These recipes aren't just delicious—they're completely Instagram-worthy. From flavorful vinaigrettes that will make your salad taste like a million bucks to cozy soups that comfort with every bite, these recipes will have you coming back for more. Recipes like our Blueberry-Lemon Ricotta Pound Cake and Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup with Rotisserie Chicken were the recipes people clicked on most on Instagram in 2021.
01of 20
Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/lemon-garlic-vinaigrette-2000-14eff087e6844c419fea832ee55b0aa0.jpg "Our Top 20 Recipes on Instagram in 2021 (1)")
While a 1-to-2 acid-to-oil ratio is common for vinaigrette, shifting it to 1-to-1½ yields a dressing with a brighter flavor and fewer calories. That means for every ½ cup of acid, such as vinegar or lemon juice, use 3/4 cup of oil. Here's a good all-purpose take on the formula.
02of 20
Whipped Frozen Lemonade
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/whipped-lemonade-21ad7547ee60488ab789ce0caa1c205b.jpg "Our Top 20 Recipes on Instagram in 2021 (2)")
Whipped frozen lemonade combines the creaminess of a milkshake with the thirst-quenching tanginess of freshly squeezed lemonade for an incredibly refreshing treat. And this simple frozen lemonade treat comes together with just four ingredients and a blender. You can use light coconut milk or refrigerated coconut milk in place of full-fat coconut milk, though the end result won't be as rich and creamy. Leftover simple syrup will keep for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.
03of 20
Blueberry-Lemon Ricotta Pound Cake
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Blueberry-Lemon-Ricotta-Pound-Cake-e8c2e4e34a3b4602ba5498a89e030f11.jpg "Our Top 20 Recipes on Instagram in 2021 (3)")
This healthy pound cake recipe isn't just delicious--it also only requires one bowl to make. For the best cake texture, be sure to beat the sugar and butter together long enough in Step 2 to look creamy--the time it takes to get there varies according to the type of electric mixer you have. Serve with brunch or alongside a cup of coffee in the afternoon.
04of 20
Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup with Rotisserie Chicken
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Creamy-Chicken-Noodle-Soup-with-Rotisserie-Chicken-f1771735cd114bb5b080569793bb886d.jpg "Our Top 20 Recipes on Instagram in 2021 (4)")
This rich-tasting but better-for-you creamy chicken soup has a delicious chicken pot pie feel to it. We call for rotisserie chicken to streamline your prep time--look for a nice big one with lots of breast meat on it. Pair this comforting and easy soup recipe with a green salad, or, if you're really hungry, a grilled cheese sandwich.
05of 20
Crispy Smashed Brussels Sprouts
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/crispy-smashed-brussel-sprouts-2000-5f6d40733452431b854c4f0333f693c6.jpg "Our Top 20 Recipes on Instagram in 2021 (5)")
Brussels sprouts get crispy and flavorful in the oven when they're "smashed" and seasoned with Parmesan cheese and everything bagel spice.
06of 20
Vegan Lentil Soup
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/vegan-medit-lentil-soup-1244-24a3c52cba884b00867fd834988c52b0.jpg "Our Top 20 Recipes on Instagram in 2021 (6)")
This vegan lentil soup recipe is packed with fresh ingredients and plenty of lentils that deliver a healthy dose of fiber in each bite. This vegan soup is the perfect cold-weather lunch or healthy dinner the whole family will love.
07of 20
Spinach & Mushroom Quiche
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/spinach-mushroom-quiche-b892a1b09b79473fb5f2f8336c272328.jpeg "Our Top 20 Recipes on Instagram in 2021 (7)")
This healthy vegetarian quiche recipe is as simple as it gets. It's a quiche without the fussy crust! It's filled with sweet wild mushrooms and savory Gruyère cheese. Enjoy it for breakfast or brunch, or serve it with a light salad for lunch.
08of 20
One-Pan Chicken & Asparagus Bake
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/One-Pan-Chicken-Asparagus-Bake--926d053770924e218c985c23560f7773.jpeg "Our Top 20 Recipes on Instagram in 2021 (8)")
In this chicken and asparagus recipe, we use one baking sheet to whip up dinner quickly, veggies included. Pounding the chicken thin helps it cook quickly alongside the carrots and potatoes, with asparagus rounding out the meal. This is one quick dinner recipe you'll be returning to again and again.
09of 20
Spinach & Artichoke Casserole with Chicken and Cauliflower Rice
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cheesy-spinach-artichoke-casserole-93c3fd67e8624e5daa39da77934cba6d.jpg "Our Top 20 Recipes on Instagram in 2021 (9)")
This high-protein chicken casserole clocks in right around 400 calories to help you end your day feeling satisfied—not starved or overly full.
10of 20
Lemon-Shallot Dressing
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/lemon-shallot-dressing-e1f934230910489db28d17b60cb5a0d4.jpg "Our Top 20 Recipes on Instagram in 2021 (10)")
This quick dressing features lemon juice and shallots for a simple, bright flavor. A touch of honey balances the acidity and tartness of the lemon. Use in a pasta salad or over leafy greens.
11of 20
Panko- & Parmesan-Crusted Baked Scallops
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/7115480-367ec3022cb9413f903a30321c090853.jpg "Our Top 20 Recipes on Instagram in 2021 (11)")
These easy baked scallops have a delightful balance of crunchy, golden-brown topping and tender, sweet scallops. They feel decadent like scallops should, thanks to the tasty lemon-butter sauce. Look for uniform scallops; if they're particularly large, you might need to bake them for more than 10 minutes.
12of 20
Slow-Cooker Mushroom Soup with Sherry
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Mushroom-Sherry-Soup-197e89f46a45485994f89c96fd5298a7.jpg "Our Top 20 Recipes on Instagram in 2021 (12)")
This comforting and creamy slow-cooker soup is loaded with earthy, umami flavor from the mushrooms and soy sauce. Puréeing only some of the slow-cooker mushroom soup gives the dish complex texture and eye appeal. Garnish with additional black pepper and chopped fresh thyme, if desired.
13of 20
Melting Potatoes
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Melting-Potatoes-11cbc27bf7474dcd908807bd0c1c1bad.jpg "Our Top 20 Recipes on Instagram in 2021 (13)")
The name for these spuds hints at their creamy interior. Roasting these melting potatoes at high heat ensures they get crunchy on the outside. Then, adding a little broth at the end allows the potatoes to absorb the liquid, making the insides extra moist.
14of 20
Low-Carb Chicken Soup
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/low-carb-chicken-soup-1244-265d42b87d6743afa2b584ac5d8d7e3e.jpg "Our Top 20 Recipes on Instagram in 2021 (14)")
This comforting, low-carb chicken soup is packed with veggies. Chicken thighs add rich flavor and remain tender after simmering in the soup. The lemon juice added at the end brings a lovely hint of brightness.
15of 20
Melting Sweet Potatoes with Maple Butter
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/8339944-10956d2a16c74969bcd3304f403841ce.jpg "Our Top 20 Recipes on Instagram in 2021 (15)")
As the name implies, these sweet potatoes melt right in your mouth. After browning in a hot oven, thick slices of sweet potato simmer in broth and soak up the flavors of maple syrup and lemon. This simple dish is great alongside roasted chicken or pork and makes a great Thanksgiving side dish.
16of 20
Cheesy Pull-Apart Cauliflower with Pesto
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/garlic-cheese-pull-apart-cauliflower-573a5999d61949ed8138d3752c6c965e.jpg "Our Top 20 Recipes on Instagram in 2021 (16)")
A combination of pesto and mozzarella cheese is tucked into a whole head of cauliflower. The florets "pull away" revealing the ooey-gooey cheese beneath for a fun and festive appetizer or side dish.
17of 20
Baked Parmesan Zucchini Curly Fries
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/65390931-664ace66dfa1454ea608eb83c08fd001.jpg "Our Top 20 Recipes on Instagram in 2021 (17)")
This healthy recipe combines two bar food favorites--fried zucchini and curly fries--into one tempting package. Serve these baked zucchini fries with a simple dipping sauce made with ranch dressing and marinara sauce for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a side dish for burgers, chicken or pizza. No matter what you serve them with, they're a fun way to eat more vegetables for kids and adults alike.
18of 20
Sheet-Pan Balsamic-Parmesan Chicken & Vegetables
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/8443492-b6b65ff9bab74920b48f51acad631a28.jpg "Our Top 20 Recipes on Instagram in 2021 (18)")
This flavorful dish--with the combination of balsamic vinegar and Parmesan cheese--makes a great weeknight meal since it requires little legwork (and only one pan!). The marjoram adds a distinct earthy aroma. If you don't have marjoram in your spice arsenal, you can use dried oregano instead. Both have a woodsy flavor that complements the dish beautifully.
19of 20
Salmon with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SalmonSunDriedTomato_16x9-2000-8fcc316cb6be46dfa2d2950f86fc4ea4.jpg "Our Top 20 Recipes on Instagram in 2021 (19)")
A jar of sun-dried tomatoes does double duty for this healthy dinner recipe—the flavorful oil they're packed in is used to sauté the shallots and the actual tomatoes help to add delicious flavor to the creamy sauce. Served with perfectly cooked salmon, you really can't go wrong with this easy 20-minute weeknight meal. This recipe is a variation on our insanely popular Chicken Cutlets with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce recipe by Carolyn Malcoun.
20of 20
25-Minute Chicken & Veggie Enchiladas
View Recipe
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/7671158-1a350f62746045f681452f8b28e99083.jpg "Our Top 20 Recipes on Instagram in 2021 (20)")
These chicken enchiladas are great for using up any veggies you have lingering in your fridge. Our chicken enchilada recipe calls for zucchini, squash and onion, but you could easily swap in spinach, onions or potatoes.
)
