My Favorite Cookbooks

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I enjoy cooking but mothering three little ones means that creative recipes are usually at the bottom of my list of things I can tackle during the week. Honestly, that is one of the reasons why I love Home Chef so much! It takes away so much of the work and leaves the fun behind!

Anyway, when I do have a moment to think through creating a meal, these are the two cookbooks I am most likely to grab. And listen: I included a baking cookbook on this list because baking is something that I can always find time for since it doesn’t need to be hot and ready for 5 people in the 5 o’clock hour.

Magnolia Table by Joanna Gaines : Try the 3 Cheese Quiche!

Cravings Hungry for More by Chrissy Teigan

Sally’s Cookie Addiction by Sally McKinney : Everything I’ve made is so good, but my favorite recipe is for the Monster Cookies.

I’ve since ordered the Smitten Kitchen Every Day: Triumphant and Unfussy New Favorites since I often search for Deb’s recipes online. I can’t wait to get it!

Home Chef is what I use for dinners most nights of the week if I’m being totally honest. But I’m still happy to have the cookbooks in my cabinet for times when I want to look for something new.

Do you have a cookbook that you reach for over and over again? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says · 03.30.20

Thanks for sharing! I need to check out Chrissy Teigen’s cookbooks – I love her! ❤️✨

Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com

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Lane says · 03.30.20

Cook Once, Eat All Week is hands down a favorite here! Not a single bad recipe in the entire book! You can either meal prep with it or cook that evening- recipes are simple but flavorful!

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Kristin says · 03.30.20

My two go-tos are Half Baked Harvest Super Simple and The Defined Dish. Great blogs too!
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/
http://www.thedefineddish.com/

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Robin Farlow says · 03.30.20

Add A Pinch by Robyn Stone is my go-to cookbook!

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Valerie Sinnema says · 03.30.20

I just got Jamie Oliver’s 5 Ingredients and really love it!

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Hilary says · 03.30.20

I love Sally’s Cookie Addiction, too! There are so many great cookie recipes online (including Sally’s), but the cookie cookbook is used time and again. I love flipping through it before the holidays to pick out our treats for cookie boxes.

Other favorite: Minimalist Baker. I’m not vegetarian, but her book has so many great and flavorful recipes. Perfect for when friends are coming over.

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Hannah says · 03.30.20

“The Food Lab” by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt! He explains the science behind cooking methods in a very understandable and humorous format. Also has wonderful graphics, photos and recipes.

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Kristi says · 03.30.20

I love Magnolia Table too, and anything from Pioneer Woman, and Barefoot Contessa.

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Darby Falb says · 03.30.20

I own every Giada Italian cookbook that is available and have NEVER once been disappointed in any meal I have ever made from her book. I would say the once I reach for the most is Weeknights with Giada. Some great quick and easy meals that are delicious!

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Tracy S says · 05.17.23

Completely agree!! Giada is my go-to! I can count on an amazing meal that is easy to prepare every time! Her lemon chicken penne is my family’s all-time favorite!

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Michele says · 03.30.20

Those cabinets are beautiful! They’re so high, though! Do you just use decorative accents for those top shelves and use the bottom ones for the stuff you use? I love the idea of tall cabinets but don’t know how functional they’d wind up being for me.

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Stephanie A Brock says · 03.30.20

I like the recipe books by Six Sisters Stuff. My favorite is A Year with Six Sisters Stuff.

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Carrie Reese says · 03.30.20

I love Chrissy Teigen, and have been meaning to get Sally’s Baking Addiction, per your recommendation!
My favorite favorite ‘recipe developer’ (is that what we call them these days?) is Jessica Merchant. She has Seriously Delish, and The Pretty Dish. Both are amazing, and The Pretty Dish includes a large section on DIY beauty products using stuff from your kitchen. Her recipes are typically pretty easy, not huge (my issue with Chrissy Teigen recipes), and just so so good.

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Katie Hines says · 03.30.20

Any Barefoot Contessa cookbook! Probably “Back to Basics” if I had to pick one.

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Heidi says · 03.30.20

All of the Skinnytaste cookbooks by Gina Homolka. I have been following her blog for years. Her recipes are the best!

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Elizabeth S says · 03.30.20

I love A Year With Six Sisters Stuff cookbook. Meal plans and all the recipes are easy, family friendly and good!

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Simone says · 03.31.20

I follow a handful of food blogs (Sally’s is one of them!) and I find I regularly am making things from How Sweet Eats, Two Peas & Their Pod, Pinch of Yum and Gimme Some Oven! Their recipes are always winners! I’ve recently tried a few recipes from Half Baked Harvest (follow her Instagram, her food photos are stunning!) and her banana bread may be the best I’ve ever had.

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Hilary says · 03.31.20

Those are all of my favorites too! Everything from HBH has been a hit. Her recipes tend to be a little more involved, so I’m not using them a ton right now BUT! all tasty.

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Renee says · 03.31.20

Once Upon A Chef is the most used cookbook I’ve ever owned. The recipes are wonderfully elevated, yet do not require any fancy ingredients or complicated techniques. Plus, every recipe I’ve made has been a winner with my family. Cannot recommend it enough!

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Julie says · 03.31.20

I didn’t see your comment before I posted mine. We love Jen! Her recipes are so easy to follow and everything we’ve made turns out absolutely delicious!

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Julie says · 03.31.20

We love Once Upon a Chef’s cookbook. Her hummus recipe is one use almost weekly. It’s on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Chef-Cookbook-Family-Approved/dp/1452156182

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Tracy says · 03.31.20

Nigella Lawson – How to be a domestic goddess and Nigella Bites

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Kaitlyn B says · 04.01.20

I love all of the skinnytaste cookbooks! Her blog is great too!

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Bee says · 04.01.20

I find Chrissy Teigan to be rude, crude and very vulgar, so I’ll pass on her cookbook, but your others sound very tempting! I love my good old Better Homes & Gardens and Betty Crocker books. Patricia Heaton’s cookbook is really fun! It has a recipe for homemade pop tarts! Taste of Home’s annual books are fun to look through too! Six Sisters Stuff is my go-to website for quick meals, but I have to tweak them ALOT to make them healthier.

I hope your family is well and enjoying your nicer weather!

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Courtney says · 04.01.20

The Peach Truck Cookbook! Not just for summer, there are all sorts of recipes for using canned/frozen peaches and a really helpful “How-To” section for freezing and canning peaches. 🙂

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Seeleigh says · 04.01.20

I’m quite busy and work from home, so my nanny does most of the cooking. I use Google and food blogs for the infrequent times that I must cook.

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BG says · 04.01.20

I rarely read an actual cookbook these days, but iambaker.net and thegirlwhoateeverything.com are always favorites!

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Janice says · 04.02.20

My favorites are the same Magnolia as you, as well as Pioneer Woman and Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa.

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Jen says · 04.03.20

I love and reference the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. Between the recipes and tips and tools in it, it’s a great cookbook for beginner as well as experienced cooks. This is would make a great gift for a college graduate or a newlywed couple.

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Tiffany Clemens says · 04.04.20

The first cookbook of Ree Drummond, the pioneer woman is great!!

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Michelle says · 04.04.20

The Defined Dish by Alex Snodgrass. Hands down the best cookbook out there for healthy meals the whole family will eat.

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Rachel says · 04.04.20

Every Skinnytaste cookbook!!

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Katarina says · 04.04.20

Please try the Chicken and Dumpling Soup from The Magnolia Table…one of faves!

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Becky says · 04.05.20

Barefoot Contessa! Ina never fails! Family Style is one of my favorites but her last 4 books are all excellent.

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Tiffany says · 04.05.20

Any of Ina Garden’s cookbooks!

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Christie Hardin says · 04.05.20

Skinny Taste – One & Done and Air Fryer cookbook. I follow her blog and Instagram. Love her recipes.

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Ashley says · 04.05.20

Euna Mae’s!! Amy Hannon is the author and it’s just fabulous!

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Julie says · 04.05.20

Giada’s Kitchen

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Samantha says · 04.05.20

The Domestic Geek cookbook and Instant Loss Lose Weight are also great! Excited for the new magnolia table part 2!!!

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Bethany Stitt says · 04.05.20

OH my goodness. You MUST go over to Half Baked Harvest’s insta. Her content is absolutely ridiculous. Shes got 2 cookbooks. Every single thing she posts makes me drool instantly (and I’m a Chef and professional bartender). It’s just not fair. 😄

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Jessica says · 04.11.20

For some reason, even in our age of the Internet, I always turn to my old cooking books again and again. There must be something so warm and homely about it… I like it so much!

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Margaret Resseque says · 05.03.20

The Pioneer Woman’s Dinnertime cookbook gets used often in my house. It’s not just dinner in the book. There’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts too. Kid approved dishes section are the ones my pickiest eater enjoys.

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Maria Reier says · 05.17.20

This is my favorite cookbook, and the author Sara Foster, has a cafe right here in our area in Durham! It is wonderful for those of you locals who haven’t tried it yet.

The Foster’s Market Cookbook: Favorite Recipes for Morning, Noon, and Night

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0375505466/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_Q3AWEbC0J3YSW

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Laura says · 06.16.20

SkinnyTaste – any of them. Gina is coming out with one in the fall where you make 2 meals out of one main dish. Can’t wait!

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Taryn says · 09.07.20

any update on the Smitten Kitchen cookbook?

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Kelly Green says · 09.08.20

This Pilgrim Life by
Lisa Burns

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Laine Foegley says · 09.11.20

I love cookbooks and have a couple hundred of them. Don’t have a favorite except for Beard’s American Cookery, It is also a memoir with recipes included from his childhood cooking with his mother, to his life as a master teacher of all things food. Am enjoying reading through your website as I’ve just discovered you. Looks well done .

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Kellie says · 09.14.20

All the Skinny Taste cookbooks are amazing and so family friendly. Also obsessed with Half Baked Harvest (not as kid friendly, but so yummy).

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Amy says · 09.14.20

Yum and Yummer. Love every single recipe!!!

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Leana Lucas says · 09.14.20

I really like prepear. They have a website and an app that you can use. You can add recipes to it and if you pay for the premium version you get access to all of their cookbooks. There is also the ability to meal plan and then get your grocery list.

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Jen says · 09.14.20

I love cookbooks! Way more than I like cooking lol. I always reach for Danielle Walkers Against All Grain books, everything I have tried has been so yummy, my kids love them all as well. Even though we are not necessarily a grain free house, I feel so good after eating from her recipes!

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Kate Anderson says · 09.14.20

Hope’s Table: Everyday Recipes from a Mennonite Kitchen https://www.amazon.com/dp/1513803239/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_IOayFbVCRPGF8

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Amy says · 09.14.20

Half baked Harvest has my favorite recipes. They are delicious and her pictures and videos (on Instagram) are so helpful. I like magnolia table and smitten kitchen as well! Oh and joyful rustic

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Tonia Friess says · 09.14.20

I use yum and yummer quite a bit. Also the skinnytaste books are fantastic!

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Holly says · 09.14.20

A must is ‘Everyday Italian by Giada De Laurentiis’ ! All of her cookbooks are great but I love the lasagna and the homemade marinara in this cookbook. They are simple and very delicious

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Becky Triplett says · 09.14.20

Barefoot Contessa’s books- Family Style and Cooking for Jeffrey are faves.

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Lisa says · 09.15.20

The first Skinnytaste cookbook. Great, easy, lighter recipes.

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Natasha says · 09.15.20

Fraiche Food Full Hearts by Jillian Harris and Tori (available on Amazon) its a more of a healthy inspired
Cookbook with lots of vegan and dietary substitutions. They are my go to for any cooking or baking recipe. Everything has been amazing and I have tried many of their recipes.

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Tammie Kicul says · 09.15.20

Oh my goodness, you MUST TRY Yum and Yummer by Greta Podleski!! Such and incredible assortment of delicious recipes…such an easy format to follow!! Best cookbook ever in my opinion, and I have a huge collection!! 🙂

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Susan says · 09.15.20

I use The Defined Dish almost daily! Real food, no fussy ingredients (and if there are, I sub what I have!) and husband approved 98% of the time😉 Also-all Barefoot Contessa and Skinnytaste.

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Olivia says · 09.15.20

All Skinnytaste cookbooks! I’ve made so many of Gina’s recipes. Every one of them
has been amazing! Kid friendly and budget friendly too!

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agreso says · 12.27.20

Cook Once, Eat All Week is hands down a favorite here! Not a single bad recipe in the entire book! You can either meal prep with it or cook that evening- recipes are simple but flavorful!

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Alexandra says · 03.28.21

Hands down the defined dish cookbook! I have even given it as gifts any opportunity I get! The recipes have so much flavor and are pretty simple to make!

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Kelly says · 03.28.21

I love Mix Match Mama and The Pioneer Women’s Cookbooks. They are definitely my go-to when looking for supper ideas.

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Shelley says · 03.28.21

I really like Ina Garten’s newest cookbook “Modern Comfort Food”. Also Kristen Cavallari’s “True Comfort”. They both have recipes that are good for family eating.

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Melissa Sullivan says · 03.28.21

Anything “Skinnytaste” is a winner for me and my family. Love her website and cookbooks. Healthy and have loved everything!

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Heidi DeBritton says · 05.23.22

I love Ina Garten’s Back to Basics. Probably made the whole book. They are easy and yummy.

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Stacie Smith says · 05.24.22

All things pioneer woman👍

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Laura says · 05.16.23

The banana bread recipe in the Magnolia cookbook is so good! Definitely try it!

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Janet Stanger says · 05.16.23

A Bountiful Kitchen Cookbook by Si Foster. It is a great cookbook.

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