The 20 Recipes BA Readers Love the Most

Did you know this magazine has been around for almost seven decades? (Me neither, and I work here!) Anyway, that’s a heck-load of recipe development, which got us wondering: Of all those breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and beyond, what are the meals our readers cook again and again? The ones so good they compel you to leave ratings and reviews?
Well, this is it. Here you’ll find the 20 highest-rated recipes out of the most-rated recipes. That’s right, these are most- and highest-rated Bon Appétit recipes of all time. Yes, we’ve got plenty of five-star-ers, like these buttery dinner rolls, spicy lamb meatballs, and juicy Picnic Tomatoes, but with fewer than 500 reviews, they just didn’t make the cut. This list highlights only the recipes that are loved the most by the most. *Bows head solemnly.*
Here’s another way you can think about it: Hundreds—in some cases, thousands—of readers freakin’ love these recipes. Chances are you will too.
Photo by Laura Murray, Food Styling by Susan Spungen1/20Shockingly Easy No-Knead Focaccia
If you want to fill your kitchen with the smell of fresh-baked bread but you're nervous about shaping a loaf or working with a starter, focaccia is the best place to begin. We're not exaggerating when we say it requires zero skill. As Tim from Seattle says, “Dangerous because I love bread too much.” The limit does not exist, Tim!
Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Kate Buckens2/20BA’s Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
“I made them last Sunday for the church potluck, where Linda brought cookies but they were nowhere near as good as mine,” writes one anonymous reviewer from Chicago. These babies have crispy edges, a chewy center, and come out of the oven consistently delicious every single time. Linda never stood a chance.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich3/20Chimichurri
This colorful chimichurri sauce doubles as a marinade and an accompaniment to all cuts of beef—or anything else you want to gussy up with bright, tangy flavor. “Excellent recipe," says John from Texas. “Love, love, love chimichurri.” Us too, John. Us too.
Chelsie Craig4/20Bucatini with Butter-Roasted Tomato Sauce
We love the way that roasting intensifies the flavor of canned tomatoes. While we're pretty obsessed with bucatini, this dish is every bit as delicious with spaghetti, linguine, or even rigatoni. But don’t take our word for it! Samantha from Ohio says it best: “BUTTER?! IN TOMATO SAUCE?! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE??”
Photo by Marcus Nilsson5/20Classic Ragù Bolognese
A certain magic happens as beef and aromatic vegetables slowly cook down with wine, tomato paste, and broth in this classic bolognese recipe. “Tastes just like the Ragu we were served in Italy,” confirms Terry from Vancouver. Grazie, Terry!
Photo by Alex Lau, Styling by Sean Dooley6/20Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies With Toffee
Using chocolate wafers instead of chips is a cookie game-changer. They spread as they melt, creating thin pockets of chocolate in each layer, and stay much softer at room temperature. As Joushua from Georgia says, “The best cookie, ever.” Can’t argue with that!
Marcus Nilsson7/20Lasagna Bolognese
This homemade version of the Italian classic tastes as though it's been labored over for generations when, really—*dun dun dunnnn*—we only published it in 2013. Moonshy from Chicago doesn’t mind: “Delicious and worth the effort.”
Photo by Jonathon Kambouris; Food styling by Simon Andrews; Prop styling by Kaitlyn Du Ross8/20Parker House Rolls
A top coat of melted butter and a sprinkling of salt makes this Parker House rolls recipe irrrrrrresistible. “I can't imagine a Thanksgiving without them,” says Jean from California, while (probably) staring wistfully out over the Pacific Ocean.
Photo by Christina Holmes, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, Prop Styling by Kaitlyn Du Ross9/20Winter Squash Carbonara with Pancetta and Sage
Kabocha squash is made for purées. Carbonara is made for Kabocha squash. Madi from Austin has one word and one word only: “Wow.”
Photograph by Victoria Jane, Prop Styling by Alexandra Massillon, Food Styling by Mallory Lance10/20Halftime Chili
One anonymous reviewer from Savannah says it all: “Yummmmm.” It’s chili. It’s good. People like to eat it while watching sports. Put some cheese on top, why don’t you?
Photograph by Victoria Jane, Food Styling by Mallory Lance, Prop Styling by Alexandra Massillon11/20BA’s Best Banana Bread
We made 14 different banana breads until we came up with this one. The chocolate and walnuts are optional but encouraged. “Very tasty and easy to make,” confirms Fatimah from Saudi Arabia.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Kate Buckens12/20Red-Wine-Braised Short Ribs
Tender, fall-off-the-bone meat in a sweet-savory sauce. It’s “the best damn thing” Emily from Georgia has ever eaten. “Amen.”
Photo by Peden + Munk13/20Perfect Porterhouse Steak
A liberally-seasoned steak from chef Bobby Flay. What else do you need to know? As Marcus from Washington notes, “You’re doing yourself an injustice by not making this recipe.”
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley14/20Cacio e Pepe
Literally “cheese and pepper,” this minimalist cacio e pepe recipe is like a sophisticated mac and cheese. “Just make it!” says Ellen from New York, and honestly we can’t agree more.
Tara Donne15/20No-Knead Pizza Dough
“You need no other pizza dough than this,” says Laura from Toronto. “Thin, crisp, and perfect every single time.” It's only three ingredients—you've got this.
16/20Julia's Best Banana Bread
“It's my go-to banana bread recipe,” says Julie from California. “As a matter of fact, I can smell it baking right now.” Love the dedication, Julie! (For the deepest flavor, use ripe bananas with lots of freckles.)
Christopher Griffith17/20Milk Bar Pie
Anyone who has taken a bite of Milk Bar's best-selling pie immediately knows the reason why it's so popular. This rich, salty-sweet recipe has an irresistible oat cookie crust. “You sure that’s 10–12 servings?!” asks Winston from New York. “I think that’s one serving!” Now that you mention it, Winston…
Matt Duckor18/20Tom Kha Gai (Chicken Coconut Soup)
This silky, aromatic soup is a complete meal in a bowl. “So yum!” says one Seattle reviewer.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca19/20Classic Caesar Salad
A great Caesar salad recipe gets its swagger from a great Caesar dressing. And this, friends, is a great Caesar dressing. “It was more like a spiritual experience,” says Jemmay from Malta.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Tim Ferro20/20Slow-Roasted Salmon With Fennel, Citrus, and Chiles
There are plenty of fish in the sea but Melissa from Virginia only has eyes for this one: “The salmon is succulent and the slow roasting brought out all of the flavors in a truly scrumptious way,” she says. “The best part is that it's super easy; the most time consuming part was slicing the fennel, orange, and lemon.”