Get Fired Up (Literally!) For Leo Season With These Bold Recipes

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.

Creative geniuses, Leos are all about going outside of the box, and this twist on a panzanella salad is exactly that. In this recipe, we're swapping out the bread for extra-crispy deep-fried dumplings. They'll soak up the flavorful sauce, while still remaining some of their crispy texture.

Get the Pot Sticker Panzanella recipe.

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.

This is the cocktail that struts in like it owns the bar—and probably does. Equal parts smoky, citrusy, herbal, and just a little bit wild, the Naked & Famous is a mezcal-powered showstopper that doesn’t ask for attention—it demands it (just like your favorite Leo). It’s bright, bold, and balanced, with a wink of mystery and a flash of flair.

Get the Naked & Famous recipe.

Leos love to be the life of the party, and what steals the spotlight more than a decadent and nostalgic hot fudge sundae? We added all of the must-have toppings (homemade hot fudge included), because a Leo should only have the best of the best.

Get the Hot Fudge Sundae recipe.

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.

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.

Leos are the epitome of sunshine, and these spiked slushies are exactly that...in drinkable form. This nostalgic drink gets a boozy upgrade in this easy recipe, turning it into the perfect summer bev.

Get the Spiked Pink Lemonade Slushies recipe.

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.

This might be the most Leo recipe of all time. It's the perfect easy, no-churn ice cream hack to let your inner child out. Get creative with your favorite toppings, and make it your own!

Get the Mason Jar Ice Cream recipe.

As a fire sign, Leos like their food spicy. They can also bring the sweetness to any situation. The perfect combination of sweet-spicy? Homemade hot honey. Keep this on standby, so your favorite Leo can drizzle it on top of their favorite meals for an extra boost of sweet heat.

Get the Hot Honey recipe.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.