11 Recipes Only Virgos Will Appreciate

beef bourguignon
11 Recipes Only Virgos Will AppreciatePHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: TIFFANY SCHLEIGH

Even if you don't have Virgo in your chart (or are lucky to have a Virgo in your circle), you can and should celebrate all things Virgo with these high quality, hard-working, and — dare we say it — a little bit particular dinner, dessert, and drink recipes. Chances are, you'll not only impress yourself but everyone around you, so go ahead and get on that Virgo level this season!

Virgos, to but it bluntly, kind of make the rest of the zodiac look a bit...lazy. Ever the hard-working, detail-oriented taskmaster, Virgos thrive when it comes to tackling projects (especially ones that comes out deliciously as this beef bourguignon, this chantilly cake, or homemade gnocchi). That same notion also extends to the ingredients they use; don't think a Virgo won't sniff out some low-quality tequila in that marg, make them a truly deluxe Cadillac margarita (made with premium reposado) and that Virgo will feel seen. Virgos are also all about working smarter (and yes, a bit harder, too), but that doesn't mean all these dishes will result in a sink full of dishes. Our sheet-pan chicken tikka masala and summer roll bowls are next-level genius yet effortlessly delicious.

If things have felt particularly wonky in your kitchen, it could be that Mercury Retrograde could be to blame. But worry not, the retrograde period wraps up this Virgo season on August 27th, so mix yourself up an astrological-themed cocktail and you'll be making these Virgo-approved sheet-pan dinners, project recipes, and impressive (yet easy) recipes with no sweat off your brow.

Mussels With Tomatoes & Garlic

Virgos are all about making something impressive look effortless, and these mussels are that essence to a T. This dish will transport you straight to the Mediterranean seaside. In just 45 minutes, you'll have a date night or dinner party-worthy seafood dinner that will impress everyone you serve it to (although it's deceptively easy to whip up).

Get the Mussels With Tomatoes & Garlic recipe.

mussels in a pot with tomatoes and garlic
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Chantilly Cake

There are regular folks, and there are Virgos. Similarly, there are cakes, and then there’s Chantilly cake, an impressive dessert that marries the delicious simplicity of a classic yellow cake with the berries and cream combo that makes shortcakes shine. What’s even sweeter? The all-American dessert has a charming origin story that started in a grocery store bakery.

Get the Chantilly Cake recipe.

chantilly cake topped with raspberries and blueberries
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Sheet-Pan Tikka Masala

Work smarter, not harder with a Virgo-approved sheet-pan dinner. Our sheet-pan tikka masala is a fun way to enjoy a classic Indian dish, chicken tikka masala, at home in a slightly new (and easier!) way. It’s a foolproof way to get a whole dinner on the table using just a sheet pan.

Get the Sheet-Pan Tikka Masala recipe.

chicken thighs covered in a tikka masala sauce with pickled red onions and jalapenos on a sheet pan
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Summer Roll Bowls

Virgos are all about efficiency, yet love to really razzle and dazzle deep down. So if you love a Vietnamese summer roll but don’t want to fuss with the wrapper? Meet your new favorite summer dinner. Rice noodles, shrimp, avocado, thinly sliced veggies, and a plethora of greens are tossed together in a tangy nước chấm dressing for a refreshing dinner twist.

Get the Summer Roll Bowls recipe.

summer roll bowl with rice noodles, shrimp, avocado, and peanuts
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Beef Bourguignon

Homemade beef bourguignon is a labor of love, but it's nothing a hardworking Virgo can't handle. It's certainly not a quick weeknight dinner, but that doesn't mean it's too difficult to make at home. Here's the basic rundown: Sauté bacon, sear beef in bacon fat (yum!), add veggies and stir to coat with flour, add wine and broth, transfer to oven, bake until beef is super tender, make Julia Child proud.

Get the Beef Bourguignon recipe.

beef bourguignon
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: TIFFANY SCHLEIGH

Homemade Gnocchi

Ever the overachievers, Virgos and a project such as making homemade pasta is a match made in heaven. This rustic, dumpling-like pasta is much easier to make and shape by hand than ravioli, and once made, you can use it with countless recipes and sauces. Seriously—if you’ve never made homemade pasta before, this is where you should start.

Get the Homemade Gnocchi recipe.

gnocchi
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Classic Paella

Virgos are effortlessly impressive, and the same is true of paella. This Spanish dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleasing centerpiece for special occasions and parties, but honestly, this dish is enough reason to celebrate all on its own. Listen to the crackling and peek through the rice in the middle to ensure that it’s browning properly and not burning (you can always hide the hole with a piece of shrimp 😉).

Get the Classic Paella recipe.

paella with sausage, shrimp and lemon
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Fruit Tart

If you’re one of the many who are stunned by the shiny fruit tarts in bakery windows (or simply want to impress a detail-oriented Virgo), then this recipe is for you. Good news: It’s surprisingly easy to make a stunning fruit tart right at home! Make it as the star of your holiday parties, or as an easy, warm-weather treat to indulge in anytime.

Get the Fruit Tart recipe.

tart topped with blueberries, raspberries, sliced strawberries, blackberries, and orange slices
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Cadillac Margarita

A Cadillac margarita is basically a higher-end margarita made with a high-quality tequila (typically a reposado) and Grand Marnier, perfect for a Virgo who thinks their cocktail should meet standards as high as their own. Reposado tequila will have notes of oak and vanilla, making this margarita really stand out.

Get the Cadillac Margarita recipe.

cadillac margarita
PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM

BBQ Protein Bowl

Virgos get stuff done and they get it done with ease, perhaps because they fuel themselves up properly with a protein-packed bowl? It's just a theory, but it's a delicious one. With BBQ chicken, corn, an easy slaw, rice, and pickles, these grain bowls are a protein-packed lunch that are the noon pick-me-up you need. Once you prep the rice ahead of time, these bowls will only take 15 minutes to cook and assemble. Plus, they're meal prep gold.

Get the BBQ Protein Bowl recipe.

bbq chicken in a grain bowl with corn, pickles, and slaw
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Million-Dollar Pie

Quality means a lot to Virgos because they give 120% every day, kind of like this decadent, maxed out classic pie. Traditionally million-dollar pie is a no-bake icebox treat that's prepared by pressing a graham cracker crust into a pie plate and piling it high with a rich whipped topping base filled with pecans, coconut, and crushed pineapple. To give it the full Delish treatment, we took a few liberties to bring this old timey treat into the future.

Get the Million-Dollar Pie recipe.

layered pie topped with crushed nuts, whipped cream, and cherries
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

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