All Posts By Jennifer

I’ll be honest with you — slumgullion isn’t the prettiest name for a dish. Sounds like something you’d feed pirates, doesn’t it? But oh honey, don’t let the name fool you. This one-pot wonder has fed generations, filled bellies on tight budgets, and warmed up more cold nights than I can count. I first had it when I was a kid, sitting at my Aunt Millie’s kitchen table — you know the kind with plastic over the cushions and a rotary phone hanging on the wall. She called it “goulash,” but it was really slumgullion — a tomato-y, beefy, cheesy …

You know those evenings where you’re bone-tired but craving something that tastes like a warm blanket? That’s how this recipe was born. I was standing in the kitchen after a long, loud day — laundry still damp in the machine, emails I didn’t answer (sorry, Susan), and all I had was half a carton of cream, some sausage in the fridge, and zero motivation to clean up a mess. So, I just threw everything into one pot and said a little prayer. And honey, let me tell you — this rigatoni came out creamy, cozy, a little spicy, and rich …

You ever make something for dinner and, before anyone even takes a bite, you just know it’s gonna be a winner? That was me with this Cajun Beef Casserole. I pulled it out of the oven — cheese all bubbly and golden, the cornbread crust puffed up like a little crown — and my youngest (who claims he doesn’t like vegetables) peeked over the edge of the pan and said, “That smells like comfort food.” And y’all… he was right. This dish is spicy, savory, a little sweet from the cornbread, and packed full of flavor. Think of it like …

There’s something deeply satisfying about a recipe that lets you get ahead of the chaos. And honey, Farmer’s Casserole is one of those rare gems that feels like it’s doing half your job for you. I first made this dish on a snowy Sunday morning, back when the kids were little and nobody wanted to get out of their pajamas — including me. I had a pile of hash browns in the freezer, a hunk of leftover ham, and about fifteen eggs that were just sitting in the fridge giving me side-eye. I didn’t want to fuss with anything fancy, …

A bubbly, cheesy throwback that tastes like a warm hug. Let me tell you what happened the first time I served this casserole. My husband took one bite, looked at me — wide-eyed, mouth still full — and mumbled, “What is this magic?” Magic, dear friends, goes by many names. In this case: Chicken Gloria. It’s the kind of recipe that tastes like someone still loves you even if the laundry’s piling up, the dog chewed through your curtain tiebacks (again), and dinner just needs to get done. It’s creamy, cozy, and rich without being fussy. Plus — and this …

You know those recipes you try on a whim — maybe because you’ve got leftover rice, a lone green pepper in the crisper, and half a pound of ground beef staring at you from the fridge — and then, somehow, they become family favorites? That’s what happened with this Sweet and Sour Casserole at our house. Honestly, I didn’t expect much the first time I made it. Sweet and sour? In a casserole? With rice and beef? It sounded a little… weird. But let me tell you — it just works. It’s tangy, savory, a little sweet (but not in …

You know that feeling when you smell something baking and, for a split second, you’re ten years old again, standing barefoot in your grandma’s kitchen, waiting for dinner to be done? That’s exactly what happens every time I make this Runza Casserole. Now, if you didn’t grow up in Nebraska or the Midwest, you might be wondering, “Runza what now?” Well, let me tell ya — it’s basically a warm, pillowy pocket stuffed with ground beef, cabbage, and onion. Simple. Savory. Satisfying. But traditionally, they’re handmade little hot pockets, and to be honest, that’s not always the vibe on a …

I’ve made this casserole more times than I can count — for church potlucks, cold Sunday suppers, and those evenings when I just can’t bring myself to dirty more than one dish. It’s creamy without being too rich, savory but mellow, and has that wild rice nuttiness that makes you feel like you went a little fancy… even if you didn’t. Why You’ll Love This (and Maybe Make It Weekly) Just the right kind of creamy — not gloopy, not heavy, just cozy. Wild rice makes it feel special — earthy, chewy, and so satisfying. Perfect for leftover chicken — …

The Kind of Meal That’s There for You When You’re Not Here’s the thing: some nights I just want dinner to make itself. I want to toss some things in a pot, forget about it, and come back to something warm and cheesy that makes the whole kitchen smell like love. That’s where this casserole comes in. I call it “mom’s-night-off magic.” You throw it in the slow cooker in the morning (or lunchtime, let’s be real), go on with your day — work, errands, laundry that never ends — and then when you come back home? Dinner’s just waiting …

  Now listen, I love a proper tamale as much as the next gal. But between soaking husks, mixing dough, and wrapping each one like a baby burrito — who has the time on a Tuesday? This casserole gets you all the good stuff: that soft, rich masa, tender chicken simmered in green enchilada sauce, and cheesy, creamy layers that’ll have you scraping your plate. No steamer. No husks. No stress. Just comfort with a kick. Why You’re Gonna Love This All the tamale flavor, none of the tamale labor Fluffy, buttery masa layer that holds up beautifully Green chile …