So, let me tell you about something I whipped up for my son Preston, who’s now living the dream in his campus apartment. Well, “dream” might be a bit of a stretch when you factor in the reality of feeding yourself every single day. When Preston called me asking, “Mom, what am I supposed to eat?” I realized that figuring out meals—especially with limited money and time—can feel almost impossible.

To help him out (and because I’m the mom who just can’t help but feed people), I put together a simple, no-nonsense College Cookbook packed with easy, budget-friendly meals that even the most reluctant cook can handle. This is the guide I wish I had when I was a college student myself. It’s got everything from quick meals you can make with five ingredients or less to a weekly shopping list that makes grocery runs a breeze. Preston’s been using it to survive, and let me tell you, the results have been chef’s kiss… or at least, no one’s starved yet!

And because I know Preston isn’t the only one out there struggling to navigate the wild world of college cooking, I’m offering this cookbook for free! That’s right, it’s all yours. Just click the link below and download it. Whether you’re a college student, a parent of one, or just someone who’s tired of eating instant noodles every night, this little guide will save you time, money, and maybe even a little bit of your sanity.

[Download the Free College Cookbook Here!]

Preston’s learning that eating well doesn’t have to be hard or expensive, and you can too! So go ahead, try it out, and let me know how it works for you. And if you ever have any questions (or want to share a cooking disaster story—we’ve all got those!), drop me a comment below.
Happy cooking, friends!

Heather  (aka Mom, Kitchen Consultant, and Chief Recipe Collector)

​There are some meals that just stick with you—both in your heart and, in our case, on your table. Literally. Enter: the beloved Tater Tot Casserole. This dish has been a staple in our family for as long as I can remember, and it’s earned a special place in our hearts (and stomachs). How special, you ask? Well, let me tell you a little story about Trenton.

Back when Trenton was just a toddler, we had finished up a family dinner where tater tot casserole was, of course, the star of the show. Plates were cleared, everyone was stuffed, and the adults were in the living room, content and happy. But not Trenton. Nope, this kid was on a mission. Before I knew it, I walked into the dining room to find Trenton on top of the table, shoveling leftover tater tots like he had discovered buried treasure. He just couldn’t get enough. Honestly, can you blame him?

Now, fast forward a few years, and the love for this casserole hasn’t faded one bit. When I asked Preston what he wanted me to bring for Family Weekend at his college, he didn’t even hesitate--Tater Tot Casserole was his one and only request. And Clayton? This kid has actually requested it more than once for his birthday. It’s safe to say this dish has become legendary in our household.
Since this casserole has become our family's go-to comfort meal (and I’m betting it’ll become one in your home, too), I’m sharing the recipe below. It’s simple, cheesy, and loaded with tater tot goodness—perfect for any meal where you need a guaranteed win!

Tater Tot Casserole Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for a lighter version)
• 1 small onion, diced (Preston doesn't like em so we don't use em)
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken for a twist)
• 1 can green beans, drained (optional, but adds a veggie boost!)
• 1 cup (or more) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 bag frozen tater tots (you can't skimp here—this is the star of the show)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a skillet, brown the ground beef (or turkey) over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Stir in the cream of mushroom soup and green beans (if using), mixing everything until well combined. Simmer for a couple of minutes.
4. Pour the meat mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly.
5. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the meat layer—this is the glue that holds it all together!
6. Now, arrange the frozen tater tots on top of the cheese layer. Feel free to get creative here, or just toss them on haphazardly if you’re feeling rebellious.
7. Pop the dish into the oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the casserole is bubbling.
8. Let it cool for a few minutes (if you can wait that long), then serve it up!

Pro Tip: If you want to make it a little fancier, sprinkle some extra cheese on top for the last 5 minutes of baking, and throw on a little parsley for color. You know, for the ‘gram.

This casserole is the definition of comfort food, and I guarantee it’ll be a hit in your family, just like it is in ours. Whether you’re feeding toddlers who will literally climb the table for it or college students who need a taste of home, this dish is a winner.
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So, next time you’re wondering what to make for dinner or looking for a crowd-pleaser, give this tater tot casserole a try. And if you have any casserole-related toddler table-climbing stories of your own, I’d love to hear them in the comments!

Happy cooking (and keep an eye on those tots)!

Welcome to our family’s recipe blog, where I’m officially documenting all of our favorite meals—because my kids are out in the world cooking now (sometimes for themselves, sometimes for others they love), and I need to know they're not surviving on ramen and hot Cheetos alone. Though, let’s be honest, ramen holds a special place in all our hearts.

It hit me recently that food is more than just something we shove in our mouths when we're starving (though I’m not here to judge if that’s your current vibe). Eating together has been one of the ways our family has stayed connected through all of life’s ups and downs—like biblical times, but with fewer loaves and fishes and more pizza and casseroles. In the Bible, meals were sacred moments where people sat down, broke bread, and talked—just like us, minus the cell phones and random debates about Marvel movies.

So, as my kids cook for themselves (and others—look at them all grown up!), I wanted a place to gather up all our family’s favorite recipes. Think of this as the official "How to Feed Yourself" guide, with a side of laughter and a sprinkle of “Mom’s tips,” aka “Here’s how you really use the microwave without setting it on fire.”

This blog will be packed with recipes that are fast, cheap, and delicious because let’s be real—none of us have time for those five-hour soufflé situations. But even more than that, these recipes are filled with love. Each dish tells a story, whether it’s that casserole we’ve made for every holiday since time began or that taco recipe that may have single-handedly kept the peace in our home during teenage tantrums.

And here’s the thing about meals—they're not just about food. It’s about connection. The laughter at the table, the chaos of everyone reaching for the last roll, the “Hey, this actually tastes good!” moments when my kids surprise themselves. There's something deeply sacred about that, something that takes me back to those biblical scenes where meals were a time to gather, talk, and just be together. I can’t help but believe that in those moments of sharing food, we’re also sharing a piece of our hearts.

So here we go—grab a fork, a sense of humor, and maybe a fire extinguisher (just in case), because we’re about to dive into the recipes that have kept our family fed, full, and full of laughter for years. And hey, if you burn the toast, don’t worry. We’ve all been there.
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Bon appétit and blessings!