All Recipes

You know, some recipes just feel like a gathering. This one? It’s a hug in a pot. Back when my kids were little — sticky fingers, Sunday shoes kicked off by the door — there was hardly a Wednesday night we didn’t end up at the church basement, folding chairs squeaking on linoleum floors, tables sagging under every casserole you could think of. And someone — usually Miss Clara, bless her heart — always brought spaghetti. Not fancy, just good. Simmered all day, ladled out with a wink and a “Go on, get seconds.” Folks would come for the sermon, …

You know, sometimes when that Midwest wind starts howlin’ through the cracks in the windows, all I can think about is something warm simmering away — filling the whole house with that smell that makes you sigh and say, “Well, that’s better.” This Poor Man’s Stew isn’t fancy — and honestly, that’s the whole point. I’ve been making this version for years, and my mother did before me, and probably hers before that. It’s the kind of meal that shows up when money’s tight but you still want to gather your people ‘round the table for something that sticks to …

A Cozy Classic Just Like Grandma Used to Make Let me tell you — some days call for fancy meals with fresh herbs and five different pans, and other days… well, you just need something warm, simple, and made with love. That’s where this Slow Cooker No Peek Chicken & Rice comes in. This recipe brings me straight back to Sunday afternoons in my grandma’s farmhouse kitchen — the smell of something savory bubbling away, and the sound of the back door creaking open as the kids come in from playing. It’s humble, it’s hearty, and it hits the spot …

There’s just something about a pot of chili. You smell it before you even walk into the kitchen, and the smell kind of wraps around you like an old sweater. This isn’t fussy food. It’s the “come on in, grab a bowl, sit down” kind of food. This Chili Con Carne is big on flavor — a little smoky, a little spicy, rich enough that it feels special but still something you could make on a Tuesday night. It’s got Texas in its bones, but I’ll be honest, it’s traveled well. Once you’ve got the base recipe down, you can …

You ever have one of those days where the house is chilly, your feet are sore, and you’re just craving something warm, cheesy, and a little bit nostalgic? That’s what these sweet potatoes are for. I don’t know about you, but around here in the Midwest, we don’t need fancy to feel fed. We need something that smells like home, tastes like comfort, and doesn’t make a big fuss. This recipe? It checks all the boxes. The first time I made these, I just wanted something simple — I threw some sweet potatoes in the slow cooker before heading out …

There are some recipes that aren’t fancy, but they just stick. You make them once, everyone eats them without saying much (except maybe “pass me another one”), and then they’re in your regular rotation forever. These chicken fritters are like that. They remind me of the kind of cooking my grandma did — practical, not fussy, but still somehow perfect. In the Midwest, canned chicken isn’t just “a shortcut,” it’s a pantry hero. It’s what you use when you want something quick, filling, and warm without starting from scratch. And that’s exactly what these fritters are — warm little golden …

You know, I’ve made meatloaf a hundred ways — in the oven, in a cast iron pan, even once in a Dutch oven on a camping trip (don’t ask — it almost worked). But the first time I tried this Slow Cooker Meatloaf, I was hooked. There’s something about letting that loaf bubble away all afternoon while you get on with your day — errands, laundry, or maybe just putting your feet up with a good book — that feels so downright comforting. My mom used to make a version of this on Sunday afternoons while we all drifted in …

It was a few years back, during one of those potluck Super Bowl parties where everyone brings something — and nine times out of ten, it’s chips and store-bought salsa. I was running behind (because of course I was), rummaging through my fridge like a woman on a mission, when I saw three bricks of cream cheese just sitting there. Then, tucked in the deli drawer: half a pack of pepperoni and a jar of pepperoncini I forgot I bought during a “let’s spice things up” phase. Something clicked. I tossed it all together, said a little prayer to the …

Okay, listen. I’ve made a lot of casseroles in my day—some flops, some keepers, and a handful that downright saved my week. But this Amish Country Casserole? It’s the kind of dish that sneaks its way into your regular rotation before you even realize what’s happening. The first time I made it, I’d just come home from running errands all afternoon—hadn’t even thought about dinner. It was hot, I was cranky, and I was this close to handing everyone cereal and calling it a night. But I poked around the pantry, saw some pasta, a can of soup, and ground …