The best meals often come from simple ingredients and great recipes. These 21 recipes are the ones that made 2024 extra delicious, each offering something easy to make and full of flavor. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just looking to try something new, these dishes will have you coming back for more.
Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Hearts of Palm Salad
This light and refreshing hearts of palm salad is the perfect summer side dish. Made with fresh hearts of palm, tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette dressing, this salad is sure to please everyone at your table.
Get the Recipe: Hearts of Palm Salad
Dessert Nachos
Dazzle your sweetheart with a playful twist on nachos. Imagine crispy cinnamon sugar tortillas layered with decadent chocolate drizzle, juicy berries, and a dollop of whipped cream. It’s a sweet surprise that sparks conversation and laughter, making your night truly “nachos” ordinary.
Get the Recipe: Dessert Nachos
Pizza Dough
Create your own perfect pizza with versatile homemade pizza dough, allowing you to customize toppings and savor every bite. This homemade dough recipe guarantees a pizza night like no other.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Dough
Microwave Chocolate Chip Cookie
Indulge in warm, gooey goodness with our Microwave Chocolate Chip Cookies. In just a few minutes, you’ll be enjoying soft, homemade cookies with oozing chocolate chips – a delightful treat that’s perfect for any craving.
Get the Recipe: Microwave Chocolate Chip Cookie
Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
Enjoy the convenience and deliciousness of cheater chicken empanadas, a perfect summer appetizer bursting with flavorful chicken and a golden, flaky crust. These handheld delights are sure to impress your guests at any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Semi-Homemade Chicken Empanadas
Molten Chocolate Cakes
These copycat molten cakes are better than the ones they make on Carnival Cruise ships. It’s surprisingly easy to make, and the wow factor on these fudgy delights is off the charts.
Get the Recipe: Molten Chocolate Cakes
Creamy Pea Pasta
Satisfy your cravings with Creamy Pea Pasta, a creamy and flavorful dish that will leave you wanting more. This meatless Monday favorite is quick and easy to make, perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Blueberry Syrup
This blueberry syrup is always a hit whether it’s for a teacher gift or a housewarming party. You can whip this up in a half hour to put in a jar, then your recipient gets the fun of adding it to ice cream, pancakes, waffles, or anything they can think of.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Syrup
Cherry Surprise Cookies
Get ready for a burst of sweet surprise with these Cherry Surprise Cookies. With a hidden cherry center and a buttery cookie exterior, each bite is a delightful explosion of flavors that will keep you coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Surprise Cookies
Cinnamon Apples
Indulge in the cozy sweetness of our Instant Pot Cinnamon Apples recipe. Slices of tender apples, delicately spiced with cinnamon, cooked to perfection in the Instant Pot. Get ready to fill your home with the irresistible aroma of warm, comforting apples that are perfect for desserts or as a topping for breakfast treats.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Apples
Gochujang Caramel Cookies
For adventurous eaters, these cookies are a flavor explosion! Sweet caramel meets a touch of spice for a unique and delicious treat. They’re a fun way to try something new and enjoy a different kind of cookie.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Caramel Cookies
Puff Pastry Beef Empanadas
Sink your teeth into the savory goodness of puff pastry beef empanadas, a delectable summer appetizer that combines tender beef and flaky pastry for a satisfying bite. These handheld treats are perfect for any gathering or party.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Beef Empanadas
Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Discover the mouthwatering simplicity of Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl—a quick and flavorful recipe that will satisfy your cravings in no time. Enjoy the delicious combination of tender chicken, crisp veggies, and savory seasonings, all conveniently cooked in a single bowl. It’s a fuss-free and tasty option for a satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl
Shortcut Chicken Salad
Enjoy a hassle-free and refreshing summertime meal with canned chicken salad. With no cooking required, this easy-to-make salad is perfect for hot days. Pair it with your favorite greens or enjoy it as a sandwich for a quick and satisfying lunch.
Get the Recipe: Shortcut Chicken Salad
BBQ Vinaigrette Dressing
Don’t forget the dressing. Elevate your salad dressing with this smoky and tangy BBQ vinaigrette, adding a burst of flavor to any salad creation—a perfect addition to your hot weather meals when salads are the star. Transform your salads with the rich and bold taste of barbecue in every bite.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Vinaigrette Dressing
Mini Apple Pancakes
Indulge in the delightful Mini Apple Pancakes, a bite-sized treat that combines the fluffy texture of pancakes with the sweet and tangy flavors of fresh apples. Perfect for breakfast or brunch.
Get the Recipe: Mini Apple Pancakes
Kefta Kebabs
Forget the same old burgers, these kefta kebabs are a perfect choice. They’re easy to make and filled with flavor. This is a winner, so be ready to share the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Kefta Kebabs
Ultra Moist Chocolate Cake
This is the ultimate chocolate cake. It’s rich and chocolate-y, and it’s so moist. It makes for a perfect layer cake that everyone loves, but you can also bake it in a 9×13 pan if you prefer.
Get the Recipe: Ultra Moist Chocolate Cake
Granola Apple Crisp
Delight in the irresistible combination of juicy apples and crunchy granola in this comforting Apple Crisp. Experience the warm, cinnamon-spiced goodness with every bite.
Get the Recipe: Granola Apple Crisp
Chicken Tortellini Soup
Delight in a bowl of comforting chicken tortellini soup, a soul-soothing dish that’s made even more delightful with leftover rotisserie chicken. This recipe combines tender chicken, cheesy tortellini, and flavorful broth for a satisfying and flavorful meal. Whether you’re seeking a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend treat, this soup is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortellini Soup
Ratatouille with an Italian Flair
This Italian-inspired baked ratatouille is a colorful and flavorful vegetable dish that is perfect for a summer meal. Made with yellow squash, zucchini, and tomatoes, this dish is sure to please everyone at your table.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille with an Italian Flair