10+ Barefoot Contessa Recipes for Easy Entertaining

If you love cooking and entertaining, exploring Barefoot Contessa recipes can inspire you in the kitchen. These recipes offer a mix of simplicity and elegance, making it easy for you to impress your guests or enjoy a delightful meal at home. With a variety of options, from appetizers to desserts, you can find something for every occasion.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced cook, these recipes provide clear instructions that make cooking feel enjoyable. You’ll find flavors that are comforting and sophisticated, perfect for gatherings or a cozy night in. Dive into the world of Barefoot Contessa and discover how simple ingredients can create memorable dishes.

1) Orange Marmalade–Glazed Ham

The Orange Marmalade–Glazed Ham is a delightful dish that combines sweet and tangy flavors. This recipe is perfect for special occasions or holiday dinners.

To get started, you’ll need a bone-in ham. The glaze mixes orange marmalade, mustard, and brown sugar for a delicious topping. You will love how easy it is to make this.

As the ham bakes, the glaze caramelizes, creating a beautiful crust. The aroma fills your kitchen, making everyone eager to dig in.

Ingredients

• 1 bone-in ham
• 1 cup orange marmalade
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup mustard
• Optional: pineapple juice

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. In a bowl, mix orange marmalade, brown sugar, and mustard.
3. Apply the glaze over the ham.
4. Bake the ham for about 1 hour.
5. Baste with the glaze every 20 minutes.

2) Creamy Potato Fennel Soup

This Creamy Potato Fennel Soup is a comforting dish that brings together the smoothness of potatoes and the unique flavor of fennel. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner or a gathering with friends.

To start, you’ll need to heat some olive oil and butter in a pot. Then, add your chopped onions and cook until they soften.

Next, you’ll mix in diced potatoes and sliced fennel. Once everything is combined, add chicken stock and seasonings.

Let it simmer until the potatoes are tender. Finally, blend the mixture until creamy and smooth. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil and crunchy croutons for extra texture.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups sliced yellow onions
• 1 ½ pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
• 5 cups chicken stock
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 ½ cups sliced fennel

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil and butter in a pot over medium-low heat.
2. Add onions and cook until soft.
3. Stir in diced potatoes and sliced fennel.
4. Pour in chicken stock and season as desired.
5. Simmer until potatoes are tender.
6. Blend the soup until smooth.
7. Serve warm with olive oil and croutons.

3) Grown Up Mac and Cheese

Grown Up Mac and Cheese is a delicious twist on a classic dish. You create a creamy mixture that includes several types of cheese, giving the meal a rich flavor. The addition of crispy bacon adds a nice crunch.

You can use cheeses like cheddar, Roquefort, and Gruyère for depth. Fresh herbs enhance the taste, making it comforting and special. This dish is perfect for a cozy dinner or a night in with friends.

Ingredients

• 4 cups elbow macaroni or cavatappi
• 4 slices white sandwich bread
• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 4 ounces Gruyère cheese, grated
• 4 ounces Roquefort cheese, crumbled
• 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the macaroni according to package directions; drain.
3. In a pot, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
4. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Cook until thickened.
5. Stir in all cheeses, bacon, salt, and pepper.
6. Combine the macaroni with the cheese sauce. Transfer to a baking dish.
7. Top with breadcrumbs and bake for 25–30 minutes until golden. Enjoy!

4) New Potato Salad

New Potato Salad is a classic dish that’s perfect for gatherings. Using small red potatoes gives it a tasty twist. You’ll love how easy it is to prepare.

For this recipe, you’ll need mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and buttermilk to create a creamy dressing. Toss in some fresh herbs for added flavor. This salad works well as a side dish or a light main course.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds small red potatoes
• Kosher salt
• 1 cup good mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
2. Drain and let them cool slightly.
3. Cut the potatoes into halves or quarters.
4. In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, buttermilk, and mustards.
5. Combine the potatoes with the dressing and stir gently.
6. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

5) Penne with Five Cheeses

Penne with Five Cheeses is a delicious and comforting dish you can make at home. It combines a creamy sauce with five different cheeses, creating a rich flavor that is hard to resist.

The cheeses used include ricotta, fontina, mozzarella, Gorgonzola, and Pecorino Romano. This mix gives the pasta a wonderful texture and taste.

To make this dish, you’ll first cook the penne until it’s just right. Then mix it with the cheeses and a bit of heavy cream for a rich sauce.

It’s like grown-up mac and cheese! Serve it warm, and enjoy every bite.

Ingredients

• 1 pound penne pasta
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup fontina cheese
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup Gorgonzola cheese
• 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano cheese
• Kosher salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Boil water, and cook the penne for about 4 minutes.
3. Drain the pasta and place it in a mixing bowl.
4. Add the heavy cream and crushed tomatoes.
5. Mix in all the cheeses.
6. Toss everything together until well combined.
7. Transfer to a baking dish and bake for 30 minutes.

6) Lemon Meringue Tart

Lemon Meringue Tart is a delightful dessert that balances sweet and tangy flavors perfectly. This treat features a buttery tart shell filled with creamy lemon curd and topped with fluffy meringue.

To start, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare your tart shell by mixing flour, sugar, and butter until crumbly. Press the mixture into a tart pan and bake for about 10 minutes.

Once the shell cools, you will make the lemon curd. Combine fresh lemon juice, sugar, butter, and egg yolks in a saucepan. Stir until smooth and thickened.

Now prepare the meringue by beating egg whites until peaks form. Spread the meringue over the lemon filling and bake for another 10 minutes until golden.

Ingredients

• For the tart shell:

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup sugar

• For the lemon curd:

  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 egg yolks

• For the meringue:

  • 4 egg whites
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix flour, sugar, and butter to form the tart shell.
3. Press into a tart pan and bake for 10 minutes.
4. Combine lemon juice, sugar, butter, and egg yolks for the curd.
5. Stir until thickened and pour into the baked shell.
6. Beat egg whites with cream of tartar until peaks form.
7. Spread meringue over the lemon filling.
8. Bake for another 10 minutes until golden.

7) Blue Cheese Burgers

Blue cheese burgers are a delicious twist on a classic favorite. They combine the creamy, tangy flavor of blue cheese with juicy beef patties. You can impress your family and friends with this easy recipe.

To start, you mix ground beef with steak sauce and egg yolks. This adds flavor and helps the burgers stay juicy. Don’t forget to add some salt and pepper for taste.

Cook the burgers for about 4 minutes on one side. Then flip them over and cook for another 3 minutes for a nice medium-rare finish.

Now, let’s get to the ingredients!

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground chuck
• 1 pound ground sirloin
• 3 tablespoons steak sauce
• 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 to 10 hamburger buns
• Blue cheese for topping

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix meats, steak sauce, egg yolks, salt, and pepper.
2. Shape the mixture into patties.
3. Heat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Cook the patties for 4 minutes on one side.
5. Flip the patties and cook for another 3 minutes.
6. Top with blue cheese and serve on buns.

8) Shrimp with Linguine

Linguine with shrimp is a delicious dish that’s easy to prepare. You can enjoy tender shrimp with a light, garlicky sauce over pasta. It’s perfect for a family dinner or a cozy night in.

Start by cooking your linguine in a large pot of boiling salted water. This usually takes about 7 to 10 minutes, depending on the package instructions.

While the pasta cooks, you can prepare the shrimp. In a separate skillet, heat some olive oil and sauté garlic. Add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice for flavor.

Once done, mix everything together with the cooked linguine.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces linguine
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil salted water and cook the linguine for 7 to 10 minutes.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
4. Add the shrimp and cook until pink, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Squeeze lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
6. Toss the shrimp mixture with the cooked linguine.

9) Barbecued Chicken

Barbecued chicken is a delicious meal that is perfect for gatherings or family dinners. You can achieve juicy, flavorful chicken with a homemade barbecue sauce.

Start by marinating your chicken in the sauce for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator. This helps the flavors soak in deeply.

When you’re ready to cook, heat your grill to medium heat, about 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken on the grill, skin side down. Cook for about 45 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Brush additional barbecue sauce on the chicken as it cooks to enhance the flavor. The result is tender meat with crispy skin that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

• 2 whole chickens
• Barbecue sauce
• 1 large yellow onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup tomato paste (10 ounces)
• 1 cup cider vinegar

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate chicken in barbecue sauce for a few hours or overnight.
2. Heat the grill to 350°F (175°C).
3. Place chicken on the grill, skin side down.
4. Cook for 45 minutes, turning occasionally.
5. Brush with extra sauce during cooking.
6. Serve and enjoy!

10) Chicken with Goat Cheese & Basil

This dish is simple yet impressive. You will love the combination of juicy chicken, creamy goat cheese, and fresh basil.

Start with boneless chicken breasts, skin on for added flavor. You’ll need about 8 to 10 ounces of garlic-and-herb goat cheese. Six large basil leaves will add a fresh touch.

Drizzle some good olive oil on the chicken. Sprinkle with kosher salt for seasoning.

To cook, stuff goat cheese and basil under the skin of the chicken. Roast in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) until cooked through.

The result is a flavorful meal that feels special without too much effort.

Ingredients

• 6 boneless chicken breasts (skin on)
• 8 to 10 ounces garlic-and-herb goat cheese
• 6 large fresh basil leaves
• Good olive oil
• Kosher salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Drizzle olive oil on chicken breasts.
3. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
4. Stuff goat cheese and basil under the chicken skin.
5. Then, roast in the oven until the chicken is cooked through.