Air Fryer Burrito

I’m looking back at what worked and what didn’t for dinner this year.

Spaghetti pie vs. meat sauce

Instant pot spaghetti with meat sauce is a recipe I make regularly. It’s very easy, can be customized, and comes together quickly on a weeknight. I decided to try making spaghetti pie for a change, which is basically the same thing but cooked separately and then assembled in a pie dish. It was okay, but not worth the extra effort.

Zoodles vs. noodles

I’ve really tried to love zoodles, I swear. I spiralized zucchini after zucchini last summer. And there is something satisfying about how crunchy and flavorful they are after just five minutes in a pan with some sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. But noodles still win every time, especially chickpea pasta mac and cheese (usually Banza). And Rice Ramen bowls with tofu, broccoli, and globs of peanut sauce. Bonus gluten-free egg roll from Feel Good Foods.

Instant pot soups vs. stews

This is a tough one, because I’ve had some delicious soups this year. But my perfect meal, while saucy, is substantial. I can’t wait to make chickpea tikka masala again. I make Best Ever Instant Pot Beef Stew at least once a year. Instant pot mushroom risotto is also both creamy and filling. That said, there’s a magic to Instant Pot French onion soup that makes it perfect for a chilly evening (especially with subbing apple cider for the red wine and an Against the Grain baguette).