If anyone is the queen of easy recipes, it's Ina Garten. After all, her catchphrase "How easy is that?" follows just about every recipe that she makes on Food Network's Barefoot Contessa. If you've always wanted to try some of Ina's best recipes but weren't sure where to start, consider this list of 15 foolproof recipes your perfect jumping-off point. From her beloved 30-minute shrimp scampi to roasted cauliflower and more, each of these recipes will convince you that it really is possible to re-create Ina's favorite meals at home.
1Easy Ina Garten Recipe: Three-Cheese Baked Shells With Radicchio and Mushrooms
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Take shells and cheese to the next level with radicchio, mushrooms, and fontina and gorgonzola cheeses. The baked pasta dish is as simple as boiling pasta, sauteing vegetables, and baking it all together until it's bubbly and melty.
2Easy Ina Garten Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Snowflakes
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Standard roasted vegetables have nothing on Ina's roasted cauliflower snowflakes. With just five ingredients including olive oil, you can transform a head of cauliflower into cheesy, crunchy bits of heaven.
3Easy Ina Garten Recipe: Spicy Tomato Soup With Grilled Cheese Croutons
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A pinch of red pepper flakes works wonders in the flavor department for tomato soup. Served with adorable grilled cheese croutons, it's just about the most perfect comfort food recipe.
It's clear why Ina Garten's shrimp scampi is one of her most popular dinner recipes. Quick, foolproof, and flavorful (hello, garlic and lemon), it's the ultimate weeknight meal.
5Easy Ina Garten Recipe: Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad
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Perfect for potlucks and picnics, Ina Garten's sun-dried tomato pasta salad is delicious cold or at room temperature. It's made almost entirely of pantry staples like olives, capers, red wine vinegar, and jarred sun-dried tomatoes.
6Easy Ina Garten Recipe: Parmesan, Black Pepper, and Thyme Crackers
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Instantly upgrade your meat and cheese plate with homemade crackers — they're easier than they sound. These savory crackers have parmesan, black pepper, and thyme, and just might be the most flavorful kind you've ever had.
7Easy Ina Garten Recipe: Lemony Celery and Parmesan Salad
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A celery salad doesn't sound like the most enticing appetizer, but rest assured, Ina makes it a tasty one with fresh additions like lemon zest, shaved parmesan cheese, shallots, and anchovy paste (trust).
You might never have uttered "magic" and "broccoli" in the same sentence before, but after trying this recipe once, it'll become a part of your weekly dinner rotation.
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Step away from the bottled tzatziki sauce and make Ina Garten's foolproof version instead. Use it for dipping with pita chips, drizzling on Greek salads, or serving with falafel.
All you need for the best bacon of your life is maple syrup and bacon (of course). The secret to keeping the bacon crispy and avoiding a greasy mess is to place a baking rack on top of a sheet pan before adding the bacon.
11Easy Ina Garten Recipe: Wild Mushroom and Leek Lasagna
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Give traditional lasagna a break and try this white-sauce version loaded with mushrooms and parmesan cheese. It's the ultimate vegetarian comfort food that makes for leftovers you'll look forward to.
13Easy Ina Garten Recipe: Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
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From Ina Garten's Make It Ahead cookbook, these cheesy mashed potatoes can be assembled and refrigerated three days before baking. Plan ahead for Thanksgiving or dinner, and you'll have warm and cheesy mashed potatoes in the blink of an eye.
14Easy Ina Garten Recipe: Chicken Breasts With Goat Cheese and Basil
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Boring chicken breasts have no place at Ina Garten's table. This chicken is stuffed with goat cheese and basil, and it's sure to become one of your favorites.
Instead of chilled shrimp cocktail, serve up a roasted version fresh from the oven. While the shrimp bakes, prepare the superquick cocktail sauce with chili sauce, ketchup, horseradish, and lemon.