Your Favorite Recipes Of 2020
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A delicious collection of our readers’ favorite (new!) recipes here on Gimme Some Oven over the course of 2020.
We did it, friends. ♡
We’ve finally made it to the end of this historic, exhausting, roller coaster of a year. And while there are about a million things that are sure to be remembered about 2020, the one thing that I can say for certain as a food blogger is that you all spent a record amount of time in the kitchen cooking for those you love, whether you really felt like it or not.
And for that, I want to genuinely say…well done.
While quarantine started off with a lot of adrenaline and eagerness to take on DIY everything (cue all of the homemade bread, pasta, tortillas, cinnamon buns, focaccia, sushi and cocktails galore), all of that time cooped up at home undoubtedly took its toll month after month. And by the end of the year, my quickest and easiest dinners (hello, fried rice, spaghetti aglio e olio, and 5-ingredient chicken chili) and comfort food recipes (especially all of those classic holiday cookies) became the most popular recipes on the blog. And I know that for so many of you, it became a major win just to heat up that frozen pizza or scramble some eggs and have anything on the table for the millionth night in a row at all.
So I just want to say that whatever cooking looked like for you over the course of 2020, you did a great job. You got dinner on the table for a record number of nights in a row, you took care of yourself and your people, and you made it through. Next year will hopefully bring some renewed energy for healthier habits and some much-needed nights off from the kitchen, once we can all move around freely and have dinner parties and safely eat out at all of our favorite restaurants again. But for now, I’m proud of us for cooking our way through one of the most complicated and unpredictable years of our lives, and for creating some delicious moments in there along the way.
I also just wanted to end the year by saying thank you for allowing me and the recipes here on Gimme Some Oven to accompany you along the way. I was just telling some friends the other day that this has been the most meaningful year of my food blogging career, getting to provide new recipes and resources that were (I hope!) helpful in navigating this pandemic. The trust you place in me and these recipes is always something I hold dear, and it has been a privilege to have this blog be one of the places you’ve turned to this year.
So, again, thank you. I’m so grateful as always to have each of you here. And as is our annual tradition, here is the end-of-the-year list of the top 20 (new!) recipes that you all loved best here on Gimme Some Oven in 2020! Stay tuned tomorrow for a second list of my own personal faves, and please be sure to share any of yours in the comments below too!
Ultimate Chili
“Ridiculously good. I used a potato masher to smash some of the beans in the soup to thicken and let it go a bit uncovered to simmer to thicken a bit more. Love the smokiness of this. I used ground beef and hot Italian sausage. Also used black beans and pinto beans. Highly recommend.” -Christy
Favorite Lentil Salad
“This salad is scrumptious, light, delicious and tastes like sunshine in a bowl. I love lentils anyway, but the mint really adds a whole new dimension. It was so easy to make. I just hope git lasts long enough to make it to dinner tomorrow night.” -Susan
Lemony Artichoke Soup
“I’ve owed you a comment about this soup recipe for some time now. My husband and I love artichokes so I couldn’t wait to try this recipe after you first posted it. I’ve made it a few times now and it’s definitely a keeper. I use a bag of frozen artichokes from Trader Joe’s and since we really like the lemony flavor, I double the amount called for, but that’s my only change. Hubby even requested it as part of his birthday dinner earlier this month. Thank you for sharing!” -Helen
No Knead Bread
“I’ve tried a few other no-knead recipes, but wasn’t happy with either the texture or flavor of any of them. This one is just right. Came out perfect! I used the 2 hour version and baked it in my small oval LC. The only change I might make is to cut the salt slightly to 1.5 teaspoons, just because we’re cutting down on salt in my house.” -Jan
Carrot Cake Bars
“I really wanted a carrot cake but didn’t want to deal with the complexity of a multi-tiered cake. This recipe and size was exactly what I was looking for. It tastes delicious! I will definitely be making it again!” -Bethany
Meatballs
“This recipe has earned a permanent spot in my monthly rotation! No need to modify, it’s perfect the way it is!! Be sure to read the tips which make a world of a difference.” -Kim
Best Caesar Dressing
“Outstanding! My husband made it yesterday and it was EVEN BETTER tonight! Quite possibly the best Caesar dressing that I’ve ever tasted!” -Brady
Carne Asada
“This was SO good. I didn’t even use the salt; it had so much flavor. Thank you for sharing!” -Amy
Italian Sausage Orzo Soup
“This soup was so good–my whole family loved it! I had kale in the refrigerator so I used that instead of spinach. Topped it with some fresh grated parmesan and served alongside grilled cheese. Perfect for the first snow of the year!” -Meri
Flour Tortillas
“I have made this recipe more than a dozen times and every time I make these tortillas I ask myself why did we ever buy tortillas from the store in the past? These are by far the best tortillas anyone in our family has ever tasted and believe me we have tried MANY!!!! The taste is amazing, they are very easy to make and a batch can be prepared in no time at all. Last week I made a double batch and used them in enchiladas. Hands down the best enchiladas ever and it all comes back to one thing, this recipe. Give this recipe a try, you will love the tortilla!!!” -Dave
Shrimp Tacos
“These were so simple and so tasty!! We made everything according to the recipe and it was perfect. Paired it with your fresh strawberry margaritas and a jicama and radish salad from Fine Cooking. Can’t wait to enjoy leftovers tomorrow! Thanks for another fabulous meal at home!!” -Hannah
Swedish Cinnamon Buns (Kanelbullar)
“I finally tried making these and followed the recipe exactly, and they are INCREDIBLE! My family is obsessed. And they were so fun to make. Can’t wait for the next batch!” -Julie
Pasta with Burst Cherry Tomatoes, Burrata and Basil
“One of the best pasta dishes I’ve ever had, let alone cooked myself!” -Gordon
Buttery Soft Pretzels
“These were SO good! The extra butter on top totally made them taste like Auntie Anne’s too. ?” -Rachel
Brown Butter Lemon Pasta
“I’ve made other lemon pastas before and my kids always turned their noses up at it. But they loved this one (as did I)! It’s going into our regular rotation.” -Emilee
Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte
“Love how flavorful this is without being overpoweringly sweet! I’ve been using this recipe to make hot PSLs all winter too and it is delicious.” -Beth
Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
“New favorite cinnamon roll recipe! Made these this morning and it is the perfect fall treat. The pumpkin spice flavor with the maple cream cheese frosting makes the perfect combo for a fall breakfast. Every family member gave it a two thumbs up!” -Courtney
Sweet Potato Chickpea Coconut Curry
“I made this, and it was amazing! Easy and so flavorful. A really satisfying meal. I used veg stock instead of milk. Thanks for this great recipe that is definitely going in regular rotation!” -Catherine
Mushroom Gravy
“We had a vegetarian Thanksgiving and I couldn’t make my usual turkey gravy, so I tried this one and this is the best gravy I’ve ever made. It’s going into the recipe box for future re-makes as my go-to gravy!” -Jessica
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
“Delish and easy to prepare, its in our rotation of meals that make us happy :)” -Jennifer
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What about you? What were your favorite recipes that you made from Gimme Some Oven in 2020? Did they make the list?
My favorite this year was the pasta with burst cherry tomatoes. I made it numerous times. I had forgotten about the lentil salad, I will be making that soon. Excited to see what your favorites were. Happy New Year.
I just printed off 6 of these recipes to try! Whenever anyone asks about a favorite cooking blog yours is always the first I recommend. Your recipes are full of flavor, easy to follow, and use ingredients that I usually have on hand. Plus they are consistently a hit! Wishing you and your family love, health, and happiness in 2021!
My favorite thing to make this year was the kale fried rice…I made it so many times and I absolutely LOVE it!!!! Family favorite from Gimme Some Oven this year was the pumpkin cinnamon rolls…they were absolutely amazing! We grew pumpkins for the first time and used our own roasted pumpkin in the recipe quite a few times…maybe more than we should have, but they were just that good!! Thanks for all you do and thanks for helping our little family make it through 2020!! Blessings for a new year!
Best pumpkin bread ever. All-In-One Thanksgiving Casserole great for all the leftovers.
Gosh, I missed one or two of these on the way through, and some of the others I had on my ‘to make’ list and hadn’t got around to them. Going to cobble together a new year’s eve menu from some of them – might mix and match those tortillas, shrimp tacos and the steak to have a taco night (as there will just be the two of us, we’ll be rolling around like a pair of little piggies). I can’t believe I didn’t spot the Caesar dressing before – I have been endlessly searching for the ultimate recipe. That’s going on next week’s menu with some grilled chicken or shrimp for a lighter meal. Thanks again Ali for sharing all of your fabulous recipes, and wishing the two of you the absolute best of luck that the next few months go smoothly. Our very best wishes for 2021, Jayne & Robin in deepest, flooded, storm-riddled Cornwall.
Perhaps I’m missing something, but I don’t see the links for the No Knead Bread and the Carne Asada to be able to pin them. Can someone please help? Thanks!
We made your eggplant parm numerous times, we LOVE it! Satisfying and comforting, but not too heavy, and so flavorful. Also have been making the chicken and wild rice soup. Every time I make it, my husband says he could eat it every day!
I started reading this blog for the recipes but your postings exude such a beautiful soul. You truly see food as more than just something to eat.. You celebrate food in all of its colors, textures, and favors. You treat food with reverence and joy. Furthermore, your posting about the well projects in Mali brought a much needed awareness of the critical lack of water in this continent as well as lending a hand to African women.. This too is so critically important as their economic self-sufficiency creates a route out of poverty. Your postings especially this year helped to bring a healing presence in so many ways during the darkest of times. They certainly meant a lot to me.
I just pinned most of these recipes to try out later! My favorite recipe of yours this year are your chocolate chip cookies. I am a good cook and baker but my chocolate chip cookies were always TERRIBLE. I read your recipe and decided to try them out for Christmas and they turned out delicious! I ended up making 3 batches with different types of chips. My family is very thankful for the recipe!
Texas Brisket Chili!!! My husband requested this for Thanksgiving (he’s not much of a turkey guy). No beans, just 5lbs of Brisket and several dried ancho chilies. One of the best dishes I’ve every made. It does have a little bite to it, really AWESOME if u r a chilie fan.
Ali….I have made so many of your recipes. I love how you give vegan options…since going vegan June 2020 I especially appreciate this. Happy New Year to you, your lil bun in the oven, and your cutie husband!
Our favorites are the Awesome Chow Mein and the Spicy Szechwan Stir Fry and the Italian Sausage and orzo soup! Anytime I need a recipe I look to your blog first! I just finished the soup and currently have chow mein leftovers in the fridge! Wishing you and your family a wonderful 2021!
OMG, the artichoke soup! This has to be my most frequently eaten meal this year, and I’ve taken to keeping multiple cans of artichokes in the pantry in case of a soup emergency. You having to make Barclay’s birthday dinner at home, and his mum letting you post the recipe for us all to enjoy as a result is my personal (only?) pandemic highlight.
Your Beef Stroganoff has been my husband’s favorite new recipe this year! We love it so much I made it for Christmas dinner since it was just us. It’s perfect!