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Unveiling An Affair from the Heart’s Top 10 Most Popular Recipes of 2017: Your Favorites Revealed!

It’s that exciting time of the year again at An Affair from the Heart – our annual Year in Review! We’re thrilled to look back and celebrate what truly captivated your taste buds and kitchens in 2017. This collection highlights the absolute favorite recipes that you, our wonderful readers, loved and shared the most throughout the year. It’s a fantastic journey through the flavors that defined our culinary adventures, reflecting the diverse preferences and cooking styles of our amazing community.

As we compiled this highly anticipated list of the year’s best, one revelation stood out: there wasn’t a single dessert in the top ten! This was quite a surprise, as sweet treats usually hold a prominent place in our reader favorites. You’d have to venture down to spots 13, 14, and 15 to find a dessert making an appearance. But fear not, sweet tooth enthusiasts! Those delightful recipes certainly deserve their spotlight. If you’re craving something sweet, make sure to indulge in my Old Fashioned Strawberry Icebox Cake, my rich Eggnog Fudge, and the comforting Depression Cake. However, our top ten for 2017 showcased a delightful balance, with an almost 50/50 split between hearty main dishes and irresistible appetizers. Are you ready to discover which culinary creations earned the most love? Let’s count them down!

10. Effortless Weeknight Delight: Stuffed Pepper Skillet

This Stuffed Pepper Skillet captures all the robust, comforting flavors of traditional stuffed peppers, but with significantly less effort! It’s an ideal one-pan meal, ready to be served hot from the skillet, optionally topped with your favorite melted cheese for an extra layer of indulgence.

Kicking off our countdown at number 10 is the incredible Stuffed Pepper Skillet, a testament to how simple yet satisfying home cooking can be. This recipe transforms the classic labor-intensive stuffed pepper into an easy-to-prepare weeknight dinner, perfect for busy families. Imagine tender ground meat, rice, and vibrant bell peppers, all simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce, creating a symphony of flavors that evoke childhood memories. The beauty of this skillet meal lies in its ability to deliver authentic taste without the fuss of individual stuffing and baking. It’s hearty, wholesome, and incredibly versatile; you can easily adapt it with different types of ground meat or your preferred vegetables. Whether you’re looking for a cozy comfort food or a speedy supper, this Stuffed Pepper Skillet proves that delicious doesn’t have to mean complicated.

9. Irresistible Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper BBQ Ribs

These Boneless Country Style Pork Ribs are a marvel of simplicity and flavor. Slowly cooked in the unique sweetness of Dr. Pepper, they become incredibly tender before being baked to achieve that perfect caramelized Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce. With only 3 ingredients, this recipe makes gourmet-level ribs accessible to everyone!

Coming in strong at number 9 are the legendary Dr. Pepper BBQ Ribs, a recipe that consistently delights. This dish is a game-changer for anyone craving fall-off-the-bone ribs without the hassle of a smoker or grill. The magic happens in your slow cooker, where boneless country-style pork ribs are gently braised in Dr. Pepper, infusing them with a subtle, sweet, and tangy flavor. A quick finish in the oven caramelizes the sauce, creating an irresistible sticky glaze that’s finger-licking good. It’s an incredibly simple recipe, requiring just three ingredients, yet it produces a depth of flavor that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Perfect for a family dinner or casual entertaining, these ribs are guaranteed to become a household favorite and are a testament to creative, easy cooking.

8. The Ultimate Party Starter: Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs

These Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs are the perfect appetizer for any gathering! Each flavorful meatball is stacked high with all the beloved ingredients of a deluxe bacon cheeseburger, making them an instant crowd-pleaser and a miniature meal in themselves.

At number 8, we have an appetizer that brilliantly merges two comfort food classics: Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs. This clever recipe takes all the iconic flavors of a juicy bacon cheeseburger and condenses them into bite-sized, incredibly satisfying meatballs. Imagine savory ground beef seasoned perfectly, studded with crispy bacon bits, and topped with melty cheese, perhaps a pickle slice, and a drizzle of your favorite burger sauce. They’re undeniably addictive and make for a spectacular party appetizer or a fun twist on dinner. Whether you’re hosting a game day gathering, a casual get-together, or just want to treat your family to something special, these meatballs are a guaranteed hit that will have everyone reaching for more. Their miniature size makes them ideal for dipping and mingling, ensuring they’re always the first to disappear from the platter.

7. Sweet & Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken: A Flavor Sensation

This easy Sweet & Spicy Bacon Chicken recipe is designed to impress and satisfy! Featuring succulent chicken pieces wrapped in savory bacon, then baked or grilled to perfection in about 30 minutes, it offers a delightful balance of slightly spicy and sweet flavors that will have your family begging for seconds.

Landing at number 7 is the incredibly popular Sweet & Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken, a recipe that perfectly balances bold flavors with effortless preparation. This dish is a culinary delight, featuring tender pieces of chicken seasoned to perfection, then lovingly wrapped in savory bacon. The magic truly happens when it’s baked or grilled, transforming into a symphony of crispy, juicy textures and a harmonious blend of sweet and spicy notes. What makes this recipe a standout is its quick cooking time – ready in about 30 minutes – making it an ideal choice for a weeknight dinner when you want something impressive without the fuss. It’s versatile enough for a family meal or elegant enough to serve to guests, ensuring satisfied smiles all around. The sweet-spicy glaze paired with the salty bacon creates an unforgettable flavor profile that keeps readers coming back for more.

6. Innovative Philly Cheese Steak Stuffed Peppers

Experience a fun and incredibly delicious twist on traditional stuffed peppers with this recipe! We’ve transformed your favorite Philly cheesesteak sandwich into a vibrant, bell pepper vessel, packed with tender sliced roast beef, caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, and gooey melted cheese. It’s all the flavor you love, reimagined for a satisfying meal.

Securing the number 6 spot is a truly inspired creation: Philly Cheese Steak Stuffed Peppers. This recipe takes the beloved flavors of the iconic Philly cheesesteak sandwich and ingeniously reimagines them within the wholesome embrace of bell peppers. Forget the bread; here, vibrant peppers are generously filled with succulent sliced roast beef, perfectly caramelized onions, earthy mushrooms, and a generous blanket of melty cheese. It’s a lower-carb, equally satisfying alternative that doesn’t compromise on flavor. This dish offers all the cheesy, savory goodness you crave from a classic cheesesteak, presented in an exciting and nutritious way. It’s a fantastic main course that’s both comforting and gourmet, perfect for anyone looking to add a creative twist to their dinner rotation or simply enjoy their favorite sandwich in a new, exciting format.

We’re halfway through our exciting countdown of An Affair from the Heart’s most beloved recipes of 2017! How are you enjoying the journey so far? Have any of your personal favorites made it onto our top 10 list, or perhaps sparked new culinary inspiration? I always love hearing from you, so please feel free to share which dishes you’ve tried and adored, or what you hope to see in future recipe roundups. As we gear up for the highly anticipated top 5, get ready for even more crowd-pleasing meals and irresistible appetizers that truly captured the hearts (and stomachs!) of readers throughout the year. The excitement is building – let’s dive into the cream of the crop!

5. Comforting Classic: Salisbury Steak Meatballs

These Salisbury Steak Meatballs represent comfort food at its absolute finest. Indulge in perfectly seasoned, tender meatballs enveloped in their own luscious, rich mushroom gravy, traditionally served over a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes for a truly satisfying meal.

Breaking into our top 5, at number 5, is a timeless comfort food reimagined: Salisbury Steak Meatballs. This dish takes all the classic, savory flavors of Salisbury steak – typically a ground beef patty – and transforms them into convenient, incredibly tender meatballs. Each meatball is perfectly seasoned and browned, then simmered in a deeply flavorful, rich mushroom gravy that’s simply irresistible. Served over a mound of creamy mashed potatoes, this meal is the epitome of home cooking, offering warmth and satisfaction with every bite. It’s a nostalgic dish that evokes feelings of cozy family dinners, yet it’s easy enough for any weeknight. The Salisbury Steak Meatballs proved to be a resounding success, offering a hearty, flavorful main course that’s both familiar and wonderfully comforting, making it a firm favorite among our readers.

4. The Secret to Restaurant-Quality Refried Beans: How To

Unlock the secret to transforming a humble can of refried beans into a side dish that rivals your favorite Mexican restaurant’s offerings, all in a matter of minutes! This simple “how-to” guide is a game-changer for homemade Mexican feasts.

At number 4, we have a wonderfully practical and immensely popular “How To” guide: Make Refried Beans Taste Like a Restaurant’s. This isn’t a recipe for a main dish, but rather a brilliant kitchen hack that resonated deeply with readers seeking to elevate their homemade Mexican meals. The secret lies in a few simple additions and techniques that take canned refried beans from ordinary to extraordinary, mimicking the rich, savory depth you find at your favorite Mexican eatery. It’s a quick, budget-friendly tip that makes a huge difference, proving that sometimes the simplest adjustments yield the most impressive results. This guide empowers home cooks to achieve authentic flavor effortlessly, making it a staple for taco nights, enchilada feasts, or simply as a delicious side dish. Its popularity underscores the desire for easy ways to enhance everyday ingredients.

3. The Addictive {Award Winning} Crack Dip

This dip truly lives up to its name – it’s deliciously addictive! A creamy base with just the right touch of heat from jalapeños, bursting with vibrant flavors from MexiCorn and fresh green onions. This award-winning appetizer is consistently the first thing to disappear at every party, a testament to its undeniable appeal!

Holding the coveted number 3 spot is none other than the {Award Winning} Crack Dip – a name that perfectly describes its irresistibly addictive nature. This dip is a vibrant explosion of flavors and textures, combining a creamy base with a subtle kick from jalapeños, and packed with the sweetness of MexiCorn and the freshness of green onions. It’s the kind of appetizer that disappears almost as soon as it’s set out, earning its “award-winning” title for a reason! Perfect for parties, game nights, or casual gatherings, this dip is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that guests will rave about long after the event. Its harmonious blend of savory, spicy, and fresh elements makes it incredibly versatile and universally loved. Once you try this Crack Dip, you’ll understand why it earned such a high spot among the year’s most popular recipes.

2. Hearty & Flavorful: Texas Trash Dip a.k.a. Warm Bean Dip

Indulge in this incredibly creamy bean dip, absolutely packed with robust flavors and generously topped with an array of ooey-gooey, perfectly melted cheese. Baked until golden and bubbly, this Texas Trash Dip (or Warm Bean Dip) reaches dipping perfection. It’s so hearty and satisfying, you could easily make a meal out of this delightful appetizer!

Just missing the top spot, at number 2, is the legendary Texas Trash Dip, affectionately known as Warm Bean Dip. This hearty and incredibly satisfying appetizer is a staple for any gathering, famous for its rich flavors and irresistible cheesy topping. Picture a creamy, savory bean base, generously seasoned and loaded with ingredients that create a truly robust profile. Then, it’s blanketed with a magnificent layer of ooey-gooey melted cheese and baked until bubbly and golden brown. This dip is so substantial and flavorful that many readers confess they could (and often do!) make a meal out of it. It’s perfect for scooping with tortilla chips, crackers, or even vegetable sticks, offering a warm, comforting, and utterly delicious experience that makes it a consistent hit at any party or family night. Its widespread appeal is no surprise, given its irresistible taste and satisfying texture.

1. The Uncontested Champion: Dill Pickle Dip

If you adore those classic dill pickle wraps made with cream cheese and dried beef, then this Dill Pickle Dip is about to become your new obsession! It captures all the tangy, savory, and creamy goodness in an easy-to-share dip format, guaranteed to bring a grin from ear to ear with every scoop.

And now, the moment you’ve been waiting for! The number 1 most popular recipe of 2017 on An Affair from the Heart is… Dill Pickle Dip! This unique and incredibly flavorful dip took the internet by storm and captured the hearts of countless readers. If you’re a fan of those classic dill pickle wraps, with their tangy pickles, creamy cheese, and savory dried beef, then this dip is an absolute dream come true. It brilliantly translates all those beloved flavors into a delightful, scoopable dip that’s perfect for any occasion. The combination of creamy goodness with the sharp, briny tang of dill pickles creates an utterly addictive snack that’s both refreshing and satisfying. Its unexpected yet harmonious flavor profile makes it a conversation starter and a guaranteed favorite at parties, proving that sometimes the most unconventional ideas become the most beloved. Congratulations to Dill Pickle Dip for being the reigning champion of 2017!

As we conclude our delightful look back at the most cherished recipes of 2017, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you. Your unwavering support for An Affair from the Heart, through your visits, comments, shares, and recipe creations, means more to me than words can express. It’s your enthusiasm and engagement that truly fuels this culinary journey, inspiring me to continuously explore new flavors and share my passion for food. Seeing which recipes resonated most with you this past year is incredibly insightful and motivates me to curate even more delicious, accessible, and memorable dishes for the future.

Thank you for making 2017 such a wonderfully flavorful year. I am eagerly looking forward to another fantastic year of cooking and sharing in 2018, filled with fresh ideas, comforting classics, and many more opportunities to connect through the joy of food. Be sure to stay tuned for what promises to be another exciting year of culinary adventures right here on An Affair from the Heart!