From savory dinners to decadent desserts, these are the recipes our readers love the most.
24 Recipes Wives Can’t Get Enough Of
Updated on May 17, 2024
1/24
Veggie-Stuffed Tomatoes
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe is my wife's favorite, she loves when I cook it for her. The tasty, meatless stuffing is perfect for a side dish, but it's also filling enough for a whole meal. — Scott Szekretar, Islip, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 tomato: 182 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 234mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1-1/2 fat, 1 starch.
2/24
Spinach Feta Turnovers
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These quick and easy turnovers are a favorite with my wife, who says they are delicious and melt in your mouth. —David Baruch, Weston, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 turnover: 361 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 104mg cholesterol, 936mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 17g protein.
3/24
Bacon Cheeseburger Rice
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I thought the original skillet dish lacked pizazz, so we created this tastier version. I've had teenage nieces and nephews request the recipe after their first bite. —Joyce Whipps, West Des Moines, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 579 calories, 27g fat (13g saturated fat), 110mg cholesterol, 995mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 34g protein.
4/24
Caprese Salad
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I love Caprese salad, but not the high prices we pay for it in restaurants. Here, we created our own version which tastes incredibly close, if not better, than any restaurant version we've tried. —Melissa Pearson, Sandy, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 256 calories, 19g fat (9g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 161mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 11g protein.
5/24
Pressure-Cooker Chickpea Tagine
Total Time
35 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
While traveling through Morocco, my wife and I fell in love with the complex flavors of the many tagines we tried, so we came up with this no-fuss dish. It's great alongside grilled fish, or add shredded cooked chicken in the last 10 minutes for a change-of-pace entree. —Raymond Wyatt, West St. Paul, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 127 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 224mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 6g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1/2 fat.
6/24
Ramen Noodle Salad
Total Time
25 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For potlucks and picnics, this ramen noodle salad is a knockout. I tote the veggies in a bowl, dressing in a jar and noodles in a bag. Then I just shake them all together when it's time to eat. —LJ Porter, Bauxite, Arkansas
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 189 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 250mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein.
7/24
Dutch Apple Cake
Total Time
1 hour 45 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I came to Canada from Holland more than 40 years ago. This traditional Dutch recipe is a family favorite and has frequently gone along with me to potluck suppers and other get-togethers. —Elizabeth Peters, Martintown, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 282 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 97mg cholesterol, 120mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
8/24
Moroccan Chicken Thighs
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I love Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food. This recipe is very flavorful, so it's quickly become one of our favorites. —Susan Mills, Three Rivers, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 644 calories, 24g fat (6g saturated fat), 174mg cholesterol, 685mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 4g fiber), 57g protein.
9/24
Grilled Tilapia with Mango
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a new twist on tilapia that I created for my wife. She enjoys the combination of mango with Parmesan. Somehow it tastes even better outside on the deck with a cold glass of iced tea. —Gregg May, Columbus, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet: 213 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 377mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1/2 fruit, 1/2 fat.
10/24
Ruby Grape Pie
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
8 servings
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 400 calories, 17g fat (8g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 231mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (32g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
11/24
Mozzarella Mushrooms with Garlic Toast
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I came up with this dinner using ingredients I had on hand. It turned out to be so delicious, my wife and I now make it for special occasions. —Marc Bushee, Moorhead, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
2 pieces: 366 calories, 16g fat (10g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 562mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 13g protein.
12/24
Cashew Cookies
Total Time
35 min
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Some merry dairy snacking is guaranteed when you pass out these cashew-packed goodies! I found the recipe years ago in a flier promoting dairy products. It's been this farm wife's standby ever since. —June Lindquist, Hammond, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 100 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 85mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
13/24
Grilled Ribeye with Garlic Blue Cheese Mustard Sauce
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This simple steak gets a big flavor boost from two of my favorites: mustard and blue cheese. My husband and I make this recipe to celebrate our anniversary each year! —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 steak with 3 tablespoons sauce: 547 calories, 39g fat (17g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 1088mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 34g protein.
14/24
Butterscotch Pie
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This pie's filling is like creamy pudding and is crowned with golden peaks of meringue. —Cary Letsche, Brandenton, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 541 calories, 24g fat (14g saturated fat), 128mg cholesterol, 359mg sodium, 76g carbohydrate (56g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.
15/24
Pizza Spaghetti
Total Time
50 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The idea for this recipe came to me when I saw someone dip a slice of pizza into a pasta dish. My wife and kids love it, and so do my friends! —Robert Smith, Las Vegas, Nevada
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 354 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 512mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 7g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 3 lean meat.
16/24
Yummy Chocolate Cake
Total Time
35 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I are trying to eat lighter but still crave sweets. This moist, healthy chocolate cake really helps with that. With the rich frosting, it makes a decadent treat! —LaDonna Reed, Ponca City, Oklahoma
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 184 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 465mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1/2 fat.
17/24
Flavorful Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Folks can find me grilling, no matter the weather. This moist pork tenderloin has loads of flavor thanks to its special spice blend, and it doesn't get much easier to make. My wife especially likes that she doesn't have to do the cooking! —Steve Ehrhart, Villa Park, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked pork: 135 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 416mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat.
18/24
Overnight Baked Oatmeal
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I spent a long weekend at a bed-and-breakfast not far from our home. The owners shared this delicious recipe with me, which I made my own with a couple of simple changes. —Jennifer Cramer, Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 331 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 364mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 4g fiber), 8g protein.
19/24
Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I grill dinner almost every night, and I love grilling veggies for a side dish. I serve this grilled bacon-wrapped asparagus recipe with meat and sliced fresh tomatoes for a wonderful meal. —Trisha Kitts, Dickinson, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
5 pieces: 120 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 372mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein.
20/24
Feta Shrimp Skillet
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I tried a dish similar to this on our honeymoon in Greece. I re-created the flavors in this recipe when we got home. When I make it now, it brings back wonderful memories. —Sonali Ruder, New York, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 240 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 149mg cholesterol, 748mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 fat.
21/24
Sesame Wheat Braids
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 loaves (16 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
When I started making this bread, my husband and our six children liked it so much that I was baking every day! I was thrilled when the judges at our county fair gave these braids both a blue ribbon and a best of show award! —Nancy Montgomery, Hartville, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 102 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 226mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
22/24
Garlic Pizza Wedges
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Our pastor made this for a get-together, and my husband and i just couldn't stay away from the hors d'oeuvres table. The cheesy slices taste great served warm, but they're still wonderful when they've cooled slightly. —Krysten Johnson, Simi Valley, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 119 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 193mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
23/24
Mincemeat Pie
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
As a cold and tasty finishing touch, my husband and I usually put a scoop of ice cream on top of our mincemeat pie slices. The recipe comes from my mother. Each year, I make it for Christmas and for my sister-in-law's New Year's party. —Laverne Kamp, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 440 calories, 18g fat (7g saturated fat), 73mg cholesterol, 231mg sodium, 65g carbohydrate (45g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.
24/24
Sweet and Spicy Chipotle Chicken
Total Time
2 hours 5 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I have created many wonderful memories by sharing this meal with our friends. In the winter, we bake it indoors; in the summer, it works well on the grill too! Either way, the chicken pretty much cooks itself, leaving you plenty of time to visit with friends and family. —Ashlie Delshad, West Lafayett, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
6 ounces cooked chicken: 462 calories, 27g fat (7g saturated fat), 134mg cholesterol, 437mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 43g protein.
Originally Published in 13 Things Rich People Won’t Tell You
