Tater Tot Casseroles
Ground beef, sausage, cheese, and, of course, Tater Tots make this classic casserole a crowd-pleaser. Cayenne pepper and hot Italian sausage give it a pleasant kick. —Ryan Jones, Chillicothe, Illinois
Melt-in-Your-Mouth Meat Loaf
When my husband and I were first married, he refused to eat meat loaf because he said it was bland and dry. Then I prepared this version, and it became his favorite meal. —Suzanne Codner, Starbuck, Minnesota
Slow-Cooker Bananas Foster
The flavors of caramel, rum and walnut naturally complement fresh bananas in this classic dessert made easy! —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Chive Smashed Potatoes
No need to peel the potatoes—in fact, this is the only way we make mashed potatoes anymore. They’re chunky, tasty and attractive. And the flavored cream cheese is a delightful twist! —Beverly Norris, Evanston, Wyoming
Shepherd’s Pie Twice-Baked Potatoes
This recipe features the best of two classics—baked potatoes and shepherd’s pie. Serve with a green salad, and satisfaction is guaranteed even for those with the heartiest appetites. —Cyndy Gerken, Naples, Florida
Dad's Chocolate Chip Cookies
My dad, Art Winter, would tuck some of these cookies in the care packages he and my mom sent to me when I was in college.—Art Winter, Trumbull, Connecticut
Slow-Cooked Hungarian Goulash
The tasty family dish boasts a rich creamy sauce certain to satisfy goulash lovers. I enjoy sharing recipes with friends and family and this one's great for potluck suppers, too. Garnish with fresh parsley for flavor and color. —Jackie Kohn, Duluth, Minnesota
Slow-Cooker Beef Brisket
“This brisket is so easy to prepare and has been a family favorite for years," shares Mary Ann Lee in Clifton Park, New York. "I added the fresh mushrooms to give it more flavor.”
Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Doughnuts
Guests will have a touch of nostalgia when they bite into one of these old-fashioned doughnuts. Accents of nutmeg and cinnamon, along with a subtle burst of lemon, make them hard to resist. — June Jones, Harveyville, Kansas
Macaroni and Cheese for Two
This is one of those dishes that our family calls "a Mama recipe." My mother rarely consulted a cookbook, so when asked for a recipe, she could only estimate. I've worked out the ingredients to make it for two, but it can easily be doubled. It's simply a good, wholesome dish most folks seem to enjoy. —Betty Allen, East Point, Georgia
Baked Potato Soup
A neighbor brought over her children's cookbook to show us, and I discovered this recipe for our favorite soup in it! Not only is it delicious, but it is easy to prepare and makes a small amount perfect for my husband and me. It tastes like "restaurant" soup but is lower in fat. —Linda Mumm, Davenport, Iowa
Easy Italian Beef Sandwiches
These party-sized sandwiches make the meal! Just add your favorite Italian salad on the side. If you like, top the sandwiches with some sliced provolone. —Troy Parkos, Verona, Wisconsin
Creamy Rice Pudding
I was fortunate to grow up around fabulous cooks. My mother and grandmother taught me to experiment with recipes, and we tried a lot of variations on this one. No matter how we chose to embellish it, it was always tasty. When I make this, it brings fond memories to mind. —Laura German, North Brookfield, Massachusetts
Green Chile Grilled Cheese Melt
My daughter created a masterpiece with her ultimate grilled cheese and chiles. Want more heat? Use a 4-ounce can of diced jalapenos instead of chiles. —Julia Huntington, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Creamy Ham & Potatoes
If you love scalloped potatoes, this downsized version with tender chunks of ham is just for you. The cozy, comforting entree comes courtesy of Wendy Rowley from Green River, Wyoming.
Four-Cheese Stuffed Shells
These satisfying shells are bursting with ricotta, Asiago, mozzarella and cottage cheese. Use your favorite brand of spaghetti sauce—meatless or not. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
French Silk Pie
“I first made French Silk Pie when I was in high school, then, years later, I tinkered with the recipe until I was happy with it," says Lisa Francis of Elba, Alabama. "Now, it’s one of my husband Dalton’s favorites."
Cornbread Stuffed Pork Chops
Tart apple adds a delicious flavor to the moist stuffing that fills these savory chops. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Quick Beef and Noodles
My family loves beef stroganoff, and this is my lightened version. Using the roast beef from the deli saves the hours spent cooking a beef roast. I serve this with a salad for a great, homestyle meal. —Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West Virginia
Carrot Chowder
My husband's grandmother passed this recipe on to us, and it's just wonderful—especially with a basket of warm, fresh bread on the side. This soup freezes well. —Wendy Wilkins, Prattville, Alabama
Family-Favorite Cheeseburger Pasta
I created this cheeseburger pasta recipe to satisfy a craving. What a delicious, healthy classic! —Raquel Haggard, Edmond, Oklahoma
Pecan French Toast
Make-ahead convenience is a bonus with this yummy brunch dish, says Summerfield, North Carolina’s Cindy Fish. “It couldn’t be easier but tastes like you really fussed!“
Cast-Iron Favorite Pizza
Cast-iron skillets are the perfect vessel for a crisp, deep-dish pizza without buying any extra cookware. Our team developed this meaty pizza, which is perfect for any time of year. — Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Creamy Reuben Casserole
This Reuben casserole dish is great to serve for St. Patrick's Day - or any time. It features corned beef, sauerkraut and other ingredients that make Reuben sandwiches so popular. It's always well received at a potluck. —Margery Bryan, Royal City, Washington
Bacon 'n' Egg Gravy
My husband, Ron, created this wonderful bacon and egg gravy. It's home-style and old-fashioned. Sometimes we ladle the gravy over homemade biscuits. Served with fruit salad, it's a great breakfast. —Terry Bray, Winter Haven, Florida
Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake
I've tried different variations of these cakes for my family and this chocolate peanut butter mug cake is a winner! I have made it with almond milk and melted coconut oil, and both ways are delicious! —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
Matzo Ball Soup
This traditional matzo ball soup is worth the extra effort. If you prefer, you can add egg noodles instead of matzo balls. —Julia Sherman, New Market, Tennessee
Cottage Pie
I get a pound of ground turkey—the light kind—and a pound of the dark kind for this recipe, but you could use beef or lamb. — Jane Leeves, Los Angeles, California
Pineapple Upside-Down Dump Cake
This dump cake recipe is wonderful topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. It works well with gluten-free and sugar-free cake mixes too. —Karin Gatewood, Dallas, Texas
Beefy Cabbage Bean Stew
While on one of our small group quilting retreats, one of my friends made this wonderful recipe for dinner. We all loved it and have since passed it around for others to enjoy—now I'm passing it on to you. —Melissa Glancy, La Grange, Kentucky
Cheesy Chicken Chowder
I like to serve this hearty chowder with garlic bread and a salad. It's a wonderful dish to prepare when company drops in. The rich, mild flavor and tender chicken and vegetables appeal even to children and picky eaters. —Hazel Fritchie, Palestine, Illinois
Beef & Onion Piroshki
When I lived in Seattle, one of my favorite places was a small stand that sold piroshki—Russian stuffed pocket sandwiches. Whenever I’m missing my former town, I make my own batch. —julie merriman, Seattle, Washington
Tex-Mex Chili
Hearty and spicy, this is a flavor-packed chili for sure. You can also simmer it on the stove—the longer, the better! —Eric Hayes, Antioch, California
Southwest Tuna Noodle Bake
None of my co-workers had ever tried tuna noodle casserole, but since we live near the Mexican border, they challenged me to make a Southwest version. After trying the tasty results, everyone wanted the recipe! —Sandra Crane, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Caramel-Pecan Monkey Bread
The kids will get a kick out of pulling off gooey pieces of this delectable monkey bread. It's hard to resist the caramel-coated treat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Creamy Chicken & Broccoli Stew
Shh! Don’t tell anyone! This recipe is so simple, but you’d never know it. My husband, who normally doesn’t like chicken, asks for this dish regularly. —Mary Watkins, Little Elm, Texas
Slow-Cooked Beef Tips
These slow cooked beef tips remind me of a childhood favorite. I cook them with mushrooms and serve over brown rice, noodles or mashed potatoes. —Amy Lents, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Skillet Cinnamon Rolls
I love using cast iron to get a nice crust on these skillet cinnamon rolls! The skillet also makes an impressive serving dish on the table without looking like you tried too hard. — Danielle Williams, Newport, Rhode Island
So-Tender Swiss Steak
This fork-tender Swiss steak with rich gravy was an often-requested main dish around our house when I was growing up. Mom took pride in preparing scrumptious, hearty meals like this for our family and guests. —Linda McGinty, Parma, Ohio
Puppy Chow
This snack mix is perfect for a late-night treat or a pick-me-up any time of the day. I sometimes take a batch to work, and it's always eaten up quickly. It's a slightly different cereal snack because of the chocolate and peanut butter. —Mary Obeilin, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania
Breakfast Biscuit Cups
The first time I made these biscuit cups, my husband and his assistant basketball coach came in as I was pulling them out of the oven. They loved them! —Debra Carlson, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Best Ever Banana Bread
Whenever I pass a display of bananas in the grocery store, I can almost smell the wonderful aroma of my best banana bread recipe. It really is that good! —Gert Kaiser, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Chocolate-Covered Cherry Pudding Cake
Growing up, I remember my grandfather cherishing the chocolate-covered cherries we’d bring him for Christmas. He passed away this past year, and I came up with this rich recipe in his honor. It’s delicious served with whipped topping. —Meredith Coe, Charlottesville, Virginia
Bacon Mac ‘N Cheese Cornbread Skillet
My cast-iron skillet is a workhorse in my kitchen. I just love it for cooking and baking. And this cast-iron mac and cheese recipe can be served as a main dish or as a smaller-portion side. — Lisa Keys, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Monster Cookies
This recipe combines several favorite flavors—peanut butter, butterscotch and chocolate—in one big cookie. Before baking, I like to press a few extra M&M's on top for added color. —Patricia Schroedl, Jefferson, Wisconsin
Sausage Cheese Crescents
My mother says that my grandmother made the best butterhorns. I never tasted hers, but my mom's were delicious and grandma, of course, taught her. Through the years, my mom filled butter horns with everything, from fruit, to seafood, to meats and all sorts of nuts and raisins. I always got a kick out of trying to guess what was in them. This recipe is ideal for brunch or lunch. —Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania
Sweet Potato & Caramelized Onion Shells
Gorgonzola cheese and sweet potatoes add a fun and flavorful twist to classic stuffed shells. Delicious with a sprinkle of Parmesan, the pasta can be topped with leftover gravy, too. —Robin Haas, Cranston, Rhode Island
Movie Theater Pretzel Rods
My kids and all of their friends clamor for the large, chewy pretzel rods. They are fantastic fresh from the oven. —Lisa Shaw, Burnettsville, Indiana
Savory Mustard Chicken and Stuffing Waffles
Adding mustard to the chicken coating adds a tang that's amazing with the savory waffles and sweet maple syrup. —John Ginn, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Crunchy Au Gratin Potatoes
With its golden, crunchy topping and gooey, cheesy interior, this comforting spin on a classic side dish is brimming with robust flavors. Horseradish and nutmeg add that extra-special touch.—Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina
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Katie Bandurski