These Are Our Most Popular Dinner Recipes Ever

beef stew
Photo: David Loftus

You'll want to cook these all-time favorite entrées.

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beef stew
David Loftus

Comforting, uncomplicated, and easy to make: That's exactly how we'd describe this collection of our most popular dinner recipes. In addition to being absolutely delicious, they're all made with friendly and approachable ingredients, so it's simple to see why you, our readers, come back to these dishes time and time again.

So, which recipes have you deemed the best of the best? Here, you'll find familiar classics like pork chops with apples and onions, roast chicken, classic meatloaf, beef Stroganoff, and the delicious Beef Stew that's pictured right here. All of these are perfect Sunday suppers, and don't need elaborate side dishes to shine. If you do want to pair them with something tasty, a simple salad and a loaf of crusty bread will do the trick.

You'll also find an array of casseroles, starting with perhaps the most beloved of American offerings: mac and cheese. Our no-fail recipe explains exactly how to achieve the creamiest, most delicious results; this one's got serious potential for earning a spot in your regular rotation. Tuna casserole is here, too, as is an eggplant parmesan that's baked, not fried, but no less tasty. And while a potpie may stretch the definition of a casserole, we'd nevertheless point out that this rendition is worth a shot. Buttery crust, chicken, and gravy—it's hard to go wrong.

A few more surprising options land on this list, as well: Our readers love our recipe for the convenient and crowd-pleasing Latin-American-style turnovers known as empanadas, ratatouille (a hearty country dish from France's Provence region that combines seasonal summer vegetables, garlic, and olive oil), and a vegetarian chili that could easily win over skeptics. With its variety of vegetables, a rich tomato base, and just the right amount of spice, you'll see why it's one of our most popular recipes.

Next time you're at a loss for what to make for dinner, come back and consult this list. The numbers don't lie: These recipes are our reader's tried and true favorites for good reason!

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Perfect Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

macaroni and cheese

Creamy, delicious homemade mac and cheese is absolutely within reach for every home cook. This no-fail recipe explains exactly how to make it in your own kitchen.

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Classic Chicken Potpie

Classic Chicken Potpie
Johnny Miller

A buttery crust is always a winner, but when it comes to potpie, it's what's inside that counts. Start with this classic version, then feel free to go off exploring everything from Curried Chicken to Mushroom-Marjoram Chicken.

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Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

pork chops with apples and onions
Jeff Sowder

Sautéed apples and onion are a fantastic match for meaty pork chops. For the braising liquid, you can use beer, white wine, cider, or chicken broth.

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Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine

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This beloved Italian-American pasta includes three non-negotiables: fettuccine, butter, and Parmesan cheese. You can also add chicken or shrimp.

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Everyday Vegetable Soup

Big Batch Vegetable Soup
Con Poulos

Looking for a reliable and delicious vegetable soup? This one hits every mark. It's adaptable, healthy, and immensely satisfying.

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Perfect Roast Chicken

perfect roast chicken
Eric Asimov

Tender and juicy, a perfectly roasted chicken is a thing to behold (and one of the best smells you can fill your kitchen with). Our perfect roast chicken is the perfect centerpiece for your family's dinner table.

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Ratatouille

rartouille
Marcus Nilsson

This hearty country dish from France's Provence region is an easy mix of seasonal vegetables, garlic, and olive oil.

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Basic Empanadas

empanadas
Minh + Wass

Having a batch of these tasty and convenient Latin-American-style turnovers in the freezer is like money in the bank. You don't even need to thaw them before baking; just pop them directly into the oven.

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Pan-Fried Steak

pan fried steak
Bryan Gardner

Here's a foolproof recipe for a restaurant-quality pan-fried steak that takes less than 10 minutes. Make the simple sauce to go along with it, or skip it; either way, you're in for a treat.

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Tuna Casserole

tuna casserole
Con Poulos

This traditional favorite serves eight (and any leftovers reheat beautifully). We cut the sauce with chicken broth, but there's enough milk that it still feels indulgent.

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Shepherd's Pie

shepherds pie
Con Poulos

Our shepherd's pie is made using frozen vegetables, which means you might have all the ingredients necessary to make it at home already. And since it can be made the day before you'd like to have it for dinner, getting this meal on the table is quite simple.

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One-Pan Pasta

one-pan pasta
Maxwell Cozzi

This clever recipe has you cook all the ingredients together in a straight-sided skillet. You don't even need to boil water first! Even better: It's ready in just 20 minutes.

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Classic Meatloaf

classic meatloaf
José Manuel Picayo Rivera

To make a great meatloaf, you don't need to do anything crazy: Just be sure to soak the breadcrumbs in milk first and handle it gently (so it's tender). One other tip? Add a few key flavor boosters—onion, garlic, and ketchup—to really make it shine.

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Simple Poached Salmon

poached salmon

A beautifully poached piece of salmon is clean tasting and light. There's only one rule: Don't overcook it.

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Easy Roasted Chicken Thighs

easy roasted chicken thighs
Diana Chistruga

An ideal weeknight dinner, this oven-roasted chicken recipe is fast and easy with simply delicious results. It showcases juicy, flavorful thighs with a lemony sauce that makes itself in the pan.

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Vegetarian Chili

vegetarian chili
Johnny Miller

A variety of vegetables, a rich tomato base, and just the right amount of spice make this vegetarian chili a satisfying option in only 35 minutes.

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Classic Beef Stroganoff

beef stroganoff

Simmering and braising beef stroganoff for a long time at a low temperature yields extra-intense flavor with little effort. You can use a slow cooker or the oven; either way, it's a no-fuss meal.

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Easy Spaghetti and Meatballs

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This take on the iconic Italian-American dish has you simmer the meatballs right in the sauce, which means clean-up is a breeze.

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Basic Chicken Soup

basic chicken soup
Diana Chistruga

With classic flavors and a simplified method, this could become your new favorite chicken soup. There's no need to make a separate stock; the vegetables and meat form their own satisfying broth.

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Baked-Eggplant Parmesan

baked eggplant parmesan
Minh + Wass

Layers of tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, and grated Parmesan turn eggplant into one of the most delicious vegetarian casseroles you can make.

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