One Of The Best Chefs Of All Time Is A Leo—Here’s What We Think She’d Make To Celebrate Leo Season Right
Leo season is here, and we’re celebrating the courageous, big-hearted, authentic nature of our favorite fire sign the best way we know how: with these 19 extravagant, sunshine-y, As. Summery. As. Possible. drinks, apps, dinners, and more. We’re talking super-spicy pastas, desserts and drinks that are literally on fire, and yes, a few projects for all you Leos out there who love a challenge (our beef bourguignon would make even famous Leo, Julia Child, proud).
And don’t forget—Mercury retrograde hits on August 5, 2024, so we’ve also included a few comforting, can’t-mess-up dishes here for when everything else is going terribly. Lock down that travel, set up some self care, and rest easy knowing at least your meals will go off without a hitch.
Shortcut Citrus Upside-Down Cake
It's not like a Leo to shy away from a challenge, but sometimes we could ALL use a little boost in the kitchen—this spin on our classic citrus upside-down cake is as bright and sunshine-y as the original, but uses cake mix to make things extra simple.
Get the Shortcut Citrus Upside-Down Cake recipe.
Porn Star Martini
If you’re unfamiliar with this provocatively named cocktail, it’s made up of vanilla vodka, simple syrup, tart passion fruit (purée and liqueur), and bubbly Prosecco. It’s a summertime mood in a glass (a Leo's dream!), and is ideal for when you're hot, sweaty, and thirsty.
Get the Porn Star Martini recipe.
Marry Me Meatballs
Leos LOVE love, so these romantic meatballs are right up their alley. Not a fan of meatballs? Check out our Marry Me chicken or our Marry Me pasta instead.
Get the Marry Me Meatballs recipe.
Campfire Strawberries
Leos are known for being a little...extra, so we'd never expect them to enjoy or make regular ole s'mores! Enter: these s'mores-ified strawberries that are the perfect ode to summer. Dress 'em up with chocolate and graham crackers and chocolate syrup to make them even more exciting.
Get the Campfire Strawberries recipe.
Queso Mac & Cheese
This one-pot recipe starts by cooking macaroni, then uses the same pot and pasta water to create a very creamy queso sauce that coats every curly noodle. For an extra kick, finish it off with a crunchy salsa crumble. Serve this side dish alongside hot dog tacos (because regular tacos just won't do for a Leo).
Get the Queso Mac & Cheese recipe.
Heart Cookies
If Leos are lead by their hearts, and the best way to a person's heart is through their stomach, these heart cookies are a no-brainer. Decorate them with your Leo lover's favorite colors!
Get the Heart Cookies recipe.
Mac & Cheese Pizza Bites
Leos are like big kids at heart, so these mashed up bites are the perfect anytime snack for them. In these pizza-inspired bites, creamy mac, pepperoni, and plenty of Parm combine to create a best-of-both-worlds treat.
Get the Mac & Cheese Pizza Bites recipe.
Tequila Sunrise
PSA: You don't have to be on vacation to enjoy a tequila sunrise. This sunny 3-ingredient cocktail is so easy to make, it deserves to be celebrated all year long (just like all our favorite Leos!).
Get the Tequila Sunrise recipe.
Beef Bourguignon
Homemade beef bourguignon is a labor of love, 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 (a Leo, ofc!) proud.
Get the Beef Bourguignon recipe.
Copycat Carbone Spicy Rigatoni
Every dish at Carbone, the nouveau red sauce joint in lower Manhattan, is a mind-bendingly delicious, updated take on Italian American classics, though none may be more famous than the Spicy Rigatoni, which features their version of a booze-spiked vodka sauce. Thanks to this copycat, now you can enjoy it at home.
Get the Copycat Carbone Spicy Rigatoni recipe.
Chili Crisp
As a fire sign, Leos like their food spicy. The best way to guarantee they can always get their heat fix? Making sure you've always got some chili crisp around. If you've only tried store-bought before, you'll flip over how easy it is to make at home.
Get the Chili Crisp recipe.
Campfire Mules
This cocktail was inspired by a Moscow mule, but in it we’ve replaced the vodka with some smoked bourbon, added some maple syrup for a touch of early fall magic, kept our lemon juice and ginger beer as our old-time residents, and included an optional roasted marshmallow to garnish (campfire → roasted marshmallow… get it? 😉).
Get the Campfire Mules recipe.
Birthday Cake Pie
Everyone deserves a little Funfetti on their birthday, but you can't just give a Leo any ole average birthday cake. Instead, make this birthday cake pie that's the perfect summer-y twist on the classic.
Get the Birthday Cake Pie recipe.
Zucchini Bolognese
In 2018, right before Meghan Markle (a Leo!) became a royal, we had the chance to talk to her about acting on the show Suits, her diet (she loves french fries!), and her favorite red wine (Tignanello). The part of the conversation that’s really stuck with us? Her secret to this low-carb, "sexy, filthy" meatless pasta sauce we’ve been making on repeat ever since.
Get the Zucchini Bolognese recipe.
Banana Split
There are few things that bring out the inner child in us more than a banana split. The best part about enjoying them as an adult? You can make it however you want—no holds barred. We went completely decadent (and classic) with this recipe, with three types of ice cream, homemade fruit syrups, homemade flavored whipped cream, hot fudge, and all the toppings.
Get the Banana Split recipe.
Lemon Meringue Cheesecake
If you’re looking for a show-stopping, mouthwatering dessert to impress the Leo in your life, look no further than this lemon meringue cheesecake recipe. The layers of graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake, bright yellow lemon curd, and a big swoop of toasted meringue will get them in a frenzy even before their first bite.
Get the Lemon Meringue Cheesecake recipe.
Jamaican Curry Chicken
It takes something exceptional to want to eat a hot, curry dish in the middle of a heat wave—and chicken curry is for sure that something! The best part? It’s super hands off once you get it going. Throw the quick marinade together at the start of your day, and it’ll be ready to go by dinner.
Get the Jamaican Curry Chicken recipe.
Champagne Jell-O Shots
Nothing but the best for all the Leos out there, which means you can't be caught serving them boring, normal Jell-O shots! Instead, infuse yours with champagne and top 'em with sprinkles to make them extra special.
Get the Champagne Jell-O Shots recipe.
Chicken À La King
Leos are the kings (and queens!) of their respective jungles, so when you're looking for a decadent meal to serve them, this should be a top contender. This is pretty much chicken pot pie without the crust, and we are HERE for it.
Get the Chicken À La King recipe.
You Might Also Like
