Cooking is a universal love language, and it offers a way to connect with family and friends over shared experiences and hearty meals. Whether you’re looking for comfort food, something with an Asian flair, or a delightful dessert to round off your dinner, these 12 recipes cover a wide variety of flavors and cuisines. From savory pasta dishes to flavorful stir-fries and comforting desserts, each recipe has something unique to offer. Let’s explore these recipes, their ingredients, and the step-by-step process to create delicious meals that are sure to impress your guests and satisfy your cravings.
1. Famous Chicken Spaghetti
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 3 cups dry spaghetti, broken into two-inch pieces
- 2 cans cream of mushroom soup
- 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup finely diced green pepper
- 1/4 cup finely diced onion
- 1 jar (4-ounce) diced pimentos, drained
- 2 cups reserved chicken broth from pot
- 1 teaspoon Lawry’s Seasoned Salt
- 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup additional grated sharp cheddar cheese
Preparation:
- Cook the Chicken: Start by cooking a whole fryer chicken and then remove the meat. You’ll need about two cups of the cooked chicken for this dish.
- Prepare the Spaghetti: Boil spaghetti in the chicken broth, making sure not to overcook it. Once it’s al dente, drain and reserve the broth.
- Combine the Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, spaghetti, cream of mushroom soup, cheddar cheese, diced vegetables, pimentos, and seasonings.
- Bake the Dish: Transfer the mixture to a casserole pan, top with the remaining grated cheddar cheese, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes. For a perfect crispy top, cover with foil if the cheese becomes too browned.
- Serving: You can freeze the dish for up to six months, refrigerate it for two days, or serve immediately.
This chicken spaghetti is a comforting, cheesy casserole perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
2. Asian Spiced Beef Noodles
Ingredients for the Noodles:
- 8 oz rice noodles or lo mein noodles
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
For the Beef:
- 12 oz beef sirloin, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
For the Stir-Fry:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 2 cups bok choy or spinach, chopped
- 3 green onions, sliced
For the Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
Preparation:
- Prepare the Noodles: Cook noodles according to package instructions, then drain and toss with sesame oil.
- Marinate the Beef: Marinate the thinly sliced beef with soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, and white pepper for 10-15 minutes.
- Stir-Fry: Stir-fry garlic, ginger, and vegetables in a skillet with vegetable oil. Add the marinated beef and cooked noodles, tossing to combine.
- Make the Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and chili flakes for a sweet and spicy finish. Pour the sauce over the beef and noodles and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with sliced green onions and enjoy this flavorful Asian-inspired dish.
3. Creamy Beef and Shrimp Spaghetti in Cajun Sauce
Ingredients:
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Preparation:
- Cook Spaghetti: Cook the spaghetti until al dente and set aside.
- Cook Ground Beef: Brown the ground beef in olive oil and season with Cajun seasoning. Remove and set aside.
- Sear the Shrimp: In the same skillet, sear shrimp with Cajun seasoning, then set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add garlic, bell pepper, and onion to the skillet, cooking until softened.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in cream, chicken broth, and Parmesan. Stir to combine and thicken.
- Combine: Add pasta, beef, and shrimp to the sauce. Toss to coat and serve garnished with parsley.
4. Beef Lo Mein Stir-Fry
Ingredients:
- 1 lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced
- 8 oz lo mein noodles
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup snow peas
- Soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil
- Beef broth, cornstarch slurry
Preparation:
- Marinate Beef: Coat beef with soy sauce and cornstarch and let sit for 10 minutes.
- Cook Noodles: Boil noodles and set aside.
- Stir-Fry Vegetables: Stir-fry the vegetables until tender-crisp.
- Prepare Sauce: Mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and beef broth. Add slurry to thicken.
- Combine: Add beef, noodles, and sauce to the pan. Stir until everything is well coated and heated through.
5. Pumpkin Pie Crisp
Ingredients:
- 1 can pumpkin puree
- Sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger
- Eggs, evaporated milk, flour, oats, butter
Preparation:
- Prepare the Filling: Mix pumpkin puree, sugars, spices, eggs, and evaporated milk in a bowl.
- Make the Crisp Topping: Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter.
- Bake: Pour pumpkin filling into a greased dish, top with the crisp topping, and bake until golden.
6. One-Pot Taco Spaghetti
Ingredients:
- Ground beef, taco seasoning, tomatoes, corn, broth, spaghetti
- Shredded cheddar cheese
Preparation:
- Cook Beef: Brown beef and onion with taco seasoning.
- Add Liquids: Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn, and broth, then bring to a simmer.
- Cook Spaghetti: Add spaghetti, cover, and cook until tender.
- Finish: Stir in cheese until melted and serve with optional garnishes.
7. Beef Stir-Fry Noodles
Ingredients:
- Beef (flank or sirloin), noodles, vegetables, soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil
Preparation:
- Cook Noodles: Boil noodles.
- Stir-Fry Beef: Sauté beef in vegetable oil.
- Vegetables: Stir-fry onion, bell pepper, and carrots.
- Combine: Toss in noodles, sauces, and beef. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
8. Philly Cheesesteak Pasta
Ingredients:
- Rigatoni, thinly sliced steak, bell peppers, onions, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, cream, provolone cheese
Preparation:
- Cook Pasta: Boil rigatoni.
- Sear Steak: Brown steak strips in oil.
- Vegetables: Sauté peppers, onions, and garlic.
- Make Sauce: Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and cream.
- Combine: Toss pasta with cheese sauce and serve.
These recipes bring diverse flavors and ingredients to your kitchen, making them ideal for a variety of tastes. Whether you’re in the mood for pasta, stir-fries, or a sweet dessert, these dishes will add excitement to your meals. So gather your ingredients and start cooking!