The most popular recipes from 2021—see which dishes topped the list and whether your favorites made the cut.
Top 25 Most Popular Recipes of 2021
Here are the recipes created in 2021 that received the most traffic, based on Google Analytics. Keep in mind that recipes published earlier in the year had more time to accumulate views, so timing can affect rank. I also realized I omitted Drunken Noodles at first—so there are 26 recipes on this updated list.
2021 was a busy year. I worked on a New York Times bestselling Air Fryer Cookbook and launched a new meal planner that includes recipes, which meant a lot of recipe testing for both books and the blog. I’m very grateful for your support—your comments, photos, and messages make this work rewarding.
If you’re new to Skinnytaste or want to explore more reliable, family-friendly recipes for 2022, these top recipes are a great place to start. I’ve also linked to popular roundups from past years below, and don’t forget the free weekly meal plans I share every Friday. For community support and dinner inspiration, join the Skinnytaste What’s Cooking group on Facebook.
- Top 25 Most Popular Recipe 2020
- Top 25 Most Popular Recipes 2019
- Top 25 Most Popular Recipes 2017
- Top 25 Most Popular Recipe 2016
- Top 25 Most Popular Recipes 2015
- Top 25 Most Popular Recipes 2014
- Top 25 Most Popular Recipes 2013
- Top 25 Skinny Recipes 2012
- Top 20 Skinnytaste Recipes 2011
Top 25 Skinnytaste Recipes From 2021…
1. Ground Turkey Skillet with Zucchini, Corn, Black Beans
This one-pan skillet combines lean ground turkey with zucchini, corn, black beans and tomatoes for an easy, flavorful weeknight or meal-prep dinner.
2. Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast with Tomato and Feta
Juicy chicken breasts are filled with spinach, tomato and feta for a Mediterranean-inspired main that’s simple to bake or pan-sear.
3. Instant Pot Baked Ziti
A shortcut baked ziti made in the Instant Pot—cheesy, comforting, and easy enough for a meatless family dinner.
4. Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich
A crunchy, flavorful chicken sandwich made lighter in the air fryer. Brining and a simple sauce make it extra satisfying.
5. Chicken and Broccoli Noodle Casserole
Comforting and crowd-pleasing, this baked casserole layers chicken, broccoli and noodles with a creamy, melty sauce.
6. Instant Pot Braised Beef
Tender, spiced braised beef made quickly in the pressure cooker—versatile for rice bowls, tacos, enchiladas and more.
7. Grilled Vegetable Orzo Pasta
Bright grilled veggies and orzo tossed in a light dressing make an excellent side dish or meatless main for warm-weather meals.
8. Shrimp and Andouille Sheet Pan Dinner
A simple, spicy sheet-pan meal: shrimp and andouille sausage roast with broccoli, peppers and aromatics for an easy cleanup dinner.
9. House Special Fried Rice
A protein-packed fried rice that combines brown rice and riced cauliflower with chicken, shrimp, steak and eggs for a complete meal in one pan.
10. One Pot Chicken Artichoke Pasta
A flavorful one-pot pasta with chicken, artichokes, kale and sun-dried tomatoes, brightened with lemon and garlic.
11. Chicken Romano Meatballs
Savory chicken meatballs flavored with Romano cheese, herbs and garlic, finished with a bright lemony pan sauce.
12. Cheesy Eggplant Gnocchi Skillet
A comforting vegetarian skillet: eggplant and gnocchi in a garlicky tomato sauce with melted fresh mozzarella and basil.
13. High Protein Oat Sandwich Rolls
Simple, five-ingredient oat sandwich rolls made with oat flour and cottage cheese for a higher-protein bread option.
14. Salmon Coconut Curry with Chickpeas and Spinach
A quick one-pot curry: seared salmon with chickpeas and spinach in a creamy coconut sauce that’s ready in under 20 minutes.
15. Cottage Cheese, Egg, Sausage Frittata
A protein-rich frittata featuring cottage cheese, eggs and sausage—great for breakfast, brunch or a light dinner with salad.
16. Cilantro Lime Chicken Breast
Marinated in lime, garlic and cilantro, this chicken breast is flavorful and cooks beautifully on the grill, grill pan, or in the air fryer.
17. Cheeseburger Crunch Wrap
A handheld favorite: classic cheeseburger fillings wrapped in a tortilla for a crunchy, satisfying lunch or dinner.
18. Shrimp Pho
A lighter take on Vietnamese pho using shrimp and vegetables, with tips for making a quick, flavorful stock.
19. Baked Sweet Potato Egg Cups
Grated sweet potatoes shaped into nests and baked with eggs—portable, nutritious breakfasts that reheat well for busy mornings.
20. Drunken Noodles
A spicy, stir-fried Thai-style noodle dish with shrimp and bold aromatics, inspired by pad kee mao.
21. Shrimp Dumpling Lettuce Wraps or Bowls
Use the savory shrimp dumpling filling as a light lettuce wrap or over rice for an easy, flavorful meal.
22. Savory Cottage Cheese Bowls
High-protein cottage cheese bowls topped with vegetables and nuts make a quick, satisfying savory breakfast or snack.
23. Mexican Beef Stew
Bisteces a la Mexicana—tender beef simmered with tomatoes, jalapeños, onions and Mexican spices for deep, comforting flavor.
24. Salmon Fried Rice
A speedy fried rice built around salmon, using frozen brown rice and riced cauliflower for a quick single-serving meal.
25. Sriracha Tofu
Spicy sriracha-glazed tofu served over rice—an easy, protein-packed vegetarian main that’s ready fast.
26. Shrimp Egg Rolls
Air-fryer or baked shrimp egg rolls that capture the flavor of takeout without deep-frying—packed with shrimp in every bite.