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
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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Mascarpone Substitute
Make Ahead and Freeze Oven Meatballs
Make ahead today for a last minute dinner idea later or keep on hand to use in another recipe.
Method: oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Japanese Plum Jelly
If you can get your hands on some ripe Japanese satsuma plums, take advantage and make some jelly. Nothing complicated, just a sweet, pectin-thickened jelly to make some exceptional...
Method: stovetop
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
Grand Marnier Marmalade
This marmalade is so good, it will make you pucker up and say "ooh la la!" Grand Marnier gives this marmalade a wonderfully complex flavor.
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
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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
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
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
Velvet Crumb Cake
Pull out your baking gear because making dessert has never been simpler. With this velvet crumb cake, you'll discover that you can craft something truly special without the fuss.
Method: oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Homemade Shiny Craft Paint
Easily turn some liquid tempera paint into glossy craft paint perfect for painting everything from wooden signs to rocks. Just a couple household staples will do the trick.
Time: under 30 minutes
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
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
Colored Sand
You could buy colored sand for fun arts and crafts projects, but why buy it when you can make it yourself? All you need is sand and tempera paints.
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Weed Killer
This home remedy of vinegar, salt and regular dish soap kills weeds just as effectively, without all the nasty stuff.
Time: under 30 minutes
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
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
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork With Root Beer Barbecue Sauce
Root beer isn't just for floats anymore. This pulled pork recipe uses root beer twice: once to tenderize and again in a tangy sauce.
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Sugar Free Fat Free Sweetened Condensed Milk
No fat or sugar in this version of homemade sweetened condensed milk
Time: 2-5 hours
Pie Crust Mix
Save some prep time with this pie crust mix. Flour, salt, and shortening are mixed together ahead of time (and can be frozen) to help make your pie baking a breeze.
Time: under 30 minutes
Bayleaf Ant Remedy
Have ants? This DIY, natural remedy will take care of those ants for you. No chemicals involved, just bay leaves, salt, and water so it's safe around kids and pets.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
7-Up Layer Cake With Coconut Pineapple Frosting
Made with shortening, sugar, eggs, lemon extract, all-purpose flour, 7-UP, crushed-pineapple, butter
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
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
Impossible Pumpkin Pie
A crustless pumpkin pie made with pumpkin pie filling, evaporated milk, butter, eggs, sugar, Bisquick, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract.
Method: oven
Time: 1-2 hours
15 Minute Chicken Parmesan Risotto
Tender chicken serves as hidden treasure amongst the creamy rice with pops of peas. This can be served as a side item or a main course.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
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
Spiced Rhubarb Jam
Made with ground cardamom, cinnamon stick, rhubarb, sugar, water, ginger root
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Easy-Bake Oven Rice Krispies Treats
Skip the stove top method for Rice Krispies treats and let the kids make their own marshmallow cereal bars using the Hasbro Easy-Bake Oven.
Time: 30-60 minutes
Fancy Covered Meatballs
A beefy version of pigs in a blanket. Savory meatballs are wrapped in crescent roll dough and baked until golden brown. Makes a great appetizer.
Method: oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Butter Biscuits
These simple biscuits are extra buttery with chilled butter mixed into the batter and melted butter brushed on top after baking.
Method: oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Rhubarb and Fig Jam
Much maligned rhubarb rarely gets the love it deserves, but one spoonful of this rhubarb and fig jam will change your mind on the vegetable for good.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 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
Carpet Spot Cleaner
A homemade carpet spot cleaner recipe is an easy and affordable way to get your carpets looking new again. Made with just 3 simple ingredients that you may already have in your...
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
Warm up quickly when you keep a batch of this homemade hot cocoa mix on hand.
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Baking Powder
Turns out baking powder is just baking soda, cornstarch, and cream of tartar. So next time you need baking powder in a pinch, you might already have it on hand.
Time: under 30 minutes
Pancake Mix in a Bag
With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a batch of dry pancake mix that can be stored for weeks and used whenever you crave fluffy and delicious pancakes.
Time: under 30 minutes
Mom's Best Hot Cocoa Mix
Mom always comes through with the hot cocoa, and you'd better believe she has her recipe down. Just a few basic ingredients for the richest possible mug of warmth.
Time: under 30 minutes
Apple Pecan Skillet Pancakes
These loaded apple and pecan cinnamon pancakes are what dreams are made of. Well, if your dreams are breakfast related (and after a couple of these flapjacks, they probably...
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Cheese Sausage Balls
These scrumptious sausage bites could not be easier. Sausage, cheese, and baking mix all kneaded together and baked - perfect for dipping in all sorts of your favorite sauces as an...
Method: oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Julia Child's Lobster
Learn how to cook lobster from the master! Julia shares her methods for both boiling and steaming fresh lobster to perfection.
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Instant Cappuccino Mix
Want a quick coffee fix without having to stand in line or making an entire pot of coffee? Keep this instant cappuccino mix on hand for a quick hot drink (or iced!)
Time: under 30 minutes
Cappuccino Mix
Made with chocolate drink mix, powdered sugar, instant nonfat dry milk, instant coffee, non-dairy creamer
Time: under 30 minutes
Maple Pork Sausage
The sweet maple flavor pairs perfectly with the savory pork in this homemade sausage. Serve it with pancakes, eggs, French toast or use it in other recipes calling for breakfast...
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
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
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
Homemade Sour Cream
This recipe takes a couple of days to "sour" so it won't work for a sour cream emergency but it's a great way to make your own sour cream to have on hand (it will last 3...
Time: over 5 hours
Venison Sausage And Seasoning Mix
This sausage recipe cuts the venison with ground pork to keep the flavor rich without being too gamey, and throws in a flavorful seasoning mix for a little extra...
Time: under 30 minutes
Homemade Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Making homemade sun-dried tomatoes is a fantastic way to preserve the best tomatoes of the summer and use them for pizzas, pastas, and salads for months to come.
Method: oven
Time: over 5 hours
Black Raspberry Jam
You can use this black raspberry jam for more than just toast. How about for topping a melty brie grilled cheese?
Method: stovetop
Time: 2-5 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
Green Tomato Jelly
Who knew unripe tomatoes could taste this good? Green Tomato Jelly with a raspberry twist. Boil, blend, jar. Done.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Au Jus (Brown Stock)
This rich brown stock can be used as a soup base, or in any recipe calling for beef broth or stock.
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
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
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
Raspberry Jam (No Pectin Version)
Raspberry jam is a delicious and versatile spread that can be enjoyed on a variety of items, from toast to scones. What many people don't know is that this jam can be...
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Low-Fat Heavy Cream Substitute
A perfect low fat cream substitute for soups, sauces, and baked dishes.
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
Jell-O Finger Paint
A fun and edible finger paint. Good for craft projects, can be made in a variety of colors, and it smells great.
Time: under 30 minutes
Impossible Cheeseburger Pie
Made with eggs, milk, ground beef, onion, salt, cheddar cheese, Bisquick
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
This Italian cheese is so versatile that it can be used in both sweet and savory recipes from cheesecakes to lasagnas.
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.
Pumpkins aren't just for pies or Halloween decorations. These large, orange gourds - while naturally sweet - also work well in savory dishes. They pair well with poultry and pork (and especially bacon) and their creamy-when-cooked texture blends easily into soups.