3 Dinners, 1 Hour of Effort
3 Dinners, 1 Hour of Effort is a medium American recipe that serves 6. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by Sweet Peas Saffron on YouTube.
Prep: 45 min | Cook: 8 hrs 45 min | Total: 10 hrs
Cost: $29.55 total, $4.93 per serving
Ingredients
- 2.5 lb Boneless Pork Shoulder (Trim excess fat; cut into one piece for slow cooking)
- 1 cup Tomato Sauce (Plain, not ketchup; can use crushed tomatoes blended)
- 2 tsp Chipotle Chili Powder (Adds smoky heat)
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1.5 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 tbsp Maple Syrup (Pure maple for subtle sweetness)
- 4 Zucchini (Long, straight zucchini; halved lengthwise and seeded)
- 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (Can use cheddar or Mexican blend)
- 2 Bell Peppers (Any color, sliced thin)
- 2 large Sweet Potatoes (Cut into ½‑¾ inch cubes)
- 2 cup Cooked White Rice (Can use jasmine or basmati; cooked and cooled)
- 4 cups Romaine Lettuce (Shredded for burrito bowls)
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes (Halved; used as fresh topping for zucchini boats)
- 3 Green Onions (Sliced; garnish for zucchini boats)
- 1 cup Corn Kernels (Frozen or canned, drained)
- 1 cup Black Beans (Rinsed and drained)
- 1 Avocado (Diced for burrito bowls)
- ½ cup Salsa (Mild or medium)
- ¼ cup Sour Cream (Optional topping)
Instructions
Prepare Pulled Pork Sauce
In a bowl combine tomato sauce, chipotle chili powder, cumin, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, apple cider vinegar, and maple syrup. Stir until smooth.
Time: PT5M
Load Slow Cooker
Place the 2.5 lb boneless pork shoulder into the slow cooker and pour the sauce over it, ensuring the meat is fully coated.
Time: PT2M
Slow Cook Pork
Set the slow cooker to LOW and cook for 8 hours, or until the pork is fork‑tender.
Time: PT8H0M
Shred Pork
Transfer the cooked pork to a large bowl. Use tongs to remove excess fat, then shred the meat with an electric hand mixer on low speed until fluffy.
Time: PT5M
Reserve Cooking Liquid
Pour the cooking liquid into a separate container; you’ll need it for the skillet and to keep sweet potatoes moist.
Time: PT2M
Prep Zucchini Boats
Trim stems off 4 long zucchini, halve lengthwise, and scoop out seeds. Arrange halves in a baking dish, spoon shredded pork into each cavity, top with shredded mozzarella.
Time: PT10M
Prep Sweet Potato Skillet Components
Slice 2 bell peppers thinly. Cube 2 large sweet potatoes into ½‑¾ in pieces. Place peppers on one side of each 3‑quart container and sweet potatoes on the other. Add shredded pork over the sweet potatoes, then pour reserved cooking liquid over the sweet potatoes until just covered.
Time: PT12M
Prep Burrito Bowl Components
Cook 2 cups white rice and let cool. Shred lettuce, dice avocado, halve cherry tomatoes, and measure corn and black beans. Store each component in separate containers for quick assembly.
Time: PT10M
Store Prepared Components
Cover the zucchini boats, the skillet containers, and the burrito bowl ingredients. Refrigerate up to 4 days; the skillet containers and shredded pork can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Time: PT5M
Cook Zucchini Boats (Cook Day)
Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake the assembled zucchini boats for 20‑25 minutes, until zucchini is tender and cheese is melted.
Time: PT25M
Temperature: 400°F
Cook Sweet Potato Skillet (Cook Day)
Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add the prepared sweet‑potato and pork mixture, cover with a lid, and cook 15‑20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Add a splash of water if the pan looks dry.
Time: PT20M
Temperature: Medium heat
Assemble Burrito Bowls (Cook Day)
In a bowl combine cooked rice, shredded lettuce, cherry tomato halves, corn, black beans, shredded pork, diced avocado, and shredded cheese. Top with salsa, sour cream, and cilantro if desired.
Time: PT5M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 350
- Protein
- 28 g
- Carbohydrates
- 32 g
- Fat
- 14 g
- Fiber
- 5 g
Dietary info: Gluten‑Free (if using gluten‑free tortillas for optional serving), High‑Protein
Allergens: Dairy
Last updated: April 17, 2026








