As a food editor who’s tested hundreds of recipes throughout my career, I’ve developed what you might call a refined palate— and a serious appreciation for efficiency. My weeknight rotation needs to hit that sweet spot between “impressive enough to satisfy my professional standards” and “doable enough that I’m not collapsing into my wine glass by 7 p.m..” Enter Ina Garten, the fairy godmother of foolproof cooking. While other celebrity chef recipes have often left me muttering “who has time for this?!” under my breath, Ina’s feel like they were created by someone who actually understands what it’s like to feed real humans on a regular basis.
I’ve cooked my way through a lot of Ina Garten recipes, but there’s a reason I keep coming back to Ina’s classics like they’re old friends—they simply work and taste incredible. These are the Barefoot Contessa recipes that have earned permanent spots in my menu rotation, saving mealtime drama and sparking those magical moments when everyone at my table— from first-time guests to longtime friends—cleans their plates and asks for seconds.
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Overnight Mac and Cheese
Image Credit: ricka_kinamoto - stock.adobe.com This was one of the first recipes that truly turned me on to the genius of Ina Garten. Good mac and cheese is tricky to get right, but this recipe is failproof and perfect for large gatherings because you can make it ahead and just pop it in the oven and bake before serving. How easy is that?t Check out the full recipe and video tutorial here.
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Perfect Roast Chicken
Image Credit: FomaA - stock.adobe.com Roast chicken is one of those recipes every single adult should know how to prepare. It’s such a classic, and so much easier than most people realize. It’s also the easiest way to impress dinner guests!
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Cauliflower Toast
Image Credit: ytochka89 - stock.adobe.com I’ll admit I was a bit skeptical when I first tried this one, but now it’s my go-to fancy weekend breakfast. It’s cheesy, melty, and packed with so much savory flavor. I’ve also swapped in broccoli when I didn’t have cauliflower on hand, and I highly recommend that ingredient swap!
Get the full recipe from Barefoot Contessa
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Beef Stew
Image Credit: okkijan2010 - stock.adobe.com Like roast chicken, beef stew is another classic that’s good to have in your repertoire. It’s the most comforting meal on a chilly day and can be made ahead, or frozen and saved for later.
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Smashed Hamburgers with Caramelized Onions
Image Credit: Augusto B. Clicks - stock.adobe.com Nothing screams summer more than a cheesy burger on a hot day. This recipe is so simple, yet so flavorful, and guaranteed to be loved by all. It does take a bit of extra time to truly caramelize your onions, but trust me when I say it is worth the wait.
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Spring Green Spaghetti Carbonara
Image Credit: nadianb - stock.adobe.com Carbonara is one of my favorite pastas to make, but I love the fresher vibes of Ina’s spring version. In addition to the classic carbonara ingredients, Garten’s recipe calls for snow peas, fresh peas, and asparagus that add a nice brightness to the otherwise heavy dish and a little bit of nutrition too.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa
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Giant Crinkled Chocolate Chip Cookies
Image Credit: azurita - stock.adobe.com While I cook a lot, I am not a baker. If you see me baking, it’s either banana bread or these absolutely mouthwatering chocolate chip cookies. The key to nailing these cookies is to freeze the dough for exactly 15 minutes before baking. Then, it is imperative that you sprinkle them with flaky sea salt.
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