Recipes Archive - Cooking with Cassandra

Baked Feta with Olives and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Baked feta appetizer topped with kalamata and green olives, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and herbs, served in a white baking dish with golden edges and olive oil.

If you’re looking for a warm, bold-flavored appetizer that comes together in one dish and makes everyone gather around, this is it. This baked feta with olives and sun-dried tomatoes is rich, savory, and so easy to prep. It’s everything I love in an appetizer—minimal effort, maximum flavor, and guaranteed to disappear fast. It’s also endlessly versatile. Whether you’re putting together a holiday spread, hosting wine night, or just craving something Mediterranean-inspired, this dish checks all the boxes. You simply bake a block of feta until soft and golden, then spoon it onto toasted...

Lemon Bars Recipe

Close-up of a thick lemon bar with a buttery shortbread crust and vibrant lemon filling, dusted with powdered sugar and surrounded by lemon wedges.

Who else LOVES lemon bars?! For me, they’re one of my all-time favorite desserts—bright, tangy, buttery perfection. This lemon bars recipe is one I’ve tested to perfection, made with an easy, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread crust and a smooth lemon filling that strikes just the right balance of sweet and tart. I love a generous bite, which is why I created this recipe in a 9x9-inch pan, giving you that perfect ratio of thick lemon filling to buttery crust. If life gives you lemons, this is the recipe to make. Whether you’re bringing dessert to a spring brunch, prepping for a holiday tray,...

Best Banana Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Moist banana cake slice topped with cream cheese frosting being lifted from the pan, showing fluffy texture and creamy topping

If you’re looking for a cake that’s perfectly moist, full of banana flavor, and topped with a delicious cream cheese frosting, this Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is exactly what you need! With its soft texture and sweet, subtle notes of maple syrup, this cake is the perfect balance of comfort and indulgence. Whether you're baking for friends, family, or just yourself, this one will have everyone asking for your recipe! It’s always a hit at my gatherings. This easy banana cake is made in a 9×9-inch pan, keeping things much simpler than a traditional layer cake, making it a go-to...

Asparagus Puff Pastry Bundles

So, here is my recipe for fresh asparagus with puff pastry, a lovely side dish for any dinner party. I’ll be honest: it doesn’t look like much at first, and it’s definitely not as tantalizing as a colorful berry salad. But don’t be fooled, one bite into this asparagus with puff pastry and you’ll be amazed: glazed with honey, oozing with the best cheese mixture, and simply robust asparagus, this is definitely going to be one of the most memorable dishes you’ll ever have. It is very similar to cheesy asparagus tarts, except this one has already been apportioned and is shaped...

Easy Brown Sugar Glazed Ham

Fully glazed brown sugar ham sliced and served with orange slices and rosemary on a white platter.

Looking for the perfect holiday ham that’s packed with flavor, easy to make, and guaranteed to impress your guests? This Easy Brown Sugar Glazed Ham recipe is everything you need and more. It’s sweet, savory, juicy, and has the yummiest sticky glaze with hints of garlic, orange, and warm spices. Whether it’s Christmas, Easter, or a cozy Sunday dinner, this ham will be the star of the table. And yes—it's so much better than the store-bought glaze packets. Once you try this homemade brown sugar glaze, you’ll never go back! And if you're feeling a little intimidated by cooking a whole...

Easter Sugar Cookies

Introducing the best Easter sugar cookies recipe! These soft, buttery cookies are perfect for spring baking and couldn’t be easier to make. My simple cut-out cookies come together quickly and are ideal for decorating with pastel icing and sprinkles. One of the best parts? No chill time is needed! This dough rolls out smoothly, holds its shape in the oven, and has that melt-in-your-mouth texture everyone loves. Paired with my easy icing, they’re perfect for stacking, gifting, or setting out at your Easter brunch. Don’t be intimidated by the decorating—this icing is not royal icing and is...

Best Beef Chili Recipe

A bowl of hearty beef chili topped with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and fresh cilantro, served with toasted baguette slices.

Are you on the hunt for the best beef chili recipe? Look no further! This hearty, flavorful chili is my go-to comfort food, and I’m sure it’ll quickly become yours too. There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of chili on a chilly night (I couldn’t resist). Packed with tender beef, my secret ingredient smoky bacon, beans, and a special blend of spices with a hint of brown sugar, it’s the perfect combo of rich flavors. In our home, we find it hard to stop eating—I've even had to explain to my husband that we can’t have this for dinner every night! If he had to pick just one dinner for the...

Homemade Enchilada Sauce (Better Than Store-Bought!)

If you’ve only ever had enchilada sauce from a can, you’re in for such a treat! Homemade red enchilada sauce is so easy to make from scratch with pantry staples like fire-roasted tomatoes and a few warm spices—and once you taste the difference, there’s no going back. This version is rich, smoky, and ready in less than 20 minutes—perfect for enchiladas, burritos, casseroles, and anything else that needs a little extra flavor. Why Make Enchilada Sauce from Scratch? There’s just something extra special about homemade sauces — no preservatives, no added sugars, and full control over the...

Lasagna Soup

There’s something just so comforting about a big ol' bowl of lasagna soup. It captures all the rich flavors of traditional lasagna—savory meat, tangy tomato sauce, and creamy cheese—but in a warm, spoonable form. It’s the perfect easy dinner for cold nights when you’re craving lasagna but don’t have the time or energy for layering and baking. What makes this lasagna soup recipe extra special? It’s the flavor and the ease. We’re talking ground beef, garlic, Italian herbs, and a swirl of cream for that velvety finish. Add a generous sprinkle of cheese and a dollop of ricotta on top, and...

The Best Pasta alla Vodka

Pot of Pasta alla Vodka topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil

There’s something about a big bowl of creamy Pasta alla Vodka that just speaks to my soul—especially when the sauce is rich, garlicky, and clings to every bite of rigatoni. It’s one of those dishes that feels a little fancy but is surprisingly simple to make at home. The tomato paste gives it depth, the cream makes it silky, and the vodka? That’s the secret to pulling all the flavors together into one irresistibly smooth sauce. I’m sharing my secrets for making authentic, restaurant-worthy Pasta alla Vodka right at home. For this easy pasta recipe I toss the onion in a food...

Beef Enchiladas

Introducing a timeless favorite that's perfect for a bustling dinner party, a cozy night in, or sharing with friends — my beloved beef enchiladas! Bursting with Tex-Mex flair, these enchiladas are packed with tender ground beef, refried beans, onions, garlic, cheese, and a luscious homemade red enchilada sauce. Baked to golden perfection, then garnished with creamy avocado slices, fresh cilantro, and crumbled cotija cheese, these enchiladas are guaranteed to steal the show, every time. Ideal for prepping ahead, this recipe is a lifesaver for effortless entertaining or a quick fix after a...

Greek Sheet Pan Chicken

Looking for an easy, delicious dinner idea? This Greek Sheet Pan Chicken is packed with Mediterranean flavor, juicy marinated chicken, and roasted veggies—all cooked on one pan. It’s everything you want in a weeknight dinner: quick, healthy, and always a hit. I even featured it as one of my go-to recipes in the Winnipeg Sun, where I write the weekly food column! The simple lemon-garlic marinade adds bold, fresh taste, and the leftovers (if there are any!) are just as good the next day. Whether you're just starting out in the kitchen or you’ve got dinner down to a science, this one-pan...

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