From prep-ahead breakfasts to easy dinners, the best recipes from 2020 cover all the bases and are destined to become family favorites!
The end of 2020 brings a tangle of thoughts to mind. It’s never easy to sum up a year in a few quick sentences, and that feels especially true this year.
Suffice it to say that, throughout 2020, I appreciated my readers more than ever. As we hunkered down and canceled so much of what gives our lives purpose, meaning, and hope, the connections we shared, even via a brief comment or email, felt like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day.
So, as we launch into a new year, I figured it was the perfect time to remember some of the other good things from the year that was — like recipes!
Today’s post highlights the recipes with the most pins, likes, views, and overall positive feedback sent to me in one form or another. If your favorite recipe isn’t on the list, please mention it in the comment section.
Additionally, I’m working on a few upgrades to my site and some other exciting ventures that will kick off in the new year, so stayed tuned. One little change can be seen in this post: a cleaner way to share recipe collections.
My goal was a more streamlined way to deliver groups of connected recipes to you, whether that be All Things Pumpkin, Simple but Satisfying Soups, Quick Skillet Meals, Cooking from the Pantry, etc.
Along those lines, if there’s more of something you’d like to see, please let me know. More cocktails and fun beverages has been a frequent request, as have easy meals for college students and young adults. I always welcome your input and feedback, so keep it coming.
So, as we close out the year and I leave you with a baker’s dozen of favorite recipes (13 has always been my older son’s lucky number, so I consider it lucky, too), I am raising my glass to you with gratitude for all we’ve shared and hope for brighter days to come. And a lot more good food, of course.
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Reader Favorites from 2020
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Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts
If you’re not careful, these magical bites will disappear from the baking sheet before they make it to the table! Who knew we had to guard our vegetables?
Inexpensive, easy-to-make fritters start with two base ingredients and make an endlessly customizable, protein-rich side or vegan entree.
We typically enjoy these fritters plain, but you may absolutely serve with a dipping sauce. A sriracha or pesto mayo, tzatziki, barbecue sauce, or even ketchup with an optional squirt of sriracha are all worthy options.Servings: 6-8 fritters
Crunchy Top Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal (Muffins Optional)
Whether enjoyed hot from the oven or reheated throughout the week, this prep-ahead breakfast tastes like something you’d get from a fancy cafe–and is definitely worth waking up for!
The classic bagel coating provides crisp crunch and great flavor for super speedy salmon the whole family will love. The recipe is easy to scale, too. See recipe notes for helpful hints.
The silly name becomes apparent when these tender meatballs are pulled from the oven. For a satisfying entree portion, we like to make jumbo meatballs, but you may roll them smaller if preferred. Alternatively, for a smaller portion that still feels big, slice the jumbo meatballs in half and serve cut-side down.
With just 5.3 grams of added sugar per serving, this healthy, wholegrain breakfast relies on the natural sweetness of whole fruit to deliver great taste that we can feel good about. Conveniently, the recipe comes together quickly, can be enjoyed over time, and allows for flexibility.
Sweet, salty, and delightfully crunchy, a big batch of this festive snack mix takes about 10 minutes to prepare and is perfect for holiday parties and gift giving. Tailor the recipe to any occasion by simply varying the color of the M&Ms!Servings: 6+ quarts
Comfort food at its best, this meaty sauce starts with a jar of your favorite marinara and can be customized in a variety of ways. Easy to make a big batch and freezes well!Servings: 5½ – 6 cups (without the extras mentioned in the notes)
You know all those times when it seems like there's nothing to eat in the house? Or you're starving and just want to eat five minutes ago? An egg taco is the solution! Protein-rich, economical, and super satisfying, this speedy meal is delicious any time of day and can be made with ingredients easily kept on hand.
Quick and easy on a busy night, this dish may be fully prepared in advance and reheats beautifully in the oven. Freezes well, too. It’s actually one of those meals I think tastes better after the second round in the oven. The family-friendly recipe is also a great dinner to take to a friend or neighbor in need.
Creamy, savory, and perfectly balanced, this dressing is endlessly versatile and complements a wide variety of vegetables, proteins, and grains. Use it to pull together delicious noodle and veggie bowls, for example, or as a sauce for chicken, shrimp, grilled tuna, roasted broccoli, sweet potatoes, and more.Servings: ~1 cup (recipe easily halves or doubles)
An easy, inexpensive way to get your cafe fix at home, this fan favorite latte works for both tea and coffee lovers and can be served iced or hot and even made in bulk.
The prep ahead option makes dinnertime extra easy, although you can bake this casserole right away if preferred. The sliced jalapeño looks pretty on top and adds the perfect hint of spice for those who like a little heat. However, the pieces can easily be picked off by those who don’t care for them or omitted altogether.
I’m so glad you stopped by! Fountain Avenue Kitchen is full of healthy, easy, time-tested recipes. I’m excited for you to peek around, and hope you find something that’ll make your day just a bit more delicious!
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