Quick and easy meals were some of the favorite recipes of Sarah’s Cucina Bella readers in 2020. Here are the top 10 new recipes.
This was the year of cooking. As the world shut down, travel ceased and people looked for things to occupy their time, cooking at home became a need and a want. We stocked our kitchens with ingredients and then had to use them.
There’s a silver lining in that. Cooking at home is a good thing.
In my own life, I found myself cooking more than I had in years. When my office closed, I began eating breakfast and lunch at home. Likewise, when my kids’ schools closed, they too found themselves eating lunch at home. Plus, we stopped eating out at restaurants as well (though we did order takeout from local restaurants once a week).
All of this also resulted in a shift on Sarah’s Cucina Bella too. There’s been more savory fare — from breakfasts to lunches to dinners and side dishes. Perhaps unsurprisingly, savory fare represents prominently in the top 10 new recipes of 2020.
It probably doesn’t hurt that these are some of my favorite recipes of the year too. (One favorite that didn’t make the list: make your own fancy ramen bowls.)
Most years, sweets make up 30 or 40 percent of the top 10 new recipes.
This year also had more new recipes on SCB than in recent years. There were 97 recipe and recipe roundup posts published here this year. Not bad.
Without further ado, these are the top 10 new recipes of 2020 on Sarah’s Cucina Bella.
Top 10 New Recipes of 2020
Honey Barbecue Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken
Fresh, easy and robust with flavor, this Honey Barbecue Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken recipe will delight your taste buds. Serve it as a sandwich.
Balsamic Mushroom Rice with Shallots
Rich and flavorful, Balsamic Mushroom Rice with Shallots is a delightful side dish.
Aglio e Olio (Pasta with Olive Oil and Garlic)
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.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup with Lime and Avocado
This delightful soup is tangy, filling and filled with flavors I love. The creamy avocado, meaty black beans, tomatoes and lots of chicken taste perfect together. And the hearty dose of cilantro is the ideal garnish. Most of all though, I love how easy it is to dump ingredients in the slow cooker and come home to a piping hot soup almost ready to serve.
Spicy Roasted Cauliflower with Gochujang
Spicy with notes of sweetness and tang, this side dish is bold and rich. Try Spicy Roasted Cauliflower with Gochujang with your favorite rice.
New England Steak Bombs
Philly cheesesteaks are good, but when you're from New England, you like your steak sandwiches a little different. Here's how to make Steak Bombs.
Chicken Stir Fry with Satay Marinade
Inspired by a traditional Thai dish, this Chicken Stir Fry with Satay Marinade is an easy, flavorful recipe perfect for enjoying with rice or other grains.
Broccoli Cheddar Muffins
Savory … muffins? Growing up, I never once imagined muffins could be anything but sweet (or at least lightly sweet) but as an adult, I've discovered how good savory takes on sweet baked goods can be. These are no exception. Cheddar lends a pleasant sharpness to these while earthy broccoli and scallions give them depth. These are great as a grab and go breakfast or an easy snack too.
Rustic Blueberry Apple Pie
Rustic pies, sometimes called galettes, are an easy way to enjoy pie without the extra prep of properly forming a pie crust. This one is filled with blueberries and apples — a scrumptious fruit combination. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you like.
Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni
Forget the boxed stuff, this recipe for Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni is superior in flavor and pretty easy too. Why not try some tonight?