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Cooking and eating with loved ones is one of life’s greatest pleasures, but choosing what to cook isn’t always easy. Having an arsenal of go-to recipes in your toolkit takes the stress out of dinner preparations, especially when it comes to last-minute or impromptu meals.

Continue reading to discover 12 easy meals anyone can whip up on a moment’s notice that are sure to delight.

1. Chicken Caesar Pita Wraps

Caesar salad was invented in California by an Italian chef in 1924, and it’s as popular as ever today. You can make this stress-free recipe from SweetPhi with romaine lettuce, store-bought dressing, pita, chicken and parmesan cheese in 10 minutes, and the outcome is impressive.

Simply toast the pita breads, slice the chicken and lettuce into bite size pieces and assemble the wraps according to your taste. You can use as much or little sauce as you like and add extra parmesan to make them saltier and cheesier. Less dressing and cheese makes for a lower fat option, while adding more gives the wraps a restaurant-like flavor.

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2. Fettuccine Alfredo

This creamy, indulgent pasta recipe from Erren’s Kitchen is ideal for days when you’re in need of comfort food. It takes just 20 minutes to make and will have everyone asking for seconds, from fussy kids to foodie adults. The secret ingredients are a pinch of nutmeg, fresh garlic and freshly chopped parsley.

For the best results, only cook the pasta until it’s al dente, then finish it off in the sauce. Hold back a little pasta water in case it’s too thick, and use a tiny amount to loosen the pasta. Always use high-fat cream so you don’t need to use a thickener or make a roux.

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3. Triple Layer Nachos

As one of America’s favorite fast food outlets, there are plenty of people looking to replicate the flavorsome recipes of Taco Bell. These nachos are based on its triple layer nacho recipe from Mashed, and despite only having five ingredients, taste pretty similar to the fast food original.

All you need is a large bag of tortilla chips, a can of refried beans, some nacho cheese sauce or queso dip, milk and taco sauce. Cook time is 10 minutes or less, so you can easily make them after a long day at work or school. Experiment with different brands of cheese sauce until you find the one that you like the most.

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4. Sloppy Joes

Rumor has it that sloppy joes were conceived in Iowa by a man named Joe as an evolution of the loose meat sandwiches that were popular in the early 20th century. This easy recipe from Graceful Little Honey Bee is a classic, and it couldn’t be any more simple to make. What’s more, it’s wonderfully tasty and you can make it in under 15 minutes.

There’s a good chance you’ll have most of the ingredients in your cupboard, but if not you’ll be able to get them in the store without spending much at all. Just brown the beef, combine with ketchup, mustard, a little brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce, then place the mix in burger buns and finish with sliced cheese.

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5. Chicken Stir Fry

A stir fry is one of the most straightforward healthy meals to make, so if you’re looking for a weeknight staple that has all the food groups in one, look no further than this recipe from Mighty Mrs. You have a choice between rice or noodles, depending on what you like best, and the option to pick any mix of stir fry vegetables. If you prefer fresh veg and have a little extra time on your hands, you could also chop your own.

If you use frozen veg, preparation time is only five minutes, and using pre-cooked chicken means you can heat the dish in 10 minutes. The recipe calls for a wok, but you can use any large saucepan if you don’t have one. Heat the oil, cook the vegetables for around seven minutes, throw in the chicken and stir for two more minutes, add the sauce and finish by tossing in the noodles.

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6. Beef Stew

A warm bowl of beef stew is perfect for fall or winter, and having this five-ingredient recipe from Food.com in your memory bank can make the idea of coming home on a colder evening much more enjoyable. The secret to this easy recipe is a can of mushroom soup, so you don’t need to worry about making a stock or toiling over the stove to make a sauce.

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7. Sweet Chilli Dogs

As one of the United States’ most popular street foods, it only makes sense that you should have a go-to hot dog recipe in your toolkit. This sweet chilli dog recipe from BBC’s Good Food has a spicy kick, which can be as mild or hot as you like based on your preferences and the sauce you choose. Roast the sausages, fry the onions and then stir in the sauce and tomato puree for a mouthwatering dish that’s ready in less than 10 minutes.

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8. Homemade Chicken Soup

Chicken soup is great for when you or your loved ones are feeling a little ill, but it’s also a wonderful all-season dish to enjoy any day of the week. This hearty Forkly original recipe tastes great but contains a very manageable number of ingredients, with store-bought broth and four vegetables that only require chopping roughly.

Prep time is around five minutes and the rest of the recipe is as simple as throwing the ingredients together and waiting. Delicious, healthy and warming – perfect for the colder months.

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9. Traditional Pork Souvlaki

Pork souvlaki is a Greek staple, and like most street food, its heritage and enduring nature in its native country are testimony to its deliciousness. The word souvlaki means skewer, but those are optional in this traditional recipe from Mashed.

Honey gives the pork a crispy, caramelized crust, and garlic and oregano lift the entire dish. With just six core ingredients, you’ll be shocked at how delicious and aromatic the end result is.

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10. Chili

Chili is easy to make and so full of flavor that you’ll want to make it again and again. This uncomplicated recipe from Gimme Some Oven won’t be taxing on your brain, so you can pull it together at a moment’s notice no matter how busy your day has been.

With a cooking time of less than half an hour, the dish contains four to six servings, so you can feed a whole family or get it ready on a Sunday as part of your weekly meal prep. Tomatoes, chiles, chili powder and beans form the base, and you can bring extra flavor with toppings like sour cream, cheese, cilantro and scallions.

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11. Vegan Chili

Chili is a staple of Mexico and south Texas, but has become a beloved weekday dish around the world. This undemanding vegan recipe from Simple Sweet Vegan tastes amazing and contains five simple ingredients. An onion, bell pepper, fire roasted tomatoes, tri-blend beans and chili powder are all that’s required for this hearty, healthy dish. Although if you fancy adding some zing, you can try adding vegan sour cream or cilantro.

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12. Baked Mac and Cheese

Finally, it’s the all-American staple, mac and cheese. Everyone is bound to have their own version of such a classic, but you’ll have friends and family queuing up to ask for this indulgent recipe from Jo Cooks after they try it. It takes only 45 minutes to prepare and cook and includes the additions of smoked paprika and Worcestershire sauce to maximize the flavor from the sharp cheddar and provolone cheese.

The post 12 Easy Meals Everyone Should Know How to Make appeared first on Forkly.

Eating nutritious meals, especially during the week, is a common goal for many people. But coming up with ideas for what exactly to make requires some inspiration and planning, which can be more difficult than it seems. If you’re drawing a blank about what to eat this week, or aren’t quite confident in your culinary abilities, this list of easy weeknight dinners is for you.

Here you’ll find three weeks worth of recipes that feature ingredients you either have at home already or can be found at your local run-of-the-mill grocery store. Better yet, they’re simple enough for cooks of any skill level to make and their straightforward preparation means you’ll be able to concentrate on things outside the kitchen.

Tips for Easy Dinners

This list of easy weeknight recipes should get you through at least three weeks of delicious dinners, but there are lots of strategies for eating fairly healthy on a consistent basis. The main thing is to keep things simple, which you can do with these tips:

1. Plan to use ingredients you already have on hand. This will reduce your grocery bill and increase the chance that you’ll actually cook the planned dish. After all, if an ingredient is already in your pantry of fridge, you probably like it!
2. Cook recipes that can be repurposed or eaten as leftovers in the following days. Cooking a new dish every night can feel like a lot of work and you’re more likely to cave and order takeout.
3. Look for recipes with short or unattended cooking times. 30 minutes or less is good.
4. Swap spices and herbs to mix up recipes that have become boring.
5. Stick to recipes that only use a few dishes so that cleanup is faster. One pot or sheet and dinners are incredible when it comes to quick cleanup.
6. Keep shelf-stable items on hand in your pantry, such as beans, rice and pasta. Better yet, stock up when an item is on sale!
7. Buy proteins on sale and keep them in your freezer until you’re ready to use them.
8. If you make bulk soups or sauces, store them in your freezer for instant dinners in the future. These are perfect for evenings when you’re short on time or energy for cooking.

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Simple Carbonara

This simple carbonara recipe from Bon Appétit is an incredibly accessible weeknight dinner for when you’ve neglected grocery shopping. Featuring ingredients that you probably have on hand, like eggs, cheese and pasta, this dish is comforting and easy to make, as well as picky eater approved. This recipe technically calls for guanciale, which is cured pork jowl, but you can easily swap it for other fatty pork cuts like bacon or prosciutto. In a pinch, you could even use a pork chop, cut up into small pieces with the fat left on.

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One-Pot Kebabs

Before you get too intimidated by the thought of wrangling kebabs, take a look at this recipe from Food52. It has only a few simple ingredients, common Egyptian spices and forgiving cooking techniques. Even if you leave this beef kebab over the heat for too long, it’s easily salvaged and exceptionally flavorful. The caramelized beef can accompany nearly any starch or vegetable dish, meaning that it’s easy to repurpose for leftover dinners.

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Two-Dollar Curry (Butter Chicken)

Coming from one of YouTube’s favorite chefs, Joshua Weissman’s curry hits the spot and the budget. The chicken thighs turn out tender and juicy, and this curry only gets better in the days after you make it, so don’t be worried about leftovers. This recipe requires that you make your own curry sauce, a valuable skill that Weissman makes easy to follow. This recipe also has a video so you can follow along with, which is perfect if you aren’t confident in your cooking skills or if this is a very new type of dish for you.

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Pulled Pork Sandwiches

This pulled pork sandwich has a long cook time, but much of it is unattended making it relatively easy to make. It also yields twelve servings, making this recipe from Foodie Crush a great option for a big family, multiple dinners or even lunch leftovers. Plus, who can say no to the comfort of a delicious pulled pork sandwich? Pair this sandwich with your favorite salad or grilled vegetables for a well-rounded meal. Or throw some french fries in the oven … we won’t judge.

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Marinated Chicken Breasts

Quite possibly the easiest and most adaptable recipe on this list, these marinated chicken breasts from the Food Network are a classic weeknight dinner option. You can buy your chicken breasts and marinate them ahead of time, freezing them until you’re ready to cook. Thaw them in your fridge for a day before you’re ready to cook, then serve them alongside your favorite starch and steamed or roasted vegetables. You can also easily swap the herbs and seasoning in this recipe to your preferences.

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Three-Ingredient Macaroni and Cheese

Nothing says comfort like mac and cheese. Instead of reaching for bland boxed mac and cheese, try this three-ingredient recipe from Food52 for a cheesy, satisfying dinner. It only needs a pot and strainer to cook, so it’s easy to set up and clean up. Pick whatever cheese you prefer, although softer cheeses are usually better for mac and cheese recipes. For a little extra kick, you can add bacon bits or chili flakes on top.

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Lemon Chicken

Instead of ordering your favorite takeout lemon chicken, try making it yoursef! This recipe from the Food Network shows you the basics of using a wok and creating your own sauces, delivering a mouthwatering lemon chicken in only about 25 minutes. There’s a video included in the recipe, which is perfect to follow along with if you’re fairly new to cooking from scratch.

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Creamy Pasta With Crispy Mushrooms

Think of this recipe from Bon Appétit as an elevated version of mac and cheese. Featuring mixed mushrooms, this recipe is best for the fall when the most varieties of wild mushrooms are available. Sear them in a pan before combining them with your pasta and creamy sauce, resulting in an incredible combination of flavors and textures. This dish can work for either a quick family meal or an at-home date night – it’s up to you!

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Margherita Pizza

Skip ordering in and make your own pizza instead with this easy margherita pizza recipe from BBC’s Good Food blog. You’ll get practice making your own pizza dough with this crispy-thin flatbread, but can let it rise for several hours if you prefer a more classic dough. Making your own sauce is quick and easy, and you can make it your own by adding your preferred spices and herbs. Top with mozzarella or a non-dairy substitute, pop it in the oven and then enjoy it with your favorite weeknight TV show.

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One-Skillet Mediterranean Chicken

This flavourful Mediterranean chicken recipe brings delicious Greek flavors to the table. Bursting with healthy fats, this dish is perfect for those who love briny-olive flavors and bright herbs. Between the chicken breast and vegetables, this dish is full of protein and nutrients to help power you through the rest of your week. Since this recipe is made in a single skillet, it also reduces time spent cleaning up after dinner.

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No-Cook Fresh Tomato Sauce

This no-cook fresh tomato sauce recipe from Taste of Home is ideal for summer days when you don’t want to spend too much time over a hot stove and crave fresh and light dinners. By leaving the tomatoes uncooked, the resulting tomato sauce is tangy, bright and pairs perfectly with your favorite wine and a summer patio at sunset. This spaghetti sauce is vegetarian, but you can skip the parmesan or trade it for a non-dairy cheese alternative to make it vegan.

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Pasta With Vegan Chickpea Sauce

This is the last but certainly not the least of the pasta recipes on our list. Use dried chickpeas to make a creamy, aromatic and vegan pasta sauce. This recipe from Serious Eats calls for healthy and nutritious ingredients, each of which are cost-effective. That way, you can enjoy a comforting and wholesome pasta dish and feel at ease about your grocery bill. If you want to spruce it up more, add extra red pepper flakes or grate parmesan on top.

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Vegan Potato Leek Soup

Don’t be misled by the simplicity of this vegan potato leek soup recipe by Simple Veganista. Although it’s incredibly easy to make in a single pot and ultra budget-friendly, this recipe is hearty and satisfying. It’s a great dinner option on its own or paired with a thick slice or toast or biscuits, and it’s easy to prepare in bulk for leftovers throughout the week. This recipe is also vegan and gluten-free, which means it can please a crowd of friends with dietary needs.

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Thai Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Soup

For a warm, comforting sensation, look no further than this spicy, fragrant soup from It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken. Inspired by Thai cuisine, this recipe uses curry, pumpkin and peanut butter. Don’t worry about the spice from the curry or sriracha since the coconut milk base takes the heat off. Brighten up this soup with a lime wedge and fresh herbs. This soup is also vegan, which makes it perfect for plant-based diets or even a meatless Monday.

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Chicken Noodle Soup

Using chicken thighs and strong aromatics like lemongrass and ginger, this chicken soup from Basics with Babish serves up a complex base of flavors. This recipe includes a method to make your own stock, which can take a few unattended hours to simmer. Although making your own stock is great practice for any home cook and easy to do, you can swap for a store-bought stock too. From there, this comforting soup should come together in under 30 minutes, resulting in several bowls of flavorful soup.

The post 3 Weeks of Easy Weeknight Dinners appeared first on Forkly.

Childhood was the golden age for all kinds of dinner, lunch and snack recipes, often made with love by parents. Who can forget a comforting mac and cheese after a midweek soccer practice or the paper bag school lunch that almost always featured a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?

If those taste bud memories haven’t stirred up your nostalgia just yet, check out this curated list of classic childhood recipes. While some of these are best left as their original recipes, others have been updated to match your now-mature palate. Put on a favorite childhood movie, and transport yourself back to more youthful days as you start cooking your way through this list of mostly forgotten recipes.

Sloppy Joes

This classic used to be widely available as a canned mix, starting in the 1960s, making it the ultimate convenient dinner for parents to heat up and serve. It’s believed that the dish’s origins are in the “loose meat sandwiches” invented by a man named Joe in Iowa in the 1930s.

Sloppy Joes shine best when they’re unpretentious, so stick to a classic version, like this one from Allrecipes. This recipe makes a ton of servings, so invite your friends over, and relive your youth together.

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Grilled Cheese

Grilled cheese is a childhood staple that’s surprisingly versatile. The most basic grilled cheese involves spreading butter and mayonnaise on bread slices and sandwiching cheese between them, then grilling them to gooey perfection.

While this classic version from Bon Appétit is a delight on its own, grilled cheese is easy to elevate to create an adult version. With only a few more ingredients than the classic, this grilled cheese recipe uses gruyere cheese and apples for a balanced and savory taste.

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Tater Tots

Not quite fries and yet not quite hashbrowns, tater tots are the beautiful in-between of fried and crispy potato. Using only potatoes, various spices and a few other common ingredients, these tater tots from The Food Network are cost-effective and surprisingly easy to make. Dress them up by shredding parmesan on top or using them as a starchy vessel for vegetables, sauces and meats.

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Chicken Nuggets

Often during late-night festivities, people get an occasional hankering for chicken nuggets. As such, it’s maybe not a forgotten childhood recipe but definitely underrated as a more frequent meal option. This chicken nuggets recipe from Serious Eats recreates your favorite fast food but with a crispier coating and more tender chicken. It even comes with an optional recipe for sweet and sour sauce, but you can serve it with whatever sauce – homemade or not – you want.

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Pudding

You might remember watching your parents or even helping out yourself as they stirred a boxed pudding mix into a pot. The result was a smooth and creamy dessert – often in vanilla, chocolate or butterscotch flavors – used to incentivize you to finish the sad frozen vegetables on your dinner plate.

This pudding recipe from Food52 teaches you the basic science of pudding and offers flavor experimentation tips so you can try recreating the timeless pudding flavors that you love.

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Egg Salad

Crunchy and creamy at the same time, egg salad is a retro classic for lunches, family gatherings, picnics and casual parties. Since the ingredients are common and cheap but the result is both large and satisfying, this dish is great for budget meal planning or serving a crowd.

Serve up the egg salad on two slices of bread with a fresh leaf of crunchy lettuce, alongside a handful of potato chips. If you’re making it for the first time, try this recipe from Jessica Gavin!

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Peanut Butter and Jelly

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, or just pb&j , might just be childhood epitomized. The typical school lunch usually contained this sandwich: two plain white bread slices, sugary peanut butter and overly sweet jam.

But in this version by Joshua Weissman, you make everything from scratch, including the bread, jam and peanut butter. Before you get overwhelmed, this recipe is deceptively simple and teaches you some basic bread-making skills to boot. Make one for your mom to show your appreciation for the years of brown-bagged pb&j!

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Pink Lemonade

Pink lemonade gets its rosy tint from the addition of other juices, such as cranberry or strawberry. Categorized with the other popular grocery convenience items of its time, pink lemonade usually involved dumping a frozen concentrate into a pitcher with a satisfying splat, then just adding water.

Serving pink lemonade instead of the basic version was a truly groundbreaking way to distinguish your neighborhood lemonade stand from others. Although you’re likely not making your income from lemonade stands these days, this version from Allrecipes makes pink lemonade from scratch a worthy refreshing patio treat.

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S’mores

S’mores are a campfire treat of childhood camping trips and backyard sleepovers. Most often, you’d accidentally light your marshmallow on fire and awkwardly assemble its over-toasted goo and unmelted chocolate on a stale graham cracker. While that had its own charm, this updated s’mores recipe by Epicurious has you make your own cookies for a gooey, melty and indulgent dessert.

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Shepherd’s Pie

A meat and potatoes favorite, shepherd’s pie is essentially a British casserole with layers of ground beef or lamb, gravy, and golden-crusted mashed potatoes. You’d likely be served this mouth-burning casserole on a Monday and only be finishing the leftovers off on the following Friday.

This shepherd’s pie recipe from Natasha’s Kitchen has aged well, however, and its cost-effective ingredients and comforting savory flavors make it a timeless dinner staple.

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Meatloaf

Few things say childhood like an economical mix of ground meat, breadcrumbs and ketchup packed into a single loaf pan. This meatloaf recipe by Vice is a nostalgic dinner, although many people might respond to its suggestion with skepticism. When made correctly, seasoned well and not overcooked, meatloaf is a savory dinner option that’s worth more than just its nostalgia value.

Serve it up alongside mashed or roasted potatoes and a vegetable or salad of your choice for a well balanced, filling meal.

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Rice Cereal Treats

This simple and classic rice cereal treat recipe by Kellogg’s, the makers of Rice Krispies, can be whipped up with just three ingredients, including the crispy rice cereal that you likely know and love. Marshmallows make their way into this recipe to create a sticky sweet treat. It’s no bake and very fast to make. Simply melt, mix, press, and (Snap! Crackle!) pop it into the fridge to chill.

You can also dress it up by adding nuts, dried fruit or chocolate chips, or even drizzle melted chocolate or peanut butter on top.

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Monkey Bread

Monkey Bread is an American classic dessert often served at brunch or coffee break. Usually cooked in a bundt pan, the sweet and sticky dough is the perfect side to a warm beverage. This monkey bread recipe on the BBC’s Good Food blog is full of crunchy pecans and topped with a sweet glaze, with warm flavors from spices like cinnamon and ginger.

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Chicken Pot Pie

A familiar and comforting dinner staple, chicken pot pie is full of juicy chicken, savory vegetables and bubbling gravy. If you love buttery and flaky pie crust and that post-pie food coma feeling, it’s worth taking the time to assemble this chicken pot pie recipe by Basics with Babish. This recipe comes with alternative methods for either fresh or frozen chicken to best suit your chef skills and curren refrigerator contents.

The post Recipes You’ve Forgotten From Your Childhood appeared first on Forkly.

No one wants to spend ages on food preparation when they’re feeling sick, but it’s essential to get the vitamins and nutrition the body needs to heal. It can be tempting to reach for convenience foods if you have a cold or the flu. While there’s nothing wrong with having some comfort foods when you feel unwell, eating a healthy, freshly cooked meal can provide some of the goodness you need to recover.

Fortunately, a few time-saving tricks can help you make nutritious meals in minutes without any expensive equipment or complicated preparation so that you can get back to snuggling on the couch. This list provides info on 12 fast and healthy recipes that are perfect for sick days.

1. Ramen Mason Jars

When you’re feeling under the weather, lengthy preparation is a no-go. Instant ramen is a popular go-to for a quick, hot meal, but it’s not very nutritious. This healthy and fast ramen mason jar recipe by Simple, Sassy, Scrumptious packs in plenty of protein with zero cooking involved — simply pour on hot water and leave it to stand for five minutes. You can even enjoy your comforting soup straight from the jar.

This recipe calls for cooked, shredded chicken – such as that from a precooked rotisserie chicken from the grocery store – but other meat such as leftover beef works well too. You could also add a handful of edamame beans or chopped tofu to create a vegan version.

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2. Frozen Berry and Yogurt Swirls

Delicious ice cream is perfect for soothing a sore throat. These incredibly simple and pretty frozen berries and yogurt popsicles from Taste of Home are a healthy twist on ice cream, so you’ll get some much-needed vitamins and protein while you slurp. It combines fresh berries or clementines with honey-flavored Greek yogurt to create an appealing, swirled effect.

This recipe uses disposable cups as popsicle molds, so you don’t need any special equipment to whip up a batch. It’s also ideal for making ahead of time to have a healthy treat ready whenever you come down with a bug.

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3. Cream Cheese Mac and Cheese

There’s nothing quite as comforting as a hot, gooey plate of macaroni and cheese when you’re sick. However, making mac and cheese from scratch can be time-consuming. This simple cream cheese mac and cheese recipe from Crunch & Cream uses cream cheese instead of a roux-based white sauce. All you need to do is cook the pasta, stir it into a baking dish with cream cheese and shredded Parmesan and then pop it in the oven.

This oven-baked pasta recipe is delicious on its own, but you can make it more nutritious by adding chopped vegetables to the baking dish. You could also add cooked shredded chicken or drained canned tuna to the sauce for extra protein.

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4. Green Smoothie

Smoothies are a great solution when you need sustenance but have a sore throat or reduced appetite. Downshiftology’s straightforward green smoothie recipe contains four portions of fruits and vegetables, including vibrant green spinach and avocado.

To have a healthy smoothie ready in minutes, all you need to do is roughly chop the fruits and veggies and blitz it in a blender with milk. This recipe also works well with dairy-free milk substitutes, such as almond or soy milk, for a plant-based version.

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5. Applesauce

This homemade applesauce recipe by Spend with Pennies calls for just four ingredients: apples, water, sugar and cinnamon. It’s also incredibly quick and easy to prepare, which is just what you need when you don’t feel well. Simply add the ingredients to the pan, bring to a boil and then simmer for between 20 and 25 minutes.

Homemade applesauce is delicious on its own and easy on the stomach. However, you could try it spooned over plain yogurt or cereal for a more substantial meal. Applesauce freezes well, so you can prepare it in advance to have a comforting, nutritious snack ready for the next time you get sick.

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6. Easy Crock-Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

Using a slow cooker is a great way to prepare sick day meals because you can just dump the ingredients in and leave it to work its magic. Even better, you can use it to make comforting chicken soup. This easy Crock-Pot chicken noodle soup recipe from Delish combines protein-rich chicken breasts with nutritious carrots, celery and pasta.

You don’t even need to cook the chicken before adding it to the pot. Simply put the chicken breasts in whole and shred them with two forks before serving. It takes between six and eight hours to cook, allowing you to fill the slow cooker in the morning to have a hot meal ready at dinner time.

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7. Avocado Toast

Avocado toast is a quick and easy meal to make when you feel up to something more substantial but don’t feel well enough to cook. This classic avocado toast recipe from Taste of Home couldn’t be more straightforward. Sliced avocados, olive oil, and sea salt combine to make a creamy, delicious topping for whole wheat or sourdough toast.

There are plenty of ways to adapt the basic recipe to suit your tastes and appetite. Adding thinly sliced radishes or a sprinkle of dried chili flakes can give the dish more flavor and bite. You could also top your toast with a poached or boiled egg to make a more filling meal.

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8. Sheet Pan Chicken Curry

Sheet pan recipes can be a real lifesaver when you’re sick because you can just add the ingredients to a single pan and leave it to cook in the oven. This sheet pan chicken recipe by Taste of Home is as simple as it gets and combines chopped veggies with chicken and spices for a flavorful and healthy dish. Even better, there’s only one pan to wash up when you’re finished.

This recipe contains cubed sweet potatoes, making it a filling meal served alone. However, you could serve it with steamed rice or toasted naan to make it more substantial.

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9. One-Pan Pasta

Martha Stewart’s fast one-pan pasta recipe takes just 20 minutes from start to finish, leaving only one pan to wash afterwards. It’s a clever time-saving recipe for sick days because you can cook the pasta in the tomato sauce ingredients, so there’s no need to boil and strain the linguine beforehand. It’s delicious served with crusty bread and a sprinkle of Parmesan for a hearty meal.

This recipe is vegetarian, and you can make it vegan by skipping the Parmesan or swapping it for a plant-based alternative. Shredded cooked chicken would make delicious addition if you want more protein.

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10. Bircher Muesli (Swiss Oatmeal)

It can be tempting to reach for sugary cereal as a quick meal when you’re sick. However, this no-cook Bircher muesli recipe from The Worktop provides a quick and nutritious alternative when you want something comforting and filling. Rolled oats, dried fruit and nuts provide the same delicious flavor of granola without the high sugar content, and it contains creamy yogurt for added protein.

You can use any dried fruit and seeds in this Swiss Bircher recipe, and it also works well with any chopped fruit sitting around in your fruit bowl. It’s delicious served chilled from the fridge or heated for a warming breakfast.

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11. Baked Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes are a nutrient-rich and delicious alternative to white potatoes. They’re also quick and easy to bake in the oven for a low-effort meal when you’re sick. This baked sweet potato recipe from A Couple Cooks recommends halving the sweet potatoes before baking to slash the cooking time to just 25 to 35 minutes.

There are endless topping options for spicing up baked sweet potatoes. Sour cream, shredded cheese or salsa are an ideal quick fix, and they’re delicious served with leftover chili.

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12. Omelet

A foolproof omelet recipe is a great trick to have in your cooking arsenal when you need to eat but you’re too unwell to prepare anything complicated. This straightforward omelet from Simply Recipes explains how to get your meal from skillet to plate in under 10 minutes.

Omelets are also a great way to use leftovers. Adding chopped onions, vegetables and cheese can make your meal more nutritious and satisfying, and you can also add cooked leftover meat. Serve with toast or sauteed potatoes to create a more filling dish.

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Plan Ahead

Having a few stored staples and time-saving equipment on hand means you can always whip up something hearty when you’re under the weather. These basic, customizable recipes are quick and healthy and can be cooked up with little effort. Hopefully, these recipes will help you get on the road to recovery on your next sick day.

The post Easy Recipes For When You’re Not Feeling Well appeared first on Forkly.

Ground beef is so delicious and easy to cook with, but sometimes we get caught in the routine of making the same ground beef recipes over and over. Erm, we’re looking at you, tacos. Instead, here are some fantastic recipes that will change up your recipe game and throw your tastebuds for a loop in the best way possible! Tonight, pull out some ground beef and get ready to create your new favorite go-to meal that will please every family member.

1. One Skillet Mexican Beef and Rice

This Mexican beef and rice recipe is an easy and very filling dish that only takes one skillet to create! Anybody else in favor of minimal dishes? Add some guacamole to take this amazing recipe to the next level, or some fresh local veggies to make it come alive.

Following the recipe takes just 35 minutes and makes six servings. The best part is you can top this dish with whatever suits your fancy like sour cream, diced avocado, salsa, and more!

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2. Mediterranean Meatball Gyros Sandwich

Mediterranean Meatball Gyros Sandwich are so simple, yet so memorable! Instead of opting for the fast food gyro option at the mall or on the street, head home and create it in your own kitchen. The soft pita bread is the perfect way ingredient to wrap the meatballs and cucumber tomato salad in.

Dice up the produce and pair with a homemade tzatziki sauce to wow your friends and family the next time they come for supper

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3. Beef Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Make a bunch of these beef stuffed zucchini boats on Sunday night to bring to work with you for the whole week. Lunch? Done! Add some veggies in with your ground beef or add them afterward as a topping. It’s a flavorful, low-carb way to fill up midday and take a little over 30 minutes to make.

There are only three steps to follow, making it easy and probably guaranteeing it will become a go-to meal for you each week.

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4. Single Serve Lasagna In A Bowl

Making lasagna is fantastic for a big group of people, but what about when you are craving that delicious, cheesy food without your friends? This single-serve lasagna is a great option when you’re cooking for one.

It is also super helpful with picky eaters! Allow each person to make their own lasagna so they have no excuse not to eat it! Plus, it takes less than 10 minutes to make when you’re in a hurry to eat a hearty meal.

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5. Individual Cottage Pie with Cauliflower Mash

Another individual dish that will save you time and dishes when it’s just you and maybe one other person dining is this individual cottage pie recipe. It will cook quicker and therefore, you can eat sooner! That’s a win in our books.

The recipe uses 13 ingredients, takes 25 minutes to prepare in the oven, and is best served with cauliflower mash. If you prefer, this recipe can also be made in a single casserole dish.

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6. Juicy Burger

Homemade burgers are simply unbeatable, so we had to include them on this list. These burgers are so simple that they bring us back to the basics of why we first fell in love with hamburgers – quality, juicy meat.

These burgers can be grilled or prepared on the stovetop, depending on your preference. You’ll be skipping fast food burgers forever after preparing these homemade versions one time. Top the burger with your favorite ingredients and enjoy!

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7. Meatloaf Muffins

Meatloaf has never been so chic! These adorable bite-sized meatloaves are colorfully decorated with delicious mashed sweet potato to look like savory cupcakes. Set out as little appetizers or bake them in a regular sized cupcake pan for an entree!

This recipe takes 10 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook, making it the perfect option when you’re in need of a quick dinner. It’s a fresh take on an old favorite that will quickly become a fan favorite.

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8. Quick & Easy Instant Pot Deconstructed Lasagna

There is no comfort food quite like lasagna and I’m not talking about the frozen version hastily grabbed from the grocery store. I mean, rich, cheesy, homemade lasagna. But it’s a lot of work to make it from scratch!

Enter this Forkly deconstructed lasagna recipe, which is essentially a smashed up version that, while not quite as pretty, tastes identical in a small fraction of the time it would normally take. Perfect for both picky and adventurous eaters!

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9. Stuffed Pepper Pasta Casserole

When stuffed peppers are simply not filling enough, this casserole combines a delicious meal with pasta to create an absolute masterpiece. It’s rich and cheesy and not as finicky to make! This recipe uses farfalle pasta, orange and green bell peppers, ground beef, and more tasty ingredients.

Once the pasta is cooked and all the ingredients are loaded into the prepared baking dish, this casserole takes about 15 to 17 minutes in the oven. Enjoy!

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10.  Easy One Pot Lasagna Soup

Make a big batch of this one pot lasagna soup and freeze for later! It’s a quick and easy meal to reheat just in time for unexpected hungry dinner guests to dig into. Plus, it requires only a fraction of the time and effort traditional lasagna takes!

It tastes just like lasagna since it’s loaded with cheesy noodles, rich marinara sauce, and Italian spices. Plus, it’s loaded with three irresistible cheeses — Parmesan, mozzarella, and ricotta.

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11. Instant Pot Unstuffed Pepper Casserole

This easy weeknight dinner is packed with flavor and is a great way to hide a ton of veggies in your kiddo’s meal. It’s also a great way to use up those vegetables that have started to soften or wilt in the fridge, so you don’t have to throw them out!

This Forkly recipe yields eight servings and is made by using an Instant Pot. All in all, a delicious dinner and a tasty new recipe to try if you have an Instant Pot.

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12. Easy Weeknight Instant Pot Copycat Hamburger Helper

Clean up the ingredients of this family favorite dinner by making it from scratch in your Instant Pot! This copycat hamburger helper recipe from Forkly cooks incredibly quickly and has the same flavors that you love with none of the additives of the store bought version.

What’s great about this recipe is how it’s made entirely with an Instant Pot. It yields six to eight servings and takes just five steps to complete from start to finish.

The post Ground Beef Meals You’ll Want To Make This Week appeared first on Forkly.

Whether you own an Instant Pot or you’re researching while looking to buy one, there’s so much about them that you may not know! These revamped pressure cookers are taking over the modern kitchen, and for good reason – it can cook your food ridiculously fast, and replace many other kitchen gadgets you’ve been using all these years. It’s called a 7-in-one, and that’s because it’s capable of so many different cooking methods all in one gadget. While kitchen cupboard real estate is high value in homes these days, this one is worth the sacrifice. So yes, we know that the Instant Pot can do a lot of things, but there are tips and tricks that will help you optimize your success with it. Hopefully, by the end of this list, you’ll either be convinced to buy one or discover new ways to use the one you have!

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1. The Cook Time Isn’t Entirely Accurate

It might seem confusing that the cook time is not always accurate, but it doesn’t need to be. Allow me to explain. When a recipe calls for “8 minutes on high pressure” for example, those 8 minutes are not accounting for the amount of time it takes for the Instant Pot to generate the pressure before it cooks.

When you set your Instant Pot, expect to wait several minutes before the timer begins. This is key when you’re trying to time out all your dishes perfectly. Account for those pressure-building minutes, and you’re going to be a well-timed cooking machine!

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2. It Has An Amazing Sauté Feature

This is often a very overlooked feature of the Instant Pot. While many consider the pressure cooker just a time-advanced version of a Crock Pot, this is something that the Crock Pot can’t do.

By simply pressing the “sauté” button on the Instant pot, the bottom of the pot heats up, and you’re able to sauté anything you need to in the hot pan. This is wonderful when you really want a good saute flavor to your onions and peppers before creating the rest of your dish, or perhaps browning your meat before cooking, giving it a great sear on the outside.  Whatever you do, do not skip over the sauté feature. It might just be a favorite.

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3. It Can Cause Milk To Curdle

YUCK. Even the word “curdle” makes my stomach turn. So here’s a downside of the Instant Pot, while it can do many amazing things, sometimes it has the misfortune of creating a heat that’s so high, it causes the milk proteins to separate.

Good news is, it’s perfectly safe to eat, but chances are you’re not going to want to. However, many dairy-inclusive recipes work just fine in the Instant Pot. For example, many say that cheese is great in it! But, this may take some testing to find out what kinds of dairy and recipes are going to cause this issue. This isn’t an isolated issue either, slow cookers are known for doing the same. The best thing you can do is add your dairy to the recipe at the end when it’s finished pressure cooking.

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4. It Can Cook Frozen Meats

Slow cookers can’t cook frozen meals. Or at least, it’s not recommended. However, you get the green light with an Instant Pot! This is great when you’re truly last-minute in your dinner planning and don’t have time to thaw your meats (especially on those days when you forgot to take the chicken out of the freezer).

All you need to do to make this dream a reality is increase the cooking time by 50%. One exception would be large roasts, you’ll likely not want to cook those from frozen, as it will create an overcooked outside, and undercooked inside. Not ideal. But for meatballs, chicken breasts, steaks etc – you’re golden.

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5. Pressure Cooking IS NOT Steaming

While you absolutely can use your Instant Pot to steam vegetables (it even comes with a handy basket for such things) when it comes to cooking most of your food – it’s not steaming, it’s pressure cooking. When you think about it, who wants to eat steamed meat?

In a pressure cooker like the Instant Pot, it’s creating pressure from the steam, creating a force that breaks down the food very quickly. It’s the same method of a slow cooker, but much much faster. Consider putting your Instant Pot to better use in other ways and stick to steaming your veggies the old fashioned way.

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6. There are 2 Types Of Venting

On the top of the Instant Pot is the most important piece of the gadget, and that’s the venting switch. When pressure cooking, this should be set to “seal”. When your cooking is complete there are actually two options when it comes to venting.

The first is to do a quick release, where you turn the knob to “venting” (use an oven mitt for safety) and let all the steam out in just a minute or so. The quick release method is best for stopping the cooking process quickly, ideal for vegetables and pasta. Or, you can opt for a natural release, where the pressure will be released gradually. You do this simply by just letting the pot sit, still on “sealed” while the pressure gradually diminishes which is ideal for meals such as porridge or soup. You’ll be able to tell when both methods are finished releasing when the indicator button drops down.

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7. It Needs Liquid To Cook

To build that pressure to cook, the machine needs something to create that pressure, and that comes from the liquid. Even if you’re cooking meat, you’ll need a minimum of a cup of liquid to properly prepare it.

The liquid can be water or broth, which will both create a great steam for pressure cooking. Be careful though, too much liquid will result in a loss of flavor. If you’re using a thicker liquid for cooking, you should dilute it first to make sure it’s able to create a steam pressure for cooking. If you’re hoping for a thicker sauce, just add thickeners such as cornstarch after the pressure cooking is complete.

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8. Pressure Cooking Isn’t Dangerous, Anymore

In the 1600’s the first pressure cooker was invented. Back then, they didn’t have the technology or the safety testing we do today. Even dating back ten years, pressure cookers were known for being dangerous, explosive, hazardous and not something to trust in your own home.

While you’ve likely heard the horror stories, the good news is that the newly revamped versions of the pressure cooker, like the Instant Pot, have so many safety measures built into them now, that with a little bit of knowledge and some basic common sense, the device is entirely safe. Common sense, for example, would mean not opening it before it’s been properly vented.

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9. Manual Mode Is Your Best Friend

There’s a lot of buttons on the Instant Pot. Truthfully, when I first bought mine, it sat for about 2 weeks because I was just overwhelmed by how to use it. It seemed complicated, too complicated, and I wasn’t in the mood for reading the novel of an instructional guide.

Then I learned, that the manual button is the one button you’re going to use the most, and when you start with that, everything else starts to make sense. I’ll be honest, I’ve only ever used the manual button and the saute, and I’m still overwhelmingly in love with my Instant Pot. The manual button allows you to set it to low or high pressure, and then set a time. That’s it, so no guesswork needed! Just look up the cook time for what you’re making and go ahead and manually enter it.

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10. The Lid Doubles As A Shield

Imagine for a moment, that in an error in judgment, you open the Instant Pot and get a face full of painful steam. Not exactly the steam facial that you’d typically enjoy. Luckily, the inventors of this pressure cooker designed a nifty lid that will protect you from such pain.

When opening the Instant Pot, think of the lid as a shield, and once you’ve unlocked the lid, simply open it slowly and tilting so that the steam exits away from you. Even after venting, there will still be steam, so this is a great trick to keeping your face out of steam’s way.

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11. With Pasta, Add It On Top

We’re so used to cooking pasta by submerging it into a liquid and boiling it to a cook. In a pressure cooker, submerging it in the liquid will likely end up with some mushy noodles. While they still may taste okay, we’re not aiming for mediocre, when amazing is a possibility.

When adding all your ingredients to a pasta-based dish, add the pasta noodles (uncooked) last, right on top. The steam pressure from the liquids will cook the pasta to the perfect density and be much more enjoyable. Trust us — this unconventional way to cook pasta will become your go-to going forward.

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12. Yes, You Can Make Yogurt In It

Ok so forget for a hot second what I said about milk curdling in an Instant Pot because with every rule, there seem to be exceptions to them. This is one of them. Following the instructional guide, you can successfully make yogurt at home, simply by using milk.

There’s even a button built in, just for this. This may seem like an incredibly bizarre use for the Instant Pot, but the proof is in the pudding (err, yogurt) and fans are saying it’s amazing! It’s surprisingly easy and will leave you wanted to skip the grocery store containers going forward!

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13. It’s Very Easy To Clean

I hate dishes, and I’m going to assume that’s a blanket statement for everybody who’s ever cooked. After slaving in the kitchen to create a satisfying meal, only to turn around and realize “oh right, the dishes”. With a typical recipe, this can mean many pots and pans. Luckily with the Instant Pot, you’re already saving yourself the dishes.

With an easily removable inner stainless steel pot (where all the cooking magic happens), it’s a quick clean up of one dish, and usually a small wipe down of the lid. It’s cleaned up and put back away in just minutes.

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14. You’ll Need To Convert Some Pressure Cooker Recipes

When you’re searching Pinterest and Google for pressure cooker recipes, note that while yes, the Instant Pot is indeed a pressure cooker, older recipes are likely not accounting for the differences in the newly revamped versions. This is why you want to make sure you’re following recipes according to the Instant Pot you own.

Older models of pressure cookers operate at about a 15 psi (pounds per square inch, pressure) whereas the Instant Pot operates at an 11.6 psi. You can still use those recipes you find, just make sure you convert them by setting your Instant Pot for a few minutes longer than the traditional pressure cooker recipe calls for.

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15. You Cannot Use It For Canning

Before you get all excited about the idea of using your Instant Pot as a canner, I’m sorry to say that it’s a no-go. If you’re looking to can some jams or pickles, you’ll have to stick with the traditional methods.

Why is this exactly? Well, it just has not been safety approved to do so. Not only that, but canning is usually monitored by a thermometer, whereas the Instant Pot regulates itself with a pressure sensor and not temperature. Don’t get too upset though, you can still use the Instant Pot for a million other things — just not this.

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16. It Comes In Different Sizes

When you go shopping for an Instant Pot, you’ll quickly realize that there’s a variety of sizes ranging from 3-8 quarts! The most common one is the 6-quart and will do most of the recipes you’re hoping to do. A 6-quart can fit one whole chicken, where an 8-quart may be able to fit TWO!

When you’re considering sizes to get, bigger is likely always better and not something you’re likely to regret. While the 3-quart size may be appealing when it comes to storing it, you’ll be bound to second-guess your decision later when you want to cook a whole spaghetti squash in it, and can’t. If you’re not sure, do what most people do, and stick with the middle of the road 6-quart size. Unless you’re feeding a large family every night, in which case –  it’s best to go up in size.

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17. Meats Should Be At the Bottom

Who knew where you place ingredients in the Instant Pot could make or break your meal? We talked about pasta being on the top of the pile when cooking in an Instant Pot, but the opposite is the rule of thumb for meats. Generally, it works best to keep the meat at the bottom for proper cooking.

The main reason for this is to keep things from browning and burning on the bottom, like tomato sauces and anything that may burn or carmelize. Your meat isn’t likely to burn, so it’s best to do what’s best for the whole dish, and place it into the pot, first.

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18. It Can Replace Your Crock Pot

Sorry, slow cooker…but you’re taking up too much space in our cupboard. One of the 7-in-one features of the Instant Pot is that is can work as a slow cooker.

So, while the big gimmick of the Instant Pot is that it can speedily cook the recipes you once did in a crock pot in record time, it always has the ability to do the low & slow game, too. Not only can it replace your slow cooker, but it can replace your rice cooker, too. Looks like it’s time to start donating those soon-to-be unused kitchen dust collecting gadgets.

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19. You Can Make Bread With It

Yes, my carb-loving friends, BREAD. There are hundreds of recipes online dedicated to this, and they all look amazing. While I’ve yet to try this myself, the results of everyone else’s creations look absolutely incredible.

There’s a catch though, as most recipes use the Instant Pot only for Step 1 of making a bread, the most important part – the rising. After it’s done rising, it’s still baked in the oven for about 30 minutes. I mean, that’s still pretty easy, but not as “instant” as we’d like it to be. However, there are some who have been able to make a bread right inside the Instant Pot, using a tin can!

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20. You Can’t Check Your Food

One of the biggest factors in the Instant Pot – is trust. Which, can be stressful for anybody preparing a meal. Typically with most meals, you’re able to take a peek, grab a taste, check for doneness and re-season and adjust if necessary. Since the device runs on pressure, and “peeking” means releasing all that…you’ll ruin your dish, or delay your cooking time.

This is where the recipes you follow, and some practice will help you come along in your Instant Pot trust issues. The whole “set it and forget it” is a hard concept for most of us. When dinner is due on the table, and you’re hoping and praying that the machine is doing what it promised, it can be a little nerve wrecking. In time you’ll come to learn and know that this one-gadget wonder, is definitely worthy of your trust.

Don’t have an Instant Pot yet?

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The post Things You Need To Know About The Instant Pot appeared first on Forkly.

There are countless reasons why chicken is a go-to food for every meal. Not only is it delicious, it’s also easy to prepare and (especially when you get it on sale) fairly inexpensive, at least compared to most of the alternatives. When it comes to meal planning, there are two key elements to finding success: Timing and variety. If you don’t mix things up, everyone in your family will get bored of eating the same thing week to week. Balancing variety with timing (sometimes you only have a few minutes to throw together a meal before heading out to soccer, dance or other weeknight commitments that leave you strapped for time) can sometimes seem like an impossible task. Luckily, we’re here to help. There are so many ways to spice up chicken breasts. From salads and stir-fries to pasta dishes and wraps, there are plenty of quick and easy meal ideas that will please everyone in your family and leave you with time to spare.

Here are some delicious chicken dinners in under 30 minutes:

1. Chicken Stir-Fry

A stir fry is an excellent way to eat lots of crunchy vegetables with plenty of vitamins retaining their original texture and flavor. This recipe from Oh Sweet Basil combines fresh vegetables with juicy chicken to create the perfect healthy and delicious dinner. The best part? It takes only 15 minutes to make four servings!

Grab your cast iron skillet and begin cooking the chicken. Once that’s cooked, you can move it onto a plate and start frying up the vegetables. The homemade sauce you whisk together is made up of soy sauce, stock, honey, brown sugar, ginger, garlic and cornstarch. Toss all the elements together for a fusion of flavor you’ll be craving for days.

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2. Grilled Chicken Wrap

This is a super quick meal you can make in a flash with just a few ingredients. It makes a great lunch or even a light dinner. I like to serve mine with a fresh salad, but feel free to pair it with whatever else you’re craving like sweet potato fries or crackers. Add in any of your favorite veggies or even switch up the dressing to customize it to your liking.

There are so many possibilities with this versatile recipe and it requires little skill to whip up. Simply grill some chicken or use store-bought chicken that’s already prepared. Grab your tortilla and load it with chicken, lettuce, tomato, shredded cheese, and dressing. Roll it up and enjoy!

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3. 30-Minute Instant Pot Orange Chicken Dump Dinner

Put your Instant Pot to good use by following this delicious chicken recipe from Forkly. The name of this chicken dish says it all! Start to finish, this citrusy sweet dinner is done in less than 30 minutes. Just throw the ingredients in your Instant Pot, lid it, and walk away. At-home Asian cuisine at its finest!

This recipe uses boneless chicken, orange juice, orange marmalade, and other ingredients to create that recognizable orange chicken taste. It’s enhanced with ingredients such as minced garlic and ginger, paired with rice to make it extra filling, and topped with broccoli for a bit of a crunch.

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4. Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Salad

A bruschetta pasta paired with grilled chicken and balsamic glaze. Does it get much better than this? Following this recipe from Cafe Delites will quickly make it a fan favorite for dinner in your household. It’s made up of Italian seasoned grilled chicken, spaghetti pasta, a burst of garlic, and lots of parmesan cheese.

The easy recipe yields eight servings and takes just 25 minutes from start to finish. Serve this dish immediately while warm, or let it cool for a perfect chilled chicken pasta salad. The perfect weeknight meal (and the perfect next-day lunch if you happen to have leftovers).

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5. Chicken Parmesan Pasta

For an elevated dish that’s easy to follow even for novice home cooks, this chicken parmesan pasta recipe from Forkly is the way to go. You won’t have to worry about cleaning a mountain of dishes after cooking since it’s baked all on one-pan! Each serving is given a heaping of marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil.

With chicken breasts simply dredged and breaded in panko and cheese, smothered in savory marinara and topped with more cheese, it only gets better as it’s served along with roasted broccoli. You’ll know it’s ready once the cheese is melted and brown.

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6. Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie

From cooking the fillings on the stove top to rolling out the pie dough to baking the whole dish in the oven – just thinking about making traditional chicken pot pie is exhausting! While it was one of my favorite meals as a child, my now busy lifestyle doesn’t accommodate labor-intensive recipes! With that said we set out to find a way to make this family-favorite meal easy, without sacrificing flavor. Thanks to the Instant Pot, we have the perfect solution.

This Forkly recipe yields four servings. To make the dinner even better, serve it alongside a hot biscuit. You can buy store-bought biscuits and simply follow the directions on the package.

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7. Easy Chicken Cheesesteaks

Nothing fancy or complicated here — just delicious, simple chicken cheesesteak sandwiches, jazzed up with a few different kinds of peppers. These are requested frequently in my house, and I hope you love them as much as we do! This recipe from Easyhealth Living teaches you how to make low-carb cheesesteak bowls, making it a cool twist on the classic cheesesteak.

It takes about 25 minutes to make three servings. The dish guarantees a mouthful of flavor with every bite thanks to the diced bell pepper, garlic powder,  Worcestershire sauce, and provolone cheese. Serve with or without the bun and dig in!

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8. Easy Weeknight Leftover Chicken Quesadillas

Put your leftover chicken to good use by following this delicious Forkly recipe. These quesadillas use leftover or rotisserie chicken to make a quick dinner that’s oh so easy and cheesy and toasted up just perfectly into little triangles for the whole family to devour. These quesadillas would taste great dipped in some guacamole.

To take these quesadillas to the next level, make our homemade Copycat Chipotle Burrito Sauce that’s partially made out of mayo and sriracha. It uses just five ingredients to deliver a creamy and spicy sauce your tastebuds will love. Plus, it only takes five minutes to whip up!

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9. Spicy Piri Piri Chicken Burger

Piri Piri (also spelled Peri Peri) is a popular spice in Portuguese food and is becoming more and more popular in North America. This recipe from Taste.com gives step by step instructions on making your own piri piri sauce which is the cooking base to this recipe! The twist? This chicken is served up on a burger for a handheld dinner that will taste great.

This recipe yields about four servings. You’ll start by making the chilli mixture that’s flavored with garlic, ginger, lemon juice, and salt. The other steps are just as easy to follow and will ultimately be worth the extra time it takes to complete this dish.

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10. Instant Pot Kung Pao Chicken

Takeout is delicious, but nothing beats the satisfaction of knowing exactly what goes into your meal by preparing it yourself and this Kung Pao Chicken will take less time than takeout delivery – we promise! This Forkly recipe is made courtesy of your Instant Pot, making it a low-maintenance recipe that will become a go-to on weeknights.

The recipe yield about four servings. For an extra crunch, feel free to add in about half a cup of roasted peanuts. While this recipe uses chilli paste to add spiciness, you can add less to have less heat. Alternatively, you can also add more to make it spicier. Just customize the amount to your liking!

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11. Caprese Chicken

Basil always adds the perfect fresh touch to any dish, and this Caprese chicken is no exception! Topped with rich cheese and tangy balsamic reduction, this meal will look like it took forever to make, but it really only takes 30 minutes when you follow this recipe from Foodie Crush.

Using store-bought pesto will ensure you get this dish cooked and served in just half an hour. What’s great is this mela is a one-pan recipe for minimal dishes after cooking. The fresh mozzarella cheese and tomatoes will give the chicken a summertime flair that you can enjoy all year long.

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12. Quick & Easy Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta

This Tuscan Chicken Pasta is creamy, filling, and absolutely packed with flavor. But best of all, it’s quick and easy to make! This filling Forkly recipe is prepared using your Instant Pot. It combines bowtie pasta, boneless chicken breasts, cream cheese, and a bunch of other flavors that will leave you begging for seconds.

Some ingredients included in this recipe are sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, spinach, minced garlic, and a few others. Garnish with some fresh basil and bon appetit! If you have any leftovers, just allow it to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

The post Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes in Under 30 Minutes! appeared first on Forkly.

Christmas is coming and with it comes family get-togethers and parties. There’s no reason for buying store made appetizers when they’re so easy to make yourself! These finger food ideas can be used for appetizers, party snacks, a light lunch, the first course of a dinner, or just nibblies as you drink some fantastic wine.

We made sure to only include recipes that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less, and yes this includes the prep and cook time. Don’t waste any more time in the kitchen when you could be enjoying the party!

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1. Deviled Egg Bar

Deviled eggs are a crowd pleaser and are perfect for parties. But before you go and make your favorite deviled egg recipe, consider creating a deviled egg bar instead! A deviled egg bar will allow your guests to build their own with toppings they enjoy. Some great topping ideas are assorted meats, herbs, cheeses, pickles, and more! Be sure to set out small plates, forks and napkins to go alongside your display as well.

A deviled egg bar is a fun, interactive way to feed your guests and makes appetizers into a fun activity. Your guests will surely never forget this dream appetizer spread!

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2. Make Your Own Bruschetta Bar

Bruschetta is a classic Italian finger food that never goes out of style and is a foolproof crowd pleaser. Instead of preparing bruschetta yourself, create a bruschetta bar so that your guests can customize the toppings to suit their liking. This also helps alleviate the work for you making this a quick and easy recipe!

Simply dish out the toppings into serving bowls (which can be done ahead of time). Then all the work you have to do is grill the bread, set out the toppings and dig in! Your guests will love how delicious and interactive this appetizer is.

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3. Copycat Big Mac Bites

Surprise your friends with a platter of these delicious copycat Big Mac Bites at your next holiday gathering. The sliders feature a juicy beef patty and an authentic copycat Big Mac sauce that everyone will enjoy! These Big Mac Bites are absolutely drool-worthy and the Big Mac sauce is so spot on that your friends will be shocked that it didn’t come directly from the drive-thru!

These Big Mac Bites come together fairly quickly which makes them the perfect quick and easy appetizer to throw together for a crowd. You can also serve a keto-friendly option like these low-carb Big Mac bites!

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 4. Cobb Salad On A Stick

People may not be drawn to a bowl of a salad but they will surely be drawn to a platter of salad on a stick! These cobb salad sticks include all the best ingredients of a cobb salad, from a hard-boiled egg to crispy bacon, and fresh tomatoes. The benefit to serving cobb salad this way is that its a super easy app to grab and go while your guests are mingling.

Be sure to serve the cobbs with this delicious homemade avocado ranch dip that truly sets this appetizer over the top. As a bonus, this is also a keto-friendly recipe.

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5. Caprese Christmas Wreath

Wreaths certainly have a place on your front door but this holiday season, make this delicious Caprese Christmas wreath and share it with friends and family. It’ll surely capture everyone’s attention too. Not only is it vibrant in festive red and green colors but it’s so delicious too.

You could take a few different approaches with this appetizer. You could transform the flavors of a Caprese salad into fun skewers, or simply lay out tomatoes, basil and mozzarella into the shape of a wreath in a more charcuterie-style fashion. This finger food is full of fresh flavors and is incredibly easy to put together!

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6. Christmas Tree Cheese Platter

This Christmas finger food idea is so easy you won’t even need a recipe! Finger foods can be as simple as whipping up a delicious cheese and cracker platter. They’re a timeless crowd favorite and an easy appetizer that your guests can eat casually throughout the evening.

For Christmas this year, get creative and transform your cheese platter into one that looks like a Christmas tree. Start by choosing your favorite cheeses, crackers and possibly a few grapes too. Arrange the platter by decreasing the length of each row and before you know you’ll have a delightful Christmas tree shape.

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7. Cranberry Brie Bites

These elegant cranberry and brie bites would be a stunning addition to your holiday table. They may look fancy and intimidating but they’re actually incredibly easy to make.

With 3 simple ingredients and 25 minutes of your time, you’ll have this appetizer ready to eat in no time! Be sure to cook these cranberry brie bites in a muffin tin to turn this appetizer into the perfect finger food. While this recipe is so tasty on its own, you could also top with toasted walnuts or pecans for added crunch. Also be sure to top with a small rosemary sprig as garnish for a festive touch.

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8. Crockpot Drunken Bourbon Whisky Meatballs

Meatballs make great appetizers, especially for parties! They’re easy to grab and go and the perfect bite size snack before the main course. So set it and forget it this holiday season and make a batch of these drunken bourbon whiskey meatballs. This recipe is made in a Crockpot and only require 2 to 3 hours in comparison to other recipes that need 5 to 8 hours.

A package of frozen meatballs is smothered in a drunken bourbon whiskey sauce and then is cooked low and slow. Your friends and family will take one bite and will be back for seconds and thirds!

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9. Pigs In A Blanket

These miniature pigs in a blanket are delicious and come together in under 30 minutes. Topped with everything bagel seasoning, they’ll surely excite your taste buds.There’s no better way to start off a holiday meal than with a few delicious appetizers, and these savory pigs in a blanket will be sure to impress your guests.

If you can’t find the popular Trader Joes Everything But The Bagel Seasoning, this recipe provides instructions on how to make your own. You can also make the delicious homemade dipping sauce recipe — made with sour cream, mustard, and mayo — that pairs perfectly with this appetizer.

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10. Cake Batter Dessert Hummus

It may seem odd to enjoy a sweet flavored hummus, but we assure you that this cake batter dessert hummus is a game-changer! In only 5 minutes, you can create a dessert hummus at home using a food processor. This protein-rich appetizer will quench any sweet tooth craving yet is still packed with all the benefits and nutrients of traditional hummus.

To make this dessert hummus festive simply swap the rainbow sprinkles for red and green or any festive sprinkles that you like! Serve with wafers, cookies or fresh fruit. As a bonus, this is a dairy-free and vegan-friendly recipe.

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11. Instant Pot Artichoke and Spinach Dip

Prepare a bowl of ooey-gooey artichoke and spinach dip in a hurry this holiday season by using an Instant Pot! The delicious flavors of this dip are provided by ingredients like alfredo sauce mix, loads of cheese, and garlic powder!

By pressure cooking the dip you’ll be able to have it ready to eat very quickly! Spinach and artichoke dip is a crowd pleaser and once you discover how easy it is to make using the Instant Pot, you’ll want to make this for every occasion. Once cooked, serve the dip in a bread bowl or with your favorite chips.

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12. No-Bake Lemon Meringue Pie Dip

Who says you have to save dessert for last? Serve this lemon meringue pie dip as an appetizer and watch it disappear quickly! This dip is full of zesty flavors of lemon and sweet condensed milk. Plus, with only seven common ingredients, it’s inexpensive to feed the crowd you’re hosting!

Another bonus is that this recipe is also super light which will ensure your guests won’t get too full for when the heavy foods like turkey and stuffing are served. Top the dip with a beautiful homemade meringue and you could even add a few festive sprinkles on top too.

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13. Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Roasting chicken in the oven may take a while but if you cook it in your Instant Pot it can be done incredibly quickly! This quick and easy Instant Pot buffalo chicken slider recipe will definitely be a hit this holiday season. They’re easy to serve up to a large crowd and are almost guaranteed to be enjoyed by all, no matter a person’s tastes or aversions.

Best of all? This recipe only requires 8 simple ingredients that you likely already have at home! Tender shredded chicken is smothered in the most creamy buffalo sauce. Top the sliders with ranch and garnish with a pickle!

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14. Tuna Pickle Boats

Tuna pickle boats are about to rock your world! This simple appetizer scoops tuna salad into a dill pickle. They’re the perfect salty snack to serve to a large group and they’re friendly to multiple different lifestyles. They’re dairy free, gluten free and this recipe is also keto-friendly.

The best part is that these pickle boats can come together in just 5 minutes and require 5 simple ingredients: 5-6 dill pickles, 1 can of light flaked tuna, 1/4 cup of light mayo, 1 tbsp of fresh dill and salt & pepper to taste! Prep will take you 5 minutes and this app will be ready to enjoy!

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15. Quick and Easy Charcuterie Kabobs

Charcuterie boards are a growing trend, especially for parties since they’re perfect for grazing! What’s better than a delicious spread of meat, cheese, jam, and fruit? While you could serve a traditional charcuterie board at your next holiday get together, we highly encourage that you try making these charcuterie kabobs!

You and your friends will get to indulge in all the same ingredients you love about charcuterie but the kabobs make it easy to grab, go, and enjoy! We recommend serving the kabobs with delicious dips such as balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, olive oil, or any dipping sauce you enjoy!

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16. Speedy Tzatziki Sauce

Add in a little Greek to your holiday table this year! Tzatziki sauce can be enjoyed on salads, wraps and more but it also makes a great dip too. Thankfully, this recipe not only requires simple ingredients but it comes together in just 12 minutes.

This homemade sauce tastes so fresh and pairs so well with a variety of breads and vegetables. The base of this tzatziki sauce is Greek yogurt and it is seasoned with fragrant dill, lemon juice, and garlic powder. Finally, serve the dip with pita bread and fresh veggies. This recipe also keeps well in the fridge for leftovers.

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17. Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Scallops

These bacon-wrapped scallops look gourmet but they’re actually incredibly easy to make. Your guests will be so impressed when they see this appetizer at your holiday dinner. Better yet, this recipe comes together quickly too as the scallops can be ready to eat in just 20 minutes!

With a few simple ingredients like butter, brown sugar, and garlic you’ll be able to achieve an impressive flavor! The recipe provides several helpful tips to ensure the scallops are cooked to perfection. The brown sugar brings a unique sweet flavor which pairs perfectly with the savory bacon and salty scallops. Serve and enjoy!

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18. Puff Pastry Sausage Rolls

Forget the frozen sausage rolls this holiday season because this impressive recipe is so easy to make! Made with store-bought puff pastry, sausage and a few seasonings you’ll have this delicious sausage roll appetizer ready in just 25 minutes.

These little bites are full of flavor thanks to seasonings like basil, oregano, and thyme. They’re so savory and delicious — everyone will be back for seconds! You could also easily do variations of this recipe by adding different toppings such as bell peppers, onion, or cheese. Be sure to serve with a few dipping sauces including classic ketchup, spicy ketchup, honey mustard, and spicy mayo.

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19. Apple Goat Cheese Crostini

Crostini are a great appetizer option because you can top them with whatever creative toppings you can think of. This recipe combines sharp goat cheese and sweet apple to create an unforgettable appetizer that will be perfect to serve at your next holiday gathering.

These apple goat cheese crostinis come together in just 20 minutes and only require a handful of ingredients. Ingredients like lemon zest and juice, fresh tyme, and ground black pepper provide even more delicious flavor. The recipe uses a broiling technique to give the crostini a golden, crunchy finish that is so satisfying. Serve and enjoy!

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20. Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread

Who doesn’t love garlic bread? Considering it’s a crowd favorite you’ll want to add it to the appetizer menu. While garlic bread is obviously delicious as its own classic recipe, why not change things up a little for the holiday season? This cheesy garlic pull apart bread is truly an experience.

This isn’t any ordinary garlic bread recipe, it’s ooey-gooey cheesy and the pull-apart pieces make it an easy grab and go treat. To create the pull-apart pieces simply make generous slices throughout the bread and then fill with loads of cheese and garlic. This will be a foolproof hit!

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21. Smoked Salmon And Cream Cheese Pastries

Would you believe that an impressive appetizer like these smoked salmon and cream cheese pastries only takes20 minutes to make? This recipe proves that it can be done, and better yet, it only requires 4 simple store-bought ingredients.

You’ll need 1 sheet of frozen puff pastry, cream cheese spread, a package of smoked salmon and fresh toppings. Be sure to keep an eye on the pastry as it bakes so that they don’t puff up too much, however, if they do this recipe provides a tip on what to do next! These appetizers look gourmet but are so simple to make.

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22. Loaded Baked Potato Bites

Everything you love about classic loaded baked potatoes can now be enjoyed in a delectable bite-sized appetizer. This delicious recipe comes together in just 30 minutes and will be an instant hit with your friends and family of all ages.

Simply bake the potato slices until they’re tender and golden and then top with ooey-gooey cheese. After the cheese has become bubbly you’ll want to allow the potatoes to cool slightly before adding the delicious toppings. The recipe suggests topping with grated chopped bacon, green onions or chives and a dollop of sour cream. These are both tasty and simple!

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23. Ham and Cheese Slider

These ham and cheese sliders may be a simple appetizer but they have a remarkable flavor. These neat and tidy sandwiches are packed with quality cheese and scrumptious ham. This classic combination is one that everyone loves, but may have never tried in the form of a slider.

If you want to make it a little more gourmet, you can add a slice of tomato or roasted red pepper. Sometimes though, basic is better! This is the perfect comfort food for your next holiday party! Be sure to serve these immediately because sliders are best warm and fresh. Your party guests will love these!

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24. Simple Savory Christmas Trees

How adorable are these appetizer Christmas trees?! They present themselves so beautifully on a platter and are also really fun to create. Gather a few family members and make these fun Christmas trees as a family for your Christmas party. They’ll love how interactive this appetizer is but will be even more impressed with the final result!

All you need for this easy finger food is puff pastry, green olives, cheese, salami, and whipped cream cheese. The recipe outlines the technique for folding your creation into a perfect Christmas tree. Your guests won’t be able to get enough of this appetizer — and that’s a guarantee!

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25.  Caprese Garlic Bread

Garlic Bread is one of those recipes that you don’t want to mess with because it’s so good already. Why fix something that isn’t broken, right? Well, think about this caprese recipe as garlic bread dressed up for Christmas.

This finger food is not only delicious and easy to eat, but it will be consistent with your Christmas decorations with the green basil and bright red tomatoes. Drizzle with a little balsamic reduction for the perfect tangy finish to this appetizer. These are so tasty and easy to make that your guests will beg you to make them every year!

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26. Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

You could buy store-bought jalapeno poppers but this homemade version is so much better! After all, there is something so satisfying about creating and indulging in something homemade. They taste so fresh and your guests will certainly appreciate the added effort.

Don’t be intimidated though! This recipe is very simple and in no time you’ll have an exciting finger food to add to your holiday table. All you need are 3 ingredients which include: jalapeno peppers, cream cheese and slices of bacon. In less than 30 minutes you’ll have the perfect savory and crispy appetizer ready to serve and enjoy!

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27. Seven Layer Dip

Every party needs a delicious dip to kick off the evening. This seven-layer dip will not disappoint as its full of many enticing flavors. Your guests will love this dip because its warm and cheesy but also a great appetizer to graze on throughout the evening.

The first layer starts with refried beans followed by a layer that features sour cream, cream cheese, and taco seasoning. The dip is finished with a layer of salsa and loads of delicious topping such as lettuce, cherry tomatoes and black olives. Be sure to serve the dip with your favorite chips or pitas!

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28. Turkey Cranberry Sliders

While turkey may be the main course at your Christmas dinner this year, these sliders would be a great way to get everyone’s appetites ready for the meal! These sliders contain slices of turkey deli meat, cheese, and cranberry sauce. They’re like a mini holiday dinner in a bite-sized bundle!

Sliders are excellent finger food because they’re filling enough to tide you over and they’re easy to put together. You’ll have this tasty treat ready to eat in just 25 minutes. These turkey sliders could also be a great option to use up leftovers that are inevitable with a big holiday feast.

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29. Cheese Wontons

There’s no denying that one of the best things about the holidays is the food spread. It can range from healthy fruit trays to delectable chocolates and even exciting treats like cheese wontons. While this recipe may seem initimidating, it actually only requires a few key ingredients such as cream cheese, scallions and garlic powder.

With a creamy center and crispy exterior, you’ll be shocked at how quickly these disappear at your next holiday gathering. Better yet, this is a Panda Express Copycat recipe so prepare to see everyone’s amazement when they discover you made them yourself. Serve and enjoy!

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30. Easy Red Salsa

If all else fails, you can never go wrong with a big bowl of salsa and tortilla chips for an appetizer this holiday season. While store bought salsa is obviously delicious, if you’re looking to impress this holiday season be sure to make a batch of this delicious homemade red salsa.

Making your own salsa is easier than you may think and it’s full of fresh and flavorful ingredients that you’re going to love. Simply toss the ingredients into a food processor, pulse to mix, and serve! A few of the key ingredients that give this salsa flavor include onion, cilantro, lime, garlic, and jalapeño.

The post Finger Food Ideas For Christmas In Under 30 Minutes appeared first on Forkly.

‘Tis the season for giving! Luckily, giving goes in hand with receiving with a holiday cookie exchange. This cookie swap has become a popular and convenient way to bake up a batch of your favorite Christmas cookies for sharing—and to come home with a sweet variety.

We know Santa would give a jolly “ho-ho-ho!” if these eight festive cookie recipes made the cookie cut at your holiday cookie exchange… Continue reading "12 Sweet Christmas Cookie Exchange Recipes"