152 plain recipes

Old-fashioned brownies with unsweetened chocolate, butter, pecans, and a simple creamed batter. A vintage one-bowl recipe that bakes in 25 minutes flat.

Runzas: Nebraska's German-Russian beef and cabbage hand pies wrapped in sweet yeast dough. The Plains state classic, baked golden and stuffed full of seasoned beef.

A tall, buttery Southern pound cake loaded with two cups of chopped pecans, enriched with sour cream, and lightened with folded egg whites. Baked in a tube pan until golden, this is the cake that anchors every church potluck and family reunion.

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.

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.

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.

Frosted chocolate pound cake with cocoa in both the batter and icing, baked in a tube pan. Dense, velvety, and loaded with butter and five eggs for richness.

Kraut burgers, also called bierocks or runzas, tuck a savory ground beef, cabbage, and onion filling inside soft baked bread dough. A hearty Great Plains hand pie, brushed with butter and great for packing in lunches.

Ground turkey casserole layered with cheesy egg noodles, tomato sauce, cream cheese, cottage cheese, and yogurt. A lighter take on a retro noodle bake that feeds a crowd.

Fat-free carrot cake made with yogurt, egg substitute, and wheat germ instead of oil and eggs. Topped with a light cream cheese frosting spiked with almond extract and lemon.

This healthy breakfast bar recipe is perfect to grab 'n run on-the-go quick and healthy breakfast or snacks.

Old fashioned fruit cake with blackberry jam, fig preserves, watermelon rind preserves, candied cherries, pecans, and cocoa. Baked low and slow in a cast iron skillet.

Lentil and cheddar veggie burgers packed with cooked lentils, spinach, carrots, and sharp cheddar. Bound with egg whites and breadcrumbs, no mystery ingredients. Pan-fried in olive oil and served on whole wheat buns. High-fiber, vegetarian, satisfying.

Spiced bran muffins with molasses, ginger, cloves, walnuts, and golden raisins. Made with whole wheat flour, egg whites, and yogurt for a lighter, healthier take.

Baked white bean and brown rice patties with Mexican seasoning, chili peppers, and garlic. A high-protein vegetarian burger alternative with serious spice and crunch.

Oatmeal pumpkin cookies fold pumpkin puree, rolled oats, chocolate chips, raisins, and nuts into a cinnamon-spiced dough. Drizzle with lemon glaze or top with chocolate candies. Makes 96.