7 Ina Garten Recipes You’ll Want to Make Again and Again
Ina Garten, affectionately known as the Barefoot Contessa, is a household name for anyone who loves comforting, flavorful, and approachable food. Her recipes strike the perfect balance between elegance and simplicity, making them ideal for both everyday meals and special occasions. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or enjoying a cozy night at home, these 7 Ina Garten recipes showcase why she’s one of America’s most beloved home cooks.
In this guide, you’ll find a mix of her signature dishes — from decadent desserts to hearty mains — along with tips for making them perfectly every time.
1. Ina Garten’s Perfect Roast Chicken
If there’s one dish that defines Ina Garten’s cooking style, it’s her Perfect Roast Chicken. This recipe is simple, rustic, and absolutely packed with flavor.
Why it works: The chicken is stuffed with lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs, then roasted until golden and juicy. The combination of crispy skin and tender meat makes it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (about 4–5 pounds)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 lemon, halved
- 1 head garlic, cut in half crosswise
- Fresh thyme sprigs
- Olive oil or melted butter
- 1 large onion, thickly sliced
- Carrots and celery (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Pat chicken dry, season generously with salt and pepper inside and out.
- Stuff the cavity with lemon, garlic, and thyme.
- Tie the legs together with kitchen twine and tuck the wings under the body.
- Place onions (and optional carrots/celery) in a roasting pan, set chicken on top, and drizzle with olive oil or butter.
- Roast for 1 hour 15 minutes or until juices run clear.
- Rest for 15 minutes before carving.
Tip: Serve with pan juices and crusty bread for the ultimate comfort meal.
2. Barefoot Contessa’s Lemon Cake
Ina Garten’s Lemon Cake is the kind of dessert that makes you close your eyes after the first bite. Moist, tangy, and perfectly sweet, it’s a go-to for spring and summer gatherings.
Why it works: The fresh lemon zest and juice brighten the flavor, while a lemon syrup keeps the cake incredibly moist.
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Kosher salt
- Unsalted butter
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Lemon zest & juice
- Whole milk
- Confectioners’ sugar (for glaze)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two loaf pans.
- Cream butter and sugar until light. Add eggs, lemon zest, and juice.
- Mix dry ingredients separately, then combine with wet ingredients alternately with milk.
- Pour into pans and bake for 45–55 minutes.
- While warm, drizzle with lemon syrup. Once cooled, glaze with confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice.
Tip: This cake freezes beautifully, so make two and save one for later.
3. Ina Garten’s Beef Bourguignon
This French classic becomes approachable with Ina’s method. Beef Bourguignon is rich, hearty, and perfect for a cozy Sunday dinner.
Why it works: Ina layers flavors by searing the beef, caramelizing vegetables, and slowly simmering in red wine and beef broth.
Ingredients:
- Chuck beef, cubed
- Olive oil
- Carrots, sliced
- Yellow onions, diced
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Cognac (optional)
- Dry red wine
- Beef stock
- Tomato paste
- Fresh thyme
- Mushrooms, sautéed separately
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C).
- Brown beef cubes in olive oil, remove, and set aside.
- Sauté onions and carrots until softened. Add garlic for 1 minute.
- Deglaze with Cognac (if using), then add wine, stock, tomato paste, and thyme. Return beef to pot.
- Cover and cook in the oven for 2½–3 hours.
- Sauté mushrooms and add just before serving.
Tip: Serve with mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
4. Barefoot Contessa’s Mac and Cheese
Comfort food at its finest, Ina Garten’s Mac and Cheese is ultra-creamy with a crispy breadcrumb topping.
Why it works: The combination of Gruyère and sharp cheddar creates a complex, rich flavor that’s irresistible.
Ingredients:
- Elbow macaroni
- Butter
- All-purpose flour
- Whole milk
- Gruyère cheese, shredded
- Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- Salt, pepper, and nutmeg
- Fresh breadcrumbs
- Tomato slices (optional)
Directions:
- Cook pasta until just al dente.
- Make a roux with butter and flour, whisk in milk, and cook until thickened.
- Add cheeses, seasoning, and pasta.
- Pour into baking dish, top with breadcrumbs (and optional tomatoes).
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30–35 minutes.
Tip: Use fresh bread crumbs for the crispiest topping.
5. Ina Garten’s Tomato Basil Soup
Simple yet deeply flavorful, Tomato Basil Soup is a Barefoot Contessa favorite that’s perfect for lunch or a light dinner.
Why it works: Roasting the tomatoes concentrates their flavor, and fresh basil adds brightness.
Ingredients:
- Roma tomatoes, halved
- Olive oil
- Yellow onions, chopped
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Chicken or vegetable stock
- Fresh basil leaves
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Directions:
- Roast tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper at 400°F (200°C) for 40 minutes.
- In a pot, sauté onions and garlic. Add roasted tomatoes and stock.
- Simmer for 20 minutes, then blend until smooth.
- Stir in fresh basil and season to taste.
Tip: Pair with grilled cheese for the ultimate comfort combo.
6. Barefoot Contessa’s Chocolate Cake
Ina Garten’s Beatty’s Chocolate Cake is legendary. Moist, rich, and intensely chocolatey, it’s the ultimate dessert for chocolate lovers.
Why it works: The secret is brewed coffee in the batter, which deepens the chocolate flavor without making it taste like coffee.
Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Cocoa powder
- Baking soda & powder
- Salt
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Buttermilk
- Vegetable oil
- Vanilla extract
- Hot brewed coffee
- Chocolate frosting (Ina’s buttercream)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two round cake pans.
- Mix dry ingredients, then add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla.
- Slowly stir in hot coffee until smooth.
- Divide batter between pans and bake 30–35 minutes.
- Cool completely before frosting.
Tip: This cake tastes even better the next day.
7. Ina Garten’s Shrimp Scampi
Quick, flavorful, and elegant, Shrimp Scampi is a Barefoot Contessa weeknight favorite.
Why it works: The combination of garlic, lemon, butter, and white wine creates a luscious sauce that clings perfectly to pasta.
Ingredients:
- Large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Olive oil and butter
- Garlic, minced
- Dry white wine
- Lemon juice and zest
- Red pepper flakes
- Fresh parsley
- Linguine or spaghetti
Directions:
- Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve some cooking water.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter, add garlic, and cook for 1 minute.
- Add shrimp, season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, and cook until pink.
- Deglaze with white wine, add lemon juice and zest.
- Toss pasta in the sauce, adding reserved water if needed. Garnish with parsley.
Tip: Use fresh, high-quality shrimp for the best flavor.
Final Thoughts on These 7 Ina Garten Recipes
From a simple Perfect Roast Chicken to the decadent Beatty’s Chocolate Cake, these 7 Ina Garten recipes prove that great food doesn’t have to be complicated. Each recipe embodies her philosophy: use fresh, quality ingredients, and don’t be afraid to enjoy the cooking process.
Whether you’re a beginner home cook or a seasoned foodie, these dishes are sure to become staples in your kitchen. As Ina herself would say — “How easy is that?”
