11 Foolproof Recipes That Will Boost Your Kitchen Confidence

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Overview

Keep these easy recipes in your back pocket and whip 'em out when you want to feel like Ina Garten. From a crispy yet juicy whole roast chicken to creamy potatoes au gratin to decadent chocolate mousse, these foolproof recipes are so easy to master that you'll be stocking up on fancy cookware like Staub cocottes and Demeyere pans to keep your kitchenware on par with your cooking skills.

Image Credit: Leigh Ann Chatagnier
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2. Potatoes Au Gratin

While this dish sounds French and fancy, it's deceivingly simple. If you can slice a potato, trust us, you can easily make potatoes au gratin. Just follow our easy, no-fail recipe, and thank us later.

Image Credit: Leigh Ann Chatagnier
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3. Homemade Bread

This simple homemade bread recipe swaps yeast for beer, so you don't even have to make a special trip to the grocery store. And the best part? You don't have to wait for the dough to rise before you toss it in the oven.

Image Credit: Jackie Dodd
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4. Whole Wheat Shrimp Pesto Pasta

If you make this whole wheat shrimp pesto pasta meal, we guarantee you'll feel like Ina Garten. Yes, it requires making your own pesto, but it's really not as intimidating as it sounds. In fact, you can have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes.

Image Credit: Leigh Ann Chatagnier
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5. Juicy Pork Chops

Making juicy pork chops is arguably one of the most elusive kitchen tasks. With these two genius tricks, you'll never serve dry pork chops again. So, go ahead, break out of that chicken rut.

Image Credit: Jackie Dodd
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6. Grilled Cauliflower

Rather than buying a bagful of cauliflowers florets, pick up a whole head of and cut thick cauliflower steaks to toss on the grill. Serve this simple veggie dish alongside juicy pork chops or as a main dish served over a bed of quinoa or the grain of your choice.

Image Credit: Jackie Dodd
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7. Taco Salad

Having a go-to salad in your recipe repertoire makes throwing together a last-minute weeknight dinner so much easier. This taco salad recipe is so good (and so easy), you'll want to make it every week. Be sure to stock up on salsa.

Image Credit: Leigh Ann Chatagnier
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8. Soup (From Scratch!)

Yes, from scratch. It's worth the extra effort to put leftovers from that homemade whole roast chicken or from that store-bought rotisserie bird to good use. Believe us, this homemade soup recipe is way better than anything you'll find in the canned soup aisle.

Image Credit: Jackie Dodd
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9. Chicken Pot Pie

Another great way to put chicken leftovers to good use, this chicken pot pie recipe is an easy make-ahead meal to prepare on Sunday that'll feed you for the rest of the week.

Image Credit: Jackie Dodd
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10. Chocolate Mousse

With this super simple chocolate mousse recipe you can easily whip up an impressive-looking dessert with minimal effort. This versatile dessert is perfect for celebrating special occasions like anniversaries and holidays yet simple enough to make if you want to indulge in dessert on a weekday.

Image Credit: Leigh Ann Chatagnier

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