Our 15 Most-Loved Recipes from Dad's Kitchen

In honor of Father's Day, recipes from dads to make all year round.

By
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud

Devan Grimsrud is a Berlin-based writer, editor, and recipe developer originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. After working in television production with James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern, she relocated to Berlin and became the managing editor at Kitchen Stories, an international digital cooking platform with millions of active users. 

Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated June 09, 2025
Devan Grimsrud
Hot dogs topped with melted cheese, diced onions, relish, and ketchup

This year in honor of Father's Day you have two options. You could make your dad something sweet to show him you care, or you could cook him something a dad has already made, thereby honoring all dads (especially those who cook!).

It's up to you, but I think I know what I'll be doing, especially after taking a peek at the recipes below. They come to us from founder Elise Bauer's dad, were inspired by writers whose dads (or uncles or grandpas) cook, or were developed by actual dads—shout-out to recipe developers Nick Evans and Lou Perseghin! So save your favorites to serve up this Father's Day or any day.

  • My Grandpa's 1-Ingredient Upgrade for Great Burgers

    A burger on a cutting board

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

    "My grandpa was famous, by anyone who knew him, for his burgers. We called them Bob Burgers after my grandpa's name, Bob. He kept his method for making burgers a secret for decades. It wasn’t until the barbeque torch was passed down to my dad, who started manning the grill, as you can see in the picture below, that Bob Burgers were finally declassified." —Stella Totino, Writer

  • Cheesy Baked Hot Dogs

    A plate of hot dogs with all the toppings

    Simply Recipes

    "I can eat a cheesy hot dog as-is with nothing else and be pretty content. But I have nothing to do while the hot dogs bake anyway, so I like to chop up a quick cheater giardiniera (a.k.a. fancy Italian relish) with common store-bought pickled veggies." —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

  • Dad's Potato Salad

    A bowl of potato salad ready to eat and serve

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    "To help keep potato salad cold when you're serving it for a party, cookout, or other gathering, set your salad bowl inside a larger bowl that's filled with ice." —Elise Bauer, Founder

  • One-Pot Taco Pasta

    Two Bowls of One-Pot Taco Pasta Topped With Sour Cream, Sliced Scallions and a Lime Wedge, and in the Surroundings, a Bowl With Lime Wedges, a Bowl With Sliced Green Onions, a Bowl With Sour Cream, Glasses With a Drink, and a Mustard Colored Table Napkin With a Pair of Silverware

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    "For more variety, you can also add 1 cup of frozen or drained canned corn or 1 1/2 cups drained black beans when you add the tomatoes, or stir in a 5-ounce bag of fresh baby spinach during the last minute of cooking." —Julie & Amy Luxemberg, Recipe Developers

    Continue to 5 of 15 below

  • Easy Green Chicken Chili

    A bowl of green chicken chili

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

    "You can certainly poach your own chicken for this if you want. If you do, use the poaching liquid to make a stock and then use that in the chili. You'll end up with a really rich and delicious soup." —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

  • My Dad's Favorite Meatloaf

    How to Make Meatloaf (Classic)

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    "Italian sausage makes a difference in this meatloaf recipe! We use a combination of spicy and sweet, but it you only have one, choose sweet Italian sausage." —Elise

  • My Uncle Oliver’s Spiced Roasted Potatoes

    A bowl of roasted potato pieces seasoned with spices, served with a spoon

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    "You can use freshly grated Parmesan cheese, but my Uncle Oliver’s version uses the shelf-stable Parmesan sold near the pasta; we call it “shaky cheese” in my house." —Lou Perseghin, Recipe Developer

  • Easy Chicken Pot Pie

    Overhead view of two bowls of chicken pot pie, forks and green drinking glasses on a marble countertop

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    "Use an equivalent volume of leftover shredded chicken or turkey (thighs or breasts are wonderful options) if you have it." —Lou Perseghin, Recipe Developer

    Continue to 9 of 15 below

  • Sweet and Creamy 4-Ingredient Beets

    Overhead shot of a plate with chopped pieces of beets over a creamy sauce, topped with sesame seedsOverhead shot of a plate with chopped pieces of beets in a creamy sauce, topped with sesame seeds

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    "You can substitute plain Greek yogurt for the sour cream, but you’ll want to use the full-fat version to get the same glazed finish. A single-serving tub is more than enough." —Lou Persehgin, Recipe Developer

  • Dad's Stuffed Bell Peppers

    Side view of three bell peppers stuffed with beef and rice.

    Simply Recipes

    "Look for medium to large bell peppers that will hold a decent amount of stuffing. Choose peppers that are more round than long and will stand up on their own and not teeter over once you've stuffed them." —Elise

  • Sheet Pan English Breakfast

    A tray of full English breakfast ready to serve and eat

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

    "Total cooking time is about 45 minutes with ingredients added to the sheet pan progressively. Ingredients can be grouped together or mixed; whichever feels easiest to you as you make the dish." —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

  • Air Fryer Cauliflower Buffalo Wings

    Air Fryer Cauliflower with Buffalo Sauce on a platter with dip and vegetable sticks.

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

    "Baking this cauliflower is absolutely an option. It takes longer and the cauliflower, honestly, doesn’t get quite as crispy, but it’ll work and turn out great." —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

    Continue to 13 of 15 below

  • One-Pan Chicken Fajita Pasta

    One-Pan Chicken Fajita Pasta in a pot with a hand scooping some with a wooden spoon, limes, napkins, salt on the side

    Simply Recipes / Sara Haas

    "For this recipe, it's important to choose your fajita seasoning wisely. The spice packet you choose matters because it will provide the predominant flavors of the dish, so pick one you like. If you’re unsure, grab a few and taste a tiny bit before committing." —Sara Haas, Recipe Developer

  • 5-Ingredient Soupy Toasts

    close up view of several Soupy Toasts on a parchment lined sheet pan

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

    "I love Gouda here for its nutty tang and beautiful browning, but use your family’s favorite melty cheese to make this more accessible. Havarti is fantastic. Swiss, muenster, or provolone will all work, too." —Lou Perseghin, Recipe Developer

  • Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

    Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

    Nick Evans / Simply Recipes

    "When simmering the sloppy joe mixture, make sure your heat is on low, so it doesn’t burn. It will thicken up as it cooks." —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

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