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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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. -
How to Make Perfect Guacamole
The best guacamole keeps it simple: just ripe avocados, salt, a squeeze of lime, onions, chiles, cilantro, and some chopped tomato. Serve it as a dip at your next party or spoon it on top of tacos for an easy dinner upgrade. -
Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread Cookies are the essence of the holidays and are deeply flavored with spices and molasses. Decorate with royal icing and enjoy them for dessert or on your Christmas tree! -
Glazed Baked Ham
Glazed Baked Ham is so easy and delicious! Choose from two different glazes, both with honey. Baked ham is a great way to feed a crowd during the holidays. -
Best Holiday Fruitcake
This easy Christmas 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. -
Peanut Butter Cookies
These are the best peanut butter cookies ever! Use your favorite store-brand peanut butter and a combination of white and brown sugar. For the best cookie shape, let the dough chill for at least three hours before baking. -
Bread Pudding
This best-ever Bread Pudding is so easy to make. Just soak bread cubes with eggs, sugar, and milk, then bake. Add bourbon-soaked raisins and spices to make it extra-special. This New Orleans dessert is a classic for Christmas, Mardi Gras, or any special meal. -
Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies
First Lady Laura Bush's classic kitchen sink cowboy cookies won her cookie fame for a reason. They're made with oatmeal, pecans, coconut, and chocolate chips for an over-the-top cookie you can't resist. -
Crispy Hash Browns
What's the secret to the crispiest hash browns ever? Press out as much extra moisture as possible after grating and before frying. Here's how you can make them perfectly browned and extra crispy, every time. -
Dungeness Crab Cakes
Crab cakes with Dungeness crab are a treat! They can be a little delicate, so a chill in the fridge before frying helps them from falling apart while frying. -
Classic Stuffed Mushrooms
These classic stuffed mushrooms are loaded with shallots, garlic, walnuts, breadcrumbs, and chopped mushroom stems. Sprinkle with Parmesan and pop them in the oven and you've got a great appetizer for the holidays. -
Pecan Pie
With a homemade crust, sweet pecan filling and a touch of molasses, this is THE pecan pie for your Thanksgiving table! Make it a day or two ahead, or freeze it for even longer. -
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
These oatmeal raisin cookies are just the way Grandma made them, except with butter instead of shortening! They're made with old-fashioned oats, brown sugar, and plenty of raisins. -
Clam Chowder with Corn
This Clam Chowder is the bomb! It's a variation of a classic New England clam chowder recipe, and includes corn in addition to hard shell clams, potato, and cream. -
Mom’s Stovetop Turkey Stuffing
Classic Thanksgiving turkey stuffing recipe made with French bread cubes toasted in butter, walnuts, onion, celery, apple, green olives, and stock made from turkey giblets. No stuffing is better than Mom's! -
Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie
This is absolutely the BEST homemade pumpkin pie recipe! Make it with canned or fresh pumpkin puree and up to several days ahead. Also freezes well! Thanksgiving pie never looked so good or so easy. -
French 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! -
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Even the most adamant sprouts haters will love these roasted Brussels sprouts with garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese. So crispy and delicious! -
Classic Bolognese Sauce
This classic Italian sauce simmers for hours to develop maximum flavor. Made with a blend of ground beef, pork, and Italian sausage, it's great with fresh tagliatelle or fettuccine, pappardelle, or other pasta. -
Butternut Squash Soup
This butternut squash soup has a secret ingredient—a tart green apple. It adds just the right balance for the squash. Ready in an hour and freezes well. -
Pumpkin Bread
Pumpkin bread tastes so quintessentially of the fall, with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and molasses. Plus an optional orange glaze! Use canned or homemade pumpkin purée. -
Caramel Apples
Caramel from scratch is easy! And apples dipped in delicious homemade caramel sauce are perfect for Halloween! -
Easy Enchiladas
This easy recipe for Tex-Mex cheese enchiladas is a family favorite! Just lightly fry corn tortillas, roll them up with Jack or cheddar cheese, cover with a tomato and green chile sauce, more cheese, and bake. -
Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Casserole
Slow cooker chicken and rice with onions, peas, and tomatoes—but no canned soup, please! This one's unique thanks to the combination of cumin and cinnamon. -
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Spaghetti and meatballs is such a comfort food classic! The meatballs are made from ground beef and Italian sausage, served with a sauce with mushrooms, onions, basil, and Parmesan. Dig in! -
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Hungarian stuffed cabbage rolls are hearty comfort food at its best! Cabbage leaves are stuffed with ground pork, onions, garlic, egg, rice, and spices, and braised in a tomato sauce. -
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Don't throw away the pumpkin seeds from your pumpkin! Roast them for a delicious healthy Halloween snack. -
Pot Roast
Cooked low and slow on the stovetop, beef chuck or shoulder roast becomes a fall-apart tender pot roast. Onions, garlic, carrots, and red wine make this a satisfying, flavorful dinner. -
Roasted Cauliflower
Tired of steamed cauliflower? Try roasting it! Roasting brings out nutty, buttery flavors in the cauliflower. A squeeze of lemon juice and some Parmesan cheese are all you need to turn this into an excellent side dish. -
Mom’s Perfect Pork Chops
Pan-fried pork chops on the stovetop are so quick and easy! Use a homemade dry rub to really bring out the flavor of the chops. -
Creamy Polenta
Creamy polenta! This light and fluffy polenta is perfect for serving with ribs, chicken, pork, lamb, or veal, and is also great with roasted veggies. -
Easy Chicken Parmesan
Chicken Parmesan is a classic for a reason! Chicken cutlets, breaded and fried, smothered with tomato sauce, and covered with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses are so good. Serve with pasta or on a roll. -
Homemade Apple Pie
This is absolutely the best homemade apple pie you'll ever make! It has a flaky, buttery crust and a tender, lightly-spiced apple pie filling. Use a combination of apples for best flavor, and bake until the top is golden and the filling is bubbly! -
Vegetarian Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna
Vegetarian Lasagna to feed a crowd! This one is filled with meaty shiitake and cremini mushrooms, spinach, and ricotta and Mozzarella cheeses. Your vegetarian and meat-eating guests will fight for seconds. -
Creamy Sweet Potato Soup
Sweet potato soup balances the sweet and savory with onions, garlic, onions, and leeks, along with a bit of nutmeg and cinnamon. Creamy and satisfying! -
Classic Baked Chicken
If you can bake chicken, you can make dinner over and over again. This is a simple recipe with salt, pepper, and olive oil, but so versatile. -
Chicken and Rice Casserole
Way better than casserole made with canned soup! This from-scratch version of chicken and rice casserole bakes with mushrooms, garlic, cream, and herbs. -
Potato Leek Soup
Potato Leek Soup is a classic! Nothing's better than a bowl of hearty potato soup on a chilly day. And it's easy, too! No cream needed, just purée the soup to make it thick and creamy. -
Beef Brisket Pot Roast
Beef Brisket cooked as a pot roast couldn't be easier. Just sear and then cook it in the oven with onions and garlic all afternoon until it becomes fall-apart tender. The leftovers freeze beautifully, too! -
Apple Carrot Cupcakes
It’s as if carrot cake and apple cake decided to get together and have babies. These apple carrot cupcakes are the best of both, and the cream cheese frosting is amazing! -
Homemade Tartar Sauce
Homemade tartar sauce with mayonnaise, dill pickles, capers, and more. It's quick, easy to make, and much better than anything you can buy in a jar! Serve it with fish or crab cakes. -
Sausage, Peppers, and Onions
Such a satisfying combo! Italian sausages cooked with bell peppers, sweet onions, crushed tomatoes, and garlic. Served on a hoagie roll or over pasta or polenta. -
Baked Stuffed Jalapeños
Jalapeños Peppers stuffed with cheese and bacon make a great appetizer for a crowd! They're easy to prep ahead and then throw a batch in the oven when people get hungry. -
Fettuccine Alfredo
Fettuccine Alfredo two ways: with cream and nutmeg, or with butter and Parmesan! Try it both ways and decide which one you like the best! -
Best Ever Sloppy Joes
Best Ever Sloppy Joes! These cook in one pot, with ground beef, onions, garlic, carrots, and celery, in sweet-and-sour tomato sauce. Served messy on purpose, over hamburger buns. -
Chicken Fajitas
A flavorful marinade and a quick sear make for easy homemade chicken fajitas—onions and bell peppers help, too. This is a classic you can make yourself! -
Easy Breakfast Casserole
This 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! -
Baked Spaghetti
Baked Spaghetti Casserole with thin spaghetti, sausage, mushroom, and tomato sauce, ricotta, Parmesan, and Mozzarella cheeses. -
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Oatmeal and chocolate chips are great together. Add in some pecans and coconut and we're pretty excited. But it's the brown butter that take these cookies over the top! -
Easy Cashew Chicken
Skip the Chinese takeout and make this Cashew Chicken at home! Marinate the chicken in peanut oil, chili powder, honey, and tamari, and then cook with onions and mushrooms. -
Pulled Pork Sandwich
Skip the jarred BBQ sauce! This pulled pork comes together easily and the homemade marinade makes the difference. Slowly cooked pork shoulder becomes fall-off-the-bone tender. -
Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
Bacon-wrapped shrimp! Ridiculously good, grilled or roasted in the oven, and seasoned with chili and lime. Two tricks ensure crispy bacon without overcooking the shrimp. Perfect for your next backyard BBQ! -
Green Chile Enchiladas
Green chile enchiladas! These are made with corn tortillas stuffed with roasted green chiles and jack cheese, then smothered with roasted tomatillo salsa verde. Great as a make-ahead meal or freezer meal. -
Herbed Turkey Burger
Turkey burgers come to life with parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme. So simple but so good! -
Spicy Zucchini Soup
Here's another delicious way to use fresh zucchini: Turn it into a spicy soup with mint, cilantro, and jalapeño. Serve it hot or cold! -
Zucchini Fritters
Have extra zucchini? Make zucchini fritters! With freshly grated zucchini, egg, flour, and herbs, they are easy. Serve with a garlicky lemony sour cream dipping sauce. -
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! -
Sausage Stuffed Zucchini
Have a few extra-large zucchinis? Stuff them with Italian sausage, onions, garlic, tomato, and fresh breadcrumbs, and bake! -
Tuna Macaroni Salad
This family favorite tuna macaroni salad is made with canned tuna, elbow mac, bell peppers, parsley, green onion, iceberg lettuce, and mayonnaise. Try it for your next potluck, BBQ, or family gathering. -
Caprese Salad with Tomatoes, Basil, and Mozzarella
Italian caprese salad is a summer classic! Make it extra special with heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, and fresh mozzarella. This is the BEST way to enjoy summer tomatoes. -
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 Tomato Quiche
Make the best of the summer's bounty with this zucchini tomato quiche. With fresh grated zucchini, colorful cherry tomatoes, basil, and Parmesan, it's just the thing for brunch, or a make-ahead breakfast or lunch. -
How to Grill Juicy Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
How to get juicy chicken breasts on the grill? It's all in the brine! Just 30 minutes of brining makes all the difference between dry chicken and perfect chicken. -
Best Ever Tuna Salad Sandwich
What makes the best ever tuna sandwich? It's all in the combination of ingredients—the best tuna you can find, cottage cheese and mayo, and good use of fresh dill, parsley, and more. -
Fresh Salmon Salad
Cool off with this easy Salmon Salad! Poached salmon is gently tossed with celery, red onions, capers, and dill and is perfect for a brunch or light lunch. -
Blackberry Cobbler
Have an excess of blackberries? Make biscuit-topped blackberry cobbler! It's easier and faster than pie. Start it before dinner and it will be ready in time for dessert. -
Deviled Eggs
It's not a party without deviled eggs! Deviled eggs are a classic for all kinds of gatherings, whether it's an Easter brunch or a summer picnic or just because. -
Fresh Tomato Salsa (Pico de Gallo)
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. -
Zucchini Bread
Zucchini bread is a perennial favorite and what to make when the gardens are overflowing with this summer veggie. This one's easy, delicious, and gently spiced. -
Dad’s Ratatouille
This luxuriously smooth and flavorful ratatouille recipe is well worth the effort. Vegetables are first browned, then roasted, then cooked in a tomato sauce. This ratatouille dish includes onion, garlic, zucchini, squash, bell peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, and fresh herbs. -
Deviled Egg Salad
Deviled eggs on their own are great, but turning them into a salad brings the flavors of paprika, hot sauce, onions, and salt and pepper together for a versatile, transportable, end-of-summer dish. -
Lemon Blueberry Ricotta Pound Cake
Blueberries and lemon? Ricotta cheese in a pound cake? Yes, please! Sweet and lemony, with a delicate crumb, this cake tastes like summer. -
Three Bean Salad
Who doesn't love an easy three bean salad, perfect for summer picnics and potlucks?! This classic American picnic salad has cannellini beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, celery, red onion, parsley, and a sweet and sour dressing. -
Grilled Skirt Steak Skewers
Marinated skirt steak, threaded onto skewers and grilled, becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender and delicious, with wonderful caramelized bits! -
Asian Coleslaw
Quick and delicious, this Asian coleslaw is great with burgers, fish, or any Asian-inspired dish. A creamy dressing with peanut butter and rice vinegar brings it all together. -
Guacamole Deviled Eggs
Guacamole Deviled Eggs! Hard boiled eggs and avocado are made for each other in these creamy, tasty deviled eggs. No mayo needed. -
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
The BEST pineapple upside down cake recipe EVER! It has a caramel topping with pineapple rounds over a dense cake with almond flour. -
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! -
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. -
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. -
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Learn how to grill corn that is juicy and tender with this easy grilled corn on the cob technique! The best way is the easiest way - simply grill fresh corn on the cob in their husks on direct high heat. -
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! -
Grandma’s Oatmeal Cookies
Here's a classic, chewy Oatmeal Cookie! This was Grandma's favorite oatmeal cookie recipe, made with oats, brown sugar, white sugar, flour, and shortening. Walnuts and raisins are optional. -
No Mayo Coleslaw
No mayo in this coleslaw! Cool and crunchy, this southwest coleslaw has thinly sliced cabbage with carrots, radishes and cilantro. Great as a summer side dish or piled high on tacos. -
Broccoli Salad
This Broccoli Salad is made with blanched fresh broccoli tossed with toasted almonds, bacon and peas, topped with a homemade honey vinegar dressing. It's a go-to potluck salad for summer cookouts and picnics! -
Lemon Meringue Pie
This is the BEST lemon meringue pie! The tart and creamy lemon custard filling is topped with mile-high billowy meringue. Make this when you want something impressive. -
Napa Cabbage Picnic Salad
This Napa Cabbage Salad is perfect for a picnic potluck! It's made with Napa cabbage, radishes, snow peas, toasted almonds, and a creamy sesame mayo dressing. A real crowd pleaser! -
Grilled Corn Salad
Here's an easy summer salad made with grilled corn, peppers, and zucchini! Serve it with burgers and grilled chicken at your next backyard barbecue. Keeps well, too! -
Chipotle Burger
Want to add a spicy kick to your burgers? These Chipotle Burgers are made by mixing smoky chipotle peppers in adobo with the ground beef! Top with jack cheese and avocado for the best burger of the summer. -
Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken
Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken! Marinate skinless boneless chicken breasts in lime juice and cilantro marinade and then quickly grill to perfection. So easy! -
Strawberry Milk
Sweet, pink, creamy, and delicious, strawberry milk is a huge hit with the kids. It's so easy to make, too! Just three ingredients and a quick whir in the blender. -
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
This is the BEST homemade strawberry rhubarb pie recipe! Sweet fresh strawberries paired with tart rhubarb and a hint of orange zest, all baked in an easy, flaky homemade crust. -
Easy Chinese Chicken Salad with Chow Mein Noodles
This easy Chinese chicken salad gets tossed with a bright, gingery dressing and topped with crunchy noodles. Makes a great make-ahead salad for a backyard party or a weekday lunch. -
Cold Pea Salad
This chilled pea salad is made with frozen peas, smoked almonds, water chestnuts, and a hint of curry. It's a great addition to your summer salad recipe collection.
