As a cooking editor, I get to try the hundreds of recipes that pass through our test kitchen (lucky me!). Of course, I have my favorites—I’m looking at you Chicken and Cabbage Stir-Fry and Double Tomato Focaccia—but it’s always fascinating to see what translates and catches the attention of you readers.
This year’s best recipes consist of silky pastas, with seasonal finds like this garlicky rigatoni with burst Sun Gold Tomatoes; monstrous salads chock-full of crisp purple cabbage, creamy avocado, juicy mango, and pan-fried rice; and a great deal of comforting bakes.
But coveted spot number one? That went to this protein-rich Cornbread Breakfast Casserole. Falling into the category of cooking we like to call “mix-and-pours,” boxed corn muffin mix is combined with other breakfast essentials: bacon, egg, and cheese, plus pickled jalapẽnos for good measure. The result is a nourishing make-ahead breakfast. One reader reports, “It’s just perfect;” another writes, “Glorious. Like a budget cornbread soufflé.” Read on for our beloved recipes of 2025.
