You’re Going to Wonder Why You Waited to Make These 27 Recipes

These recipes are the kind you try once and immediately wish you'd made sooner. They're easy to pull together, packed with great flavor, and just make sense for the kind of meals you actually want to eat. Whether you're cooking for yourself or feeding a few people, they're perfect for when you want something that feels like a win without making a big deal out of it.

Air fryer filet mignon with sliced potatoes. — Air Fryer Filet Mignon. Photo Credit: Running to the Kitchen

Pesto Tortellini Salad

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

This tortellini pasta salad needs fewer than 10 ingredients and is ready in 20 minutes. It’s a practical option for summer gatherings, leaving more time to focus on guests.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tortellini Salad

Authentic Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Close up of cacio e pepe in white bowl with fork and spoon. — Authentic Bucatini Cacio e Pepe. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Bucatini cacio e pepe uses only three ingredients and cooks quickly while keeping a traditional feel. It’s a dependable option for hosting when time is limited but you still want something classic.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Bucatini Cacio e Pepe

Pasta e Piselli

Pasta e piselli brings together peas and Pecorino for a quick dish that’s ready with minimal effort. It’s a helpful go-to for weeknight hosting when time and ingredients are limited.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Piselli

One Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta

One-pot lemon ricotta pasta takes just 15 minutes and brings a light, citrusy flavor. It fits well into casual meals or weeknight hosting without taking up too much time.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Lemon Ricotta Pasta

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Roasted cabbage steaks are ready in 35 minutes and require just a handful of ingredients. They’re an easy vegetable side to add to the table when hosting.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Grilled Asparagus

Grilled asparagus needs just five ingredients and about 25 minutes from start to finish. It’s an easy side dish that works well for cookouts or casual hosting.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Asparagus

Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese

An overhead image of a cooked gouda mac and cheese in a baking pan. — Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Baked gouda mac and cheese takes around 45 minutes and has a creamy texture with a slightly crisp top. It’s a good fit for hosting when a rich comfort dish is needed without much complexity.
Get the Recipe: Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese

Mushroom Stroganoff

This mushroom stroganoff comes together in just 30 minutes and has a rich, creamy texture. It works well when hosting dinners, as it pairs easily with rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Stroganoff

Nigerian Fried Rice

Nigerian fried rice is ready in 15 minutes and brings bold color and flavor to the table. It’s a useful way to add variety when hosting meals that need something vibrant and quick.
Get the Recipe: Nigerian Fried Rice

Air Fryer Filet Mignon

Air fryer filet mignon is easy to prepare and turns out consistently tender. It’s a useful option for hosting when you want something a bit more special without extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Filet Mignon

Thai Coconut Shrimp Curry

Thai coconut shrimp curry combines rich aromatics and a creamy base, ready with little effort. It’s a dependable choice for hosting dinners when a bold, warm dish is preferred.
Get the Recipe: Thai Coconut Shrimp Curry

Pizza Sliders

An image of a hand picking up one pizza slider from the baking pan. — Pizza Sliders. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Pizza sliders packed with sauce, cheese, and vegetables are quick to prepare and easy to serve. They’re a convenient choice for casual gatherings where finger foods are appreciated.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Sliders

Blackened Cod

Blackened cod uses pantry seasonings and a fast pan-sear to deliver bold flavor. Its quick preparation makes it a good pick for weeknight hosting or when timing matters.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Cod

Baked Cauliflower with Cheese

Baked cauliflower cheese features a golden top and a creamy Mornay sauce, ready in about an hour. It serves well as a hearty side when hosting dinner with a more traditional spread.
Get the Recipe: Baked Cauliflower with Cheese

Chicken Milanese

Chicken Milanese is a quick recipe with crisp breading and juicy texture. Its pairing with garlic and parmesan makes it a strong choice for serving guests without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Milanese

Mediterranean Black Bean Salad

The black bean salad with cilantro lime dressing takes just 10 minutes to make and uses fresh, simple ingredients. It’s a quick and practical side dish for lunches or potlucks when time is short.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Black Bean Salad

Easy Instant Pot Pork Chops

Instant Pot pork chops come together easily with minimal prep, thanks to the pressure cooking process. They work well for casual hosting when you need a quick and hearty main dish.
Get the Recipe: Easy Instant Pot Pork Chops

Ethiopian Cabbage

A one-pot Ethiopian cabbage stew that takes just half an hour to make, using common pantry ingredients and warm spices. It’s a solid option for hosting, thanks to its hearty nature and reliable flavor.
Get the Recipe: Ethiopian Cabbage

Garlic Tomato Shrimp Scampi Without Wine

This shrimp scampi without wine is served with pappardelle pasta and doesn’t lose flavor from the substitution. It works well as a seafood dinner when hosting, especially if wine isn't being used.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Tomato Shrimp Scampi Without Wine

3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole

An image of broccoli cheese casserole served on a table with a spoon on the right side. — 3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This broccoli cheese casserole comes together in 30 minutes with only three main ingredients. It’s simple to prepare and a reliable dish for casual hosting.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Coffee Rubbed Steak

Coffee rubbed steak has deep savory flavor and comes out tender with minimal prep. It’s a strong pick for hosting when you're aiming for something bold and easy to make at home.
Get the Recipe: Coffee Rubbed Steak

Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

An overhead image of two bowls of mac and cheese with a fork beside each. — Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Slow cooker mac and cheese only requires the ingredients to be mixed and left to cook. The creamy consistency makes it a popular dish for laid-back gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

Tomato Burrata Salad

Tomato burrata salad combines creamy cheese with ripe tomatoes and herbs. It’s a fresh and simple side that works well when hosting lunches or light dinners.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Burrata Salad

BBQ Roasted Cauliflower Salad

Roasted cauliflower salad features crisp iceberg lettuce, BBQ-seasoned cauliflower, and a vegan ranch dressing. It’s a hearty option with contrasting textures, good for group meals or gatherings.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Roasted Cauliflower Salad

Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup

An overhead image of two cabbage soups in a white serving bowl. — Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

One-pot vegan cabbage soup is easy to prepare in larger quantities and is filled with flavor. Its batch-friendly nature makes it a solid option for hosting during busier weeks.
Get the Recipe: Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup

Cream Cheese Chicken

Cream cheese chicken is packed with five well-balanced spices and has a rich, creamy base. It’s a straightforward option for weeknight hosting when something flavorful is needed quickly.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Chicken

Penne Pomodoro

Penne Pomodoro is ready in under 30 minutes and uses only a few staple ingredients. Its simplicity and speed make it a smart pick when hosting without a lot of prep time.
Get the Recipe: Penne Pomodoro