These 20 easy stay at home recipes give lots of great options for dinner, dessert and side dishes when you are self isolating or quarantining.
We are in complete shut down here in Ohio. Our governor has ordered a stay-at-home mandate as a way to stem the increase in coronavirus cases.
Who knows how long this time will last. Thank goodness I love to cook and bake. While I am not doing much entertaining, this has been a great time for family bonding.
We are hunkering in place. The kids are working on their academics online, most likely through the end of the school year, and we are spending lots of time as a family.
Family dinners every night have returned because my kids aren’t heading to baseball practice or swim.
We’re having family dinner conversations and spending time talking about things that are important – staying healthy, goals and what we see in the days ahead.
Recipes perfect for hunkering down
I’m lucky to have a food blog with lots of easy stay at home recipes that are perfect for this time hunkering down.
While my grocery store is usually out of toilet paper and disinfectant wipes, I’ve had no problem stocking up on meats and produce.
Many of my friends and Home & Plate followers have been requesting my recipes and as always, I am happy to share.
Everyone has turned to cooking from home. It’s a way to pass the time and feel productive. I’d say it’s also a great form of entertainment.
Some of my friends are trying their hand at homemade bread. With restaurants and bars closed, others are indulging in quarantini cocktails at home.
With more time on our hands, we can try those time intensive recipes that we may not have otherwise made.
The weather is turning to more spring-like temperatures and that’s a perfect time to get the grill ready for the season.
My kids have also been helping in the kitchen with their recipe favorites. Will is particularly fond of my honeycrisp apple crisp. Ben has his hand in the cookie jar.
I find being in the kitchen is a great way to alleviate the anxiety of what the future holds.
Food seems to be a measure of comfort for lots of people. So turn off the TV and sign off social media and get productive – in the kitchen.
20 Easy Stay at Home Recipes
1. Hash Brown Chicken Casserole
My Hash Brown Chicken Casserole can be made easily with staples in the pantry already. What’s easier than tossing together tender bits of roasted chicken breast, hash brown potatoes, shredded cheddar cheese and your favorite mixed vegetables.
2. Sweet Potato Hash with Ground Turkey
This dish uses a cast-iron skillet and bonus – it is so versatile. But any oven-safe pan will do. You can make this recipe for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
3. Baked Honey Barbecue Chicken
These baked honey barbecue chicken wings and legs are caramelized to perfection and have a sweet and sticky flavor that is just delicious.
4. Individual (Mini) Chicken Pot Pies
These pot pies are neatly contained and creamy delicious. Great comfort food with less guilt. Pick up a rotisserie chicken, pie crust and a bag of frozen veggies. The rest of the ingredients are basic pantry staples.
5. Oven Baked Beef Brisket
Served along side baby carrots and redskin potatoes or mashed potatoes, this meal is easy to plan ahead for dinner tonight.
6. Oven Baked Barbecue Ribs
Tender and meaty, these ribs are loaded with flavor. Coated with a homemade dry rub, these pork ribs are then slow roasted before being slathered with a sweet bbq sauce and finished off on the grill.
7. Braised Beef Short Ribs
Have you ever made braised short ribs? What seems like something you’d order in a fancy restaurant is actually so easy to make at home.
8. Chorizo and Chicken Rice Skillet
This chicken fried rice has a kick from the sausage and is the perfect adult version. It’s easy to make with basic pantry staples.
9. Ancho Chile Pork Chops
Five minutes of prep work to start the day can result in an easy and delicious pork chop dinner the whole family will love.
10. Southern-Inspired Shrimp & Grits
Grits, mainly a traditional breakfast side dish, are not just for breakfast anymore. Mixed with cheese, bacon or ham, they are popping up on dinner plates around the country.
11. Buffalo Chicken Tortellini (One-Pot)
Pick up a rotisserie chicken and a bottle of Frank’s buffalo wing sauce for this pasta recipe.
12. Pearl Couscous with Roasted Vegetables
This dish is an easy way to get your daily fill of vegetables. Pair it with pearl couscous for a delicious side.
13. Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Healthy and delicious with a sweet taste, these brussel sprouts are not your grandma’s recipe!
14. Breaded Roasted Cauliflower
If you toss cauliflower in Panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese, then roast those florets until they are caramelized a golden brown, the flavor is fantastic!
15. Easy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Potatoes are a pantry staple and all you need for this recipe is butter and milk.
16. Copycat Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Even though these restaurants are likely closed you can make these at home. Of course you can’t eat just one!
17. S’mores Brownie Bars
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a summer favorite year round. My s’mores brownie bars are the perfect year-round bonfire treat.
18. Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
Everyone needs a little sweet tooth to get through this time. How about fudge? Just 3 Ingredients Needed!
19. Grapefruit Salty Dog
All you need for this quarantini is vodka, elderflower liqueur, grapefruit juice and salt. Drink up!
20. Firefly Cocktail (using sweet tea vodka)
Two ingredients required and the taste is fantastic!
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If you make a recipe, be sure to snap a photo and hashtag it #homeandplate. I’d love to see what you cook!
A timely collection of recipe to help us get through this trying time. Thanks for sharing this lovely post.
Thanks Anita…I know it can be hard deciding what to make at home. Hopefully this list makes the decision a little easier.
Perfect! What a great collection of recipes. Just what everyone needs right now. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Lauren…comfort food plus a few extras for everyone.
A great collection of delicious recipes to enjoy while cooped up at home. I’m starting with the 3 ingredient peanut butter fudge!
Yum…can’t go wrong with something sweet 🙂
I love this roundup! I am especially excited to try the mini chicken pot pies!! Bookmarked!! Thanks 🙂
We love the mini versions. Hope you love them!
These are perfect! I have all of the ingredients for the fudge so I am definitely making that today.
You’ll love them 🙂