Side Dish

Crispy outside, cheesy-herby magic inside. Okay, real talk — I have a soft spot for potatoes. I mean, who doesn’t? They’ve been part of every holiday, church potluck, and Sunday dinner since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. Mashed, scalloped, fried… we Midwesterners know our way around a spud. But these little beauties? They’re something special. Herb-Infused Baked Potato Balls — kind of like if mashed potatoes decided to dress up a bit, roll around in some breadcrumbs, and become the life of the party. They’re cozy, crispy, cheesy, and oh-so-satisfying. I started making them years ago when I had …

Have you ever noticed how just the thought of a loaded baked potato can set your stomach rumbling—no matter the hour? There’s something about that combo of creamy potato, melty cheese, smoky bacon, and bright chives that makes me want to ditch my to-do list and run straight to the kitchen. Honestly, that’s where this Loaded Baked Potato Salad comes in! All that craveable comfort is wrapped right into an easy-to-make, pass-the-bowl kind of salad. It’s hearty enough to be the main event for dinner (especially when you just don’t feel like fussing), but also perfect for backyard BBQs, potlucks, …

There’s something about the smell of potatoes baking that takes me right back to my grandma’s kitchen. She’d always have potatoes going—sometimes in the oven, sometimes tucked into the embers of her old wood stove—and regardless of where they were cooking, that cozy scent promised good eating to come. These days, especially on busy weeks or, honestly, when I don’t want to heat up my whole house, I let my slow cooker do the magic! Slow Cooker Foil Baked Potatoes are one of those little tricks I keep up my sleeve for stress-free meals, hearty sides, and even make-ahead lunches. …

If you ask anyone in my family which side dish means it’s really, truly “holiday time,” they’ll holler Sweet Potato Casserole without missing a beat. It’s a dish we can’t imagine Thanksgiving—or honestly, any big family potluck—without. There’s just something about that dreamy, creamy sweet potato base and the crunchy pecan topping that makes you feel instantly cozy inside (my sister’s been caught eating it cold for breakfast, and she’s not even embarrassed). I’ve tweaked my recipe over the years, picking up little tricks from friends down South, but the basics stay classic: smooth mashed sweet potatoes, a pleasantly sweet …