Simple Recipes for the Fourth of July

It's so exciting to think that Fourth of July is only a few days away! If you haven't had time to think of a menu, no worries. A simple All American BBQ is definitely the way to go for this holiday. Keep your menu simple and try to include items that can be made a day ahead so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your friends and family.

You can easily create a festive appetizer by arranging one package of blue tortilla chips and one package of white tortilla chips on a platter with a bowl of red salsa in the middle. Or try making a tasty southwestern dip by combining one package of softened cream cheese with about one cup of salsa for a delicious creamy dip (be sure to keep more on hand, it goes fast!). Personally, I like combining about 1 tsp of cilantro with the southwestern dip, but it tastes great either way. Other great appetizers to include on your menu are quesadillas, bruschetta and a refreshing fruit salad.

Instead of gambling on trying a new recipe for the main course this Fourth of July, stick to something you know everyone will love. There is nothing more budget friendly, family friendly and "All American" than burgers and hot dogs. Experiment by offering a variety of different toppings so that your guests can build their own burger or hot dog. Most kids won't go for much more than ketchup and cheese, but adults may like to try something new like pepper jack cheese, bacon, chili or feta cheese and olives on their burger. I found a great site that offers a list of 101 different ways to build a burger. Offering guests a variety of topping choices is sure to leave everyone happy.

Make sure any side dishes you choose to serve can be made the day before so you have more time to spend with your guests. Potato salad and pasta salad are great choices for any barbecue. I recently made an easy BLT macaroni salad that was a big hit on Father's Day. The recipe simply combines cooked macaroni noodles, crumbled bacon, diced tomatoes, mayonnaise to taste and a splash of vinegar.

Over the years, my family has tried creating dozens of different Fourth of July deserts. Even though we still try new recipes every year, the one that remains a staple every year is the Flag Cake—my mom found the recipe on a Cool Whip container many years ago and has made it every year since. I am not sure if Cool Whip still prints the recipe on the back of their containers, but they do have the original recipes on their website: Flag Cake. Cupcakes are a great alternative to a cake for Fourth of July because you can sit back and enjoy the fireworks instead of worrying about cutting cake. If you are expecting a lot of kids at your party, let them decorate their own cupcakes with red and blue sprinkles!

Looking for more ideas? Our brand new Recipe Section on CoolSavings.com has tons of great recipes you can try for your Independence Day celebration. Please share your favorite recipes with us!