Ranked from meh to winner. Surprisingly, as much as I lovefrozen nuggetsandtater tots, I rarely buy frozen fries for my family. This time I polled both my kids and then dragged them to a few stores with me. Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm First, I set my sight on fries that are readily available at big-box grocery stores. We made them in small batches and according to package instructions. My taste testers included my two kids and my partner....

And its less than $5 a package. This week I found a delightful surprise:Sundae Shoppe Ice Cream Cupcakes! These beautiful little cupcakes look like a special something youd find at a local ice cream shop. Simply Recipes / Getty Images The ice cream swirls upward, with a hefty helping of rainbow sprinkles on top. The vanilla flavor is also pronounced in the cake, which has a soft yet dense crumb....

I’ve been making it for over 20 years. I make it from scratch. Don’t try and fight me on this one. Simply Recipes / Myo Quinn Well technically, I don’t make the dressing. One of my kidsages 5, 8, and 10does. Because it really is that easy! Alison Bickel If you don’t count the salt and black pepper, it’s only three ingredients. Why Dressings Call for Dijon Mustard I know not everyone is a fan of Dijon mustard....

These recipes are faster than ordering delivery. In fact, I love it. To switch things up, here are 14 non-pasta recipes to add to your repertoire of lightning-fast meals. Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower It’s a one-pot dinner that’s incredibly easy to customize, making it a total crowd-pleaser. No one needs to know it only took half an hour!...

Its almost totally hands-off. Its such an easy and impressive dinner, especially since the cooking is almost entirely hands-off. But the real magic trick? Simply Recipes / Photo by Robby Lozano / Food Styling by Margaret Dickey / Prop Styling by Julia Bayless That sauce comes togetherinsidethe squash as it roasts in the oven! Place the seeded squash halves on the prepared baking sheet, cut-sides up. Cut the feta block into 4 equal pieces and place 1 piece in the cavity of each squash....

It’s the easiest, fancy-ish dinner I know. I love ALDIs fresh, never-frozen Atlantic salmon. Its one of my absolute favorite fish products of all time, at any store. Simply Recipes / Getty Images It was an absolute revelationit smelled, tasted, andlooked just like a dish from a seafood restaurant. The salmon is fresh and delicious, and the cedar adds a rich, aromatic flavor. My husband says the salmon tastes almost like candysweet and succulent....

There are so many delicious ways to use it. It was so good yet so simple. Well, ALDI has made fondue even simpler by bringing back itsEmporium Selection Swiss & Gruyere shredded cheese. Simply Recipes / Getty Images It combines earthy Gruyere with lighter Swiss, and a half-pound bag of shreds only costs $2.89. Its a stepped-up version ofau gratin potatoes, and the cheese makes it heavenly. Its great formac ‘n cheese, especially if you throw in some Gouda or cheddar shredsthat combo is fantastic....

It’s better in flavor and texture. I’ve always reached for those eye-catching navy blue and yellow-labeled Safe Catch cans. If it doesn’t taste great, what’s the point? Simply Recipes / Getty Images The trout comes in two flavors: plain and packed in water, and with chili in sunflower oil. That said, I’m always game to try a new product and shake up my grocery routine. At a glance, the Safe Catch trout tins contained larger intact pieces....

Everyone will swoon as soon as they take a bite. Thechocolate sheet cakeis topped with a layer of mini marshmallows, sometimes nuts, and cooked chocolate icing. When layered together, the cake resembles the muddy terrain along the Mississippi River and tastes incredibly delicious. Simply Recipes / Photo by Andrew Bui / Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne This recipe is low effort and high reward. Arent those always the best kinds of desserts?...

Its the perfect side dish for every summertime meal. These fresh corn muffins are case in point. The result are tender, just-sweet-enough corn muffins bursting with corn flavor. Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph The raw kernels perfectly steam as the muffins bake for bursts of freshness in every bite. And they wouldnt be quicker or easier to make. I eat these muffins for breakfast with jam or alongside dinner. Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph...

There’s a new flavor on the block. It transforms my summer into the most magical time of the year. Costco carries the new combo pack that contains the strawberry ice cream bars. Simply Recipes / Getty Images Initially, the change felt bittersweet, as the coconut ice cream bar is my reigning favorite. However, my disappointment quickly dissipated after trying the strawberry bar. It tastes just like strawberry milk! Simply Recipes / Photo Illustration by Wanda Abraham / Binggrae...

Its a complete, delicious dinner made on a sheet pan. Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe Ive said it once, and Ill say it againI lovean easy dinner! While everything roasts, theres time to whip up a quick sauce. Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe The tanginess of the feta and the sharp mustard are the perfect foil for the rich salmon. Speaking of ease, I also like to keep my clean-up time to a minimum....

Move over mayo, its avocado time. Simply Recipes / Micah Siva This might be controversial, but Ive never been a fan of mayonnaise. To me, its too rich, too eggy, and toogloopy. Simply Recipes / Micah Siva This is most likely because I grew up in aMiracle Whiphousehold, where mayo was nowhere to be found. While Ive retired my jar of Miracle Whip dressing, my deep love for egg salad sandwiches remains....