Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics Season 12 Episode 5 Back to School Surprise

In Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics season 12 episode 5, entitled "Back to School Surprise," host Ina Garten prepares dishes that are perfect for busy weeknights during the school year. First up is a refreshing and simple summer vegetable pasta salad, which features cooked fusilli pasta tossed with blanched haricots verts, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and a homemade vinaigrette. Ina also demonstrates how to make a flavorful and healthy roasted salmon with green herbs, serving it alongside quick-roasted cherry tomatoes and delicious roasted butternut squash with chili flakes and honey.

Next, Ina shares a recipe for a classic comfort food dish: macaroni and cheese. Instead of using boxed mac and cheese, she makes a rich and creamy homemade version with a mix of Gruyere and mature cheddar cheeses, which are melted together with milk and butter and then poured over al dente macaroni noodles. To finish the dish, Ina sprinkles panko bread crumbs on top and bakes it until golden brown and bubbly.

For dessert, Ina whips up a quick and easy fruit crisp using seasonal pears, which are peeled and sliced and then tossed with a mixture of brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. The fruit is then topped with a buttery oat and nut mixture and baked until crispy and fragrant. Ina serves the crisp alongside a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect finishing touch.

Throughout the episode, Ina shares helpful tips and tricks for making each recipe, including how to best cook pasta for salads, how to properly roast salmon to ensure it stays moist and tender, and how to make a perfect, creamy cheese sauce for macaroni and cheese. With her warm and approachable style, Ina makes each recipe feel achievable for even the busiest home cooks, proving that preparing delicious meals at home doesn't have to be a daunting task. Whether you're looking for some new back-to-school recipe ideas or just want some new weeknight dinner inspiration, Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics season 12 episode 5 is sure to leave you feeling inspired and well-fed.