505 plain recipes

Peanut butter breakfast spread with honey and chopped dried fruit. A 3-ingredient pantry mix that turns plain toast into a high-protein, kid-friendly morning meal.

Light spinach dip made with low-fat cottage cheese and yogurt instead of sour cream. Fresh spinach, lemon juice, and green onions in a creamy, tangy base.

Lighter New York cheesecake made with homemade yogurt cheese instead of cream cheese. Sweetened with honey and thickened with arrowroot for a smooth, guilt-free slice on a graham cracker crust.

Pillowy whipped cream frosting paired with a glossy, ruby-red raspberry sauce. Two quick components that turn any plain layer cake into a showpiece in under 30 minutes.

Tangerine-berry fruit salad with sliced tangerines, blackberries, and blueberries on a creamy blended banana and sour cream base. A colorful no-cook fruit plate ready in 15 minutes.

Quick cinnamon couscous breakfast cereal with dark brown sugar and yogurt. Just 4 ingredients and ready in minutes for a warm, light morning bowl.

A savory bread machine loaf loaded with whole wheat flour, cottage cheese, yogurt, and whole dill seed. Protein-rich, herb-fragrant, and effortless to make.

Grilled pork schnitzels brushed with a peanut butter, yogurt, honey, and cumin glaze. The nutty-sweet coating caramelizes on the griddle for quick, flavorful cutlets with a satay-style twist.

Low-calorie yogurt dill dressing with lemon juice, dry mustard, and garlic. A light, tangy dressing for green salads using just six simple ingredients.

Apple-cherry pie with a flaky shortening crust, quick tapioca thickener, and a nutmeg-sugar finish. The tart cherries brighten up classic apple pie in a way plain apples never do.

A chilled beet borscht sweetened with apple juice and made creamy with nonfat yogurt. Roasted beets, lemon, and crunchy radish and cucumber garnish make this a stunning late summer soup.

Fresh strawberry glace is a glossy ruby cake topping cooked from macerated strawberries, sugar, lemon, and cornstarch. Pours like syrup, sets like jelly, and turns any plain cake into a centerpiece.

Simple soy rice cooks plain rice with a splash of soy sauce, then folds in sauteed onion, cabbage, garlic, and brown sugar. Asian-leaning vegetable rice side ready in 30 minutes.

Southern hush puppies with creamed corn, chopped onions, and cornmeal batter. Drop by spoonfuls into hot oil, fry until golden for moist, slightly sweet cornbread fritters.

Chicken legs slathered in a punchy glaze of dry mustard, curry powder, Worcestershire sauce, and brown pickle, then baked until bronzed and sticky. A proper British classic with just 8 ingredients.

Farfalle tossed in a creamy cilantro pesto made with cottage cheese and yogurt, finished with garlic and red pepper flakes. Light, fresh, and easily made vegan.