Tested American dinner recipes for real weeknights and weekends. Mains we cooked ourselves from the original cookbook or show, written so they actually work at home.
Pioneer Woman pumpkin chili from The Pioneer Woman site simmers spicy Italian sausage with pumpkin puree, fire-roasted tomatoes, and two types of beans in a Dutch oven. And the pot serves 6 to 8 at approximately 420 calories per serving in about 1 hour, since the 20-minute covered simmer does the heavy lifting after a …
Ina Garten’s Indonesian ginger chicken coats quartered chickens in a sticky glaze of honey, soy sauce, fresh ginger, and garlic, then bakes them until the sauce turns rich and dark. It comes together in about 75 minutes plus an overnight soak. This one goes all the way back to The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook from 1999, …
Ina Garten penne arrabiata coats pasta in a spicy San Marzano sauce with 24 garlic cloves, fennel seeds, and red pepper flakes. And this Barefoot Contessa recipe serves 4 to 5 at around 760 calories in about an hour, since the sauce mostly simmers on its own. Instead of mincing garlic into the oil, Ina …
Ina Garten roasted salmon tacos layer chipotle-seasoned salmon with mashed avocado and a tangy dill cabbage slaw in warm corn tortillas. And from Cooking for Jeffrey, this one serves 6 at around 570 calories in just 25 active minutes, since the slaw chills on its own. Ina marinates the cabbage slaw first, then roasts the …
Ina Garten’s Seafood Gratin is the pinnacle of elegant, coastal comfort food. Featured in her classic book Barefoot Contessa at Home (2005), this recipe is a masterclass in balance, combining the delicate sweetness of halibut, shrimp, and lobster with a rich, saffron-infused cream sauce. It is exactly the kind of show-stopping meal that feels like …
Ina Garten’s Shrimp Bisque is the definition of restaurant-quality luxury made at home. Featured in her beloved cookbook Barefoot Contessa at Home (2005), this soup is rich, velvet-smooth, and intensely flavourful. By starting with a quick homemade stock using the reserved shrimp shells, Ina ensures every drop of the soup is packed with the essence …
Ina Garten’s Sliders are the ultimate crowd-pleaser, elevating the humble backyard burger into a gourmet experience. These bite-sized burgers are the perfect balance of indulgence and simplicity, proving that you don’t need a massive patty to deliver massive flavour. By using premium 80/20 ground beef, a touch of Dijon mustard, and a generous melt of …
Ina Garten’s Capellini with Tomatoes and Basil is a masterclass in the “less is more” philosophy. Featured in her 2009 collection, this dish is the quintessential summer meal—bright, fragrant, and incredibly fast. It captures the essence of a Mediterranean garden, relying on the quality of your olive oil, the sweetness of vine-ripened tomatoes, and the …
Ina Garten’s Mac and Cheese is the absolute gold standard of comfort food. This recipe moves far beyond the standard stove-top box by creating a rich, velvety Béchamel sauce infused with the sophisticated depth of Gruyère and the sharp, punchy bite of extra-sharp Cheddar. It is a luxurious, grown-up take on a childhood favourite. What …
Martha Stewart’s crown roast is a pork rib roast rubbed with orange zest, garlic, and rosemary. It starts at 220°C (425°F), drops to 190°C (375°F), and takes about 1 hour 45 minutes total. The pan juices make a gravy with white wine and apple cider. This recipe first appeared in Martha Stewart Living, January 2001. …