Author name: Lauren Allen

The Cozy German Meal Your Family Will Ask for Again and Again

Our traditional German Rouladen recipe is a classic comfort food with thin slices of beef rolled around mustard, bacon, and vegetables, then braised until melt-in-your-mouth tender. How to make Rouladen: Add Fillings and Roll Up: Lay out each beef slice, pound lightly (optional, if needed), spread with mustard, and season with salt and pepper. Add…

A Classic Thanksgiving Menu You Can Actually Pull Off

A classic Thanksgiving menu with all the essentials for a stress-free holiday, plus classic pies and a free shopping list. This is the Thanksgiving menu I come back to every single year – not because it’s trendy or impressive, but because it works. These are the dishes my family would stage a revolt over if…

Turkey Brine

Our easy Turkey Brine recipe locks in moisture and enhances flavor, giving you the most tender, flavorful turkey every time. How to Wet Brine a Turkey: Brine base: Add 1 quart (4 cups) of water to a large pot. Add salt, brown sugar, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, orange peel and juice, lemon peel and juice,…

Why You’ll Never Buy Store‑Bought Ricotta Again

Our easy homemade Ricotta Cheese recipe uses just four simple ingredients to make the BEST homemade ricotta in under 30 minutes. You’ll never go back to store-bought once you’ve tasted the difference! How to make Ricotta Cheese: Combine: In a saucepan, combine the milk, cream, and salt. Heat over medium, stirring often, until it reaches…

The No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie Everyone Asks Me to Bring

Our no-bake Peanut Butter Pie recipe is rich and creamy, made with just a few simple ingredients in 20 minutes (no baking required)! It’s the perfect make-ahead dessert for holidays, potlucks, or when you’re craving a quick and indulgent treat. How to make Peanut Butter Pie: Make Oreo Pie Crust: Pulse Oreos into crumbs in…

Make Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes to Save Time and Stress

Your guide to make ahead Thanksgiving recipes for a relaxed holiday – and a free printable Thanksgiving Prep Ahead Timeline. You don’t have to spend Thanksgiving morning juggling casseroles and pie crusts while guests arrive. With a little planning, nearly every dish on your holiday table can be prepped ahead – giving you time to…

Buttermilk Biscuits

Our homemade Buttermilk Biscuits are perfectly soft, flaky, and buttery, made completely from scratch with simple pantry ingredients. How to make Biscuits: Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Grate in frozen butter, then use a pastry blender or two forks to cut it into the flour. until there…

13 Turkey Alternatives for Thanksgiving Your Family Will Love

Break tradition with these show-stopping turkey alternatives for Thanksgiving. Who says Thanksgiving dinner has to revolve around turkey? If you’re ready to break with tradition and serve something truly spectacular this holiday season, these 13 turkey alternatives for Thanksgiving offer elegant, flavorful options that will have your guests raving. These recipes work for any size…

Next-Level Mint Brownies That Outshine the Rest.

Our homemade Mint Brownies recipe has a rich, fudgy brownie base topped with creamy mint frosting and chocolate frosting. They’re absolute show-stoppers! How to make Mint Brownies: Make Brownies: Mix sugar and oil in a mixing bowl. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each egg is added. Add vanilla. Add dry ingredients: cocoa powder, salt, flour,…

Classic Cheese Ball

The best Cheese Ball recipe has plenty of cheddar cheese, green onions, and seasonings mixed with cream cheese. It’s coated in chopped pecans and served with crackers, pretzels, or veggies. How to make a Homemade Cheese Ball: Combine: Beat cream cheese until smooth then incorporate remaining ingredients. High quality ingredients make a high quality cheese…

This Whole Roasted Cauliflower Stole the Show at Dinner

The best Whole Roasted Cauliflower recipe transforms a humble vegetable into an impressive veggie side dish that’s bursting with flavor and served with a tahini sauce. How to Roast a Whole Cauliflower: Prep Cauliflower: Trim the stem so the cauliflower sits flat, keeping it whole. Rinse and pat dry thoroughly. Mix olive oil, garlic powder,…

15 Creative Ground Beef Recipes That Aren’t Spaghetti

There are better ways to use that ground beef in your freezer. Ground beef is one of the most versatile ingredients in your kitchen, and with just a little inspiration, it can become the base for something exciting, family-friendly, and way more flavorful. This list brings together 15 creative ground beef dinners that are easy…

13 Warm and Cozy Desserts That Are Pure Comfort

There’s just something about warm and cozy desserts fresh from the oven – they always disappear fast. When the weather turns chilly, there’s nothing better than a warm and cozy dessert fresh from the oven. These are the recipes that make your kitchen smell amazing and bring everyone running for a spoon – rich cobblers,…

Chicken Divan

This chicken divan with rice is flavorful, packed with chicken and broccoli, and is a meal the whole family will love!This easy Chicken Divan recipe is a healthier take on the classic casserole made with tender chicken, broccoli, and a creamy homemade sauce. It’s the perfect make-ahead meal for busy weeknights and a comforting family favorite! How to make Chicken Divan: Prepare Rice and Sauce: Cook rice according to package directions. Meanwhile, make the sauce…

Banana Pudding

Homemade Banana Pudding is creamy, easy to make, and so much better than anything in a box! We layer it with fresh bananas and Nilla wafers for a comforting and classic no-bake dessert!Our homemade Banana Pudding recipe is rich, creamy, and made completely from scratch with layers of fresh bananas, vanilla wafers, and smooth vanilla pudding. No One Likes BROWN Bananas: There’s nothing less appetizing than brown or dark bananas in your banana pudding.  There’s a couple ways to help prevent bananas from browning: How to make…

Raisin Pie

This easy Raisin Pie recipe is flavorful, sweet, and delicious in a flaky golden pie crust.This homemade Raisin Pie recipe features a sweet, cinnamon-spiced raisin filling baked inside a flaky homemade pie crust. It’s a classic old-fashioned pie that’s perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any holiday gathering. Bringing Back an Old‑Fashioned Favorite From Plump Raisins to Perfect Filling Grandma Knew Best, This Raisin Pie Proves It Old-Fashioned, Full-Flavored, and Flat-Out…

From-Scratch Green Bean Casserole Is 100x Better

This easy Green Bean Casserole recipe is packed full of healthy and fresh ingredients, making this classic side full of flavor and something people want to eat!My Homemade Green Bean Casserole recipe is the ultimate from-scratch version of the classic holiday side dish, made with fresh ingredients and no canned soup. How to make Green Bean Casserole: Blanch Green Beans: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Blanch the green beans until they’re bright green and tender-crisp, about 3…

Baked Ham

The best Baked Ham recipe is warm, moist, and covered in a delicious pineapple brown sugar glaze. It's perfect for holidays or any special occasion and the leftovers are so versatile!This traditional Baked Ham recipe with a pineapple brown sugar glaze is so flavorful, delicious, and perfect for Easter, Christmas, or any special occasion! How to make Baked Ham: Make the Glaze: Combine all glaze ingredients in a saucepan and stir until smooth. Simmer on low heat until thickened to a syrup-like consistency. Bake and…

12 One Pot Meals Everyone Should Know How to Make

One Pan Skillet Lasagna is a comforting weeknight favorite made in just one dish for easy cleanup and bold lasagna flavor.These easy one pot meals come together fast and make dinnertime feel effortless – especially if you’re a new (or just tired) cook. Some nights just call for fewer dishes and more comfort – especially if you’re new to cooking or just too tired to think about it at the end of the day. These…

Pumpkin Pie Spice

This DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice recipe combines 5 simple spices for a bold, fresh, and flavorful pumpkin pie spice that is cheaper than the store-bought one!Make your own homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice in minutes with just five pantry spices! It’s cheaper and more flavorful than store-bought. How to make Pumpkin Pie Spice: Combine: Measure out spices in a small bowl and mix together to make homemade pumpkin pie spice. Keep in an airtight spice bottle or airtight container for 3-4…

15 Easy Fancy Desserts Anyone Can Make

This flourless chocolate cake recipe delivers deep chocolate flavor with minimal ingredients.If you want a showstopping treat without the stress, these easy fancy desserts deliver every time. There’s something satisfying about serving a dessert that looks bakery-quality, but is actually easy to make at home. With a few simple techniques and thoughtful touches, even the fanciest-looking treats are totally doable. This list rounds up 15 easy…

Orange Pomegranate Salad

This arugula Pomegranate Salad recipe is colorful, bright, and so flavorful! It's perfect for a holiday meal or anytime!This orange Pomegranate Salad is the perfect easy holiday side dish, layered with sweet pomegranate arils, avocados, fresh oranges, thinly sliced onions, toasted walnuts and feta cheese. It has the perfect crunch and sweetness to accompany any dinner! How to make Pomegranate Salad: Make Salad Dressing: Add all of the salad dressing ingredients to a…

Pumpkin French Toast

This easy Pumpkin French Toast recipe has the perfect pumpkin spice flavor in the batter and cooked until golden and perfect.It doesn’t get better than this easy Pumpkin French Toast recipe with thick bread slices dipped in a pumpkin-spice mixture and cooked until golden. It’s guaranteed to be a seasonal favorite! How to make Pumpkin French Toast: Make Batter: In a shallow dish, whisk together eggs, pumpkin, milk, sugar, flour, salt, vanilla, and spices until…

Scroll to Top