11 top recipes readers save, share, and actually make

ByHeidi Bruaw

These are the recipes readers come back to again and again. They’re the ones getting saved, shared, and actually made in real kitchens on busy weeknights and cozy weekends. If you’re looking for tried-and-true favorites that never let you down, start right here.

A large glass bowl and three glasses filled with fizzy pastel punch and colorful marshmallows, set on a yellow and white checkered cloth.
Sherbet Punch. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

White Sauce

A plate of tortellini pasta covered in a creamy white sauce, sprinkled with black pepper, with a fork and napkin beside it.
White Sauce. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Turn pantry staples into a smooth, creamy white sauce that works with just about everything. Spoon it over pasta, drizzle it on veggies, or use it as the base for countless favorite dishes. It’s one of those top recipes readers keep coming back to again and again.
Get the Recipe: White Sauce

Cheddar Cheese Beer Soup

A bowl of cheesy dip topped with shredded cheddar cheese, surrounded by saltine crackers on a white plate, with a spoon in the dip.
Cheddar Cheese Beer Soup. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Microwave Cheddar Cheese Beer Soup is cozy, cheesy comfort you can make in minutes. A simple mix of carrots, green onions, salt, and pepper gives it just the right balance of flavor. It’s the kind of warm bowl I reach for on cold winter days.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Cheese Beer Soup

Tater Tot Casserole

A spatula lifts a serving of tater tot casserole from a glass baking dish, showing layers of ground beef, tater tots, and melted cheddar cheese.
Tater Tot Casserole. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This Tater Tot Casserole is pure comfort food. Crispy tots sit on top of savory beef, creamy soup, and plenty of melty cheddar. It’s the kind of cozy, no-fuss dinner everyone’s happy to see on the table. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want something warm, filling, and familiar.
Get the Recipe: Tater Tot Casserole

Chocolate Milkshake

Four chocolate milkshakes in mason jars topped with whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, and red striped straws, with chocolate syrup and whipped cream cans in the background.
Chocolate Milkshake. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Craving something cold and sweet without leaving the house? This easy Chocolate Milkshake comes together in minutes with just a few simple ingredients. Grab your blender and you’re sipping a homemade treat in no time.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Milkshake

Alabama Fire Crackers

A white bowl filled with seasoned square crackers is placed on a wooden surface, with a red and white checkered cloth in the background.
Alabama Fire Crackers. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Alabama Fire Crackers are one of those reader favorites I get asked about all the time. You just toss crackers in a zip-top bag with a bold, spicy oil mix and let them soak overnight. By the next day, you’ve got an easy, addictive snack that disappears fast.
Get the Recipe: Alabama Fire Crackers

Deviled Egg Dip

A bowl of deviled egg dip garnished with chives and paprika, surrounded by baby carrots on a striped cloth.
Deviled Egg Dip. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This deviled egg dip brings all the classic flavors you love into one creamy, scoopable bite. It’s rich and tangy with plenty of hard-boiled eggs, cream cheese, mustard, and just enough relish to keep things interesting. Chill it, grab the crackers and veggies, and watch it vanish at your next get-together.
Get the Recipe: Deviled Egg Dip

Hot Chipped Beef Dip

A glass bowl of creamy dip with chopped red peppers, surrounded by baby carrots, corn chips, a celery stick, and a whole red pepper on a glass plate.
Hot Chipped Beef Dip. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This classic Hot Chipped Beef Dip is rich, creamy, and full of savory flavor. It’s warm, comforting, and made for scooping with chips, crackers, or fresh veggies. It comes together easily with simple ingredients. Set it out and watch it disappear fast.
Get the Recipe: Hot Chipped Beef Dip

Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce Meatballs

A white bowl filled with several glazed meatballs sits on a wooden surface next to a yellow cloth.
Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce Meatballs. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

These Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce Meatballs are one of those throwback appetizers everyone goes for. They’re sweet, a little savory, and super hard to stop eating. Set them out at a get-together and watch them vanish.
Get the Recipe: Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce Meatballs

Sherbet Punch

A large glass bowl and three glasses filled with fizzy pastel punch and colorful marshmallows, set on a yellow and white checkered cloth.
Sherbet Punch. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This sherbet punch is a longtime reader favorite and always disappears fast. Scoop the sherbet into a punch bowl, pour over lemon-lime soda, and let it foam up into something fun and festive. It’s creamy, bubbly, and guaranteed to make any get-together feel like a party.
Get the Recipe: Sherbet Punch

Traditional Rum Balls

A stack of powdered sugar-coated cookies on a red plate, with a red mug and a red plaid cloth in the background.
Traditional Rum Balls. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

These classic Rum Balls are rich, boozy, and incredibly snackable. Vanilla wafers, walnuts, sweetened condensed milk, and a splash of rum come together in easy no-bake bites. Roll them in powdered sugar or sprinkles and try not to eat them all at once.
Get the Recipe: Traditional Rum Balls

Coconut Buttercream Frosting

A glass jar filled with a white creamy substance topped with shredded coconut sits on a wooden surface. A pink cloth is in the background.
Coconut Buttercream Frosting. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This Coconut Buttercream Frosting is creamy, sweet, and has just the right hint of tropical flavor. Butter, vanilla, and shredded coconut come together for a smooth, fluffy frosting that spreads like a dream. It’s perfect for cakes, cupcakes, or anytime you want a little coconut twist.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Buttercream Frosting