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Inspired by: Quesadilla Burger
This combo gives you a tender burger, crisp veggies and a crunchy shell, plus fajita flavor. Kids love it. —Antonio Smith, Canal Winchester, Ohio 2 / 30
Inspired by: Firecracker Shrimp Cavatappi
I created this creamy pasta dish when I needed to use up some marinara. Red pepper flakes give it a little heat, which my family loves. It's super versatile, so try it with chicken, or simply stir in some fresh basil, too. —Lorri Stout, Gaithersburg, Maryland 3 / 30
Inspired by: Fire Grilled Veggies
I make this healthy and inviting side dish whenever friends come over for a cookout. The honeyed vinaigrette lets the veggies shine. —Shelly Graver, Lansdale, Pennsylvania 4 / 30
Inspired by: Sirloin Stir-Fry
Think of this stir-fry as your chance to play with heat and spice. I balance the beef with coconut milk and a spritz of lime. —Joy Zacharia, Clearwater, Florida 5 / 30
Inspired by: Bacon Cheddar Grilled Chicken Sandwich
I created this chicken sandwich recipe based on a meal my daughter ordered at a restaurant. She likes to dip her sandwich in the extra honey-mustard sauce. —Marilyn Moberg, Papillion, Nebraska 6 / 30
Inspired by: Garlicy Green Beans
This is a perfect way to use up your garden's green beans. The Cajun flavor makes it different from your regular green bean recipe. —Shannon Lewis, Andover, Minnesota 7 / 30
Inspired by: Oriental Chicken Salad
I love their crunchy, citrusy salad so much that once I made my husband drive an hour to the nearest Applebee's restaurant just so I could eat it! It was time to come up with my own version. I'm completely happy with the results—and my husband is, too! Find more of my recipes at my blog, mandysrecipeboxblog.com. —Mandy Bird, Holbrook, Idaho 8 / 30
Inspired by: Chicken Tender Platter
One of my mom's favorite chicken recipes used fresh sage. Her version was smothered with gravy, but we like these panko-crusted tenders as they are. —Deb Perry, Traverse City, Michigan 9 / 30
Inspired by: Brew Pub Pretzels
My husband and our friends and family love these soft, chewy pretzels. Let the bread machine mix the dough, then all you have to do is shape and bake these fun snacks. —Sherry Peterson, Fort Collins, Colorado 10 / 30
Inspired by: The American Standard
We do a lot of camping and outdoor cooking. This all-American, homemade hamburger recipe is on our menu more than any other food. —Diane Hixon, Niceville, Florida 11 / 30
Inspired by: Boneless Honey BBQ Wings
I received this easy wing recipe from a cousin on Vancouver Island during a visit there a few years ago. They're an appealing appetizer, but also a favorite for Sunday lunch with rice and a salad. —Joan Airey, Rivers, Manitoba 12 / 30
Inspired by: Three-Cheese Chicken Cavatappi
As a cattle rancher, my husband's a big fan of beef. For him to comment on a poultry dish is rare. But he always tells me, "I love this casserole!" I first tasted it at a potluck; now, I fix it for my family (we have a 3-year-old daughter) once or twice a month, and I'm asked to take it to most every get-together. —Rochelle Brownlee, Big Timber, Montana 13 / 30
Inspired by: Capresse Mozzarella Chicken
I love a Caprese salad of tomatoes, basil and cheese, so why not try a chicken caprese? You can grill this dish, but my family agrees it’s juicier straight from the oven. —Dana Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona 14 / 30
Inspired by: Cedar Salmon with Maple Mustard
Lemon juice, mustard and brown sugar add something special to this salmon dish. —Cortney Claeson, Spokane, Washington 15 / 30
Inspired by: Spinach and Artichoke Chicken Cavattapi
Here's a colorful, delicious chicken dish that's easy enough for weeknights, yet special enough for guests. Oregano, garlic and a light wine sauce add lovely flavor. —Cathy Dick, Roanoke, Virginia 16 / 30
Inspired by: All-Day Brunch Burger
To feed my daughter’s hungry cowboy friends after a rodeo, I created these with leftover burgers, hollandaise and bacon. They were a huge hit! —Bonnie Geavaras-Bootz, Scottsdale, Arizona 17 / 30
Inspired by: Spinach and Artichoke Dip
I'm a fan of classic dishes but frequently tweak them a bit to suit my family's tastes. My cheesy spinach dip is a little lighter than other versions I've seen and pairs well with bagel chips. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California 18 / 30
Inspired by: Fiesta Lime Chicken
Make-ahead marinade is your best friend when feeding a crowd. This one for grilled chicken is good to know and very easy to memorize. —Marybeth Wright, Maitland, Florida 19 / 30
Inspired by: Fish and Chips
A British pub classic turns crown jewel when you add horseradish, panko and Worcestershire. You can also try it with white fish like cod or haddock. —Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin 20 / 30
Inspired by: Chicken Quesadilla
I used the corn, peppers and zucchini in my fridge to create these quick and easy quesadillas. Dollop with sour cream and you're good to go. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington 21 / 30
Inspired by: Grilled Shrimp Skewer
When I was in second grade, my class put together a cookbook. I saw this recipe from one of my friends, and I thought my mom would like it. —Charlotte Roos, Minneapolis, Minnesota 22 / 30
Inspired by: Southwestern Steak Salad
Pasta salad loaded with steak, peppers and onions makes both my boyfriend and me happy. Plus, it’s versatile! We serve it hot, room temperature or cold. —Yvonne Starlin, Westmoreland, Tennessee 23 / 30
Inspired by: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Put a little spice in your menu with my favorite Anaheim pepper recipe. The peppers, jalapenos and cayenne heat up this full-flavored tortilla soup. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona 24 / 30
Inspired by: BBQ Brisket Tacos
When I have leftover steak, it’s time to make cilantro tacos. Set out bowls of toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, avocado and salsa. That’s a fiesta. —Patti Rose, Tinley Park, Illinois 25 / 30
Inspired by: Double-Glazed Baby Back Ribs
Slow-cook the ribs during the day and they will be ready to finish on the grill when you get home. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 26 / 30
Inspired by: Chicken Fajita Rollup
For a weekend lunch with company, we grill chicken and peppers to stuff inside pita pockets. The dressing doubles as a grilling sauce and a sandwich spread. —Clara Coulson Minney, Washington Court House, Ohio 27 / 30
Inspired by: Chicken Caesar Salad
My Caesar with grilled chicken is a healthier alternative to heavy meat and potatoes dishes. After grilling the kabobs, we serve them family style. —Melissa Adams, Tooele, Utah 28 / 30
Inspired by: Clubhouse Grille
We’re crazy for BLTs. A nearby roadside stand carries gorgeous tomatoes every summer. We load up, then stuff our sandwiches with the usual suspects, plus smoked turkey and cheese. —Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West Virginia 29 / 30
Inspired by: Blue Ribbon Brownie
We can’t resist brownie sundaes. I combined an affogato (coffee-based beverage) idea with a brownie to get this decadent sundae that mixes it all in there: warm, cold, sweet and salty. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington 30 / 30
Inspired by: Fire Roasted Chicken Salad Wrap
As an Italian American, I love, love, love garlic, tomatoes and basil, all of which are musts for good bruschetta. This recipe was created in celebration of the first tomatoes to come out of our home garden this year. —Gina Rine, Canfield, Ohio Originally Published: December 11, 2017