80 No-Cook Recipes You Can Make in Record Time
Updated: Feb. 15, 2023These quick, easy, no-cook recipes are perfect for budding chefs. Find delicious ideas for main dishes, sides, appetizers, salads and desserts.
Ham Salad
I first made this ham salad recipe for a shower, and everyone raved about it. Now when I go to a potluck, I take it—along with copies of the recipe. —Patricia Reed, Pine Bluff, AR
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California Roll Wraps
I love the California rolls I get at sushi restaurants and wanted to capture those flavors in a sandwich I could take to work. I started with the standard ingredients, added a few others and came up with a hit. —Mary Pax-Shipley, Bend, OR
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Caprese Salad
My husband and I love Caprese salad, but not the high prices we pay for it in restaurants. Here, we created our own version, which tastes incredibly close, if not better, than any restaurant version we’ve tried. —Melissa Pearson, Sandy, UT
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Strawberry-Banana Yogurt Smoothies
This frosty strawberry-banana smoothie with yogurt is a delightful way to get a substantial dose of nutrients early in the day. Frozen strawberries combine with banana to keep these frosty smoothies extra thick. —Christy Adkins, Martinez, GA
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Fruity Chicken Salad Pitas
I found this handwritten recipe tucked inside an old community cookbook I bought more than 40 years ago. I made a few changes over the years to suit my family’s tastes. —Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, NY
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Cucumbers with Dill
Sprinkling cucumber slices with salt and letting them stand in a colander draws out excess water so they stay crisp when set on a barbecue buffet. Try this cucumber-dill salad alongside any grilled entree. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Peanut Butter Whipped Cream Frosting
A luscious peanut butter whipped cream frosting is just a few ingredients away. Try it piped over your favorite chocolate cupcakes or dolloped onto hot chocolate. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Club Roll-Ups
Packed with meat, cheese and olives, these roll-ups are always a hit at parties. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Bok Choy Toss
Chop some fresh veggies, add a gingery bottled dressing and savor this unique bok choy salad that’s big on flavor and crunch. How cool is that? —Andrew McDowell, Lake Villa, IL
Pineapple Chicken Salad Sandwiches
These sandwiches are always welcome at lunchtime around our house. Sweet pineapple and crunchy pecans are nice additions to ordinary chicken salad. —Carol Alexander, Midland, MI
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Herbed Feta Dip
Guests can’t get enough of this thick, zesty dip that bursts with fresh Mediterranean flavor. The feta cheese and fresh mint complement each other beautifully, creating the perfect sidekick for crunchy carrots, toasted pita chips, sliced baguettes or any other dipper you fancy. —Rebecca Ray, Chicago
Italian Tomato Cucumber Salad
This yummy medley of vegetables is a cool complement to zesty dishes like my fish, and also barbecued meats and poultry. —Florine Bruns, Fredericksburg, TX
Breakfast Parfaits
The combination of pineapple, raspberries and banana in these yogurt treats makes a bright and cheerful morning breakfast. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
PB&J Bites
These PB&J bites are fun to make and fun to eat! For a change of pace, replace the jam with Nutella and the rolled oats with sugar or crushed puffed rice cereal. —Kelly Ward, Stratford, Ontario
Guinness Float
That very first sip of a Guinness is what inspired this quick and easy dessert. The rich, creamy foam that gathers on the top of a freshly poured draft made me think of vanilla ice cream. At that point, I knew I had to combine the two in a Guinness float. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
Antipasto Skewers
This elegant-looking appetizer is quick and easy to make. It’s perfect for dinner parties, cocktail parties and everything in between! —Amanda Dekrey, Fargo, ND
Peanut Butter, Apple and Raisin Sandwich
Tart, sweet and crunchy, these open-faced sammies are a perfect after-school (or after-work) snack. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
Tropical Berry Smoothies
This fruity, healthy smoothie is a big hit with kids and adults alike because it tastes like a treat and still delivers the vitamins. The recipe is easy to increase based on the number of people you’ll be serving. —Hillary Engler, Cape Girardeau, MO
Shrimp and Cucumber Canapes
These cute stacks really stand out in a holiday appetizer buffet. Tasty, cool and crunchy, they come together in a snap. —Ashley Nochlin, Port St. Lucie, FL
Peanut Butter, Krispies and Chocolate Sandwich
This crispy, chocolatey sandwich is like a Saturday-morning cartoon cereal without the bowl. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
Champion Roast Beef Sandwiches
When I have time, I like to prepare a roast with this much-requested recipe in mind. But when I need a quick meal in a hurry, I use deli roast beef with delicious results. —Taste of Home Reader
Dreamy Fruit Dip
Everyone will love this thick cream cheese fruit dip. Serve it alongside apple wedges, pineapple chunks, strawberries and grapes. —Anna Beiler, Strasburg, PA
Zippy Curry Dip
Everyone eats their vegetables when this creamy dip is served alongside them. The curry flavor gets stronger the longer the dip stands, so I like to make it in advance. —Priscilla Steffke, Wausau, WI
Hummus & Veggie Wrap-Up
I had a vegan wrap that was similar to this once when I stopped at a diner while on a long and arduous walk. I enjoyed it so much that I modified it to my own taste and now have it for lunch on a regular basis. Everyone at work wants to know how to make it. —Michael Steffens, Indianapolis
Cucumber Party Sandwiches
This is one of my favorite appetizers. We have lots of pig roasts here in Kentucky, and these small sandwiches are perfect to serve while the pig is roasting. —Rebecca Rose, Mount Washington, KY
Caprese Salad Kabobs
Trade in the usual veggie platter for these fun kabobs. In addition to preparing these for get-togethers, I often make them as snacks for my family. And because assembly is so easy, the kids often ask to help. —Christine Mitchell, Glendora, CA
Beer Dip
Ranch dressing mix flavors this easy dip packed with shredded cheese. It’s perfect paired with pretzels. Be forewarned, though—it’s hard to stop eating once you’ve started! The beer cheese dip can be made with any type of beer, including nonalcoholic. I’ve taken it to many parties, and I’m always asked for the recipe. —Michelle Long, New Castle, CO
Creamy Pineapple Pie
Creamy pineapple pie is a light and refreshing dessert that’s quick to make and impressive to serve. This is one of our favorite ways to complete a summer meal. —Sharon Bickett, Chester, SC
Pay Dirt Cake
With layers of crushed chocolate sandwich cookies and creamy filling, this is definitely a rich dessert. You can decorate the top with a few wrapped chocolate coins. —Betty Jean Jordan, Monticello, GA
Cool & Crunchy Chicken Salad
When the weather sizzles, get your chill on with a cool chicken salad. Mine uses grapes, pecans and celery for that signature crunch. —Sarah Smiley, Bangor, ME
Fruity Peanut Butter Pitas
My kids ask for these pita sandwiches all the time. They haven’t noticed that as good as they taste, they’re also good for them. —Kim Holmes, Emerald Park, Saskatchewan
Lemony Garbanzo Salad
Everybody goes for this super fresh salad with cumin-coriander dressing, especially on warm days. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, CA
Nuts and Seeds Trail Mix
A filling blend of nuts, seeds, chocolate chips and dried fruit keeps you healthy by the handful. —Kristin Rimkus, Snohomish, WA
Rise and Shine Parfait
Start your day with a smile. This fruit, yogurt and granola parfait is so easy to make. If you like, use whatever favorite fresh fruits are in season and are looking best at the supermarket. —Diana Laskaris, Chicago
Lemon Meringue Floats
I actually dreamed of this float idea one night and woke up knowing I needed to make it. Thank you, Mr. Sandman! —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, PA
Peanut Butter Granola Pinwheels
I came across this easy and tasty snack while searching online for healthy munchies for kids. Great for after school, it’s really quick to make and filling enough to hold the kids until dinner. To satisfy heftier appetites or to serve as a power lunch, cut each tortilla into fewer pieces or provide one per child. The recipe is easy to increase as needed. —Mary Haluch, Ludlow, MA
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