Your Favorite Recipes of 2015: A Culinary Journey Back in Time
As the final moments of 2015 melted away, we paused to reflect on another incredible year filled with delicious meals, shared culinary moments, and a vibrant community that continues to inspire us. It feels astonishing how quickly time flies; it seems only yesterday we were setting new year’s resolutions. Yet, indeed, another year has gracefully passed, bringing with it over 150 new recipes to our ever-growing collection, pushing our site’s total well past the 1000-recipe mark. This milestone alone is a testament to the passion and dedication poured into every dish we share.
A Year of Growth and Gratitude
We are immensely proud of the diverse and exciting content introduced on Gimme Some Oven throughout 2015. With each passing year, our connection with you, our amazing readers, deepens. This evolving understanding allows us to better anticipate the kinds of recipes you seek – whether it’s comforting classics, innovative healthy options, or quick and easy weeknight solutions. This collaborative journey has led to an unprecedented year of growth, with an average of nine million monthly visitors tuning into the site. Such overwhelming support fills us with profound gratitude.
From the depths of our hearts, we extend a massive THANK YOU. Thank you for consistently visiting, for trusting us with your meal planning, for recreating these recipes in your kitchens, for sharing them with friends and family, and for making this website (and our dream job!) a continuous reality. You are, without a doubt, one of the greatest gifts in our lives. Not a single day goes by without us being deeply aware and appreciative of everything you do to keep this culinary haven thriving.
As is our cherished annual tradition here at Gimme Some Oven, we’re wrapping up the year by celebrating *your* top 15 favorite recipes of 2015. Tomorrow, we’ll follow up by revealing *my* personal favorite 15 dishes. So, get ready to bookmark some serious culinary treasures, because this list is packed with beloved gems that stood out as the year’s most popular. Let’s dive in and rediscover the deliciousness!
1. Perfectly Baked Chicken Breasts
It’s no secret that chicken recipes are consistently our most requested category, so it was hardly a surprise when this particular post soared to become our most popular of the year. An astonishing two million of you have already discovered this recipe since its debut last summer! And for good reason: this foolproof, five-step method guarantees delicious, juicy, and incredibly flavorful baked chicken breasts every single time. It’s a versatile staple perfect for meal prep, salads, or main courses. If you haven’t tried it yet, prepare to be amazed by this winner-winner chicken dinner! Plus, they freeze exceptionally well, making meal planning a breeze.
2. Cozy Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup
Is there anything more comforting than a bowl of rich, creamy, and wonderfully flavorful butternut squash soup? The only way to improve upon this healthy and hearty classic is to make it even easier – and our slow cooker version does just that! This recipe quickly became our most popular slow cooker creation of the year, and it’s a constant favorite in my own kitchen. Its hands-off preparation means you can enjoy a sophisticated, warming soup with minimal effort, making it ideal for chilly evenings or a nourishing lunch.
3. Classic Scalloped Potatoes
This timeless side dish proved to be especially popular during the holiday season, but its appeal extends far beyond festive gatherings. Our readers turn to this recipe whenever a craving for comforting, cheesy potatoes strikes. Simple to prepare yet incredibly indulgent, these scalloped potatoes are layered with tender potato slices and a rich, creamy sauce, baked to golden perfection. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that adds a touch of homemade warmth to any meal, proving that sometimes, the simplest dishes are the most beloved.
4. Effortless Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip
Our readers couldn’t stop raving about this incredibly simple and delicious spinach artichoke dip, made effortlessly in the slow cooker. Its popularity stems from two key factors: its undeniable ease of preparation and the fact that it offers a slightly healthier twist on the traditional indulgent version. This dip is rich, creamy, and packed with flavor, making it a perfect appetizer for parties or a cozy night in. I personally never tire of its irresistible charm, and it’s clear you don’t either!
5. Zesty Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
Just like its spinach artichoke counterpart, this slow cooker buffalo chicken dip garnered immense love for its convenience and explosive flavor. My preferred rendition lightens things up slightly with Greek yogurt, but still goes heavy on the zesty hot sauce and creamy blue cheese for that quintessential buffalo flavor. It’s the ultimate game-day appetizer or party snack, effortlessly prepared in your crock pot. Prepare for an addictive, savory, and spicy experience that keeps everyone coming back for more!
6. My All-Time Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies
2015 was the year I finally unveiled my cherished, go-to recipe for the perfect soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies. I knew the internet was already flooded with millions of variations, but I felt compelled to share my personal favorite – a recipe perfected over years. I’m incredibly thrilled to hear that this recipe has also become a beloved staple for so many of you! These cookies strike the ideal balance of crispy edges, gooey centers, and rich chocolate, making them truly the best bite of pure joy. They’re simple to make and impossible to resist!
7. Decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Energy Bites
Our traditional No-Bake Energy Bites have been a long-standing favorite, so this year, we introduced an irresistible chocolatey spin on them. This version maintains its healthy appeal while delivering an extra dose of deliciousness. Packed with protein and naturally sweetened, these bites taste remarkably like a treat but offer wholesome energy. I make them regularly for quick breakfasts, satisfying snacks, or even a guilt-free dessert. They’re perfect for anyone needing a quick energy boost without the fuss of baking!
8. Lightened Up Broccoli Cheese Soup
For years, we’ve received countless requests for a reliable, delicious recipe for this iconic soup. When I finally shared my version, it took off like wildfire! So many of you, like me, adore the classic combination of broccoli and cheddar. What makes this recipe particularly special is its thoughtful lightening-up, offering all the rich, creamy flavor you love without the heaviness. It’s the ultimate comfort food for cooler months, delivering warmth and flavor in every spoonful. A truly satisfying and lighter take on a beloved classic!
9. Crispy Baked Eggplant Parmesan
Determined to overcome my skepticism toward eggplant, I made it a mission in 2015 to develop a truly fantastic eggplant parmesan recipe. And to my surprise, I absolutely loved it! This recipe cleverly bypasses the need for frying, resulting in crispy, flavorful eggplant baked to perfection. Apparently, many of you shared my newfound appreciation, as thousands tuned in to try this lighter, yet incredibly delicious, take on a traditional comfort food. It’s proof that even skeptics can be converted with the right recipe!
10. Authentic Slow Cooker Tacos Al Pastor
My obsession with tacos al pastor spans many years, and in 2015, I became 100% convinced that they are best made in the slow cooker. This recipe is ridiculously easy to prepare, yielding pork that is tender, succulent, and bursting with an incredible balance of sweet and savory flavors. It consistently earns rave reviews and is always a crowd favorite, perfect for taco nights, gatherings, or simply satisfying a craving for authentic Mexican cuisine with minimal effort. Prepare for a flavor fiesta!
11. Healthy Skinny Honey Lemon Chicken
This “healthy eating” month recipe was one of the very first I posted in 2015, and I’m delighted that its popularity endured throughout the entire year. It’s absolutely delicious and serves as fantastic proof that many of our beloved takeout dishes can be recreated at home with equally impressive results – and often with the added bonus of fewer unnecessary oils and calories! This sweet and tangy chicken dish is vibrant, flavorful, and a healthier alternative that doesn’t compromise on taste, making it a regular go-to for many of our readers.
12. Hearty Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
Another beloved recipe perfectly adapted for the convenience of the crock pot! It turns out you all share my deep affection for chicken tortilla soup. This slow cooker version delivers all the rich, savory, and slightly spicy flavors of the classic, with tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and a delightful broth, all simmering to perfection with minimal effort. It’s a comforting, hearty meal that’s perfect for any day of the week, especially when you crave something warm and satisfying without the fuss.
13. Fresh & Easy Homemade Falafel
Every time I see this photo, it brings a smile to my face because I truly, deeply adore these falafel! They are absolutely bursting with fresh herbs, made with wholesome ingredients, and (who knew?!) surprisingly simple to prepare right in your own kitchen. Forget store-bought; homemade falafel offers an unparalleled freshness and flavor. They are even more perfect when served alongside my favorite creamy hummus. This recipe proves that Middle Eastern delights are perfectly achievable for the home cook, delivering a satisfying vegetarian meal or snack.
14. Creamy Gnocchi “Mac” & Cheese
Say goodbye to traditional noodles and hello to delightful gnocchi! (Which, by the way, I also learned in 2015 is pronounced “nyah-kee,” rhyming with “knock knock.”) However you say it, this recipe captivated us all by substituting those delicious little potato pillows for conventional pasta in a classic mac and cheese. The result is a lighter yet decadently cheesy sauce embracing the tender gnocchi. As an added bonus, this ingenious twist also makes the dish gluten-free, offering a comforting and innovative take on a timeless favorite. It’s a must-try for any mac and cheese enthusiast!
15. Nutritious Quinoa Fried “Rice”
Finally, we conclude your list of favorites this year with a recipe featuring my beloved whole grain – quinoa! It’s no secret that I’m utterly obsessed with fried rice. However, for a healthier approach this year, I decided to experiment by swapping in protein-packed quinoa instead of rice. The outcome? I honestly believe I liked it even better! And judging by its immense popularity, so did many of you. This recipe perfectly modernizes a classic, delivering all the familiar, savory flavors of fried rice with an added nutritional boost. Cheers to making beloved dishes both delicious and good for you!
While these are indeed some of the shining stars from 2015, they represent just a small selection of the thousands of incredible recipes that now reside on Gimme Some Oven. We invite you to explore our comprehensive Recipe Index for even more culinary inspiration. As we look ahead, stay tuned for an abundance of fantastic new recipes, innovative cooking tips, and inspiring meal ideas coming your way in 2016! You truly are the best readers a food blog could ask for. ♥