21 top recipes that won’t sit forgotten in your recipe box

ByHeidi Bruaw

Some recipes sound good on paper, but these are the ones that actually get made again and again. This collection is packed with the tried-and-true favorites that never get pushed aside or forgotten. If you’re looking for dishes that earn a permanent spot in your rotation, you’re about to find them.

A bowl of guacamole garnished with a cilantro leaf, surrounded by lime slices and tortilla chips on the side.
Guacamole. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

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 bakes up warm, hearty, and hard to resist from the first scoop. Crispy golden tots top layers of seasoned beef, creamy sauce, and plenty of melty cheddar for a dish that always delivers. It’s the kind of comfort food that won’t sit forgotten in your recipe box.
Get the Recipe: Tater Tot Casserole

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 comes together in minutes with almost no effort. Scoops of sherbet are dropped into a punch bowl and topped with lemon-lime soda, creating a bubbly, foamy treat. One sip makes it clear why this sweet and fizzy drink has been a favorite for so long.
Get the Recipe: Sherbet Punch

No Bake Lemon Cheesecake

A lemon pie with a graham cracker crust sits on a marble surface next to a spatula, a striped kitchen towel, stacked plates, and three whole lemons.
No Bake Lemon Cheesecake. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This no-fuss lemon cheesecake comes together in minutes with lemon pudding mix and a ready-made graham cracker crust. It sets up in the refrigerator until perfectly firm and easy to slice. Every bite is cool, creamy, and packed with bright, refreshing lemon flavor.
Get the Recipe: No Bake Lemon Cheesecake

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

Mexican Casserole

A partially served Mexican casserole in a baking dish, showing layers of corn, beans, cheese, and ground meat.
Mexican Casserole. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This easy Mexican casserole layers seasoned beef, Rotel tomatoes, crunchy chips, and plenty of melty cheddar into one cozy dish. It bakes up hot and bubbly with cheesy goodness in every bite. This is the kind of recipe that won’t sit forgotten in your recipe box once you’ve made it.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Casserole

Strawberry Coffee Cake

A slice of strawberry crumb cake on a white plate, surrounded by fresh strawberries, with more slices on plates in the background.
Strawberry Coffee Cake. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Strawberry coffee cake bakes up soft and tender with just the right touch of sweetness. The fresh strawberry flavor adds a light, fruity note that keeps each bite from feeling too rich. It’s the kind of treat that feels easy to enjoy any time of day.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Coffee Cake

Irish Soda Bread

Round loaf of Irish soda bread on wooden board.
Irish Soda Bread. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This Irish soda bread brings that familiar old-fashioned charm, with sweet raisins and a hint of caraway in every bite. There’s no yeast or kneading to worry about, so it comes together nice and easy. Serve it warm from the oven, and even the simplest meal feels just a little more special.
Get the Recipe: Irish Soda Bread

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 smooth, sweet, and carries a gentle coconut flavor that stands out in the best way. Butter, vanilla, and coconut whip together into a light, fluffy texture that spreads beautifully. One taste makes it pretty clear why this frosting keeps earning a spot on the favorites list.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Buttercream Frosting

Guacamole

A bowl of guacamole garnished with a cilantro leaf, surrounded by lime slices and tortilla chips on the side.
Guacamole. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Skip the store-bought version and make this fresh guacamole instead. It’s creamy and bright with plenty of lime, crisp red onion, and just enough jalapeño to give it a little kick. It won’t sit forgotten in your recipe box—this is the kind of dip that disappears fast once the chips hit the table.
Get the Recipe: Guacamole

Chicken Tortilla Casserole

A baked casserole topped with melted cheese and garnished with fresh cilantro in a white rectangular dish.
Chicken Tortilla Casserole. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This chicken tortilla casserole layers juicy chicken, mild green chiles, and soft tortillas for a warm, comforting dish. A creamy sauce bakes up thick and bubbling, bringing all the flavors together. It’s finished with a blanket of melted cheddar that makes every bite extra satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Old-Fashioned Banana Bread

Sliced loaf of banana bread on wooden board.
Old-Fashioned Banana Bread. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This classic banana bread bakes up soft, moist, and full of rich banana flavor in every bite. The smell alone fills the kitchen with that warm, homemade comfort you can’t quite beat. It’s the kind of easy treat that never lasts long once it’s set out on the counter.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Banana Bread

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.

With just a handful of pantry staples, you can stir together a silky, creamy white sauce that works with just about everything. It’s just as good draped over pasta as it is spooned onto vegetables or used as the base for countless comfort-food favorites. No surprise this one keeps rising to the top of the make-again list.
Get the Recipe: White Sauce

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 comes out creamy, tangy, and packed with that classic flavor everyone keeps coming back for. Chopped hard-boiled eggs mix with smooth cream cheese, mustard, and a touch of relish for just the right balance. It’s one of those easy dips that won’t last long once the crackers and chips hit the table.
Get the Recipe: Deviled Egg Dip

Applesauce Bread

A loaf of applesauce bread with three slices cut, two apples, a bowl of applesauce, and a red and white checkered cloth on a wooden cutting board.
Applesauce Bread. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Applesauce Bread bakes up soft and incredibly moist with cozy cinnamon, a hint of nutmeg, and bits of crunchy nuts throughout. It has that homemade flavor that makes the kitchen smell amazing while it bakes. Best of all, it comes together quickly, making it easy to whip up anytime.
Get the Recipe: Applesauce Bread

Blueberry Crisp

A bowl of berry crumble sitting next to flowers.
Blueberry Crisp. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This blueberry crisp is a timeless dessert that works just as well for a weeknight treat as it does for special occasions. The sweet, bubbling berries pair perfectly with a buttery, crunchy topping. It’s one of those simple desserts that always gets people coming back for another scoop.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Crisp

Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce Meatballs

Meatballs in a white bowl on a wooden table.
Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce Meatballs. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Grape jelly and chili sauce simmer together until they turn into a thick, glossy glaze that coats every meatball. The sauce balances sweet and tangy flavors with a mild kick of heat. One bite and it’s easy to see why these meatballs never last long at the table.
Get the Recipe: Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce Meatballs

Grasshopper Pie

A slice of mint Oreo dessert, reminiscent of grasshopper pie with its green creamy filling and crushed Oreo topping, sits on a white plate with a fork. In the background, a small jar filled with Oreos rests on a yellow surface.
Grasshopper Pie. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This no-bake grasshopper pie comes out cool, creamy, and full of refreshing mint flavor in every bite. A crunchy Oreo crust adds just the right contrast to the smooth, fluffy filling. That splash of crème de menthe gives it the classic, nostalgic taste that keeps everyone coming back for another slice.
Get the Recipe: Grasshopper Pie

Coconut Cake

A cake with a slice taken out of it.
Coconut Cake. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

This Coconut Cake is soft, tender, and loaded with sweet shredded coconut in every bite. The extra coconut gives it wonderful texture and that unmistakable flavor from the first slice to the last crumb. It’s the kind of cake that makes dessert impossible to overlook once it hits the table.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Cake

Quiche Lorraine

Slice of Quiche Lorraine on white plate next to fork and green salad.
Quiche Lorraine. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Quiche Lorraine layers crispy bacon, melted Swiss cheese, and a rich, creamy egg filling inside a buttery, flaky crust. It bakes up warm and comforting with just the right touch of indulgence. It’s the kind of breakfast that makes getting up feel like a pretty good idea.
Get the Recipe: Quiche Lorraine

Surprise Potatoes

A rectangular glass dish filled with a baked casserole topped with crumbled chips, with a wooden spoon scooping from the bottom left corner.
Surprise Potatoes. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Surprise Potatoes bake up hot and bubbly with plenty of cozy, comforting flavor. Frozen hash browns and generous handfuls of melty cheese create a rich, satisfying base. You can mix in whatever extras you’re in the mood for, making it easy to switch things up every time.
Get the Recipe: Surprise Potatoes

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 a bold, crunchy snack that never seems to last long once they hit the table. Buttery crackers sit overnight in a seasoned oil mixture, soaking up plenty of punchy flavor. By the time they’re ready, every bite is loaded with that zesty kick people keep reaching for.
Get the Recipe: Alabama Fire Crackers