17 Go-To Dinners I Always Regret Not Making More Of
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Every time I make these dinners, they disappear faster than I expect and leave everyone wishing there was more. They’re easy to throw together, packed with flavor, and always hit that sweet note between comfort food and real-life convenience. If you’ve ever kicked yourself for not doubling a recipe, you’ll feel right at home here.
Honey Glazed Pork Chops

These honey-glazed pork chops are a constant in my dinner lineup, and yet I still act surprised when they vanish in minutes. The sweet, sticky glaze caramelizes into the most irresistible coating, and the pork always turns out juicy and tender. I’ve learned the hard way that one batch is never enough, especially when everyone’s eyeing seconds before they’ve finished their first bite.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Pork Chops
Italian Beef Sandwich
This Italian beef sandwich is one of those go-to dinners that I keep bringing back because it never gets old. The tender beef melts into the roll with every juicy bite, and by the time I sit down, I’m already wishing I had made double. Between the soft hoagie, melted cheese, and zing from the giardiniera, it vanishes faster than any other sandwich I make.
Get the Recipe: Italian Beef Sandwich
Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken
Slow cooker honey mustard chicken is the go-to dinner I make when I want flavor without any fuss, and I kick myself every time I don’t make more. It’s tangy, sweet, and insanely juicy, basically the meal that has everyone asking for seconds. I’ve learned the hard way that a single batch never lasts long around here.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken
Instant Pot Barbacoa
Every time I make this barbacoa, I remember why it’s one of my go-to dinners, but I never seem to make enough. It’s bold, tender, and perfect for stuffing into tacos or bowls, and somehow, there’s never any left for leftovers. Next time, I’m doubling the beef so I can finally have some for lunch the next day.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Barbacoa
Herb Crusted Chicken
Herb crusted chicken is one of my easy, reliable go-to dinners, and I never make enough of it. The crispy coating, juicy inside, and bold flavor are everything you want in a weeknight meal, and it’s gone before I’ve even finished cleaning up. I should know better by now and just make a double batch.
Get the Recipe: Herb Crusted Chicken
Rump Roast
This rump roast is my go-to when I want something hearty and hands-off, but every time I make it, I regret not adding an extra roast to the pot. It’s fall-apart tender and full of rich, herby flavor that makes even the leftovers feel special. I always plan to freeze some, but it gets eaten way too fast.
Get the Recipe: Rump Roast
Marry Me Chicken Skillet
Marry Me Chicken is one of those go-to dinners that turns an ordinary night into something special, and I always regret not doubling the recipe. The creamy garlic tomato sauce is so good, people practically lick their plates clean. It’s fast, it’s rich, and it’s always the first thing to disappear.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken Skillet
Baby Back Ribs
These baby back ribs are the go-to dinner that my family gets way too excited about, and I always regret not tossing in a second rack. Slow cooked to fall-off-the-bone perfection and glazed with sweet, sticky sauce, they’re the meal that leaves everyone licking their fingers and asking for more. Next time, I’m not holding back.
Get the Recipe: Baby Back Ribs
Sheet Pan Chicken
Sheet pan chicken is my weeknight superhero, fast, flavorful, and practically mess-free, but I always regret not doubling it. The roasted veggies soak up all that savory chicken flavor, and it’s one of the few meals that pleases everyone without a single complaint. I keep telling myself I’ll make more next time, and somehow I never do.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken
Air Fryer Pork Chops
These air fryer pork chops are a weeknight lifesaver, which is exactly why they’re one of my go-to dinners, but I always end up regretting not cooking a few more. They’re perfectly crisp on the outside, juicy inside, and ready in minutes. Honestly, I could eat them for days if I just made a bigger batch.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Chops
Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken
This slow cooker apricot chicken has become one of my favorite go-to dinners, and yet I always seem to run out too fast. The sauce is sweet, savory, and totally addictive, and the chicken turns out so juicy it basically falls apart. I keep thinking one batch is enough, then we all fight over the last spoonful.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken
Honey Mustard Salmon
Honey mustard salmon is one of my go-to dinners when I need something fast that still feels like a treat, and every single time, I end up kicking myself for not making more. The glaze is sweet and tangy with just enough bite, and it bakes into perfectly flaky salmon that somehow vanishes straight off the pan. I try to portion it out, but before I even sit down, it’s half gone, and everyone’s asking if there’s any left.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Salmon
One Pan Chicken Thighs
One pan chicken thighs are my weeknight lifesaver and such a go-to in my dinner rotation, but somehow I never make enough to have leftovers. The crispy veggies and juicy chicken always get rave reviews, and cleanup takes minutes. I’ve learned that just one pan is never enough when everyone’s coming back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: One Pan Chicken Thighs
Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon
Bacon-wrapped filet mignon is my go-to move when I want a dinner that feels like date night without all the work, and it’s so good, I always regret not doubling it. The bacon crisps up beautifully, the filet stays juicy and tender, and that buttery sear locks in every bit of flavor. I usually make just enough for two, and every single time, I wish I’d tossed in a couple more.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon
Pork Chops and Applesauce
These pork chops with applesauce are a go-to dinner I turn to when I want cozy, sweet-and-savory comfort, but I never seem to make enough. The buttery seared chops with warm homemade applesauce hit every nostalgic note, and they’re gone way too fast. Next time I’m doubling everything because the regrets hit hard when the plate’s empty.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops and Applesauce
Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Parmesan crusted chicken is one of those go-to dinners that never lets me down, crispy, cheesy, and ready in a flash. The golden crust turns plain chicken into something that tastes way fancier than it is, and somehow it disappears faster than anything else I make. I always think I’ll have enough for lunch the next day, but the plate gets cleaned before I can even pack a container.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker
This salsa chicken is one of those go-to slow cooker meals that tastes like it took hours, but comes together with almost no effort, and I always kick myself for not making extra. It’s bold, tangy, and super versatile, perfect for tacos, salads, or just eating by the forkful. I try to save some for later in the week, but it never makes it past day one.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken in Slow Cooker