Easy Crockpot Lasagna

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a cooked slow cooker lasagna topped with melted mozzarella cheese

This crockpot lasagna is cheesy, saucy and loaded with layers of tender noodles, beef and Italian sausage, cottage cheese and plenty of mozzarella. With about 20 minutes of prep and no need to boil the noodles first, you get all the layers of a classic homemade lasagna without hovering over a pot of pasta or heating up the oven.

And YES, you really can put the noodles in uncooked! They soften right in the sauce as the lasagna slowly cooks, which is exactly why this has become one of my favorite ways to make lasagna.

Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Lasagna

  • No boiling the noodles: Layer them into the slow cooker straight from the box and let the sauce and steam do the work.
  • Classic lasagna, less work: You still get layers of meat sauce, pasta and three kinds of cheese without boiling noodles or heating up the oven.
  • Extra flavorful meat sauce: Using both ground beef and Italian sausage gives the sauce so much more flavor than beef alone.
  • Creamy cottage cheese filling: Cottage cheese, Parmesan and an egg make a rich, creamy layer that holds together beautifully when sliced.
  • Great for feeding a family: It’s hearty, filling and makes plenty for dinner with leftovers for the next day.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Ground Beef: Adds hearty, beefy flavor to the meat sauce. We combine it with Italian sausage so neither one overpowers the lasagna.
  • Italian Sausage: The easiest way to add loads of flavor without measuring a bunch of extra seasonings. Mild or hot Italian sausage will both work.
  • Yellow Onion: Mince it fairly small so it melts into the meat sauce as it cooks.
  • Garlic: Fresh garlic adds another layer of savory flavor to the sauce.
  • Marinara Sauce: This is one place where using a really good jarred sauce makes a difference. We love Rao’s, but use your favorite marinara or Bolognese sauce.
  • Heavy Cream: Just a splash rounds out the acidity of the tomato sauce and makes it a little richer. It’s optional, so feel free to leave it out.
  • Lemon Juice: It might sound unexpected, but a little squeeze brightens the rich meat and cheese layers.
  • Cottage Cheese: Creates the creamy cheese layer in place of traditional ricotta. We love the texture and mild flavor.
  • Egg: Helps bind the cottage cheese mixture so the lasagna holds its layers better when sliced.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan adds salty, nutty flavor to the cottag
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Beef Chow Mein Casserole

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a large serving spoon scooping out a serving of mock chow mein casserole

Confession: this beef chow mein casserole was one of my LEAST favorite dinners as a kid. Right up there with tuna casserole. And now? I totally get why my mom made it.

This old-fashioned mock chow mein casserole is made with ground beef, rice, cream of mushroom soup and a few simple pantry ingredients, then topped with those crispy chow mein noodles that every kid fights over. It’s inexpensive, filling and makes enough to feed the whole family.

As a kid, I would stare at that pan of beef, rice and soup wondering why we couldn’t just order pizza.

Funny how growing up changes things.

Somewhere along the way, I realized my mom’s casseroles weren’t punishment. 😂 They were the recipes she grew up eating—the kind of simple, budget-friendly dinners that could feed a family without a lot of fuss.

And wouldn’t you know it, now I’m the one craving mock chow mein casserole.

Mom, you win.

QUICK LOOK

  • Prep: About 15 minutes
  • Main Ingredients: Ground beef + rice
  • Bake: 2 hours
  • Best for: Family dinners + leftovers
  • Don’t Skip: The crunchy chow mein noodles!

What is Mock Chow Mein?

Despite the name, mock chow mein isn’t traditional Chinese chow mein. It’s an old-fashioned American casserole made with ground beef, rice, condensed soup and soy sauce, with crispy chow mein noodles sprinkled over the top.

It’s one of those vintage recipes that showed up in family cookbooks and casserole dishes for generations and this is the version my mom made for us growing up.

Why You’ll Love This Mock Chow Mein Recipe

  • Budget-friendly: Ground beef, rice and pantry staples make this an inexpensive way to feed the whole family.
  • Easy to make: Brown the beef, stir everything together and let the oven do the work.
  • That CRUNCH: Crispy chow mein noodles on top are easily the best part.
  • Old-fashioned comfort food: It’s one of those simple family recipes that tastes exactly like childhood.

Ingredients You’ll Need

One reason recipes like this have stuck around for generations? Simple, inexpensive ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Ground
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The Best Patty Melt Recipe

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a patty melt that is broken in half and stacked on each other so you can see the inside of the patty melt with melty cheese and juicy patties

Learn how to make the best patty melt recipe! Our mouthwatering sandwich features thin beef patties grilled to perfection for that nostalgic diner-style flavor. Crispy bread and melty cheese make every bite irresistible, while the caramelized onions add the perfect sweet and savory touch with a tangy homemade dressing!

I had my first patty melt during a road trip from Texas to Chicago years ago, and I still remember it perfectly. We pulled into a tiny greasy diner somewhere along the drive, ordered patty melts, and from the first bite I was hooked. Crispy buttery bread, juicy beef, melty cheese, caramelized onions, and sauce dripping down my hands… honestly, it changed me a little.

Ever since then, I’ve been obsessed with recreating that perfect diner-style patty melt at home. Sometimes I go classic with Swiss cheese on rye, other times I swap in cheddar, sourdough, or a quick burger sauce depending on my mood.

That grease and sauce dripping down my fingers is what officially made me fall I love with sauces and spreads and I’m still a believer all these years later. The beauty of a patty melt is that it’s simple, comforting, and almost impossible to mess up.

What Is a Patty Melt?

A patty melt is a sandwich that’s part hamburger and part grilled cheese. It’s made with seasoned beef patties, caramelized onions, melted cheese, and toasted bread instead of a traditional hamburger bun.

Patty melts are usually cooked on rye bread, but sourdough, Texas toast, or white bread also work great.

Why You’ll Love This Patty Melt

  • Ready in about 30 minutes
  • Crispy buttery toasted bread
  • Juicy beef patties
  • Melty cheese and caramelized onions
  • Easy weeknight comfort food
  • Better than diner-style patty melts

Patty Melt vs Hamburger

A hamburger is served on a bun and usually topped with traditional burger toppings like lettuce and tomato. A patty melt is served on toasted bread with melted cheese and caramelized onions, giving it more of a grilled cheese vibe.

Patty Melt vs Smash Burger

A smash burger is cooked by smashing the beef thin on a hot griddle to create crispy edges. A patty melt uses a slightly thicker burger patty and is assembled like a sandwich with cheese and toasted bread.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Patty Melt

  • Ground Beef: We like 85/15 ground beef for juicy flavorful patties.
  • Onions: Slowly caramelized onions add sweetness and classic diner flavor.
  • B
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Swedish Meatballs Recipe

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a bowl of creamy Swedish meatballs on a bed of mashed potatoes and sprinkled with fresh parsley

This Swedish Meatballs Recipe is packed with tender homemade meatballs simmered in a rich, creamy gravy that’s perfect served over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice. Warm spices like allspice and nutmeg give them their classic flavor, while a silky cream-based sauce makes them the ultimate comfort food dinner.

Years ago, a friend of a family member made tiny Swedish meatballs with gravy for a party. I remember thinking they were one of the most delicious things I’d ever eaten, and I’ve been making some version of them ever since.

Over the years I’ve tweaked and tested this recipe more times than I can count, but the biggest change came when I swapped the traditional sour cream for heavy cream in the gravy. Both versions are delicious, but the cream creates an incredibly silky, rich sauce that takes these Swedish meatballs to a whole new level.

Why You Will Love This Swedish Meatballs Recipe

  • Tender, juicy homemade meatballs
  • Rich and creamy gravy
  • Better than IKEA Swedish meatballs
  • Perfect comfort food dinner
  • Great for meal prep
  • Freezer-friendly
  • Easy enough for weeknights
  • Family-friendly recipe
  • Made with simple ingredients
  • Delicious over potatoes, noodles, or rice

Ingredients You’ll Need

The secret to the best Swedish meatballs is a combination of tender meatballs, warm spices, and a rich homemade gravy. Every ingredient works together to create the classic flavor everyone loves.

For the Meatballs

  • Olive Oil: Used to sauté the onions and brown the meatballs.
  • Yellow Onion: Adds sweetness and flavor to the meat mixture.
  • Garlic: Brings savory depth to every bite.
  • Panko Breadcrumbs: Keeps the meatballs tender and light.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds richness and savory flavor.
  • Eggs: Help bind the meatballs together.
  • Milk: Adds moisture and tenderness.
  • Kosher Salt: Enhances all the flavors.
  • Oregano: Adds subtle herb flavor.
  • Ground Allspice: A classic Swedish meatball ingredient.
  • Ground Nutmeg: Adds warmth and depth.
  • Black Pepper: Provides gentle heat.
  • Ground Beef: Creates a hearty, flavorful meatball.
  • Ground Pork: Adds richness and tenderness.

For the Sauce

  • Beef Stock: Forms the base of the Swedish meatball sauce.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Enhances the beef f
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Best Hamburger Recipe (Our #1 Secret)

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a perfectly grilled burger with two patties, melted cheese pickles and a toasted bun

If you’ve been searching for the best hamburger recipe, this is it. Juicy, flavorful beef, melty cheese, buttery toasted buns, and the perfect pickle finish. This is the kind of classic grilled hamburger that makes summer feel official.

We’ve tested burgers every which way, and this version wins every single time. The secret comes down to the right beef blend, simple seasoning, and not overthinking it. Backyard BBQs, easy weeknight dinners, cookouts with friends…this is the burger recipe you’ve been looking for!

This all started when I partnered with Vlasic, and honestly, it was the perfect excuse to perfect our ultimate backyard burger. We had just watched a Netflix show about the best sandwiches in America, the weather in Utah had finally warmed up, and suddenly all we could think about was burgers on the grill.

At our house, grilling is a really big deal. Summer means slower evenings, fresh produce, backyard dinners, and making time to actually enjoy life together. Early on in our marriage, Cade and I decided we wanted to really live summer—invite people over, make memories, stay outside too late, and never get too busy for a good BBQ.

And honestly, Vlasic fits right into that for me. Their pickles remind me so much of growing up—shelling peas, picking berries, helping my mom can pickles and jam until our hands (and probably our mouths) were stained red and purple. Summer food memories just hit different.

After a little testing in the kitchen, we landed on what we truly believe is the best grilled hamburger recipe ever. This is the burger we make on repeat all summer long.

What Makes This the Best Hamburger Recipe?

It starts with the right beef blend. We use 60% chuck and 40% brisket for the perfect balance of fat, flavor, and tenderness. Add simple seasoning, buttery toasted buns, melty American cheese, and crisp pickles, and you have a burger that tastes better than most restaurants.

This isn’t a complicated gourmet burger—it’s the best classic hamburger recipe done right.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Super juicy and flavorful
  • Perfect for grilling season
  • Uses simple, classic ingredients
  • Better than restaurant burgers
  • Easy enough for weeknight dinners
  • Great for cookouts, BBQs, and summer parties

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Beef Blend: 60% Chuck 40% Brisket, ground by your butcher
  • Salt: simple seasoning that brings out the natural beef flavor
  • Butter: adds richness and helps create an extra juicy burger
  • American Cheese: melts perfectly for that classic diner-style burger
  • Challah Buns: soft, buttery buns that hold everything together beautifully
  • Vlasi
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