Unexpected Winners in the Kitchen

This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy + disclosures for details.

You’ll never guess which recipes won us over—but these dishes didn’t climb to the top by accident. From comforting classics like Easy Baked Ziti, Lunch Lady Chocolate Glazed Peanut Butter Bars, and Chicken Fajitas, to unexpected stars like Creamy Celery Casserole, Chestnut Praline Coffee Bundt Cake, and Grilled Salmon with Mango Salsa, this list proves flavor wins every time. Even Red Velvet Whoopie Pies and Grape Salad managed to steal the spotlight—who knew?

Lunch Lady Chocolate Glazed Peanut Butter Bars

Lunch Lady Chocolate Glazed Peanut Butter Bar | halfbakedharvest.com
Photo credit: Half Baked Harvest

These Lunch Lady Chocolate Glazed Peanut Butter Bars are a nostalgic treat that are so easy to make. A simple combination of cake mix, oats, peanut butter, and chocolate makes these bars a crowd-pleaser. They’re perfect for school lunches, game day, or a quick dessert!
Get the Recipe: Lunch Lady Chocolate Glazed Peanut Butter Bars

Blistered Green Beans with Toasted Walnut Vinaigrette

Green beans with Toasted Walnut Vinaigrette, a simple, delicious side dish that will enhance almost any meal.  Vegan and Gluten-free. 
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

Elevate your side dish game with Blistered Green Beans with Toasted Walnut Vinaigrette! This simple yet elegant recipe is both vegan and gluten-free, making it perfect for entertaining or a quick weeknight meal. The toasted walnut vinaigrette adds a burst of flavor that will complement any main course.
Get the Recipe: Blistered Green Beans with Toasted Walnut Vinaigrette

Easy Fruit Pizza

taking a slice out of an Easy Fruit Pizza
Photo credit: Spend with Pennies

This easy fruit pizza is a delightful summer treat featuring a sugar cookie crust topped with a tangy lemon cream cheese base. Decorated with an assortment of fresh fruits like strawberries, kiwi, and mandarin oranges, it’s as visually appealing as it is delicious! A final glaze of strawberry jelly adds the perfect touch of sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Easy Fruit Pizza

Baked Oatmeal Bars

Banana Baked Oatmeal Bars
Photo credit: Chocolate Covered Katie

Looking for a delicious and healthy breakfast or snack? These freezer-friendly baked oatmeal bars are perfect! Made with simple ingredients like banana and rolled oats, they’re easily customizable with your favorite mix-ins.
Get the Recipe: Baked Oatmeal Bars

Creamy Celery Casserole

Celery Casserole with a spoon in it
Photo credit: Spend with Pennies

This Creamy Celery Casserole is a simple and savory side dish that’s perfect for any holiday or weeknight meal. It’s loaded with seasoned celery, mushrooms, and onions baked in creamy soup with a crunchy breadcrumb topping, making it a comforting and delicious addition to your table.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Celery Casserole

Apricot Chicken

top view of apricot chicken recipe in a skillet garnished by green onions
Photo credit: Carlsbad Cravings

This Apricot Chicken recipe is ready in just 30 minutes! Chicken pieces are coated in a sweet and tangy apricot sauce with a hint of spice. Serve over rice or noodles for a complete and satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Apricot Chicken

Lasagna Recipe

Steaming slice of Lasagna layered with cheese and sauce on a plate, ready to eat.
Photo credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

This classic lasagna recipe is the ultimate comfort food! Layers of sweet Italian sausage, ground beef, tender pasta, and a melt-in-your-mouth cheese blend create a hearty and satisfying dish that’s perfect for a family dinner or special occasion. Get ready to impress with this lasagna!
Get the Recipe: Lasagna Recipe

Easy Baked Ziti

Baked ziti
Photo credit: Love and Lemons

This baked ziti recipe is the perfect easy and comforting dish for a weeknight dinner. Made with pasta, rich tomato sauce, and plenty of cheese, it’s sure to be a family favorite. Top it off with fresh herbs for a delightful finish!
Get the Recipe: Easy Baked Ziti

Vanilla Brown Butter Pecan Cookies…Dipped in Chocolate

Slice N Bake Vanilla Brown Butter Pecan Cookies…Dipped in Chocolate | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest
Photo credit: Half Baked Harvest

These Vanilla Brown Butter Pecan Cookies dipped in chocolate are the perfect slice-and-bake treat! With only 10-15 minutes of prep time, you can chill, slice, bake, and dip your way to a delicious dessert. These cookies are sure to be a hit at any gathering!
Get the Recipe: Vanilla Brown Butter Pecan Cookies…Dipped in Chocolate

Chicken Fajitas

Overhead image of Chicken Fajitas
Photo credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

These Chicken Fajitas are bursting with flavor and incredibly simple to make, making them a perfect weeknight meal. Enjoy juicy, seasoned chicken paired with sauteed veggies and your favorite toppings for a customizable and satisfying dish the whole family will love. This recipe is great for meal prep and can be cooked in one pan for easy cleanup!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Fajitas

BBQ Chicken Sandwich Recipe

The delicious and stuffed BBQ chicken sandwich, ready to be devoured.
Photo credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

This BBQ Chicken Sandwich recipe is perfect for a quick and easy lunch or dinner. Ready in under 15 minutes, it combines shredded rotisserie chicken with your favorite BBQ sauce, creamy avocado, and fresh greens, all nestled between hearty whole wheat bread. A guaranteed hit with the whole family!
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Sandwich Recipe

Peach, Tomato & Corn Arugula Pasta Salad

A bowl containing rotini pasta, sliced peaches, cherry tomatoes, corn kernels, arugula leaves, red onion slices, and crumbled cheese. A wooden spoon rests alongside.
Photo credit: Ambitious Kitchen

This Peach, Tomato & Corn Arugula Pasta Salad by Ambitious Kitchen is the perfect light and refreshing dish for summer. It’s loaded with seasonal produce, feta cheese, and a simple lemon vinaigrette. This vegetarian pasta salad is also easily customizable to be gluten-free and is great for meal prep!
Get the Recipe: Peach, Tomato & Corn Arugula Pasta Salad

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

An image of homemade red velvet whoopie pies stacked on a plate.
Photo credit: House of Nash Eats

These Red Velvet Whoopie Pies are part cookie sandwich, part cupcake, and completely delicious! This handheld treat is perfect for anyone who loves red velvet cake. With a luscious cream cheese filling, they’re sure to be a hit!
Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

Grape Salad

Ready-to-eat Grape Salad with brown sugar and pecans on the top.
Photo credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

This Grape Salad is a delightful “salad” that eats like a dessert! It features a mix of green and red grapes coated in a creamy dressing, topped with sugared pecans for the perfect crunch. It’s a crowd-pleasing side dish perfect for holidays like Thanksgiving, Easter or Christmas.
Get the Recipe: Grape Salad

Homemade Soft Pretzels

Homemade soft pretzel on cloth napkin
Photo credit: Sugar Spun Run

Craving a warm, chewy pretzel? This recipe walks you through all the steps to create delicious, soft pretzels right in your own kitchen. With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you’ll be enjoying these homemade treats in no time!
Get the Recipe: Homemade Soft Pretzels

Grilled Salmon with Mango Salsa and Coconut Rice

Grilled Lime Salmon in a wooden serving bowl topped with Mango Avocado Salsa and served with a side of Coconut Rice
Photo credit: Cooking Classy

This Grilled Salmon recipe is elevated with a vibrant mango salsa and fragrant coconut rice. It’s a restaurant-worthy meal that’s surprisingly easy to make at home. Get ready for a flavor explosion!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Salmon with Mango Salsa and Coconut Rice

One Pan Cheesy BBQ Ranch Chicken Skillet

spoon lifting out chicken breast from skillet
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This One Pan Cheesy BBQ Ranch Chicken Skillet is a simple and delicious recipe perfect for busy weeknights. Everything cooks together in one pan, combining chicken, BBQ sauce, ranch, rice, and cheese for an easy family meal. Garnish with fresh tomatoes and cilantro for a flavorful finish.
Get the Recipe: One Pan Cheesy BBQ Ranch Chicken Skillet

Chestnut Praline Coffee Bundt Cake

Chestnut Praline Coffee Bundt- just like the new Starbucks flavor! The brown sugar coffee pound cake is amazing and the chestnut praline drizzle is so perfect for the holidays!
Photo credit: Baking a Moment

This coffee-infused bundt cake is the perfect centerpiece for your holiday table! The buttery brown sugar cake is complemented by a rich chestnut praline sauce that will have everyone begging for seconds. Plus, with a hint of bourbon, it’s sure to warm you up on a cold winter’s night.
Get the Recipe: Chestnut Praline Coffee Bundt Cake

Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you'll get new recipes from us every week!

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!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *