5 of the Best (and Easiest) Viral Recipes of All Time

Would you like to make friends and meet other like-minded women? Then join our closed Facebook group, The Ethel Circle, today. You'll love it!


When I started watching reels on Instagram and YouTube several years ago, it was mostly for funny videos, music or to see the latest photos my adult kids posted. It wasn't long before tantalizing recipes flooded my feed on both social media platforms and suddenly l was hooked!

Many of these dishes have gone viral because they are delicious, budget-friendly and easy to make. But what I like most is that I can quickly find decadent desserts, creamy soups, simple slow cooker meals and even recipes from celebrities. I also enjoy watching the videos of the cooks preparing the food, which makes it easier to follow their directions.

Here are five of my favorite Instagram and YouTube recipes that have gone viral.


Cottage Cheese Flatbread Pizza

Cottage cheese recipes have been trending for quite a while as a healthy replacement for breads, chips and dips. Since cheesy pizza is my weekend kryptonite, I jumped at the chance to try this healthier, low-carb version on YouTube and it was delicious!

Makes 1 small pizza

1 cup cottage cheese

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon garlic

1/2 teaspoon oregano

Salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup low-sugar marinara sauce

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

*Optional toppings: turkey pepperoni and/or chopped vegetables of your choice

Preheat oven to 350. Mix the first 6 ingredients together in a blender until smooth. Grease a small baking sheet, then line it with parchment paper that has also been greased. Spread the cottage cheese mixture evenly over the paper. Bake for 40 minutes until golden brown. Remove pan and cool 10 minutes. Spread the marinara sauce over crust, sprinkle with mozzarella, then add desired toppings. Bake another 5-10 minutes. Let it sit for 10 minutes before serving.


West African Peanut Soup

I love a soup made from scratch and found this unique recipe for West African Peanut Soup on Instagram. The sweet potato and peanut butter give it the creamy texture I crave in a winter soup. This one will warm you from the inside out.

Serves 4-6

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 yellow onion, diced

1 1/2 sweet potatoes, diced

2 cups kale, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup tomato paste

3/4 cup peanut butter

5 1/2 cups vegetable broth

Heat olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the next 8 ingredients and cook until onions become translucent. Stir in the tomato paste, peanut butter and broth. Mix well and bring to a boil. Let simmer for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are soft. Use an immersion blender in the pot to blend the ingredients into a creamy soup.


Salsa Verde Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Cauliflower recipes went viral several years ago and are still trending on social media platforms. This Instagram keto-friendly recipe uses cauliflower as a healthy alternative to rice and satisfies any cravings you might have for a decadent casserole (but without all the carbs).

Serves 4

4 cups cauliflower rice (heated in a microwave with any excess liquid drained)

4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese

1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream

Salt and pepper to taste

1 cup salsa Verde (divided in half)

1 cup reduced-fat Mexican blend cheese or grated cheddar (divided in half)

2 cups cooked, chopped chicken

Preheat oven to 375. Mix cauliflower rice, cream cheese, sour cream and seasoning with 1/2 cup salsa and 1/2 cup Mexican cheese blend. Pour into greased casserole dish. Spread chicken pieces over the mixture, then pour the remaining salsa over the meat. Sprinkle the rest of the Mexican cheese blend over all, and bake for 20 minutes.


Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cabbage

Cabbage recipes are now rivaling the Brussels sprouts craze that was previously trending on social media. Cabbage is an excellent source of vitamins C and K and adds extra fiber to your diet. It's also versatile, inexpensive and easy to cook. I've made several cabbage dishes recently, including "cabbage steaks" and faux pizza, but these roasted parmesan wedges from YouTube are my favorite way to prepare the vegetable as a side dish.

Makes 8 wedges

1 large head cabbage

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil + 2 Tbls.

4 cloves minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon dried onion flakes

3/4 cup finely grated parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400. Remove stem from cabbage and cut the head into 8 wedges. Set aside. In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, garlic, seasonings and half of the parmesan cheese. Brush a thin layer of the mixture on both sides of each cabbage wedge and lay them on a greased baking sheet. Roast for 20 minutes, then flip them over. Top each wedge with the remaining parmesan cheese. Roast for 15 minutes more until edges are golden brown.


Hearts of Palm Noodle Stir Fry With Chicken And Peanut

I discovered hearts of palm Palmini two years ago when I was on a keto diet, and I've been hooked ever since. I use this frequently as a healthy substitute for spaghetti noodles when I make lasagna. However, if you're not a fan of hearts of palm, swap it out for Shirataki noodles, Zoodles or whole wheat linguini for this popular recipe trending on Instagram.

Serve 2-4

1 (14-ounce) can Palmini hearts of palm linguine

8 ounces lean ground chicken (or turkey)

1/2 of a red bell pepper, thinly sliced

1 teaspoon sesame oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (or 1 tsp. dried ginger)

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce

1 tablespoon hoisin

3 tablespoons peanut butter, (slightly warmed in microwave)

Crushed red pepper flakes to taste

Optional toppings: sliced green onions, sesame seeds, chopped peanuts

Rinse and drain Palmini noodles. Set aside. Cook chicken and red bell pepper together in a large, lightly greased skillet over medium-high heat, breaking up the meat as it cooks — about 5 minutes. Stir in the sesame oil, garlic and ginger until well blended. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin and warmed peanut butter until smooth. Add to the skillet and cook another 2 minutes. Stir in the Palmini linguini and red pepper flakes. Cook an additional 1-2 minutes. Serve with desired toppings.


Do you ever get recipes via social media? Let us know in the comments below.