James Cooper

James Cooper
James Cooper
Weeknight Dinners & One-Pan Family Meals

Hundreds of recipes by James Cooper – skillet suppers, casseroles and hearty weeknight mains.

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Dinner is where James Cooper's recipes spend most of their time. The bulk of his work sits in the Dinner category: ground beef rice skillets, garlic roasted shrimp with potatoes, high protein chicken stir fry for meal prep, creamy soups and big-batch bakes. The common thread is fewer pans and fewer steps, so a weeknight meal does not turn into a second job at the sink.

He also covers the side dishes and extras that fill out a family table. Jiffy cornbread muffins with sour cream, an overnight French toast casserole for a crowd and party-ready cheese ball bites show up alongside the main courses, and you will find more of that kind of cooking in the Baking category.

What makes these recipes practical is their setup. Ingredient lists lean on things most kitchens already stock, timings are realistic for a busy evening, and many dishes scale up for leftovers or lunch boxes. Browse his latest recipes below to find a dinner for tonight or a freezer-friendly meal for later in the week.

Latest recipes:

Better-Than-Takeout Beef Fried Rice

Beef Fried Rice

4.67 (6 Ratings)

Savory and hearty Beef Fried Rice. Chilled rice and a hot pan are the keys to achieving toasted, individual grains. Great for family dinners.

Chicken Pot Pie with Creamy Filling

Creamy Chicken Pot Pie

5.00 (4 Ratings)

A simple roux keeps the sauce from breaking in this Chicken Pot Pie. This hearty dish features diced carrots and onions, with a total time of 1h 43min.

Peanut Butter Cookies in 20 Minutes

Peanut Butter Cookies

4.67 (6 Ratings)

Mix and bake these Peanut Butter Cookies for a salty-sweet treat. Using a specific sugar-to-fat ratio keeps them chewy in just 20 minutes total.

Shrimp Tomato Basil Pasta in 30 Minutes

Shrimp Tomato Basil Pasta

4.33 (6 Ratings)

A smooth, savory one-pan meal featuring Shrimp Tomato Basil Pasta. Using starchy pasta water emulsifies the sauce for a rich finish; try this tonight.

Jiffy Cornbread with Sour Cream and Honey

Jiffy Cornbread with Sour Cream

4.50 (6 Ratings)

Want to make a better Jiffy Cornbread? Replacing the milk with sour cream and honey creates a denser, moister crumb that stays tender after baking.

Crispy Branzino Fillet Skin in 35 Minutes

Branzino Fillet Skin

4.00 (6 Ratings)

Pan-sear with high heat for a crunchy Branzino Fillet Skin. Pressing the fillets firmly against the pan prevents curling during the 35 minute process.

Steamed Rice in 40 Minutes

Steamed Rice in 40 Minutes

4.83 (6 Ratings)

Maintain a tight seal to lock in moisture when making Steamed Rice. This technique ensures grains cook evenly through steam in a total of 40 minutes.

Pinch Me Garlic Herbs Compound Butter for 4 Servings

Pinch Me Garlic Herbs

4.67 (6 Ratings)

Micro-minced garlic gives this lemon and herb butter even flavor in every bite. Pinch Me Garlic Herbs works well spread over meat and vegetables.

Skinny Lemon Chicken: Pan-Seared

Thin Lemon Chicken

4.83 (6 Ratings)

Chicken cutlets, garlic powder, and olive oil define this Thin Chicken Breast Recipe with Lemon. See what makes this dish work in just 15 min.

High Protein Turkey Pasta with Cottage Cheese

High Protein Turkey Pasta

4.75 (4 Ratings)

Busy parents looking for a hearty High Protein Turkey Pasta will love this. The quick recipe specs show how to get a creamy result in just 30 minutes.

High Protein Beef Tacos: Lean and Hearty

High Protein Beef Tacos

4.50 (4 Ratings)

Many healthy tacos taste like bland diet food. These High Protein Beef Tacos use lean beef and Greek yogurt for flavor and include Quick Recipe Specs.

High Protein Chicken Pasta Bake with Cottage Cheese

High Protein Chicken Pasta Bake

4.80 (5 Ratings)

Blend cottage cheese for a rich base in this High Protein Chicken Pasta Bake. It includes a breakdown of what each ingredient does and takes 45 minutes.

High Protein Lemon Chicken Orzo

Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo One-Pot

4.67 (3 Ratings)

Zesty and creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo. This guide includes the section Why This Pan Meal Works to prevent sogginess. Great for a weeknight family dinner.

20-Minute Beef Zucchini Noodles

Beef Zucchini Noodles

5.00 (3 Ratings)

Busy parents will love these Beef Zucchini Noodles. This addition to your Keto Recipes with Zoodles includes exact recipe specs for a rich, one-pan sear.

3 Ingredient Korean Ground Beef in 15 Minutes

3 Ingredient Korean Ground Beef

5.00 (2 Ratings)

Use a fast sear and soy-sugar glaze for this 3 Ingredient Korean Ground Beef. Read our section on why these flavors click in this 15 min dish.

Chinese Beef Stir Fry in 25 Minutes

Beef Stir Fry

4.33 (3 Ratings)

Beef Stir Fry made with a cornstarch dredge for tender meat. This guide includes an ingredient swap table for variety. Ready in just 25 minutes.

Easy Ground Beef OnePot in 40 Minutes

Easy Ground Beef OnePot

4.60 (5 Ratings)

Looking for an Easy Ground Beef OnePot for dinner? This hearty meal comes together in 40 minutes and includes a What You'll Need section for easy prep.

3 Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Mash

3 Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole

4.67 (6 Ratings)

Many beef casseroles need a complex roux. This 3 Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole uses creamy mash instead and includes a role-based ingredient table.

Old Fashioned Beef Sloppy Joes

Beef Sloppy Joes

4.80 (5 Ratings)

Busy families love Beef Sloppy Joes. The quick recipe overview shows how to get a thick, glossy sauce that sticks to the meat for a hearty meal.

Healthy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

20-Minute Beef and Broccoli

4.67 (6 Ratings)

Tender flank steak and crisp greens make this Beef and Broccoli a savory win. Check out our quick specs guide for this high-protein dinner tonight.

OnePan Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes in 35 Minutes

Cheesy Beef and Potatoes One-Pot

4.75 (4 Ratings)

Sauté everything in a single skillet for this OnePan Cheesy Ground Beef and Potatoes. The why this method works section explains the 35 minute process.

One-Pot Ground Beef Rice Skillet

Ground Beef Rice Skillet One-Pot

4.83 (6 Ratings)

Lean ground beef, onion, and long-grain white rice make this Ground Beef Rice Skillet. It includes a guide on how to make it and takes 37 min total.