Recipe Roundup – Try Some New Quarantine Meals!
Editor's Note: This post was originally published in 2020. It was updated in March 2026 to remove outdated links and ensure these resources remain helpful for our readers.
If you’re like the rest of us, you may be on the brink of despair when it comes to answering the most-asked question of all time: “What do we have to eat?”
Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, most families cycle through their favorite dishes over and over again. While takeout is a great option, it’s easy to get bored with the same choices or find your go-to spots operating on limited hours.
That’s where a little recipe inspiration comes in. The internet is overflowing with ideas, but not all recipes are practical. To make things easier, the team at Ernest Homes rounded up some of our favorite trusted sources for easy, family-friendly, and pantry-friendly recipes you can make right now.
Trusted Recipe Resources to Try
- NYT Cooking
A treasure trove of smart, comforting meals sorted into helpful categories. You’ll find everything from simple pastas and sheet-pan dinners to baking projects the kids will love. - Allrecipes – Convenience Cooking
One of the internet’s powerhouse recipe sites, packed with creative ways to use pantry staples and freezer finds you probably already have at home. - The TODAY Show – The Cooking Collective
The TODAY food team frequently shares "foodiverse" updates where home cooks share recipes, photos, and questions. It’s a great place to get real-life ideas from real people. - Social Media Communities
Facebook groups and Instagram remain popular places to swap recipes and pick up clever shortcuts from other home cooks who are balancing busy family schedules. - Publix to the Rescue
Prefer to see a dish made step-by-step? The Publix YouTube channel is filled with recipe videos that walk you through dozens of easy meals, snacks, and desserts.
Watch recipe videos on the Publix YouTube channel
Smart Ways to Use What You Have
Once you’ve found a few new favorites, you still may need help planning how to use all the groceries you’ve stocked up on. The Spruce Eats offers excellent practical primers on cooking from your pantry and freezer, minimizing waste, and stretching your food budget.
Show Off Your New Skills
When it’s time to gather again, you can show off your new recipes—along with your beautiful kitchen and dining area—by hosting a dinner party for the family and friends you’ve missed the most.
Until then, have fun experimenting, trying new flavors, and making the most of mealtime together at home. From all of us at Ernest Homes, bon appétit!
