22 surprise recipes

Surprise your family with this super simple side dish. This tasty dish is a fusion of fluffy rice and savory cocktail sausages hidden within a non-descript casserole. Drop this on the family dinner table, and once your unsuspecting patrons dig into an otherwise plain-looking rice casserole - boom, surprise!

Popcorn surprises made with candy-coated popcorn ground fine and mixed into melted chocolate, then molded or cut into shapes. A unique candy that makes about 50 pieces.

Salt-free seasoning blend with garlic powder, basil, star anise, oregano, and lemon zest. A homemade spice mix for low-sodium cooking that adds real flavor without the salt.

Quick vegan one-pot meal with black beans, pineapple, corn, and tomatoes spiced with curry and ginger. Serve over rice or pasta in 25 minutes flat.

Well-drained maraschino cherries may be substituted for candied cherries.

Sautéed chicken breast coated in orange juice and flour, then simmered with balsamic vinegar, colorful peppers, and mushrooms over wagon wheel pasta. A 50-minute dinner for two with a tangy, rich pan sauce.

Canned tuna simmered in homemade coconut milk with cinnamon, crushed red chili, garlic, and tart rhubarb for a sweet-spicy-tangy curry served over rice. This unexpected flavor combo is the real surprise here.

Cheese-stuffed hamburger patties with cheddar sealed inside two thin layers of ground beef. The cheese melts into a gooey pocket as the burger cooks. Freezer-friendly for meal prep.

Whole wheat blueberry muffins sweetened with applesauce and honey instead of sugar. Warm spices of cinnamon and nutmeg in a tender, lightly sweet breakfast muffin.

Mexican wedding cakes are always a holiday favorite but this recipe takes it up a notch or two, writes Mary Wilhelm of Sparta.

Light, crispy meringue cookies loaded with chocolate chips, made from just egg whites, sugar, and vanilla. Naturally gluten-free and baked low and slow for a melt-in-your-mouth finish.

This is a perfect combination, there is a lot of omega-3 fatty acids. Very good for heart!

Microwave tuna casserole with rice, cream of cheddar soup, and a buttery corn flake crumb topping. Pantry-friendly comfort food ready in under 40 minutes.

Stuffed green olives wrapped in a sharp cheddar dough with paprika and cayenne, then baked until golden and puffy. Bite-sized, salty, cheesy, and gone in seconds at any party.

Chocolate surprise cookies hiding peanut butter chips and walnuts inside a cocoa-based drop cookie dough. The chocolate-peanut butter combo bakes up in just 8-10 minutes.

Witch hat Halloween treats made from chocolate cookies, sugar cones, and chocolate frosting with hidden candy inside. A no-bake kids' craft activity with a candy surprise.