Our Most Popular Dinner Recipes of All Time

Jan ValdezAssociate Recipe Producer
Jan ValdezAssociate Recipe Producer
I cover recipe content on The Kitchn, write and update recipes and recipe roundups, and test recipes for the team. I have 10 years of experience working in R&D test kitchens, testing products and recipes, and at publishers including Serious Eats and EatingWell.
published Oct 14, 2025
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A slice of lasagna lifted on a spatula
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Stylist: Rachel Perlmutter

Meet our MVP dinners. These are the recipes our readers can’t stop making — the ones that have stood the test of time and earned a permanent place in weeknight dinner rotations. They’re the dishes people come back to again and again, whether for a busy Tuesday night or a special-occasion meal with friends. Each recipe has something that keeps it memorable: comfort, flavor, and a touch of everyday magic.

You’ll find the classics everyone loves, like hearty beef chili, creamy chicken Alfredo pasta, and what many call the most delicious lasagna of all time. We also have newer favorites that have quickly risen to the top: one-pan Tuscan chicken with its creamy sun-dried tomato sauce; cheesy French onion meatballs that turn a favorite soup into a cozy dinner; and a 4-ingredient kielbasa and sauerkraut skillet that’s pure deliciousness in a pan.

Whether you’re looking for a tried-and-true recipe or something new to make tonight, these dishes are all guaranteed crowd-pleasers. Here are our 30 most popular dinner recipes of all time.

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Credit: Photo: Vicky Wasik. Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter
Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Alfredo is a creamy, dreamy pan sauce made from butter, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and heavy cream. We use classic fettuccine here, but you can also use this sauce recipe to coat other types of pastas (both short noodles and long noodles will work).

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Credit: Photo: Vicky Wasik ; Food Stylist: Rachel Perlmutter
Classic Beef Chili

This classic recipe is a winter staple. It's made with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and warm spices.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Stylist: Kelli Foster
One-Pan Tuscan Chicken

The creamy sauce makes this chicken totally irresistible! Serve it with crispy oven-roasted potatoes or garlic bread to mop up every last drop of the delicious sauce.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Stylist: Rachel Perlmutter
Classic Lasagna

Also known as "the most delicious lasagna of all time," this classic version is all about the béchamel sauce.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Stylist: James Park
Beef Tips and Gravy

In this recipe, beef chuck roast simmers slowly in a rich, brown gravy until meltingly tender. It’s perfect for serving over fluffy mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or a piece of crusty bread — anything to sop up that savory sauce.

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Credit: Photo: Ryan Liebe; Food Styling: Brett Regot
Lemon-Herb Baked Salmon

Consider this your PSA that baked salmon deserves a regular spot in your weeknight dinner rotation. Of all the ways to cook salmon, this herb baked salmon is the one we come back to again and again because it’s quick, easy, super flavorful, and incredibly versatile.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Stylist: Kelli Foster
Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

This recipe has everything you expect from classic chicken noodle soup: a bright, rich-flavored broth, tender chicken, thick-cut vegetables, and egg noodles. Best of all, the upfront prep is minimal and the soup cooks in just 30 minutes.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Brett Regot
Classic Meatloaf

This delicious meatloaf is for everyone — even for people who claim they're not a fan of the retro dinner. This homemade version is super-tender and flavorful. It's perfect with creamy mashed potatoes and green beans for a dinner the whole family will love.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter
Beef Stroganoff

The beef is so tender, the mushrooms and onions are perfectly caramelized, and the sour cream adds just the right amount of richness and tang. Serve this cozy dish over egg noodles, creamy polenta, or mashed potatoes.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Stylist: Kelli Foster
Baked Chicken Parmesan

A faster version of the beloved Italian classic! Serve it as-is with a side of roasted broccoli and garlic bread. Or bulk it up with spaghetti and more marinara sauce (this is the way to go if you want to serve a crowd).

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Credit: Photo: Eric Kleinberg; Food Stylist: Kristina Vanni
Cheeseburger Casserole

A one-pot wonder with ground beef and cheddar cheese that channels all the Hamburger Helper vibes.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Stylist: Kelli Foster
Coq au Vin

This classic French recipe transforms humble chicken legs, tender vegetables, and herbs into a rich stew with the most deeply flavored red wine sauce.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Debbie Wee
Baked Ziti

Whenever we make baked ziti, we know that what’s going to come out of the oven will appeal to adults and children alike, feed a crowd without breaking the bank, and be just plain delicious! It’s no wonder that baked ziti is one of the best pasta dishes out there.

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Credit: Photo: Julia Gartland; Food Styling: Barrett Washburne; Prop Styling; Anne Eastman
Cajun Gumbo

This humble Southern stew represents the marriage of cultures, subtleties of tradition, local ingredients, and, above all, community. Serve it with a scoop of white rice, scallions, filé powder, and a few spurts of Tabasco hot sauce.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Kelli Foster
Greek Chicken

With an easy marinade made from pantry staples like dried oregano and garlic, this Greek chicken comes together in minutes. Pair it with Greek lemon potatoes and a Greek salad for a classic dinner.

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Credit: Photo: Vicky Wasik ; Food Stylist: Kelli Foster
Beef Bourguignon

Ultra-tender chunks of beef chuck roast, seared vegetables, and a rich, velvety red wine sauce make this French stew ultra-cozy.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Stylist: Kelli Foster
Harissa Orange Chicken Thighs

Here, fresh orange juice and zest, harissa paste, and honey come together to deliver the ultimate weeknight chicken dinner. The sweet, spicy, and bright flavors soak into the meat, so you get big flavor in every bite. Best of all, you need just four ingredients and about 30 minutes on the clock.

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Credit: Kristina Vanni
French Onion Meatballs

Inspired by the iconic French onion soup, this skillet dinner has it all — caramelized onions, juicy meatballs, and gooey, browned Gruyère cheese.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Stylist: Kelli Foster
Marry Me Chicken

This one-pan dinner has it all: tender chicken, a sun-dried tomato cream sauce, and a 30-minute cook time.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Stylist: Janette Zepeda
Alfredo Baked Spaghetti

In this version of baked spaghetti, we toss the pasta with creamy, flavorful Alfredo sauce. It comes together with just 15 minutes of prep and tastes extra-creamy, cheesy, and delicious.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: James Park
Filipino Chicken Adobo

This classic Filipino recipe will wow everyone at the table. To serve, pile steamed white rice onto a plate, add a chicken piece or two, then drench everything with sauce.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Kelli Foster
Easy Beef and Broccoli Noodles

This saucy noodle skillet loaded with ground beef and lots of fresh broccoli is a perfect fit for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that’s super satisfying.

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Credit: Photo: Vicky Wasik ; Food Stylist: Rachel Perlmutter
Kielbasa and Sauerkraut Skillet

You only need four ingredients and 20 minutes to cook this easy one-skillet recipe! Serve it with crusty bread or mashed potatoes for a hearty dinner.

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Credit: Joe Lingeman
Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken

An easy weeknight-friendly recipe for chicken breasts cooked in a creamy lemon garlic sauce. We love serving it over rice, orzo, or mashed potatoes.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Brett Regot
French Onion Dip Chicken Thighs

Rub skin-on chicken thighs in a combination of mayonnaise and onion soup mix for a simple chicken dinner full of crunch and tangy flavor.

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Credit: Joe Lingeman
Creamy Tomato Pasta

In this comforting weeknight dinner, penne pasta is tossed in a quick tomato cream sauce and finished with chopped fresh basil and grated Parmesan. It's the kind of meal the whole family can agree on!

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites

Tender, bite-size pieces of chicken are flavored with garlic and a generous shower of nutty Parmesan. This easy recipe is perfect with roasted broccoli or lemony tortellini to round out the meal.

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Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Anna Stockwell
Jambalaya

This classic Cajun jambalaya is packed with rich, deep flavors, and stars smoky andouille sausage and juicy chicken thighs.

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Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Stylist: Rachel Perlmutter
Nobu's Miso-Marinated Black Cod

This recipe is famous for a reason: It transforms rich, delicate black cod into sweet-savory deliciousness. It pairs well with stir-fried bok choy and brown rice.

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