In a World of Meal Kits, Here’s Why I Still Cook From Scratch (24 Delicious Reasons)

Sometimes I look at all the fancy meal kits and wonder if I’m missing out—but then I remember the joy of chopping fresh herbs, tweaking flavors as I go, and pulling off a meal that’s totally mine. It’s not just about the food, it’s the little rituals that make cooking from scratch feel grounding, creative, and honestly kind of therapeutic. Sure, it takes more time, but the flavor? Worth it every single time. These dishes are basically my love letter to real, homemade cooking.

Homemade Chicken Pot Pie With Puff Pastry

A skillet of chicken pot pie covered with puff pastry. — Homemade Chicken Pot Pie With Puff Pastry. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This super easy chicken pot pie recipe is made with flaky puff pastry for ease and a beautiful crispy texture on top.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Chicken Pot Pie With Puff Pastry

Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes And Ham

A serving spoon removing some potato and ham casserole. — Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes And Ham. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

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Scalloped potatoes and ham is a comforting casserole of potatoes and tasty chunks of ham in a creamy white sauce under a layer of gooey gruyere.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes And Ham

One Pot Beef And Barley Soup

Beef and barley soup next to a plate of crackers. — One Pot Beef And Barley Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Warm up with beef and barley soup loaded with tender beef, veggies, and nutty barley. A thick, comforting classic perfect for any chilly day.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Beef And Barley Soup

Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe With Rotisserie Chicken

A baked cheesy chicken tetrazzini casserole. — Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe With Rotisserie Chicken. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

From-scratch chicken tetrazzini is a comfort food pasta dish with chicken, savory mushrooms, & pasta baked in a creamy homemade sauce, covered in cheese.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe With Rotisserie Chicken

Creamy Pea Salad With Cheddar Cheese

This green pea salad is a Southern favorite that comes together in one bowl. Easy to make ahead, it’s flavorful with a touch of a spicy kick.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Salad With Cheddar Cheese

Classic Southern Shepherd’s Pie Recipe With Ground Beef

Classic Shepherd’s Pie Recipe With Ground Beef. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This traditional Shepherds Pie Recipe is a savory meat pie topped with creamy mashed potatoes. A classic comfort food for cold weather months.
Get the Recipe: Classic Shepherd’s Pie Recipe With Ground Beef

Southern Style Chicken And Biscuits

A close-up of a creamy chicken and biscuit casserole, with a spoon lifting a biscuit topped with herbs to reveal the savory filling underneath—perfect for fans of comfort food recipes. — Southern Style Chicken And Biscuits. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Homemade Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits is Southern comfort food at its best. Buttermilk biscuits top a creamy chicken filling.
Get the Recipe: Southern Style Chicken And Biscuits

Hashbrown Casserole With Cornflakes (No Egg, No Meat)

A spoon full of hashbrown casserole. — Hashbrown Casserole With Cornflakes (No Egg, No Meat). Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

An old fashioned casserole with cheesy potatoes and a crunchy cornflake topping. Frozen hashbrowns make this a breeze to make for breakfast or brunch.
Get the Recipe: Hashbrown Casserole With Cornflakes (No Egg, No Meat)

Old Fashioned Apple Waldorf Salad

A bowl of apple salad with a serving spoon. — Old Fashioned Apple Waldorf Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This classic Waldorf Salad recipe never goes out of style. Crispy apples, celery, walnuts, and sweet raisins are coated in a light mayonnaise dressing.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Apple Waldorf Salad

Southern Chicken And Dumplings With Steamed Biscuits

A bowl of hearty chicken and dumplings soup is shown. The bowl contains shredded chicken, vegetables like carrots, and two large, fluffy dumplings. The dish is garnished with chopped parsley and fresh ground black pepper, and a spoon rests on the side. — Southern Chicken And Dumplings With Steamed Biscuits. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Make this classic Southern Chicken and Dumplings. It’s made with chicken thighs, veggies, a rich broth, and steamed biscuits.
Get the Recipe: Southern Chicken And Dumplings With Steamed Biscuits

Baked Ham And Spaghetti Dinner Casserole

A spoon scooping out a serving of ham and cheese casserole. — Baked Ham And Spaghetti Dinner Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Made with simple ingredients, this Ham and Cheese Casserole recipe is a great way to use up leftover ham for an easy weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ham And Spaghetti Dinner Casserole

Cheesy Chicken And Wild Rice Casserole Topped With Toasted Almonds

A skillet of baked chicken and wild rice casserole. — Cheesy Chicken And Wild Rice Casserole Topped With Toasted Almonds. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Ultra creamy, this chicken and wild rice casserole is always a favorite. Chicken, rice, & cheese topped with almonds and no canned soup.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken And Wild Rice Casserole Topped With Toasted Almonds

Beef Stroganoff With Homemade Cream Of Mushroom Soup

A serving dish of creamy beef stroganoff. — Beef Stroganoff With Homemade Cream Of Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This one-pot Beef Stroganoff is made with ground beef and homemade mushroom soup for an extra flavor boost.
Get the Recipe: Beef Stroganoff With Homemade Cream Of Mushroom Soup

Southern 7 Layer Salad With Peas And Mayo

A bowl of seven layer salad next to individual servings. — Southern 7 Layer Salad With Peas And Mayo. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This seven-layer salad gets even more delicious after sitting overnight! It’s stacked with layers of peas, bacon, mayo, romaine lettuce, and cheddar cheese.
Get the Recipe: Southern 7 Layer Salad With Peas And Mayo

Cajun Chicken And Sausage Gumbo (Under An Hour)

A warm and comforting Chicken and Sausage Gumbo made with a deep, flavorful roux, andouille sausage, and tender chicken.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Chicken And Sausage Gumbo (Under An Hour)

Noodle Kugel Recipe

A serving spoon of noodle kugel. — Noodle Kugel Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Noodle kugel recipe is one of our family favorites. Slightly sweet from golden raisins and creamy with a vanilla yogurt custard.
Get the Recipe: Noodle Kugel Recipe

Pinwheel Recipe With Puff Pastry

A serving dish of puff pastry appetizers. — Pinwheel Recipe With Puff Pastry. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Puff Pastry Pinwheels with spinach and prosciutto are rich and flavorful. This recipe is a great make-ahead appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Pinwheel Recipe With Puff Pastry

Brown With Béchamel Cheese Sauce

an individual serving or a Kentucky hot brown. — Brown With Béchamel Cheese Sauce. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Kentucky Hot Browns are perfect for leftover turkey, but they’re so good, you don’t have to wait for the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Brown With Béchamel Cheese Sauce

Southern Chicken Fried Chicken With Gravy

A plate of chicken fried steak topped with creamy white gravy, served beside mashed potatoes, garnished with cracked black pepper and chopped herbs—a classic from southern recipes. A fork and knife rest on the plate. — Southern Chicken Fried Chicken With Gravy. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Crunchy, crispy Chicken Fried Chicken with a double-dipped coating and rich gravy is a Southern comfort food classic you’ll love!
Get the Recipe: Southern Chicken Fried Chicken With Gravy

A Perfectly Moist Meatloaf Made With Oatmeal

A close-up of a blue plate with succulent meatloaf slices drizzled in red sauce. A fork and knife are artfully placed beside the meatloaf on the plate, all set against a light blue table surface. — A Perfectly Moist Meatloaf Made With Oatmeal. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This juicy Meatloaf is made with oatmeal for a heartier texture and flavor and paired with an elevated take on the classic ketchup glaze.
Get the Recipe: A Perfectly Moist Meatloaf Made With Oa t meal

Easy Crawfish Etouffee Recipe

A bowl of crawfish etoufee over rice next to a bowl of green onions. — Easy Crawfish Etouffee Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Follow these steps at home to make your very own cajun crawfish etouffee recipe. This special dish with crawfish tails takes planning, but it’s 100% worth it.
Get the Recipe: Easy Crawfish Etouffee Recipe

Broccoli Chicken Divan With Curry

Chicken Divan over egg noodles. — Broccoli Chicken Divan With Curry. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Broccoli Chicken Divan is an irresistible, chicken casserole with a creamy white wine cheddar sauce, flavored with curry.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Chicken Divan With Curry

Old Fashioned German Goulash (Slow Cooker Recipe)

This hearty Slow Cooker German Goulash recipe is full of tender beef and vegetables cooked to perfection in a rich red wine and paprika sauce.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned German Goulash (Slow Cooker Recipe)

Easy Old Fashioned Chicken And Dumpling Recipe Recipe

A bowl of creamy chicken and dumplings soup, made from handed down recipes, with chunks of carrot, shredded chicken, and fluffy dumplings, garnished with chopped chives. — Easy Old Fashioned Chicken And Dumpling Recipe Recipe. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

This homemade Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumpling Recipe is just like grandma used to make with buttery, pillowy dumplings.
Get the Recipe: Easy Old Fashioned Chicken And Dumpling Recipe Recipe

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