In the world of culinary inspiration, few names shine as brightly as Ina Garten’s. Known affectionately as the “Barefoot Contessa,” Ina has captured the hearts and taste buds of food enthusiasts around the globe with her approachable yet elegant approach to cooking. Ina Garten recipes are like treasured gems, always reliable and sure to bring joy to any table.
If you’re a fan of delicious, comforting, and downright impressive dishes, then you’re in for a treat. In this roundup, we’re diving headfirst into the culinary world of Ina Garten, curating a selection of her essential recipes that no home cook should be without. From cozy weeknight dinners to extravagant holiday feasts, Ina’s recipes have an uncanny ability to make every meal feel like a special occasion. With a dash of her culinary magic and a pinch of your passion, you can transform your kitchen into a haven of flavor, warmth, and hospitality.
1. Meatballs
Ina Garten’s meatballs are big and meaty – just what you want in a satisfying meatball and spaghetti dinner. They are perfectly seasoned and come with a great meatball texture. She uses a mixture of veal, pork, and beef to bring out the best flavor without too much fat and grease. Ina Garten also secretly uses a mixture of fresh breadcrumbs and dry breadcrumbs, which gives the meatballs a softer texture while ensuring they stay together.
2. Summer Garden Pasta
Ina Garten’s summer garden pasta is a dish you’re going to keep on rotation. At first glance, it looks like any other tomato pasta dish, but once you start making it, you’ll realize why it’s so special. Instead of cooking a sauce, Ina marinates the tomatoes so they create their own delicious, very Italian sauce.
3. Weeknight Bolognese
Bolognese is a special dish usually reserved for fancy restaurants and date nights. But with Ina Garten’s 30 minute recipe, you can have an easy, weeknight bolognese right at home, for any occasion! Ina uses lean sirloin for her own version and relies heavily on garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes for flavor rather than the traditional onion, celery, and carrot.
4. Pastitsio
Pastitsio is traditionally a pasta dish that is layered with meat, tomato sauce, pasta, and béchamel sauce. For her recipe, Ina Garten combines sauce, meat, and pasta, then layers it with bechamel and cheese for a pasta bake similar to baked ziti. It’s comforting as most pasta dishes are, and easy to make any night of the week.
5. Meatloaf
Although the meatloaf itself will take about 1 hour to cook, it only takes 10 minutes to prepare, so the actual work and effort you have to put in is minimal. Once it’s done cooking, you can have a moist, high-protein entree to serve a big family. It’s hearty and delicious at any time of the year.
6. Lasagna
You’ll find that Ina Garten Recipes are easy while still being absolutely delicious. And that includes her lasagna. Lasagna can sometimes be a bear to make, but Ina makes it easy for us. Very specific steps are included to make sure your lasagna comes out perfect every single time. It’s cheesy, meaty, and of course- delicious.
7. Ina Garten Chicken Piccata
If you’re a fan of tangy flavors, you’ll love this recipe for lemon chicken breast with capers and white wine. Breaded chicken is pan-seared until golden brown and served with a cream-based sauce. It’s got a slight crunch to it from the seared breading, which pairs really well with the tangy lemon sauce.
8. Lemon Bars
With a buttery citrus crust and a creamy lemon filling, these lemon bars are at the top of essential Ina Garten Recipes. They are topped with crispy sugar, so when you bite into them you get a perfect blend of textures. Ina Garten has a real knack for simple, delectable sweets and these lemon bars are no exception.
9. Ina Garten Chocolate Cake
Ina Garten Recipes has to include her chocolate cake because it’s perfect. It’s moist without being dense or heavy and has just the right balance of sweetness with rich chocolate flavor. It’s a stunning layered cake as well, so it’s a great choice for entertaining. It’s homey, rich, and full of chocolate indulgence.
10. Filet Mignon with Mustard and Mushrooms
If you want a dish that will impress multiple guests for a dinner party, or a date for a night in, use this filet mignon with mustard and mushrooms. It’s elegant, rich, hearty, and above all – impressive. The mustard sauce is flavorful and pairs perfectly with the filet. Mushrooms bring it all together to create this elegant dish.
11. Ina Garten Recipes: Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is great, however, this isn’t your regular mac and cheese. It’s a stunning version of the classic dish that is made to make the night before. Overnight Mac and Cheese is prepared in advance so you don’t have much to do the day of, and you still end up with a filling, creamy dish. It’s got a crunchy, buttery top that pairs well with the cheesy noodles.
12. Perfect Pound Cake
Yes, this pound cake is perfect. Make it and you’ll see that it quickly lives up to its name. It’s amazing for a summer night’s light dessert, an afternoon tea snack, or for a weekend brunch. Dollop a bit of whipped cream and fresh berries on it, and you’ve got a delicious spring or summer sweet treat.
13. Icebox Cake
An easy, but decadent dessert that requires no baking is headed your way. And it’s this mocha icebox cake. Easily added to the essential Ina Garten recipes list, this cold sweet treat is a chocolate lover’s dream. It features Kahlua liquor, giving it a lovely adult coffee kick. It looks impressive, but it’s quite easy to whip together!
14. Ina Garten Recipes: Baked Ziti
This Ina Garten Baked Ziti recipe is made with ground beef, ricotta cheese, spaghetti tomato sauce, mozzarella, and other tasty ingredients. Additionally, it is a perfect family dinner that everyone will dig into. It’s also easily reheated, so make enough to have leftovers, because as you know, leftovers just get better the next day!
15. Ina Garten Recipes: Stuffed Shells
Ina Garten’s Stuffed Shells Stuffing are stuffed with a creamy mixture of ricotta cheese, spinach, and herbs, and are baked in a sauce that is both rich and savory. It easily serves 8, so it’s a great option for a dinner party. Stuffed shells are decadent and give classic Italian vibes, so channel your inner Barefoot Contessa and serve it with a good wine!
16. Chicken Alfredo
This chicken alfredo is easy to make and is completely made from scratch. No storebought alfredo sauce here – Ina Garten makes it easy for us to make right at home. It’s perfectly seasoned with Italian herbs and garlic. The best part is you don’t have to serve it with broccoli if you don’t want to!
17. Ina Garten Recipes: Turkey Lasagna
Another Ina Garten lasagna dish, but this one features delicious Italian turkey sausage. It’s amazing among the al dente noodles, tangy tomato sauce, and creamy ricotta filling. Ina adds goat cheese to really liven this lasagna up! It’s another essential on the Ina Garten Recipes list that should be added to the weekly rotation.
18. Scallops Gratin
If you’ve got a romantic occasion coming up, impress your date with this fancy scallops gratin. It’s buttery, cheesy, and topped with the perfect crunchy crust. The scallops add a depth of flavor that makes you think “Ooo what is that.”. Save it for your next Valentine’s Day dinner.
19. Shrimp Bisque
A seafood bisque can be made from lobster, langoustine, crab, shrimp, or crayfish. Bisques are pureed until creamy and easy to eat. Ina Garten’s version highlights shrimp with a bit of cognac for extra flavor. This pureed bisque will warm your heart and soul – and that of those you’re feeding!
20. Ina Garten Recipes: Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
Strawberry and Rhubarb are a classic combination, and if you’ve never had it, this is the recipe to give it a try! This crisp is amazing with a bit of whipped cream or even vanilla bean ice cream scooped right on top. You get the creaminess from the ice cream, the crunch from the buttery crisp topping, and that slightly sweet and tart bite from the freshly baked strawberries and rhubarb. It’s the perfect spring dessert!
21. Company Pot Roast
Pot Roast is a classic Sunday lunch dish that can easily serve a crowd. This company pot roast rounds up the list of essential Ina Garten recipes with a simple and easy-to-follow recipe. It’ll leave each and every guest or family member stuffed full and completely satisfied, without you having to put in too much effort.
Get ready to channel your inner Barefoot Contessa and create memorable meals that will have your loved ones asking for seconds. Let’s begin this delectable adventure together!
