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Herb Dip with Spring Vegetables
When you’re having a large party and focusing on the entrees, it's smart to have snacks and nibbles ready ahead of time. There’s nothing more simple than making dip a day or two ahead and putting it out for guests. I'm a huge fan of ranch, so this is my pick. —Michelle Clair, Seattle, Washington
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Mom's Beef Lasagna
This meat lasagna recipe is one of my mom's specialties. It's a hearty main dish that gets requested time and time again. The from-scratch sauce makes each cheesy slice extra flavorful and softer-textured than other versions. —Kim Orr, West Grove, Pennsylvania
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French Dip Tacos
I came up with this idea when we had a dab of leftover French dip. So much fun and a nice twist to leftovers. These are also good with a little hot sauce on the side! —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey
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Contest-Winning Bavarian Meatball Hoagies
When my husband is not manning the grill, I count on my slow cooker. These mouthwatering meatballs are just one reason why. They’re a guaranteed crowd pleaser when I serve them as a party appetizer or spooned over crusty rolls and topped with cheese for irresistible sandwiches. —Peggy Rios, Mechanicsville, Virginia
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Miniature Meat Pies
I make these handheld pies in advance, keep them in the freezer, then bake them the day of the party. They are always a hit at tailgate and potlucks. —Gayle Lewis, Yucaipa, California
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Herbed Rice Pilaf
This savory side dish has been a family favorite for years. Our daughter Jennifer became an expert at this recipe at age 12, which was a huge help for a busy working mom like me. We really enjoy this rice dish in the summer with a grilled entree. —Jeri Dobrowski, Beach, North Dakota
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No-Fuss Chicken
This recipe could hardly be simpler to prepare. The chicken gets a wonderful tangy taste, and no one will know you used convenient ingredients like a bottle of salad dressing and onion soup mix...unless you tell them. —Marilyn Dick, Centralia, Missouri
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Turkey & Noodle Tomato Soup
Turn V8 juice, veggies and ramen noodles into a wonderful soup that takes just a few minutes to make. I like to serve it with biscuits. —Jennifer Bridges, Los Angeles, California
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Chicken Loaf with Mushroom Gravy
Try a twist on traditional meat loaf with this chicken loaf that begins in the food processor. Here, ketchup is replaced with an easy mushroom sauce for a more upscale topping. —Keri Schofield Lawson, Brea, California
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Onion Beef au Jus
Garlic, onions, soy sauce and onion soup mix flavor the tender beef in savory hot sandwiches that are served with a tasty rich broth for dipping. The seasoned beef makes delicious cold sandwiches too. —Marilyn Brown, West Union, Iowa
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Blue Cheese Onion Dip
I decided to tweak the onion soup dip you see at every gathering, and everyone seems to be glad I did. Serve with crisp, raw vegetables or potato chips, and you’re set. —Vicki Desy, Tucson, Arizona
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Spicy Shredded Beef Sandwiches
If you like your shredded beef with a little kick, then this recipe is for you. For an even zestier version of this recipe, add another jar of jalapenos or use hot peppers instead of the pepperocinis. —Kristen Langmeier, Faribault, Minnesota
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Bratwurst Supper
After trying a few bratwurst recipes, I've found this meal-in-one is ideal for camping since it grills to perfection in a heavy-duty foil bag. Loaded with chunks of bratwurst, red potatoes, mushrooms and carrots, it's easy to season with onion soup mix and a little soy sauce. —Janice Meyer, Medford, Wisconsin
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Grilled Fajitas
A special marinade gives the steak in these fajitas outstanding flavor that's always a hit with my family. It's a fun and satisfying summer main dish using garden-fresh peppers and onions. —Cheryl Smith, The Dalles, Oregon
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Beef in Onion Gravy
I double this super recipe to feed our family of four so I'm sure to have leftovers to send with my husband to work for lunch. His co-workers tell him he's lucky to have someone who fixes him such special meals. It's our secret that it's an easy slow cooker dinner! —Denise Albers, Freeburg, Illinois
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Flavored Oyster Crackers
These jazzed-up oyster crackers created by our Test Kitchen have such great flavor, we bet you’ll have trouble not eating them all at once! With Parmesan cheese and seasoning from a soup mix, they’re a sure-fire hit with any soup.
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Barbecued Onion Meat Loaves
Onion soup mix and stuffing are the surprise ingredients in these incredibly simple mini meat loaves. They're definite family-pleasers. —Nicole Russman, Lincoln, Nebraska
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Mini Crescent Burgers
A friend first brought these snacks to a Sunday school party. The original recipe called for pork sausage, but I substituted ground beef with taste-tempting results. —Pam Buhr, Mexico, Missouri
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Cheddar-Topped Barbecue Meat Loaf
My family loves the bold barbecue flavor of this tender meat loaf. I love that it's such an easy recipe to prepare in the slow cooker. —David Snodgrass, Columbia, Missouri
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Slow Cooker Shredded Turkey Sandwiches
This easy and simple slow-cooked sandwich gets its flavor from bottled beer and onion soup mix. In total, it only takes five ingredients to make the recipe! —Jacki Knuth, Owatonna, Minnesota
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Vegetable Steak Soup
Your crew will chase away winter's chill with a spoon when you cook up this hearty soup. It has such a rich flavor...and it's full of nutritious vegetables and chunks of tender steak. —Brigitte Schultz, Barstow, California
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Easy Philly Cheesesteaks
Since we live in a rural area where there aren’t any restaurants to speak of, I thought it would be fun to make this classic sandwich at home. For an extra flavor boost, add a splash of steak sauce. —Lenette Bennett, Como, Colorado
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Inside-Out Stuffed Cabbage
Preparing stuffed cabbage rolls can be time-consuming, but this version with butternut squash has the classic flavors —and it’s table ready in just 30 minutes. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Easy Sloppy Joes
Five ingredients are all you need for these hearty sandwiches, which are great for family gatherings. Onion soup mix and sweet pickle relish add zesty flavor without much effort. —Marge Napalo, Brunswick, Ohio
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Buttery Almond Green Beans
Toasted almonds add crunch to this no-fuss treatment for fresh beans. They get extra flavor from convenient onion soup mix and Parmesan cheese. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
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French Dip Sandwiches with Onions
When I want to impress company, these satisfying sandwiches are my first pick for the menu. I serve them with the cooking juices in individual bowls for easy use. —Florence Robinson, Lenox, Iowa
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Asian Triangles
Crunchy vegetables, savory ground beef and a flaky crust—there's a lot to like in these little pockets! —Violet Heaton, Portland, Oregon
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Butternut Squash, Cauliflower & Beef Shepherd's Pie
I love to get creative with classic dishes, such as this colorful version of shepherd's pie. Adding squash and cauliflower boosts the nutritional value and cuts the calories. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
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15-Minute Microwave Meat Loaf
I combined a few awesome-tasting recipes to create this flavorful microwave meat loaf, which my husband loves. And because it's made in the microwave, the entree is ideal for busy nights. —Deb Thompson, Lincoln, Nebraska
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Sizzling Tex-Mex Fajitas
My family likes garlic, so I dreamed up this delicious marinade for our summer fajita dinners. The marinade needs eight hours to work its magic, but it’s even better if the steak marinates overnight. Try it on chicken breasts, too.—Karyn "Kiki" Power, Arlington, Texas
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Tomato-Basil Steak
We grow the basil and bell peppers I use in this dish. It's easy to prepare, yet so rich and delicious. —Sheryl Little, Sherwood, Arkansas
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White Pizza Dip
I first served this dip during a Super Bowl party, and boy, did it disappear fast. It's a great addition to a snack table because it can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until you're ready to pop it in the oven.—Molly Seidel, Edgewood, New Mexico
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Creamy Celery Beef Stroganoff
Cream of celery soup adds richness to a recipe that has become a family favorite. It’s so simple to prepare and, oh, that flavor! —Kim Wallace, Dennison, Ohio
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Navy Bean Vegetable Soup
My family likes bean soup, so I came up with this hearty, hammed-up version. The leftovers freeze well for first-rate future meals. —Eleanor Mielke, Mitchell, South Dakota
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Simple Swedish Meatballs
When my husband packs these saucy slow-cooked meatballs in his lunch, all his work buddies wish they had their own! It's comfort food at its easiest. — Christina Logan, Gun Barrel City, Texas
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Tina's Pot Roast
This tender pot roast is a hearty, "feel good" meal. It's also kid-friendly. Even picky eaters usually gobble it up. The last time I made this for my family, the gravy was so tasty that we poured it over the entire meal—meat, carrots, and potatoes! —Tina Meyer, Lake Orion, Michigan
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Slow-Cooked Herbed Turkey
When herbs are plentiful in my garden, I prepare this turkey recipe. The turkey stays moist in the slow cooker and is bursting with herb flavors. When I served this to our Bible study potluck group, everyone wanted the recipe! —Sue Jurack, Mequon, Wisconsin
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Hearty Salisbury Steaks
I love serving Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes and vegetables. It's the essence of down-home goodness. And it always disappears fast! —Dorothy Bayes, Sardis, Ohio
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Sweet & Sour Pork Wraps
We always make these wraps at our family's annual party, and they're a true favorite. The cabbage and cilantro give them tempting texture and flavor. —Andrew DeVito, Hartford, Connecticut
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Round Steak Italiano
My mom used to make this wonderful dish, and I’ve always enjoyed it. The gravy is especially dense and flavorful.—Deanne Stephens, McMinnville, Oregon
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Hearty Macaroni Vegetable Soup
With just moments of prep time, this hearty soup truly couldn't be easier to make. Simply open up the ingredients, pour 'em in and dinner's practically done! —Metzel Turley, South Charleston, West Virginia
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Bacon Cheeseburger Balls
The first time I served these, my husband and kids thought we were having plain meatballs. Then they cut into the flavorful filling inside! —Cathy Lendvoy, Boharm, Saskatchewan
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Ground Beef Barley Soup
I first tasted this soup when a friend served it to our family one day after church. It's now a favorite with our family, especially our three children. —Maggie Norman, Stevensville, Montana
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Slow-Cooker Mushroom Chicken & Peas
Some amazingly fresh mushrooms I found at our local farmers market inspired this recipe. When you start with the best ingredients, you can't go wrong. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
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Green Beans and New Potatoes
This tasty side dish frees up your stove or oven. The vegetables come out tender, and the onion soup mix and onion add lots of flavor to the broth.—Ann Yarber, Goldsby, Oklahoma
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Cocktail Mushroom Meatballs
Tide over even the biggest appetites with beef-and-pork meatballs in a chunky mushroom sauce. Larger portions served over noodles or rice can make a great dinner, too. —Diane Kelley, Madison, Wisconsin
Originally Published: July 30, 2018