Frankenrecipe

Our Food Editor's Absolute, All-Time Favorite Recipes

Every once in a while, we dig deep into the Epicurious database and pulls out all of the highest-rated recipes for one classic, beloved dish: lasagna, macaroni and cheese, French onion soup, and other home-cook favorites. Then we tear those recipes apart, taking the best element from each and combining them to make one ultimate, unbeatable recipe. We call them Frankenrecipes. You'll call them dinner.

By The Epicurious Editors

May 1, 2017

Image may contain Dish Food Meal Pasta Meatball and Spaghetti

Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Rhoda Boone
1/13
Our Favorite Spaghetti and Meatballs
Want to show someone you really care? Make them our ultimate spaghetti and meatballs.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Rhoda Boone
2/13
Our Favorite Key Lime Pie
This easy key lime pie recipe is a fusion of our best versions. The secret is a touch of lemon juice to balance the lime and a pinch of cinnamon in the crust.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
3/13
Our Favorite Mac and Cheese
Crispy, creamy mac ‘n’ cheese is the ultimate comfort food, ready to grace your weeknight table or holiday spread.
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Photo by Charles Masters, food styling by Sue Li
4/13
Our Favorite French Onion Soup
Buy the best beef broth you can, or better yet, make your own for a rich, full-flavored soup. And if you don't have ovenproof bowls or ramekins for the soup, don't worry—you can just top your soup with melty cheese toasts.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone
5/13
Our Favorite Cinnamon Rolls
Our ultimate version of this breakfast classic combines a rich, buttery dough with the warming flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg and the crunch of pecans.
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Photo by Charles Masters, Food Styling by Suzanne Lenzer
6/13
Our Favorite Lasagna With Sausage, Spinach, and Three Cheeses
Easy enough for a weeknight, but special enough for a dinner party.
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Photo by Charles Masters, Food styling by Sue Li
7/13
Our Favorite Texas Beef Chili
This cowboy-style "bowl of red" is all about tender chunks of beef chuck and a five-chile-pepper purée.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Astrid Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
8/13
Our Favorite Meatloaf
We tried a lot of meatloaf recipes in our test kitchen to create the ultimate version. We promise it won't disappoint.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Rhoda Boone
9/13
Classic Easy Banana Bread
We combined our favorite elements from the most popular banana bread recipes on our site to create the ultimate version of this sweet, nutty, supremely moist quick bread.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone
10/13
Our Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies
We went on a quest for the ultimate chocolate chip cookie: here it is.
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Photo by Tara Donne, Food and Prop Styling by Diana Yen
11/13
Our Favorite Latkes
We fried dozens of latkes—all the highest-rated versions on our site—to come up with our ultimate recipe with fluffy, pillowy-soft centers and crisp, golden brown edges.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi
12/13
Our Favorite Apple Pie
This classic apple pie recipe makes the perfect holiday dessert with a flaky, buttery crust and a tender, perfectly cooked fruit filling.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone
13/13
Our Favorite Mashed Potatoes
These perfect mashed potatoes are light and fluffy yet rich and creamy, with just a hint of garlic and thyme.
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The Best Mac and Cheese You'll Ever Make (Restaurant-Quality)

In this edition of Epicurious 101, professional chef and culinary instructor Frank Proto demonstrates how to make the best mac and cheese at home. From the perfect melty sauce to a delicious toasted crust, follow Frank’s guide and never make a dry mac and cheese again.

The Most-Saved Recipes in the Epicurious App This Week

Like grilled chicken wings and a citrus bitters cocktail.

The Most-Saved Recipes in the Epicurious App in May

Like green falafel smash burgers and a crispy rice salad.

Pro Chefs Blind Taste Test Every Hot Dog

Chefs Cara Nicoletti, Pat LaFrieda, and Matt Abdoo are used to thinking outside the box when it comes to cooking; however, today on Epicurious, we’ve asked them to give us their unfiltered, honest reviews of some prominent hot dogs found on supermarket shelves. Which hot dogs pack the most bang for your budget, and which should you avoid at all costs?

Pro Chefs Blind Taste Test Every Frozen Burrito

Chefs Yara Herrera, Eric See, and Adán Medrano are used to thinking outside the box when it comes to cooking; however, today on Epicurious, we’ve asked them to give us their unfiltered, honest reviews of some prominent frozen burritos found on supermarket shelves. Which burritos pack the most bang for your budget, and which should you avoid at all costs?

Cheese Expert Tries Every Trader Joe’s Cheese

Trader Joe’s is famous for its cheese selection, but which ones are actually worth buying? Cheese expert Liz Thorpe joins Epicurious to taste test everything from classic Brie and sharp cheddar to more adventurous flavors like chocolate stilton and spicy scotch bonnet. Join Liz as she breaks down the best buys, hidden gems, and which cheeses to skip on your next Trader Joe’s run.