The New Year is in sight, but let’s not forget about our most popular recipes of 2018!
Every year about this time we start to really look forward to the coming year – to clean slates, new possibilities, new adventures and let’s not forget – new recipes to create and share. But before we jump into 2019, let’s take a quick trip down recipe memory lane with our most popular recipes of 2018. And before we do that, we just want to thank you – our amazing reader and follower – for being here with us for the 97+ new recipes we shared this year. We couldn’t do what we do without you!
Buckle up and enjoy the ride (and maybe even print or bookmark these recipes to come back to in 2019 – there’s a reason why they’re our most popular – they’re delicious and easy)!
Our most popular gluten-free comfort food recipes of 2018 are here! #realfood Click To Tweet
Our Most Popular Recipes of 2018
#10 SouthwestQuinoa Bake – This budget-friendly dish packs a protein-punch thanks to the chicken, quinoa and black beans. It’s also quick to make and great for meal prep sessions because you can bake it ahead of time for reheat-and-eat meals or prep it just up to the point of baking it for an easy, hands-off dinner later in the week.
Why you’ll love it: Hearty, cures that Mexican food craving, budget-friendly, high-fiber, meal prep-friendly
Southwest Quinoa Bake
Get the recipe here
#9One-Skillet Buffalo Chicken Meatballs – These are no ordinary meatballs thanks to their spicy Buffalo kick. They’re delicious and perfectly Whole30-compliant when served over spaghetti squash, mashed potatoes, cauliflower rice or even a bed of greens. They also make a great party appetizer!
Why you’ll love it: Whole30-friendly, party-worthy, make ahead and freezer-friendly
One-Skillet Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Get the recipe here
#8 Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie – Go ahead and have dessert for breakfast! It’s okay when it’s this Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie packed with protein, calcium and just enough sweetness to make you feel like you’re breaking all the healthy eating rules (even though you’re not).
Why you’ll love it: Protein-packed, made with real food, a great source of calcium, just sweet enough, creamy and delicious.
Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie
Get the recipe here
#7 Stovetop Sloppy Joes – Got ground beef? Put it to good use in these easy Stovetop Sloppy Joes! The ingredient list is short and sweet and they’re everything you remember about this childhood comfort food classic (only cleaner and not made with sauce from a can). We’ve paired the tasty meat filling with roasted sweet potato “buns,” but they’re also delicious served over baked potatoes, spaghetti squash, greens or sandwiched in your favorite gluten-free bun.
Why you’ll love it: Whole30-friendly, Paleo, Nut- & Egg-Free, budget-friendly, freezer-friendly, and great for parties
or potlucks.
Stovetop Sloppy Joes
Get the recipe here
#6 Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Quinoa Salad – This tasty side dish pairs perfectly with grilled pork, chicken or fish and features an easy-to-make citrus vinaigrette that’s great on just about everything (read: double the vinaigrette recipe!). The addition of quinoa makes it hearty and filling while keeping it gluten-free.
Why you’ll love it: Vegan and dairy-free option, gluten-free, budget-friendly, may be served hot or cold
Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Quinoa Salad
Get the recipe here
#5 5-Ingredient Baked Ziti – Two words: Comfort food! You really can’t go wrong with a big pan of saucy pasta topped with gooey cheese – and the fact that you need just 5 ingredients and can make it ahead of time makes this dish a definite weeknight dinner winner (and family pleaser).
Why you’ll love it: Easy peasy, budget-friendly, kid-approved, freezer-friendly, infinitely customizable (read: change up the meat or cheese, use your favorite jarred sauce and/or add the veggies you like best) and it’s pasta.
5-Ingredient Baked Ziti
Get the recipe here
#4 Creamy Chicken Spaghetti Squash with Bacon and Asparagus – Whether it’s date night in, a dinner party with friends or just a random Tuesday night, this dish delivers. We put a Whole30 twist on pasta carbonara by swapping the cream and cheese for a silky, smooth cashew-based cream sauce infused with garlic and lemon then added asparagus to bump up the veg factor.
Why you’ll love it: Whole30-friendly, dairy-free, grain-free, veggie-packed, and delicious when reheated for lunch the next day.
Creamy Chicken Spaghetti Squash with Bacon and Asparagus
Get the recipe here
#3 Easy Egg Roll in a Bowl – When we created this veggie-packed riff on the egg roll we had no idea it would become such a huge fan favorite. It probably had something to do with the fact that it uses less than 9 ingredients and comes together quickly in just one pan. Or maybe it’s the fact that it’s crazy delicious.
Why you’ll love it: Whole30-friendly, dairy-free, egg-free, veggie-packed, less than 10 ingredients, and like takeout
but better.
Easy Egg Roll in a Bowl
Get the recipe here
#2 Dairy-Free Spaghetti Squash Chicken Alfredo – Forgive us for being bold, but this dish is about to become your everything. Seriously, your everything. Not only will you get a big dose of healthy veggies thanks to the spaghetti squash standing in for pasta, but you’ll also get the most luxuriously creamy alfredo sauce that’s 100% dairy-free with far less fuss than making a traditional cream sauce. It’s a must-try!
Why you’ll love it: Whole30-friendly, dairy-free, egg-free, meal preppable, fancy but not fussy and totally crave-worthy
Dairy-Free Spaghetti Squash Chicken Alfredo
Get the recipe here
#1 Slow Cooker BBQ Beef – It’s not surprising that our most popular recipe of 2018 was this big-batch, freezer-friendly, meal prep wonder that can be used in multiple ways (served stuffed into a baked potato or sweet potato, piled on a bed of greens or cauliflower rice or wrapped in lettuce leaves or gluten-free bun). It also uses a less expensive cut of meat and requires less than 25 minutes of hands-on prep time (even less if you skip the browning step and just go for it). Check it out and see for yourself why it was the most popular recipe on the blog this year.
Why you’ll love it: Whole30-friendly, freezer-friendly, budget-friendly, perfect for parties and potlucks, kid-approved, and super versatile
Slow Cooker BBQ Beef
Get the recipe here
That’s it! Those are our most popular recipes of 2018. We know there’s something for everyone here and if not, you’ll find more than 200 other recipes to pick from here.
Here’s to another delicious year to come!
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