Trudy Ngo-Brown, Recipe Tester

This gingerbread cheesecake tastes like the classic Christmas spices of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and clove in each and every bite of this simple yet stunning dessert.

If ever there was an unabashedly, unapologetically girlie burger, this is it. Still, we’ve seen guys polish them off without complaint.

No sugar. No creepy preservatives. Nothing but blueberries, plain yogurt, honey, lemon juice, purple smiles, and requests for seconds.

These subtly flavored, relatively healthful (shhhh!) sliders are the sleeper hit at The Meatball Shop. Not hard to understand why.

These sassy brownies lack nothing in terms of the classic s’more and come together any time you have a craving. No campfire required.

A retro classic with a velvety coconut custard buried beneath billows of sweet, luscious, airy meringue and cushioned by a tender, flaky, buttery lard crust. You’re welcome.

Don’t let those leftover Easter eggs go to waste. This easy egg salad with caramelized onions is so lovely, you won’t even notice that there’s no mayo.

Stop your scoffing. This may not be conventional chili, but it’s no sissy imposter. It’s just a little subtler, soupier, and smokier.

All’Amatriciana—go on, roll that “r” like they do in Italy—means a spicy pasta sauce of tomatoes and pancetta or bacon. Prego.

Pancakes are swell, but breakfast doesn’t have an exclusive on maple syrup. Especially not when this maple roast chicken is in the house.

A nifty little ooh- and aah-inducing riff on the classic croque madame that’s perfect to assemble ahead of time for big batch brunches.

This sweet and spicy little number wooed us from our very first spoonful, banishing bottled barbecue sauce forever from our pantries.

A little something dark and decadent to swoon over on a sultry summer afternoon. A little cinnamon- and cayenne-laced chocolate and cream never hurt anyone.

A swoon-inducing collision of creamy cheesecake, cakey brownie, and sweetly tart raspberries. Sorta makes you want to stop reading and start baking, yeah?

Now you can indulge your craving for roast potatoes when it’s sweltering outside without heating up the entire kitchen. You’re welcome.

An easy, foolproof, ever so slightly sweet corn bread that comes together as quickly as it disappears. Just watch it.

The quintessential summer sandwich, this stack is stuffed with grilled eggplant, bell peppers, red onions, and zucchini. Open wide.

A tuna melt is a tuna melt is a tuna melt, right? Uh, not exactly. This is a welcome departure from what we choked down as children.

All the comforting flavor and sticky-sweet glaze of Mom’s meatloaf but with bacon and caramelized vegetables to make it feel all grown-up.

Before you roll your eyes and mutter, “Do I need another mashed potato recipe?” we suggest you try these simple, sinful, pleasingly chunky smashed spuds. The answer, you’ll find, is yes.