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Buttermilk Cake with Caramel Icing
This fabulous cake and caramel frosting are so tender, it melts in your mouth. It’s been a family favorite since the ’70s and it goes over really well at church potluck meals. —Anna Jean Allen, West Liberty, Kentucky
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2/64
Cowboy Stew
I made up this dish back in the early 1970s when I was down to very little food in the house. Since it’s combination of barbecue sauce, hamburger, hot dogs and beans, this one-skillet meal makes both children and adults happy.
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One of my favorite dishes in childhood was my mom’s pineapple and green pepper cheese ball. Now I make it, and it’s always a hit. —Susan Harrison, Laurel, Maryland
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Seven-Layer Gelatin Salad
This colorful, showstopping seven-layer gelatin salad is a dessert that's as beautiful as it is delicious. It can be customized with your favorite colors and flavors.
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5/64
Shrimp Pasta Primavera
They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. So when I invite that special guy to dinner, I like to prepare something equally wonderful. This well-seasoned pasta dish has lots of flavor, and it won’t hurt your budget! —Shari Neff, Takoma Park, Maryland
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6/64
Black Forest Chocolate Torte
If you're thinking about pulling out all the stops for a dessert that says wow, look no further. This cherry-crowned beauty—stacked layers of chocolate cake and cream filling—will have everyone talking. —Doris Grotz, York, Nebraska
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7/64
The Best Quiche Lorraine
Nestled in a buttery, rustic crust, this quiche is filled with sweet onions, bacon bits and cheese. It’s truly the best quiche Lorraine recipe. —Shannon Norris, Cudahy, Wisconsin. Looking for more? Here are the best quiche recipes.
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8/64
Moussaka
Moussaka is traditionally made with lamb, but I often use ground beef instead. The recipe looks a bit daunting, but if you prepare one step while working on another, it will save time. —Kim Powell, Knoxville, Tennessee
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9/64
Triple Treat Holiday Bars
This 1971 recipe for 3-in-1 holiday bars has something for everyone. The only hard part? Choosing which bar to try first!
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10/64
Bacon-Wrapped Spam Bites
These sweet and savory bites use Spam—a favorite ingredient in Hawaii—in a fun new way. Bet you can't stop at just one! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Interested in a spam-flavored dessert? This spam figgy pudding offers a meat-flavored dessert option.
11/64
Carrot Layer Cake
My sister gave me this recipe for what she calls “the ultimate carrot cake,” and it really lives up to the name. When people taste it, they’re bowled over by the tender, not-too-sweet cake and unexpected pecan filling. —Linda Van Holland, Innisfail, Alberta
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12/64
Polynesian Kabobs
With their explosion of flavors and textures, these kabobs make a quick, satisfying entree. —Chris Anderson, Morton, Illinois.
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13/64
Oyster Cheese Appetizer Log
When you say "holiday tradition" around our house, this appetizer comes to mind immediately. Every winter, I make lots of cheese logs and freeze them for when I'm expecting company or need to take food to someone's home. The blend of smoked oysters, chili powder, nuts and cream cheese tastes good-even people who don't like oysters may enjoy this interesting appetizer. —William Tracy, Jerseyville, Illinois
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Lemon Sherbet
Lemon juice provides the snappy flavor in this wonderful lemon sherbet recipe from our Test Kitchen. The light, make-ahead treat looks splendid served in individual “boats” made from lemon halves. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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15/64
Comforting Chicken A La King
I’ve been making this thick and creamy Chicken a la King recipe for over 30 years. It’s a wonderful way to create a quick lunch or dinner with leftover chicken. —Ruth Lee, Troy, Ontario
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Balsamic Three-Bean Salad
Here’s my little girl’s favorite salad. She devours it just about as fast as I can make it. I suggest preparing it ahead of time so the flavors can get to know each other. —Stacey Feather, Jay, Oklahoma
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17/64
Strawberry Banana Crepes
My family often has company over for breakfast or brunch, and these light fruit-topped crepes are our favorite. The sweet sensations are as fast to make as they are fabulous. You can cook the crepes the night before, refrigerate them with waxed paper in between, then fill and top them in the morning. —Shelly Soule Las Vegas, Nevada
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18/64
Homemade Fettuccine Alfredo
This easy Alfredo sauce is creamy, comforting and coats fettuccine noodles in fine fashion. This recipe is wonderful as is, but sometimes I like to add sliced fresh mushrooms and black olives that have been sautéed in butter and garlic. —Jo Gray, Park City, Montana
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19/64
Grandmother’s Orange Salad
This orange salad dessert is slightly sweet and tangy, too. It adds beautiful color to any meal and appeals to all ages! —Ann Eastman, Santa Monica, California
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20/64
Hawaiian Meatballs
Talk about one easy dish that creates an amazing sweet and sour sauce! You can serve over rice for more of a dinner-like option, but I also like to offer them as an appetizer simply served with toothpicks. —Julie Schiefer, Nappanee, Indiana
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21/64
Pumpkin Delights
This 1971 recipe for Libby’s Pumpkin Delights makes ultra-creamy pumpkin pecan ice cream. Your guests won’t be able to resist a second helping!
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22/64
Overnight Salad
This overnight salad is a great recipe for any occasion but it's especially well-suited to those where you want to feed a crowd. The crunchy vegetables combine very well with the creamy mayonnaise dressing.
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23/64
Green Flop Jell-O
Get ready for fluffy lemon-lime goodness. My family calls it "flop Jell-O" because most of the time a clear gelatin layer that tastes like lemon-lime soda falls to the bottom of the dish. Try it with any flavor gelatin! —Michelle Gauer, Spicer, Minnesota
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24/64
Sweet Macaroni Salad
A sweet out-of-the-ordinary dressing makes this macaroni salad special. My aunt gave me the recipe and it has become one of my favorites. I occasionally leave out the green pepper if I know that people don’t like it, and it still tastes great. —Idalee Scholz, Cocoa Beach, Florida. Looking for more recipes? Try this colorful Mexican macaroni salad.
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25/64
Cornbread-Topped Frijoles
My family often requests this economical slow-cooker favorite. It's loaded with fresh southwestern flavors. One batch makes eight servings—but they never last long at our house! —Suzanne Caldwell, Artesia, New Mexico
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26/64
Rainbow Jello Cubes
Make your next party a hit with rainbow layer Jell-O. A sweet, fun and nostalgic treat for all ages. With patience and a little attention to detail, you’ll create a stunning dessert that’s as enjoyable to make as it is to eat.
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27/64
Over-the-Top Baked Ziti
I adapted a ziti recipe to remove ingredients my kids did not like, such as ground beef, garlic and onions. The revised recipe was a success not only with my family but at potlucks, too. It’s so versatile: You can use jarred sauce, double or triple the recipe, and even freeze it. —Kimberley Pitman, Smyrna, Delaware Field Editor
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If you love tasty pasta-onion combinations, you have to try out this french onion pasta recipe next!
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Great Garlic Bread
This tasty garlic bread topped with flavor makes a great side for any pasta dish. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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29/64
Pina Colada Grilled Pineapple
During a cookout with friends, I forgot about dessert. I had a fresh pineapple and coconut, so I improvised. Now I grill pineapple at every cookout. —Josee Lanzi, New Port Richey, Florida
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30/64
English Trifle
If you want a special dessert recipe to wow your guests, this is it. When you serve it, the only sound after that will be the scraping of spoons against bowls—and the occasional sigh of extreme satisfaction.
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31/64
Cheeseburger Macaroni
Homemade cheeseburger macaroni gives you another easy way to enjoy the simple harmony of pasta and ground beef. It’s a one-skillet dinner that's a good option for batch-cooking and freezing too.
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Chicken Aloha
This chicken is a welcome way to cook a quick, delicious meal. —Beth Corbin, Sarasota, Florida
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33/64
Skillet Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
For a change of pace, you can substitute fresh or frozen peach slices for the pineapple in this old-fashioned recipe. —Bernardine Melton, Paola, Kansas
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Alfredo Sauce
Keep this creamy homemade Alfredo sauce recipe on deck for when you need a bowl of easy comfort food in less than 30 minutes.
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Wagon Wheel Pasta Salad
Summertime gatherings aren't complete without a refreshing pasta salad. This tasty version features a mayonnaise and picante dressing. It may become one of your favorite side dishes for tacos, too! —Kathryn Donahey, Oil City, Pennsylvania
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36/64
Pumpkin Bread
When everything's coming up pumpkin in the fall, make this easy pumpkin bread recipe. Filled with classic pumpkin spice flavor, this sweet quick bread is perfect for breakfast, snacks or any time you need a slice of autumn.
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Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia salad is a retro dessert that’s so good, it has stood the test of time. Whip up this fruity, airy, marshmallow-studded treat for summer gatherings or winter holidays.
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38/64
Broccoli Casserole
This classic cheesy broccoli casserole recipe is a timeless family favorite. It requires only five ingredients and 15 minutes of prep time for a quick and easy dinner.
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39/64
Chef Salad
This gorgeous combination of garden veggies, hard-boiled eggs, deli turkey and ham is perfect for lunch or dinner. Customize your chef salad with different vegetables and salad dressings.
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Spicy Goulash
Ground cumin, chili powder and a can of Mexican diced tomatoes jazz up my goulash recipe. Even the elbow macaroni is prepared in the slow cooker. —Melissa Polk, West Lafayette, Indiana
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Classic Beef Wellingtons
Perfect for holidays, this beef Wellington recipe is also impressively easy. Find ready-made puff pastry sheets in the frozen food section. —Kerry Dingwall, Ponte Vedra, Florida
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Cheese Lover's Fondue
French bread cubes and apples are the perfect dippers for this classic fondue, made with white wine and Swiss and Gruyere cheeses. It’s a crowd pleaser. —Linda Vogel, Elgin, Illinois
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Authentic Pasta Carbonara
I learned on my culinary internship in Tuscany that real Italian cuisine is simpler than you think! This carbonara is quick, simple and delicious, just the way they like it in Italy. —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California
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Chicken Fajitas
Sizzling chicken fajitas are super easy to make and full of flavor. The secret is in the skillet, which can go from stove to table for restaurant-quality presentation.
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45/64
Hot Pineapple Ham Sandwiches
Your trusty slow cooker lets you make these warm, gooey sandwiches without heating up the house on a hot day. The mustard and brown sugar give them such satisfying richness. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania
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46/64
French Onion Soup
This rich and comforting French onion soup recipe is surprisingly simple to make at home. And it rivals the soup you’ll find at any restaurant.
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47/64
Cioppino
Is cioppino a soup or a stew? It doesn't matter! This cioppino recipe teems with fish and shellfish swimming in an aromatic tomato broth that calls out for a hunky of crusty bread.
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48/64
Crown Roast with Apricot Dressing
I have been making crown roasts for many years but was only satisfied with the results when I combined a few recipes to come up with this guest-pleasing version. It’s beautifully roasted with an apricot glaze and a nicely browned stuffing. —Isabell Cooper, Cambridge, Nova Scotia
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49/64
Orange Chocolate Fondue
Invite you family and friends to dip cubes of cake and pieces of fruit into this rich, luscious fondue for a special treat during the holiday season. —Mary Jean DeVries, Grandville, Michigan
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50/64
Slow-Cooker Beef Stew
This slow-cooker beef stew recipe certainly satisfies when it's chilly outside. Each spoonful delivers tender bites of beef, creamy potatoes and chunky vegetables in a rich mustard-seasoned broth.
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51/64
Easy Lemon Bars
Easy lemon bars are one of those trusty desserts you can always count on to taste good, and they're easier to make than they look. Just make a thin crust, add a layer of homemade lemon filling and enjoy a refreshing treat.
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52/64
Beef Lo Mein
This simple beef lo mein is easy to toss together with the veggies you have on hand. And since it uses spaghetti, you won't have to go searching for special noodles.
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53/64
Eggs Benedict
You don't have to brave the brunch rush for a plate of eggs Benedict. Learn how to make poached eggs and hollandaise sauce for breakfast at home.
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54/64
Quick and Easy Tiramisu
No one can resist this classic cool and creamy dessert. It’s quick to prepare, but it can be made ahead for added mealtime convenience. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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55/64
Pina Colada Molded Salad
My gelatin ring gets a tropical twist from coconut, pineapple and macadamia nuts. It's a wonderful anytime treat. Now that I'm retired from teaching, I have more time for kitchen experiments. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
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Crockpot Beef Stroganoff
Crockpot beef stroganoff is a comforting meal of slow-cooked beef, onions and mushrooms, simmered until tender in a seasoned sauce made rich and creamy with a secret ingredient: condensed mushroom soup.
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Quick Hawaiian Pizza
Our family never quite liked the taste of canned pizza sauce, so one time I tried mixing some barbecue sauce into spaghetti sauce to add some sweetness. I’ve made my pizzas with this special and easy sauce ever since, and my family loves it! —Tonya Schieler, Carmel, Indiana
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Swedish Meatballs
Mom fixed this Swedish meatball recipe for all sorts of family dinners, potluck suppers and PTA meetings. The scent of browning meat is intoxicating. Add to that the sweet smell of onions caramelizing, and everyone’s mouth starts watering. —Marybeth Mank, Mesquite, Texas
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Cherry Cheese Logs
Our party guests flock to this holiday gem of an appetizer - cherry-studded cream cheese served with graham or water crackers and pears. —Libby Walp, Chicago, Illinois
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Hawaiian Pork Roast with Pineapple
This is one of my favorite slow cooker recipes. It’s wonderful with rice or potatoes and any vegetable. It also reheats well for lunch the next day. —Ruth Chiarenza La Vale, Maryland
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Molded Cranberry-Orange Salad
When I take this dish to potlucks during the holidays, people always ooh and aah. Feel free to top with whipped cream for added appeal. —Carol Mead, Los Alamos, New Mexico
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World's Best Lemon Pie
Mother’s pies were always so memorable, with tender, flaky crusts. In summer the order of the day was lemon meringue! —Phyllis Kirsling, Junction City, Wisconsin
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Stuffed Peppers for Four
Truly a meal in one, this quick supper has it all: Veggies, meat, pasta and sauce, packed into tender peppers. It’ll look so pretty on your table. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Hawaiian Hash
I like the combination of ginger, pineapple and macadamia nuts. This dish brings back memories of an island vacation.—Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
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Originally Published: December 31, 1969
Author
Rachel Seis
As a former deputy editor for Taste of Home, Rachel spent close to a decade diving deep into the world of food. Currently, Rachel is the dining critic for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel where she covers the local food scene, from newly opened restaurants to the behind-the-scenes of Season 21 of Top Chef, which was primarily filmed in Milwaukee.
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