75+ Mashup Recipes That Prove Two Foods Are Better Than One

French Dip Pizza Recipe

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why more foods aren’t on the same level of richly beefy, cheesy, and savory divinity as a French dip sandwich—friend, you are not alone. In fact, that’s exactly why we channeled everything worth loving about the French dip experience into this meaty masterpiece of a pizza, complete with rich dipping jus. Deeply sweet onions and meaty roast beef are right at home leaning on a mild foundational flavor base of Swiss cheese and garlic powder in our new favorite example of sandwich-turned-pie. And a hearty, bready crust is just the vehicle these decadent elements require. 

Cheeseburger Omelet Recipe

Take all of the glory of a bacon cheeseburger topped with caramelized onions and served with French fries (and ketchup, of course), wrap all of it up in fluffy eggs, and pal, you have yourself one heck of a cheeseburger experience. This ridiculously delicious omelet is appropriate served at any hour of the day and is an excellent use for leftover burger fixin's, if you have them. Note: This recipe provides for 3 times as many burgers and caramelized onions as you'll need for a single omelet. If you don't use them for additional omelets, you can always enjoy the leftovers as regular ol' caramelized onion burgers. 

Borscht Nachos  Recipe

Yes, Borscht Nachos. As in, sweet, earthy beet chips piled high with shredded beef—robustly flavored from a braise with ketchup and paprika—quark (which is a lot like a soft cream cheese, exhilarated with the lively funk of buttermilk), salty and rich queso fresco, bright and tangy sauerkraut, zingy pickled wax peppers, plus fresh radishes and dill for good measure. It's the food mash-up we've all been waiting for (even if we didn't know it). 

Everything Bagel Salad Recipe

Your favorite brunch special just took on a new, heartier format. Everything here comes through: The bagels, capers, lox, raw onions, and cream cheese are all balanced out by spinach’s natural mild sweetness. This makes a lot of salad, so you could serve it as either a main or a side dish for a larger crowd. Using whipped cream cheese will make it easier to whisk. You can opt for hot smoked salmon, but cold is a classic. Since the spinach is hardy, you can make this up to 30 minutes before serving. 

Greek Salad Lasagna Recipe

Greek salad and lasagna work well as individual entities, and together they meld together in a family friendly, big ol’ plate of food. Sharp flavors from olives, feta, red pepper and red wine vinegar liven up an otherwise classic dish. We used olives from the bar at Whole Foods—if you use brine jarred olives, you may want to reduce the amount so it doesn’t overpower the rest of the dish. Use bell peppers that are the same size so they’ll finish cooking at the same time. You can make this ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days—if you cook from cold, you’ll need to increase the cooking time. For nice clean cuts on the lasagna, let it rest for an hour before cutting it. 

The Cheeseburger Salad Recipe

Classic burger elements become a fast, fun salad--a deconstructed take on a diner favorite. Instead of four burger patties, we cook just two, then chop and sprinkle them over the top. A handful of crushed potato chips adds crunch. Kick up the dressing with a pinch of ground red pepper.

Easy Chocolate Salami Recipe

Looks like salami, tastes like the most incredible chocolate treat—meaning, it’s the perfect party food. A log of chocolate salami would also be an ideal treat to kick off a romantic Valentine's Day dinner. 

French Dip French Fries Recipe

If you thought cheese fries were a brilliant triumph of culinary design, wait until you bring crisped roast beef, caramelized onions, Swiss cheese sauce, and au jus to the party. Inspired by a classic French dip sandwich and comparable to a roast beef poutine, these decadently beef-loaded fries are bringing a whole new level of swagger to the “meat and potatoes” meal construct. We’d suggest sticking with steak fries when making this built-for-sharing snack, as you need a hearty spud to stand up to the French dip treatment. 

Beef Stroganoff Pizza Recipe

If you’ve ever looked for a reason to try beef stroganoff with something besides egg noodles, this is it. The beef, mushrooms, and sour cream’s flavors really sing here, while just the right amount of garlic and onion and lots of cheese round everything out. This is also a good place to start if you’d like to experiment more with your pizza toppings. The most important part of this recipe is making sure the crust on the bottom is crispy enough to hold all the toppings. You’ll also need to let the sauce cool a bit before adding the sour cream so it doesn’t break. This makes a lot, so it can serve 6 people if your group doesn’t have big eaters, or save the extra slices for some stellar leftovers. 

Caprese Ice Cream Sundaes Recipe

This super-sophisticated, wow-worthy dessert is a great twist on two separate dishes. It takes some time, but it’s worth it, especially for a special occasion. Poaching tomatoes in simple syrup brings out their fruitier side. Paired with buttery and salty ice cream, you’ve got a smart and different winner. Here, it’s crucial to be gentle with the tomatoes: You’re turning them from a vegetable into a fruit culinary. If you’ve got an overgrown basil plant, use those leaves for the basil syrup; thyme sprigs would also work well here, if you’re looking for something a little different. 

Gumbo Burgers with Roux "Ketchup"  Recipe

Basically, these burgers are gumbo you can eat without a spoon. The flavors here are discernible and assertive. The “ketchup” has that toasty roux and tomato paste that brings it all together. Take your roux right to the edge of burnt to get maximum toasty flavor, but don’t burn it or it’ll be ruined. Milk chocolate is a good indicator, but if you’re risk averse, stop at café au lait. This would be great with cornbread soup that you could dip the burgers into. 

Piña Colada Snack Mix Recipe

Everyone’s favorite beach drink becomes crunchy in this snack mix filled with flavor: Sweet, rich coconut, tangy lime and pineapple, and saltiness. You’ll find dried fruit in the produce sections of most stores. We used large coconut flakes. Toss in the fat before you add salt and seasoning to ensure an even dispersal.  This makes a lot, and will easily cut in half, but leftovers hold really well in a sealed bag. Serve with actual piña coladas, or your favorite beer. 

Lasagna Dip With Pasta Chips Recipe

Olive Garden got this one right, folks—lasagna in dip form is all kinds of wonderful, especially served with freshly fried, crisp pasta chips. Trust us, this meaty, cheesy appetizer will be a welcome addition to any party.

Grilled Cheeseburger Nachos Recipe

It was determined in our test kitchen that it is legitimately impossible to be anything other than happy while eating these cheeseburger nachos—do with that information what you will. The cookout-inspired food mashup is as perfect served as a fun, grilled snack for guests (especially during tailgating season) as it is an easy, throw-together meal to use up leftovers from a weekend get-together. So while the cheeseburger recipe provided here does produce an extremely moist and flavorful patty, you can certainly use leftover cooked burgers if you already have them on hand. Same idea applies to the nacho toppings; we went with a blend of typical Tex-mex toppers and backyard cookout accouterments, but you can vary things up however suits you. Your baking sheet will only be on the grill for a few minutes (just long enough for the cheese to melt) so you shouldn’t experience any issues with the pan warping or taking on grill marks. However, for easy clean-up, you can certainly go ahead and wrap your pan in aluminum foil. 

Chicken Tikka Masala Dip Recipe

If you like buffalo chicken dip, you’ll love this super creamy version of chicken tikka masala. Thanks to the cream cheese, its tangier than traditional tikka masala. Don’t use Greek yogurt—it’s too chalky and astringent for this. Pulsing the chicken and yogurt helps tenderize everything and makes it scoopable. For a more flavorful twist, try chicken thighs instead of breasts. Serve this at your next party and blow everyone away.  

Rotel Potatoes Aligots Recipe

This is a marriage of two of the greatest comfort foods of our time: Rotel dip and mashed potatoes. We’re talking very satisfying and suuuuuuper-rich. This would be great served with a protein like pork chops, but you can also add a little milk to turn this into a dip. This method of mashing potatoes essentially emulsifies whole butter into hot potatoes, and it’s important that you work quickly and don’t let the potatoes get too cool. The potatoes will continue to break down as you add the butter, so don’t overmash them. 

Gingerbread Pie Recipe

Are you ready for the only holiday pie recipe you’ll ever need for the rest of your life? Because this is it. Packed with gingerbread flavor, this pie isn’t for the faint of heart. Gingerbread always packs a punch, especially in a crunchy crust, and paired with a luscious, creamy filling, the flavor and texture combination create an unforgettable pie. You’d think a pie this delicious was labor intensive, but it’s actually quite simple: The secret comes from using cookie butter as a base for the filling. You can make this pie up to three days in advance, and then just grab it and go when you’re heading out. Sprinkle more gingersnaps on top for an even gingerier experience. 

BLT Skewers with Lemon-Chive Aioli Recipe

The classic BLT sandwich gets a makeover with these flavorful grilled skewers. Drizzled with a zesty aioli sauce, these skewers get the full BLT treatment when served over a bed of grilled romaine lettuce. Perfect for your next summer cookout, these skewers are fun, fresh, and irresistibly tasty. 

Pigs in an Everything Blanket with Cream Cheese Dip Recipe

Two finger food favorites collide as pigs in a blanket get an everything bagel makeover. Rather than the traditional canned biscuit or croissant dough, the "blanket" of this playful appetizer is made with fresh pizza dough that is first boiled, brushed with egg wash, and rolled in an "everything" seasoning blend (poppy seeds, sesame seeds, dried minced onion, dried minced garlic, and coarse salt) before being baked. Using a yeasted dough and this double cooking method is what gives these tailgate-ready bites their bagel personality. Serve them up with a tangy cream cheese dip for a party-perfect snack platter. 

Lobster Roll Pizza   Recipe

If you’re looking for a pie to impress, this lobster pizza is a must-make. The buttery, crisp crust topped with a rich cheese blend and brightened with a vibrant mix of fresh herbs, lemon zest, garlic, and celery serves as the perfect bed for decadent Maine lobster. Not a seasoned pro when it comes to buying and cooking lobster? Be sure to check out our complete guide to cooking with this incredible shellfish for all of the information and inspiration you need.

Aperol Spritz Cake Recipe

The delicate blance of sweet, bitter and citrus that makes the cocktail so refreshing also makes for an unusual citrus cake.

Mudslide Cake Recipe

You know how some cocktails are so good they're basically dessert? This mudslide cake takes that even further, making the classic dessert cocktail into an actual dessert. The inclusion of both Irish and coffee liqueurs give the cake depth of flavor, and the chocolate glaze and cherries give a nod to the traditional mudslide garnishes. Eat it with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream. No straw required. 

Mac and Cheese Crusted Pizza Recipe

When two of the world's greatest foods combine...

Penne Alla Vodka Pizza Recipe

You are sure to love this irresistible pie that combines 2 favorites: vodka pasta and homemade pizza. 

Meatloaf Spaghetti Recipe

This hearty, family-friendly recipe marries two comfort food classics—meatloaf and spaghetti—for one epic rib-sticker of a dinner. The tangy-sweet, boldly beefy sauce delivers both surprising depth of flavor and a delicious sense of familiarity… consider it a bolognese inspired by the classic flavors of meatloaf. And because no meatloaf is complete without breadcrumbs, we finish this fun play on pasta night off with buttery toasted panko (the perfect final touch of crunch!). While we love how this dish can be thrown together on a moment’s notice with a package of ground beef and pantry staples, we highly recommend prepping the sauce a day ahead if possible, because it’s definitely one of those that tastes even better the next day. If you do make your sauce ahead, when you’re ready to serve, simply heat it on the stove with 1/4 to 1/3 cup of water or chicken stock to help loosen it up. 

Chicken Panang Casserole Recipe

When a Thai craving strikes, you’re first instinct probably isn’t to break out a casserole dish, but his streamlined take on classic chicken panang curry is a flavor-packed, one-dish dinner that’s gonna have you rethinking what it means to casserole. Don’t be intimidated by the seemingly lengthy ingredient list—most of the ingredients are easily found at a typical supermarket, and many may already be waiting in your pantry. Trickier items, like the lemongrass, kefir lime leaves, Thai basil, and tamarind paste can be purchased at an Asian market. Alternatively, you can substitute a bit of lime zest for the lemongrass, leave out the lime leaves altogether, use regular basil in place of Thai, and substitute a little molasses for the tamarind paste. Once you have your ingredients together, preparing the dish is incredibly simple. Even better—it’s make-ahead friendly.  Thus, this warming casserole is a  perfect dish for holiday entertaining and out-of-town visitors. Simply prep and freeze for an almost-instant and impressive dinner when company arrives. 

Lucky Charms Cookies Recipe

Hearts, stars, horse shoes, clovers, and blue moons, pots of gold, and rainbows, and the red balloons… all stirred into a buttery, cereal inspired cookie dough. In addition to all of the signature marshmallow charms, these Lucky Charms cookies have ground cereal incorporated right into the dry mixture for the sugar cookie dough. In other words, yes, they are magical.

Pimento Cheese Puffs Recipe

Classic French gougères with a Southern remix. These airy pimiento cheese puffs make an impressive addition to virtually any party spread. While the choux pastry dough may seem intimidating to make, trust us—success is just a matter of not walking away from the pan. As long as you can stay put and keep stirring (so that your dough doesn’t burn), you can make gougères. 

Chicken Parmesan Dip Recipe

This is a rich and creamy way to use up leftover marinara sauce or chicken. For an extra-Italian twist, use Italian sausage instead. 

Nashville Hot Chicken Dip Recipe

BBQ Chicken Bean Dip Recipe

Step aside, Buffalo chicken. Move it along, basic bean dip. The game day dip to rule all game day dips has arrived. This bold yet balance BBQ Chicken Bean Dip has so much going for it: It’s easy to make, you likely have most of the necessary ingredients on hand, and most importantly—this cheesy chicken appetizer will be a winner with any crowd. The barbecue sauce used in to make the dip couldn’t be easier to mix up, and it’s one you can come back to again and again for all of your BBQ needs; however, if you want to shave a few minutes off the recipe, you can certainly use your favorite bottled sauce instead. We suggest topping the dip with cheese towards the end of baking in order to prevent the dip from becoming too greasy. 

Taco-Tot Casserole Recipe

Tex-Mex meets tater tots in this easy, inexpensive, and all-around comforting one-dish dinner. Our spicy twist on the classic tater tot casserole consists of a succulent ground beef filling—featuring creamy black beans, crisp-sweet corn, cheese, and mild green chiles for a kick—topped with crispy tater tots, and finished with a drizzle of an addictively spicy and tangy sour cream sauce. Top this fiesta of a casserole with fresh garnishes, such as avocado, tomato, jalapeño, and cilantro, and it’s as perfect to serve at your next football feast as it is for a casual weeknight meal. We use 85/15 lean ground beef for this recipe and recommend that you do not go with anything leaner, as the higher fat percentage both contributes to the filling’s rich flavor and keeps it from drying out while baking. 

Eggs Benedict Totchos Recipe

Potatoes have been a breakfast staple for a long time, but until some genius decided to turn hash browns into little fried cylinders Americans didn't know the joy of tater tots. Who doesn’t love french fries that are engineered for breakfast? For those of us who understand the importance of the tater tot as a meal and not just a side dish, you can throw them in your breakfast mac n cheese or make a full-on tater tot casserole that will make your little tater-loving heart happy. But the ultimate tater tot-lover’s dream is eggs Benedict totchos.

What are totchos? Totchos are the divine combination between cheese-drenched nachos and crispy tater tots. I feel like not much more needs to be said here, but for the sake of making you drool: These tots are loaded with Canadian bacon and doused in a creamy hollandaise. And they’re so easy to make. All you have to do is bake freezer-section tots, cook the bacon, poach two eggs, and whip up the hollandaise. 

Eggs Benedict Totchos

Strawberry Cheesecake Pops Recipe

From the land of cream cheese comes this frosty twist on cheesecake.

Spaghetti Pudding Recipe

Spaghetti pudding may sound strange, but that sure didn’t keep us from going back for seconds (or thirds). Similar to bread pudding or rice pudding, this playful sweet twist on baked spaghetti is enriched with a vanilla custard and delivers all the comfort food vibes one could ever crave. Finished with a vibrant strawberry “red sauce” and chocolate truffle “meatballs,” this decadent dessert is as fun to serve as it is delicious to eat. 

Pineapple Pizza Dip Recipe

Whether you’re pro- or anti-pineapple on pizza, we’re willing to bet you’re going to love this pineapple pizza dip. Why? Well, because its delicious balance of salty and sweet, and the savory, ooey-gooey goodness this dip packs makes it irresistible. Give it a try for your next party, potluck, or tailgate and see what we mean. 

Gingerbread Fudge Recipe

This gingerbread fudge is the perfect “something different” to add to your holiday confections spread. Offering all of the toasty, familiar flavors of gingerbread and the creamy-rich texture of your favorite fudge, it’s the perfect mash-up of two holiday favorites. Plus, in keeping with the classic marshmallow fluff base, we’ve also kept this homemade holiday candy as easy as can be to mix up. We topped our gingerbread fudge with crushed gingersnap cookies and crystalized ginger for a little added oomph, but you could stir in toasted walnuts or pecans for crunch if you prefer. This holiday fudge recipe yields plenty for sharing, just be sure to store the fudge in the refrigerator when you’re finished snacking. 

Tiramisu Cake Recipe

Everything you love about classic Italian tiramisu, layered into an impressive cake. 

Apple Pie Smoothie Recipe

This apple pie smoothie is an easy way to treat yourself and pack some nutrients into your day. 

French Onion Soup Bites Recipe

Easy to assemble and perfectly portable, these French Onion Soup bites are the perfect addition to any holiday party spread. They’re like your favorite Trader Joe’s freezer aisle find, but tastier. 

German Chocolate Brownies Recipe

This recipe is a combination of my nana’s greatest hits—brownies and German chocolate cake. The fudgy brownies allow the frosting’s coconut flavor to shine and are decadent without overwhelming the palate. We used a 9x13” baking pan, which yielded thinner brownies and a more even distribution of both the brownies and the frosting’s flavor. It’s definitely possible in an 8” or 9” square pan, which will give you thicker brownies and globs of frosting. In that case, you’ll need to use a fork. 

Buffalo Chicken Cheese Ball Recipe

The buffalo flavor that we all know and love is typically made by combining vinegar, butter, and a cayenne pepper-based hot sauce. Skip the intense prep that buffalo wings require-- get all of the flavor you crave with a buffalo cheese ball. Prepared Buffalo wing sauce makes it easy to make and the blue cheese gives each bite an addictive richness. Serve while watching the next big game with your friends. 

Chicken Chilaquiles Casserole Recipe

In a pinch and in need of a quick meal that will please everyone? A one-pan, assemble-and-bake Tex-Mex casserole just might be the answer. It takes just 5 ingredients to make a melty, cheesy, smoky green chile chicken dish. Add rice and black beans for a full on fiesta! Use the breast and leg quarters of a rotisserie chicken and store-bough enchilada sauce for convenience. This super-fast dish is even more delicious served with pico de gallo, guacamole, or even leftover tostadas on top for more crunch. If you can't find tostadas, yellow corn tortilla chips will also work. 

Soba Noodle and Pork Casserole Recipe

This is not your mom's creamy noodle casserole. After this dish, miso cream sauce will be your new go-to sauce for everything. It only has 3 ingredients, it's perfectly seasoned and creamy, and just thick enough to hold up to a good noodle. The creaminess is complemented by the crunchiness of the peanuts and panko in this casserole and the green onion and cilantro brighten it up. Make this dish gluten-free by replacing the panko with extra peanuts and using gluten-free miso. We think Togarishi-- a Japanese 7-spice blend found at Asian markets-- is worth the buy, but if you cannot find it use Chinese 5-spice. 

Tagalong Milkshake Recipe

Your favorite peanut butter and chocolate Girl Scout cookie in yummy milkshake form. We recommend buying high quality ice cream and hot fudge. You can also use pre-made peanut butter sauce, but having the leftovers is delicious (and useful for making more shakes). Enjoy immediately.

No-Bake Samoa Pie Recipe

Save a stash of Samoas (or Caramel DeLights) in order to make an epic pie that looks, and tastes, just like the classic Girl Scout cookie. Use the back of a measuring cup to press the crust into the pie plate and add heavy cream to the caramel when melting for a smoother, drizzle-with-ease consistency. Serve chilled, as you would a coconut creme pie.

Beignet Ice Cream Sandwiches Recipe

Coffee and beignets belong together, so coffee ice cream and beignets...? Yeah, that's a no-brainer. This easy, but impressive, New Orleans-inspired dessert recipe is the perfect treat for your Mardi Gras celebrations. With only five ingredients, you'll be surprised by how easy these ice cream sandwiches are to whip up (especially if you go with store-bought beignet mix). 

Ahi Tuna Poke Pizza  Recipe

This fresh, spring-inspired vehicle for poke proves that pizza doesn’t have to be unhealthy! You'll want to use the freshest ahi tuna you can get your hands on for this vibrant, company-worthy entree. 

Caramel-Apple Dessert Tacos Recipe

These decadent dessert tacos are essentially like having your own, individual apple pie (but way easier to make and more fun to eat). Start with our endlessly customizable Dessert Taco Shells, fill them with a gooey-good caramel apple filling, then top them off with even more caramel goodness. We finished our tacos off with the Caramel Whipped Cream detailed below, but a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream wouldn't be a bad call either. 

Pink Lemonade Rolls Recipe

This playful take on the classic orange roll makes for a perfect treat for Mother’s Day, a bridal brunch, baby showers, or the next time you wanna bring a little extra cheer to you weekend breakfast spread. A tender, buttery dough encases a sticky lemon filling and is then glazed with a bright pink lemonade glaze. This sweet-tart glaze, which we make using powdered pink lemonade mix, is also a great way to spruce up a bundt cake, pound cake, muffins, or scones. We opted for Country Time brand lemonade mix, which you can find on the beverage aisle of your favorite supermarket. 

Hot Chicken Deviled Eggs Recipe

These Southern-inspired deviled eggs say summer fun like nothing else. A picnic-perfect use for leftover fried chicken, these tasty bites are spicy, but not burn-your-mouth spicy. Feel free to increase or decrease the cayenne pepper depending on how much of a kick you like. A sweetness from the chopped pickles, tang from the vinegar and hot sauce, and salty-savory deliciousness from the fried chicken make for a perfectly balanced chicken + eggs-perience. 

Caprese Salsa Recipe

We loved the classic caprese salad so much, we transformed it into a vibrant summer “salsa,” so that we could top just about everything with it. The simple, but so satisfying, flavor combo of ripe, juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and rich mozzarella cheese is the perfect path to amping up any number of your favorite summertime staples. Serve this fresh and flavor-packed topper over grilled steak or chicken, use it as a burger relish, or spoon it onto crostini or grilled bread for an awesome and easy appetizer. 

Niçoise Salsa Recipe

Because we love a classic niçoise salad, we decided to transform it into a rich and vibrant “salsa” of sorts, so that we could top anything we wanted to give it a niçoise twist. Featuring all of the traditional elements (minus the fish)—boiled potatoes, chopped haricots verts, olives, and hard-cooked eggs—tossed in a flavorful lemon and herb dressing, this summery topper would be perfect spooned over grilled fish, scooped onto tostadas with shrimp or lobster, served with tortilla chips for snacking, or simply spooned over your favorite greens (adding canned tuna, if you like) for an instant salad niçoise. For a fun twist on taco night, layer slices of seared ahi tuna steaks and the salsa into warm corn tortillas to create “tuna niçoise tacos,” as pictured in the photo above. 

Shortcut Strawberry Cheesecake Sweet Rolls Recipe

These shortcut sweet rolls are the perfect special treat for a weekend brunch, but the truly beautiful thing about them is that they’re actually simple/speedy enough to whip up on a weekday morning—all thanks to a handy secret ingredient: canned crescent dough. That said, there’s no need to tell your guests just how easy these delightfully buttery-tender sweet rolls are to make, because once they’re all dressed up, no one would ever guess you didn’t make them completely from scratch. By skipping on making your own yeasted cinnamon bun dough, you allow yourself time to make a phenomenal filling. Each roll is filled with a rich strawberry cheesecake mixture, featuring fresh strawberries, store-bought strawberry cream cheese amped up with a little powdered sugar and vanilla, and graham cracker crumbs (a pro baker’s trick for adding depth and a fantastic texture). All that’s left to do is drizzle on a simple 2-ingredient glaze, and you have a wow-worthy skillet of fresh sweet rolls, ready to rock.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookie Bars Recipe

They’re everything you love about a classic PB&J sandwich, but in cookie form (i.e. way better). These peanut butter and jelly bars feature a chewy peanut butter cookie layer, topped with a sweet-tart jammy layer, and finished off with a crunchy peanut butter streusel. While they would make for a perfect lunchbox treat to send with your kiddos (particularly if you’re not already packing them a PB&J sandwich), these nostalgic, deliciously balanced cookie bars are also a huge hit with the grown-up crowd. Pack them up for your next tailgate or potluck, and ready yourself for rave reviews. We went with grape jam for our bars, but feel free to use your favorite flavor instead. 

Chicken Alfredo Soup Recipe

Inspired by the favorite pasta dish, this creamy Chicken Alfredo Soup comes together in no time with the help of a few store-bought shortcuts. Rotisserie chicken, frozen peas, and a jar of Alfredo sauce, which serves as the backbone of this highly comforting pot of soup, keep your hands-on prep to a minimum. This convenience factor, coupled with the fact that it’s is a guaranteed kid-pleasing recipe, makes this soup a perfect go-to for hectic weeknights. While it is undeniably luscious and satisfying, the soup is surprisingly not overly heavy or right. We used Gia Russa brand sauce, but feel free to use your own favorite. Served with a crusty bread, a green salad, and a glass of white wine, this quick and easy soup makes for an outstanding dinner on chilly nights.  

Apple Cider Sangria Recipe

Our Apple Cider Sangria has just the right amount of booze, and it’s super simple to put together, making it the perfect fall cocktail. Apples are seasonal and delicious, and they're even better when soaked in the sangria for several hours. The color is golden and clear, and it’s lovely in the glass with ice cubes and fruit slices—but it’s also gorgeous in a punch bowl for a party. Best of all, this gets better the longer it sits, since it gives the fruit and booze more time to intermingle. This Apple Cider Sangria is even classy enough to serve for Thanksgiving with appetizers or afternoon snacks before the big meal.

Hungry for more? Check out 10+ Apple Cider Recipes For Fall next. 

Buffalo Chicken Chili Recipe

This Buffalo Chicken Chili is one the best soups that’s come out of our test kitchen. We’ve combined two of the best foods around to make one ultimate dish. It’s hearty, full of chicken and veggies, and has a subtly spiced buffalo flavor. The vegetables, especially the corn, add a bit of sweetness, while the beans offer creaminess that stands out from the cream cheese enriched broth. Lemon pepper adds a nice tang and contrast to the chili, and sprinkling blue cheese crumbles and scallions on top rounds everything out. Keep a quart or two of this in the freezer for a quick dinner on a cold night, or take a batch to your next potluck or tailgate. Serve with carrot and celery sticks, tortilla chips, and jalapeño cornbread sticks.

Cannoli Cheesecake Recipe

Our Cannoli Cheesecake has that classic cannoli flavor you love, but with a creamier, more palatable texture. It’s super smooth, and easier to make than full-on cream cheese-based cheesecake. The secret to the unbeatable texture is adding a dish of water to the oven—the steam helps set the cheesecake without overcooking it. Garnish with whipped cream for a little extra pizzazz, or dust with powdered sugar right before serving to play up the cannoli factor. 

French Onion Mashed Potatoes  Recipe

Classic buttermilk mashed potatoes are great, but if you’re looking to really wow, French Onion Mashed Potatoes are what you need. Perfect for a holiday dinner or other special occasion, these decadent, cheesy mashed potatoes are infused with the rich and comforting flavors of French onion soup. The onions, which are slowly caramelized with thyme and sherry to develop their incredible signature flavor, can be prepared up to 3 days in advance. With finishing touches of nutty Gruyere cheese and a sprinkle of crispy onions for a little textural contrast, our French Onion Mashed Potatoes are ready to steal the spotlight (not to mention, a few hearts) at any table. And for a special twist, try serving the mashed potatoes in individual bubbling ramekins.

Hot-And-Sour Soup Sandwich Recipe

This isn’t your average twist on takeout: Hot and sour soup and tofu reach new heights when they’re combined and set up like a French dip, and that’s not even the best part. The mushrooms are the star of the show here, taking on soy, star anise, chili, and vinegar like the little fungal sponges that they are—they’re almost like hot and sour soup bon bons, when you think about it. Seriously, even if you don't make the whole sandwich, at least make the mushrooms. The rest of the sandwich is mild, to complement the mushrooms, but when you dip it in the jus, it comes alive. You’ll have more than enough mushrooms for the sandwich, so save the extras and transform pizza, salad, or whatever else you like.

Taco Dip Recipe

Our Taco Dip is cool, creamy and flavored with all the toppings on your favorite taco or taco salad. It’s not overly spiced or heavy, thanks to its lack of meat, which allows the vegetables and creamy base to shine. This worked great with Fritos Scoops, but it’d also be great on any tortilla chip or fresh veggie slices. Or, don’t use it as a dip at all and serve it as a side for grilled meat or topping for your next taco night. Make sure the cream cheese is well softened in order to mix together a smooth dip.

Carrot Cake Cheesecake Recipe

If you’re looking for an impressive dessert to cap off your Easter brunch or dinner, our Carrot Cake Cheesecake will steal the show. We’ve married two glorious desserts into 9 inches of a cake. It’s decadent, spiced, sweet, creamy, and smooth, with perfect pockets of carrot cake. Although the method is relatively simple, it achieves a very impressive dessert. Be sure to tap the pan to release air pockets, and make sure the water bath level doesn’t fall below the springform pan’s halfway mark.

Tater Tot Stuffing Recipe

We’ve taken the traditional stuffing flavors we’ve all come to love and added a vast improvement: tater tots. By pushing cornbread and bread to the side, this Tater Tot Stuffing gains a soft center and a super crunchy top. There’s a strong savory vibe from the fresh herbs, and the tater tots absorb the flavors very well without losing their structure. It’s a great option for people who don’t like stuffing’s “soggy bread” consistency, and it’ll definitely stand out on the holiday table. Plus, hey, it’s gluten-free and vegetarian!

Lemon Bar Cheesecake Recipe

This indulgent recipe marries two delicious desserts: lemon bars and cheesecake. Using a dark springform pan ensures a golden brown crust on this tart dessert recipe without having to bake before adding the filling.

Cheeseburger Egg Rolls Recipe

This might sound strange, but as it turns out, a golden-crisp egg roll stuffed with beef, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and mayo might just be one of the most delectably genius things we've ever made. This playful appetizer is reminiscent of everything you love about fast food--but unlike a fast food cheeseburger fix, you actually know what's going into it. You can find fresh egg roll wrappers in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores. 

Chicken Parmesan Spaghetti Squash Recipe

This family friendly spaghetti squash dinner is a delicious (and low-carb) twist on an old favorite: chicken Parmesan. Loads of melty cheese will make this dish an easy sell for the kids, and the veggie vessel means you’re packing in plenty of nutrients too. Keep in mind that spaghetti squash can vary largely in size, so it’s best to grab a couple with roughly the same weight. You want to make sure both are cooked evenly and all the way through so that you end up with tender strands. If you grab squash that are larger than what’s called for below, you’ll likely need to bake them a bit longer.  

Cinnamon Toast Crunch Snickerdoodles Recipe

This cookie jar classic just got a major upgrade, straight from the cereal aisle. Besides being melt-in-your-mouth tender, lightly tangy, and utterly decadent, these snickerdoodles are loaded with toasted Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. We bake the cookies at a high temperature for a short period of time in order to create a thick snickerdoodle that’s just-baked, but maintains a deliciously gooey center. The cookies also have a rich, fluffy texture thanks to the cream cheese dough, which provides the perfect backdrop for the pieces of crunch-tastic, cinnamon-laced breakfast cereal present in every bite. And to really drive the cereal flavor home, we incorporated ground Cinnamon Toast Crunch into the cookies’ cinnamon-sugar coating. In short, these CTC Snickerdoodles were an instant staff favorite. 

BLT Pasta Salad Recipe

If you’re looking for a foolproof side to take to your next barbecue or potluck, you’ve come to the right place. This BLT Pasta Salad is essentially a BLT in a bowl, and who could turn that down? It’s creamy and crunchy, just like the sandwich, and packs a delicious punch, especially with the use of fresh tomatoes and lettuce. If you have access to heirloom cherry tomatoes, feel free to use those instead. You could also use baby arugula instead of lettuce for a peppery zing. You can prepare this ahead of time, but don’t dress until immediately before serving—otherwise, the lettuce will wilt and lose its crisp.

Samoas Cookie Monkey Bread Recipe

Girl Scout Cookies are only available for a few months, but you can make our Samoas Monkey Bread, which is essentially a giant Samoa, any time you want. This sharable bread is perfect for dessert, breakfast, or a particularly indulgent snack. Mixing caramel and butter creates the perfect gooey topping (and dipping sauce) for canned biscuit dough-based monkey bread. For the perfect bite, dab up coconut flakes as well as caramel and chocolate sauce.

Corned Beef Borscht Sandwich Recipe

This hearty sandwich feels like a Reuben, but evokes all the flavors of Eastern European Jewish cuisine: Rye bread, beet, spices, corned beef, yogurt, and dill. The beets evoke borscht qualities, and play well with the rye bread and corned beef to create a fistful of goodness. If you’re gonna take the time to make this, spring for a great rye bread. Trust us. Pair this with an Eastern European lager, or at least a brown beer.

Note: Corned beef is sold cooked or raw. If purchased raw, place beef, included seasoning packet, and 4 cups unsalted chicken broth in and INSTANT POT on high for 90 minutes and manually release pressure. Let stand in liquid 30 minutes. Alternately, cook in a slow cooker 10 hours on low with seasoning packet and 4 cups unsalted chicken broth.

Chocolate “Chip” Cookies Recipe

These taste like the best chocolate chip cookies ever—with a crisp exterior and a decadently doughy interior—but with salty potato chips added in… because that’s exactly what they are. Pro tip: Once you’ve added the flour, mix as little as possible just to incorporate the chocolate chips and potato chips. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool on the pan so do not be tempted to over-bake. 

Chicken Parmesan Casserole Recipe

This gooey, cheesy, ultra-comforting Chicken Parmesan Casserole is easy enough to throw together after work and is a surefire family favorite. Plus, the leftovers hold great—just be sure to cover while reheating to retain moisture. For the most flavorful Chicken Parmesan Casserole, our test kitchen recommends using Rao’s marinara sauce.

French Onion Pull-Apart Bread Recipe

This French Onion Pull-Apart Bread takes all the savory and cheesy highlights of French onion soup and improves them by adding an entire baguette into the mixture. That’s right, French onion soup you can eat with your fingers. Your secret weapon? Store-bought onion jam, which sheds the time it takes to caramelize your own onions. Be sure not to cut the baguette all the way through or the bread will lose its pull-apart effect.

Chocolate Chip-Snickerdoodle Jam Bars Recipe

This may seem like an over-the-top cookie combo, but trust us on this one—you’re going to love these decadent hybrid cookie bars. Just imagine a chocolate chip cookie merged with a snickerdoodle and a jam thumbprint to create a single, epic (and epically delicious) cookie experience. The great thing about these bars is that they rely on one versatile cookie dough, that you enhance with various add-ins to create your layers. Plus, you can customize the cookie bars with any jam you please. We used just enough sweet-tart raspberry jam to balance the chocolate chips and cinnamon sugar, but you could use blackberry, orange, or even cranberry jam. 

Jalapeño Popper Mashed Potato Bake Recipe

There are side dishes, and then there are side dishes that steal the show—these jalapeño popper inspired mashed potatoes most definitely fall into the second category. Made with a jalapeño infused cream (this step is both easy and essential), the mashed potatoes are imbued with a robust peppery warmth. This lingering heat is tempered by plenty of sour cream and sharp cheddar, which deliver the rich tang you’d expect from a popper dip. Finished with a buttery cracker and bacon topping, this Jalapeño Popper Mashed Potato Bake will be the dish nobody can stop talking about.