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When hosting a springtime baby shower, bridal shower, picnic, or casual gathering, plan a menu with an assortment of finger foods and quick, easy appetizers to satisfy guests. Spring party appetizers like mini burgers, simple bruschetta, cream cheese shrimp cocktail, or an assortment of dips, paired with classic party appetizers such as baked Brie and deviled eggs. This roundup is packed with easy appetizers, including make-ahead recipes to help you prepare a beautiful and tasty spread.

Even with the rising cost of food, a satisfying meal doesn’t have to break the bank. This roundup of easy budget-friendly recipes includes hearty casseroles, skillet dinners, comforting pasta, and slow cooker favorites that will keep grocery costs low. When creating a meal plan, plan around what’s on sale in your store’s circular and coupons, and look at what you have in the pantry. Affordable grocery staples like ground beef, pasta, rice, canned beans, and potatoes can be turned into filling dinners that feed the whole family. These cheap dinner ideas make it easier to cook dinner for your family while keeping the grocery bill in budget.

Skillet meals are popular because they’re simple and make cleanup a breeze. A good skillet can go from the stovetop to the oven, making it perfect for everything from crispy fried chicken to baked desserts. Preparing a meal in a skillet helps to develop flavor, especially if using a cast iron skillet, because the pan will retain the heat, which creates wonderful browning, and adds flavor to dishes like meat, cornbread, and cobblers. In this roundup of easy skillet recipes, you’ll find easy meals, one-pan dinners, skillet breakfasts, and even cast iron desserts. Fewer pans, less clean up… that’s a win-win.