Esperanza Valdez

Garlic Steak Bites and Potatoes is my answer to the question “what’s for dinner” on those nights when you want something special without a lot of fuss. One skillet, juicy steak, crispy potatoes, and plenty of garlic butter. I started making this dish on weeknights when I needed something that felt a bit fancy but … Read more

Simple Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits is my go-to when I need comfort food fast. Using canned biscuits instead of rolling out pie crust means this classic dish comes together in under an hour. Back in my grandmother’s kitchen, pot pie day meant hours of work—rolling dough, crimping edges, waiting for everything to bake. These … Read more

Chicken Pot Pie Soup brings all the comfort of traditional pot pie without the fuss of pastry. When the temperature drops, this is the soup I turn to first. I still remember making chicken pot pie with my grandmother at her farm. She’d roll out the dough while I’d help chop vegetables, and the whole … Read more

Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole is the kind of dinner that makes you look like a kitchen hero without breaking a sweat. I remember coming home from my grandma’s farm with dirt under my nails and the last thing I wanted to do was hover over a stove, but everyone still expected a hot, satisfying meal … Read more

Creamy Beef and Shells has been my go-to weeknight dinner for over twenty years, and it never fails to bring smiles around the table. There is something magical about tender pasta shells swimming in that velvety beef sauce. It is pure comfort in a bowl. I still remember the first time I made this dish … Read more

Easy Mongolian meatballs came into my life when I was getting tired of the same old meatball routine. Don’t get me wrong – I love a good Italian meatball, but sometimes you need something different to shake things up. The first time I made these, I was skeptical about how well that sweet and savory … Read more

Ground beef enchiladas have been my go-to for taco night ever since I figured out that a little extra time rolling tortillas creates something way more special than regular tacos. There’s something satisfying about those neat little packages all lined up in the baking dish, waiting to get covered in sauce and cheese. I’ll never … Read more

This Cheesy Hamburger Potato Casserole is the kind of dinner that fills your home with the most wonderful aroma and brings everyone rushing to the table. I still remember the first time my grandmother taught me to layer potatoes paper-thin for her famous casserole – she insisted that patience with the knife made all the … Read more

This Ground Beef Hot Honey Bowl brings together taco-seasoned beef, caramelized sweet potatoes, and a drizzle of spicy-sweet honey that makes every bite memorable. I first tried this combination when my grandson brought home hot honey from a farmers market, and now it shows up on our dinner table at least twice a month. Growing … Read more

Creamy Parmesan Beef Rigatoni is that one-skillet wonder that turns a Tuesday evening into something special. I’ve been making this dish for my family for over twenty years, and it never fails to bring everyone to the table with smiles. The way that rich, velvety sauce clings to every ridged piece of pasta – it’s … Read more

This spicy ground beef stir-fry bowl brings those cozy takeout flavors right to your kitchen in just 30 minutes. I remember the first time I made this for my grandkids on a busy Tuesday, they couldn’t believe something this delicious came together so quickly, and neither could I. Growing up in the Midwest, we didn’t … Read more