14 Easy, One-Sentence Recipes (2024)

Toss 1 lb. white mushrooms, halved; 1 sm. red onion, cut into 8 wedges; 2 Tbsp. olive oil; and 1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves in 12-in. cast-iron or heavy skillet and top with 4 chicken-leg quarters; sprinkle with 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper and roast at 450°F 35 to 40 min. or until cooked through (165°F).

Serves 4

Layer in 8-in. square pan lined with plastic wrap 2 loaves chocolate pound cake, cut into 1/2-in.-thick slices and brushed with 1/4 c. Irish cream–flavored liqueur, and mixture of 1 1/2 c. whipped cream, 8 oz. softened cream cheese, and 1/4 c. confectioners' sugar; chill 3 hrs., then top with shaved crème de menthe thin mints.

Serves 8

Heat 12 oz. light beer, 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard, 1 garlic clove, crushed with press, 1/4 tsp. hot sauce in 4-qt. saucepan on low; whisk in 4 c. shredded sharp Cheddar cheese tossed with 2 Tbsp. cornstarch until melted and smooth.

Serve with sliced cooked sausage, cooked new potatoes, bread cubes, and apple slices for dipping.

Makes 2 1/2 cups

Pour mixture of 15 oz. ricotta cheese, 4 lg. eggs, 1/4 c. milk, 3 Tbsp. snipped chives, 1/4 tsp. each salt and pepper into 10-in. nonstick oven-safe skillet; pencil-thin asparagus spears, trimmed to fit, and bake in 375° oven for 40 min.

Serves 4

Press 10 oz. coconut macaroon cookies into a greased 9-in. pie plate, then pour 1 c. boiling heavy cream over 1 lb. finely chopped semisweet or bittersweet chocolate in heatproof bowl and stir until smooth; pour into crust, chill 6 hours, and top with raspberries and slivered orange peel.

Serves 12

Toss 12 oz. cooked shelled shrimp, 1 sm. Granny Smith apple, cored and thinly sliced, 1/2 seedless (English) cucumber, thinly sliced, 3 Tbsp. orange juice, Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, and 1 tsp. hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco); arrange on two dinner plates, sprinkle with 1/4 tsp. each salt and pepper, and, if desired, garnish with 2 Tbsp. toasted pine nuts.

Serves 2

Spread 3/4 c. canned almond pastry filling on 1 (9-in.) refrigerated premade piecrust (rolled out to 12 inches on parchment-paper–lined cookie sheet), leaving 2-inch border; top with 4 to 5 sliced med. plums, fold in edges, and bake at 400°F for 30 to 35 min. or until crust is golden and filling is bubbling.

Serves 8 to 10

Whisk 1/2 c. milk and 1 Tbsp. cornstarch in lg. bowl, then whisk in 1 (15-oz.) container ricotta cheese, 4 lg. eggs, 1/2 c. each chopped basil and grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 c. sliced green onions, and 1/2 tsp. salt; pour into nonstick 10-in. skillet with oven-safe handle, top with 1 lb. tomatoes, sliced, and bake at 375°F for 35 to 40 min. or until set and puffed.

Serves 6

Toss 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cubed, 3 Tbsp. olive oil, and 2 Tbsp. soy sauce; thread on soaked wooden skewers, alternating with 3 lg. nectarines, cubed, and 1 bunch green onions, cut into 1-in. pieces, and grill on med.-high, basting with 1/4 c. cider vinegar, 10 min. or until chicken is cooked through (165°F), turning over once.

Serves 4

Mash 1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted, and cubed; 1/2 tsp. lemon juice; and 1/4 tsp. each salt and crushed red pepper in med. bowl; spread on 4 slices toasted whole-grain bread and top each with 1 fried egg.

Serves 4

Simmer 2 (12-oz.) bags fresh or frozen (thawed) cranberries; 1/2 c. each sugar, maple syrup, and orange juice; 1 Tbsp. finely grated orange peel; and 1/4 tsp. each salt and pepper in med. saucepan on med.-high 10 to 15 min. or until slightly thickened.

Serves 8

Layer 3 (11-oz.) pound cakes, cubed, in 4-qt. trifle bowl with 3 c. vanilla pudding, 1 (10-oz.) jar lemon curd, and 5 med. oranges, sliced into half-moons; cover, refrigerate 4 hrs. or overnight, then top with 2 c. whipped cream and orange peel.

Serves 10

Mix 2 c. all-purpose baking mix (such as Bisquick), 2/3 c. milk, 1/3 c. packed brown sugar, 1 lg. egg, 2 Tbsp. melted butter, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, and 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon; stir in 1 apple, peeled and finely chopped, and 1/2 c. each crumbled granola and dried cranberries, then divide among paper-lined muffin tin cups and bake at 375°F 15 to 18 min. or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Serves 12

Simmer 1 cinnamon stick, 4 c. pomegranate juice, 6 peeled, halved, and cored pears, and 1/4 c. sugar in 4-quart saucepan until pears are tender (15 to 25 minutes). Serve with sour cream and a sprig of mint.

Serves 6

Fill each of 8 prepared meringue shells (from one package) with 1 tablespoon each whipped cream and lemon curd. Top with blueberries and blackberries.

Serves 8

Prefer to whip up your own meringue? Try our recipe »