Presenting the Winners from Our Everything Made Easy Contest

Grand Prize: Skillet Pork Chops in Pineapple-Soy Sauce

We try to eat a variety of foods, and although we like pork, it really has very little flavor. One night I was fixing some beautiful boneless pork loin chops and decided to add a fruity sauce. The chops ended up being moist and juicy, and the sauce was delicious. This dinner, perfect served over rice, takes less than 30 minutes. It is wonderful for weeknight meals but nice enough for company too. —Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky

Check out our contest page to learn more about our contests and submit your own recipes for consideration.

1st Place: Pistachio and Date Ricotta Crostini

My husband and I regularly have date night at home where we make a four-course meal. For appetizers, I like to keep things simple but dressed up. I’ve found that making a special appetizer helps transform the atmosphere into a fancy meal. We’ve grown to really cherish these long and luxurious evenings together in our living room. Fresh figs can be used instead of dates if that’s what you have on hand! —Kristin Bowers, Gilbert, Arizona

2nd Place: Pressure-Cooker Penne with Meat Sauce

This pressure-cooker pasta is delicious and super easy. I like to serve it alongside a chopped salad with Italian dressing. If you have leftovers, try them spooned into individual ramekins and baked with a little extra sauce and cheese on top. —Virginia Butterfield, Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania

3rd Place: Pressure-Cooker Lemon Chicken Pasta

I was recently prepping for a big race in the mountains of Lake Tahoe area. Normally, to perform at your best, you’d want to eat a lot of carbs and some protein the day before a race. It inspired me to make this very special creamy pasta dish with chicken, mushrooms, artichokes, capers and lemons. —Ilya Khayn, San Jose, California

Most Innovative: Apple and Sausage Sheet-Pan Pancakes

After my daughter told me about sheet pan pancakes, I knew I needed to try them! Using my homegrown sweet potatoes as inspiration, I created this tasty breakfast dish. Bonus: It’s easier to make than traditional pancakes. I like to line the sheet pan with foil for easier cleanup. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

Runner-Up: Easy Shrimp and Scallops Ramen Soup

This recipe is delicious and so easy to make at home on a weeknight. You can add any vegetables, seafood or meat that you have on hand. —Aleni Salcedo, East Elmhurst, New York

Runner-Up: English Muffin Breakfast Baklava

Classic baklava comes to breakfast courtesy of a lightly toasted cinnamon raisin English muffin and topped with a buttery baklava filling of pistachios and walnuts. It’s a delicious way to change up your breakfast routine. Serve with your choice of fresh fruit and lots of napkins. —Sharyn LaPointe Hill, Las Cruces, New Mexico

Runner-Up: Korean Bulgogi Fries

I saw this recipe on a TV show that featured the Crowbar & Grill in Laramie, Wyoming. I decided to make my own version of their recipe using shortcut ingredients. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts

Runner-Up: Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

In addition to cocoa, Mexican hot chocolate has some signature ingredients including cinnamon and cayenne pepper. I created these delicious cupcakes with a similar flavor profile and my secret ingredient: mayonnaise. I like to use mayonnaise in my chocolate cupcakes because it keeps them extra moist. —Michele Kusma, Columbus, Ohio

Runner-Up: Pork Tenderloin with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

This is my go-to dish for both special occasions and weekday dinners because it’s so easy and delicious. We love it because the pork tenderloin is, without fail, moist and tender. The sauce is the true star. In fact, this past Thanksgiving, my husband suggested it would be good to have available along with turkey gravy and he was right. It was a huge hit! —Kim Wells, Worthington, Ohio

Runner-Up: Shrimp Spaghetti with Cherry Tomatoes

This is a very tasty pasta dish, full of umami flavors and, if done properly, an insanely silky sauce. Shut your eyes and you will swear you’re in Sicily. —Hassan Nurullah, Hapeville, Georgia

Runner-Up: Creamy Beef and Onion Pasta

This delicious pasta sauce originated after I noticed a box of onion soup packets in my cupboard. I could not believe how much flavor the mix added as a seasoning blend! To my delight, my whole family gave this dish rave reviews, including my infamously picky children. Now it is my go-to dinner when I want to serve an easy, comforting dish after an especially difficult week or when the weather is cold and dreary. —Kristin Bowers, Gilbert, Arizona