Making your own bratwurst at home is a great way to get the exact flavor and ingredients you want. Simply grind up the meat and fat, mix in some spices, stuff the casings, and cook!
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.
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Homemade Bratwurst
Almost Maple Syrup
This almost maple syrup is still way closer than most store-bought syrups. It's made with actual sugar instead of corn syrup.
Time: under 30 minutes
Callus Remover
Save that spa money! A pumice stone and a simple solution of baking soda and sea salt are all you need for a naturally effective method of callous removal.
Time: under 30 minutes
Bacon Swiss Squares
These scrumptious squares are kind of like quiche you can eat with your hands. Perfect for brunch. Throw a fried egg on top of the leftovers for an easy, cheesy breakfast.
Method: oven
Time: under 30 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
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Make-Ahead Red Beans And Rice Mix
This is a great mix to keep on hand when you want to make some old-school comfort food. With the seasoning ingredients pre-measured, the recipe comes together with...
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Orange Crush Sherbet
The tangy orange flavor of the popular soda pop frozen into a creamy confection.
Time: over 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
Freezer Alfredo Sauce
This make-ahead recipe comes in handy on busy days.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
DIY Lemon Extract
Homemade lemon extract: because sometimes, life gives you lemons and you make something awesome. A perfect project for when you're feeling a little extra zesty.
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Sardine Cat Cookies
Homemade sardine cat treats? Yes, please. Simple ingredients and an easy recipe make these biscuits a purrfect delight for your feline companion.
Method: oven
Time: under 30 minutes
How To Make Rice
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
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
Green Spinach Noodles
This simple homemade pasta is packed with flavor and vitamins. Goes great topped with a cream-based sauce like Alfredo or cut the strips small and use in a soup.
Method: stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
Coca Cola Barbecue Sauce
Coca Cola is a fantastic secret ingredient. Sweet, flavorful, and an absolutely perfect base for BBQ sauce. Just be prepared to be "grilled" about the secret.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Impossible Cheeseburger Pie
Made with eggs, milk, ground beef, onion, salt, cheddar cheese, Bisquick
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 30-60 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
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
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
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
7-Up Lemon Pound Cake
Made with lemon extract, butter, flour, sugar, eggs, 7-Up
Method: oven
Time: 1-2 hours
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
Brandied Plum Jam
This boozy plum jam is the perfect way to use up any extra plums you may have. The brandy in the recipe gives it a rich flavor that is perfect on toast or as a topping for pork chops.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 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
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
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
11 Minute Strawberry Jam
This 11 minute strawberry jam recipe is so easy. It's the perfect way to use up fresh strawberries, and it only takes a few minutes to make.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
7-Up Salad
Made with nuts, lime gelatin powder, vanilla extract, water, cream cheese, sugar, crushed pineapple, 7-up
Time: 30-60 minutes
Impossible Lasagne Pie
Impossibly delicious? Impossible to resist? Any way you slice it, it's very possible that this lasagna-inspired dish could become of your favorites.
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Grape-Plum Jelly
Made with powdered pectin, sugar, plums, Concord grapes, water, butter or margarine
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Homemade Grenadine (Pomegranate Syrup)
If you're looking to add a homemade touch to your beverages, this recipe for homemade grenadine is a fantastic choice. It offers a natural alternative to...
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 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
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
Spicy Croutons
These homemade croutons are perfect on salads or used in other recipes. They have an Italian flavor with a kick of cayenne.
Method: oven
Time: under 30 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
Sugar Free Fat Free Sweetened Condensed Milk
No fat or sugar in this version of homemade sweetened condensed milk
Time: 2-5 hours
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
Al Dente Make-Ahead Rice
Rice is simple to prepare but it takes time. Use this method for making it ahead of time so all you need to do is reheat... and eat!
Method: stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
Good Puppy Cookies
Made with powdered milk, flour, egg, brown sugar, garlic salt, baby food meat or chicken, gravy
Method: oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Easy-Bake Oven Chocolate Frosting Mix
Skip the packaged mixes, they are overpriced! Make your frosting mix so your kids will always have it on hand when they feel like baking in their Easy-Bake Oven.
Time: under 30 minutes
Easy-Bake Oven Chocolate Cake
There's nothing more satisfying than teaching your kids to bake from scratch using their own toy oven. The Easy-Bake Oven chocolate cake recipe is the perfect way to get...
Time: under 30 minutes
Edible Clay
A fun craft for kids, that they can eat too. The clay won't harden completely so it's fun to mold into shapes and decorate with dried fruit or cereal.
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Cool Whip
Cool Whip is a unique non-dairy whipped topping that is used in many recipes. You can make your own version with just a few shelf-stable ingredients.
Time: 30-60 minutes
Authentic Italian Sausage
Don't buy Italian sausage for a recipe, make it. This authentic pork sausage has fennel seeds, paprika, and thyme for flavors that'll beat store bought Italian sausage any day...
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
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
Homemade Hand Lotion
This homemade hand lotion recipe is perfect for those with sensitive skin. The lotion is unscented, but you can add your favorite essential oil to give it a pleasant scent.
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
Peanut Blossom Cookie Mix In A Jar
The classic peanut butter chocolate kiss cookie is a snap to make when you pre-mix the ingredients. Keep on hand for yourself, or give the cookie mix as a gift.
Time: under 30 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 Maraschino Cherries
Is there a more classic look than a bright red maraschino cherry garnishing a hot-fudge sundae? Make the cherries en masse at home so you can top off sundaes and garnish...
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Beer Pancakes
Pancakes are just the excuse you need to have beer for breakfast. A bit of brew make these flapjacks fluffy and flavorful. Try different beers - maybe a vanilla porter or spiced holiday...
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Silly Putty
A fun, homemade craft putty for your kids. Just two ingredients and optional coloring will yield hours of fun.
Time: under 30 minutes
Dog Biscuit Mix In A Jar
This dog biscuit mix in a jar is a great way to show a furry friend how much you care. This mix makes it easy to whip up a batch of delicious, healthy dog biscuits.
Time: under 30 minutes
French Cognac Vanilla
Upgrade your baking with this homemade vanilla extract made from French Cognac.
Time: over 5 hours
Sugar-Free Vanilla Coffee Creamer
You can still make a sweet, creamy cup of Joe without the added sugar. This pre-mixed blend with a touch of vanilla is a great option to have on hand.
Time: under 30 minutes
Old Fashioned Grape Jelly
When life gives you concord grapes, make grape jelly! This jelly is perfect for spreading on toast or using in recipes.
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Cocktail Wraps
Quick and easy appetizers made with miniature smoked cocktail hot dogs and refrigerated crescent roll dough.
Method: oven
Time: under 30 minutes
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
What's the secret ingredient in these cakes? Pudding mix. It not only adds flavor but it gives the cake a richer, creamier texture. No one will know your secret ingredient!
It may look like a sad little package shoved in the back of your freezer, but frozen spinach actually has a lot of culinary uses (and some may surprise you).
The name, vodka, comes from the Russian phrase zhiznennaia voda, or "water of life". It can be made from everything from potatoes to beets. It's considered to be fairly flavorless which makes it a great liquor for mixed drinks.