What to Make with a Box of Croutons

Chicken Caesar Florentine

I adapted this dish from my favorite chicken Caesar salad recipe. It has many of the same ingredients as the salad: croutons, grated Parmesan, chicken, and creamy Caesar dressing. This makes the perfect comforting meal on a busy weeknight. —Joyce Conway, Westerville, Ohio

Run out of crouton? Here’s how to make your own homemade croutons.

Caesar Salad in Peppered Parmesan Bowls

This cheese bowl salad looks impressive but is a cinch to make. I won't tell if you don't! —Melissa Wilkes, St. Augustine, Florida

Slow-Cooker Creamy Cauliflower Soup

I love indulgent cream soups but not the fat that goes along with them. In this healthier version, the soup's velvety texture makes it feel rich and the spicy kick warms you up in a flash. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan

Italian Sausage Pizza Soup

My mom’s friend shared this recipe with her more than 50 years ago. I've tweaked it over the years, and it's still a family favorite. Warm garlic bread is heavenly on the side. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

Ham Caesar Salad

One bite, and you’ll fall in love with this ham and Caesar salad combo! Serve with fresh iced tea and banana splits for a casual menu that won’t heat up your kitchen. —Mary Ann Schlabach, Sarasota, Florida

Turkey Sausage Zucchini Boats

When I worked in the school library, my co-workers were my taste testers. They approved this healthy and happy spin on stuffed zucchini. —Stephanie Cotterman, West Alexandria, Ohio

Tortellini Caesar Salad

This salad was served at a dear friend's baby shower by a health-conscious friend, who suggested the dressing be prepared with low-fat or fat-free ingredients. Either way, the creamy dressing has plenty of garlic flavor and coats the pasta, romaine and croutons nicely. —Tammy Steenbock, Sembach Air Base, Germany

Cream of Potato & Cheddar Soup

The Yukon Gold potatoes my daughter shares from her garden make this soup incredible. Add some cheddar cheese and crisp croutons, and it’s just heavenly. It's total comfort with the simplicity of good ingredients! —Cindi Bauer, Marshfield, Wisconsin

Creamy Turkey Casserole

I sometimes make turkey just so I have the extras for this casserole! —Mary Jo O'Brien, Hastings, Minnesota

Pea Soup with Quinoa

This soup is low in fat, high in fiber, and has a fantastically fresh flavor and wonderful texture. Best of all, it’s so simple to make. —Jane Hacker Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Chicken Caesar Wraps

This classic handheld with tender chicken, Parmesan cheese and chopped Caesar croutons features the perfect amount of dressing for a tasty meal any night. Nancy Pratt - Longview, TX

Summer Turkey Kabobs

These kabobs let you enjoy Thanksgiving flavors at any time of the year! We enjoy grilling them in the summer. —Angela Mathews, Fayetteville, New York

Onion Cheese Soup

I made a few adjustments to this savory soup recipe I came across in a community cookbook. It's rich, buttery and cheesy, plus it's so quick to prepare. —Janice Pogozelski, Cleveland, Ohio

Deluxe Cheeseburger Salad

I was planning to grill burgers, and then it dawned on me: How about a cheeseburger salad? The original recipe doesn't call for a tomato, but it's awesome here. —Pam Jefferies, Cantrall, Illinois

French Onion Casserole

Fans of French onion soup will gobble up this comforting casserole. The 30-minute side dish would be a nice accompaniment to beef entrees.—Margaret McClatchey, Loveland, Colorado

Orange-Glazed Chicken & Chorizo Meatballs

These tasty southwestern meatballs warm up a buffet. I add pomegranate seeds, jalapeno pepper jelly and cilantro to make everything pop with color. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

Halibut & Potato Chowder

Several times a year I invite both my retired and current teaching friends to a dinner party with their spouses. I've served this halibut chowder at those parties, and it's always a big hit. —Teresa Lueck, Onamia, Minnesota

Slow-Cooked Summer Squash

We love squash, but I got tired of fixing just plain squash and cheese. I decided to jazz up the dish a bit. This was a huge hit with my family. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

Green Chile Quiche Squares

Chiles add spark to this cheesy quiche. You can vary the flavor based on the kind of croutons you buy. I like to serve fresh fruit on the side. —Connie Willson, Huntington Beach, California

Blackened Pork Caesar Salad

When I cook, the goal is to have enough leftovers for lunch the next day. This Caesar with pork has fantastic flavor even when the meat is chilled. —Penny Hedges, Dewdney, British Columbia

Potato Beer Cheese Soup

This satisfying potato soup has a velvety texture that's not too thick or too thin. The subtle flavors of beer and cheese balance each other nicely, creating a soup that's sure to warm you head to toe. —Patti Lavell, Islamorada, Florida

Thanksgiving Green Beans

Momma made these green beans only at Thanksgiving because, at the time, the ingredients were out of her everyday budget. Her original recipe inside her recipe box had five stars drawn on it. I would have to agree! —Marcia Shires, San Antonio, Texas

Pressure-Cooker French Onion Soup

I love French onion soup on a cold night, but I don't love the time it takes. This is my quick version for when we're short on time. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan

Italian Sausage & Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Flavor-packed sausage and sun-dried tomatoes are sure to liven up any simple pasta dish. I have a feeling that once you've tried it, it'll become a family favorite!—Dawn Singleton, Eighty Four, Pennsylvania

Pizza Salad

A fun summer dish, this is a different salad that tastes as good as it looks. I love to take it to parties—the wonderful zesty flavor really complements a barbecue! —Debbie Terenzini-Wilkerson, Lusby, Maryland

Florence-Inspired Souffle

This light, beautiful and absolutely delicious souffle is sure to impress your brunch guests every time you serve it. They will be eager to grab their forks and dig in to this little taste of Italy. —Jenny Flake, Newport Beach, California

Sweet Potato and Crab Soup

This sweet and savory soup is quick and easy to prepare. You can substitute butternut squash or pumpkin for the sweet potatoes, depending on what you have on hand. —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana

Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing

After having a salad like this at a restaurant years ago, I came up with this recipe. It is especially good when the spinach comes right from the garden to the table.

Breakfast Bake

This light and fluffy egg casserole, sprinkled with tasty bacon, retains its fresh flavor after freezing. While it's great as a breakfast bake, it's an easy-to-reheat meal for lunch or dinner, too. The recipe makes two casseroles, so you can serve one right away and freeze the second one for later. —Kim Weave, Olathe, Kansas

Simple Asparagus Soup

My family and friends love this soup. It's elegant and unusual, but the hardest part of making it is occasional stirring. —Kathryn Labat, Raceland, Louisiana

Italian Sausage Casserole

At the start of each week, my family is already looking forward to our traditional weekend breakfasts, when I serve warm and wonderful dishes such as this. The make-ahead convenience lets me relax with the family as the savory aroma fills the house. —Nancy Robinson, Kansas City, Kansas

Quick Tomato Soup

There's nothing like a steamy bowl of classic tomato soup on a cold February day. The addition of sugar puts a sweet spin on this version. For extra loveliness, top with homemade heart-shaped croutons. —Jane Ward, Churchville, Maryland

Sunday Sausage Breakfast

This filling, delicious dish looks as appealing as it is tasty. Servings of this rich casserole go a long way.—Bill Shultz, Walden, New York

That Good Salad

When a friend shared this salad recipe, it had a fancy French name. Our children can never remember it, so they say, "Mom, please make 'that good salad.'" Now our friends and neighbors request it for potluck dinners. It really is one of the best salad recipes. —Betty Lamb, Orem, Utah

Buttery Onion Soup

I developed this recipe when I once had an abundance of sweet onions. I like making it for guests, but sometimes I'll halve the recipe and make some just for me! —Sharon Berthelote, Sunburst, Montana

Mini BLT Appetizers

Five simple ingredients are all you need to wow friends and family with a tasty appetizer. I love to make these as much as I love to share them. —Nick Berg, Milwaukee, Wisconsin