American recipes
American cooking is a mix of diner classics, backyard favorites and regional dishes shaped by immigrants from all over the world. This page covers the comfort food many of us grew up on: burgers and sliders, sandwiches, mac and cheese, chili, skillet dinners, pancakes and quick desserts. Every recipe is made in 20 minutes or less.
215 recipes, quickest first.
5 minCopycatCopycat Wendy's chocolate Frosty
5 minGingerbread mug cake
5 minMolten chocolate mug cake
5 minWitches' brew punch
6 minIced latte
6 minProtein coffee (proffee)
6 minPumpkin spice mug cake
7 minCappuccino at home
7 minCopycatCopycat McDonald's McCafé caramel frappé
7 minCopycatCopycat Starbucks caramel Frappuccino
7 minCopycatCopycat Starbucks iced caramel macchiato
7 minCopycatCopycat Starbucks mocha Frappuccino
7 minCopycatCopycat Starbucks Pink Drink
7 minHomemade latte
7 minHoney cinnamon oat milk latte
7 minIced mocha
7 minSalted caramel cold foam cold brew
7 minVanilla sweet cream cold foam
8 minCafé mocha
8 minCopycatCopycat Dunkin' caramel swirl iced coffee
8 minCopycatCopycat Starbucks iced brown sugar oatmilk shaken espresso
8 minMango coconut smoothie bowl
8 minPerfect scrambled eggs
8 minSmoked salmon scrambled eggs
8 minVanilla syrup for coffee
9 minBrown sugar syrup for coffee
9 minCaramelized bananas with ice cream
9 minChocolate mocha sauce
9 minCopycatCopycat Dutch Bros Golden Eagle
9 minIced coffee
10 minCampfire s'mores cones
10 minClassic coleslaw
10 minCopycatCopycat Olive Garden salad
10 minCopycatCopycat Starbucks pumpkin spice latte
10 minCopycatCopycat Starbucks vanilla sweet cream cold brew
10 minCopycatCopycat Starbucks white chocolate mocha
10 minHomemade hot cocoa
10 minMovie theater popcorn
10 minPumpkin cream cheese dip
10 minPuppy chow
10 minRed, white and blue sangria mocktail
10 minSmashed chickpea sandwiches
10 minSparkling pomegranate punch
11 minBacon and egg English muffins
11 minMicrowave cinnamon baked apples
11 minPeanut butter banana quesadillas
11 minPumpkin spice syrup for coffee
12 minCampfire banana boats
12 minClassic grilled cheese
12 minCopycatCopycat Egg McMuffin
12 minEasy turkey gravy
12 minSmashed avocado toast with feta and jammy eggs
12 minSpiced stovetop nuts
12 minStovetop kettle corn
12 minThanksgiving leftover sandwich
13 minCinnamon apple oatmeal
13 minEdible cookie dough dip
13 minItalian grinder subs
13 minPepperoni pizza bagels
13 minQuick cranberry sauce
14 minBuffalo chicken wraps
14 minChicken Caesar wraps
14 minClassic tuna melt
15 minEgg roll in a bowl
15 minFrench bread pizza
15 minGarlic butter noodles
15 minGraveyard dirt cups
15 minHomemade caramel sauce
15 minHomemade mozzarella sticks
15 minHoney garlic salmon
15 minHoney mustard kielbasa bites
15 minMonte Cristo sandwiches
15 minNo-bake strawberry cheesecake parfaits
15 minPimento cheese dip
15 minPumpkin cheesecake mousse cups
15 minSalted caramel popcorn
15 minSeared scallops with lemon-butter caper sauce
15 minSmoked salmon cucumber bites
15 minStovetop candied pecans
15 minTurkey and cheese pinwheel sandwiches
15 minTurkey cranberry panini
16 minBanana oat blender pancakes
16 minBuffalo chicken dip
16 minCajun salmon with corn salsa
16 minCopycatCopycat Big Mac burgers
16 minCopycatCopycat Burger King Whopper
16 minCranberry pecan kale salad
16 minGarlic butter steak bites
16 minGrilled garlic lemon shrimp skewers
16 minHoney garlic meatballs
16 minMicrowave loaded baked potatoes
16 minMushroom Swiss burgers
16 minPie iron cherry pies
16 minPizza quesadillas
16 minReuben sandwiches
16 minSpam musubi
17 minBodega bacon, egg and cheese
17 minBuffalo chicken sliders
17 minCaramel apple slices
17 minCheesy corn fritters
17 minClassic smash burgers
17 minCopycatCopycat KFC Famous Bowl
17 minEggnog French toast
17 minFirecracker shrimp
17 minFrench dip sandwiches
17 minPie iron pizza pockets
17 minPork schnitzel with apple slaw
17 minStovetop maple granola
17 minStovetop spinach artichoke dip
17 minStrawberry lemonade
18 minBBQ pulled chicken sliders
18 minBeer cheese dip with pretzel bites
18 minBroccoli salad with bacon
18 minCampfire hot dogs and beans
18 minCheeseburger sliders
18 minChicago-style hot dogs
18 minChicken Caesar salad
18 minChicken salad croissants
18 minClassic homemade waffles
18 minClassic shrimp cocktail
18 minCopycatCopycat Chick-fil-A chicken sandwiches
18 minCopycatCopycat In-N-Out Double-Double
18 minCopycatCopycat McDonald's McGriddles
18 minCopycatCopycat Panera mac and cheese
18 minCowboy caviar
18 minCrispy black bean burgers
18 minFluffy ricotta pancakes
18 minHawaiian teriyaki hot dogs
18 minHoney glazed carrots
18 minJalapeño popper dip
18 minJuicy turkey burgers
18 minMaryland crab cakes
18 minMulled apple cider
18 minNew York street cart hot dogs
18 minRice Krispie treats
18 minS'mores dip
18 minSalmon burgers with lemon-dill mayo
18 minSeattle cream cheese dogs
18 minSkillet Brussels sprouts with bacon
18 minSmoked salmon bagel board
18 minStovetop herb stuffing
18 minStovetop mac and cheese
18 minSweet potato hash with fried eggs
19 minBacon-wrapped Sonoran hot dogs
19 minClassic BLT
19 minCopycatCopycat Raising Cane's chicken fingers
19 minCopycatCopycat Subway Meatball Marinara
19 minCrispy hash browns
19 minGrilled lemon dill salmon
19 minGrilled pineapple with rum caramel
19 minGrilled vegetable skewers with herb oil
19 minLeftover turkey noodle soup
19 minNaan pizzas
19 minPhilly cheesesteak sliders
19 minRed velvet pancakes with cream cheese glaze
19 minSalt and pepper calamari
19 minSloppy joes
19 minSmash burger tacos
20 min20-minute chicken noodle soup
20 minBacon cheeseburger dip
20 minBBQ chicken skewers
20 minBeer brat sliders
20 minBiscuits and gravy
20 minBoneless buffalo wings
20 minButtermilk pancakes
20 minCajun chicken pasta
20 minCamp stove chili mac
20 minCampfire skillet breakfast hash
20 minChewy chocolate chip cookies
20 minChili cheese dogs
20 minChocolate-covered strawberries
20 minChocolate-dipped pretzel rods
20 minClassic deviled eggs
20 minClassic grilled cheeseburgers
20 minCobb salad
20 minCopycatCopycat Chick-fil-A nuggets
20 minCopycatCopycat KFC chicken bites
20 minCopycatCopycat Panera broccoli cheddar soup
20 minCopycatCopycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay biscuits
20 minCopycatCopycat Wendy's chili
20 minCopycatCopycat Wingstop lemon pepper tenders
20 minCorn dog bites
20 minCranberry brie bites
20 minEggs Benedict with blender hollandaise
20 minFlag fruit pizza
20 minGarlic mashed potatoes
20 minGrilled bratwurst with beer onions
20 minGrilled chicken thighs
20 minGrilled corn with chili-lime butter
20 minGrilled flank steak with garlic herb butter
20 minGrilled honey chipotle chicken tenders
20 minGrilled hot dogs with a toppings bar
20 minGrilled pork chops with brown sugar rub
20 minGrilled sausage, peppers and onions
20 minHawaiian chicken kebabs
20 minHawaiian roll Italian sliders
20 minHomemade chicken nuggets
20 minHot honey chicken
20 minJuicy Lucy burgers
20 minLeftover ham and cheese sliders
20 minLemon pepper chicken
20 minLoaded tater tot nachos
20 minMaple pecan sweet potato mash
20 minMarry me chicken
20 minMuffuletta sandwich
20 minMummy hot dogs
20 minNashville hot chicken sandwiches
20 minOne-pot cheeseburger macaroni
20 minPatty melts
20 minPhilly cheesesteak
20 minPigs in a blanket
20 minQuick potato salad
20 minRed, white and blue berry trifle cups
20 minSausage and potato foil packets
20 minShrimp boil foil packets
Use it for weeknight dinners, game-day food and weekend breakfasts. Many recipes use everyday supermarket ingredients like ground beef, cheddar, potatoes and canned beans, and the tips include swaps for lighter versions or whatever you have on hand. If you are cooking for a family, most of these are easy to double.
Common questions
What are some classic American dinners that are quick to make?
Smash burgers, grilled cheese with tomato soup, sloppy joes, chicken tenders, skillet mac and cheese, BLTs and quick chili all fit into a busy weeknight. Many classics rely on simple techniques like searing and melting cheese, so they cook quickly. Shortcuts like rotisserie chicken or canned beans help speed things up further.
How do I make a good smash burger at home?
Use 80/20 ground beef, rolled into loose balls. Heat a cast-iron skillet until very hot, add a ball, then press it firmly flat with a sturdy spatula for a thin, crusty patty. Season, flip after about two minutes, add cheese and cook until done. Ground beef should reach 160F.
What sides go with American comfort food?
Coleslaw, corn on the cob, potato salad, baked beans, a simple green salad and oven fries are all classic partners. For a lighter plate, try roasted green beans, a tomato and cucumber salad or sliced fruit. A crunchy, tangy side balances rich dishes like burgers, fried chicken or mac and cheese.