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Ree Drummond Just Gave This Diner Classic A Tex-Mex Makeover & We're Hungry

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There are some classic comfort foods that are so iconic, they're rarely tampered with. Make one tweak to Nonna's Sunday gravy recipe, and you're in for it big time, and don't even think about adding a "secret ingredient" to the family cornbread recipe, or you know you'll hear about it. But on our own, can we all agree that sometimes, a little bit of change can do a lot of good? After all, it wasn't so long ago that many of our prized family recipes started with like five kinds of canned soup, so we have to be open to the idea that even classics can be improved upon. And though it might be scary to admit it, The Pioneer Woman's updated Tex-Mex take on one of the ultimate diner comfort foods, chicken-fried steak, is definitely worth trying.

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Chicken fried steak is exactly the type of food Ree Drummond already cooks up expertly. After all, if you have to fuel a house full of hungry family members, many of whom have literally been working on the range all day, then a hearty meal of crispy fried steak served with a creamy sauce is pretty much a necessity. But Drummond was able to make some tweaks to the original recipe that add a boost of flavor and color that even the most staunch traditionalists will have a hard time not falling for. Get that cast iron skillet ready!

For starters, Drummond makes this meal with rib-eye steaks, not the pounded out cube steaks we grew up with. Fancy! Then, she adds a kick to the breading thanks to a pinch of smoky ancho chile powder. She adds the ancho chile powder to the white gravy, too, which helps cut through the richness.

But our favorite addition to this classic recipe is the peppers. The Pioneer Woman slices up a poblano pepper and some mini sweet peppers, along with a serrano chile for heat, and sautés them in the reserved drippings from cooking the steak. The peppers caramelize and add a fresh, vegetal sweetness that livens up the whole dish.

If you love chicken fried steak and gravy but secretly feel like it's kind of bland, then Ree Drummond's Tex-Mex chicken fried steak is a must-try. It's a new spin on an old favorite that doesn't stray too far from tradition — just far enough to get you excited about it again.

Before you go, check out Ina Garten's easy weeknight dinner recipes below:

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The Pioneer Woman Just Turned Your Favorite Fall Comfort Meal Into A Quick & Easy Weeknight Dinner

Creamy, cheesy, meaty, and pasta-y, lasagna is several layers of deliciousness. But unless you get the frozen kind (which is still tasty, by the way!), lasagna is not an easy meal to throw together during the week. You know, the stressful, busy time you most need comfort food. Ree Drummond (aka, The Pioneer Woman) gets it. That's why she just shared a unique twist on this yummy fall dish that is super quick to whip up when you're in a rush.

Instead of spending time layering meat sauce and long noodles in a baking pan, Drummond makes lasagna on a skillet! She shared the recipe for her Pesto Chicken Lasagna Skillet on Food Network's YouTube, and it looks so good.

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In the video, Drummond admits that lasagna is "high on the list" of her favorite comfort foods (and ours too!). Skillets are "a great way to get all the elements of a great lasagna, but in so much less time." You're speaking our love language now!

To make the recipe, start by sautéing onions on a skillet. Then she adds ingredients to make a sauce, which include store-bought pesto, white wine, heavy cream, and other ingredients. She uses rotisserie chicken for another easy addition. After adding cheese and a few more items, it's time for the noodles.

Drummond broke lasagna noodles into pieces before she boiled it, then drained it and added it to the skillet. "Then you have all of these wonderful chunks of without having to fuss with all the layers," she said.

After stirring it all together, she adds more cheese (because how can you make lasagna without it?) and puts it under the broiler for a couple minutes. The finished dish is "golden and luscious and bubbly," and you'll never think of lasagna the same way again. Drummond adds dollops of ricotta cheese and other ingredients to the top before serving.

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"I love regular lasagna, but I could make these lasagna skillets every day for the rest of my life," she added. Girl, same! And many others feel the same way. "this looks really good! Looking forward to giving this a try! Thank you xx," one person wrote. Another said, "Looks so delish."

The Pioneer Woman loves making new twists on old favorites. Recently, she shared her version of chicken fried steak, which is Tex-Mex-inspired with smoky ancho chile powder in the breading and a pepper recipe to spice things up.

Even though traditional dishes will always hold the top spot in our heart, these fun twists keep our dinner menus exciting and fun. Get Drummond's full Pesto Chicken Lasagna Skillet recipe HERE.

Before you go, check out Ina Garten's easy weeknight dinner recipes below:

Best Chicken Fried Steak: Josephine Street

Winner: The Original Donut Shop

3307 Fredericksburg Road

(210) 734-5661

facebook.Com/theoriginaldonutshop

Even though its name makes no mention of breakfast tacos, The Original Donut Shop serves up foil-wrapped packets of morning goodness that has car lining up outside. The quality is top-notch, from the pillowy scratch-made tortillas to the flavorful salsa options. And as the votes indicate, the donuts are also worth braving the crowds. Whether it's cream-, chocolate- or fruit-filled pastries you're jonesing for, this Deco District gem does them right. In operation since the 1950s, this spot still holds onto its classic values — including using fresh ingredients and putting value front and center.

2. Pete's Tako House

502 Brooklyn Ave.

(210) 224-2911

petestakohouse.Com

3. Panchito's Mexican Restaurant

Multiple locations

panchitos.Net

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