Skillet Mac & Cheese
This super creamy mac ‘n’ cheese is so simple it seems almost too easy! Kids really go for the rich cheese flavor, but I’ve never met an adult who didn’t love it too. —Ann Bowers, Rockport, Texas
Tex-Mex Chicken Strips
I was looking for a way to amp up the flavor of regular chicken strips so I crushed up some leftover corn chips to create a crispy, flavorful coating. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida
One-Pot Chicken Pesto Pasta
When my garden basil goes nuts, I make pesto and keep it frozen in small containers for the right opportunity, like this saucy one-pot chicken with pasta. —Kimberly Fenwick, Hobart, Indiana
Refried Bean Tostadas
For a change of pace, you can substitute purchased tostada shells for tortillas or add more lettuce and use taco salad shells. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Gnocchi with Spinach and Chicken Sausage
Dinner’s easy when I can use ingredients typically found in my fridge and pantry. —Laura Miller, Lake Ann, Michigan
Blackened Tilapia with Zucchini Noodles
I love quick and bright meals like this one-skillet wonder. Homemade pico de gallo is easy to make the night before. —Tammy Brownlow, Dallas, Texas
Weeknight Chicken Chop Suey
If you’d like a little extra crunch with this colorful chop suey, serve with chow mein noddles. —George Utley, South Hill, Virginia
Pork Chops ‘n’ Pierogi
This meal-in-one dish is a different way to use pierogi. The tart apple slices make an unexpectedly delicious addition on your plate. —Greta Igl, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
The Ultimate Fish Tacos
This recipe is my favorite meal to prepare. Adding my own personal touch to the marinade makes my fish tacos pop with flavor. I warm corn tortillas on the grill and add salsa, cilantro, purple cabbage and fresh squeezed lime. —Yvonne Molina, Moreno Valley, California
Maple-Glazed Pork Tenderloin
I modified this recipe from a friend after we’d enjoyed it at her house. My husband says it tastes like a fancy restaurant dish. —Colleen Mercier, Salmon Arm, British Columbia.
Turkey Biscuit Skillet
My mother always made this while we were growing up. Now I make it for my own husband and kids. I use the small-size biscuits because they brown up so nicely on top. I also add mushrooms to this recipe sometimes because my family loves ’em. —Keri Boffeli, Monticello, Iowa
Asian Turkey Lettuce Cups
Such a cool idea for a light lunch or even an appetizer simply served in small lettuce leaves. When I want to make it easier for my kids to eat, I mix it all up with shredded lettuce and serve in a bowl. —Diana Rios, Lytle, Texas
School-Night Sausage Stroganoff
I found this recipe in an old church cookbook about 25 years ago and tweaked it to fit my family’s tastes. It’s a savory, creamy dish that’s quick to fix on a busy school night. —Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New York
Tangy Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs
A tangy sauce, combine with green pepper and pineapple, tranforms Ruther’s pre-made meatballs into a delightful main dish served over rice.
Mini Mediterranean Pizza
I was on a mini-pizza kick and had already served up Mexican and Italian variations, so I opted for a Mediterranean version and came up with these. —Jenny Dubinsky, Inwood, West Virginia
Thai Lime Shrimp & Noodles
The flavors just keep popping in this quick dinner! Use as much lime zest and chili paste as you like. My family is into spicy foods, but I kept the heat moderate in this version. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Mahi Mahi & Veggie Skillet
Cooking mahi mahi with a mix of vegetables may seem complex, but I developed a skillet recipe to bring out the wow factor without the hassle and fuss. —Solomon Wang, Arlington, Texas
Quick Tacos al Pastor
We loved the pork and pineapple tacos from a food truck in Hawaii. My husband, a high school football referee, gives my version a thumb’s up. —Lori McLain, Denton, Texas
Beef & Bacon Gnocchi Skillet
This gnocchi dish tastes like bacon cheeseburgers. Go ahead and top it as you would a burger—with ketchup, mustard and pickles. —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Grilled Pork Tenderloins
We do a lot of outdoor cooking during the summer months, and this grilled pork tenderloin recipe is one my entire family loves. —Betsy Carrington, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee
Chicken with Couscous
My sister shared this recipe, and it’s been a hit with me, my husband and our friends ever since. After working all day, I love that this dish is fast to prepare. Plus, it’s irresistibly bright and delicious. —Shari Ruffalo, Watertown, New York
BLT Pizza
I use a prebaked crust and fixings from the much-loved BLT sandwich to create this fun variation. It’s my family’s favorite pizza. —Marilyn Ruggles, Lees Summit, Missouri
Creamy Pasta Primavera
When I think of springtime, asparagus comes to mind. This pasta dish is a wonderful blend of tender, crisp, colorful vegetables and a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
California Burger Wraps
I love the way these fresh flavors blend together. It’s a snap to throw this together using leftover burgers for a quick, healthy lunch. The burgers can also be served on buns. —Rachelle McCalla, Batesville, Arkansas
Lemon Chicken Skewers
This easy-to-assemble recipe, with tender chunks of chicken and garden-fresh veggies, is always a hit at parties. —Margaret Allen, Abingdon, Virginia
Veggie Tacos
These vegetarian tacos are stuffed with a blend of sauteed cabbage, peppers and black beans so filling, you won’t miss the meat. Top with avocado, cheese or a dollop of sour cream. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
One-Pot Dinner
“My family always comes back for seconds when this nicely seasoned skillet supper is on the table,” reports Bonnie Morrow of Spencerport, New York. And it’s nicely priced at 72 cents a serving.
Teriyaki Glazed Chicken
I love to experiment with food. We’re able to buy sweet onions grown on Maui, so I stir-fry them with chicken and carrots for a tasty teriyaki meal. —Kelly Brenneman, Riverdale, California
Lemon-Dill Salmon Packets
Grilling in foil is an easy technique I use with foods that cook quickly, like fish, shrimp, bite-sized meats and fresh veggies. The options are endless—and the cleanup is easy. —A.J. Weinhold, McArthur, California
Bavarian Apple-Sausage Hash
This awesome recipe reflects my German roots. In the cooler months, nothing is as comforting as a hearty hash. Serve this versatile recipe as a side dish at a holiday meal or as a brunch entree over cheddar grits or topped with a fried egg. —Crystal Schlueter, Babbitt, Minnesota
Easy Sweet and Spicy Chicken
Tangy pineapple and peppers, tender chicken and sweet marmalade make a delicious combo. The chili powder and picante sauce add zip. —Cassandra Corridon, Frederick, Maryland
Tortellini with Asparagus & Lemon
This is a terrific warm-weather dish, loaded with fresh flavors. I make mine meatless, but some sliced grilled chicken on top would be awesome, too. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
Smoked Sausage and Veggie Sheet-Pan Supper
This recipe is tasty and quick and can easily be doubled for last-minute dinner guests. Cook it in the oven or on the grill, and add the veggies of your choice. —Judy Batson, Tampa Florida
Simple Sesame Chicken with Couscous
I created this dish after my three kids tried Chinese takeout and asked for more. To make things easy for myself, I typically use a rotisserie chicken from the deli. —Naylet LaRochelle, Miami, Florida
Baked Tilapia
I’ve decided to cook healthier for my family, and that includes having more fish at home. After looking at easy tilapia recipes I decided to try baked tilapia. I love that it’s fast, too! —Hope Stewart, Raleigh, North Carolina
Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice
My husband often ordered pineapple fried rice at Thai restaurants, so I surprised him by tweaking some similar recipes to come up with a version that’s both simple and delicious. —Bonnie Brien, Pacific Grove, California
Chicken Provolone
Though it’s one of my simplest dishes, this version of an Italian classic is also one of my husband’s favorites. It’s easy to prepare and a garnish of fresh parsley or basil makes it look elegant. —Dawn Bryant, Thedford, Nebraska
Pesto Shrimp Pasta
A dash of red pepper puts zip in this lively main dish from Gloria Jones Grenga of Newnan, Georgia.
Dinner in a Bag
You can’t beat the convenience of dinner in a bag. I measure dry noodles and a mixture of spices into separate plastic bags, then store them in a paper bag with canned stewed tomatoes. This “pantry kit” gives me a head start on a hearty meal. Since I work late occasionally, my family just browns the ground beef, and soon dinner is simmering. —Darlene Brenden, Salem Oregon
Italian Sausage with Bow Ties
We often have our favorite pasta when company comes over, and I’ve shared this Italian sausage recipe several times. Now many of my friends make it for their families, too. —Janelle Moore, Auburn, Washington
Hay and Straw
This recipe is not only quick and easy to prepare, it’s pretty, too. This colorful pasta dish combines julienned ham, Parmesan cheese, peas and linguine.—Priscilla Weaver, Hagerstown, Maryland
Pecan-Crusted Chicken Nuggets
I loved chicken nuggets as a child. This baked version is healthier than the original, and it’s a great meal for kids. — Haili Carroll, Valencia, California
Skillet Chicken with Olives
While I was visiting my cousin Lilliana in Italy, she made this heavenly chicken for lunch. Now it’s a family favorite stateside, too. —Rosemarie Pisano, Revere, Massachusetts
Bacon and Spinach Pizza
Our go-to pizza is a snap to make using packaged pizza crust and ready-to-serve bacon. The kids don’t even mind the spinach on top! —Annette Riva, Naperville, Illinois
Skewerless Stovetop Kabobs
My family loves this quick and easy recipe so much, we never have any leftovers. It’s also great on the grill. —Jennifer Mitchell, Altoona, Pennsylvania
Favorite Skillet Lasagna
Whole wheat noodles and zucchini pump up nutrition in this delicious, family-friendly dinner. Topped with dollops of ricotta cheese, it has an extra touch of decadence. No one will believe this one’s lighter. —Lorie Miner, Kamas, Utah
Easy Caribbean Chicken
This is a very simple recipe that uses easy-to-find ingredients. Serve with some steamed vegetables for a complete meal. Use cubes of pork or even shrimp instead of the chicken. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Honey Walleye
Our state is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, so fishing is a favorite recreational activity here. This recipe is a quick way to prepare all the fresh walleye hooked by the anglers in our family. —Kitty McCue, St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Quick Chili Mac
This combines my chili recipe with a pasta dish I make. I often serve it for company or potlucks and occasionally add taco seasoning or use beanless chili and add black beans. —Lee Deneau, Lansing, Michigan
Summer Garden Pasta with Chicken Sausage
For a backyard bash, I do the busy work before the guests arrive so all I have to do is pour beverages, cook pasta and grill up this sausage. —Karie Houghton, Milton, WA
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Lisa Kaminski