As the year draws to a close, I naturally start to reflect. 2015 has, without a doubt, been the most fantastic year of my life. And before I launch into the top 20 recipes of 2015, I want to take a moment to say thank you to each and every one of you. Without you, this blog wouldn’t exist. Without you visiting my website, without your amazing comments and emails, I wouldn’t know the importance of this little project that I started over six years ago. So, THANK YOU. You’ve made my life infinitely more rewarding than I ever thought possible.
It’s amazing that even after doing this for six years, I can still learn so much. 2015 was definitely a year of learning. Over the summer I learned the challenges and benefits of cooking with no added sugars while participating in the Go Sugar Free Course. Later in the year when I completed my September Challenge, I learned that there can be many benefits to working with a very restricted grocery budget and that I actually enjoyed it. These two challenges shaped my cooking style a lot and many great recipes came out of them. It was really hard to pick my top 20 recipes, but I think I finally narrowed it down. If there’s a recipe that you loved that didn’t make the list (from Budget Bytes or elsewhere), feel free to share it in the comments below! I love to see what all of you enjoy cooking and eating.
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So, here are my favorite recipes from 2015, listed in chronological order. If you want to browse my top recipes from previous years, here are my favorites from 2014, 2012, 2011, and 2009. (Looks like I didn’t make any yearly round-ups for 2013 or 2010. Oops!)
Top 20 Recipes of 2015
Snickerdoodles (for two) – Learning to make a “small batch” of cookies and other desserts was a huge breakthrough for me. I’m not really into sweets, so when I make them I don’t want an entire batch of cookies laying around after I get my fix. …because I’ll eat them whether I want them or not. Making two cookies at a time fixes this problem.
Zuppa Toscana – Every food blogger on the planet has put their own spin on this recipe, and for good reason. This stuff is AWESOME. End of story.
Weeknight Black Bean Chili – Chili, IMHO, is one of the most satisfying meals in both flavor and hunger squashing power. This super fast weeknight version comes together quickly, but doesn’t sacrifice any flavor. If you’re new to making chili, this is a great recipe to start with.
No Sugar Added Banana Nut Granola – Learning that fruit purée, like mashed bananas and apple sauce, can act as a binder in granola and replace a lot of the sugar and honey was one of the best things I learned this year. I think I’m going to make another batch of this very soon to help me start the new year off on the right foot. :)
Balsamic Chicken Thighs – I wax poetic about my love for chicken thighs pretty often. They’re inexpensive, easy to cook, and are always juicy and tender. This oven baked balsamic version is one of the easiest and most flavorful chicken thigh recipes that I’ve ever made. If you haven’t tried this one, DO IT NOW.
One Pot Roasted Red Pepper Pasta – This recipe has the ease of the “one pot” pasta method with the deep flavor of roasted red peppers and creaminess of cream cheese. What’s not to love? P.S. You can make it creamy or not creamy, if you’re looking for a lighter dish.
Thin and Crispy Pizza Crust – This 30-minute “no rise” pizza crust was a game changer for me. It’s now my go-to crust and I’ve made it several times since making this blog post. ❤️ Pizza ❤️
Spanish Chickpeas and Rice – I’m being 100% serious when I say my mouth just started to water as I started writing about this recipe. This “pilaf” style recipe is filling enough to be a main dish and has incredible flavor, all while being 100% vegan. *mic drop*
Lemon Pepper Chicken with Orzo – I got really into lemon pepper seasoning this year. I love the combination of the tangy lemon and peppery kick. Sprinkling a little of that magic onto any meal really makes a big difference. This skillet meal uses lemon pepper for a flavor punch, plus a little salty feta for an incredible finish.
Creamy Spinach Artichoke Pizza – It’s two of my favorite foods, pizza and spinach artichoke dip, combined in one dish. I think this one goes without need for further explanation.
Bowties and Broccoli – Although you could barely even consider this a “recipe”, this continues to be one of my favorites, as well as one of the most visited blog posts on my site. Why? It’s the perfect busy weeknight meal. All the ingredients can be kept on hand almost indefinitely so you can whip it up on a moments notice. And it makes a great base template for any number of personal variations.
Skillet Meatballs and Marinara – Homemade meatballs may seem like a total luxury, but this method is insanely easy and requires very few ingredients. Talk about feeling spoiled without a lot of work!
Sweet Potato Cornbread – This was yet another game changing recipe for me this year. I would seriously make a batch of this every week if I could. I love the flavor, color, and texture of this amazing cornbread. It goes with just about any chili or soup, and is awesome with eggs for breakfast. I LOVE it.
Spaghetti with Vegetable and Meat Sauce – You might not be able to tell just from looking at it, but that meat sauce is PACKED with vegetables. Like 50/50 meat and vegetables. And that’s good news because I crave spaghetti and meat sauce a lot, but I know I need more vegetables in my life. This recipe is the perfect solution for me.
Sesame Glazed Salmon with Green Beans – I think this recipe wins the “Best Date Night” meal for the year. It’s really fast and simple, but it looks and tastes totally fancy. That’s just what you want when you need to impress.
Spinach and Chickpea Rice Pilaf – Whether you’re eating this as a side dish or a vegetarian main, you’re getting a big bang for your buck. It’s filled with inexpensive ingredients, but still maintains a big flavor profile. Bonus: it cooks in one skillet to keep your life as simple as possible.
Slow Cooker Italian Chicken and Peppers – This recipe gets my vote for the “Easiest Meal” award. With just a few ingredients the slow cooker works its magic to make a flavorful sauce with both meat and vegetables. Spoon it over pasta, polenta, or rice for the easiest meal you’ve ever had.
Eggs Florentine Breakfast Pizza – It’s no secret that I’m an egg fanatic, so when I put them on my other obsession (pizza), I’m pretty much in heaven. The creamy spinach florentine sauce brings everything together in a super indulgent “breakfast” dish that I’d happily eat any time of the day or night.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala – I just made this a couple weeks ago, but I’m still day dreaming about it. I might need to repeat it sooner than later. The easy tomato based sauce is flavored with a hefty dose of garam masala, which gives it a deep, aromatic flavor. A splash of cream helps mellow the tangy tomato and create a sauce that you pretty much just want to eat up with a spoon.
30 Minute Posole – This dish had been on my “to make” list literally for years. My only regret is that it took me so long to try it. This is going to be my FIRST choice any time I have leftover pork or chicken in the future. It’s just too easy and tooooo good.
And there it is! My top 20 recipes for 2015! If you want to make sure not to miss any recipes in 2016, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or Twitter.
Tell me what recipes you and your family enjoyed the most in 2015! Thanks for a wonderful year!
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I made your Chicken Shawarma recipe three nights in a row. I’m obsessed!
Last week I made your maple dijon chicken thighs, skillet meatballs & marinara, zuppa tuscana, and sweet potato cornbread. Every single dish was so friggin delicious. Thank you.
I don’t know what year they are from my my favorite Budget Bytes recipes are Sriracha hummus & Dragon Noodles. (I have to cut the siracha in half for both of them though!:) ) I frequently have plain leftover noodles from meals for my kids, so using those make the dragon noodles an even faster meal to make! Still just as delicious as using freshly cooked noodles.
The Spanish Chickpeas and Rice recipe is GENIUS. I call it vegetarian paella and it’s one of those introductory vegetarian recipes that make you feel like nothing is missing because it’s so hearty and comforting. Wishing you all the best for 2016!!!
I can’t sing your praises enough! I tell everybody about your site (they might think I work for you at this point). My coworkers are all big fans, and the girlfriend is always saying how what I’m making smells so good. I like to joke that it’s just a little something I threw together… following precise instructions from someone much better than me at cooking. I just wanted to tell you how grateful I am for your site because I eat much better while saving a bunch of time and money. Mission accomplished, I’d say.
The lemon pepper chicken is one of my favorites!! Might make the Zuppa Toscana soup this week.
2015 was such a delicious year in your site, I love it! My favourites are the new pizza crust and sweet potato cornbread, and still go back to your naan recipe every time too! Thank you so much for all you are doing, for teaching so many people how to eat on a budget without sacrificing flavour, health and nutrition. I also loved your September challenge and enjoy the weekly recap posts tremendously! They are so inspiring and helpful. :) you amaze me with your recent decision to switch to higher welfare meats and still stay on budget, way to go!
Wishing you all th best in the New Year, let 2016 be just as delicious and creative!
Just made the pizza crust last night! Perfect, as always and a game changer for sure. I love being able to whip out homemade pizza so quickly when I am craving it. Thanks again for or the excellent blog!
The images that go along with the instructions for your recipes are EVERYTHING. So much more helpful than text only!
MY favorite recipe from this year has to be that delicious Posole! I had a wonderful 2015 as well, good job, married my love, went to Jamaica :), saw my cousin get married, a lot of great things happened this year! Love your blog you never let me down with your great recipes! Looking forward to a great 2016!
Number one in our house was the Honey Balsamic chicken Tenders.
So good, so quick! We love it…
My family can’t get enough of the Sweet Potato Cornbread. Amazing!
Thank you Beth for all your awesome ideas and positive outlook on cooking!!!
I *think* this was last year but my favorite were the sriracha deviled eggs! I made them at least once a week for weekend lunches!
Thank you so much for EVERYTHING that you do, Beth! I’m looking forward to new, tasty and budget friendly recipes. Here’s to 2016!!!!! :-)
I discovered your blog earlier this week and it’s the only food-related blog I find worth following regularly. I made your rocky road fudge for my employees at Christmas and it was a huge hit! I can’t tell which recipe is my favourite. All the ones I made I really like! Please continue your great work! Ingredients are not as cheap in Canada as they are in the US but you’re a great source of simple recipe inspiration nevertheless. Thanks!
Sorry I meant earlier this *year!
Caramelized Onion and Artichoke Flatbread was definitely my favorite, but I’m making the Chicken Tikka Masala this week so we’ll have to see if it holds its #1 spot! I’d also like to try the Eggs Florentine Breakfast Pizza but I haven’t gotten around to it yet.
Thanks for your great blog! I love everything you’ve been doing. The weekly budget recaps have been an interesting addition.
Thanks so much for all that you do! Your blog is a huge inspiration to me, and I wish you the best of luck in 2016. :)
I didn’t realize that the Thin & Crispy pizza crust was just this year! My husband and I make it so frequently that it has practically replaced our greasy delivery pizza. We LOVE that recipe because the crust is perfect, and we can each make our own pizza with the toppings we want. Other recipes we love include sesame chicken, C3 chili, white chicken chili, the mug cake, and roasted corn & zucchini tacos (my all time fav!).
Thank you so much for all you do–your blog & recipes have definitely impacted our lives this year! Can’t wait to see what 2016 brings for you!
This blog has changed your life AND my family’s! This is my go to site when I need ideas. From your list of favs this year, I can tell you that several of them are very regular in my house. The weeknight chili is always made as a double or triple batch. We eat it for dinner and the rest goes into 2 cup containers in the freezer. I pack 2 lunches every day for my guys and they get chili twice a week and never tire of it. The slow cooker Italian chicken is put on homemade hoagie rolls with fresh mozzarella. My son, who refuses to eat sausage, gobbles up the skillet meatballs and marinara. Zuppa Toscana? Who doesn’t like potatoes? The top winner in our house from this year that didn’t make the list is chili rubbed pulled pork. Oh my! Once I find pork on sale, I get out my biggest crock pots and cook it all up, transfer it to one cup containers and into the freezer it goes. So versatile! pork and rice, pork in burrito bowl, pork in quesadillas…. And for dessert, Peanut Butter S’mores Pots! Wow! I think I made them 6 times in about a 2 week period. THANK YOU Beth for helping all of us figure out how to eat well and stay on budget! YOU are appreciated!
Thank you Beth for a great 2015 cooking year! Balsamic chicken thighs and sesame glazed chicken were among my favorites too, not to mention the technique of shredding chicken which revolutionized my meal prep. The bonus of introducing Go Sugar Free was actually life-changing and a big bunch of gratitude for that. Happy 2016 and “happy cooking!”
Sesame glazed salmon ;)
I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed Go Sugar Free! I think so highly of it.
Just wanted to tell you how much I love your blog and am so thankful for it! I discovered you about four years ago and have been a devoted follower ever since, checking your site weekly and I got your cookbook as soon as it came out. The other week I added up how many recipes of yours I’d made THAT WEEK and it was 10! No joke. After four years you’re still a huge influence in my kitchen! No matter how weird the recipe sounds, all I have to do is tell my husband it’s budget bytes and he immediately trusts it. We got married 4 1/2 years ago right out of college and have two toddlers that I stay home with, and I seriously don’t know what we’d have done without your site because 1) I couldn’t cook four years ago and 2) I had no idea how to shop/eat frugally and we were super broke at first (still kinda are ;)). It’s so freeing to know that we can still eat well on the extra hard weeks (slow cooker black bean soup and caramelized onion and mushroom pizza are our “broke week” faves!).
Sorry to leave a ridiculously long comment! Just wanted to encourage you and let you know how much you mean to people. I feel like I post a ridiculous amount of comments and I’m always name dropping about you with my friends and on facebook. My friends joke that you need to start paying me for all the promotion I give you. :)
Thank you SO much!! That really means the world to me to hear. :D
Happy New Year Beth!
I had major surgery right after Tday. I spent the month of November making and freezing soups and other easy meals. Your Zuppa Toscana has been my MOST FAVORITE thing to eat while recovering…….full of flavor, filling, healthy kale, comforting, etc.
Thank you for pouring your heart into this blog.
Thanks for sharing your delicious recipes! Cooking doesn’t come naturally for me, but I’ve learned so much from your site. My husband and I used to eat out all the time but now we are enjoying preparing meals at home as often as we can. It’s a huge and welcomed change in our eating and spending habits.
Beth, thank you for your amazing blog. I suffered 2 mini strokes in 2014, and my sense of taste and smell were a horrible mess as a result. Add to that short term memory loss, and I couldn’t cook like I used to. I started with basics from your blog, and slowly worked my way through recipes as the year went on. I have regained most of my taste, and a new appreciation for foods I had never tried before I found Budget Bytes. Thanks for rescuing my husband from take-out food hell. Best of luck to you in 2016.
Karen
We love your website! My honey and I are in super frugal money saving mode for the past year, but we feel like we eat like royalty. We make probably 2-3 meals a week from your site and we have a variation of beans and rice every week too. I’ve made the lemon pepper chicken twice now, and we also love your chicken arrabiata, moroccan stew, Italian wonderpot, and the chana saag. Thanks for all you do!
We love your Creamy Tortellini with Vegetables! I make just so I can have the leftovers for lunch that week!
Easy Sesame Chicken! This has to be my favorite! You certainly have a great palet for spice blends because everthing I make has such great flavor! Thank you for your blog and I look forward to 2016 and making more of your delicious creations!
We loved the One-Pot Roasted Red Pepper Pasta. Since I found it, it’s my go to for the last bits of roasted red pepper in the jar.
I really enjoy your blog. It’s really helpful that you have such a variety of vegetarian dishes. My husband is a vegetarian and I’m always on the lookout for different, veggie options for dinner, that are filling and satisfying for a carnivore as well.
There are quite a few recipes I want to try on your blog, next year I hope to get through more of them.
What a delicious year! I love these roundups!
Thanks for putting this list together, I have a few of them bookmarked.
I wanted to say how amazing your Sweet Potato Cornbread recipe is. I made it along with your Mexican Lentil Stew, and I think that was one of my favorite meals I made during 2015, if not EVER. The cornbread got rave reviews from my girlfriend. She still asks me when I’m going to make it again.
I also wanted to say how much I appreciate your blog. I’ve gone from occasionally making one of your recipes and glancing at the blog every once in a while, to checking the blog every few days to see what new recipes have been posted and making nearly all my meals either from the blog or your cookbook. Every Budget Bytes recipe I make amazes me with how easy and cheap it can be to make food that tastes good and is good for you. And I love how easy it is to adapt most of the recipes, and how you’ll say whether or not an ingredient can be left out or subbed, or if it’s really necessary to the recipe.
I could go on and on, but basically, Budget Bytes has been one of the highlights of the year 2015 for me!
Thanks for all you do. My family of six is definitely on a tight budget and we use your recipes several times a week. I especially love the crock pot recipes – they are a life saver. We have tried many on this top 20 list, but hands down, the skillet meatballs is the family favorite! And I have some very picky eaters too. Hope you have a wonderful new year!
This year brought a big first for me – my first home. For the first two months we lived here, I didn’t make a single recipe that wasn’t Budget Bytes. You taught me that I can pay for everything a house entails and still eat delicious food… a huge game changer for us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your hard work – I can’t wait to see what 2016 has in store for both of us! :)
Congratulations on purchasing your new home, Sara!!! Enjoy!!!! :-)