Folks who work outside the home can pop these meatballs into the slow cooker in the morning. By the time they get home, dinner's ready! - Cathy Ryan, Red Wing, Minnesota

Tart apples and sour cream flavor this moist coffee cake covered with brown sugar and crunchy nuts. "The recipe makes two pans, so you can serve one and freeze the other for a busy morning or unexpected company," says Dawn Fagerstrom of Warren, Minnesota.

Whenever I pass a display of bananas in the grocery store, I can almost smell the wonderful aroma of this bread. It really is good!

In Valparaiso, Indiana, Barbara Baker relies on a few handy ingredients to make canned soup taste just like homemade. The creamy mixture that results is hearty with chunks of broccoli and potato.

“I grew up in my parents’ bakery, which might explain why I don’t like frosting,” says Cindy Lang of Hays, Kansas. “These cupcakes are just my style! They come out shiny on top and are great without frosting.”

My town is known as the Yam Capital of the United States. This is a simple recipe that goes well with baked ham or roasted turkey.

I’ve never met a person who didn’t enjoy this creamy soup, and it’s hearty enough to serve as a main course with your favorite bread or rolls. —Nadina Ladimarco Burton, Ohio

Our Test Kitchen sped up Joy Bilbey’s pasta, chicken and asparagus medley flavored with Caesar salad dressing so it’s even faster to fix. The Holt, Michigan cook created the recipe when looking for a no-hassle dinner to feed her hungry family–it was a hit!

"This melt-in-your-mouth Chicken Marsala is based on a recipe picked up in a cooking class," recalls Greta Igl in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. "But the basil and splash of lemon are my own touches. We’ve tried this dish in many restaurants, but always agree our homemade version tastes best. It’s so easy…and if we’re lucky enough to have leftovers, they reheat beautifully in the microwave.”

Writes Deborah Sheehan of East Orland, Maine, "Chocolate Oatmeal Cake is a treat—it's so moist and is topped with scrumptious coffee frosting."

This recipe allows me to combine two things abundant in Florida—fresh fish and orange juice. The orange juice gives the fish a wonderful, tangy flavor.

This soup is a great meal starter, but I also serve it as the main course when I'm in need of a quick nourishing lunch or dinner. Just add a green salad and a biscuit or roll.

“My grandma gave this recipe to me years ago, but I made a few changes to give this yummy supper more pizzazz,” shares Jill Zosel from Seattle, Washington.

“Pure comfort food,” is how Sheila Harms of Battle Lake, Minnesota refers to her warmer-upper soup filled with flavor, herbs and potatoes. “It’s one of my husband’s very favorite cold-weather meals,” says Sheila. “I serve it with warm biscuits or garlic toast.”

While I was growing up, this is the dinner Mom let me make once a week. Now when I prepare it for my family, I'm reminded of happy times with Mom in the kitchen.—Diane Krasley, Graterford, Pennsylvania

This is one of the dishes my family requests most often whenever I ask what they'd like for dinner. It takes only minutes and it tastes great, so I always honor the request.—Julie Curfman, Chehalis, Washington

Luckily, this recipe makes a lot, since everyone is apt to want another bowl. It freezes well and makes excellent leftovers-if there is any left. Not that I'm a retired farm wife, I enjoy traveling and volunteering.

Luckily, this recipe makes a lot, since everyone is apt to want another bowl. It freezes well and makes excellent leftovers-if there is any left. Not that I'm a retired farm wife, I enjoy traveling and volunteering.

Chock-full of veggies, this delicious lentil soup is really simple to fix. In St. Ignatius, Montana, Joy Maynard often doubles the recipe and freezes half for later. HEALTHY OUTLOOK Joy’s hearty soup packs a full 15 g of fiber per serving! Nearly 10 of the 15 g come from the lentils, a great source of fiber. For more recipes, search for lentils on our Recipe Finder and visit www.lightandtasty.com.

Looking for something a little more exciting than boiled pasta to serve with a chicken entree, Greta Igl found inspiration and just-picked flavor in her herb garden. “I love using fresh herbs whenever possible, she says, “and I have plants tucked all around my yard in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.”

Turkey kielbasa brings great flavor to this simple split pea soup. It’s been a hit with my entire family—even our picky toddler enjoys it. –Sandra Bonde of Brainerd, Minnesota

Meet the Cook: Soups are one of my favorite things to prepare - they're so easy, and nothing is better on a chilly evening with some homemade bread or biscuits. I am only 26 and married for just a year, so I don't consider myself an "experienced" cook. But I do love to try new recipes with a country flair. -Anita Warner, Mt. Crawford, Virginia

What a great way to use up any remaining mashed potatoes! These light cakes cook up golden brown and have a wonderful butter-and-onion flavor. Kids and adults alike will love our Test Kitchen’s spin on a classic!

This recipe is one of my mom's specialties. It's a hearty main dish that gets requested time and time again. The from-scratch sauce makes each cheesy slice extra flavorful and softer-textured than other versions.—Kim Orr, West Grove, Pennsylvania

Everyone loves slices of this fork-tender roast beef and its savory gravy. This well-seasoned roast is Mom's specialty. People always ask what her secret ingredients are. Now you have the delicious recipe for our favorite meat dish! -Linda Gaido, New Brighton, Pennsylvania

Everyone loves slices of this fork-tender roast beef and its savory gravy. This well-seasoned roast is Mom's specialty. People always ask what her secret ingredients are. Now you have the delicious recipe for our favorite meat dish! -Linda Gaido, New Brighton, Pennsylvania

I like this recipe because the orange juice gives the nut bread such a unique flavor and also makes it moist.

This comforting casserole from Sandra Jongs of Abbotsford, British Columbia is a snap to prepare. "To give this meat-and-potatoes meal a flavorful change of pace, I sometimes use cream of chicken soup instead," she adds.

From Omaha, Nebraska, Jane Hutfles writes, "I use our bread machine at least three times a week. This basic loaf made with easy instant potato flakes is so soft and delicious. I've shared the recipe with many people."

After a full day of teaching and coaching, I'm often too tired to spend a lot of time preparing dinner. So I rely on this thick, chunky blend that I can have on the table in 30 minutes. The whole family enjoys the wonderful flavor of the smoked sausage. -Jennifer LeFevre, Hesston, Kansas

My grandmother made the best Shoofly Pie in the tradition of the Pennsylvania Dutch. Shoofly pie is to the Pennsylvania Dutch as Pecan Pie is to a southerner. --Mark Morgan

Sweet apple undertones lend special flair to Kathleen Hendrick’s low-calorie pork loin. The Alexandria, Kentucky cook tops it with gravy for down-home appeal, creating a slimmed-down dish that’ll keep them coming back for more!

This comforting and colorful soup from field editor Margery Bryan of Royal City, Washington is loaded with old-fashioned goodness. The flavorful broth is chock-full of veggies, chicken and macaroni. "By changing the vegetables, you can make it different every time," Margery notes.

OOzing with blueberry flavor, this coffee cake is tender and moist with a topping of brown sugar, cinnamon and oats.

Bacon adds flavor to this comforting stovetop supper my mom frequently made when we were growing up. Now I prepare it for my family. It disappears quickly and is budget-pleasing, too, at just 87¢ for each serving. —Kelli Jones Perris, California

There's plenty of sweet berry flavor in this refreshing dessert. Made with sugar-free gelatin and a graham cracker crust, the summery pie is easy to fix and attractive enough to serve to guests. "I sometimes substitute fresh peaches and peach gelatin," notes D. Smith of Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania.

"I love making corn bread and corn muffins, but often the results are not moist or sweet enough for my taste," comments Patty Bourne of Owings, Maryland. "So I experimented until I came up with these light, pleasantly sweet muffins. They ended up winning a blue ribbon at our county fair."

Begin dinner with the delightful Tender Chicken for Two from Rosena Vrshek of Phoenix, Arizona. Instead of traditional tomatoes, her version of chicken cacciatore uses ketchup, which imparts a slightly sweet flavor. “Serve it with rice or mashed potatoes, “she suggests.

Since my husband works full-time and attends school, I do a great deal around the house, including getting our three children where they need to go. I'm always looking for no-fuss recipes, so I was thrilled to find this one. The moist teriyaki seasoned pork roast has become a family favorite. —Roxanne Hulsey Gainsville, Georgia

In Chesterfield, Missouri, Beth Daley combines packaged tortellini and canned goods to quickly bring this hearty soup to the table. Basil and Parmesan cheese round out the flavor of this family favorite.

Loaded with veggies, meatballs and spices, this meal-in-one soup from Penny Fagan of Mobile, Alabama is hearty enough to warm up any cold winter day. It’s a recipe you’ll make again and again!

If you like crab cakes, try this unusual version made from zucchini. "Maryland is famous for its crab cakes, but this recipe can sure fool you," says Pat Tillman of Pylesville, Maryland. They're easy and economical, too, at 41 cents each.