It’s no secret that Simply Recipes editors and writers adore Ina Garten. What’s not to love? She’s a home cook’s best friend with a breadth of knowledge to share with fans whether they’re novices or pros in the kitchen. From simple tips to elaborate recipes, she makes learning the ways of the kitchen not so daunting—this is exactly what we stand for here at Simply Recipes.
Below you’ll find 14 of our favorite Ina Garten recipes that our editors and writers turn to again and again. I hope you love them as much as we do.
Simply Recipes / Myo Quinn
1. Beatty’s Chocolate Cake
Ina’s crowd-favorite chocolate cake is Associate Editorial Director Myo Quinn’s go-to chocolate cake recipe. Calling “the best chocolate cake [she’s] ever had,” Myo bakes this cake for birthdays, dinner parties, and run-of-the-mill chocolate cravings. “No other chocolate cake (or cake, in general) comes close,” she says.
Simply Recipes / Molly Adams
2. Chicken in a Pot
Ina’s chicken in-a-pot recipe is for those long days when all I want is to rest comfortably on my couch watching my favorite show. In true one-pot fashion, this recipe is relatively hands-off. Add all the ingredients into a pot, pop it in the oven, and you’re ready to hang tight until the timer goes off and it’s time to eat!
Simply Recipes / Molly Adams
3. Turkey Meatloaf
Not a meatloaf lover? Ina’s turkey meatloaf might change your mind, just as it did for writer Molly Adams. A life-long critic of meatloaf, Molly now regularly makes this recipe for her family. Made with seasoned caramelized onions, ground turkey, eggs, and breadcrumbs, “the resulting meatloaf is tender, and full of rich, savory flavor and my kids love it.”
Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph
4. Blueberry Ricotta Cake
“One recipe that made it into my keepers folder long ago is an Ina Garten classic, her Blueberry Ricotta Cake,” says Senior Editor Laurel Randolph. “It’s the ideal level of sweetness with pops of tartness from the berries, and the texture is to die for. Ina calls it a breakfast cake, and it is delightful for breakfast or brunch, but it’s also the ideal cake for a dinner party, potluck, tea time, you name it.”
Simply Recipes / Myo Quinn
5. Tuscan Lemon Chicken
Ina’s easy Tuscan lemon chicken is a reliable five-ingredient dinner. According to Myo, “It’s the juiciest, most bewitchingly delicious chicken recipe that I’ve been making for over 15 years. The chicken is marinated in a lemon, garlic, and rosemary magic potion. It’s the best part of the recipe and what guarantees the meat to be juicy and tender.”
Although the recipe is tagged for intermediate cooks because it calls for butterflying a whole chicken, Myo simplifies it by using whole chicken legs and roasting everything in the oven.
Simply Recipes / Sara Haas
6. Weeknight Bolognese
After cooking ground sirloin, Ina deglazes the pan with red wine and adds tomato paste, crushed canned tomatoes, heavy cream, and seasoning to create a robust sauce that is then added to your choice of pasta. Ina recommends orecchiette.
Simply Recipes / Molly Adams
7. Coconut Macaroons
Ina’s five-ingredient coconut macaroon recipe is the easiest I’ve ever encountered. It’s ready in just 10 minutes! Molly Adams agrees, “What I love most about Ina’s recipe is that it is foolproof thanks to the fact that two of the main ingredients are sold in the exact quantity the recipe calls for. In other words, it leaves very little room for error when measuring.”
Simply Recipes / Molly Adams
8. Chicken with Goat Cheese & Basil
In Ina’s “Ask Ina” social series, she revealed what she considers “the easiest dinner she knows to make:” chicken with goat cheese and basil. With just three ingredients—chicken breast, goat cheese, and basil—this chicken dinner is ready in 35 to 40 minutes. Ina’s tip? Take out the chicken while slightly undercooked, and it will finish cooking as it cools. When the internal temperature is 165°F, it’s ready to serve.
Simply Recipes / Myo Quinn
9. Tuscan Soup
Another go-to in Myo’s household is Ina’s Tuscan soup. Myo has made it for over 10 years, and it’s still her favorite! “Ina’s Tuscan soup calls for cannellini beans [that] melt into the broth, becoming ultra-luxurious. Try it once, and don’t be surprised if it becomes a wintertime cooking ritual.”
Simply Recipes / Myo Quinn
10. Raspberry Rhubarb Crostata
I think we were all looking forward to spring, especially its two quintessential flavors: berries and rhubarb. Myo’s favorite springtime dessert is Ina’s raspberry rhubarb crostata for that exact reason. “It’s a gorgeous sight to behold: The golden crust, the vibrant raspberries and rhubarb, and the sweet syrup bursting through the edges. It’s the ray of sunshine I need to kick off spring.”
Simply Recipes / Myo Quinn
11. Easy Tomato Soup
Another Ina original that withstood the test of time at Myo’s is Ina’s easy tomato soup recipe. “True to Ina fashion, this is a delicious soup that’s easy to make and calls [only] for pantry staples. Serve warm with a grilled cheese sandwich cut into cubes à la croutons. My family loves this soup so much—we never ever have leftovers.”
Simply Recipes / Christine Fiorentino
12. Skillet Roasted Lemon Chicken
Ina is the chicken dinner queen! Another recipe I am adding to my handy-dandy recipe archive is her skillet roasted lemon chicken, and contributor Christine Fiorentino agrees: “If you asked me to choose one Ina Garten recipe my family loves most, her skillet roasted lemon chicken comes to mind without missing a beat. From its sheer simplicity, and always-juicy and rich flavor, there’s a whole lot to love about this lemony, golden, one-pan chicken. I have made this dish many times for my husband, and it’s safe to say that this is our top pick.”
Simply Recipes / Molly Adams
13. Fresh Apple Spice Cake
Any one of Ina’s cakes is guaranteed to be amazing, including her simple fresh apple spice cake. “The beauty of this cake is in its versatility,” Molly Adams shares. “It makes an amazing dessert when topped with caramel and ice cream, but would also be delicious as a breakfast cake.”
Simply Recipes / Getty Images
14. Scrambled Egg Upgrades
Scrambled eggs are my ultimate breakfast, but the predictable salt and pepper combo can get pretty redundant. Ina’s scrambled egg upgrades are a welcomed reprieve when I’m looking to switch it up. Sprinkled among her various cookbooks, her upgrades include scrambled eggs cacio e pepe, truffled scrambled eggs, scrambled eggs with smoked salmon (my favorite), roasted asparagus with scrambled eggs, and scrambled eggs with goat cheese.
