Barb P., Recipe Tester

There’s cornbread. And then there’s cornbread enhanced with bacon, corn, and good ol’ bacon drippings. Just as God intended, folks who’ve made it have been saying.

Apple cranberry sauce. Not quite as American as apple pie. Not until you taste this version, that is. Sweetly tart and superbly lovely with turkey and pork and so, so much more.

Got leftover cranberries? Then you’ve got the fixings for these incredible scones that balance tart berries with sweet white chocolate and knee-wobblingly flaky pastry.

These pumpkin swirl brownies are just as outrageously rich as you’d expect thanks to pumpkin spice cheesecake colliding with a pan of fudgy brownies.

Sometimes, a creamy, comforting soup is all you need, especially if you can make it vegan. Topped with yogurt and hazelnuts, it’s superb.

Tomato and peach panzanella may sound unlikely but it’ll knock your socks off. If you’re not wearing socks this time of year, then it’ll knock your flip-flops off. Guaranteed.

These classic buttery French crepes are infused through and through with the essence of orange.

This plum sorbet is going to change your late-summer fruit strategy. And you don’t even need an ice cream maker. Now that’s easy and elegant.

Because nothing says love like cheesy pasta magnificence. This baked mac ‘n cheese, with Colby, Cheddar, and crisp, buttery bread crumbs can be made ahead of time, too.

This brilliant sandwich works with any pulled pork you’ve got, leftover or freshly smoked. But trust us, you won’t be able to make these fast enough to keep up with the demand.

Fried dough in any incarnation is something to get excited about. Though we’re sorta partial to this particular cinnamon sugar-coated awesomeness.

A little tangy and not too sweet, this North Carolina style barbecue sauce is juuuuuuuuuust right.

Sorta like shakshuka, aquacotta is an Italian soup from southern Tuscany that’s essentially leftover bread, tomatoes, onions, and chiles with eggs and a little Parmesan. Living large.

Maple Sriracha bacon isn’t just the title of this simple recipe, it’s the ingredient list as well. Which means you probably already have everything you need on hand.

This grown-up mac-and-cheese gets some gusto with its mild heat from chiles and its smattering of—are you sitting?!—crushed tortilla chips in place of bread crumbs.

This ingenious approach to spaghetti requires just your usual boxed pasta, a bottle of wine, and 30 minutes. Gorgeousness ensues.

An easy way to gussy up green beans and make them seem fancy without being fussy.

Crisp onion and creamy white beans turn tuna into a light dinner, courtesy of the always impressive Stanley Tucci.

When it’s half past when you’d wanted to eat and you’re too exhausted to think, turn to this kid-friendly, adult-approved fix.

Exactly what you want—nay, need—when you’re crave something that’s satiating as heck but you need it to be quick and with some semblance of healthy.