We tested 24 popular recipes—these are the ones we’d make again

Not every popular recipe lives up to the hype. After testing a wide range of trending dishes, these are the ones that truly delivered. They stood out for their flavor, reliability, and overall ease. More importantly, they’re recipes we’d actually cook again without hesitation. Consider this a filtered list of what’s really worth your time.

Savory Sweet Potato Casserole We’d Make Again

An angled shot of savory sweet potato casserole served in a baking dish. — Savory Sweet Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Sweet potatoes with garlic and honeyed walnuts deliver a savory-sweet balance that surprised us during testing. It broke up heavier dishes and quickly earned a spot we’d repeat for gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Savory Sweet Potato Casserole

Creamed Spinach We’d Make Again

An overhead image of creamy spinach in a pot. — Creamed Spinach. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Three-cheese creamed spinach delivers a rich, velvety side that feels more indulgent than expected. It comes together fast and held up well in our lineup of tested recipes we’d repeat.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Spinach

Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad We’d Make Again

Bowl of creamy dill cucumber onion salad in a bowl with spoons. — Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Crisp cucumbers and onions in a dill cream dressing kept things light during our recipe tests. It paired easily with heavier mains and stayed fresh enough that we’d make it again.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad

Green Beans and Potatoes We’d Make Again

An image of green beans in a serving bowl with a spoon resting on it. — Green Beans and Potatoes. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Green beans and tender potatoes cook together in one skillet for a simple, hearty side. It’s low-effort but reliable, making it one of the tested recipes we’d actually repeat.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans and Potatoes

Jello Salad We’d Actually Make Again

Top view of Jello Salad with fresh strawberries. — Jello Salad. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

This creamy Jello salad sets into a nostalgic, sweet dish that stood out in our taste tests. It’s simple to prep ahead and held its place among the recipes we’d come back to.
Get the Recipe: Jello Salad

Cheesy Green Bean Casserole We’d Make Again

An image of a white plate with a serving of cheesy green bean casserole with a fork on the side, and the casserole behind it. — Cheesy Green Bean Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

A cheesy baked green bean casserole that stayed sturdy and flavorful through serving. It performed consistently in our lineup and earned a repeat spot for big gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

Waldorf Salad We’d Make Again

Overhead image of waldorf salad in a bowl. — Waldorf Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Crisp apples, pears, and nuts bring a refreshing crunch that balanced richer dishes. It felt light but satisfying, making it one of the tested recipes we’d repeat.
Get the Recipe: Waldorf Salad

Strawberry Pretzel Salad We’d Make Again

A slice of Strawberry Pretzel Salad on a plate with a spoon and some slices of fresh strawberries. — Strawberry Pretzel Salad. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Sweet strawberries, cream cheese, and salty pretzels create a layered chilled dessert-style salad. It disappeared quickly in testing and proved worth making again for crowds.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Pea Salad We’d Make Again

Pea salad in a blue bowl. — Pea Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Sweet peas in a creamy dressing create a simple side that held up well in testing. It travels easily and stayed consistent enough to land on our repeat list.
Get the Recipe: Pea Salad

Chickpea Salad We’d Make Again

Overhead image of chickpea salad in a bowl. — Chickpea Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Chickpeas soak up flavor overnight, making this salad even better after a short chill. It’s filling without reheating and stood out among our tested make-ahead dishes.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Salad

Funeral Potatoes We’d Make Again

A close up image of cheesy potatoes in a casserole, garnished with parsley. — Funeral Potatoes (with Real Potatoes). Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Cheesy potatoes topped with a crisp cornflake layer delivered classic comfort in every bite. It was one of the most reliable dishes in our testing lineup and worth repeating.
Get the Recipe: Funeral Potatoes (with Real Potatoes)

Cheesy Asparagus Casserole We’d Make Again

A close up view of a cooked asparagus casserole in a baking dish. — Easy, Cheesy Asparagus Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Asparagus baked with cheddar and a crunchy topping brought a cozy yet fresh flavor. It tested well alongside heavier sides and earned a spot we’d return to.
Get the Recipe: Easy, Cheesy Asparagus Casserole

Tomato Burrata Salad We’d Make Again

An overview of a bowl of Tomato Burrata Salad. — Tomato Burrata Salad. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Juicy tomatoes paired with creamy burrata made for a bright, effortless salad. It balanced richer dishes perfectly and was one of the easiest repeat wins.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Burrata Salad

Hashbrown Casserole We’d Make Again

Hashbrown casserole being served. — Hashbrown Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Creamy, cheesy hashbrowns baked into a comforting casserole that was hard to skip. It consistently scored high in testing and belongs on any repeat-worthy list.
Get the Recipe: Hashbrown Casserole

Coconut Green Beans We’d Make Again

A top-down view of stir-fried green beans with coconut on a white plate, accompanied by a white napkin and fork. — Stir Fry Green Beans with Coconut. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Green beans stir-fried with coconut and spices bring a fragrant twist to the table. It stood out in testing for its flavor and earned a place among repeatable favorites.
Get the Recipe: Stir Fry Green Beans with Coconut

Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole Classic

An overhead image of slow cooker green bean casserole on a plate. — Green Bean Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

We tested this slow cooker version and found it delivers all the nostalgic flavor with almost no effort. It holds up especially well for gatherings where dishes need to stay warm and consistent.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Amish Macaroni Salad Creamy Potluck Favorite

Bowl of Amish macaroni salad with some on a spoon. — Amish Macaroni Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This creamy pasta salad stood out for its sweet-tangy balance that feels right at home on a buffet table. It’s one of those recipes that disappears quickly no matter how much you make.
Get the Recipe: Amish Macaroni Salad

Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad Fresh Crowd Favorite

A close up view of cooked tortellini pasta salad in a white bowl. — Pesto Tortellini Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This tortellini salad impressed us with how quickly it comes together without sacrificing flavor. The pesto coating keeps every bite vibrant, making it a reliable crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tortellini Salad

Avocado Deviled Eggs Creamy Party Appetizer

A close up image of avocado deviled eggs. — Avocado Deviled Eggs. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

We tried this upgrade on classic deviled eggs and liked how the avocado adds a smooth, modern twist. They’re sturdy enough to transport, which makes them perfect for shared tables.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Deviled Eggs

Lime Jello Salad Retro Potluck Classic Dessert

Piece of lime jello salad topped with whipped cream and a cherry. — Lime Jello Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This retro-style salad brings a playful, nostalgic touch that still gets attention on modern tables. Its chilled texture makes it a refreshing contrast to heavier dishes.
Get the Recipe: Lime Jello Salad

Dense Bean Salad High-Protein No-Cook Favorite

An overview of a bowl of dense bean salad surrounded by fresh ingredients. — Dense Bean Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

We liked how this no-cook salad delivers big flavor with minimal prep time. The mix of beans and fresh ingredients makes it filling without feeling heavy.
Get the Recipe: Dense Bean Salad

Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Ultra Comfort Side Dish

Close up of mashed potatoes in a Dutch oven, with wooden spoon. — Cheesy Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

These mashed potatoes were a standout for their rich, creamy texture that feels instantly satisfying. They’re the kind of side dish people go back for before anything else.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

Eggplant Casserole Cozy Vegetarian Bake

An eggplant casserole in a baking dish, accompanied by a wooden spoon. — Eggplant Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

We found this casserole delivers a hearty, baked depth that works well alongside classic comfort foods. It’s simple to assemble but feels like a dish that took far more effort.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Casserole

Cream Cheese Green Bean Casserole Rich Upgrade

A Green Bean Casserole with Cream Cheese topped with a golden-brown crust and garnished with sliced green onions. — Green Bean Casserole with Cream Cheese. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This upgraded version stood out for its extra creaminess that makes the dish feel more indulgent. It still keeps the familiar flavor people expect, which is why it works so well for groups.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole with Cream Cheese