Recipes Archive - Cooking with Cassandra

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...

The Best Au Gratin Potatoes (Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe)

Golden baked au gratin potatoes made with Yukon Gold potatoes and melted Gruyère cheese in a white casserole dish.

When it comes to cheesy comfort food, Au Gratin Potatoes (or as some call them, Scalloped Potatoes) are always a winner. This recipe layers tender Yukon Golds with a creamy spiced sauce and perfectly melted Gruyère cheese for a side dish that’s rich, cozy, and just a little fancy. It’s perfect for holidays, family dinners, or anytime you want something that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. What are Au Gratin Potatoes? Au Gratin Potatoes are thinly sliced potatoes baked in a rich, creamy sauce with layers of melted cheese until golden and bubbly. While traditional scalloped potatoes...

The Best Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Introducing my absolute favorite mashed potatoes recipe! When it comes to comfort food, this truly is the best creamy mashed potatoes recipe you’ll ever try. These homemade potatoes are rich, buttery, packed with flavor, and incredibly easy to make. Whether served at a holiday feast or a casual family dinner, they’re always a hit. What makes these mashed potatoes so special? Yukon Gold mashed potatoes are naturally creamy and buttery, and when paired with garlic, cream cheese, whipping cream, and a touch of sea salt, the flavor is out of this world! The cream cheese adds a tangy twist,...

Soft and Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies

Looking for the perfect holiday cookie that combines warm spices, rich molasses flavor, and a texture so soft and chewy that it practically melts in your mouth? Look no further! These Soft and Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies are your answer. Packed with cozy flavors like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, this recipe is perfect for your holiday baking lineup or whenever you crave a touch of comfort. Plus, they stay fresh for days, making them ideal for cookie swaps, holiday gifts, or simply enjoying with a warm cup of tea. Recently, I featured this recipe in my Ultimate Holiday Cookie Prep Guide...

Almond Snowball Cookies Recipe

A stack of almond snowball cookies dusted with powdered sugar, with one cookie broken in half to show its soft, buttery interior.

If you’re searching for a festive, quick, and easy-to-make dessert, this Almond Snowball Cookies Recipe is the holiday treat you need! These buttery, nutty cookies are delicately coated in powdered sugar, giving them their signature "snowball" look and a melt-in-your-mouth texture. I even featured this recipe in my Winnipeg Sun article, Your Ultimate Holiday Cookie Prep Guide, where I shared all my favorite tips and must-try holiday recipes. Perfect for cookie platters, gift boxes, or as a cozy snack alongside your morning coffee, these almond cookies are sure to become a festive favorite...

Easy Apple Pie Recipe

This easy apple pie recipe is my tried-and-true favourite, baked with a flaky homemade crust and a cinnamon-spiced apple filling that’s rich and comforting. No mushy apples, no soggy bottoms—just a foolproof homemade apple pie every time. The secret is caramelizing the apples before baking, which keeps the filling structured and never watery. Finish it with either a traditional lattice top or a full crust, and you’ll get golden, crisp pastry with tall slices that actually hold their shape. Made with simple pantry ingredients, it tastes classic but has a few clever tricks that make it...

The Best Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe with Easy Icing

Introducing truly the best sugar cookie recipe! These soft and festive Christmas sugar cookies are perfect for holiday baking and a must-have in your seasonal collection. My simple cut-out cookies come together quickly and are ideal for decorating with your favorite icing designs. One of the best parts? No chill time is needed! Buttery, melt-in-your-mouth, and quick to make, this cookie dough has become a go-to for me and my family. This guide will show you how to make cookies that stay soft, hold their shape, and have a beautiful, shiny icing. Grab your favorite cookie cutters and enjoy...

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