Martha Stewart built her name on reliable home cooking and entertaining. Here are the recipes that made her famous, from chocolate chip cookies to baked macaroni and cheese, each with full ingredients and instructions.

1. Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Classic chocolate chip cookies on a tray.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the butter and both sugars with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
  4. On low speed, gradually add the flour mixture, mixing just until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
  5. Drop the dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto the baking sheet, about 2 inches apart.
  6. Bake until golden brown and set at the edges, about 10 minutes. Cool on the sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

2. Perfect Roast Chicken

A whole roast chicken.

Ingredients:

  • 1 (4-pound) whole chicken
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 lemon, quartered
  • 1 small onion, quartered
  • 1 small carrot, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 small celery stalk, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 garlic clove, smashed
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  2. Rinse the chicken inside and out with cold water and pat the outside dry with paper towels.
  3. Mix the butter, salt, and pepper and rub the mixture all over the outside of the chicken.
  4. Place the lemon, onion, carrot, celery, garlic, rosemary, and thyme in the cavity. Set the chicken in a roasting pan.
  5. Roast for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  6. Rest for 10 minutes before carving.

3. Old-Fashioned Beef Stew

A bowl of beef stew with vegetables.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup red wine
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 pound carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 pound red potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 pound green beans, trimmed

Instructions:

  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Season the beef with the salt and pepper, add it to the pot, and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in the beef broth, wine, tomatoes, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 hour.

4. Perfect Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of creamy mashed potatoes.

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:

  1. Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes.
  2. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the milk, butter, salt, and pepper and mash with a potato masher or fork until smooth and creamy.

5. Homemade Pasta

Fresh homemade pasta being made.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt and make a well in the center.
  2. Crack the eggs into the well, beat them with a fork, and gradually work the flour into the eggs until a dough forms.
  3. Knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Wrap in plastic and rest for 30 minutes.
  4. Divide the dough into 4 pieces. Roll each through a pasta machine or by hand until thin enough to see your hand through.
  5. Cut the pasta into your desired shapes with a pasta cutter or sharp knife.
  6. Cook in boiling salted water until al dente, about 2-3 minutes.

6. Classic Caesar Salad

A Caesar salad with croutons and Parmesan.

Ingredients:

  • 1 large head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup homemade or store-bought croutons
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup homemade or store-bought Caesar dressing

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, toss the lettuce with the croutons, Parmesan, and dressing until well coated.
  2. Serve immediately.

7. Grilled Cheese Sandwich

A golden grilled cheese sandwich.

Ingredients:

  • 2 slices white bread
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 slices cheddar cheese

Instructions:

  1. Preheat a griddle or large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place one slice butter-side down on the griddle, top with the cheese, then the other slice butter-side up.
  3. Cook until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes per side.
  4. Cut in half and serve hot.

8. Classic Chili

A bowl of beef chili.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions:

  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the beef and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the onion, bell peppers, and garlic and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Add the tomatoes, beans, and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.
  4. Stir in the cilantro and serve hot.

9. Banana Bread

A loaf of banana bread, sliced.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup mashed ripe bananas

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla.
  4. On low speed, gradually add the flour mixture, mixing just until combined. Stir in the mashed bananas.
  5. Pour the batter into the pan and smooth the top. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour.
  6. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

10. Perfect Pie Crust

An unbaked pie crust in a dish.

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
  • 1/4-1/2 cup ice water

Instructions:

  1. In a food processor, pulse the flour, salt, and sugar to combine. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse sand.
  2. With the machine running, gradually add the ice water until the dough comes together in a ball.
  3. Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 2 days.
  4. On a lightly floured surface, roll one disk into a 12-inch circle. Fit it into a 9-inch pie dish and trim the edges, leaving a 1-inch overhang.
  5. Repeat with the remaining dough for a top crust.

11. Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Baked macaroni and cheese in a dish.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 ounces cheddar cheese, grated
  • 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and butter a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the macaroni in boiling salted water until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and return to the pot.
  3. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, then slowly whisk in the milk, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
  4. Pour the sauce over the macaroni, stir, and transfer to the baking dish. Top with the cheese, then the breadcrumbs.
  5. Bake until bubbly and golden on top, about 30 minutes. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Pick one for your next dinner and you’ll see why home cooks still trust her recipes.