Recipes

Cory’s Quick, Affordable Meals That Hit

by Cory Armstead.
October 14, 2026
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LET’S PLATE IT UP

Twelve satisfying recipes with plenty of flavor. From creamy pasta and crispy tacos to loaded tots and easy sheet-pan favorites, these are the meals I reach for when I want something good without overcomplicating dinner.

Made by Cory Armstead of Let’s Plate It Up

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RECIPE 01

Homemade Hamburger Helper

My homemade take on a cheesy skillet favorite, with macaroni cooked in beef broth and a creamy, seasoned beef sauce.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Cook the elbow macaroni in beef broth for approximately 8 minutes.
  2. In a separate skillet, cook the ground beef with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, chili seasoning and onion until the beef is fully cooked.
  3. Stir heavy cream and tomato paste into the beef.
  4. Combine the cooked macaroni with the beef mixture and shredded cheddar.
  5. Simmer gently for approximately 5 minutes, until creamy and heated through.

RECIPE 02

Creamy Broccoli and Ground Beef Pasta

A creamy skillet pasta with seasoned ground beef, broccoli, cheddar and a little Worcestershire for depth.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions and set aside.
  2. Brown and crumble the ground beef with Adobo seasoning, then remove it from the skillet.
  3. Cook the broccoli in the skillet until tender.
  4. Add heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce and cheddar; stir until the cheese melts.
  5. Return the beef and pasta to the skillet, toss together and serve.

RECIPE 03

Easy Ravioli Bake

Layers of ravioli, seasoned meat sauce, spinach and melted cheese make this a comfort-food bake worth sharing.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Cook the ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, parsley, yellow onion, minced garlic and green onions until fully cooked.
  3. Add marinara and simmer briefly, then stir in heavy cream and Parmesan.
  4. Layer meat sauce and ravioli in a baking dish, adding spinach, mozzarella and more sauce between layers.
  5. Finish with Parmesan, olive oil and parsley. Cover and bake for approximately 30 minutes.
  6. Uncover and bake for approximately 5 more minutes, until the top is lightly browned and the ravioli are tender.

RECIPE 04

30-Minute Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas

Colorful peppers, onions and seasoned chicken roast together for an easy fajita night.

Ingredients

Fajitas

Serving

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 450°F.
  2. Slice the onion, peppers and chicken tenders into pieces.
  3. Spread everything across a large sheet pan. Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, oregano, garlic powder, chili seasoning, cumin and lime.
  4. Roast for approximately 25 minutes, until the chicken reaches 165°F and the vegetables are tender.
  5. Serve in tortillas with queso and salsa, or portion for meal prep.

RECIPE 05

Hot Honey Deli Sliders

Sweet-and-savory baked sliders filled with hot honey deli meats, honey mustard and plenty of melted cheese.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  2. Split the Hawaiian rolls horizontally and spread honey mustard inside.
  3. Layer the first cheese, hot honey chicken breast, hot honey ham and provolone. Repeat the layers as shown in the video.
  4. Close the rolls and bake for approximately 15 minutes, until heated through and the cheese is melted.

RECIPE 06

Cheesy Meatball Bread Boats

Italian bread filled with homemade meatballs, peppers, onions, marinara and two kinds of melty cheese.

Ingredients

Meatballs

Bread Boats

Directions

  1. Mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg and meatball seasonings. Form golf-ball-sized meatballs.
  2. Sauté onion and bell peppers in olive oil, then remove them from the skillet.
  3. Brown the meatballs in the skillet. Return the vegetables and add marinara.
  4. Cover and simmer over low heat for approximately 10 minutes, until the meatballs reach 160°F.
  5. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Hollow out the Italian bread and spread garlic butter inside.
  6. Fill with meatballs, sauce and vegetables; top with mozzarella, provolone, parsley and a drizzle of olive oil.
  7. Bake for approximately 10 minutes, until the cheese melts and the bread is toasted.

RECIPE 07

Ground Beef Sweet Potato Bowl

Roasted sweet potatoes and seasoned ground beef meet fresh tomato topping and a creamy honey-mustard-lime sauce.

Ingredients

Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Beef

Tomato Topping

Honey-Mustard-Lime Sauce & Finish

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cube the sweet potatoes, season with salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder, and roast for approximately 25 minutes until tender.
  2. Brown the ground beef in a skillet with salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder until fully cooked.
  3. Mix diced tomato, chopped onion, Italian seasoning, salt and lime juice.
  4. Whisk together 4 tablespoons each of mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, honey and lime juice.
  5. Build bowls with sweet potatoes, ground beef and tomato topping. Add cheese, sauce and parsley if desired.

RECIPE 08

Spicy Ketchup-Glazed Chicken Meatballs

Baked chicken meatballs with Parmesan and Worcestershire, coated in a spicy ketchup-and-hot-sauce glaze.

Ingredients

Chicken Meatballs

Spicy Ketchup Glaze

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Mix ground chicken, salt, pepper, onion powder, cayenne, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, parsley, Parmesan and Worcestershire.
  3. Shape into golf-ball-sized meatballs and place on a baking sheet.
  4. Bake for approximately 20 minutes, until the centers reach 165°F.
  5. Mix ketchup, additional cayenne and hot sauce. Coat the cooked meatballs with the glaze.

RECIPE 09

Ground Beef Stroganoff

Buttery egg noodles topped with ground beef, baby bella mushrooms and a rich, tangy stroganoff sauce.

Ingredients

Egg Noodles & Ground Beef

Creamy Mushroom Stroganoff Sauce

Finish

Directions

  1. Cook the egg noodles according to package directions; drain.
  2. Brown ground beef in ghee with kosher salt and black pepper, then remove from the skillet.
  3. Sauté mushrooms, diced onion and sliced garlic in olive oil.
  4. Add beef stock and mushroom stock, then heavy cream, sour cream and Worcestershire sauce.
  5. Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook gently until thickened.
  6. Return the beef to the skillet and stir in Dijon mustard.
  7. Toss the noodles with salted butter and serve topped with the stroganoff mixture and green onions.

RECIPE 10

Grilled Cheesy Sausage Dogs

Grilled sausage dogs with buttery garlic-parsley buns, melted Colby Jack and sliced jalapeños.

Ingredients

Grilled Cheesy Sausage Dogs

Garlic-Parsley Butter

Directions

  1. Shred the Colby Jack, slice the jalapeños and chop the parsley.
  2. Split the sausage lengthwise as shown in the video and grill until browned and fully cooked, following the package safety directions for the variety used.
  3. Melt butter gently and mix with minced garlic and parsley.
  4. Warm the buns and spread the garlic-parsley butter inside.
  5. Add grilled sausage, Colby Jack and sliced jalapeños. Serve hot.

RECIPE 11

Sheet-Pan Street Tacos

Crispy folded tortillas stuffed with seasoned beef, green chilies, tomatoes and melted Mexican cheese.

Ingredients

Seasoned Ground Beef Filling

Street Taco Assembly

Toppings

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Cook ground beef with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, ancho chili powder, parsley, yellow onion, diced tomatoes, green chilies and minced garlic until fully cooked.
  3. Add beef stock and simmer until the liquid reduces.
  4. Arrange flour tortillas on a sheet pan and layer with Mexican cheese, beef filling, cilantro, chopped onion and more cheese.
  5. Fold the tortillas and bake until crisp and the cheese is melted.
  6. Serve with red onion, sour cream and salsa.

RECIPE 12

Loaded Chicken Cheddar Bacon Ranch Tater Tots

Crispy tater tots loaded with rotisserie chicken, cheddar, bacon, ranch and fresh green onions.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  2. Spread tater tots on a baking sheet and bake for approximately 20 minutes, until crisp.
  3. Prepare the diced rotisserie chicken, shredded cheddar, bacon and chopped green onions.
  4. Add chicken and cheddar to the hot tots. Heat until the chicken is hot throughout and the cheese has melted; the source does not specify a second heating duration.
  5. Finish with prepared bacon, ranch dressing and green onions.

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