Backstory: Because We All Need a Cozy Shortcut So, confession time: chicken pot pie was basically a love language in my house growing up. My mom used to make it the slow, classic way—rolling out pastry, the whole nine yards. Listen, she’s a legend, but some nights I just need dinner that doesn’t ask for …
So, Let Me Tell You About This Hamburger Potato Casserole You ever have one of those days where you come home and all you want is a big plate of something warm and cozy? Same. That's usually when I dust off the good old crockpot and throw together this Easy Crockpot Hamburger Potato Casserole. Honestly, …
Let Me Tell You About Mississippi Chicken... Grab a chair, friend—I'm about to spill my Mississippi Chicken secrets. (Don’t worry, this isn’t one of those recipes with a 10-page life story upfront!) But honestly, the first time I tried this was at my neighbor Betty’s Sunday potluck, and after one bite I may have swooned …
Just Chuck It In! My (Very) Lazy Way to Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken Okay, so here's the scoop: I’m not always the world’s most energetic cook (who is on a Tuesday?), and this Easy Dump and Go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken is my absolute go-to when I only have about two brain cells left after work. Seriously, …
If You Like Cozy Dinners, You're In For A Treat Okay, so let me spill the beans (or, er, onions?): this Crock Pot French Onion Chicken is basically my go-to when I'm craving something fancy-ish but can't handle another sink full of dishes after work. The first time I made this, my cousin's dog snuck …
The Story Behind These Cheesy Potatoes (and How I Ended Up Here) Alright, so here’s the thing: I started making this crockpot cheesy potatoes and kielbasa recipe years ago out of sheer desperation. Like, real “what in the world can I do with half a bag of potatoes and that big ring of kielbasa lurking …
Let Me Tell You About This Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Okay, so I’ve got to start by telling you: I used to think slow cooker chicken recipes were kind of boring. That all changed the first time I made this garlic parmesan chicken pasta in my trusty crockpot (which is probably older than some …
Alright, Let Me Tell You About This Soup If you’re anything like me, you’ve waged some long, slightly silly, battles with your Crock Pot. Seriously, mine’s seen everything: disastrous chili (let’s not talk about it), forgotten stews, even an art project involving crayons (that was my nephew, not me, but still). But this Crock Pot …
If You Think Pepper Steak Is Fancy—Wait ‘Til You Try This Lazy Version Okay, real talk: my first encounter with pepper steak involved way too many dishes and a small meltdown over the stove. Then I discovered the magic of throwing stuff in a crockpot and reclaiming my sanity. Now, this Crockpot Pepper Steak recipe …
Welcome to My Kinda Cozy Crockpot Hamburger Potato Casserole Alright, grab a mug of tea (or coffee, or you know, whatever you prefer). Let’s dive into one of my go-to, no-nonsense comfort dishes: Crockpot Hamburger Potato Casserole. I swear, I may have first made this on a day when all the groceries in my fridge …
If there's one dinner that always feels like a warm hug after a long Tuesday (or, let's be honest, any Monday), it's this Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta. I remember the first time I threw it together—it was raining, I hadn't gone grocery shopping, and my only real ambition was to avoid washing extra dishes. …
Can I Just Say Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken Is a Lifesaver? I swear, this dump and go crockpot teriyaki chicken has rescued me more times than I'd care to admit. You know those days when you walk in the door and your stomach is making whale noises and you’re like, “There is nothing to eat”? Yeah, …
The Story Behind My Mississippi Chicken Messes Alright, so Mississippi Chicken. You’ve probably seen this one floating around online, right? But here’s the deal: I started making this on a whim one Tuesday when my fridge looked like a ghost town—grabbed what was lurking in the back, hoped for the best, and bam. Instant favorite …
Hearty Crockpot Pepper Steak—A Lazy Day Lifesaver Okay, hear me out: Crockpot Pepper Steak is my rainy day MVP. I figured out this recipe one ridiculously busy Tuesday when the only thing standing between me and ordering takeout was, well, a pack of beef languishing in the fridge and my trusty slow cooker (which I'm …
Let Me Tell You About This Cozy Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes and Kielbasa... First off, just between us, I never intended to become the go-to potato and kielbasa person. But then, one cold Tuesday, I chucked potatoes, cheese, and kielbasa into my old slow cooker (it's got a wonky lid and everything) because I couldn't face …
Let's Talk About This Soup (And Also A Bit About My Messy Kitchen) If you've ever dreamt of spooning up pure cosiness on a cold, dreary afternoon, you're really gonna love this: Crock Pot Crack Potato Soup. I'm not kidding, it practically built its own fan club in my family (the neighbors stopped by when …
Okay, so let’s just get right into it—Crockpot Crack Chicken is basically what I make when the week is chewing on me instead of the other way around. I think the first time I tried this, I was staring at an almost-empty fridge, most of my ambition spent; hold on, funny story—my cousin calls this …
Let's Talk About Cozy Dinners: My Chicken Pot Pie Tale So okay, you know those drizzly afternoons when you just want to eat something that reminds you of home, but you're not about to spend hours fussing with pastry? Yeah, that's usually when I pull out my not-so-secret weapon: Easy Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie. …
Alright, This Is How I Got Into Crock Pot French Onion Chicken Okay, funny story: I started making Crock Pot French Onion Chicken because my oven went kaput on Thanksgiving week. (Yeah, the universe has a sense of humor.) Desperate for something comforting—but easy enough to not require an engineering degree—I started tossing ingredients into …
Let Me Tell You About My Favorite Party Trick So here's the deal: every New Year's Eve, like clockwork, somebody ends up asking me for that cheese ball recipe (not gonna lie, sometimes I'm secretly pleased because it's so easy and yet somehow makes me look fancy). It started off as a panic dish when …
You know those foods people hover near at parties? Well, that's my Pasta Salad Cups; seriously, I've seen grown adults sidestep conversation just to swoop in for seconds. The first time I made these for my cousin’s graduation, I way underestimated how much folks can pile into one little cup—lesson learned! They're quirky, portable, and …
A Little Story (Because Food Is Memories, Right?) So, last summer's backyard BBQ, I'm balancing a plate on one knee and my nephew runs by, nearly dives into the dip (classic Jake). That night, Buffalo Chicken Sliders basically disappeared in, what, 12 minutes? I kinda lost count after the third round. Point is, they're always …
Let Me Tell You About These Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Alright, pull up a chair (or, if you’re like me, just perch on the edge of the kitchen counter with your coffee). I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve whipped up these Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies for everything from New Year's shindigs to those …
Catching Up Over Spinach Artichoke Dip Bites So I have this friend, Sam, who claims she “doesn’t snack between meals.” I’d believe her, except whenever I make these Spinach Artichoke Dip Bites, she’s suddenly parked by the tray, snackin’ like there’s no tomorrow. I honestly don’t blame her. The first time I brought these out …
Let Me Tell You About These Mini Baked Potatoes Every year—without fail—someone in my family asks me to bring “those little potatoes” to the New Year's party. The first time I made them, I basically forgot about the main dish because folks ended up grabbing for these instead (I mean, can you blame them?). Honestly, …
If you ever find yourself in that classic hosting panic (sweaty palms, is-there-enough-chips anxiety, frantic hunting for where you left the cilantro), let me tell you about the absolute best save-my-bacon snack: Mexican street corn dip. First time I whipped this up, it was kind of an accident. We were supposed to have elote—on the …
So, You're Thinking of Baking Chocolate Cake with Raspberries? Alright, you want to impress a room full of hungry party-goers with a chocolate cake crowned in juicy raspberries? Grab a chair for a second, because I’ve been at the heart of too many family gatherings where this cake—this exact chocolate-and-raspberry wonder—stole the show, even when …
The Story (and a Little Chaos) Behind My Cranberry Brie Bites So, let me spill: the first time I made these Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites, it was for one of those last-minute holiday gatherings where I realized ten minutes before the doorbell rang that I hadn't actually, you know, made anything. I panicked, grabbed …
So, You Want to Make Steak Crostini for the Holidays? Alright, let me level with you—every December, it's like clockwork. My family asks, So, are you doing your steak crostini thing again? And every year, I pretend it's a real debate. Truth? I kind of love the fuss (though my shoulders ache after caramelizing onions …
Why I Keep Making These Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes You know those recipes that somehow, magically, disappear before you even get a chance to sneak seconds? That's this one for me. I think the first time I made Cheesy scalloped potatoes was on a whim (probably procrastinating on making a proper dinner, if I'm honest!) and …
Okay, so let me tell you how these Iowa Party Bites became my go-to move for every Midwest get-together (and a few, um, barely-held-together school potlucks, not gonna lie). The first time I tried making these, I dropped half the cheese on the floor. Did I eat it anyway? Of course not... but I definitely …
Let’s Make Easy Christmas Stuffed Shells (with a Side of Holiday Mayhem) Okay, confession: every December, there’s this totally bonkers evening when the house smells like gingerbread and candle wax, my kid is somewhere wearing half a Santa beard, and I’m elbow-deep in ricotta. That was basically the origin story for these Christmas Stuffed Shells. …
Gather Around—The Best Kind of Mess: Ginger Bread House Decorating If you’ve ever tried to keep royal icing off your elbows, welcome to the club. Ginger bread house decorating in my family? Let’s just say there’s frosting in places it shouldn’t be, sprinkles underfoot, and last year someone’s dog ate a gumdrop chimney (he survived; …
So, soft & chewy gingerbread men cookies... has there ever been a more nostalgic bake? I mean, my kitchen practically smells like a childhood winter every time I make these. Honestly, when December rolls in (and, okay, sometimes in July if I'm feeling rebellious), out comes my old, slightly dented gingerbread man cutter. It's the …
Let Me Tell You About My (Slightly Messy) First Try I’ll never forget the first time I attempted the Cracker Barrel Coca Cola Cake. I’d been craving that ooey, gooey, unmistakably Southern chocolate cake—part nostalgia, part sugar rush. The thing is, I’d just moved into a new apartment and apparently thought my oven doubled as …
When Gingerbread Season Hits (It’s Basically Any Cool Day, Right?) Okay, so, picture this: there’s that classic wintry chill outside, and I’m rooting through my pantry for something—literally anything—other than oatmeal. That’s when my brain says, hey, how about those gingerbread cookies Nana used to make, except, well, less tooth-chipping? Soft gingerbread, that is. With …
If there’s one thing my lot expects on Christmas Day—besides arguing over whose turn it is to pull a cracker—it’s these sticky-sweet glazed carrots. The first time I made them, I forgot to buy butter and ended up raiding my neighbour's fridge on Christmas Eve (true story). Now, these carrots are our tradition, butter and …
If You’ve Ever Wanted Cannoli, But Didn’t Want the Fuss… I’ve gotta tell you, these cannoli cookies are kind of a love letter to my big, slightly chaotic holiday kitchen. The first time I baked a batch, I thought, ‘Oh, I’m just making regular cookies with a fancy hat.’ Nope – little did I know …
Let Me Tell You About Garlic Bread Rolls Okay, so, picture last Saturday night: it's raining, nobody feels like making a proper dinner, and my family is silently hoping I’ll cave and order pizza. But! I started up my favorite playlist, and instead put together these garlic bread rolls (and honestly, there was a brief …
You Wouldn't Believe My Irish Cream Soda Misadventures Alright, here’s the deal: I’m a notorious fiddler—if there’s a way to tinker with a classic recipe until it ends up everywhere except in the glass, you can bet I’ve found it! I first tried making homemade real fruit Irish cream soda after an utterly disastrous attempt …