Top 16 Recipes of 2016

Happy 2017!  Before we count down the most popular recipes of 2016 and jump into the New Year with heaps of new recipes, I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for making Carlsbad Cravings possible.  I am forever grateful and humbled that you are part of my foodie family.  Carlsbad Cravings only exists because of you!

2016 as been an exciting year of LOTS of great food including about 150 new Carlsbad Cravings recipes.  I love each recipe I post (otherwise I wouldn’t post it), and usually have a feeling before I post something if it will be a niche recipe that only certain people will want to try and love (like me 🙂 ) or if it will resonate with millions and go crazy on pinterest.  Regardless of the outcome, I will always only post tried and true recipes that I am “craving,” so despite the hundreds of recipes that didn’t make it onto this “most popular” list, I hope you take a moment and check out my Recipe Index for more of my favorites.  I will also be sharing my top personal favorites of 2016 in a separate post – you don’t want to miss those!

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Top MOST POPULAR 16 Recipes of 2016! These need to go on your MUST MAKE LIST!!

So without further ado, here are the top 16 most popular Carlsbad Cravings Recipes of 2016 as voted on by your views and shares (slow cooker recipes and soups continue to dominate).   Some of these recipe were posted in 2015 but continue to be my most popular to date and should be on your MUST MAKE LIST!   What was your favorite Carlsbad Cravings recipe you tried in 2016?  Did it make the list?

17. (Bonus – reader’s favorite) CHICKEN IN COCONUT MANGO VERDE SAUCE

Chicken in Coconut Mango Verde Sauce - my family LOVES this 30 minute meal and I seriously dream about the incredible creamy sauce!

16. CRANBERRY APPLE PECAN WILD RICE PILAF

Easy one pot Cranberry Apple Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf simmered in herb seasoned chicken broth and apple juice and riddled with sweet dried cranberries, apples and roasted pecans for an unbelievable savory sweet side dish perfect for the holidays. Everyone always asks for this recipe!

15. TERIYAKI CHICKEN TACOS WITH GRILLED PINEAPPLE PEAR SALSA

Teriyaki Chicken Tacos smothered with the BEST easy teriyaki sauce and piled with Grilled Pineapple Pear Salsa will be your new favorite taco! Company worthy but everyday easy!

14. CHEESY TACO SOUP

Less than 30 minutes for this ONE POT Cheesy Taco Soup! This is the ultimate comforting soup packed with all your favorite taco flavors and is SO easy and great for crowds! You haven’t had taco soup until you try this version!

13. HONEY GARLIC ROASTED CARROTS

Tender, sweet and savory Secret Ingredient Honey Garlic Roasted Carrots are the most delicious carrots and easiest side dish EVER with only 10 minutes prep! I eat these like candy! #Thanksgiving #Easter #Christmas

12. CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER MINI PIES

11. SLOW COOKER MONGOLIAN CHICKEN

Slow Cooker Mongolian Chicken smothered in the most irresistible sauce is my Go-To slow cooker meal and way better than takeout!

10. SLOW COOKER HONEY BUFFALO MEATBALLS

Tender juicy slow cooker Honey Buffalo Meatballs simmered in the most tantalizing sweet heat sauce that everyone goes crazy for! Perfect appetizer or delicious, easy meal with rice!

9. CREAM CHEESE BANANA BREAD COFFEE CAKE

The best Banana ANYTHING ever! Moist Banana Coffee Cake riddled with chocolate chips and walnuts (optional) with an INCREDIBLY creamy cheesecake-like cream cheese filling all topped with brown sugar walnut streusel and vanilla drizzle.

8. ONE POT CHICKEN & RICE FAJITA SOUP

ONE POT Pepper Jack Chicken Fajita and Rice Soup is packed with your favorite fajita flavors and is SO easy, delicious and comforting! The whole family will love this!

7. SLOW COOKER SALSA VERDE HONEY LIME CHICKEN

6. SMOTHERED BAKED CHICKEN BURRITOS

Smothered Baked Chicken Burritos AKA "skinny chimichangas" are better than any restaurant without all the calories! made super easy by stuffing with the BEST slow cooker Mexican chicken and then baked to golden perfection and smothered in most incredible cheesy green chili sour cream sauce.

5. ONE POT WHITE CHICKEN LASAGNA SOUP

Easy One Pot White Chicken Lasagna Soup - my family LOVES this soup! It tastes just like creamy white chicken lasagna without all the layering or dishes! Simply saute chicken and veggies and dump in all ingredients and simmer away!

4. SLOW COOKER BARBECUE RIBS

15 minute prep Fall-Off-the-Bone Slow Cooker Barbecue Ribs that everyone goes crazy for! They are slathered in the most incredible rub and barbecue sauce for amazing restaurant flavor. My husband says they are better and more tender than any restaurant!

3. BEST SLOW COOKER FRENCH DIP SANDWICHES

Crazy tender Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches seeping with spices are unbelievably delicious and make the easiest dinner or party food. You haven't had French Dip Sandwiches until you try these! absolutely the best!

2. ONE POT LASAGNA SOUP

1. MILLION DOLLAR MACARONI AND CHEESE

This mega creamy Million Dollar Macaroni and Cheese Casserole is the only macaroni cheese recipe you will ever want to make! make this for guests or family and they will love you forever! The homemade sauce itself is rich and crazy creamy and the casserole is stuffed with a hidden layer of provolone cheese and sour cream that melts when baked for a ridiculous amount of velvety creamy, cheesy goodness.

Here’s to 2017, it will be the best year yet!

 

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My PERSONAL FAVORITE Recipes of 2016

2016 Favorite Carlsbad Cravings Recipes

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18 Comments

  1. Rachel says

    Hi Jen, I never comment but I have to thank you for making me love cooking again! I make at least 2 of your recipes a week and there hasn’t been a recipe my family hasn’t loved. Whenever I tell them I’m making one of your recipes, everyone gets excited! Thank you for bringing a new joy to my kitchen and our home! Happy 2017!

    • Jen says

      Hi Rachel, thank you so much for taking the time to comment and making my heart so happy! Your words truly mean so much to me. I am humbled and honored that my recipes have helped you love to cook again and that your whole family is loving my recipes! Thank you thank you! I hope you continue to enjoy a delicious 2017 :)!

  2. Karen says

    Hi Jen!

    I have thoroughly enjoyed making your recipes for my family these last couple of years. You are so talented and we reap the wonderful tastes of your talent!

    Wishing you , Patrick and your entire family a joyous and healthy 2017.

    Karen
    xo

    • Jen says

      Thank you so so much Karen for your kind words and for making my recipes! I love hearing your family is enjoying them! I wish you and yours all teh best in 2017 as well! xo

  3. Karin says

    Jen! We tried your cheesy taco soup and it was excellent! The whole family loved it. Keep the great recipes coming!!

    • Jen says

      Absolutely will Karin, thank you! I love hearing your whole family loved the Taco Soup- I love that recipe too – easy, flavorful and cheesy 🙂 Happy 2017!

  4. Tonya says

    Hi Jen,

    You should know my family refers to you as The Food Goddess. We have been enjoying your recipes all year, I even made your buffalo chicken dip for our New Years celebration, last night. The cheesy taco soup is now more of a regular dinner for us than tacos. Thank you for making food fun and interesting for us again. Happy New Year to you and yours!

    • Jen says

      Oh my goodness, the “Food Goddess” is hilarious and oh so flattering at the same time – thank you Tonya! I LOVE that!!!! Thank you for making my recipes this year and for taking the time to comment! I am so glad the Taco Soup is now a new favorite! Happiest New Year to you and yours as well!

  5. Michelle says

    I read your about me section and I am curious if you have any sodium limitations because of you kidney transplant? I have 1500 mg a day limit and try to adapt recipes to lower sodium. You have the best recipes on your Blog and would like to make more if I could get the sodium down.

    I have a free day once in awhile but still try to keep it to 2500 mg on those days.

    • Jen says

      Hi Michelle, so nice to meet you and congratulations on your kidney transplant! I don’t have any sodium restrictions because I also have cystic fibrosis and part of that disease is we lose a lot of salt – I actually have never had a mosquito bite because my skin is so salty! You should be able to adapt most of my recipes just by using less salt – they won’t be quite as flavorful but hopefully still tasty 🙂

  6. Danica says

    Your blog is one of my favorites! I know that I can trust your recipes. I also just read your Christmas post and it was very inspirational. God bless you and your family.

    • Jen says

      Thank you, thank you Danica, I am so flattered my blog is one of your favorites and that means SO much to me that you know you can trust my recipes! Thank you also for reading my Christmas post, it is so personal to me so the fact that you found it inspiring means more to me than anything. Thank you for your kindness and for following along! I wish you a very Happy New Year!

  7. Cindy Lyon says

    I just love following you & your recipes! You rock girl! Can’t wait to try more! Best breakfast ever is the strawberry French toast with a side of bacon, lol.

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much Cindy! And I agree, its hard to beat strawberry French Toast – but you just made it better with bacon 🙂 Thanks so much for following along and making my recipes!

  8. Sheila Cassidy says

    Dear Jen,

    Written a few times before but here I am yet again! I encourage you to write a cookbook! You have so many followers, your recipes are wonderful, your food photography is beautiful, YOU are beautiful. I lovhave your story. Of course I know nothing about the cost of doing a cookbook or how much work goes into doing one, but I hope at some point I will see on your blog that you have decided to do one. I will be the first in line to purchase it!

    • Jen says

      Hi Sheila, your encouragement is so heartwarming, thank you! A cookbook is definitely a big commitment but is sounding more manageable this year as opposed to last with 2 moves and 3 surgeries 🙂 I am very flattered by your kind words and definitely has me thinking some about it – I will keep you posted 🙂

  9. Cindi says

    Hi Jen,
    Just wandered onto your website from a facebook post and Oh my! – I am so glad I did! Your photos are the most beautiful pictures of food that I have ever seen. I’ve never found myself wanting to eat a picture before! (Also I skipped breakfast today) I’ve tried to go through and pick out any meatless recipes, but can’t seem to find many. We love meat, but for health reasons we try to eat more vegetarian meals than not & we tried going vegan but just couldn’t live without real cheese. Do you think you will be adding any meatless recipes in the future? Meanwhile I cannot wait to start trying all of the delicious recipes on your site!

    • Jen says

      Hi Cindi, welcome to my site and thank you so much for your super kind comment! I have always loved cooking but didn’t expect the photography to be such a fun part of it as well! I don’t cook many meals without meat so I would suggest leaving out the meat on any of the recipes or substituting it with tofu etc. Sorry I can’t be of more help!