Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer is the founder of Simply Recipes. A food blogging pioneer, Elise launched Simply Recipes in 2003 as a way to keep track of her family's recipes, and along the way grew it into one of the most popular cooking websites in the world. Elise is dedicated to helping home cooks be successful in the kitchen. Elise is a graduate of Stanford University. She lives in Sacramento, California. Read more about Elise and Simply Recipes in our About section.
Recipes and articles by Elise Bauer
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7 Layer Bean Dip
It's not a party without 7 Layer Dip! We make it with hot refried beans and topped with cheddar cheese, chilies, tomatoes, avocados, sour cream, and sliced black olives. It's an essential Game Day appetizer. -
How to Steam Broccoli Perfectly Every Time
Delicious basic steamed broccoli recipe! How to steam broccoli so that it stays vibrant green. The easiest way to cook this wonderful vegetable. -
Chicken Tortilla Soup
This is truly the best chicken tortilla soup! This classic Mexican soup with chicken and tomatoes is topped with crispy fried tortillas, avocado, Jack cheese, cilantro, and lime. -
Prime Rib
Prime rib recipe, how to cook to perfection a standing rib beef roast, step-by-step instructions and photos. Perfect for Christmas and the holiday season. -
Eggnog
Homemade Eggnog is EASY to make! Plus, it doesn't have all the fillers of the store-bought stuff. Just cream, sugar, eggs, and spices. Enjoy it spiked or without alcohol for a kid-friendly version. -
Classic Stuffed Mushrooms
These classic stuffed mushrooms are loaded with shallots, garlic, walnuts, breadcrumbs, and chopped mushroom stems. Sprinkle with Parmesan, pop them in the oven, and you've got a great appetizer for the holidays. -
Best Holiday Fruitcake
This easy fruitcake is perfect for the holidays. It's light, tender, and full of dried fruits and nuts. Sprinkle the loaf with brandy, or leave it out! Either way, this fruit cake is a welcome addition to the holiday table. -
Easy Breakfast Casserole
This easy breakfast casserole is adaptable to whatever ingredients you have on hand—cheese, veggies, meats—and can be assembled the night before and baked in the morning. Or eaten for dinner—your choice! -
Twice Baked Potatoes
When is the last time you had Twice Baked Potatoes?! Here are two variations on a classic recipe: one with a cheddar cheese and bacon, the other with a blue cheese and chives. These are such a good side dish to a holiday meal or Sunday supper. -
Beef Bourguignon
This version of Julia Child's classic Beef Bourguignon (or Boeuf Bourguignon) is made by stewing beef with carrots and mushrooms until it's fall-apart tender. The sauce is rich, hearty, and worth every minute of slow cooking. Serve for Christmas dinner or any special winter meal. -
Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
The BEST homemade chicken noodle soup! This version is made from scratch, so it's light and nourishing. All the goodness from the chicken in one pot of soup. Just what you need to recover from a cold or the flu. -
Pecan Meringue Cookies
These light and sweet meringue cookies are made with just three ingredients: egg whites, sugar, and pecans. Great for Christmas or for a Passover or Easter treat! Start them the night before and let them cool slowly in the oven until morning. -
Ham and White Bean Soup
Hearty Ham and Bean Soup, perfect for cold winter days! White beans, ham shanks, onions, celery, carrots, garlic, Tabasco, and herbs make this delicious ham and bean soup a cool weather classic. -
Turkey Chili (with Leftover Turkey)
This easy Turkey Chili is a great way to use up turkey leftovers from Thanksgiving and Christmas! Make it with shredded turkey (dark or white meat), kidney beans, onion, garlic, and tomatoes. -
Mom’s Roast Turkey
How to cook the best turkey for Thanksgiving? Roast it breast-side down! This is our tried-and-true method for Thanksgiving turkey and we share all the details. From defrosting to long to cook the turkey, we've got your Thanksgiving covered. -
Pumpkin Cheesecake
This Thanksgiving, make a pumpkin cheesecake for dessert! This cheesecake has all the best parts of pumpkin pie (pumpkin! cinnamon! nutmeg!) combined with the creaminess of cheesecake. Top it with caramel sauce and whipped cream. -
Cranberry Sauce
This homemade cranberry sauce is classic. Made from fresh or frozen cranberries and ready in 20 minutes, it's a must-have for Thanksgiving dinner. Easy to make-ahead, too! -
Perfect Mashed Potatoes
Want the creamiest mashed potatoes? Use Yukon Gold potatoes, lots of butter, and cream. This recipe makes the best mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any holiday in between. -
Minestrone Soup
Minestrone soup is an Italian classic! This version is made with cannellini beans, chicken stock, cabbage, potato, zucchini, carrots, plum tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese. -
Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder with Apple Gravy
This slow-cooked pork shoulder is just the ticket on a cold winter day. It marinates overnight, then roasts all day. Dinner is ready when it's fall-apart tender. Serve with an easy apple gravy and some roast vegetables on the side. -
Southern Cornbread
This classic, savory Southern cornbread is just begging for a bowl of chili or a plate of ribs. Made with all cornmeal, straight buttermilk, and no added sugar (like it should be!) in a cast iron skillet, this cornbread is an easy dinner side dish. -
Roasted Parsnips
Roasted parsnips are the perfect side dish for a fall meal or holiday dinner. These parsnips are roasted in butter and stock and then tossed with parsley, chives, garlic, and a touch of horseradish. -
Pecan Pie
With a homemade crust and a sweet pecan filling, this is THE pecan pie for your Thanksgiving table! Make it a day or two ahead, or freeze it for even longer. -
Chicken Pot Pie
This from-scratch Chicken Pot Pie is adapted from Marshall Field's classic recipe. With a slow-cooked chicken, a creamy vegetable filling, and a handmade pie crust, this pot pie is the ultimate comfort food. -
Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken and dumplings is comfort food at its best! Start with a hearty chicken and vegetable stew, then add easy homemade dumplings that cook up light and fluffy. -
Easy Fantasy Fudge
This fudge recipe is adapted from the original Kraft back-of-the-can recipe—but with extra chocolate. It's easy to make with marshmallow fluff, chocolate, evaporated milk, and walnuts. It makes a huge batch so you can share with friends! -
Classic Chocolate Mousse
Classic chocolate mousse makes any dinner feel a little more fancy. It's great for a dinner party because it looks so pretty, everyone gets their own serving, and you can make it ahead. -
Applesauce Spice Cake
Welcome fall with this easy applesauce cake! It's rich, moist, and fragrant with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. Top with cream cheese frosting or leave plain. -
Apple Turnovers
These easy apple turnovers are made with store-bought puff pastry or homemade pie crust. They're filled with tart apples, currants, walnuts, sugar and cinnamon. All the best fall flavors in a hand-held pie! -
Apple Crisp
Crunchy, crispy apple crisp recipe! This is the easiest of the apple desserts. Just bake sliced tart apples topped with a streusel oat topping, with plenty of brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon. Serve with ice cream! -
Buffalo Wings
Oven-Baked Buffalo Wings! Here's an easier and less messy way to make Buffalo Wings. Marinate your wings in a spicy sauce, broil them briefly, then serve with a tangy blue cheese sauce. -
Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries
These oven baked sweet potato fries are so addictive! Wedges of sweet potatoes, tossed with oil, sprinkled with spices, and baked at high heat until browned and crispy at the edges. -
Eggplant Parmesan
Classic for a reason, Italian baked Eggplant Parmesan is comfort food at its best. Breaded eggplant slices are layered with mozzarella, Parmesan, basil, and tomato sauce, and baked until bubbly. -
Tuna Melt
Tuna melts are easy to make at home! Make some tuna salad, sandwich with cheese, and grill on the stovetop until toasty. Makes a simple lunch or a light dinner. -
Honey Mustard Baked Salmon
Dinner is 6 ingredients and 20 minutes away with this Honey Mustard Salmon. Honey mustard is an easy way to dress up salmon, and baking it in the oven means your hands are free to throw together a salad or other side dish. -
Barbecued Chicken on the Grill
BBQ Chicken cooked slowly on the grill, slathered with your favorite barbecue sauce — does it get any better? This is the best recipe for making perfect BBQ chicken for all your summer gatherings and cook outs. -
Easy Greek Salad
This easy Greek Salad is made with plum tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, bell pepper, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Tossed with a lemon and red wine vinegar vinaigrette dressing, it's ready for a summer picnic! -
Giant Sausage Stuffed Zucchini
Have a few extra-large zucchinis? Stuff them with Italian sausage, onions, garlic, tomato, and fresh breadcrumbs, and bake. (Swap in medium-sized zucchinis, too!) -
Beer Can Chicken
What's Beer Can Chicken, you ask?! A whole chicken cooked upright with a can of beer as its base. The reward? Tender, falling-off-the-bone chicken that's moist on the inside, crispy on the outside. -
Corn Chowder
Corn chowder made with fresh sweet corn is one of summer's greatest pleasures. This easy recipe uses the corn cobs to infuse even more corn flavor into the milky broth. -
Escabeche (Pickled Jalapeños)
These classic pickled jalapeños, or jalapeños escabeche, are made with fresh jalapeño chili peppers, white onions, garlic, carrots, cider vinegar and herbs. Serve them alongside Mexican dishes, or slice them up for burgers, tacos, or salsas. -
Herbed Turkey Burger
These easy, flavorful turkey burgers can be cooked on the grill or stovetop. Keep them juicy using turkey leg and thigh meat and a little olive oil. Season with fresh herbs from the garden and serve with a side of chips! -
Roasted Zucchini with Garlic
Easy roasted zucchini recipe! How to cook zucchini by cutting lengthwise, oven-roasting with olive oil, garlic, black pepper, and Herbes de Provence. -
Easy Cucumber Salad
Use up the bounty of summer with this refreshing and crispy salad with cucumbers, rice vinegar, salt, pepper, and chopped fresh dill or basil. -
Zucchini Bread
Zucchini bread is a perennial favorite and what to make when the gardens are overflowing with this summer veggie. This easy bread is tender and gently spiced. -
Peach Cobbler
Peach Cobbler is a summer favorite — and so EASY! Just mix together fresh peaches and add a simple cobbler topping. Bake and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. -
Sweet Cherry Pie
Cherry pie filled with ripe sweet cherries is a summer favorite. This easy pie can be made with fresh or frozen sweet cherries. A touch of almond extract in the filling and a light hand with the sugar helps the cherries shine. -
Blistered Shishito Peppers
Blistered Shishito Peppers are a delicious quick and easy snack, side dish, or appetizer. Mild and sweet, they're like single bite mini-poppers! -
Baba Ganoush (Eggplant Dip)
Classic Baba Ganoush is made by roasting eggplants until soft, scooping out the insides, and mashing with tahini, garlic, and spices. Served with pita or cracker, this eggplant dip is a great snack or party appetizer. -
Panzanella Bread Salad
Got ripe summer tomatoes? Got day-old bread? Make this classic Tuscan Panzanella Salad recipe! This is a great make-ahead recipe for a summer potluck or backyard party, or make it for dinner and serve with grilled chicken. -
Vanilla Ice Cream
This homemade vanilla ice cream is made with a custard base, sugar, cream, and real vanilla beans. So classic and so good! Serve it topped with caramel sauce or alongside a slice of apple pie. -
Pico de Gallo (Fresh Salsa)
Homemade pico de gallo is the best! Chopped fresh tomatoes, chile peppers, red onion, cilantro, and lime are meant to be consumed fresh—it's called salsa fresca, for a reason. -
Blueberry Muffins
These homemade blueberry muffins are light, fluffy, and PACKED with blueberries! They're an all-time favorite, perfect for weekend brunches and grab-and-go breakfast. -
Beef Kebabs
Call them kabobs, kebabs, or shish kebobs, what's a summer grill without them? Top sirloin chunks, marinated in soy sauce, garlic, ginger, olive oil marinade, grilled with onions, mushrooms, bell peppers. -
Easy Grilled Salmon
Here's an easy way to grill salmon without the fish sticking to the grates. Promise! And mix up your approach with 4 different marinades while you're at it. -
Grilled Corn on the Cob
No need to soak your corn on the cob, or give it any special treatment before grilling. The secret to the easiest grilled corn? Grill it as is, husks on. Read more on why this works. -
Seared Ahi Tuna
Ahi tuna, also known as yellowfin tuna, marinated in sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, green onion, and lime juice, then pan seared. -
Classic Coleslaw
Here's a classic coleslaw recipe made with thinly sliced cabbage, carrots, and green onion. It's seasoned with mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar dressing. This is what you want for picnics, backyard BBQs, and summer potlucks! -
Classic Potato Salad
Going to a cookout? This classic potato salad is what you want! It's made with boiled potatoes, sour cream, mayo, green onions, celery, parsley, pickles and bacon. Serve room temperature or chilled. -
Classic Chicken Salad
This family favorite chicken salad is made with celery, bell pepper, green olives, apple, lettuce, and mayo—plus a secret ingredient that makes all the difference! -
Easy Steak Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Steak Salad makes a quick and easy midweek meal. Made with thin slices of pan-seared steak served over arugula and lettuce greens toss with a lemon vinaigrette. Round it out with goat cheese, scallions, avocado, and bell pepper. -
Savory Coconut Rice
Make this Indian-style coconut rice with three kinds of coconut: shredded coconut, coconut oil, and coconut water. Serve with your favorite curry. -
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos are such an easy meal, either on a busy weeknight or for a party. Just throw chicken, spices, and pineapple juice (the secret ingredient!) in the slow cooker, and let it cook for hours. Leftovers freeze well for later. -
How to Cook and Eat an Artichoke
Artichokes are so good for you and so delicious! Here's how to cook and eat them. -
Mom’s Easy Macaroni Salad
When it's hot, cooking has to be at a bare minimum, right? This quick and easy macaroni salad with hard boiled egg, roasted red bell pepper, onion, mayonnaise, and paprika gives new life to your standard issue picnic macaroni salad! -
Hot Cross Buns
Hot Cross Buns are a traditional Good Friday treat! These slightly sweet yeast-leavened buns are spiced with cinnamon and speckled with currants, citron, and orange zest. -
How to Make Eggs Benedict
Making Eggs Benedict is easier than you think — especially if you make Hollandaise in a blender! It just takes a little planning and know-how. Perfect for a special meal for a special someone. -
Easy Blender Hollandaise Sauce
Here's a quick and easy version of the classic French hollandaise sauce made in a blender. Read for eggs benedict in 10 minutes! -
Quick and Easy Egg Salad Sandwich
Here's how to make a classic egg salad sandwich! All you need are chopped hard boiled eggs, green onion, celery, mayonnaise and a dash of curry powder. Serve on toasted bread for lunch. -
Shrimp Gumbo with Andouille Sausage
Shrimp Gumbo is like a trip to New Orleans without the plane ticket. The secret is in the slow-cooked roux — don't skip it! Serve with white rice for soaking up the rich sauce. -
Chicken Fried Steak
To make classic Chicken Fried Steak, pound steak cutlets thin, then bread and fry. Serve with rich country gravy. Chicken Fried Steak is a Southern favorite! -
Rosemary Focaccia
Homemade focaccia is simply the BEST! It's easy to make, but be sure to give yourself the afternoon. You'll be rewarded with a rich, rosemary-scented bread that feeds a crowd. Serve as an appetizer or as a side with soup, roasts, or braises. -
Mexican Lasagna
Mexican Lasagna! Also known as Taco Lasagna or Mexican Casserole, this dish is layered with corn tortillas, ground beef, green chiles, beans, salsa, and cheese. A huge hit with a crowd! Perfect for potlucks. -
Green Beans with Bacon
Fresh green beans are a wonderful thing. Cook these by briefly blanching, then sauté in bacon fat. Toss with a little bacon, black pepper, and vinegar, and serve as a side with roast chicken or steak. -
Broccoli Slaw with Cranberry Orange Dressing
Don't toss your broccoli stems! They're sweet and tender, and fantastic tossed with cabbage, carrots, and a tangy cranberry orange dressing for this delicious slaw. -
Easy Beef Brisket
Easy 3-ingredient Beef Brisket! Here's how to cook beef brisket in oven, slathered in a mixture of BBQ sauce and soy sauce. Just wrap in foil, and bake until falling apart tender. This beef brisket is simple and delicious. -
Corned Beef and Cabbage
Here's the BEST Corned Beef and Cabbage for your St. Patrick's Day Party! We give you 2-ways to make it—boiled in spiced water the traditional way or baked with cloves and sweet hot honey mustard. Either way is delicious. -
Home Cured Corned Beef
Here's how to easily cure your own corned beef for St. Patrick's Day! It's made with beef brisket, pickling spices, and salt, and needs to cure for 5 days. The result is a corned beef that's more flavorful and unique than you can buy in the store. -
Pork Stir Fry with Green Onion
This Pork Stir Fry is such an easy weeknight meal. Made with just lean pork, some green onions, and garlic, and ready in 25 minutes start to finish. Skip the take-out and make your own! -
Dad’s Stuffed Bell Peppers
These Stuffed Bell Peppers are such a classic. They're made with a mix of ground beef, rice, onions, tomatoes, and spices. No need to pre-cook the filling — just stuff, bake, and serve! -
Collard Greens
Wondering what to do with collard greens? Here's an easy recipe for a simple side dish! Cook collards on the stovetop with onions and garlic — it's an easy, flavorful way to eat your greens. -
Key Lime Pie
This Key Lime Pie is an American classic. Ours is made with lime juice and sweetened condensed milk in a graham cracker crust and topped with whipped cream. Use key limes if you have them, otherwise substitute regular limes. -
Lamb Chops with Rosemary and Garlic
Lamb chops are such a simple and satisfying meal. Marinate them in rosemary and garlic, sear them quickly on the stovetop, and dinner is served. Great for a romantic date night or a dinner party. -
Italian Meatballs
These classic Italian-American style meatballs are huge and pillowy soft! They're mixed with ground beef and pork, loaded with herbs and cheese, and served with a traditional tomato sauce. Make them baseball-sized for a dinner entree, or roll them smaller for an appetizer. -
Romanesco Salad
Ever tried romanesco? It's a little like cauliflower and a little like broccoli, and it makes a GREAT salad! Give this vegetable a try with this simple recipe. -
Roasted Beets with Balsamic Glaze
The BEST way to cook beets? Roasted! These ruby red beets are roasted in the oven until sweet and caramelized, then tossed with orange zest and a balsamic glaze. So good! -
Hanger Steak with Shallots
Tender juicy hanger steak! Quickly sear this steak in a hot pan and then serve with a sauce of shallots and butter in a wine reduction. This makes an easy, yet impressive, home cooked meal. -
Salmon Patties
How to make salmon patties with cooked salmon, bread, green onion, dill, bell pepper, egg, lemon, and paprika. These easy salmon cakes make a perfect midweek meal. -
Garlic Bread
Here's how to make the BEST garlic bread! Two classic garlic bread methods: toasted and crisped under the broiler, the other soft from being wrapped in aluminum foil and heated in the oven. -
Homemade Rye Bread
This homemade rye bread is light and soft inside with a crusty crust. Make it with or without caraway seeds. Great for reuben sandwiches, grilled cheese, and more! -
Sopa Seca de Fideo (Mexican-style Angel Hair Nests)
Delicious Sopa seca de fideo, nests of angel hair pasta, first browned then cooked in broth with tomatoes and onions. The noodles absorb all the broth! This is a great side dish to serve with any meal. -
A Better Way to Cook Mushrooms
Wondering how to cook mushrooms without the fat? Try dry sautéing them! This method is an easy and fast way to perfectly cook mushrooms, but without extra butter or oil. -
Cream of Mushroom Soup
This easy homemade cream of mushroom soup is creamy without a lot of cream! It's made with loads of mushrooms and that's about it. So quick and easy, you'll never buy the canned version again. -
Kale Salad with Balsamic Dressing
This easy kale salad comes together with dried cranberries, pine nuts, Parmesan, and a balsamic vinaigrette. No need to massage this make-ahead salad—the kale becomes tender as it rests before serving. -
Cabbage Soup
Here's an easy, nourishing cabbage soup for cold winter days. Made with just a handful of ingredients and ready in under an hour, the soup is simplicity at its best. -
Easy Homemade Hummus
Love hummus? It's so easy to make your own! Homemade hummus only takes 5 minutes, and it's so much better than store-bought. All you need are a few cans of chickpeas, some tahini, olive oil, some seasonings, and a food processor. -
How to Make Croutons
It's easy to make homemade croutons for your soup or salad with day-old bread. No need to turn on the oven; you can make these croutons in about 10 minutes on the stovetop. -
Sweet and Sour German Red Cabbage
This sweet-and-sour red cabbage makes an easy side dish for any German meal. Just four ingredients and ready 30 minutes! Great with sausages or pork chops. -
White Chicken Chili
This easy White Chicken Chili is like a milder, calmer cousin to Texas beef chili. Make it with canned or dry beans, and add extra chili peppers for more heat if you like! Keeps well and freezes well. -
Red Lentil Dal
This easy Indian dal is ready in under an hour, and makes a satisfying vegetarian lunch or dinner. Serve with rice or naan. This soup also keeps well and can be frozen for up to three months.
