Soothe sore teeth and still get the nutrients you need with these soft foods that are perfect for the day after getting braces or oral surgery.
50 Go-To Recipes for the Day After Getting Braces
1
/
49
Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pudding
One of the nice things about this easy pudding is you don’t have to stand and stir it. It’s a must for us at Christmas—at Thanksgiving and Easter, too! I also make it into a pie with graham cracker crust that our grandchildren love. —Amber Sampson, Somonauk, Illinois
2
/
49
Cold-Day Chicken Noodle Soup
When I was sick, my mom would make me this heartwarming chicken noodle soup. It was soothing when I had a cold, but this soup is a bowlful of comfort on any chilly day. —Anthony Graham, Ottawa, lllinois
3
/
49
Peach Smoothie
The best things in life really can be the simplest. This peach smoothie uses just a few ingredients but tastes complex and delicious.
4
/
49
Mashed Potatoes with Cheddar
Who doesn’t love fluffy, homemade mashed potatoes? Make them even better with sharp cheddar cheese. To get them really creamy, my mother's secret was to add whipping cream instead of half-and-half. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
5
/
49
Bananas Foster Oatmeal
This oatmeal tastes like bananas Foster, my favorite dessert. If you can’t find rum extract, double the vanilla. —Carol Touchton, Seffner, Florida
6
/
49
Strawberry Gelato
Our contest-winning strawberry gelato is an easy and luscious summer dessert, and a perfect way to use ripe berries!
7
/
49
Buffet Scrambled Eggs
These are my favorite scrambled eggs. The white sauce, flavored with chicken bouillon, keeps the eggs creamy and moist. It's a tasty twist on a morning mainstay.
8
/
49
Rosy Applesauce
I always end up with lots of rhubarb each summer, but many of the recipes use a lot of sugar. This one lets the fruit sweeten up the rhubarb instead. I refrigerate the sauce overnight to help the flavors blend. —Amy Nelson, Weston, Wisconsin
9
/
49
Buttermilk Pancakes
Buttermilk pancakes have earned their reputation as a breakfast classic—especially when they're as golden and fluffy as these! We make our pancakes from scratch for a breakfast treat that's ready in only 15 minutes.
10
/
49
Mom's Macaroni and Cheese
The wonderful homemade goodness of this creamy Velveeta mac and cheese makes it a staple side dish in my mother's kitchen and in mine as well. It has tender noodles and a crowd-pleasing golden crumb topping. —Maria Costello, Monroe, North Carolina
11
/
49
Mushroom Stuffing
Try this mushroom stuffing recipe when you need a savory side dish that can serve several people. Packaged cornbread stuffing mix helps get this recipe ready in a little over an hour.
12
/
49
Frozen Yogurt
Looking for a sweet treat that is a bit better for you? Our Test Kitchen shows you how to make frozen yogurt with an ice cream maker right at home.
13
/
49
Slow-Cooker Butternut Squash Soup
Make this comforting slow-cooker butternut squash soup recipe with ease. It requires just 20 minutes of prep time and offers leftovers that last the entire week.
14
/
49
Herb & Cheese Scrambled Eggs
As a child I grew up on a farm where eggs and herbs were plentiful in summer. My mother made these eggs and I've made them for my own family. Just add toast!—Patricia Nieh, Portola Valley, California
15
/
49
Favorite Banana Split Smoothies
I try to get as many fruits and veggies into our menus as possible. A smoothie is a great way to load up on nutrients. This banana one is a favorite! —Tiffany Van Zee, Pella, Iowa
16
/
49
Ginger Applesauce
When it's apple-picking time, it's also time for all the delightful treats you can make with them, including applesauce. This is my favorite way to prepare it. It's simple to do and it makes the whole house smell like fall. —Renee Pajestka, Brunswick, Ohio
17
/
49
Sausage Stuffing
The best sausage stuffing recipe evokes nostalgia for time spent with loved ones at the holiday table. Pair it with turkey for Thanksgiving, or eat it as an all-in-one meal any time of the year.
18
/
49
White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
Here's a recipe for white cheddar mac and cheese that's better than any box. The secret: a dash of garlic powder and chipotle powder for a savory kick.
19
/
49
Pumpkin Whip
Even though this dessert is quick to fix, it has a creamy pumpkin taste and golden harvest look...just like traditional pumpkin pie. It's a great dessert for both everyday dinners and special-occasion suppers.—Linda Clapp, Stow, Ohio
20
/
49
Mashed Potatoes with Garlic-Olive Oil
Garlic mashed potatoes are high on our love list. To intensify the flavor, I combine garlic and olive oil in the food processor and drizzle it on top of the potatoes. — Emory Doty, Jasper, Georgia
21
/
49
Ginger Honey Marinated Salmon
Ginger, garlic powder and green onion blend nicely for this marinated salmon. We've found it tastes even better when marinated in the fridge overnight. We also like to use this versatile mixture when grilling chicken! —Dan Strumberger, Farmington, Minnesota
22
/
49
The Best Ever Pancakes
I'm not joking when I say I make pancakes every weekend. I love them in any form and variation. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
23
/
49
Strawberry Milkshake
Grab your spoon: this strawberry milkshake is thick, bright with strawberry flavor and infinitely customizable.
24
/
49
Beer Cheese Soup
Our easy and delicious beer cheese soup combines rich cheddar cheese and robust beer for a comforting and flavorful meal. This creamy delight is perfect for cozy nights or casual gatherings.
25
/
49
Cherry Fruit Smoothies
You need just four ingredients to blend together these super-fast smoothies for breakfast. Try whipping them up on a hot summer day for a cool and refreshing treat. —Macy Plummer, Avon, Indiana
26
/
49
Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream
This creamy, luscious ice cream will remind you of the signature treat served at church ice cream socials. What dessert could be better? —Esther Johnson, Merrill, Wisconsin—Esther Johnson, Merrill, Wisconsin
27
/
49
Greens and Beans Turkey Soup
On winter evenings, we like nothing better than a piping hot bowl of soup. This one uses the turkey carcass to make a flavorful stock for the soup. —Susan Albert, Jonesburg, Missouri
28
/
49
Rich & Creamy Mashed Potatoes
It's a cinch to jazz up instant mashed potatoes with sour cream and cream cheese, then cook and serve them from a slow cooker. For a special touch, sprinkle this creamy mashed potatoes recipe with chopped fresh chives, canned french-fried onions or fresh grated Parmesan cheese. —Donna Bardocz, Howell, Michigan
29
/
49
Cod and Asparagus Bake
The lemon pulls this flavorful and healthy dish together. You can use grated Parmesan cheese instead of Romano if you'd like. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey
30
/
49
Red Pepper Soup
While I don't have scientific proof of it, Red Pepper Soup works for me as a head cold remedy! It is a good gift to take when visiting a sick friend, too. For a pretty touch, top the soup with grated cheese and parsley. We enjoy it with jalapeno cheese buns. You can also serve it with warm garlic bread. —Barb Nelson, Victoria, British Columbia
31
/
49
Dark Chocolate Pudding
Life is too short to pass on dessert. This old-fashioned treat is so creamy and comforting! —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
32
/
49
Thomas Jefferson's Vanilla Ice Cream
The third U.S. president is credited with jotting down the first American recipe for this treat. No vanilla bean on hand? Substitute 1 tablespoon vanilla extract for the vanilla bean. Just stir the extract into the cream mixture after the ice-water bath. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
33
/
49
Four-Cheese Baked Eggs
When I created this dish I was thrilled that my husband enjoyed it so much. He normally prefers omelets for brunch, but devoured his first helping of these eggs, then asked for more. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida
34
/
49
Dill Sauce for Salmon
Dill sauce for salmon is a classic pairing. The easy baked salmon is full of lemon flavor, and the tangy, creamy sauce brings the whole dish together.
35
/
49
Old-Fashioned Applesauce
Our applesauce recipe comes together quickly without fancy equipment or extra stir-ins. With only three ingredients, it's perfect just the way it is—or you can customize it with spices, sweeteners and more.
36
/
49
Apple Pancakes with Cider Syrup
Tender pancakes are filled with minced apple and raisin, and drizzled with apple cider syrup. They're wonderful in the summer or on a cool fall morning. —April Harmon, Greeneville, Tennessee
37
/
49
Strawberry Lime Smoothies
Peak-of-freshness strawberries make this thinner, easy drink a summer staple. —Elizabeth Johnson, Greenville, South Carolina
38
/
49
Creamy Cauliflower Pakora Soup
My husband and I often crave pakoras, deep-fried fritters from India. I wanted to get the same flavors but use a healthier cooking technique, so I made soup using all the classic spices and our favorite veggie, cauliflower! —Melody Johnson, DePere, Wisconsin
39
/
49
Baked Mac and Cheese
With its rich cheese sauce and crunchy crumb topping, this has to be the best baked mac and cheese recipe out there. Serve it as a comforting weeknight dinner or a holiday side dish.
40
/
49
Nanny's Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
My grandsons rave over these creamy potatoes loaded with Parmesan. That’s all the endorsement I need. Sometimes I use golden or red potatoes, with skins on. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California
41
/
49
Tomato-Orange Soup
Who knew orange and tomato were such a good pair? Whenever I serve this, I keep the recipe handy for requests. —Barbara Wood, St. John’s, Newfoundland
42
/
49
Pineapple-Coconut Smoothie
Use fresh or frozen fruits in this coconutty recipe. It's like a pina colada, but better for you and more versatile. —Gunjan Dudani, Bellevue, Washington
43
/
49
Brown Sugar-Glazed Salmon
A fantastic quick and easy weeknight meal that won’t seem as though it was quick and easy, this brown sugar-glazed salmon will always be welcome on the table.
44
/
49
Creamy Skillet Noodles with Peas
I’ve made this creamy noodle side for years. Since kids and adults go for it, I keep the ingredients on hand at all times. —Anita Groff, Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania
45
/
49
Dill Chicken Soup
I could eat soup for every meal of the day, all year long. I particularly like dill and spinach—they add a brightness to this light and healthy soup. —Robin Haas, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts
46
/
49
Herbed Macaroni and Cheese
Besides being a really easy recipe to make, it tastes very good, too! This is not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill macaroni and cheese. The herbs and spices, along with the sour cream, give the dish a wonderful flavor. Serving it with toasted pita bread and salad makes this one of our family's favorite meals, and it's been in the family for a very long time! —Nancy Raymond, Waldoboro, Maine
47
/
49
Strawberry-Carrot Smoothies
My children resist veggies, but they love this carrot smoothie. It packs in lots of good-for-you fruits and veggies—but to my kids, it's just a super delicious breakfast. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
48
/
49
Skillet Mac and Cheese
This skillet mac and cheese takes a few more minutes than the boxed stuff, but we promise the final result is worth it. A thick and creamy cheese sauce is stirred together with perfectly cooked pasta, then topped with whatever you like.
49
/
49
