My mom made the best salads, and that’s where my love for them started. I’ve turned her side salads into awesome meals with protein, veggies, nuts and cranberries. —Lindsay Tanner, Cathedral City, California

During the hectic holiday season, I make this roast a lot. We’ve scarfed it down before and after shopping and while wrapping presents. Root vegetables and roast beef make everyone feel cozy and calm. —Pat Dazis, Charlotte, North Carolina

Rustic and comforting, I found this rich and cheesy lasagna to be a great way to get kids to eat healthy greens—it’s such a tasty casserole they’ll never know the Swiss chard is there! —Candace Morehouse, Show Low, Arizona

We make this main dish and side together, and adjust the heat from the red pepper flakes depending on who’s at the table. —Tara Cruz, Kersey, Colorado

In 30 minutes you‘ll have a restaurant-quality steak with a bold Cajun flair. The best part? You can skip the drive, the wait and the bill! —Joshua Keefer, Delaware, Ohio

We created a satisfying stew that’s nutritious, loaded with flavor and family-friendly. Slowly simmer chicken thighs with stewed tomatoes, butternut squash, green peppers and onion for meal-in-one convenience. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Apples, juicy red tomatoes and sweet potatoes always make me think of fall. —Greg Fontenot, The Woodlands, Texas

The sweet pear, salty sausage and creamy blue cheese are a wonderful combination in this dish. It tastes just like something you’d get at a great restaurant. —Debby Harden, Williamston, Michigan

I will always remember the way my grandmother’s house smelled when she made these balsamic chicken thighs every Sunday. Ever since she gave me the recipe, the heartwarming flavors always take me back to my childhood. — Erin Chilcoat, Central Islip, New York

My hearty soup uses herbs and vegetables from the garden along with convenient pantry items, so it’s easy, fast and mostly fresh. Your family will devour it. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

This gorgeous galette takes traditional chicken potpie and gives it a fun open-faced spin. The rich filling and flaky cheddar-flecked crust makes it taste so homey. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

The sweetness of the apples and onions really complements the roast pork. With its crisp skin and melt-in-your-mouth flavor, this is my family’s favorite weekend dinner. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

I moved to the United States from Russia and love cooking Russian food for family and friends. Halibut with soy sauce, ginger and pepper is a favorite. —Margarita Parker, New Bern, North Carolina

Beef stew capped with flaky puff pastry adds a little surprise and joy to the weeknight menu. Make a salad and call your lucky companions to the table. —Daniel Anderson, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin

The colors of the dish remind me of autumn, my favorite season. Butternut squash is nutritious as well as colorful. This is an example of cooking it a way other than mashed and sweetened. The pork tenderloin medallions are mildly seasoned with rosemary and are very tender.—Louise Nowak, Columbia, Connecticut

In our house, chicken potpie is a year-round staple. For a springtime feel, we use leeks and mushrooms and a lighter phyllo dough crust. If you don’t have gruyere, try Parmesan. —Andrea Stewart, Toronto, Ontario

While inventing a new form of comfort food, I made a stew of carrots, turnips, parsnips and rutabaga. When I’m in the mood to change things up, I add potatoes or chicken. —Maria Davis, Flower Mound, Texas

I love to prepare gluten-free and dairy-free dishes, and this recipe meets the criteria when you use gluten-free pasta. This dish shows you can use delicious, healthy products to create a crowd-pleasing meal. It’s also soy-free, nut-free and vegetarian. —Amie Valpone, New York, New York