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While Ina Garten, television star and author of cookbooks like Go-To Dinners and Modern Comfort Food, might have a reputation for making complicated recipes, we’ll let you in on a little secret: one of the reasons why we love the Barefoot Contessa so much is that many of her recipes are actually really easy to make. She knows how to work magic with a handful of ingredients, and because she’s such a rigorous recipe tester, she often finds ways to simplify cooking processes that have been needlessly complicated in the past. You don’t need a culinary degree to make most of Garten’s dishes, and thanks to her skill, they’ll still turn out perfectly every time.
If you’ve been feeling burnt out by weeknight cooking but are still craving tasty, elegant, homemade flavors, then Garten’s easy recipes are here to help. From velvety homemade soups to sheet pan meals, skillet chicken to baked risotto, these simple Ina Garten recipes will make you feel like a star chef, without taking up hours of your free time. Mix yourself one of Garten’s gigantic quarantine co*cktails and get ready to cook.
Creamy Chicken Thighs With Lemon and Thyme
What does the Barefoot Contessa herself have to say about this recipe? “This is one of my favorite chicken recipes from Go-To Dinners because it’s stunningly easy to make.” That’s enough for us to want to try it.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Baked Cod with Garlic & Herb Ritz Crumbs
Cod is one of our favorite fish to cook at home, because it cooks quickly and has a mild flavor and tender, flaky texture. In Garten’s recipe, she bakes lightly seasoned cod with a craveable topping made from seasoned Ritz cracker crumbs and Panko.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Orange Marmalade–Glazed Ham
Ham is one of our favorite recipes for easy entertaining, because it’s already cooked — you just need to warm it up. Baste with a sticky glaze made from marmalade, brown sugar, port wine, mustard, and chutney, and you’ll be ready for your dinner party.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Balsamic Roasted Baby Peppers
We love the sweet mini peppers that have become so readily available at the store. They make for a tasty side dish, roasted with thyme then drizzled with balsamic, though you can also add them to pasta, quesadillas, rice, and more.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Butternut Squash & Apple Soup
This simple soup has a complex taste that will make people think you were hovering over the stove for hours. Simply sautée onions and curry powder in your favorite soup pot, then add squash, apples, and water. Simmer until everything is tender, then blend until smooth.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Glazed Sweet Potatoes
Go-To Dinners is full of convenient recipes like these glazed sweet potatoes. They’re simply sautéed in a covered skillet until tender with water, butter, and olive oil, then get drizzled with maple syrup and balsamic vinegar before serving.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Easy Parmesan Risotto
This hands-off risotto recipe has the rice bake in the oven with chicken stock. Right before serving, it’s stirred vigorously with a little more stock, Parmesan cheese, wine, and butter, which makes it creamy and silky, just like the kind you’d have if you stirred constantly over the stove for 30 minutes. How easy is that?
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Hasselback Kielbasa & Veggies
Garten’s sausage and veggies sheet pan dinner feels a little special thanks to the clever way she cuts the kielbasa. It fans open as it roasts, getting crispy at the edges as it’s basted with a honey mustard glaze.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Sautéed Shredded Brussels Sprouts
Not only is this 4-ingredient brussels sprouts recipe delicious on its own as a veggie side dish, it’s also delicious tossed with pasta for an easy, fresh meal. Make sure you use the “good” balsamic for this one.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Summer Garden Pasta
When you have great tomatoes, whether grown in your garden or bought at the store, you don’t need to do much to make them the star of a recipe. A no-cook tomato sauce is the perfect showcase for their sweet and tangy flavor. Toss with angel hair pasta (it cooks in three minutes or less), and dinner is served.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Salmon Teriyaki and Broccolini
Tender roasted salmon brushed with a homemade teriyaki-inspired glaze is joined by roasted broccolini in this weeknight meal that’s perfect served over rice.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Easy Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese Croutons
Ina Garten’s tomato soup recipe takes a little bit more work than opening a can, but the payoff is totally worth it. Add some grilled cheese croutons on top (they’re literally just pieces of a grilled cheese sandwich) and you’ve got something you’d be happy to pay for at a restaurant, all without leaving home.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
