Home cooks rose to the challenge and submitted their easiest meals made in a pinch. These foolproof recipes are the definition of simple and put uncomplicated spins on classic dishes.
Presenting the Winners from Our Everything Made Easy Contest
Updated on Feb. 20, 2024
1/12
Grand Prize: Skillet Pork Chops in Pineapple-Soy Sauce
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We try to eat a variety of foods, and although we like pork, it really has very little flavor. One night I was fixing some beautiful boneless pork loin chops and decided to add a fruity sauce. The chops ended up being moist and juicy, and the sauce was delicious. This dinner, perfect served over rice, takes less than 30 minutes. It is wonderful for weeknight meals but nice enough for company too. —Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 pork chop with 2 tablespoons sauce: 407 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 914mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (33g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein.
Check out our contest page to learn more about our contests and submit your own recipes for consideration.
2/12
1st Place: Pistachio and Date Ricotta Crostini
Total Time
35 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I regularly have date night at home where we make a four-course meal. For appetizers, I like to keep things simple but dressed up. I’ve found that making a special appetizer helps transform the atmosphere into a fancy meal. We’ve grown to really cherish these long and luxurious evenings together in our living room. Fresh figs can be used instead of dates if that’s what you have on hand! —Kristin Bowers, Gilbert, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 57 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 74mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
3/12
2nd Place: Pressure-Cooker Penne with Meat Sauce
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This pressure-cooker pasta is delicious and super easy. I like to serve it alongside a chopped salad with Italian dressing. If you have leftovers, try them spooned into individual ramekins and baked with a little extra sauce and cheese on top. —Virginia Butterfield, Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 472 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 775mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 5g fiber), 31g protein.
4/12
3rd Place: Pressure-Cooker Lemon Chicken Pasta
Total Time
45 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I was recently prepping for a big race in the mountains of Lake Tahoe area. Normally, to perform at your best, you’d want to eat a lot of carbs and some protein the day before a race. It inspired me to make this very special creamy pasta dish with chicken, mushrooms, artichokes, capers and lemons. —Ilya Khayn, San Jose, California
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 577 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 104mg cholesterol, 1260mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 49g protein.
5/12
Most Innovative: Apple and Sausage Sheet-Pan Pancakes
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After my daughter told me about sheet pan pancakes, I knew I needed to try them! Using my homegrown sweet potatoes as inspiration, I created this tasty breakfast dish. Bonus: It’s easier to make than traditional pancakes. I like to line the sheet pan with foil for easier cleanup. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 285 calories, 14g fat (6g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 718mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 9g protein.
6/12
Runner-Up: Easy Shrimp and Scallops Ramen Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings (2-1/4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe is delicious and so easy to make at home on a weeknight. You can add any vegetables, seafood or meat that you have on hand. —Aleni Salcedo, East Elmhurst, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 231 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 59mg cholesterol, 1603mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 17g protein.
7/12
Runner-Up: English Muffin Breakfast Baklava
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Classic baklava comes to breakfast courtesy of a lightly toasted cinnamon raisin English muffin and topped with a buttery baklava filling of pistachios and walnuts. It’s a delicious way to change up your breakfast routine. Serve with your choice of fresh fruit and lots of napkins. —Sharyn LaPointe Hill, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Nutrition Facts:
1 muffin half: 309 calories, 19g fat (9g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 202mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
8/12
Runner-Up: Korean Bulgogi Fries
Total Time
50 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I saw this recipe on a TV show that featured the Crowbar & Grill in Laramie, Wyoming. I decided to make my own version of their recipe using shortcut ingredients. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup beef mixture with about 1 cup fries: 645 calories, 40g fat (9g saturated fat), 114mg cholesterol, 1150mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 33g protein.
9/12
Runner-Up: Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcakes
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
In addition to cocoa, Mexican hot chocolate has some signature ingredients including cinnamon and cayenne pepper. I created these delicious cupcakes with a similar flavor profile and my secret ingredient: mayonnaise. I like to use mayonnaise in my chocolate cupcakes because it keeps them extra moist. —Michele Kusma, Columbus, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 cupcake: 279 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 239mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (31g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
10/12
Runner-Up: Pork Tenderloin with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is my go-to dish for both special occasions and weekday dinners because it’s so easy and delicious. We love it because the pork tenderloin is, without fail, moist and tender. The sauce is the true star. In fact, this past Thanksgiving, my husband suggested it would be good to have available along with turkey gravy and he was right. It was a huge hit! —Kim Wells, Worthington, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
4 ounces cooked pork with about 1/2 cup sauce: 487 calories, 35g fat (19g saturated fat), 139mg cholesterol, 678mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 26g protein.
11/12
Runner-Up: Shrimp Spaghetti with Cherry Tomatoes
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a very tasty pasta dish, full of umami flavors and, if done properly, an insanely silky sauce. Shut your eyes and you will swear you’re in Sicily. —Hassan Nurullah, Hapeville, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
1-3/4 cups: 726 calories, 35g fat (13g saturated fat), 150mg cholesterol, 1163mg sodium, 66g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 38g protein.
12/12
Runner-Up: Creamy Beef and Onion Pasta
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This delicious pasta sauce originated after I noticed a box of onion soup packets in my cupboard. I could not believe how much flavor the mix added as a seasoning blend! To my delight, my whole family gave this dish rave reviews, including my infamously picky children. Now it is my go-to dinner when I want to serve an easy, comforting dish after an especially difficult week or when the weather is cold and dreary. —Kristin Bowers, Gilbert, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 505 calories, 28g fat (15g saturated fat), 105mg cholesterol, 521mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein.
