This is a look back at 15 years of Sarah’s Cucina Bella through the most notable recipes. These are the all-time best recipes because they’re beloved.
What’s your favorite recipe you’ve developed? This is a question writers ask of cookbook authors, blog writers and other people who work in food. But much like children, it’s hard to choose. All have their merits and memories.
As we countdown to the 15th anniversary of the launch of Sarah’s Cucina Bella on Nov. 9, though, I wanted to do a retrospective of some of the most notable recipes published here. These recipes represent some of my personal favorites along with crowd favorites and ones that got the most attention.
Of course, with thousands of recipes on this site, this only represents a small smattering of the reliable, delicious recipes that have been delighting readers since 2005. I hope you enjoy these, and then go dig through the archives as well.
What’s in the list?
Sweet potato fries — actually, a pair of recipes for sweet potato fries — got discovered overnight once. They represent my first (and second) recipe to ever go viral. I didn’t know what to do with the attention.
Pumpkin is a favorite around here, so there’s a number of pumpkin recipes on the list including the cupcakes I adore, the pancakes a long-time reader adores and more. Likewise, blueberry dishes are a favorite too. The blueberry white chocolate pancakes, in particular, are my son Will’s favorite.
Pasta is always on rotation in our home, so I’ve included several recipes for pasta. It was hard to narrow down though — I have so many favorite pasta recipes with shrimp, for instance.
The turkey and gravy recipes I make every year for Thanksgiving are also on the list. So is the special overnight French toast my family craves.
And more! Have a look through.
Do you have a favorite?
Regular readers, I want to hear from you! Do you have an pick for all-time best recipes from the first 15 years of Sarah’s Cucina Bella? Share in the comments so new readers can find more beloved suggestions.
Best Recipes from the First 15 Years of Sarah's Cucina Bella
There have been thousands of recipes published on Sarah's Cucina Bella since its launch in 2005. These represent my personal favorites, reader favorites and ones that got the most attention over the years.
Juicy, flavorful burgers are bathed in a homemade poblano cheese sauce and topped with pear slices and lettuce for a craveworthy, restaurant-quality sandwich.
When we lived in Connecticut, I used to order a salad like this from a local pizza joint on the regular. When I made this copy-cat version, my kids fell in love with it too. So, of course, it made the list.
Inspired by a dish at Carmine's in New York, this lemony pasta is a quick and easy dish perfect for dinner parties. A definite crowd pleaser!
Flavorful sweet potato fries bake to perfection in this recipe. When this went viral, I didn't know what to do — it was such a surprise.
Earthy rosemary and robust parmesan cheese coat these sweet-savory sweet potato fries. These make a lovely side dish with chicken, burgers, hot dogs and more.
Seeking the best chicken drumstick recipe? This Crunchy Oven Fried Chicken recipe can't be beat -- it's full of flavor and so easy too.
This is pure comfort food — the garlicky flavor and perfectly cooked chicken and green beans are such a treat together.
Garlic, thyme, olive oil, a squeeze of lemon ... this recipe is simple but it's also super reliable. My kids love this — and readers have too for years and years.
This easy recipe for turkey gravy is totally scalable. Make as much as you need, adjusting the measurements as needed to achieve the desired gravy.
This overnight creme brulee French toast takes two days to make -- but it's totally worth it. The rich, sweet results are always a crowd favorite.
As far as appetizers go, this is one I could eat every single day. The roasted shrimp are a nice alternative to the typical shrimp cocktail. The sauce is perfectly balanced. And it's all around good food.
This recipe was one I made often in late summer and early fall when my family and I used to spend time together at my family's beach cottage. It's also one Will took for the first day of school once. So there's a lot of happy memories associated with it — plus it's absolutely divine.
Creamy risotto dotted with artichoke hearts, leftover turkey and kalamata olives: delightful! But better yet, this turned my whole family onto risotto as a comfort food.
This is the turkey recipe I make every year. It's easy, flavorful and cooks up perfectly every time.
This pasta is fantastic as a meal served with a big garden salad and some crusty bread. If desired, add a half-cup of fresh, lightly cooked peas to the mix for a little added nutrition (and sweetness).
Lightly sweetened, this breakfast cake has a springy texture and is easy to make. Why not bake a Blueberry Oatmeal Crumb Cake today?
Will's favorite pancakes! Sweet-tart blueberries and white chocolate are a perfect match. And though these are shown with syrup, they really don't even need it.
This Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread recipe yields a moist loaf with a crisp crust. Dotted throughout with chocolate chips and brimming with pumpkin flavor, it's a favorite.
These are my all time favorite cupcakes.
This is a popular fall recipe that's always reliable and full of wonderful pumpkin flavor.
Pasta cooked to al dente. Garlic cooked in olive oil until just fragrant. Salt, pepper, perhaps a little cheese. This is a simple dish but so, so good.
This is a favorite of my daughter, Paige. In fact, I first made it for her birthday years and years ago. It's robust and full of flavor.
Teeming with roasted garlic, romano cheese and lots of butter, this quick and easy garlic bread is the best ever. Try it!
Reliable, easy and always delightful — this is my go-to pizza dough recipe.
Creamy and smooth, with a slight sweetness from the leeks, this recipe for Super Easy Potato Leek Soup is a cinch to make. Dress it up with fresh herbs and/or hot sauce to make it your own.
This is another family-favorite. Perfectly cooked Brussels sprouts. A lemony, tart vinaigrette. Delightful! This appears on the table for just about every holiday.
Cauliflower is roasted to crisp-tender, and then bathed in a warm pancetta garlic vinaigrette. It's a tangy, warm peppery Roasted Cauliflower Salad perfect for chilly nights.
Traditional eggs benedict is given a New England spin in this decadent recipe for Lobster Benedict, featuring fresh lobster, a blender hollandaise sauce and poached eggs on an English muffin.
Angel
Friday 13th of November 2020
I love your broccoli slaw.. yumm and those double chocolate salted cookies 😋😋😋😋
Sarah Walker Caron
Sunday 15th of November 2020
Thank you, thank you, thank you!