Goodbye and good riddance, 2020! With a new year comes a clean slate and the opportunity to learn how to cook up some new dishes. Whether you’re a seasoned at-home chef looking for new recipes to try or you’re just learning how to cook and feeling a little intimidated, we’ve got you covered. From classic, tried-and-true dishes to unique twists on the classics, here are 50 recipes you need to try in 2021.
And for more, don’t miss these 15 Classic American Desserts That Deserve a Comeback.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
For anyone who has a sweet tooth, there’s nothing better than starting the day with a dish like stuffed French toast. This recipe tastes as decadent as anything you’d order in a restaurant, but it’s less than 400 calories.
Get our recipe for French Toast Stuffed with Strawberries.
RELATED: Sign up for our newsletter to get daily recipes and food news in your inbox!
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
Is there anything tastier than Nutella? (That’s a rhetorical question, of course.) These crepes are super easy to make, and if you aren’t a fan of bananas, you can simply replace them with a different fruit like strawberries or blueberries.
Get our recipe for Banana-Nutella Crepes.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
Start the day with this filling, protein-packed breakfast. We recommend serving it with a side of roasted potatoes or fresh fruit.
Get our recipe for Scrambled Eggs with Salmon, Asparagus & Goat Cheese.
Waterbury Publications, Inc.
If you like foods with a kick, you’ll definitely want to try this spicy breakfast dish, made with red pepper, fire-roasted tomatoes, green peppers, and onions. It’s also perfect for vegetarians because it contains 17 grams of protein.
Get our recipe for Eggs Diablo.
Carlene Thomas/Eat This, Not That!
Sweet potatoes are one of the healthiest foods out there, so this recipe is the perfect way to start the day off on the right foot. It’s loaded with other healthy ingredients including granola, vanilla yogurt, and blueberries.
Get our recipe for a Breakfast Loaded Sweet Potato.
Jason Donnelly
Start the morning by satisfying your sweet tooth with this light but filling toast. Just be sure to use pure maple syrup so you’re consuming natural sugar.
Get our recipe for Maple-Cashew-Apple Toast.
Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!
Eggs and bacon tacos are a great way to start the day, and this recipe is also perfect if you’re craving breakfast for dinner.
Get our recipe for Eggs and Bacon Breakfast Tacos.
Waterbury Publications, Inc.
Calling all vegetarians! This twist on Japanese egg pancakes is super easy to make and includes delicious ingredients like spinach, green onions, radish, garlic, and rice vinegar.
Get our recipe for Japanese Egg Pancakes with Spinach and Green Onions.
Waterbury Publications, Inc.
This smoothie bowl is definitely one of the most delicious ways to get in your greens. Plus, it contains 11 grams of protein, so it’s a filling breakfast. What more could you ask for?
Get our recipe for a Peaches and Green Smoothie Bowl.
Jason Donnelly
If you prefer a filling smoothie for breakfast, you won’t want to miss out on this sweet but healthy drink. Made with Greek yogurt and coconut milk, one serving is under 200 calories—no need to feel guilty if you make another one as an afternoon snack.
Get our recipe for a Chocolate-Coconut Banana Smoothie.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
Mix things up by swapping beef burgers for these tasty, protein-packed tuna burgers. If tuna isn’t your favorite fish, no problem. The recipe can also be made with salmon, and the spicy wasabi mayo topping is the perfect finishing touch.
Get our recipe for Asian Tuna Burgers with Wasabi Mayo.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
This salad is the perfect appetizer or side dish. The calamari is grilled rather than fried, but it’s equally tasty and much healthier than what you find in restaurants.
Get our recipe for a Grilled Calamari Salad.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
Stuffed with chicken and veggies, this calzone is one of our favorites. It’ll leave you wondering why calzones don’t get as much love as pizza.
Get our recipe for a Loaded Calzone.
Carlene Thomas/Eat This, Not That!
Of course, there’s no rule that you have to choose between a calzone or pizza. This recipe is also perfect for vegetarians.
Get our recipe for Air Fryer Veggie Pizza Calzones.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
The recipe may be vegetarian, but meat-eaters definitely won’t want to miss out on this flavorful curry. It tastes like it’s been simmering all day, but it only takes 25 minutes to make.
Get our recipe for Curry with Cauliflower and Butternut Squash.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
Grilled cheese is the ultimate comfort food, and this recipe’s combination of apples, bacon, and sharp cheddar is the stuff of dreams.
Get our recipe for Grilled Cheese with Apples and Bacon.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
Another classic comfort food dish is pasta bolognese, but the traditional recipe is packed with calories and saturated fat. This version uses turkey and lean sirloin rather than veal and fattier beef, without sacrificing the flavor we know and love.
Get our recipe for Pasta Bolognese.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
If you love Hawaiian pizza, you’ll want to try this sweet and savory crepe.
Get our recipe for a Hawaiian Pizza Crepe.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
Bored with your rotation of veggie recipes? This simple recipe adds delicious flavor, and we predict everyone at the table will want seconds.
Get our recipe for Honey Roasted Carrots.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
It’s no secret that Chicago’s hot dogs are to die for. Unfortunately, we can’t just hop on a plane every time we’re craving one, but this recipe is the next best thing. You just may feel like you’ve been transported to the Windy City.
Get our recipe for a Chicago Dog.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
There’s more than one way to eat a hot dog. Made with salsa, guacamole, and pickled jalapeños, this dish is heavenly for anyone who loves both hot dogs and Mexican food.
Get our recipe for Mexican Hot Dogs.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
Inspired by a Belgian dish, this recipe combines beef and dark beer (we recommend using Guinness). It only requires 10 minutes of prep time in the morning. Then, let the slow cooker do its magic, and you’ll have the perfect meal for a cold night.
Get our recipe for Slow-Cooker Beef and Beer.
Blaine Moats
Everyone loves Pad Thai, and this unique recipe is made with pumpkin purée. It’s the perfect dish for fall, but we’d eat it all year round because it’s just so darn tasty.
Get our recipe for Pumpkin Pad Thai.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
Most restaurants add heavy cream to their carbonara dishes, but that’s not how it’s made in Italy and our recipe proves it’s definitely not necessary for a delicious meal. It’s made with bacon, but you can remove that ingredient if there are any vegetarians at the table.
Get our recipe for Zucchini Carbonara.
Shutterstock
In search of a new side dish to try? Look no further than this succotash recipe. This versatile dish is made from sweet corn, lima beans, and bacon. It pairs perfectly with any meat- or fish-based main course.
Get our recipe for Succotash.
Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!
Making enchiladas at home is a time-consuming task. Luckily for all of us, there’s a delicious solution if we’re craving enchiladas but don’t have the time to make them. Get out the slow cooker and make this casserole recipe. Don’t worry if you have a lot of leftovers—just freeze it and it’ll taste just as good the next day.
Get our recipe for Chicken Enchilada Casserole.
Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald
Sweet potato fries are one of the most popular splurge foods out there, and it’s easy to see why. But if you make them at home using this healthy recipe, you’ll be surprised at how good they taste without all those empty calories. They’re baked rather than fried, and cayenne pepper gives them an extra kick of flavor.
Get our recipe for Sweet Potato Fries.
Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!
Another beloved side dish is corn on the cob, but if you’re new to cooking at home, it may be a little intimidating. Use this recipe to guide you step-by-step; you’ll end up with a tasty, healthy final product.
Get our recipe for Corn on the Cob.