28 Non-Boring Ways to Use Celery

Ragin' Cajun Eggplant and Shrimp Skillet

We always have a large summer garden where lots of produce lingers into fall. That's when we harvest our onion, bell pepper, tomatoes and eggplant, the main ingredient of this dish. This recipe turns Cajun with the Holy Trinity (onion, celery and bell pepper), shrimp and red pepper flakes. —Barbara Hahn, Park Hills, Missouri

Cool & Crunchy Chicken Salad

When the weather sizzles, get your chill on with a cool chicken salad. Mine uses grapes, pecans and celery for that signature crunch. —Sarah Smiley, Bangor, Maine

Chunky Beef Vegetable Soup

For a satisfying lunch or dinner, serve bowls of this thick soup with fresh-baked bread. Brimming with chunks of veggies, it's easy to stir together on a chilly day. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario

Pecan-Cornbread Dressing

Plenty of pecans and bacon give this stuffing a unique flavor, while using a packaged mix cuts down on the preparation time. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Veg Jambalaya

This flavorful entree uses convenient canned beans in place of the meat—and never lets you leave hungry. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado

Hearty Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

This satisfying soup with a hint of cayenne is brimming with vegetables, chicken and noodles. The recipe is from my father-in-law, but I tweaked it to make it my own. —Norma Reynolds, Overland Park, Kansas

Corn Stuffing Balls

My mom had many "winning" recipes, and this was one of our family's favorites. I can still picture these Corn Stuffing Balls encircling the large meat platter piled high with one of her delicious entrees. —Audrey Groe, Lake Mills, Iowa

Turkey Almond Salad

Our congregation was holding a luncheon at which I was helping, and we were supposed to use turkey left over from the church's Thanksgiving supper. Everyone liked this so much that—at another church luncheon—we cooked a turkey for the specific purpose of making my salad. —Donna Rear, Olds, Alberta

Special Scalloped Corn

Carrots and green pepper make this dish colorful, which grabs attention at a potluck. The corn casserole is also a smart idea for when you need to prepare a dish ahead of time—easy baking is all it takes to finish it up. —J. Brown, Fort Dodge, Iowa

Jamaican-Style Beef Stew

This delicious stew makes a hearty supper with a lighter touch. The leaner cut of meat, herbs and seasonings and fresh vegetables make it so flavorful, you'll want another bowl! —James Hayes, Ridgecrest, California

Contest-Winning Easy Minestrone

This minestrone soup recipe is special to me because it’s one of the few dinners my entire family loves. And I can feel good about serving it because it’s full of nutrition and low in fat. —Lauren Brennan, Hood River, Oregon

Moist Poultry Dressing

Tasty mushrooms and onions complement the big herb flavor in this amazing stuffing. This dressing stays so moist because it’s made in the slow cooker. —Ruth Ann Stelfox, Raymond, Alberta

Cornish Hens with Wild Rice and Celery

Stuffed with a succulent combination of wild rice, mushrooms and dried cranberries, these golden hens are sure to become a special-occasion entree in your home. They're a wonderful change of pace from traditional turkey. —Nancy Horsburgh, Everett, Ontario

Acorn Squash with Cranberry Stuffing

If you have squash or cranberry lovers at the table, here’s your new go-to recipe. It’s colorful, the blend of flavors is delicious and it’s a fitting addition to a Thanksgiving menu. —Dorothy Pritchett, Wills Point, Texas

Turkey Spaghetti Casserole

My mom made this creamy comforting dish when I was growing up. Whenever I have leftover chicken or turkey, I look forward to making this simple, yet tasty, filling dish. —Casandra Hetrick, Lindsey, Ohio

Almond-Apricot Chicken Salad

Here's a one-of-a-kind pasta salad that combines tender chicken, sweet apricots and crunchy vegetables. Plus, the lemony dressing can't be beat. —Susan Voigt, Plymouth, Minnesota

Amish Chicken Corn Soup

Creamed corn and butter make my chicken corn soup homey and rich. This recipe makes a big batch, but the soup freezes well for future meals—one reason why soups are my favorite thing to make. —Beverly Hoffman, Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania

Favorite Hamburger Stew

I got this hamburger stew recipe from a woman at our church, Lois Henry, when I needed a way to use up our bounty of home-canned tomatoes. My husband loves it, and I like that it's easy to warm up for a carefree dinner in the winter months. —Marcia Clay, Truman, Minnesota

Sunflower Strawberry Salad

We have an annual Strawberry Festival in our town, so recipes with strawberries are popular here. I've served this salad at luncheons and have always received a lot of compliments.

Corn Dog Casserole

Reminiscent of traditional corn dogs, this fun main dish really hits the spot on fall days. It's perfect for the football parties my husband and I often host. It tastes especially good right from the oven. -Marcy Suzanne Olipane, Belleville, Illinois

Carrot Chowder

My husband's grandmother passed this recipe on to us, and it's just wonderful—especially with a basket of warm, fresh bread on the side. This soup freezes well. —Wendy Wilkins, Prattville, Alabama

Crab and Corn Chowder

I started cooking at a local restaurant when I was 16 years old. This creamy chowder was one of the soups we made. The recipe had been passed from cook to cook— but had never been written down, until now!

Broccoli Salad Supreme

People can't get enough of the sweet grapes and crunchy broccoli in this colorful salad. I appreciate its make-ahead convenience. —Terri Twyman, Bonanza, Oregon

Makeover Spinach and Artichoke Casserole

Spinach never tasted better than in this creamy, colorful dish that's now even healthier and more delicious! —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana

Parmesan Artichoke Soup

This unique cream soup has a splendid flavor combination of artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan cheese. —Malee Jergensen, Murray, Utah

Bacon Macaroni Salad

This pleasing pasta salad is like eating a BLT in a bowl. Filled with crispy bacon, chopped tomato, celery and green onion, the sensational salad is coated with a tangy mayonnaise and vinegar dressing. It’s a real crowd-pleaser! —Norene Wright, Manilla, Indiana

Buffalo Chicken Lasagna

This recipe was inspired by my daughter's favorite food—Buffalo wings! It tastes as if it came from a restaurant. —Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina

Cornucopia Salad

I first enjoyed this salad at a church potluck and has since become a Thanksgiving tradition at my house. I've made some adjustments to the original recipe to please my vegetarian friends, but you can add cooked chicken. For a complete meal, add 3 cooked and shredded chicken breasts to salad mix.—Cheryl Peterman, Prescott, Arizona