The Best Recipes of 2021, According to Our Readers
This year, our readers were absolutely obsessed with two types of meals—oatmeal and soup.
While we're not exactly sure the reasons behind why these two types of recipes increased in popularity this year (is it because they're served in bowls? Is it because they're both comforting and warm?), we're not complaining about it. Our readers have a taste for the tasty, and these recipes are some of our best.
From comforting oatmeal recipes to soups and even baked goods and healthy dinners, here are the best recipes of 2021 that our readers absolutely loved.
Then, if you're in the market for even more recipe ideas, be sure to check out our list of the 100 Easiest Recipes You Can Make.
Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
For a lazy breakfast you can't refuse, try this peanut butter overnight oats recipe. Full of gut-healthy soluble fiber and satiating peanut butter to keep you full throughout the morning!
Get our recipe for Peanut Butter Overnight Oats.
Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats
Another clever overnight oat recipe our readers loved is this rendition of the cinnamon roll—topped with your very own cream cheese frosting!
Get our recipe for Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats.
Healthier Chicken Pot Pie
It's your favorite comforting classic—but with fewer calories and in a shareable 9×13" casserole dish!
Get our recipe for Healthier Chicken Pot Pie.
Oatmeal With Peanut Butter and Banana
If you would rather a warm bowl of oats in the morning instead of letting them soak overnight, give this easy-to-make oatmeal recipe a try!
Get our recipe for Oatmeal With Peanut Butter and Banana.
Cozy Crock-Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
You can never go wrong with a comforting bowl of chicken noodle soup—especially when it can easily be thrown together in a Crock-Pot!
Get our recipe for Cozy Crock-Pot Chicken Noodle Soup.
Copycat Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli
Make your favorite Olive Garden soup right at home with this copycat recipe! It closely follows the same ingredient list you see right on the Olive Garden menu.
Get our recipe for Copycat Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli.
Veggie-Packed Minestrone With Pesto
Use up the vegetables in your fridge with this easy-to-make minestrone! Top with herby pesto and parmesan cheese for a flavorful punch.
Get our recipe for Veggie-Packed Minestrone With Pesto.
Rich & Hearty Crock-Pot Beef Ragu
This is the perfect elegant meal when you're having a dinner party, but don't want to spend a ton of time cooking in the kitchen. Plus, it uses up that leftover bottle of red wine in your fridge!
Get our recipe for Rich & Hearty Crock-Pot Beef Ragu.
Slow Cooker Cuban Tomato and Black Bean Soup
Another slow cooker soup to warm up a cold, blustery night—packed with protein and lots of flavor.
Get our recipe for Slow Cooker Cuban Tomato and Black Bean Soup.
Vegetarian Black Bean Omelet
Who said omelets only had to be for breakfast? This black bean omelet could work for any time of day—even dinner.
Get our recipe for Vegetarian Black Bean Omelet.
Chicken Piccata
Whether you're cooking diner for the family or you're in need of a flavorful chicken recipe to meal prep for the week, this chicken piccata works for it all.
Get our recipe for Chicken Piccata.
Protein Pancakes
Use your favorite protein powder and whip up these pancakes for an easy, healthy post-workout breakfast.
Get our recipe for Protein Pancakes.
Banana Bread
Have a few rotten bananas you need to use up? Bake up a loaf of this banana bread and enjoy a slice (or two, or three) with a warm cup of coffee in the morning.
Get our recipe for Banana Bread.
Slow Cooker Beef Goulash
The perfect game day food! Enjoy a bowl of this goulash with a crispy salad when you're serving a small crowd while you watch the game. Whatever "game" is on television, obviously.
Get our recipe for Slow Cooker Beef Goulash.
Easy Crock-Pot Beef and Broccoli
Don't feel like spending on takeout? This easy Crock-Pot meal gives your usual Chinese takeout a run for its money, given how cheap it is to make.
Get our recipe for Easy Crock-Pot Beef and Broccoli.
Oatmeal Pancakes With Cinnamon Apples
Another oatmeal recipe, but this time, we're making pancakes! Use the rolled-cut oats in your pantry to whip up these flapjacks, topped with warmed, sweet cinnamon apples.
Get our recipe for Oatmeal Pancakes With Cinnamon Apples.
Healthy, Hearty Baked Potato Soup
This healthy version of your usual baked potato soup slashes the calories significantly without sacrificing any of the flavor you love.
Get our recipe for Healthy, Hearty Baked Potato Soup.
Low-Calorie Southern-Style Biscuits
Who wouldn't love a warm, flaky, buttery biscuit with their meal? These southern-style biscuits are an absolute favorite from our readers for how easy (and healthy) they are.
Get our recipe for Low-Calorie Southern-Style Biscuits.
Copycat Cracker Barrel Pancakes
Don't live near a Cracker Barrel? No problem! Get that classic Cracker Barrel pancake flavor you love with this easy-to-make copycat recipe.
Get our recipe for Copycat Cracker Barrel Pancakes.
Keto Cheeseburger Casserole
Looking for some low-carb dinner options? This keto cheeseburger casserole is a favorite for anyone looking for a meal that's high in filling fat.
Get our recipe for Keto Cheeseburger Casserole.
Easy, Healthy Crispy Chicken
Fried chicken sounds great, but have you tried our crispy chicken recipe yet? We use far less fat to make our version, and it's full of mouthwatering flavor in every bite.
Get our recipe for Easy, Healthy Crispy Chicken.
Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana
Use that handy-dandy Instant Pot of yours and prep a batch of this filling Zuppa Toscana soup—made with an entire bunch of leafy green kale!
Get our recipe for Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana.
Rotisserie Chicken Parm Casserole
Need a recipe to use up the rest of your rotisserie chicken? This casserole certainly comes in handy—and it's tasty to boot!
Get our recipe for Rotisserie Chicken Parm Casserole.
Healthier Orange Chicken
Another Chinese takeout favorite—but this time, it's orange chicken! This version leans out the chicken and rice, is packed with veggies, and still includes that succulent orange flavor you absolutely adore.
Get our recipe for Healthier Orange Chicken.
Best-Ever French Onion Soup
To round out our list we finish with—you guessed it—another soup. But this one is the perfect weekend soup, one that calls for an elegant date night in.
Get our recipe for Best-Ever French Onion Soup.
