Whenever I’m asked to name my “favorite” recipes from my cookbook, I just can’t do it! Here’s the thing: all of the 130+ recipes ARE my favorite.
- I tested every recipe 6+ times (though most were tested many more; you can read about recipe testing here), until each was so delicious, it made me (and my independent recipe testers) DANCE around the kitchen.
- I agonized over every detail, from making sure each ingredient truly mattered for the recipe and was easy to find, to writing instructions that were crystal clear, to keeping the dishes you’d have to wash to a minimum, to providing useful tips, like how to store, reheat, and repurpose leftovers.
- I opened myself up and shared personal stories in the recipe headnotes. I wanted this book to be fun to read!
- I cooked the food for the photos! Every recipe has a gorgeous photo to go alongside it.
Hearing how much you are loving the book has made it all WORTH IT!
- We are up to nearly 370 positive reviews. THANK YOU!!!
- Every single review is helpful and brings me more joy than I can express. (If you purchased a copy and haven’t left a review yet, please consider taking a moment to do so here. It matters SO MUCH♥.)
We’ve had some extra excitement since the book came out also!
- I cooked live on Good Morning America, was featured in People Magazine, had an interview on NPR, and have a few upcoming segments in the works too (sign up here to stay up to date—I’ll send you my most popular recipes and book news).
- I’m also giving away more than $4,000 in prizes (Dutch ovens, pro kitchen knives, grocery $, and more)! Entering is free and easy. There’s only few weeks left to enter, so GET ON IT. You can enter as many times as you want, and it’s still anyone’s game. Find all the details here.
To celebrate the turn of the season, I’ve rounded up 12 recipes from The Well Plated Cookbook that are perfect for busy school nights, cooler fall nights, and game days.
These recipes are all my favorite but TELL ME: what’s YOUR favorite recipe you’ve tried from the book so far?? Please comment below and let me know. I’d love love to hear from you!
PSST!!! If you still need your copy of The Well Plated Cookbook, you can snag it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, IndieBound, Boswell Books (Erin’s local bookstore; call to see if they have a signed copy!), or just about anywhere books are sold.
1. Every Day Apple-Cinnamon Pancakes (page 55)
These are probably THE #1 breakfast item you’ve been posting to social media. The batter is all made in the blender, so it’s easy-peasy and the apple topping is to die for.
2. Caramelized Onion Bacon Dip (page 68)
This will make you the most popular person at any party. Luscious, creamy, and filled with caramelized onions and bacon. Need I say more?
3. Maple Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Arugula (page 95)
Undoubtedly fall’s favorite salad. Sweet cubes of butternut squash roasted with maple syrup, then tossed together with hearty farro, plump cranberries, and walnuts.
4. Sheet Pan Tandoori Chicken (page 131)
This recipe is so delightful, I shared it live on Good Morning America. It’s a simple, super flavorful all-in-one-meal with tender chicken, warm spices, vegetables, and chickpeas.
5. Butternut Squash, Chicken, and Wild Rice Casserole (page 164)
This one tastes like a cozy hug in a dish. It has so many of my favorite fall ingredients, and the leftovers taste even better!
6. Italian Turkey Sausage Skillet with Farro, Greens, and Beans (page 139)
This one-pan gem shines with robust flavors, comes together in short order, and reheats like a dream. A universal favorite amongst my recipe testers!
7. Blue Ribbon Chili (page 228)
Rich, thick, and aromatic, there is no better dish to warm your insides on a cool fall day or fill it during the big game. A few of you have already won chili cook-offs with this one!
8. Slow Cooker Crispy Pineapple Pork Carnitas (page 217)
Juicy, slow-cooked pork in a double whammy of spices and sweet pineapple. It creates its own stick glaze as it cooks.
9. Better-Than-a-Restaurant Baked Cauliflower Parmesan (page 170)
A lightened-up twist to a classic Italian dish, the crispy yet tender cauliflower and fresh sprinkle of parmesan dazzle on their own as a meatless main, or pair great with a salad or pasta.
10. Spaghetti Pie (page 194)
One of three excellent recipes the book gives you to devour my hearty, healthier Bolognese sauce, Spaghetti Pie makes for comfort flavors and convenient leftovers the whole family will crave.
11. Brown Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes (page 250)
Brown butter gives this naturally sweet vegetable luxurious richness, so it will woo the masses at any holiday gathering. But don’t let that fool you; it’s equally sublime and easy for a casual weeknight at home.
12. Everyone’s Invited Apple Crisp (page 294)
I promise there’s no better way to enjoy the apples you picked from a beautiful day at the orchard. Naturally sweetened with maple syrup, and naturally gluten free, this crisp is the essence of autumn. I make it for my girlfriends every fall!
BONUS! Because we all need this today:
13. Double Trouble Fudge Cookies (page 270)
These supremely fudgy cookies taste like a cross between a cookie, brownie, and flourless chocolate cake. A must-try for any chocolate lover.
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The slow cooker crispy pineapple pork carnitas are wonderful! I made them and had plenty to freeze afterward. Every time I make something with them my husband raves about the flavor. So delicious! Love the whole book!
YAY! I’m so pleased that you enjoyed them, Barbara!
Made the Sheet Pan Spicy Garlic Shrimp – delicious! Also made the Soy Ginger Roasted Cauliflower – over the top tasty. The cover recipe is next… This is a really nice and well done cookbook. Thanks.
I’m SO happy to hear that, Chris! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Hey look at that…my favorite recipe “so far” made your list. The sausage, farro, greens and beans was so freakin fabulous! It can easily become a weekly staple in our house. Hubby keeps asking me to make more stuff from that “yummy cookbook” so we are making our way through it. It’s truly a fantastic collection of recipes so THANK YOU!
This MAKES my day, Sophia!! Thank you for sharing this kind comment!
Hi Erin! So far I have made: Melon Margaritas, Caprese Chicken Skillet, Sticky Asian Cauliflower Wings, Gingerbread Overnight Oats, and Kung Pao Vegetable Stir Fry. I loved them all, but will pick the Kung Pao as the top recipe so far. It is going into permanent rotation for sure!
I’m SO happy to hear that, Jill!! Thank you for trying the recipes and reporting back!
The crispy pineapple pork carnitas have been one of my very favorites so far!! They were delicious and simple! Also, the apple crisp is the best apple crisp recipe I’ve ever made ?
I’m SO happy to hear that, Heidi! Thank you for trying the recipes and reporting back!
Hi Erin! I have been loving your cookbook. I tried the Cauliflower Parm over the weekend and it was sooo good! I am going to try the Italian Sausage with Farro dish tomorrow and I’m sure it will be just as tasty!
YAY! I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Sarah! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I’ve made several of the recipes so far and it’s hard to pick a favorite but the Thai Peanut Chicken Stir-Fry is probably it for us. The Butternut Squash, Wild Rice, and Chicken Casserole, the Blue Ribbon Chili, the Sunshine Bread, Denver-Style Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches, and Autumn Sheet Pan Sausages with Apples and Harvest Vegetables are other standouts. Everything I’ve made is delicious and I’m meal planning for next week using more recipes. Excellent cookbook!
YAY! It makes my day to hear how much you’re enjoying the cookbook, Robin! Thank you for taking the time to share this kind comment!
So, I have wanted to buy your cookbook since you first announced that you were publishing one. Last night while doing the dishes (we don’t have that fancy machine!) I turned on “Alexa” and she said “You have a notification would you like me to read it to you?” We haven’t had Alexa for very long (she was “gifted” to us and is probably a first generation model) so I said “Alexa, read me my notifications” AND she said “Your Amazon delivery of The Well Plated Cookbook has arrived”. My partner was SO mad at Alexa (he called her a bad name) and said “She doesn’t know what she’s talking about” … and then said “I guess your Christmas present came early”. He hasn’t given it to me yet, but I’m SO excited! Sometimes Alexa should just keep her mouth shut! HAHA
This story MADE my day, Barbara! I’m so happy to hear that you’ll have the book soon!!
Made your potato and ham soup in crockpot. My daughter’s family loved it. Well, the 5 year old said it’s okay but since grandma made it for me, I will tell her I loved it.
Requesting your book for Christmas unless I decide to order it myself.
I’m SO happy that it was a hit, Janet! Thank you for sharing this kind comment!
Oops – I put the half and half into your cookbook turkey bolognese sauce before I started the slow cooker versus waiting until after the 6 hours of low cooking time! Is there anything I need to do to prevent the sauce from curdling? Next time I’ll triple check the directions!
Thanks!
Hi Ali! I think it should still turn out OK. I hope you enjoyed the recipe!
I am wondering if it is possible to use pork tenderloin instead of pork shoulder for the pork carnitas recipe. Please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks,
Holly Simpson
Hi Holly! I am afraid not. Tenderloin is VERY lean so it will come out tough and dry and not shred. Pork shoulder is the name of the game for this one.
We love your cookbook. Here’s what we’ve tried so far: creamiest overnight oats; lemon chia muffins; Caprese chicken skillet; 5 ingredient Maple dijon salmon, grammy’s green chili chicken enchiladas; blackberry basil balsamic brie with bacon. Our absolute favorite so far: Caprese Chicken Skillet.
This week I will make your Italian Turkey sausage Skillet with Farro. Should I cook the farro first? I could only find organic pearled farro. Your recipe called for semi-pearled.
I received your cookbook as a gift. I now also send it to family and friends.
Hi Lynn! That makes me so happy! THANK YOU!