These are the recipes and items that I make/use on repeat. They are crowd-pleasers!
This post contains affiliate links, which means I will earn a small commission if you purchase through my link. Please see full disclosure for more information.
Recipes
Enchiladas – This recipe is the best! It is most certainly a weekend meal as it takes a while to prep, but it is easy to double so that you can enjoy it on a weeknight later. I like to swap the ground beef for poached chicken; a shredded rotisserie could also work in a pinch.
Big Mac Salad – You can find this recipe in our beach vacation meal plan and boat food, and for a good reason. It’s easy to make a big crowd-pleaser. Half the meat will do. I use the other half to make burgers in the same pan for my boys. If you aren’t on the Keto diet, use regular sugar and taste as you go, I find that about half the amount works for my family.
Chimichurri Fish, Chicken, Whatever! – This South American herb-based sauce is ready in minutes and is good on so many things. I’ve tried it on fish, shrimp, steak, chicken, and pork, and it works on them all. It’s a very flexible recipe, so don’t worry too much about the measurements. Make it on a Sunday, and you will be reaching for it all week.
Cheeseburger Helper – You won’t find any preservatives in this homemade version of Hamburger Helper. It’s easy to double, uses ingredients you may have on hand, and everyone in the family will love it.
Penne Ala Vodka – This recipe from Serious Eats comes together in less than 30 minutes.
Granola Bars – Are you looking for a kid-friendly snack? Look no further. Granola bars are so easy to make and delicious. To make them nut-free, omit the almonds and replace them with equal parts Rice Krispies.
Fancy Pants Chicken – This is THE recipe to impress guests. No one will know that it came together in MINUTES. I’m not exaggerating. It’s that easy. If you can’t find the garlic and herb seasoning, substitute an Italian dressing mix.
Creamy Italian Salad Dressing I have tried so many creamy Italian dressings, and this is my favorite. I almost always have the ingredients on hand plus, it’s easy to make and delicious! Be sure to use Duke’s Mayo.
Potato Salad – Bring this to any potluck, and it will be gone in an instant. The secret is in marinating the potatoes while they are hot. Don’t worry about the pickle juice being overpowering; it just adds a tang.
Arugula Salad – If you want a simple salad, look no further. This one consists of arugula, parmesan, and an easy lemon vinaigrette. It’s a great complement to Italian dishes.
Butternut Squash Soup – This creamy soup doesn’t have any cream in it! The texture comes from the squash. It’s great for a fall dinner and even better for lunch the next day. The crostini is nice, but we prefer to serve it with BLTs or a side salad.
Pasta With Sausage And Broccoli – If you need a hearty no-brainer for dinner, this is it. It’s easily adaptable. You can sub almost any green vegetable for broccoli. Orecchiette can be hard to find, so sub fusilli, farfalle, or penne.
Kitchen Tools
Tweezers — You will find yourself reaching for these constantly. To test pasta, grab steaks in place of tongs. They are affordable and fantastic to have around.