Same Meal, New Flavors: Betty’s Favorite Recipe Variations

Finding yourself stuck in a dinner rut, repeating the same meals every week? It happens to the best of us! When it’s time to switch things up, Betty has your back! A few small tweaks, like adding a different spice or swapping out an ingredient, can give your favorite meals a brand-new identity. It’s easier than you think to transform your go-to dishes into something exciting with minimal effort.

With the five classic Betty recipes below, we’ll show you how to effortlessly upgrade a go-to dish just by adding seasonings or swapping a few simple ingredients. These easy changes will help make your meals taste like new while giving you a great excuse to get creative in the kitchen. Are you ready? It’s time to spice things up!

This easy Sheet Pan Chicken, Potatoes and Cauliflower recipe is a classic weeknight go-to, featuring tender chicken breasts, roasted potatoes, and cauliflower, all baked to perfection with olive oil, garlic, and simple seasonings. (Betty tip: With this handy sheet pan, cooking and cleanup are an absolute breeze!)

How to Transform It

These small tweaks will turn your everyday sheet pan dinner into something extraordinary, allowing you to enjoy the dish in new and exciting ways.

• Add smoky depth: Mix in ½ teaspoon of sweet or smoked paprika with the salt and pepper in step 1. This simple change adds a warm, earthy flavor that complements the roasted veggies and chicken.
• Go green: Swap the baby spinach for chopped mustard greens. Mustard greens bring a slightly peppery bite, while their firm texture holds up well in the oven.
• Fresh herb twist: Replace the parsley for cilantro, and trade the thyme for fresh mint leaves. These bold herbs will lend a bright, refreshing flavor that feels like a whole new dish.
• Try something new: Switch out the cauliflower for romanesco. This beautiful, fractal-shaped vegetable is similar in texture but offers a nuttier flavor, giving your meal a subtle twist.

A simple skillet favorite, this Pork Chop Skillet Dinner recipe features juicy pork chops cooked with potatoes, carrots, and parsley in a savory broth. It’s quick, hearty, and easy enough for any night of the week, especially when you whip it up in this 12-inch non-stick pan.

How to Transform It

These twists on Betty’s classic pork chop skillet keeps things familiar while bringing in bold new flavors. You’ll feel like you’re eating at a cozy bistro without leaving home!

• Herb-rubbed goodness: Before cooking, rub ½ to 1 teaspoon each of dried thyme and rosemary into the pork chops. These herbs infuse the meat with an aromatic flavor that feels rustic and comforting.
• Go umami: Omit the salt and pepper and add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce in step 2 when you add the broth. The soy sauce brings a rich, savory depth to the dish, especially if you replace the parsley with cilantro for a slightly fresher taste.
• Mix up the veggies: Replace the carrots with ½ pound of cremini mushrooms, cut in half. Mushrooms add a meaty texture and earthy flavor, especially if you also replace the beef broth with mushroom broth for a full umami experience.

This simple Roasted Chicken and Vegetables Sheet Pan Dinner is a perfect meal for two that includes roasted chicken and a variety of vegetables, all spiced with Montreal seasoning for a savory, all-in-one dinner.

How to Transform It

These small swaps give the dish a fresh flavor profile while keeping it easy and delicious. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that still feels special.

• Change up the seasoning: Sub in your favorite spice blend for Montreal seasoning. Try something like lemon pepper or Italian seasoning for a zesty or Mediterranean twist.
• Lighten it up: Replace the butter with olive oil for a lighter, heart-healthy option, and sprinkle ⅛ teaspoon dried oregano and ⅛ teaspoon dried thyme onto the vegetables before roasting. These herbs give the veggies a lovely Mediterranean flair, making them a little more vibrant.

A delicious and healthy option, this Asian Salmon with Potatoes and Broccoli Sheet-Pan Dinner features tender salmon filets, roasted with potatoes and broccoli, all topped with a flavorful Asian-inspired sauce.

How to Transform It

These quick changes make it easy to turn a favorite healthy meal into something new without straying too far from the original flavors you love.

• Swap the fish: Replace the salmon with Arctic char or trout for a slight variation in texture and flavor. Arctic char has a similar richness but with a lighter, slightly more delicate flavor. Trout is equally delicious and holds up well in the oven.
• Change up the veggies: Replace the broccoli with cauliflower or romanesco for a visual and textural change. Romanesco adds a nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the Asian-inspired glaze.
• Go Mediterranean: Swap the butter for olive oil. This subtle change lightens the dish and gives it a slightly fruitier taste. It pairs well with the roasted vegetables and fish, adding a touch of elegance to the meal.

This tasty Oven-Baked Chicken recipe is a go-to for juicy, crispy chicken with simple seasoning, making it a perfect dinner solution any day of the week. Use this 9x13 casserole dish for perfect results every time.

How to Transform It

This transformation brings fun new flavors to a classic favorite, perfect for spicing up your weeknight dinner without extra effort.

• Spice it up: Replace the paprika with a Chinese 5-spice for a unique, aromatic twist. The blend of cinnamon, star anise, and other spices adds a warm, slightly sweet flavor to the chicken that’s unexpected but delightful.
• Buffalo style: After cooking, drizzle the chicken with Buffalo sauce for a tangy, spicy kick. Garnish with blue cheese crumbles and chopped parsley for that classic Buffalo chicken wing flavor in an easy-to-make baked chicken dish.

It’s amazing how much you can change a recipe by playing with seasonings and a few simple swaps. Betty Crocker’s recipes are already easy, delicious, and family-friendly, but with a little creativity, you can turn these familiar dishes into exciting, new meals that break up the mealtime monotony. So don’t be afraid to experiment with different spices and herbs to suit your taste! Whether you’re craving something smoky, savory, or spicy, a little tweak here and there is all it takes to transform a basic recipe into something completely fresh and fun.

Have your own unique ideas for seasoning swaps? We’d love to hear from you! Share your favorite spice combos in the comments below or on social media with the hashtag #BettyCrocker. And for more recipe inspiration, be sure to follow @BettyCrocker on all your favorite platforms.