This easy Ina Garten puff pastry appetizer layers spicy soppressata, nutty Gruyère, and tangy Dijon between sheets of crisp, golden pastry. Made with just five ingredients, it is a crowd-pleasing party appetizer that looks impressive with minimal effort. Choose all-butter puff pastry for richness or Pepperidge Farm for reliable convenience.
Ina Garten’s Watermelon & Arugula Salad upgrades the classic watermelon and feta combination with peppery arugula, fresh lemon juice, and shaved Parmesan. Sweet, salty, bright, and refreshing, this easy summer salad is perfect alongside grilled chicken, steak, seafood, or burgers, with a feta version available for traditionalists.
Ina Garten’s Tuna and Hummus Sandwiches pair creamy, garlicky hummus with bright, briny tuna salad for an easy open-faced lunch. Celery, onion, cornichons, lemon, Dijon, and radish add crunch and sharpness, while the hummus keeps everything rich without making the sandwich feel heavy.
Ina Garten’s Panko-Crusted Salmon is a low-effort, high-reward recipe perfect for a solo lunch. Salmon fillets are brushed with Dijon mustard and topped with a lemony panko-parsley crust, then seared in a cast iron skillet and finished in the oven until flaky and golden. Pair with roasted broccolini for a complete meal.
When a warm late-winter weekend had me pretending summer had arrived, I made Ina Garten’s Middle Eastern Vegetable Salad. Chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, chickpeas, herbs, and feta are tossed in a bright lemon vinaigrette for an easy no-cook dinner. Even with less-than-perfect produce, it’s fresh, satisfying, and a great reminder of warmer days.
Ina Garten’s Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms are the ultimate party appetizer. Tender mushroom caps soak up olive oil and Marsala wine, then are filled with Italian sausage, garlic, scallions, Parmesan, panko, and mascarpone. Rich, savory, and perfectly golden.
I couldn’t compile a favorite recipe list without including at least one roast chicken recipe (I don’t want to upset Jeffrey), and Jeffrey’s Roast Chicken, also known as Engagement Chicken, may be Ina’s most famous version—it did play a role in bringing Prince Harry and Meghan together after all.
After cooking every recipe in Ina Garten’s How Easy Is That?, I’m sharing the dishes that stood out most, from Weeknight Bolognese and homemade ricotta to Mocha Chocolate Icebox Cake. This Barefoot Contessa cookbook review highlights easy, high-flavor recipes, smart kitchen tips, and the recipes worth making again.