It's Not About Nutrition

There’s a reason we call this Friendship Spaghetti Pie. It’s not fancy. It’s not trendy. And it sure as heck won’t win any minimalist plating awards. But you know what? It shows up. For new babies, for hard weeks, for potlucks and porch dinners, and sometimes—just because someone needed to feel remembered. This pie is the kind of recipe you double by default, because you already know you’ll be bringing the second one to someone you love (or freezing it for Future You). It’s a little cheesy, a little nostalgic, and completely impossible to mess up. My friend Patty first …

Salty. Creamy. Scoopable. The kinda thing you set out and suddenly it’s gone and everyone’s asking who made it. Let me tell you the honest truth: I almost didn’t share this one. Not because it’s secret (please — secrets don’t live long in my kitchen), but because it’s so simple, I wasn’t sure it even counted as a recipe. I mean… four ingredients. No stove. No oven. No fancy folding or chilling or whisking. Just stir, chill, and scoop. But every time I make it — and I do mean every time — someone asks for the recipe. And I …

  You know those recipes that just sneak up on you and become, secretly, the most requested dish at every family barbecue, birthday, or summer block party? Well, Oreo Dirt Cake is one of those sneaky little stars in my family. I remember the first time my sister-in-law—who swore she “wasn’t really a dessert person”—took one tentative bite. Suddenly I look over and, oops, she’s eating her second bowl. It’s that good. Nostalgic, creamy, chocolatey deliciousness layered up in a pan and topped with messy crumbled cookies. If you grew up with this classic no bake dessert at potlucks or …

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 …

Look, I wasn’t trying to make dinner that night. I was surviving. The dishwasher had overflowed (again), my phone was on 2%, and I’d just remembered the science project due tomorrow. So I did what I do on days like that—I threw some stuff in the slow cooker, crossed my fingers, and hoped it wouldn’t taste like regret. Three hours later, my kitchen smelled like a warm hug. Rich, cozy, coconutty. And when I took that first bite? Y’all. It was creamy, tender, a little spicy, a little sweet. My picky eater actually asked for seconds. I just sat there …

Ever have one of those days where you stand in the kitchen, fridge door open, hoping dinner will magically appear? Same. That’s when these baked chicken stuffed crescent rolls earn their keep — flaky, golden bundles filled with warm, creamy chicken goodness that feels like a hug on a plate. They’re fast, they’re filling, and they smell like comfort drifting through your kitchen. Honestly? They’re the kind of thing you make once, then stash the recipe in your back pocket for busy nights when takeout is tempting — but your wallet’s begging for mercy. The Secret’s in the Simple Stuff …

Let me tell you something that might make you smile — this recipe isn’t fancy. It’s not trending on TikTok. It doesn’t call for smoked paprika or artisan broth. What it is, though? Reliable. Sweet. Savory. And, bless it, it basically cooks itself. I first tasted Catalina Chicken sometime around 1998, at my neighbor Judy’s house during one of those chilly fall evenings when the windows fog up and the dog refuses to leave his blanket. Judy served it over Minute Rice (remember that stuff?) with buttered peas on the side. I don’t know if it was the sauce or …

  I have to tell you, nothing—absolutely nothing—takes me back to those bustling New York City delis quite like biting into a hot pastrami sandwich. I’m talking about that magical combo of juicy, peppery pastrami piled high on warm rye bread, a good smear of spicy mustard, and maybe a few tangy pickles or melty Swiss cheese just to send it over the top. It’s the kind of comfort food that’s gotten me through cold afternoons, busy lunch breaks, and even a few late-night cravings. Honestly, it’s one of those sandwiches that just hugs you from the inside out. Why …

Okay… you know when the day’s been a lot? The kind where the laundry’s still on the couch, your phone’s buzzing with things you forgot to do, and everyone in the house somehow expects you to still make dinner like it’s not a circus in here? Yeah. That’s exactly when I reach for this Mexican Ground Beef Casserole. It’s not fancy. It’s not one of those recipes with a bunch of words you gotta Google. But Lord, is it good. It’s cheesy and saucy and full of bold, warm flavor. It tastes like something that took hours — but really, …