Easy Salsa Sloppy Joes
I created these sandwiches when I realized I did not have a can of sloppy joe sauce. The sweet brown sugar in this recipe complements the tangy salsa. —Mrs. Krista E Collins, Concord, North Carolina
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
Weekday Beef Stew
Beef stew capped with flaky puff pastry adds a little surprise and joy to the weeknight menu. Make a salad and call your lucky companions to the table. —Daniel Anderson, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Ham & Spinach Casserole
This is down-home cooking at its best! Ham and veggies join forces with a creamy sauce and pretty topping to create a hearty meal-in-one. Simple & Delicious Test Kitchen
Bacon-Potato Corn Chowder
I was raised on a farm, so a warm soup with homey ingredients, like this one, was always a treat after a chilly day outside. My hearty chowder nourishes the family. —Katie Lillo, Big Lake, Minnesota
Baked Asparagus Dip
Since I’m from Wisconsin, I thought it was only logical to put together a vegetable and a cheese—two of the foods my state produces in abundance. This cheesy asparagus dip fits the bill. —Sandra Baratka, Phillips, Wisconsin
Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
This is an old Southern biscuits and gravy recipe that I’ve adapted. Homemade sausage gravy is a classic, hearty breakfast that takes you on a trip to the South every time it’s served. —Sue Baker, Jonesboro, Arkansas
Ravioli Lasagna
When you taste this casserole, you’ll think it came from a complicated, from-scratch recipe. Really, though, it starts with frozen ravioli and has only three other ingredients. —Patricia Smith, Asheboro, North Carolina
Ham and Cheese Pockets
These unique sandwiches are filled with ingredients most kids like. Pack these ham and cheese pockets in kiddos’ lunch boxes, or make them on weekends for the whole family. —Callie Myers, Rockport, Texas
Peanut Butter Oatmeal
My son and I eat this every day for breakfast. It’s a hearty, healthy way to jump start our morning. — Elisabeth Reitenbach, Terryville, Connecticut
Taco Pizza Squares
This dish is always popular at our house. I top convenient refrigerated pizza dough with leftover taco meat, tomatoes and cheese, bringing a full-flavored fiesta to the table in under half an hour. —Sarah Vovos, Middleton, Wisconsin.
Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes with Bacon
This side always takes my guests by surprise because of the smoky flavor, creamy texture and pretty presentation. You’ll get major kudos when you place these on your table. —Cynthia Boberskyj, Rochester, New York
Saucy Ranch Pork and Potatoes
Awhile back, my sister Elyse shared a tasty ranch pork roast recipe. I tweaked it so I could use what was already in my pantry, and this dish was born. —Kendra Adamson, Layton, Utah
Tomato Hamburger Soup
As a full-time teacher, I only have time to cook from scratch a few nights each week. This recipe makes a big enough batch to feed my family for two nights. —Julie Kruger, St. Cloud, Minnesota
Sunday’s Best Chicken
I am the busy mom of four and a nursing student, so weeknight dinners are often rushed. Sunday dinners are very important to our family and everyone loves when I make this old-fashioned chicken recipe. It’s the best chicken recipe there is!—Amy Jenkins, Mesa, Arizona
Quick Biscuits
Quick Biscuits from Diane Hixon of Niceville, Florida make a satisfying accompaniment to the meal. “I never made biscuits until I tried this two-ingredient recipe,” Diane explains. “Now my husband wants biscuits all the time!”
Sheepherder’s Breakfast
My sister-in-law always made this delicious breakfast dish when we were camping. Served with toast, juice and milk or coffee, it’s a sure hit with the breakfast crowd! One-dish casseroles like this were a big help while I was raising my nine children. Now I’ve passed this recipe on to them. —Pauletta Bushnell, Albany, Oregon
Spaghetti with Bacon
As children, we always requested this dish for our birthday dinners. Our mother got the recipe from her grandmother. Now I pass on our tasty tradition. —Ruth Keogh, North St. Paul, Minnesota
Homemade Potato Chips
Forget buying a bag of potato chips at the grocery store when you can make these at home. This quick and easy recipe will delight everyone in the family. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Pizza Chicken Roll-Ups
I love the chicken roll-ups my mom made for special occasions, filled with spinach and cream cheese. My own kids wouldn’t eat those, so I came up with a pizza-flavored variety the whole family enjoys. —Tanja Penquite, Oregon, Ohio
Contest-Winning Broccoli Chicken Casserole
This delicious chicken and broccoli casserole is a twist on chicken divan that came from an old boss. It’s quick, satisfying comfort food. —Jennifer Schlachter, Big Rock, Illinois
Creamy Corn
Out of all my corn recipes, this is my favorite. You need just a few ingredients and a slow cooker to make this delicious side dish. Because it cooks on its own, you’ll have extra time to prepare the main course. —Judy McCarthy, Derby, Kansas
Dreamy Fruit Dip
Everyone will love this thick cream cheese fruit dip. Serve it alongside apple wedges, pineapple chunks and grapes. —Anna Beiler, Strasburg, Pennsylvania
Tortellini Carbonara
I’ve made this bacon, cream and Parmesan cheese pasta sauce for so many years and have always called it a carbonara. Low-and-behold, I recently found out it’s actually more like an Alfredo sauce. In either case, it’s absolutely heavenly and a great option for company! —Cathy Croyle, Davidsville, Pennsylvania
Lemon Red Potatoes
Butter, lemon juice, parsley and chives enhance this simple side dish. I usually prepare these potatoes when I’m having company. Since they cook in the slow cooker, there’s plenty of room on the stove for other dishes. —Tara Branham, Austin, Texas
“Secret’s in the Sauce” BBQ Ribs
A sweet, rich sauce makes this BBQ ribs recipe so tender that the meat literally falls off the bones. And the aroma is wonderful. Yum! —Tanya Reid, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Chocolate Peanut Drops
This is a recipe that I got from a friend, who got it from her sister, and between the three of us we’ve handed it out everywhere! The chocolaty candies couldn’t be easier to make in the slow cooker and depending on the size of your spoon, you can get dozens of candies from one batch. So easy and great for gifts.—Anita Bell, Hermitage, Tennessee
Cheese Chicken Soup
Kids won’t think twice about eating vegetables when they’re served up in this creamy and cheesy soup! —LaVonne Lundgren, Sioux City, Iowa
Country Ham and Potatoes
The browned potatoes give simple ham a tasty touch. Not only do the potatoes pick up the flavor of the ham, but they look beautiful! Just add veggies or a salad, and dinner’s done. —Helen Bridges, Washington, Virginia
Banana Oatmeal Pancakes
These pancakes have less sodium per serving than other pancakes made from mixes. Decrease sodium even further by stretching the mix with banana, oats and walnuts. In our house we just sprinkle these with a little confectioners’ sugar, because the fruit is so sweet you don’t need syrup. — Patricia Swart, Galloway , New Jersey
Lasagna Rolls
My Italian lasagna roll-ups are not complicated; they require only basic ingredients to assemble. Prepared spaghetti sauce helps me save time and get dinner on the table sooner. —Mary Lee Thomas, Logansport, Indiana
Easy Homemade Chunky Applesauce
Here’s a comforting, home-style treat that never loses its appeal. Dish up big bowlfuls and wait for the smiles! —Marilee Cardinal, Burlington, New Jersey
Maple-Peach Glazed Ham
This is one of my husband’s favorite recipes. He makes it regularly for his group of friends on the weekends because it’s so good and easy. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Lemon Cream Delight
Indulging in this creamy dessert is like eating cheesecake out of a bowl. Light and luscious, it’s a pleasing finish to any meal. —Inge Schermerhorn, Kingston, New Hampshire
Slow-Cooker Dressing
Here’s an easy dressing that’s perfect for Thanksgiving get-togethers. Once it’s in the slow cooker, you’re free to turn your attention to the other dishes. —Rita Nodland, Bismarck, North Dakota
Sausage Manicotti
This familiar Italian-style entree comes together in a snap. It’s a comforting dish that says “home” to my family and is easy to freeze and have on hand. —Carolyn Henderson, Maple Plain, Minnesota
Cinnamon Cherry Cobbler
It’s not a misprint—there really are just two ingredients in this spiced cherry dessert. It’s a good brunch for sweet-lovers, too. —Terri Robinson, Muncie, Indiana
Easy Slow-Cooked Swiss Steak
Sarah Burks of Wathena, Kansas lets her slow cooker simmer up this fuss-free and flavorful Swiss steak. Perfect for busy spring days…the longer it cooks, the better it tastes!
Black Bean and Beef Tostadas
Just a handful of ingredients add up to one of our family’s favorites. Also easy to double for company! —Susan Brown, Kansas City, Kansas
Carolina-Style Vinegar BBQ Chicken
I live in Georgia, but I appreciate the tangy, sweet taste of Carolina barbecue chicken. In fact, my sons are more likely to show up to dinner if they know I’m serving this slow cooker recipe. —Ramona Parris, Canton, Georgia
Smashed Potatoes
I wouldn’t dream of making my favorite chicken recipe without making these potatoes, too. —Jennifer Shaw of Dorchester, Massachusetts.
Moist & Tender Turkey Breast
This easy turkey recipe is sure to be popular in your home. Everyone will love the taste, and you’ll love how quickly it comes together. —Heidi Vawdrey, Riverton, Utah
Butterscotch Fruit Dip
If you like the sweetness of butterscotch chips, you’ll enjoy this warm rum-flavored fruit dip. I serve it with apple and pear wedges. It holds up for up to two hours in the slow cooker. —Jeaune Hadl Van Meter, Lexington, Kentucky
Gooey Chocolate-Peanut Bars
These are so easy to make and take no time at all. They’re great to package up for those college kids looking for something from home. Everyone will want this recipe. —Elaine Grimme, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Reuben Calzones
I love a Reuben sandwich, so I tried the fillings in a pizza pocket instead of on rye bread. This hand-held dinner is a big winner at our house. —Nickie Frye, Evansville, Indiana
Savory Potato Skins
For a simple hot snack that really hits the spot on a cool fall evening, put together a plate of these crisp potato skins. —Andrea Holcomb, Torrington, Connecticut
Shrimp Pasta Alfredo
My son loves any recipe with Alfredo sauce. When he cooked as a bachelor, shrimp pasta was one of his first recipes. Now his children ask for it. Gail Lucas, Olive Branch, Mississippi
Marmalade Meatballs
We had a pre-Superbowl potluck at work, so I started cooking these meatballs in the morning. By lunch time they were ready. They were a big hit! —Jeanne Kiss, Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Italian Beef Hoagies
You’ll need just five ingredients to feed a crowd these tender and tangy Italian beef sandwiches. On weekends, I start the roast the night before, so I can shred it in the morning. —Lori Piatt, Danville, Illinois
Slow-Cooked Beef Vegetable Soup
Convenient frozen veggies and hash browns make this meaty soup a snap to mix up. Simply brown the ground beef, then stir everything together to simmer all day. It’s wonderful served with bread and a salad. —Carol Calhoun, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Cheeseburger and Fries Casserole
Kids love this casserole because it combines two of their favorite fast foods. And I like the fact that I can whip it up with just four ingredients. —Karen Owen, Rising Sun, Indiana
Muffin-Tin Lasagnas
This is a super fun way to serve lasagna for make-ahead lunches, potlucks or other fun get-togethers. My daughter took some of these to work and by noon was emailing me for the recipe. —Sally Kilkenny, Granger, Iowa
Chicken & Vegetable Curry Couscous
For my busy family, a semi-homemade one-pot meal is the best way to get dinner done in a hurry. Use your favorite blend of frozen veggies and serve with toasted pita bread for smiles all around. —Elizabeth Hokanson, Arborg, Manitoba
Ham & Cheese Potato Casserole
This recipe makes two cheesy, delicious casseroles. Have one tonight and put the other on ice for a future busy weeknight. It’s like having money in the bank when things get hectic! —Kari Adams, Fort Collins, Colorado
Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
I try to make foods that are not only kid friendly, but are also easy to reheat since my husband works long hours and often eats later than our children. If you like, use reduced-fat cheese and ground turkey for a lighter version. —Melissa Stevens, Elk River, Minnesota
Cake & Berry Campfire Cobbler
This warm cobbler is one of our favorite ways to end a busy day of fishing, hiking, swimming or rafting. It’s yummy with ice cream—and so easy to make! —June Dress, Boise, Idaho
BBQ Meat Loaf Minis
Kids can have fun helping to prepare these mini meat loaves in muffin cups. For extra spice, we sometimes add 2 teaspoons chili powder and 1 cup of salsa. —Linda Call, Falun, Kansas
Beer Dip
Ranch dressing mix flavors this easy dip that’s packed with shredded cheese and is perfect paired with pretzels. Be forewarned, though—it’s hard to stop eating once you’ve started! This beer cheese dip can be made with any type of beer, including nonalcoholic. I’ve taken it to many parties and am always asked for the recipe. —Michelle Long, New Castle, Colorado
Potato Chowder
One of the ladies in our church quilting group brought this savory potato soup to a meeting, and everyone loved how the cream cheese and bacon made it so rich. It’s easy to assemble in the morning so it can simmer on its own all day. —Anna Mayer, Fort Branch, Indiana
Cheesy Sausage Potatoes
For a satisfying brunch, try some sausage and potatoes! I never have to worry about leftovers with these tasty potatoes—everyone loves them and the pan is always empty. You can also serve these as a side dish at Sunday supper or for potlucks. —Linda Hill, Marseilles, Illinois
Ham and Bean Stew
You only need five ingredients to fix this thick and flavorful stew. It’s so easy to make and always a favorite with my family. I top bowls of it with a sprinkling of shredded cheese. —Teresa D’Amato, East Granby, Connecticut
Sausage & Crescent Roll Casserole
I made this tasty casserole for a baby shower. It saved me: Preparing it ahead gave me more time to finish decorating for the party. —Melody Craft, Conroe, Texas
Creamy Hash Brown Potatoes
Convenient frozen hash browns are the secret behind the cheesy slow-cooker potatoes I cook up for potlucks and big group gatherings. —Julianne Henson, Streamwood, Illinois
Bacon Breakfast Pizza
I used to make this bacon pizza for my morning drivers when I worked at a delivery place. And they just loved it. Breakfast pizza is a quick and easy eye-opener that appeals to all ages. —Cathy Shortall, Easton, Maryland
Eggs & Chorizo Wraps
My husband grew up in southern California and loves chorizo. We use the spicy sausage in these wraps that our children call “Daddy’s Eggs.”—April Nissen, Yankton, South Dakota
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Amy Glander