Too Good to Gatekeep: The Must-Make Recipe List

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Some recipes just hit different—and this bunch is proof. Whether it’s the kind of Thai Coconut Chicken Corn Chowder that warms your soul, or Egg Roll in a Bowl that somehow tastes better than takeout ever did, these dishes are the kind you make once and immediately add to your permanent rotation. There’s Coconut Curry Ramen for when your instant noodles need a glow-up, Healthy Chocolate Chip Sweet Potato Muffins that actually taste like a treat, and Instant Pot Tikka Masala that feels restaurant-worthy without leaving your kitchen. Oh, and don’t sleep on Shrimp Scampi Skewers—they’re fast, fancy-ish, and dangerously easy to devour. These aren’t just good recipes. These are “how have I never made this before?” recipes.

Green Chicken Enchilada Soup

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Warm bowl of green chile chicken enchilada soup topped with fresh herbs and avocado slices, ready to enjoy.
Photo credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

This Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup is a breeze to make with minimal prep required. Just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it work its magic, perfect for a comforting and flavorful meal! Top with your favorite garnishes like sour cream, cheese, avocado, and cilantro.
Get the Recipe: Green Chicken Enchilada Soup

Egg Roll in a Bowl

Egg Roll in a Bowl, a delicious dish, plated and ready to enjoy.
Photo credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

Craving egg rolls but want a lighter, quicker meal? This Egg Roll in a Bowl recipe delivers all the delicious flavors of a traditional egg roll filling in a simple skillet dish. Skip the wrapper and enjoy this healthy, customizable meal over rice or with a spicy mayo drizzle!
Get the Recipe: Egg Roll in a Bowl

Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps

Vegetarian lettuce wraps filled with a medley of fresh ingredients, ready to be savored.
Photo credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

These Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps are a healthy and delicious meal that’s easy to customize. Coconut rice is combined with soy sauce and Sriracha roasted veggies, all wrapped in crisp lettuce cups and topped with a flavorful vinaigrette. It’s a light yet satisfying dish that’s perfect for a quick dinner.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps

Beef Lettuce Wraps

The finished beef lettuce wraps, beautifully presented with fresh toppings and packed with delicious, savory flavor.
Photo credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

These Beef Lettuce Wraps are a healthy and quick dinner option that’s ready in just 30 minutes! Featuring flavorful ground beef, crisp veggies, and a tangy pickled shallot, all served in refreshing lettuce cups. Paired with coconut lime jasmine rice, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Beef Lettuce Wraps

1-Pot Cauliflower Dal Green Curry

Overhead image of a pot of green curry with golden lentils
Photo credit: Minimalist Baker

This flavorful 1-Pot Cauliflower Dal Green Curry is the perfect healthy and comforting meal for a cold winter night. Packed with greens and fragrant spices, this vegan and gluten-free dish is a delicious way to enjoy a hearty and satisfying dinner in one bowl. Serve over rice or quinoa with a sprinkle of cashews and a squeeze of lime for a complete and nourishing meal.
Get the Recipe: 1-Pot Cauliflower Dal Green Curry

Instant Pot Tikka Masala

Instant Pot Tikka Masala, made with chicken
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

This Instant Pot Tikka Masala recipe features tender chicken (or chickpeas for a vegan option) in a fragrant Indian coconut curry sauce. It’s a quick and easy one-pot meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Enjoy a comforting and flavorful dish that’s also gluten-free and adaptable to various dietary preferences.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Tikka Masala

Healthy Chocolate Chip Sweet Potato Muffins

sweet potato muffin topped with peanut butter
Photo credit: Ambitious Kitchen

These healthy chocolate chip sweet potato muffins are perfect for breakfast, snacks, or freezing for later. They’re fluffy, packed with delicious flavors, and sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike. You’ll love how easy they are to make!
Get the Recipe: Healthy Chocolate Chip Sweet Potato Muffins

Thai Coconut Chicken Corn Chowder

Coconut Chicken Corn Chowder in a white bowl sitting on a white plate over a dark wooden surface.
Photo credit: Cooking Classy

This Thai Coconut Chicken Corn Chowder recipe puts a spin on the classic soup! It’s creamy, lightly sweet, and hearty, making it a comforting and flavorful meal. The combination of coconut milk, lemongrass, and jalapeños creates a delicious Thai-inspired flavor that you’ll love.
Get the Recipe: Thai Coconut Chicken Corn Chowder

Coconut Curry Ramen

Bowl of gluten-free vegan Coconut Curry Ramen for a fast and flavorful gluten-free plant-based meal
Photo credit: Minimalist Baker

This vegan Coconut Curry Ramen is the perfect comforting soup for a chilly day. It’s packed with flavor from curry paste, miso, and coconut milk, and can be customized with your favorite noodles and toppings. Plus, it’s gluten-free and can be made in under 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Coconut Curry Ramen

Instant Pot Oatmeal

Instant Pot Oatmeal in a bowl with berries on top.
Photo credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

This Instant Pot Oatmeal recipe is the perfect way to start your day! Steel-cut oats are cooked in creamy coconut milk with brown sugar and cinnamon for a healthy and delicious breakfast that’s ready in minutes. Plus, it’s vegan, gluten-free, and perfect for meal prep!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Oatmeal

Coconut Corn Chowder

Cozy up with a bowl of this Coconut Corn Chowder with Leeks- a simple, comforting meal that can be made in under 30 minutes. Vegan and Gluten-free! #cornchowder #vegancornchowder #vegansoup
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

This Coconut Corn Chowder is a comforting and simple meal that’s perfect for a chilly evening. Ready in under 30 minutes, this soup features sweet corn, hearty potatoes, and creamy coconut milk. It’s also vegan and gluten-free, making it a delicious option for everyone!
Get the Recipe: Coconut Corn Chowder

Chocolate Mug Cake

Chocolate Mug Cake with chocolate chips and dollop of whipped cream on top.
Photo credit: Cooking Classy

Craving a sweet treat in a hurry? This Chocolate Mug Cake recipe is your answer! Ready in minutes, it’s the perfect single-serving dessert for satisfying those chocolate cravings instantly.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Mug Cake

Egg Roll Noodles

Completed Egg Roll Noodles in a large skillet, beautifully garnished with fresh green onions.
Photo credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

These Egg Roll Noodles are a quick and easy dinner that combines the delicious flavors of an egg roll in a convenient noodle dish. With ground pork, colorful veggies, and a flavorful sauce, this one-pan meal is sure to be a hit! Ready in under 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Egg Roll Noodles

Chicken Stir Fry

Chicken stir fry in a skillet, brimming with vegetables and rich flavors, prepared for serving.
Photo credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

This Chicken Stir Fry recipe is quick, easy, and healthier than takeout! It’s packed with fresh veggies, flavorful chicken, and a delicious sauce that will have you coming back for seconds. Serve it over rice for a complete and satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Stir Fry

Jerk Chicken with Caribbean Rice & Mango Salsa

grilled jerk chicken drumsticks with rice and mango salsa in a bowl
Photo credit: Ambitious Kitchen

These Jerk Chicken drumsticks are grilled to juicy perfection and paired with a flavorful Caribbean rice and sweet mango salsa. It’s a healthy, gluten-free grilling recipe that’s perfect for summer cookouts and meal prep. The combination of spicy jerk chicken with the sweet mango salsa is simply irresistible!
Get the Recipe: Jerk Chicken with Caribbean Rice & Mango Salsa

Broccolini Mushroom Tofu Stir-Fry

DELICIOUS Tofu Stir-Fry with Broccolini and mushrooms- a fast and easy weeknight dinner loaded up with healthy veggies and amazing flavor! | #tofustirfry #stirfry #broccoli #broccolini #vegan #weeknightdinner #veganstrifry #tofurecipes www.feastingathome.com
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

Looking for a quick and healthy vegan dinner? This Broccolini Mushroom Tofu Stir-Fry is packed with flavor and comes together in just 30 minutes. Customize it with your favorite veggies and toppings for a satisfying and easy weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Broccolini Mushroom Tofu Stir-Fry

Sea Salt Caramel Coconut Ice Cream

Holding up an ice cream cone topped with scoops of homemade Vegan Coconut Caramel Sea Salt Ice Cream
Photo credit: Minimalist Baker

This Sea Salt Caramel Coconut Ice Cream is a decadent treat that’s secretly healthy! Made with just a handful of simple ingredients like cashews, coconut milk, and dates, it’s dairy-free, vegan, and requires no baking. The perfect guilt-free dessert to welcome the warmer weather.
Get the Recipe: Sea Salt Caramel Coconut Ice Cream

Shrimp Scampi Skewers

The image features grilled shrimp skewers accompanied by lemon slices, garnished with chopped herbs and sesame seeds, all arranged on a plate.
Photo credit: Gimme Some Oven

These Shrimp Scampi Skewers by Gimme Some Oven are perfect for a quick and easy summer meal! The shrimp is marinated in a delicious garlic parsley butter and grilled to perfection. Serve with a side of pasta or rice for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi Skewers

Balsamic Skirt Steak Salad with Stone Fruit

Balsamic Skirt Steak Salad with Nectarines Recipe from FoodieCrush
Photo credit: Foodie Crush

This Balsamic Skirt Steak Salad with Stone Fruit is the perfect balance of savory and sweet. With juicy nectarines, cherries, and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette, this salad is a fresh and flavorful meal that’s perfect for any season. The tender skirt steak adds a satisfying protein boost, making it a complete and delicious dish.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Skirt Steak Salad with Stone Fruit

Italian Guacamole

Italian Guacamole -- fresh basil is the rockstar of this delicious twist on classic guacamole | gimmesomeoven.com #appetizer #dip #glutenfree #vegan
Photo credit: Gimme Some Oven

This isn’t your average guac! This recipe elevates the classic dip with fresh basil, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes for a vibrant Italian twist. Perfect for a party or a simple snack, this guacamole is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Italian Guacamole

About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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