I’m a terrible cook. Let’s just put that out there. Cooking is not my strength.
While I wish I was a phenomenal cook and my family could rave about my delicious yet healthy feasts, I have no issue admitting that I’m not. I’m simply a terrible cook. I can’t stand touching raw meat, I overcook everything (and blame the age of my stove for something that is probably my fault), and I can’t dice worth a dime.
What I am though, is a self proclaimed serial pinner of recipes. I pin all these amazing recipes, as if I actually plan to make them. Who am I kidding though? More than likely I’ll share them in a message to my husband insinuating that he needs to attempt to make them. He’s so awesome that sometimes he does make them, and I think of this as “us” cooking.
This time of year, cooking is easy. We do a lot of grilling of vegetables and meat which is much easier than being creative in the kitchen. By “we,” I mean my husband.
I can turn the grill on and cook a mean hotdog, but my grilling talent ends there.
Most of the year, casseroles are my best friend. Crockpots are a close second (seriously, I just did corn on the cob in the crockpot), along with some of the classic one-pot dishes. Casseroles can fool even my toughest critic. Yup, I’m calling you out dear husband.
I won’t call these the healthiest recipes in the world, but this terrible cook has found 5 tried and true recipes that even I can’t mess up:
Sriracha Chicken Dip
This is a recipe I first grabbed years ago from my husband’s friend. One of the first nights I met her and her husband, she served this at her home. It fit every craving I had, and continues to do so every time I make it.
Pairing the dip with crackers and chips makes it a perfect snack or meal. We also turn it into a sandwich on bulkie rolls with lettuce and tomato. So, so yummy!
Hamburger Casserole
Burgers are on weekly rotation during the summer months in our home. We alternate hamburgers and turkey burgers. We like to set up a burger station since we each like ours prepared differently. One kid needs all the mustard, relish and pickles (oh yes he doubles up on the pickles), and the other just wants mayonnaise and tomatoes.
This hamburger casserole, however, has a way of satisfying everyone. It’s filling, and typically doesn’t last long enough for leftovers. The rare occasion we have leftovers though, they almost taste better than the night before!
No side is needed with this one, but a salad will never be a bad choice.
Sausage Dip
This recipe is a slow cooker dream! I stumbled upon this recipe two years ago and the only change we make to it is to add more cheese. And garlic. You can’t go wrong with garlic.
Pair it with bread. And more bread. You won’t be sorry.
Million Dollar Spaghetti
It’s like lasagna but even better. And it happens to be our kids’ favorite. Filled to the brim with spaghetti, that glorious cheesy mixture, and just enough meat.
We always make a side salad with this dish, and next time we are considering switching up the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken.
Olive Garden Knock-Off Zuppa Toscana Soup
Best for last? You bet! There was an incredible post done last year that listed some great crockpot recipes. I didn’t try them all, but I can tell you this one is INCREDIBLE!
I must admit that I’ve never had this soup at Olive Garden, but it sure is on repeat in our household. It’s hearty, delicious, and incredibly easy to pull together. Keyword my friends… easy!
We pair this dish with fresh italian bread, because what is soup without bread to dip into it?
These recipes all somehow also manage to allow me to fake being a good cook. They are also consistent repeats when I’m feeling unmotivated about cooking. I should also add that not only am I a terrible cook, I actually don’t even like to be in the kitchen.
Additionally, we are a one dish kind of family. What do I mean by that? Simply put, we eat the main meal, but we don’t often have sides. I know, such a shock! We are a family of grazers, and snack periodically throughout the day. Cheese and crackers, vegetables and dip, or fruit platters. So by the time dinner rolls around, we are typically fine with just the main meal. But we know most households have several side dishes.
Even though I’m a terrible cook, when I prepare these dishes my children shower me with compliments. And for a moment, I can pretend I can cook because of how proud they are. That’s worth every moment.
Are you a phenomenal cook like I wish I could be, or are you more like me in the kitchen?
