My Top 25 Dinner Recipes of 2025 + Kitchen Staples, Snacks, and Desserts
My top 25 most loved from scratch recipes of 2025. Cozy dinners, easy weeknight meals, homemade bread, soups, desserts and family favorites that fed our family all year.
Over the past year I have cooked hundreds of meals for my family of six. Many were quick and practical, others slow and comforting. A few were experiments that surprised me, and many became instant staples we now make again and again.
Below is a list of the meals we made again and again, the ones that earned a permanent place in our kitchen this year. They are practical, comforting, and deeply nourishing in a way that goes beyond the plate. I hope they give you plenty of inspiration to cook, gather, and enjoy meals at home.
👇🏻 If you’d rather watch your way through these recipes, I’ve got you covered! Below is a full video where I walk you through each of the top 25 recipes from 2025, share why we loved them, and give you a behind-the-scenes look at what made these meals hit our family table again and again.
1. Nourishing Chicken Tortilla Soup
Deeply nourishing and packed with vegetables, this soup is creamy without feeling heavy and makes even better leftovers as the week goes on.
👉🏻 https://christinesnotebook.com/chicken-tortilla-soup/
2. Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps
These wraps are simple, fresh, and so satisfying. Homemade tortillas, juicy chicken, and a creamy Caesar dressing make this feel special without being complicated. This is one of those meals that looks impressive but is very doable on a normal night.
👉🏻 https://christinesnotebook.com/simple-and-fresh-chicken-caesar-wrap-with-homemade-dressing/
3. Turkey Burgers
This turkey burger method completely changed my mind about turkey burgers. They are juicy, flavorful, and hold together beautifully. A great high protein option that still feels indulgent, especially when paired with homemade buns or pesto.
👉🏻 https://www.americastestkitchen.com/articles/1972-in-defense-of-turkey-burgers
4. Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries
These are always on repeat in our house. Crispy edges, soft centers, and so easy to make. They pair well with burgers, wraps, or even as a base for loaded sweet potato meals.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/easy-oven-baked-sweet-potato-fries/
5. Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas
One of my favorite dinners of the year. Creamy, flavorful, and incredibly comforting. These enchiladas freeze well, reheat beautifully, and feel like a true crowd pleaser for both kids and adults.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/baked-salsa-verde-chicken-enchiladas/
6. One Pot Lasagna Soup
This soup tastes like lasagna without the work. Rich broth, tender pasta, seasoned meat, and creamy ricotta on top make this one of the coziest meals I made all year.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/one-pot-lasagna-soup-from-scratch/
7. Braised Short Ribs with Maple Rosemary Glaze
This is a special meal that feels like restaurant food but is surprisingly hands off. The oven does most of the work and the result is deeply flavorful, tender meat that feels perfect for a slower evening at home.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/braised-short-ribs-with-maple-rosemary-glaze/
8. Buffalo Chicken Loaded Sweet Potatoes
An easy weeknight favorite. Baked sweet potatoes topped with saucy buffalo chicken and a creamy drizzle make this meal filling, flexible, and very satisfying.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/easy-buffalo-chicken-sweet-potatoes/
9. Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
Thick, creamy, and naturally sweetened. This ice cream is one of my favorite desserts to make because it feels both indulgent and wholesome. Perfect on its own or with cookies mixed in.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/vanilla-bean-ice-cream-made-in-the-ice-cream-maker/
10. Sourdough Pizza Dough
Pizza night is a staple in our house and this dough makes it even better. Chewy, flavorful, and perfect for stretching your grocery budget while still making something everyone loves.
👉 https://natashaskitchen.com/sourdough-pizza-dough/
11. BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
Simple, flavorful, and great for meal prep. These sandwiches make busy evenings easier and leftovers even better.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/smoked-bbq-chicken-breasts/
12. Chicken Pot Pie Rice Skillet
All the flavors of chicken pot pie in an easy one pan dinner. Cozy, filling, and perfect for nights when you want comfort food without extra steps.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/chicken-pot-pie-rice-skillet-quick-and-easy-weeknight-dinner/
13. Sourdough Pumpkin Dark Chocolate Cookies
Fudgy, rich, and deeply flavored. These cookies are one of my favorite sourdough bakes and a perfect fall or winter treat.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/pumpkin-dark-chocolate-sourdough-cookies/
14. Butternut Squash Carbonara
A cozy fall pasta with crispy bacon, sage, and a creamy squash based sauce. This one feels fancy but comes together beautifully at home.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/the-best-fall-carbonara-butternut-squash-bacon-and-crispy-sage/
15. Classic Chicken Pot Pie
A timeless comfort food that is worth the effort. Flaky crust, creamy filling, and the kind of meal that makes everyone slow down at the table.
👉 https://www.americastestkitchen.com/recipes/9319-double-crust-chicken-pot-pie
16. Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Fast, creamy, and kid approved. This is my go to recipe for nights when we need dinner on the table quickly.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/instant-pot-mac-and-cheese-easy-fast/
17. Sunday Meal Prep Series
This is not just one recipe but a full system. Roast chicken, chuck roast, ragu, and Hawaiian chicken tacos all built from one cooking day. A game changer for busy weeks.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/meal-prep-made-simple-one-sunday-six-family-dinners-free-printable/
18. Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Cookies
Big, chewy, and packed with flavor. These are the cookies I reach for again and again when I want something reliable and comforting.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/bakery-style-chocolate-chip-cookies-with-freshly-milled-flour/
19. Grown Up Hamburger Helper
A nostalgic meal made from scratch with better ingredients. Cozy, filling, and surprisingly budget friendly.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/easy-one-pot-hamburger-helper-from-scratch/
20. Instant Pot Tomato Soup
Smooth, rich, and packed with vegetables and protein. This is our favorite soup to pair with grilled cheese.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/instant-pot-tomato-soup/
21. White Chicken Lasagna with Creamy Pesto
One of my favorite experiments of the year. Creamy, comforting, and full of flavor. This one earned a permanent spot in our rotation.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/white-chicken-lasagna-with-creamy-pesto-filling/
22. Banana Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Soft, moist, and perfect for breakfast or snacks. These muffins are a great way to use pantry staples while still baking something nourishing.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/pumpkin-banana-muffins/
23. Chickpea Curry
A simple plant based meal that comes together quickly and is full of flavor. Great for mixing up the weekly dinner routine.
👉 https://pinchofyum.com/chickpea-curry
24. Broccoli Cheese Soup
Creamy, comforting, and surprisingly nourishing. This one disappeared fast in our house.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/broccoli-cheddar-soup/
25. Salmon Nourish Bowls
A lighter but very satisfying meal. Roasted vegetables, flaky salmon, and creamy avocado Caesar dressing make this one feel fresh and balanced.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/salmon-nourish-bowls-with-creamy-avocado-caesar/
26. Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls
Bold flavor, lots of vegetables, and a sauce that ties everything together. This is a great meal for building bowls everyone can customize.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/honey-harissa-chicken-bowls-with-veggies-and-feta/
27. Chewy Seedy Granola Bars
Perfect for snacks, lunchboxes, or quick energy. These bars are easy to make and store well in the fridge or freezer.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/homemade-granola-bars/
28. Quick Sourdough Sandwich Bread
A same day bread that fits into real life. Soft, flavorful, and one of my most made loaves.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/quick-sourdough-sandwich-loaf-with-freshly-milled-grains/
29. Quick Sourdough Buns
Perfect for burgers, sandwiches, and meal prep. These come together quickly and freeze beautifully.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/quick-bread-machine-sourdough-yeast-buns-with-freshly-milled-wheat/
30. Air Fryer Whole Roast Chicken
Crispy skin, juicy meat, and minimal effort. This method completely changed how often I roast whole chickens.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/juicy-air-fryer-whole-chicken-roast-chicken-made-simple/
31. Homemade Bone Broth
A true kitchen staple. Making your own broth stretches ingredients, adds nutrition, and improves every soup and sauce.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/how-to-make-bone-broth-in-the-instant-pot-no-fail-method/
32. Instant Pot Pinto Beans
Simple, no soak beans that work for bowls, tacos, and sides all week long.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/instant-pot-pinto-beans-easy-no-soak-recipe/
33. Instant Pot White Rice
Perfectly cooked rice every time with no mess. This is how I make rice almost exclusively now.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/instant-pot-white-rice/
34. Whole Grain Artisan Sourdough Bread
A slow, rewarding bake that fills the house with warmth and comfort. One of my favorite kitchen skills to practice.
👉 https://christinesnotebook.com/no-knead-whole-wheat-sourdough-bread/
Final Thoughts
Cooking from scratch does not mean perfection. It means showing up, using what you have, and creating meals that nourish your family in more ways than one.
These recipes represent what worked for us this year. I hope they inspire you to cook a little more confidently, a little more creatively, and with a lot more joy in your own kitchen.
If you make any of these recipes, I would love to hear about it!
