The Most Popular Recipes of 2021
Last year, you probably could have guessed the most popular recipes of the year without looking at a list—all you had to do was scroll through Instagram to see all that banana bread, all of those cinnamon rolls, sourdough loaves, and bagels. But do you know what your fellow Epi readers have been cooking in 2021? For the most part, the answers fell into three categories: it was easy, or it was sweet, or it was both of those. Below, you'll find our most popular quick pastas, luscious cheesecakes, simple weeknight dinners, and fuss-free desserts, as well as the holiday classics you come back to year after year.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson1/87Simple One-Skillet Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Easy pasta recipes filled many of the slots on our most popular recipes of the year list. But this one is even easier than most: the chicken, sauce, and pasta for this dish all cook in the same pan. You can add broccoli, mushrooms, or herbs at the same time that you stir in the Parmesan.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi2/87Simple Classic Stuffing
This stuffing is a perennial favorite—if you didn't make it at Thanksgiving, consider giving it a whirl alongside your holiday roast before the year is up.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne5/87Nanaimo Bars
This no-bake confection from British Columbia requires very little hands-on time to make. The filling is flavored with custard powder, though same bakers use vanilla paste instead.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton6/87Old-Fashioned
This is the classic whiskey cocktail for those who love bourbon or rye—it's simple to make right in the glass it's served in. Of course, if you're looking for a holiday project, you can also start with this recipe and play around with whatever spirits you have on hand.
Photo by Caleb Adams, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell9/87Three Cities of Spain Cheesecake
Is this recipe from Gourmet simply the best cheesecake recipe of all time? There are certainly those who make that argument.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Susan Ottaviano10/87Simple Roast Chicken
This classic Thomas Keller recipe yields a juicy bird with remarkably crispy skin. Serve with roast potatoes and a crisp salad.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Simon Andrews12/87Crisp Roast Duck
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell15/87Dry Martini
Make this recipe once, and you'll probably have it memorized. But if you really want to dial in your own signature martini, read our guide.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson17/87Classic Seafood Boil With Lemon-Butter
Photo by Andrew Purcell, Prop Styling by Paige Hicks, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell19/87Leg of Lamb With Garlic and Rosemary
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Dana Bonagura22/87Oven Risotto With Crispy Roasted Mushrooms
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova24/87Salted-Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi28/87Classic Pecan Pie
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton29/87Peach and Butter Pecan Ice Cream Icebox Cake
Photo by Paul H. Christian, Food Styling by Michele Figliuolo33/87Hot Toddy
Hot cocktails have branched out way beyond the classic toddy, but the original is beloved for a reason.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone39/87Peruvian-Style Roast Chicken With Tangy Green Sauce
Photo by Peden & Munk43/87How to Cook a Ham
This classic holiday ham has a zesty brown sugar and mustard glaze. Be sure to start with enough for ample leftovers—leftover ham recipes are really the best part.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Simon Andrews44/87Chocolate Mousse
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Rhoda Boone47/87Our Favorite Key Lime Pie
A touch of ground cinnamon boost the flavor of this Key lime pie, but the most important addition is a touch of lemon, which cuts the bitterness of Key limes in just the right way.
Photo by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova51/87Flourless Chocolate Cake
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Christopher Barsch52/87Chocolate–Peanut Butter Sheet Pan Ice Cream Sandwiches
Fill a giant cookie with a slab of ice cream so you can have these desserts ready in your freezer at all times. It's called being prepared.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou53/87Golden Beet Cake With Cream Cheese Ermine Frosting
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks54/87Herb-Crusted Cauliflower Steaks With Beans and Tomatoes
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich58/87Garlicky Instant Ramen Noodle Salad With Grilled Chicken Thighs
Epi contributor Leela Punyaratabandhu was inspired by bami haeng when developing this garlicky noodle salad, topped with grilled chicken and lots of crunchy veggies.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton60/87French 75
The French 75 is easily one of our favorite Champagne cocktails. This version of the drink is vibrant, herbal, and bright. If you're looking for a slightly richer variation, use cognac in the place of gin.
Photo by Marcus Nilsson, Prop Styling by Amy Wilson, Food Styling by Frances Boswell62/87Creamy Pasta With Crispy Mushrooms
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell65/87Roasted Garlic and Parmesan Baked Halibut
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton69/87Microwave Coconut Sticky Rice With Mango
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton70/87Crispy Chicken Over Turmeric-Lemon Cabbage and Peas
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi71/87Our Favorite Apple Pie
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell72/87Double-the-Mustard Chicken With Potatoes and Greens
If you've been running low on chicken dinner ideas, don't miss this recipe. Dijon mustard mixed with honey serves as a sweet and tangy marinade, while the whole-grain mustard adds dynamic pops of flavor to the dressing.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou74/87Tahini Chiffon Cake With Burnt Honey Cream and Poached Rhubarb
Photo by Travis Rainey, Styling by Joseph De Leo75/87Classic Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs make any finger-food meal feel well-rounded and elegant. This version starts classic, but you can feel free to get fancy with the garnishes. Try pickled shallots and fresh herbs, crumbled bacon, or even trout roe. Or you can mix a little hot sauce, harissa, or canned chipotle into the filling for heat, or chopped pickles for tang.
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich76/87Swordfish Steaks With Peppercorn Butter
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton81/87Masa Pancakes
We're always down for a pancake breakfast, but this version from chef Alan Delgado is truly special. The key: they're made with masa instead of wheat flour.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Dawn Perry82/87Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder With Zesty Basil Sauce
This meltingly tender pork shoulder is the ultimate make-ahead dinner party main. A fresh chimichurri-style basil sauce balances the rich pork with bright, zesty flavors.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton83/87Sonoran-Style Potato, Cheese, and Tomato Soup
Caldo de queso features chunks of potato simmered in tomato-tinted broth until soft, with fresh cheese such as queso fresco added to each bowl. The cheese mostly keeps its shape but softens and begins to break apart. In this version, Epi contributor Christian Reynoso adds poblano chiles, summer squash, and tomatoes.
Photo and Food Styling by Joseph De Leo85/87Yeasted Beer Bread
No, you don't need sourdough starter to make great bread at home. This no-knead loaf from Epi contributor and cookbook author Roxana Jullapat is made with a combination of whole grain rye and bread flours. Molasses and dark beer add warm notes that enhance the rich flavor of the rye.
