RecipesItalian Chicken Noodle Skillet This saucy, cheesy pasta and chicken dish sure doesn’t feel low fat, but it is! Writes Mary Jones of St. Louis, Missouri, “My husband loves this dish. It’s so good, you’ll want to lick the plate!”
RecipesBacon-Wrapped Appetizers These bacon wrapped appetizers are always a hit at birthdays and Christmas. Water chestnuts lend a wonderful and unexpected crunch to any party, while the pineapple’s sweetness is perfect with sweet-and-sour sauce. —Nancy Harrold, Broken Bow, Nebraska
RecipesZippy Potato Chunks In Indian Harbour Beach, Florida, Priscilla Gilbert gives roasted potatoes a twist. She takes a queue from chicken wings and adds a dash of hot sauce and a creamy dip for a side dish that friends and family adore.
RecipesZucchini & Sweet Corn Souffle As novice gardeners, my husband and I sowed zucchini seeds—15 hills’ worth! Happily, my family requests this corn souffle side dish often, so it’s a keeper. —Carol Ellerbroek, Gladstone, Illinois
RecipesSmoky Peanut Butter Chili I eliminated beans from my standard chili recipe and added peanut butter and peanuts just for fun. Wow, was it amazing! I tried it on my family and everyone loved it. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
RecipesHash Brown Pancakes with Smoked Salmon & Dill Cream On weekends when I was growing up, pancakees, salmon and bagels were our brunch staples. Now, I combine the concepts and use whipped cream instead of cream cheese. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
RecipesBacon-Wrapped Blue Cheese Shrimp Blue cheese, bacon and basil pack big flavor into a couple of bites. To save time, you can assemble the skewers the night before and then serve them hot from the broiler on the day. —Vivi Taylor, Middleburg, Florida
RecipesApple, Cheddar & Bacon Bread Pudding I had this dish at a bridal brunch many years ago. It was so delicious that I created my own version, and this is the result. Now I make it all the time. Enjoy! —Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina
RecipesCheesy Vegetable Medley Can’t decide whether to cook vegetables or pasta for a side dish? Try combining them in this medley. It received rave reviews at our volunteer fire department meeting. Now, I make it for other covered-dish suppers.
RecipesBlack Beans and Pasta This black bean pasta was something I created as a teenager, back when I was a vegetarian. Now that my daughter doesn’t eat meat, she asks for this dinner several times a week. —Ashlynn Azar, Beaverton, Oregon
Recipes90-Minute Dinner Rolls Now that we’re empty nesters, I look for recipes that are sized right for two. This roll recipe makes a single dozen, which gives us the perfect amount to enjoy for a few days. —Reba Erickson, Edwardsville, Kansas
RecipesShrimp Salad Appetizers This refreshing hors d’oeuvre has gained a big following since a friend shared her family recipe with me. My son says it best: The celery and shrimp are so good together. —Solie Kimble, Kanata, Ontario
RecipesVegetable, Steak and Eggs Low-carb doesn’t have to mean skimpy—here’s a lighter take on steak and eggs. I love cooking with squash, but feel free to toss in any vegetable combination you like. —Robert Deskin, Plantation, Florida
RecipesSpinach & Bacon Salad with Peaches Peaches and bacon? Oh, yeah. I made this family favorite for a big summer party. It was so easy to prep the parts separately, then toss it all together right before chow time. —Megan Riofski, Frankfort, Illinois
RecipesShrimp ‘n’ Shells Salad “I received this recipe from a friend,” explains Heather Richardson. “It can even be served as a light dinner with toasted garlic bread.” The St. Paul, Virginia reader serves the low-fat salad on a bed of fresh greens.
RecipesGarlic & Herb Artichoke Salmon If you’re new to cooking fish (or even if you’re a pro), this no-fail salmon recipe is one you have to try. It’s easy enough for everyday, but also wows at dinner parties. —Margee Berry, White Salmon, Washington