Unveiling An Affair from the Heart’s Top 10 Recipes of 2020: A Culinary Reflection of a Truly Unforgettable Year

Every year, I eagerly anticipate looking back at the most popular recipes, and 2020 was no exception. It’s fascinating how our culinary choices so accurately mirror the times we live in, and this past year provided a clear and compelling testament to that. From pantry staples to comforting classics and even a few solutions for newfound stresses, the recipes you loved the most truly tell a story. Are you curious to discover which dishes topped the charts as An Affair from the Heart’s Top 10 Recipes of 2020? Let’s dive in and explore the flavors that defined a unique year!

 

Cheers to the End of 2020: An Affair from the Heart’s Top 10 Recipes

Welcome to my annual year-in-review post. What a journey 2020 was! Typically, I share the top ten recipes with a brief overview, and that’s it. However, this year felt different, so I decided to offer a little more context. While it’s unlikely any of us will ever truly forget 2020, I wanted to capture some of its defining moments—especially the unexpected “high points” and the valuable lessons learned. (And perhaps, metaphorically, give the challenging moments a swift kick out the door!) This retrospective helps me reflect, and I hope it resonates with you too.

 

My Year in Review: Navigating 2020 with a Dash of Optimism

Like many, I ushered in 2020 with immense optimism. As the clock struck midnight, marking not just a new year but a new decade, I felt a fresh wave of determination. I made promises to myself, vowing to make it better than 2019. I truly believed this year was destined for exciting new beginnings and adventures.

My plans were ambitious—I had *lots* of them. This was supposed to be my year for extensive travel. Trips were meticulously planned and booked: California, Chicago, the Caribbean, Salt Lake City, Baltimore, Nashville, Denver, and Phoenix. These weren’t just vacations; they included conferences to grow my business, concerts to enjoy, much-needed R&R, opportunities to reconnect with friends and loved ones, and chances to explore new places and create lasting memories. I envisioned myself working remotely from beautiful locations, taking full advantage of the flexibility my career offers. Alas, I only made it to San Diego before the world shifted, and a quick trip to Scottsdale before lockdowns began. The rest? Like so many others, I’m left with rescheduled concert tickets that still lack firm dates and a stack of airline credits waiting to be used.

 

Promises Kept: A Kitchen Transformed and Recipes Galore

Despite the upheaval, some promises I made to myself for 2020 were indeed kept. This was the year I finally remodeled my kitchen—a long-awaited dream! I envisioned a fresh, modern backdrop for all my recipe creations, and it was also meant to give me the confidence to step in front of the camera for professional brand photos. Little did I know just how much time I would end up spending in that beautiful new kitchen, especially during quarantine!

The brand photos were eventually taken, albeit nearly three months later than planned, once restrictions eased. Linden McKay did an absolutely phenomenal job, even though I had gained a few “quarantine pounds” due to the emotional rollercoaster and altered eating habits of early 2020. (One thing definitely didn’t change: I remain my own harshest critic!) Nevertheless, the photos beautifully captured the essence of my brand.

Beyond the kitchen renovation and photos, I managed to crank out more recipes this year than ever before! Between updated classics and entirely new creations, I published approximately 175 recipes. My deepest hope is that you’ve enjoyed them as much as I enjoyed developing and sharing them. It’s truly incredible to think that I’m now just five recipes away from reaching 1,000 total posts here at An Affair from the Heart! This milestone is a testament to the passion and dedication I pour into this blog, and I couldn’t have done it without your support.

 

Top 10 Recipes of 2020: Your Favorite Reader Picks

With nearly 1,000 recipes on my website and over 175 new ones posted this year alone, what truly captured your attention and taste buds? What did you all love the most during this extraordinary year?

2020 introduced me to so many new readers! Many people who habitually ordered takeout or dined out found themselves suddenly confined to home, needing to prepare their own meals. Not only were some beginners learning the basics of cooking, but even experienced home cooks faced challenges, from ingredient shortages to limited grocery store access. It became the year of resourcefulness—learning to make do with what we had on hand. We all quickly realized the profound importance of a well-stocked pantry, and I’m certainly not just talking about toilet paper!

Simple, comforting meals made with basic ingredients became essential. Dips and appetizers for at-home entertainment, a soothing cold remedy tea for wellness, and, of course, a classic martini for unwinding—these were the categories you gravitated towards most. Your choices perfectly illustrate the collective needs and desires of a year spent mostly at home. Now, let’s count them down!

 

 

And here they are – An Affair from the Heart’s Top 10 Recipes of 2020!

 

Number 10:

Beef & Noodles – This classic dish features succulent chunks of tender beef enveloped in a rich, savory beef gravy, all tossed with thick, hearty egg noodles. My Mom’s old-fashioned Beef & Noodles is the epitome of pure comfort food, warming you from the inside out!

This beloved recipe has been a staple on my blog for many years, but it truly shined in 2020. This past year, many of you embraced the art of making Homemade Egg Noodles, just as my Grandma and Mom taught me when I was a little girl. While not mandatory, preparing this dish with freshly made noodles undeniably elevates it to an even higher level of homemade deliciousness and nostalgia.

 

Number 9

 

Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli – Enjoy lighter, perfectly crispy toasted ravioli prepared right in your air fryer. This simple recipe takes store-bought ravioli, filled with meat, cheese, or both, “fries” them to golden perfection, and serves them with warm marinara sauce and a dusting of Parmesan cheese. It’s one of our all-time favorite appetizers.

Air fryers experienced a significant surge in popularity in 2020, becoming a kitchen hero for many. They proved fantastic for quickly reheating leftovers and for offering a healthier spin on traditionally fried foods, allowing us to indulge in our favorites with less guilt. These toasted ravioli are not only a fantastic appetizer for at-home movie nights or small gatherings but also make for a surprisingly satisfying and easy meal. Their simplicity and quick preparation time were undoubtedly key to their popularity.

 

Number 8

Dill Pickle Dip –If you’re a fan of those classic dill pickle wraps—the ones with cream cheese and dried beef—then this incredibly flavorful dip is guaranteed to bring a huge grin to your face! It perfectly captures all those beloved flavors in a creamy, scoopable form.

This recipe has consistently held a spot in my top 10 ever since I first posted it years ago. Want to hear something amusing? On two separate occasions, this recipe garnered so much traffic simultaneously that it literally *broke* my website! No joke! While it certainly wasn’t funny at the time, I can laugh about it now, especially since I’ve upgraded my hosting and server, ensuring such (pickle-induced) catastrophes no longer occur. Its enduring popularity speaks volumes about its irresistible taste, making it a perfect companion for all those hours spent binge-watching at home.

 

Number 7

Copy Cat Starbucks Medicine Ball –Learn how to effortlessly recreate the popular Starbucks Medicine Ball tea at home. This super soothing blend is a fantastic cold fighter and a wonderfully comforting remedy, especially welcome during cold and flu season.

My daughter first introduced me to the Starbucks Medicine Ball Teas, and I immediately knew I had to master making my own. I’m one of those people who enjoys an occasional Starbucks treat but generally prefers to brew my coffee at home and save my money for other pursuits. (Ha!) These warm, invigorating Medicine Ball drinks are absolute perfection for soothing sore throats, and unfortunately, a significant number of people found themselves needing exactly that comfort in 2020. It’s easy to see why this recipe became such a timely and cherished favorite.

 

Number 6

Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper BBQ Ribs These Country Style Pork Ribs are unbelievably tender, slow-cooked to perfection in Dr. Pepper, and then finished in the oven to caramelize their irresistible Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce. The best part? You only need 3 ingredients to create this mouthwatering dish!

This recipe truly hits all the right notes for a challenging year: it’s incredibly comforting, remarkably simple, and requires just three basic ingredients. Anyone, regardless of cooking experience, can achieve fantastic results with these ribs! We often make a double batch, shredding any leftovers to create delicious sandwiches for another easy weeknight meal. This kind of hands-off, high-reward cooking was precisely what many people needed in 2020.

 

Number 5

  Dirty Vodka Martini (aka The Dirty Bird) A perfectly executed traditional dirty vodka martini. Shaken to frosty perfection and served up with plump, stuffed green olives, the dirty martini is arguably one of the best cocktails ever. This recipe will guide you to craft the perfect one, every single time.

How does one navigate the sheer absurdity of 2020’s shenanigans—shelter-in-place orders, toilet paper shortages, constant handwashing advice with no soap in sight, dining out becoming a distant memory, canceled events, endless Zoom meetings, and the upheaval of working from home (when it’s not your usual routine)? A good, stiff drink, that’s how. I honestly can’t count how many people reached out to thank me for this recipe this year! It became a little beacon of normalcy and a simple pleasure in a chaotic world. (*Please drink in moderation.)

 

Number 4

 

Beef Tips & Gravy  This dish is the very definition of comfort food. Fork-tender, flavorful Beef Tips and Gravy, slow-simmered to perfection and generously served over a mound of fluffy mashed potatoes, creates a truly satisfying meal.

What could possibly be more comforting than a generous serving of creamy mashed potatoes drenched in tender, savory beef tips and rich, velvety gravy? This recipe was incredibly popular last winter, and its appeal certainly didn’t wane in 2020; comfort, after all, is a year-round necessity. It’s like receiving a big, warm, culinary hug, providing a sense of security and indulgence that was much needed during uncertain times.

 

Number 3

Award Winning Crack Dip This dip lives up to its name—it’s deliciously addictive! A wonderfully creamy base gets a delightful kick from jalapeños, while bursting with vibrant flavors from MexiCorn and fresh green onions. This dip is consistently a crowd-pleaser and the first thing to disappear at any gathering—it truly is “award-winning” for a reason!

No, we certainly didn’t get to host or attend many parties this year, did we? But oh man, did we master the art of binge-watching series and movies! This irresistible dip is universally loved by everyone who tries it, making it the perfect companion for whatever you’re streaming at the moment. It transforms a quiet night at home into a delicious experience. And when parties eventually make their grand return, you’ll be ready to share this guaranteed hit once more!

 

Number 2

Texas Trash Dip – What exactly is Texas Trash Dip? It’s a lusciously creamy, warm bean dip, absolutely packed with robust flavor and generously topped with all sorts of ooey-gooey, melted cheese. Baked to dippable perfection, it’s a truly irresistible appetizer.

I could, and honestly have, made an entire meal out of this dip! It’s that satisfying. What more could you possibly need when you have a warm, flavorful, cheesy dip in front of you? It became a go-to for many readers seeking easy, comforting, and filling options during a year when simple pleasures took on new importance.

 

Drum Roll Please… The Number One Recipe of 2020!

And now, the moment you’ve been waiting for: it’s time to reveal the number one most popular recipe of 2020 on An Affair from the Heart! This dish perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the year, combining pantry staples with the yearning for restaurant-quality comfort. Without further ado…

 

Number 1

How to Make a Can of Refried Beans Taste Like a Restaurant’s –Transform a humble can of refried beans into a restaurant-quality delicacy in mere minutes! With just two simple add-ins, you’ll feel like you’re savoring your favorite Mexican restaurant’s flavors, right from the comfort of your own home!

This makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? With our favorite Mexican restaurants either closed or operating with limited service, and many of us relying heavily on canned goods from our pantries, the desire for authentic, familiar flavors grew immensely. The burning question became: “How can I make these pantry staples taste like the delicious food I truly miss?” The answer, as many of you discovered, is to simply “doctor up” a can of refried beans with a couple of basic ingredients, elevating it from ordinary to extraordinary! So, pour yourself a margarita, enjoy your gourmet beans, and remember to keep smiling through it all!

 

Interestingly, this marks the first time in many years that none of the recipes in the top 10 were sweets! This isn’t because I’ve stopped baking; rather, it reflects a shift in what people were searching for. While comfort and easy meals took center stage, rest assured, I still have countless ways to satisfy your sweet tooth! Be sure to explore all of my dessert and sweet recipes for when that craving strikes. There’s always room for a little indulgence!

 

 

 

2020 Wasn’t All Bad: Finding Blessings Amidst the Chaos

Yes, trips were canceled, and holidays looked different, but 2020 wasn’t without its silver linings. We learned to connect with family and friends through Zoom calls, transforming missed holidays, dinners, and even simple happy hours into virtual gatherings via our phones and computers. These digital connections kept our spirits high and relationships strong. We were “stuck” at home, but in our case, my family and I actually found ourselves enjoying our home, both inside and out, more than we had in a very long time. It was a chance to appreciate our immediate surroundings and each other in a new way.

We were also incredibly blessed to witness my daughter’s marriage to her boyfriend of eight years. The wedding plans were on, then off, then on again multiple times, a rollercoaster of emotions and logistical challenges. In the end, they decided that no matter what the ceremony looked like—big or small, elaborate or intimate—the outcome was the same: they were able to begin their life together as planned. It was a beautiful reminder that love finds a way, even in the most unpredictable of years.

 

I work from home whether there’s a pandemic or not, and I genuinely enjoy what I do more than anyone will ever truly know. (Even though I suspect many in my family and some friends still don’t quite grasp it!) This year, I hunkered down, busying myself with developing recipes that were perfectly suited for the times—focused on comfort, simplicity, and pantry reliance. I always strive to answer your questions via email, comments, and social media, and your engagement means the world to me. Please know how profoundly I appreciate your presence here with me on this journey, and I eagerly look forward to discovering what 2021 has in store for us all!

 

2021: Marking My Tenth Year of Blogging

As we step into 2021, it will mark my tenth anniversary of starting this blog. It feels absolutely crazy to think it’s been a decade since I embarked on this culinary adventure. I have some truly exciting and BIG things on the horizon for An Affair from the Heart, and I sincerely hope you’ll continue to be here to share in those moments with me! Your support has been, and continues to be, invaluable.

 

Pin Your Favorites: Save the Most Popular, Top 10 Recipes of 2020!

I would absolutely love it if you’d take a moment to pin these top 10 recipes! More importantly, please try some of them out and let me know what you think. Feel free to shoot me a message or tag me on social media. There’s nothing I enjoy more than seeing photos of the delicious dishes you’ve made from my blog!

 

 

Reflections on 2020: “The Weirdest Year Ever”

Indeed, 2020 has been undeniably the weirdest year many of us have ever experienced. Yet, through all the challenges, I truly believe we have learned invaluable lessons. We’ve been reminded not to take one another for granted, to love a little harder, and to appreciate the profound importance of slowing down and living more fully in the present moment.

My heartfelt wish for each of you, today and always, is to stay healthy and safe. As we collectively continue to navigate these evolving circumstances, please remember one crucial thing: to Always Be Kind. Your compassion and understanding can make all the difference.

 

 

See you next year! 

 

 

Explore Past Years’ Top 10 Recipes

Curious about which recipes have captured the hearts of readers in previous years? Dive into our archives and discover past favorites:

• 2019
• 2018
• 2017
• 2016
• 2015 Sweet / 2015 Savory