40 Basic Recipes Every Cook Should Know by Heart

Read Time: 18 mins

40 Basic Recipes Every Cook Should Know by Heart1/40 French Toast 65 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Vanilla French Toast Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We discovered this easy French toast recipe in Mexico. We couldn’t figure out what made the French toast so delicious until we learned the secret was vanilla. Since then, we’ve added a touch of vanilla to our waffle and pancake recipes, and it makes all the difference. —Joe and Bobbi Schott, Castroville, Texas Nutrition Facts: 2 pieces: 218 calories, 6g fat

Diabetic exchanges: 2 starch, 1 medium-fat meat

(3g saturated fat), 127mg cholesterol, 376mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 starch, 1 medium-fat meat. 2/40 Homemade Spaghetti Sauce 107 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Stamp-of-Approval Spaghetti Sauce Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 8 hours 30 min Servings 12 servings (3 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My father is very opinionated, especially about food. This recipe received his almost unreachable stamp of approval. I have yet to hear a disagreement from anyone who has tried it! —Melissa Taylor, Higley, Arizona Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 335

calories, 16g fat (5g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 622mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 5g fiber), 22g protein. 3/40 Fruit Salad 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This appealing fruit salad is a lovely addition to breakfast, lunch or even supper. Light and refreshing, it’s perfect alongside egg bakes, sausages and other hearty staples you find on breakfast buffets. —Millie Vickery, Lena, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 161 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 4mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 2g fiber),

1g protein

1g protein. 4/40 Hearty Chili 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Bean & Beef Slow-Cooked Chili Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 6 hours 20 min Servings 6 servings (2-1/4 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This chili may be already chock-full, but we love to build it up even more with toppings like pico de gallo, red onion, cilantro and cheese. —Mallory Lynch, Madison, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 427 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 1103mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 15g fiber), 30g protein. 5/40 Basic Buttercream Frosting 148 Reviews Test Kitchen

6/40 Homemade Guacamole 40 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Homemade Guacamole

Approved Easy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings About 3 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: After trying a few buttercream frosting recipes, this easy vanilla buttercream frosting takes the cake with its unmatchable homemade taste. With a few simple variations, you can come up with different colors and flavors. —Diana Wilson, Denver, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoons: 124 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 40mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein. 6/40 Homemade Guacamole 40 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Homemade Guacamole

And although it’s simple to prepare, it can go wrong

Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 2 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I always judge a Tex-Mex restaurant by its guacamole. And although it’s simple to prepare, it can go wrong oh, so easily. I’ve spent many years perfecting mine, to the point where I think it’s better than most restaurants. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 90 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 78mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 4g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat. 7/40 Cobb Salad 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved

Diabetic exchanges: 2 lean meat, 2 fat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable

Skinny Cobb Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This skinny version of Cobb salad has all the taste and creaminess with half the fat and calories. You can skip the coleslaw mix and use all lettuce, but I like the crunch you get with cabbage. —Taylor Kiser, Brandon, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 324 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 646mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 9g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 lean meat, 2 fat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable. 8/40 Garlic

This homemade garlic bread is the answer!

Bread 25 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Garlic Bread Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Ever wonder how to make garlic bread? This homemade garlic bread is the answer! Minced fresh garlic is key to these flavor-packed crusty slices, which our big family would snap up before they even had a chance to cool. —Grace Yaskovic, Branchville, New Jersey Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 258 calories, 13g fat (8g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 433mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein. 9/40 Smashed Potatoes 16 Reviews

Test Kitchen Approved Crispy Smashed Potatoes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Golden brown and buttery, these crispy smashed potatoes live up to their tantalizing name. A sprinkle of fresh herbs when they’re hot out of the oven maximizes the flavor…and the pretty. —Althea Dye, Howard, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 3 smashed potatoes: 292 calories, 22g fat (9g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 543mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. 10/40 Yogurt Parfaits 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Apple Yogurt Parfaits Recipe photo by Taste

Get the morning started right with this super simple four-ingredient parfait

of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Get the morning started right with this super simple four-ingredient parfait. Try chunky or flavored applesauce for an easy variation. —Rebekah Radewahn, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 parfait: 158 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 70mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch. 11/40 Fajitas 58 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Baked Chicken Fajitas Recipe photo by Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

We like it with hot sauce for added spice

I can’t remember when or where I found this oven-baked fajitas recipe, but I’ve used it nearly every week since. We like it with hot sauce for added spice. —Amy Trinkle, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 2 fajitas: 375 calories, 14g fat (3g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 838mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 5g fiber), 22g protein. 12/40 French Fries 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 35 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Yes, you do want fries with that—especially these crispy, golden fries, full of garlic flavor and just a little bit of heat.

Cheese and evaporated milk make them especially good

—Steve Westphal, Wind Lake, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 200 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 308mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 5g protein. 13/40 Scrambled Eggs 6 Reviews Fluffy Scrambled Eggs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 3 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When our son, Chris, wants something other than cold cereal in the morning, he whips up these eggs. Cheese and evaporated milk make them especially good. They’re easy to make when you’re camping too. —Chris Pfleghaar, Elk River, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup: 246

This simple dish is tart and not too sweet

calories, 18g fat (6g saturated fat), 438mg cholesterol, 523mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 15g protein. 14/40 Chunky Applesauce 33 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chunky Applesauce Recipe photo by Sarah Tramonte for Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings about 3-1/2 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: There’s just something extra special about a homemade applesauce recipe like this one. This simple dish is tart and not too sweet. It makes the perfect side, especially with pork chops or a pork roast. —Deborah Amrine, Grand Haven, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup: 157 calories, 0 fat

16/40 Grilled Cheese Sandwich 4 Reviews

(0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 7mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (36g sugars, 3g fiber), 0 protein. 15/40 Snack Mix Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 5 min Servings 4 quarts Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I eat this tasty treat just as much as (if not more than) the kids! Have fun with it by adding other goodies into the mix, like nuts, cereal, pretzels and more. —Jeff King, Duluth, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup: 195 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 104mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. 16/40 Grilled Cheese Sandwich 4 Reviews

They’re delicious served with soup!

Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Heat up your indoor grill to make these ooey-gooey grilled cheese sandwich recipes. They’re delicious served with soup! —Debbie Murray, Fort Worth, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 430 calories, 20g fat (11g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 1094mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 29g protein. 17/40 Flaky Pastry Crust 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Classic Butter Pie Crust Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings dough for one 9-inch pie Go to Recipe From the

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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