Everyday healthy meals, quick and easy snacks, decadent treats—learn to make these essential recipes and you'll be equipped for any occasion.
35 Absolutely Essential Recipes You Should Know Before You Turn 35
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In Your Teens
By your teens, you should master a few snacks, basic meals, and classic sweets. This basic buttermilk pancake recipe is easy to whip up for Sunday brunch (or a sweet supper). Plus, check out these breakfast-for-dinner recipes.
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Spinach-Mushroom Scrambled Eggs
“My husband and I had breakfast at a hotel and enjoyed an amazing mushroom and egg dish. As soon as I got home, I made my own rendition.” —Rachelle McCalla, Batesville, Arkansas. You can also use eggs to make these recipes that aren’t for breakfast.
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The Ultimate Grilled Cheese
“These gooey grilled cheese sandwiches taste great for lunch with sliced apples. And they’re really fast to whip up, too.” —Kathy Norris, Streator, Illinois.Â
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Fudge Nut Brownies
“There’s no brownie recipe or mix I’ve ever tried that’s better than this! And it’s so easy—you can mix it in one bowl in just a few minutes. My husband’s grandmother passed the recipe on; now our son makes these brownies for after-school snacks.” —Becky Albright, Norwalk, Ohio Â
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Strawberry Lemonade Smoothie
“We love the perfect blend of sweet and citrus in this refreshing smoothie. It’s so easy to throw together, I often find myself making one for breakfast or a midday snack.” — Jamie King, Duluth, Minnesota. Before you start cooking, make sure you know about these cooking mistakes that could ruin your food.
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Blueberry Muffins
“For a wonderful addition to your brunch menu, try these delicious muffins. The applesauce adds another layer of flavor which will have your guests trying to figure out what that taste is.” —Katrina Shaner, Stronghurst, Illinois
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Hard-Boiled Eggs
Our home economists share this recipe for hard-cooked eggs that can be eaten plain or used in various recipes.
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Big & Buttery Chocolate Chip Cookies
“My version of the classic cookie is based on a recipe from a bakery in California called Hungry Bear. It’s big, thick and chewy—perfect for dunking.” —Irene Yeh, Mequon, Wisconsin
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Early 20s
Time to master the basics, like sauces and grains, plus easy everyday healthy recipes, like this garlic lovers’ chicken. These brilliant kitchen shortcuts will help you cook faster.
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Roasted Tomato Soup with Fresh Basil
“Roasting really brings out the flavor of the tomatoes in this wonderful soup. It has a slightly chunky texture that indicates it’s fresh and homemade.” —Marie Forte, Raritan, New Jersey Â
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Seasoned Brown Rice
Rice can be one of the most versatile players in your mealtime lineup. It’s also one of the simplest to make. “For maximum flavor, use your fingertips to crumble the dried basil directly into the cooked rice.”—Betsy Larimer, Somerset, Pennsylvania
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Get-Up-and-Go Granola
“My family loves to have this soul-warming granola before hiking, biking or even when camping. It smells delicious while baking up and you can easily make in large batches for special occasions or to send in gift packages to family and friends.” —Sabrina Olson, Otsego, Minnesota. Don’t miss these food hacks for a healthier breakfast, too.
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Classic Hummus
“We love hummus, and this version is really amazing. If you have a pressure cooker, this is an easy, tasty reason to pull it out! We pair hummus with fresh veggies for a meal or snack.” —Monica and David Eichler, Lawrence, Kansas
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Herb-Happy Garlic Bread
“You’ll love the fresh garlic and herbs in this recipe. The mild cheesy duo that’s sprinkled on top makes it extra rich and wonderful.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen.Â
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Stamp-of-Approval Spaghetti Sauce
“My father is very opinionated, especially about food. This recipe received his almost unreachable stamp of approval. I have yet to hear a disagreement from anyone who has tried it!” —Melissa Taylor, Higley, Arizona.Â
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Yellow Cupcakes
“Nothing is better than homemade cupcakes. They are so delicious and fluffy. Choose whatever frosting you want to top these treats.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen. Here are some healthy desserts that can help you lose weight, also.
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Raisin Nut Oatmeal
“There’s no better feeling than waking up to a hot ready-to-eat breakfast. The oats, fruit and spices in this homey meal cook together while you sleep!” —Valerie Sauber, Adelanto, California
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Best-Ever Banana Bread
“Whenever I pass a display of bananas in the grocery store, I can almost smell the wonderful aroma of this bread. It really is good!” —Gert Kaiser, Kenosha, Wisconsin
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Tangy Balsamic Vinaigrette
When made well, vinaigrette is a perfectly balanced dressing that spruces up any salad or vegetable it touches, and it’s so simple to make. “I like to use balsamic vinegar, which gives it a tart, refreshing flavor.” -Alcy Thorne, Los Molinos, California
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Sweet & Tangy Salmon with Green Beans
“I’m always up for new ways to cook salmon. In this dish, a sweet sauce gives the fish and green beans some down-home barbecue tang. Even our kids love it.” —Aliesha Caldwell, Robersonville, North Carolina. Before you start this one, make sure you haven’t been cooking fish wrong!Â
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Mom’s Chicken Noodle Soup
“My mother was a pastor’s wife, and she did a lot of cooking for potlucks. This recipe’s one she created herself. I serve it frequently to my husband and to our four children. Every one of them is a hearty eater!” —Marlene Doolittle, Story City, Iowa
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Homemade Guacamole
“Nothing is better than fresh guacamole when you’re eating something hot. It’s easy to whip together in a matter of minutes and quickly tames anything that’s too spicy.” —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
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Quick Bacon Potato Salad
“My family was tired of the same old potato salad at family functions, so I created this with the ingredients I had on hand. Now I’m always asked to bring it to potluck gatherings.” —Tami Gallagher, Eagan, MinnesotaÂ
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Classic Beef Stew
“Here’s a good old-fashioned stew with rich beef gravy that lets the flavor of the potatoes and carrots come through. This is the perfect hearty dish for a blustery winter day. I make it often this time of year.” —Alberta McKay, Bartlesville, Oklahoma  Â
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Late 20s & Early 30s
Time for more advanced recipes that rely on technique to get restaurant-worthy results. Think homemade bread and pizza dough, great steak, and more. Read up on these cooking tricks that are only taught in culinary schools.
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Traditional Lasagna
“My family first tasted this rich, classic lasagna at a friend’s home on Christmas Eve. We were so impressed that it became our own holiday tradition as well. I also prepare it other times of the year. It’s requested often by my sister’s Italian in-laws—I consider that the highest compliment!” —Lorri Foockle, Granville, Illinois
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Balsamic Roast Chicken
“When the aroma from this dish fills your house, your family will think you spent all day cooking. But this elegant, Sunday-special roast chicken, flavored with rosemary, wine and balsamic vinegar, is surprisingly simple to make.” —Tracy Tylkowski, Omaha, NebraskaÂ
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Heirloom Tomato Salad
“This is a simple yet elegant dish that always pleases my guests. Not only is it tasty, but it is healthy, too. The more varied the colors of the tomatoes you choose, the prettier the salad will be.” —Jess Apfe of Berkeley, California
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Blueberry French Toast
“This is the best breakfast dish I’ve ever tasted. Luscious blueberries are tucked into the French toast and in the sauce that goes over the top. With the cream cheese and berry combination, this dish reminds me of dessert. The recipe was shared with me by a local blueberry grower.” —Patricia Walls, Aurora, Minnesota
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Grilled Marinated Ribeyes
“These juicy steaks are a favorite meal of ours when we go camping. Let them sit in tangy, barbecue-inspired marinade overnight and you’ve got a rich and hearty dinner ready to grill up the next day.” —Louise Graybiel, Toronto, Ontario. Don’t miss these other foods you didn’t know you could grill.
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Homemade Chicken Broth
“Rich in chicken flavor, this traditional broth is lightly seasoned with herbs. Besides making wonderful chicken soups, it can be used in casseroles, rice dishes and other recipes that call for chicken broth.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Cinnamon-Sugar Apple Pie
“Apple pie baked in a cast iron skillet is a real stunner. This beauty, with its flaky, tender crust, also works in a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate.” —Renee Schettler Rossi, New York, New YorkÂ
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Thin Crust Pizza Dough
“My family loves this pizza crust, and this is our go-to recipe. It’s healthier and less expensive than delivery and tastes so much better.” —Theresa Rohde, Scottville, Michigan
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Slow Cooker Short Ribs
“These ribs are an easy alternative to traditionally braised short ribs—you don’t need to pay any attention to them once you get them in the slow cooker.” —Rebekah Beyer, Sabetha, Kansas. Find out the slow cooker mistakes you didn’t realize you were making.
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Sandy’s Chocolate Cake
“Years ago, I drove 4-1/2 hours to a cake contest, holding my entry on my lap the whole way. But it paid off. One bite and you’ll see why this velvety beauty won first prize.” —Sandra Johnson, Tioga, Pennsylvania. Next, find out the quick, healthy meals doctors make every day.
Originally Published on Taste of Home
