Top 5 Recipes To Break In Your New Kitchen

One of the best parts of moving into a new house, or having a significant kitchen remodel with a kitchen design company, is thinking about all the cooking you’ll get to do, surrounded by family and friends. The question is, where to start? What should you cook?

Here are 5 delicious, easy, and classic recipes to help you break into your new kitchen, regardless of your skill level.

Classic Spaghetti Bolognese

You can’t go wrong with pasta of any kind, and as a first dish in your new kitchen, a classic spaghetti bolognese can set the tone for a comforting, hearty first meal after a long wait. Begin by prepping the following ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil

1 lb lean ground beef

1 white or yellow onion, diced

4 cloves of garlic, minced

1 28 oz can whole stewed tomatoes (crushed by hand)

2 tbsp tomato paste

½ cup dry red wine, broth, or water

1 or 2 tsp granulated sugar- to taste

1 tbsp fresh thyme

1 bay leaf

Salt and pepper to taste

½ cup of water

Coat the bottom of a deep skillet or pot with olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add onions and garlic and saute until mostly softened. Add beef and cook until brown. Drain or dab off excess oil, then add ½ cup of wine, broth, or water and bring to a boil. If using wine, cook until the smell of alcohol has cooked out.

Add remaining ingredients, bring to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer. The longer the sauce is allowed to simmer, the more developed the flavors will become! Include the remaining ½ cup of water if needed. Prepare your favorite pasta to your preferred density, and serve warm with freshly grated parmesan and homemade garlic bread.

Pizza Bread with Your Favorite Toppings

Our next recipe is a great option to get the whole family involved, and it comes together with either homemade ingredients or store-bought:

Ingredients:

2 loaves of French bread

1 14 oz jar of pizza sauce

2 lbs mozzarella cheese

Pizza Toppings: pepperoni, peppers, onions, olives, ham, sausage, mushrooms, pineapple

Select or bake 2 loaves of French bread- slice the loaves in half lengthwise and then into quarters. Smooth pizza sauce on each slice of bread, and allow each family member to top their own slice of bread with their favorite pizza toppings. Bake at 425 for 15 minutes, then broil for 5 minutes for crispy edges.

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

It doesn’t get more comforting than Chicken Noodle Soup and this family classic is an easy way to make your new kitchen feel like home.

Ingredients:

1 lb boneless skinless chicken – white and dark meat

4 carrots, chopped

4 stalks of celery, chopped

1 white onion, chopped

2 bay leaves

2 tbsp each: parsley, thyme

Salt and pepper to taste

10 cups water or chicken broth

2 cups egg noodles

Begin by boiling the chicken in 10 cups of water or broth. Add remaining ingredients and simmer until the chicken is fork-tender and easily pulls apart. Remove the chicken and shred or dice it.

Return the chicken to the pot. Add noodles and simmer until noodles are firm but cooked through. Serve warm with freshly ground pepper and warm bread for the ultimate comfort meal.

Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies

This one may not count as an actual meal, but it’s a staple worthy of every kitchen, old and new, not to mention the warm, comforting aroma that will fill your whole house and jump-start traditions in your new kitchen.

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup (salted or unsalted) butter, softened

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

2 cups chocolate chips or chunks

Preheat oven to 375. In a stand mixer, beat butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, and vanilla. Beat well until a uniform batter comes together.

In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients and whisk to combine. Slowly add dry ingredients until the dough stiffens. Remove the bowl from your mixer and stir in chocolate chips by hand. Try mixing milk, semi-sweet, and dark chocolate chips for a deeper flavor. You can also add white chocolate chips or nuts if desired.

Scoop dough out into tablespoon-sized balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for approximately 10 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool a few minutes on the cookie sheet before transferring to drying racks. Enjoy!

Roasted Chicken and Root Vegetables

This faster take on a classic recipe will fill your home with the aromas of slow-cooked comfort food but comes together quickly and easily without the hassle of a whole chicken.

Ingredients:

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 lb boneless skinless Chicken thighs

2 lbs carrots, peeled and cut into 3-inch pieces

2 lbs red potatoes, quartered

2 onions, peeled and quartered

2 sprigs of rosemary, thyme

2 tbsp olive oil

1 packet of onion soup mix

Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a greased roasting pan, place chicken breasts and thighs. Arrange carrots, potatoes, and onions around the chicken. Prepare soup mix per the package and stir in olive oil. Pour over chicken and vegetables. Sprinkle herbs, salt, and pepper over chicken and vegetables. Cover with foil and bake in the oven at 400 degrees for 45 minutes.

The Bottom Line

When choosing which recipes to make to break in your new kitchen, there are several factors to consider. The most important thing to remember is that having your new kitchen is a memorable moment you should mark with memories.

Whether it’s an heirloom recipe passed down over generations or something new and yummy that you found on Pinterest, you can’t go wrong with choosing a recipe that will be fun to make and that everyone will enjoy! The best recipes to make are the ones that hold special nostalgia for your family that can launch you all into building new memories around the table.