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You know those nights when the couch is calling your name before you’ve even kicked off your shoes? Yeah. That’s exactly when Slow Cooker Baked Ziti comes to the rescue. I used to think “comfort food” meant standing over a bubbling pot for hours — stirring sauces, checking pasta, fighting with the oven timer. I love cooking, truly — but not when the only thing keeping my eyes open is sheer willpower (and maybe the promise of leftover birthday cake in the fridge). So, what’s the fix? This: a cozy pasta dish that practically cooks itself while you get your …

Picture this: you come home after work, drop your bags, and before you even kick your shoes off, you catch that smell — warm, savory, familiar. That’s this stew. It’s the Midwest wrapped up in a bowl, the kind of thing that makes you say, “You know what? I think I’ll have seconds.” If you’ve ever had your grandma tell you “Just throw what you’ve got in a pot and let it cook,” this is exactly what she meant. Meet Your New Weeknight Hero Let’s not pretend we’re all standing over the stove after a long day. Some nights you …

  There’s something laugh-out-loud comforting about Mac & Cheese in our house, especially when it’s made in the Crock Pot. I’ll tell ya—back when my kids were little, this creamy, cheesy, stick-to-your-ribs goodness would lure them to the table faster than anything else. It’s that kind of meal. You know, the kind that brings everyone running, whether they’re doing homework or just sipping sweet tea out on the porch. Now, if I’m feeling extra country (which is often), I make this farmhouse style—simple, hearty, and basically guaranteed to make everybody happy. Toss it in the slow cooker, go about your …

  If I had to pick my “last meal” (don’t make me!), a big juicy Mushroom Swiss Burger would be right up at the tippy-top of my list. There’s just something ridiculously comforting about hearty, savory grilled mushrooms blanketing a beef patty—that melty Swiss cheese draping everything like a cozy sweater. When cookout season hits, this is my go-to burger recipe (although honestly, I whip it up all year). Once you bite into that cheesy, umami-packed goodness, you’ll totally get why my family and I are obsessed. Let’s just say, nobody ever has to twist my arm to make “burger …

  Tell me I’m not the only American who grew up on baked beans from a can—sweet, sticky, plopped next to hot dogs or tucked into a paper plate at church picnics. But then I visited England and, oh, my world: British Baked Beans are a different breed. They’re cozier, milder, swimming in a luscious tomato sauce (not swimming in syrup, whew), and they’re practically a national breakfast treasure over there. Ever since, I’ve been hooked. Now it’s my little weekly project to whip up a batch of homemade British Baked Beans, just like the ones you’ll find on Culinary …

  Whenever I simmer a big old pot of Traditional Bolognese Sauce on the stove, my kitchen transforms into that dream Italian Nonna’s house (you know—the one where she always wants to feed you, even when you’re already full). This isn’t just any pasta sauce. It’s the soul-soothing, nap-inducing, make-everyone-happy kind of comfort food that my family requests on chilly Sundays or whenever we need a little edible hug. I promise, if you’ve never tried making classic Bolognese from scratch—give it a whirl! It’s easier than you think, and your home will smell so amazing your neighbors might just “drop …

  Cheese tortellini is one of those Italian pasta dishes that always takes me right back to my childhood kitchen table. I can almost hear my mom hollering for us to “wash up for dinner!” while a big pot of creamy-sauced tortellini bubbled away on the stove. And, let’s be honest, even as an adult there are days when all I want is a bowl of cheesy, pillowy pasta smothered in a luscious sauce. Who says comfort food has to be complicated? Why You’ll Love This Ridiculously easy—perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or lazy weekend lunch Super creamy sauce …

  I’ve got a confession: there have been more than a few “what’s for dinner?” days around here where I thank my lucky stars for a big batch of Instant Pot Shredded Chicken. Honestly, it’s kind of my weeknight superhero. Whether the fridge is looking a little sad or I just plain forgot to plan, having this easy, juicy chicken in the fridge means I can pull together tacos, sandwiches, salads—heck, even a late-night snack wrap—in under ten minutes. And if you’re the type who likes to meal prep on the weekends (or, you know, has good intentions), this is …