Once you understand the ratio of water to rice you'll be a pro at cooking rice. If you use a different kind of rice (other than long grain) you may have to adjust the ratio and/or...
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Everyday Cooking

These are the basics, the simple meals, the make ahead recipes. Everyday cooking for every one.
These are the recipes you sometimes forget even are available. Like, making homemade cleansers and beauty products. Or, convenience items like croutons or coffee creamer. While so easy to buy, they are also easy to make.
Also check out our "make ahead" section for recipe-saving ingredient substitutes.
jump to the recipes
How To Make Rice
Ginger Jelly
From fresh ginger to jelly jars, this recipe shows you how to create a sweet and spicy spread that's perfect for any meal.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Sloppy Joe Freezer Mix
What is easier than sloppy joes? Sloppy joes made ahead of time. Freeze the saucy ground beef mixture, and when ready to cook just heat, and eat.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Homemade Ice Packs
Save money and make your own homemade ice pack. Works great on boo-boos, headaches and hangovers.
Time: 1-2 hours
Orange Crush Sherbet
The tangy orange flavor of the popular soda pop frozen into a creamy confection.
Time: over 5 hours
Every day we send out a featured recipe and our editor's favorite picks. Don't miss out!
Chicken and Dried Beef Casserole with a Mushroom Sauce
Made with sliced mushrooms, chicken breast halves, dried beef, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, bacon, mushrooms
Method: oven
Time: 2-5 hours
Secret Ingredient Chocolate Fudge Cake
This version of cola cake is different because it uses brown sugar instead of white sugar in the cake which makes the cake a little more moist.
Method: oven
Time: 1-2 hours
Slow Cooker Hard-Boiled Eggs
Want perfect hard-boiled eggs every time? Try making them in your crock pot.
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Old Fashioned Homemade Almond Paste
Almond paste is easier than you think to make yourself. Who knew that ground up almonds and sugar could be so delicious? If you bake, you'll find yourself using it...
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Homemade Cream Cheese
Making cream cheese from scratch sounds like a complicated process but it's actually pretty simple. And best of all, it's homemade!
Method: stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
Dr Pepper Short Ribs
These short ribs are just what the doctor ordered! Meaty ribs braised in Dr Pepper with ketchup, vinegar, and Worcestershire for a meal with some real pop to it.
Method: stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
Real Cheese Croutons
These crunchy croutons are made from 100% cheese and can be used on salads in place of their bready counterparts. Break them into larger pieces for a crispy low carb snack cracker.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Holiday Inn Peanut Butter Cup Cake
Made with milk, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, peanut butter, cake mix, peanut butter cup candies, miniature peanut butter cup candies, chocolate frosting...
Method: oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Seasoned Parmesan Croutons
Take a boring salad and dress it up with some delicious crispy croutons, flavored with garlic, herbs, and Parmesan cheese.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 1-2 hours
Spiced Honey
Made with cardamom, ground ginger, honey, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, lemon zest, vanilla bean
Time: over 5 hours
Kitchen Bouquet
Tired of dull-looking soups? This homemade Kitchen Bouquet will add that rich, dark color in a snap. So simple yet so effective.
Method: stovetop
Time:
Mix and Match Casserole
Mix and match with your favorite ingredients. Choose a sauce base, a vegetable, pasta or rice, a protein, add-ins, and one or more toppings to customize this casserole.
Method: oven
Time: 1-2 hours
Missouri Mix (Quick Mix)
Made with lard, shortening, salt, all-purpose flour, baking powder, nonfat milk
Time: under 30 minutes
Amish Country Casserole
Beef and onions cooked with tomato soup, egg noodles, and cream of mushroom soup make a hearty and simple dish.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Hot Jalapeno Rhubarb Jam
Get ready to zing your taste buds with this jalapeno rhubarb jam recipe that is both sweet and spicy.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Bread Machine Raspberry Jam
This is a simple way to make jam - in your bread machine! If you use other fruits you may have to adjust the amounts used to account for different sweetness levels.
Method: bread machine
Time: 1-2 hours
Homemade RoTel Tomatoes
Ro*tel tomatoes are used in a variety of recipes, particularly in Tex-Mex cooking. They are a spicy, canned diced tomato found in most grocery stores. It's simple to make your...
Method: stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
7-up Cake
7-up replaces the liquid in the cake batter, giving it a lighter texture and slight citrus flavor.
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
Pineapple Marmalade
This sweet marmalade made from fresh pineapple and flavored with a hint of zesty lemon makes a delicious spread.
Method: stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
Homemade Febreze
This delightful homemade Febreze is sure to leave your fabrics smelling fresh and fabulous. Simply spray on any fabrics that need a little refreshment and enjoy the amazing smell.
Time: under 30 minutes
Sage Pork Sausage
Sometimes the right herb makes all the difference. It's definitely the case with this pork sausage and its blend of spices. Great on any breakfast plate.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Old Fashioned Orange Marmalade
A classic recipe for orange marmalade. It is a versatile preserve that can be used in sweet or savory dishes, or simply enjoyed on its own.
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Extra Light Chocolate Cake
The simple combination of a box of chocolate cake mix and a can of diet cola result in a delicious (and lower calorie) cake.
Method: oven
Time: 1-2 hours
Homemade Aluminum Pan Cleaner
Don't throw out old aluminum pans. Just give them a scrub with this cleaner and you will have your pans looking like brand new.
Time: under 30 minutes
Gravy-Baked Pork Chops
Simple ingredients, outstanding flavor. Lean pork chops are browned then oven-baked in a creamy gravy. Serve the tender chops and gravy over mashed potatoes or noodles.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Gluten-Free Biscuit or Baking Mix
Forget the gluten but not the flavor. This biscuit mix is here to prove that you can still indulge in your favorites without a hitch.
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Egg Noodles
This homemade egg noodle recipe is a must-try for pasta lovers. With only a few ingredients like flour and eggs, you'll learn how to create fresh noodles that can be shaped into...
Time: 30-60 minutes
Slow Cooker 7-Up Pot Roast
This recipe for slow cooker 7-Up pot roast is a delicious and easy way to make a pot roast. The 7-Up adds a touch of sweetness to the dish, while the slow cooker cooks the...
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Vegetable Cleaner Spray
These days, who knows what kind of stuff is on all your fruits and veggies? A little homemade spray with vinegar and grapefruit extract gets produce clean as can be for all your...
Time: under 30 minutes
Hot Link Sausage
Want to try your hand at making homemade sausage? This recipe yields a flavorful and spicy sausage that can be made into links or patties.
Method: outdoor grill
Time: under 30 minutes
Italian Sausage with Wine and Cheese
Made with hog casing, Romano Pecorino cheese, wine, pork butts, lean beef, powdered dextrose, black pepper, salt, fennel seed, red crushed peppers
Time: 30-60 minutes
Egg Substitute
This make-ahead egg substitute is reduced calorie and protein packed. It even has a yellow eggy color from a little turmeric added to the mix.
Time: under 30 minutes
Hot Spiced Orange Drink
This delicious and easy-to-make hot spiced orange drink is perfect for cold winter days. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up this flavorful beverage in minutes.
Time: under 30 minutes
Tomato Preserves With Pectin
Don't let the summer end without stocking up on tomato preserves! This recipe yields a delicious, shelf-stable product. The perfect way to savor the flavors of summer.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Cranberry-Raspberry Jam
Get ready to spread some magic on your toast with this Cranberry-Raspberry Jam, a berry blast that's all about the zing and the zang.
Time: 1-2 hours
7 And 7 Cocktail
The 7&7 is a classic cocktail. Combining Seagram's 7 blended whiskey with 7-Up, this simple beverage packs a punch of flavor in every sip.
Time: under 30 minutes
Dr. Pepper Roast Turkey
Dr. Pepper is the secret ingredient for getting a rich glaze on the turkey. Works great for turkey or chicken.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 2-5 hours
Breakfast Pork Sausage
For the best breakfast pork sausage, start with pork shoulder as it is flavorful and has the perfect fat-to-meat ratio. Add the spices and form into links or patties.
Time: 30-60 minutes
Slow Cooker 7-Up Chicken
7-Up soda works as a tenderizer and sweetener in this chicken crock pot recipe.
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Little Eataly Meatballs (For Dogs)
Made with garlic powder, dried oregano, quick rolled oats, eggs, ground chicken or turkey, Parmesan cheese
Method: oven
Time: 1-2 hours
Zesty Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Ribs
Wouldn't you like to be a pepper too? Ribs cooked low and slow in the crockpot with Dr. Pepper are the tenderest and tastiest you'll ever try.
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Rhubarb Freezer Jam
The classic combo of rhubarb and strawberry in a chunky freezer jam. Perfect on toast, english muffins, pancakes, etc.
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Amaretto Coffee Creamer
This amaretto flavored coffee creamer is shelf-stable, equally suited to for on-the-go java or morning coffee at home.
Time: under 30 minutes
French Cognac Vanilla
Upgrade your baking with this homemade vanilla extract made from French Cognac.
Time: over 5 hours
Mascarpone Substitute
Italian mascarpone cheese adds a richness to desserts and savory dishes alike, but it's not always on hand or easy to find in a pinch. Good news - you can mix ricotta and cream...
Time: under 30 minutes
Instant Alfredo Sauce Mix
This sauce mix makes a pasta dish loads better than you'd get with heavy jarred alfredo, without the hassle of making the sauce from scratch just for a weeknight dinner.
Time: under 30 minutes
Fix And Freeze French Onion Soup
This fix and freeze French onion soup recipe has you do the hard work ahead of time. When ready to serve, all you have to do is heat the soup and add the bread and...
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
Make Your Own Hummingbird Nectar
This hummingbird nectar is easy and inexpensive to make. You'll end up with a sweet, syrupy nectar that will attract these beautiful birds to your yard or garden.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Self-Rising Cornmeal
A simple way to make your own self-rising cornmeal - just replace 1 tablespoon with baking powder!
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Ceramic Tile Cleaner
No need for harsh chemicals, this homemade tile cleaner will do the trick and save you money.
Time: under 30 minutes
Braunschweiger
Think you can't make homemade sausage? Think again. This braunschweiger recipe with pork, liver, and onions might just change your mind.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Creamy Beef Enchilada Casserole
This simple layered enchilada-style casserole is made with ground beef that's simmered in a creamy enchilada sauce and layered with longhorn cheese and corn tortillas.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: under 30 minutes
All-Purpose Biscuit Mix
Use this simple DIY mix in any recipe calling for Bisquick or any other baking mix. It's not just for biscuits!
Time: under 30 minutes
Love the spinach dip at restaurants like TGIFriday's and the Olive Garden? Make it at home with these easy-to-follow copycat recipes.
Keeping a can of frozen orange juice concentrate in the freezer means you can make more than just orange juice. Try it in a variety of orange-flavored recipes.
Delicious recipes for red velvet cakes, cupcakes, and cheesecakes.






































































