It's Not About Nutrition

I’ll be honest — this started as one of those “I’ve got shrimp, now what?” situations. You know the kind. I was staring down a bag of thawed shrimp, low on energy, but still wanting something that felt a little… special. Something I could toss in the oven and not babysit. Somehow, I landed on this cheesy, garlicky, lightly crispy shrimp casserole — and let me tell you, it was way better than I expected for something that took less time to make than finding a clean pair of socks. It’s buttery, rich (without being too heavy), and has that …

You know those days where you’ve got nothing planned for dinner, time’s already slipping away, and everyone’s gonna be hungry at exactly the same moment? That’s when I pull out this Hurry Chicken recipe. It’s one of those old-school, sticky-sauced slow cooker meals that takes five minutes to throw together and makes your house smell like you’ve been cooking all day. I don’t even remember where I first saw the recipe — probably scribbled on the back of an envelope from someone at church or clipped from a 90s magazine — but it stuck. Because it works. And because it’s …

This casserole? Oh honey, this one is a crowd-pleaser. I’m talking “bring-the-neighbors-in-from-their-driveways” kind of good. You know how sometimes you just want dinner to feel like a hug? Not something delicate or fussy — just easy, creamy, cheesy goodness that makes the table go quiet because everyone’s too busy eating? That’s exactly what this Doritos Casserole is. It’s a little retro, unapologetically cheesy, and 100% not health food. And honestly? That’s why I love it. It’s the kind of dish you bring to a potluck and leave with an empty dish and five recipe requests. Or what you make on …

You ever wake up on a Sunday and think, “Okay, I want something special, but I don’t want to actually do anything”? That’s this casserole. Right here. It’s sunshine in a pan, made with refrigerated orange rolls and a cozy little custard that bakes into something between cinnamon rolls and French toast. Sweet, soft, a little citrusy, and just messy enough to feel homemade. I started making this on Christmas mornings when the kids were little because I could prep it the night before and just toss it in the oven while coffee brewed and wrapping paper flew. But now? …

You know that dish that always shows up at potlucks, family reunions, or funerals — and you can’t quite tell what’s in it, but you always go back for seconds? That’s this. These Kentucky Crockpot Potatoes are warm, creamy, cheesy, and just the right kind of salty. They’re the kind of potatoes that don’t try to be fancy. They’re not roasted with herbs or shaved into scalloped layers. They’re just honest-to-goodness comfort food — like the kind my Aunt Mary would bring in a big old Crockpot to every church function for 20 years straight. And you know what? Not …

Let me tell you — I didn’t plan on this one being a hit. I was trying to clean out the fridge one afternoon, found some heavy cream I needed to use up, a pack of chicken breasts, and a half-used thing of Cajun seasoning tucked in the back of the spice cabinet. You know the drill — the usual, “What can I throw together that doesn’t involve standing at the stove for an hour?” This dish came out of that moment. It’s creamy, a little spicy, and hearty enough to make everyone at the table happy. It’s also a …