty on the plate, they're loaded with vitamin C to support your immune system. The pineapple chunks add natural sweetness and brightness that balances the savory soy sauce beautifully, and honestly, it tastes like you spent way more effort than you actually did.

20 mins
Dairy-FreeEgg-Free
Ham and Pineapple Dinner

Ham and Pineapple Dinner

This ham and pineapple dinner is one of my go to weeknight meals when I need something satisfying but quick. It comes together in just thirty five minutes, making it perfect for busy nights when you don't have time to fuss around the kitchen. The combination of savory ham with sweet pineapple and a tangy mustard glaze is absolutely delicious, and honestly, it's an inexpensive way to stretch a bit of ham into a complete dinner. Plus, pineapple is loaded with vitamin C and bromelain, an enzyme that aids digestion, so you're getting some nutritional benefits alongside all that great flavor.

35 mins
Gluten-FreeEgg-Free
Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin

Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin

This sweet and sour pork tenderloin is one of my go to weeknight dinners because it comes together in under an hour from start to finish. The tender, juicy pork pairs beautifully with a tangy sauce made from ketchup, rice vinegar, and fresh pineapple that just sings on your plate. What I love most is that pork tenderloin is naturally lean and packed with protein, making this a satisfying yet lighter option for busy families. The best part? Most of these ingredients are pantry staples, so you probably have everything on hand already. Trust me, this one is a keeper.

55 mins
Egg-Free
Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs

Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs

These Hawaiian chicken kabobs are one of my go to recipes when I want something that tastes fancy but comes together in minutes. The combination of sweet pineapple and savory soy sauce creates this amazing glaze that makes your kitchen smell incredible. What I love most is how quick and easy they are to pull together, plus they're naturally lean since we're using chicken breast, which is packed with protein to keep you satisfied. With just ten minutes of prep and twenty minutes on the grill, you've got a restaurant quality meal on the table. Trust me, your family will be asking for these again and again.

30 mins
Dairy-FreeEgg-Free
Slow Cooker Tacos al Pastor

Slow Cooker Tacos al Pastor

My slow cooker has been a game changer for weeknight dinners, and this tacos al pastor recipe is proof. You get authentic Mexican flavors without spending hours tending to a traditional spit, plus pineapple brings natural sweetness and bromelain, an enzyme that helps with digestion. The beauty here is that most of the work happens upfront while your slow cooker does the heavy lifting for seven hours, transforming simple pork into something incredibly tender and flavorful. It's one of those recipes that feels fancy but costs less than takeout, and your kitchen will smell absolutely amazing.

7 hrs 30 mins
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeEgg-Free
BBQ Teriyaki Pork Kabobs

BBQ Teriyaki Pork Kabobs

These BBQ teriyaki pork kabobs are my go to when I want something impressive but don't have all day to spend in the kitchen. The whole thing comes together in just 50 minutes, and honestly, most of that is just prep work. I love how the savory teriyaki glaze with a hint of ginger and red pepper flakes complements the charred vegetables and sweet pineapple. The portobello mushrooms are packed with B vitamins and add such a meaty texture that even non mushroom lovers seem to enjoy them. Best part? This meal is budget friendly and comes together on the grill or under the broiler with minimal fuss.

50 mins
Dairy-FreeEgg-Free
Grilled Macadamia-Crusted Tuna with Papaya Salsa

Grilled Macadamia-Crusted Tuna with Papaya Salsa

This is one of my favorite dishes to make when I want something that feels fancy but comes together in under an hour. The beauty of grilled macadamia crusted tuna is how quick it actually is on the grill, taking just five minutes to cook through while staying perfectly tender inside. Tuna is packed with omega 3 fatty acids that are wonderful for your heart health, and when you top it with this bright papaya salsa, you get a restaurant quality meal that's surprisingly simple to pull together at home. The tropical flavors just sing together, and honestly, if you can dice some fruit and nuts, you can make this.

50 mins
Gluten-FreeDairy-Free
Green Papaya Salad (Som Tam Malakor)

Green Papaya Salad (Som Tam Malakor)

Here's one of my favorite quick weeknight salads that never fails to impress. Green papaya salad, or som tam as it's called in Thailand, comes together in just thirty minutes and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. The best part? It's incredibly affordable since you probably have most of these ingredients already. Green papaya is packed with enzymes that aid digestion, making this not just delicious but genuinely good for you. The combination of lime juice, fish sauce, and fresh chiles creates this perfect balance of tangy, salty, and spicy that keeps me coming back for more. This is the kind of salad that works for a casual lunch or a dinner party side dish.

30 mins
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeEgg-Free
Baby Back Ribs with Papaya Sauce

Baby Back Ribs with Papaya Sauce

These baby back ribs are an absolute game changer for weeknight dinners. The papaya sauce is what makes them special, bringing this tropical sweetness that perfectly complements the smoky, tender meat. What I love most is how simple it all comes together in just under two hours from start to finish. Papaya is packed with digestive enzymes that actually help your body break down the protein in the ribs, so you're getting something genuinely good for you alongside pure deliciousness. Best of all, you probably have most of these ingredients already in your pantry, making this an affordable way to impress your family or guests without spending a fortune at the butcher counter.

2 hrs
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeEgg-Free