29 of Our Community Cooks’ Absolute Favorite Recipes
29 of Our Community Cooks’ Absolute Favorite Recipes
Read Time: 13 mins
29 of Our Community Cooks’ Absolute Favorite Recipes
You’ll love the cakelike texture and tropical flavors
122mg cholesterol, 1184mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 53g protein. 3/29 Pina Colada Zucchini Bread 92 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Pina Colada Zucchini Bread Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 3 loaves (12 pieces each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: At my husband’s urging, I entered this recipe at the Pennsylvania Farm Show—and won first place! You’ll love the cakelike texture and tropical flavors. —Sharon Rydbom, Tipton, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 225 calories, 11g fat (1g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 165mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (18g sugars,
1g fiber), 3g protein
1g fiber), 3g protein. 4/29 Stuffed Pepper Soup 225 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Stuffed Pepper Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 8 servings (2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I was talking about stuffed peppers with the other cooks at the restaurant where I work. We decided to mix similar ingredients for a soup. Customer response was overwhelming! —Krista Muddiman, Meadville, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 337 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 1466mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 4g fiber), 24g protein. 5/29 Never-Fail Scalloped Potatoes 135 Reviews
Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat
Test Kitchen Approved Never-Fail Scalloped Potatoes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Take the chill off any blustery day and make something special to accompany meaty entrees. This is the best scalloped potatoes recipe ever, and my family loves when I serve it. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 215 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 523mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat. 6/29 Lemon Pudding Dessert 39 Reviews Test Kitchen
The shortbread crust is the perfect base for the fluffy top layers
Approved Lemon Pudding Dessert Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: After a big meal, folks really go for this light lemon treat. The shortbread crust is the perfect base for the fluffy top layers. I’ve prepared this sunny dessert for church suppers for years and I always get recipe requests. —Muriel DeWitt, Maynard, Massachusetts Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 348 calories, 20g fat (13g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 305mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein. 7/29 Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders 57 Reviews
Cut the recipe in half if you want one batch
Test Kitchen Approved Bacon Cheeseburger Slider Bake Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I created this dish to fill two pans because these sliders disappear fast. Cut the recipe in half if you want one batch. —Nick Iverson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 slider: 380 calories, 24g fat (13g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 628mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 18g protein. 8/29 Rawhide’s Whiskey Cake 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 16 pieces Go to
Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For several years, our neighbor gave us a moist, whiskey-flavored cake. I’ve tweaked the recipe, and now my friends want this cake instead of platters of homemade cookies. Fair warning: This cake takes three days to make, but it is very easy to prepare. —Cindy Worth, Lapwai, Idaho Nutrition Facts: 1 slice: 400 calories, 23g fat (6g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 298mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein. 9/29 Stuffed Shells with Meat 28 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Stuffed Shells with Meat Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour
Pesto makes a surprising filling for these cheesy and satisfying shells
30 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a rich and comforting dish that’s terrific right away or made ahead and baked the next day. Pesto makes a surprising filling for these cheesy and satisfying shells. —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, Virginia Nutrition Facts: 2 stuffed shells: 405 calories, 22g fat (10g saturated fat), 90mg cholesterol, 730mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein. 10/29 Huli Huli Chicken 156 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Huli Huli Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe
Huli means “turn” in Hawaiian and refers to turning the meat on the grill
Creator: When I lived in Hawaii, I got this recipe for chicken marinated in a ginger-soy sauce from a friend. Huli means “turn” in Hawaiian and refers to turning the meat on the grill. —Sharon Boling, San Diego, California Nutrition Facts: 2 chicken thighs: 391 calories, 16g fat (5g saturated fat), 151mg cholesterol, 651mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 0 fiber), 43g protein. 11/29 Shrimp & Nectarine Salad 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Shrimp & Nectarine Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For a cool
We love it chilled, but it’s delectable served right away, too
salad on a hot summer day, I combine shrimp, corn, tomatoes and nectarines with a drizzle of tarragon dressing. We love it chilled, but it’s delectable served right away, too. —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 252 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 448mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 5g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1 fat, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fruit. 12/29 Tasty Onion Chicken 62 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Tasty Onion Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to
Round out your meal with green beans and buttermilk biscuits
Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The secret to this French onion chicken is the yummy, crunchy coating that keeps the meat juicy and tender. Round out your meal with green beans and buttermilk biscuits. —Jennifer Hoeft, Thorndale, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 chicken breast half: 460 calories, 36g fat (18g saturated fat), 124mg cholesterol, 449mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 23g protein. 13/29 Chicken Potpie 388 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Best Chicken Potpie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 2 potpies (8 servings each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This
is the best chicken potpie recipe!
is the best chicken potpie recipe! Chock-full of chicken, potatoes, peas and corn, this recipe makes two golden pies, so you can serve one at supper and save the other for a busy night. —Karen Johnson, Bakersfield, California Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 475 calories, 28g fat (14g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 768mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 15g protein. 14/29 Amish Sugar Cookies 299 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Amish Sugar Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings about 5 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These easy-to-make, old-fashioned Amish sugar cookies
simply melt in your mouth!
simply melt in your mouth! I’ve passed this recipe around to many friends. After I gave it to my sister, she entered the cookies in a local fair and won best of show. —Sylvia Ford, Kennett, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 117 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 48mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 15/29 Teriyaki Chicken Thighs 107 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooker Chicken Thighs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a real sensation: Asian-style slow-cooker
chicken thighs and rice
chicken thighs and rice. They always go over big with my family. —Gigi Miller, Stoughton, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 5 ounces cooked chicken with 1/3 cup sauce: 342 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 113mg cholesterol, 958mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 0 fiber), 33g protein. 16/29 Pumpkin Cookies 24 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These easy pumpkin cookies are pleasantly spiced. Everyone enjoys the soft, cake-like texture, too. —Lisa Chernetsky, Luzerne, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1
cookie: 126 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 102mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. 17/29 Gravy 21 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 20 min Servings 2-1/3 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Make your Thanksgiving or other special-occasion dinner easy with this can’t-miss homemade gravy recipe. Use the drippings from your roasted turkey, and the gravy is done in just 20 minutes. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoons: 165 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 103mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 0
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
⭐ Expert Tips
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Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.
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Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.
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Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.
✅ Key Takeaways
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These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.
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Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.
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Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.
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