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Home / cooking - Page 19

cooking

The Best Substitutes for Yukon Gold Potatoes 
basics | cooking | side dishes

The Best Substitutes for Yukon Gold Potatoes 

The Best Prime Rib Side Dishes to Serve with Dinner
Christmas | cooking | side dishes

The Best Prime Rib Side Dishes to Serve with Dinner

How to Reheat Lasagna in the Oven
cooking | main dishes

How to Reheat Lasagna in the Oven

The Best Side Dishes for an Easy Shrimp Boil Party
cooking | side dishes

The Best Side Dishes for an Easy Shrimp Boil Party

Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe (Old Fashioned 1950s)
basics | cooking | sandwiches | Winter Comforts

Homemade Sloppy Joes Recipe (Old Fashioned 1950s)

Can You Freeze Green Bean Casserole? (Make Ahead) 
Christmas | cooking | side dishes | tips & tricks

Can You Freeze Green Bean Casserole? (Make Ahead) 

The BEST Green Bean Casserole Recipe (for Thanksgiving)
cooking | side dishes | Thanksgiving | Thanksgiving Faves

The BEST Green Bean Casserole Recipe (for Thanksgiving)

Easy Hash Brown Casserole Recipe with Sour Cream
cooking | side dishes

Easy Hash Brown Casserole Recipe with Sour Cream

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Hey, y'all! I’M ashley!

Welcome!

Many years ago, I created Sweetpea Lifestyle as a way of sharing simple recipes and entertaining tips with friends.⁣

Sweetpea Lifestyle is a go-to resource for dependable recipes that help you effortlessly entertain—you’ll learn to edit out the mess of over-complicated dinner parties

sweetpealifestyle

🍴 Easy recipes to gather
👯‍♀️ Your new hostess bestie
👇 Start with a recipe
🪄 Stay for the magic
Let me go ahead and say it softly but firmly, suga Let me go ahead and say it softly but firmly, sugar: Thanksgiving is meant to be served buffet-style. 🤭🦃✨ Listen… I love a pretty table. I love candles, flowers, linens, and all the cozy magic. But nothing kills the vibe faster than shoving 14 hot dishes into the middle of the table like it's a game of holiday Tetris. 😂 Here’s why buffet style is the move: ✨ Your table stays beautiful. Let those candles glow, let those florals shine — your tablescape doesn’t need to compete with a crockpot and a pan of dressing. ✨ Guests can get what they want, when they want. No passing, no juggling, no spilling gravy on the linens. Everyone serves themselves and sits down happy. ✨ It keeps the flow calm and smooth. People move through the line, fill up, sit down, relax. It’s civilized. It’s gracious. It’s delightful. ✨ Refills are easy. Want seconds of mashed potatoes? Go get you some, baby! No need to interrupt Aunt Linda mid-story. And if you want to elevate the buffet, here’s how I set mine up: ➡️ Plates at the front ➡️ Proteins first ➡️ Sides next ➡️ Salads & rolls at the end ➡️ Drinks and desserts are separate, so you don’t create a traffic jam The goal? A Thanksgiving that feels smooth, warm, gorgeous, and peaceful. Let the buffet do the work so you can enjoy your people. 🤍✨ Save this for your Thanksgiving prep — and send it to the friend who still loads the table with 27 dishes. 😉 . . . #thanksgivingtips #thanksgivingdinnerideas #hostingtips #holidayhostingtips #thanksgivingprep
✨ If you’ve ever heard “Oh honey, just bring ✨ If you’ve ever heard “Oh honey, just bring yourself!” before a holiday gathering… let me lovingly whisper a little Southern truth in your ear. 🤍 If you’re the host: ➡️ Let people bring something. Truly. Folks want to contribute — it helps them feel part of the celebration, and it takes a smidge of pressure off you. (And you deserve that, sugar babycakes.) If you’re the guest: ➡️ Always, always show up with something. It doesn’t have to be fancy or fussy — just thoughtful and helpful. Here are my go-to “I’ve got you, friend” items: 🧊 Ice (you can never have enough) 🥤 Cups (because somehow these multiply and disappear) 🛍️ Take-away containers 🍷 Wine or drinks 🎲 A fun game for after dessert And if you want to go the extra mile and bring a true host gift, try: 🥘 A frozen breakfast casserole for the next morning (the ultimate love language) 🕯️ A candle 🧼 A cute dish towel 🌶️ Your favorite seasoning blend What not to bring? Flowers that are not in a vase. ✨ So whether you’re hosting or arriving with a smile and a dish towel, remember: generosity builds community — and that’s the real heart of Thanksgiving. 🤍🦃 Save this and tag a friend who needs it! . . . #hostingtips #southernhosting #hostgiftideas #thanksgivingtips #holidayetiquette #dinnerpartyideas #cozyhosting #guestetiquette #holidayhostingtips #thoughtfulgifting
If you’ve ever thought, “I have no idea how to If you’ve ever thought, “I have no idea how to set my table for Thanksgiving..." 🥰Bless your heart — because today we’re fixing that. 🤭🦃✨ Here’s my easy, budget-friendly table-setting formula that works every single time, no matter the table situation: FOR A LONG TABLE: Table ➝ Tablecloth ➝ Runner ➝ A long, leading topper that drapes or stretches beautifully down the center. FOR A ROUND TABLE: Table ➝ Tablecloth ➝ Placemats ➝ One gorgeous center topper (simple, elevated, effortless). And those toppers? Honey, they do not need to come from Pottery Barn. Think: 🕯️ Candles tucked in every kind of vessel you’ve got — jars, glasses, thrift finds. 🪴 Herbs served up in a soup tureen for that “cozy dinner party at Grandma’s” charm. 🍃 Magnolia leaves, flameless candles, and a sprinkle of twinkle lights for instant magic. And don’t forget — your own backyard is basically nature’s free flower market. Snip a branch, add an unscented candle, and voilà… you’ve got yourself a Thanksgiving table that feels intentional, warm, and welcoming. ✨ 🏷️ Save this to refer back to over and over! Perfect for when the holiday chaos hits and you need an easy win. 😉🫶
Every time I pull this out of the oven, someone sa Every time I pull this out of the oven, someone says, “This is the best thing you’ve ever made.” (Spoiler: I know.) 😏 This baked Swiss Onion Dip is one of those dangerously simple recipes that make you look like you’ve been working for hours when you really just stirred, baked, and waited for the compliments to roll in. 🥖✨ It’s bubbling, golden, and gloriously gooey — the kind of dip that makes people hover near the oven, baguette slice in hand, pretending they’re “just having a bite.” (Sure, Jan.) 💫 Perfect for: 🥂 Easy holiday appetizers 🕯️ Dinner parties or girls’ nights in 🍷 “I’ll just bring a dip” situations that need to impress Save this post, tag your favorite dip-lover, and say SWISS in the comments to snag the recipe! #appetizerrecipes #holidayhosting #dinnerpartyideas #sweetpealifestyle #easyrecipes #swissoniondip LinkDM *091*
👉 How Do You Time Everything? Good Question, Li 👉 How Do You Time Everything? Good Question, Linda! Thanksgiving timing feels like conducting a 47-piece orchestra… but once you reverse-engineer from your dinner time, it becomes ridiculously simple. Hundreds of y’all have downloaded your own Game Plan, and I will not stop preaching about its gospel! Fill in your own One Page Wonder, and reverse engineer your own Thanksgiving Day. Grab your own by saying PLAN in the comments! Turkey first, casseroles second, rolls last — and everything fits like puzzle pieces. A written timeline means you don’t spend the whole day thinking, “What’s next?” You just follow the plan and sip your coffee. ✨ May you leave room on your to-do list for wonder, in your schedule for slowness, and in your heart for the tiny holiday moments that matter most. . . .�#thanksgivingprep #holidaymealplanning #hostingtips #simpleentertaining #cozykitchen LinkDM *095*
If you want Thanksgiving to feel easier this year, If you want Thanksgiving to feel easier this year, here’s my #1 efficient kitchen hack: keep half your sink filled with hot, soapy water. Every time I’m done with a dish, I toss it in. Since I don’t have a dishwasher, this trick keeps my kitchen from turning into a full-blown crime scene. 🫠🍽️ A few other tiny-but-mighty tips that make a BIG difference on busy cooking days: 🥣 Keep a “trash bowl” on the counter for scraps 🧻 Two-damp-towel system (one for hands, one for counters) 🧄 Pre-chop your aromatics for the whole day 🍳 Create a utensil “parking lot” next to the stove 🏷️ Masking tape + Sharpie = no mystery leftovers 🥘 Use a sheet pan as a prep tray to corral the chaos None of these are fancy… but they make Thanksgiving cooking feel manageable — even kinda delightful. 💕 Tell me: what’s YOUR go-to kitchen hack that keeps you sane during the holidays? . . . #thanksgivingtips #entertainingathome #dinnerpartyideas #hostingtips #holidaykitchenhacks #sweetpealifestyle
Top Thanksgiving Question: “How do I keep all th Top Thanksgiving Question: “How do I keep all the food warm?” Food finishing at 12 different times is quite the conundrum! But keeping everything hot is actually super easy with these options: ♨️ If you have a second oven, keep it at a low 200˚ and store until ready to serve. 🥘 Slow cookers are great for mashed potatoes or other casseroles. 🆒 Coolers! Y’all, did you know you can “hot box” a cooler and store your warm casseroles in it?? You can find warming mats on Amazon, and use those too. They're great for serving buffet style for a long period of time. No lukewarm mashed potatoes, no stressed-out host, just warm, cozy, deliciousness! Woo hoo! ✨ May you feel proud of whatever this year looked like — the wins and the wobblier parts — because you still created space for people to gather. . . . #thanksgivingtips #holidayhosting #kitchenhacks #hostwithheart #cozyseason
Here’s what I do before guests walk in the door Here’s what I do before guests walk in the door — and it changed everything. ✨ I work my Game Plan, pour myself a cheeky cocktail, and get ready like I’m the guest of honor. Hosting is so much better when you start from calm instead of chaos. Because here’s the truth: your guests don’t care if everything’s perfect. They care that you’re present. 🕯️ 💫 Try this before your next party: 1️⃣ Ten minutes of music + a glass of something lovely 2️⃣ Five deep breaths 3️⃣ Light a candle and welcome the moment Hosting gets to feel good. Say PLAN in the comments to grab your printable Game Plan and make it effortless. #hostingtips #dinnerpartyideas #entertainingmadeeasy #sweetpealifestyle #cozyhome LinkDM *090*
That moment when your guests go quiet after the fi That moment when your guests go quiet after the first bite… yeah, that’s what this recipe does. 🥩✨ This Beef Tenderloin Dinner Party Menu is pure magic — simple ingredients, elegant flavor, and a make-ahead game plan that lets you actually enjoy your own party. Think candlelight, clinking glasses, and that happy hum of satisfied silence around your table. That’s the Sweetpea version of success. 💕 💫 Why you’ll love it: 🔥 Perfect centerpiece for holidays 🍷 Pairs beautifully with red wine and roasted veggies 💌 Comes with a full dinner party menu + hosting tips Say PARTY in the comments for the full menu — or save this for your next cozy celebration. #dinnerpartyrecipes #holidaymenu #beeftenderloin #hostwithstyle #sweetpealifestyle LinkDM *088*
If someone asks, “What can I bring?” and you s If someone asks, “What can I bring?” and you say, “Oh, nothing!” then YOU, my friend, are creating unnecessary stress. People want to show up with something. This is a fantastic way to make people feel instantly welcome and included. Hand them a job from this simple delegation list and instantly lighten your load. Ice🧊 Rolls or a bread thing 🥖 Dessert 🥧 Extra chairs if you need them 🪑 To Go Containers 🥡 🥰 The best hosts accept help. May you give yourself permission to sit, breathe, and actually taste the meal you made. Hosts deserve joy, too. 🙋‍♀️ Want a list of Amazon Thanksgiving Finds? Check out these Amazon Finds: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sweetpealifestyle/list/2TT4SJ3608EK1?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsflist_5Q3PZBNMJJBWKQ36RV7X . . . #hostesswiththemostes #thanksgivingchecklist #holidayhosting #amazonaffiliate
🥣 Thanksgiving dinner is where you serve it up 🥣 Thanksgiving dinner is where you serve it up big, but y’all… …the rest of the week still requires dinner. 🙃 Before you dive into turkey, pie & that inevitable leftovers marathon, let’s make sure the other nights don’t look like “frozen-pizza, again.” I’ve got your back with super simple, totally delicious meals that won’t steal all your spoons before the main event! Say LIST in the comments and I’ll share the link! ✨May you feel the sacredness of feeding people — a holy kind of hospitality that can change the temperature of a home. . . . #EasyWeeknightMeals #SimpleSuppers #QuickDinnerIdeas #NoStressMeals #cozykitchen LinkDM *096*
If you want Thanksgiving to feel easier this year, If you want Thanksgiving to feel easier this year, here’s my #1 efficient kitchen hack: keep half your sink filled with hot, soapy water. Every time I’m done with a dish, I toss it in. Since I don’t have a dishwasher, this trick keeps my kitchen from turning into a full-blown crime scene. 🫠🍽️ A few other tiny-but-mighty tips that make a BIG difference on busy cooking days: 🥣 Keep a “trash bowl” on the counter for scraps 🧻 Two-damp-towel system (one for hands, one for counters) 🧄 Pre-chop your aromatics for the whole day 🍳 Create a utensil “parking lot” next to the stove 🏷️ Masking tape + Sharpie = no mystery leftovers 🥘 Use a sheet pan as a prep tray to corral the chaos None of these are fancy… but they make Thanksgiving cooking feel manageable — even kinda delightful. 💕 Tell me: what’s YOUR go-to kitchen hack that keeps you sane during the holidays? . . . #thanksgivingtips #entertainingathome #dinnerpartyideas #hostingtips #holidaykitchenhacks #sweetpealifestyle
🧀 If you’re looking for the creamiest, dreami 🧀 If you’re looking for the creamiest, dreamiest baked macaroni and cheese that tastes like pure comfort in a casserole dish… welcome to your new signature side dish. ✨ This one is rich, velvety, and so cheesy it practically melts on your fork. And yes—this is the mac and cheese you’ll want on your holiday table, at Sunday supper, on your potluck lineup, and definitely on your cozy-night-in menu. The secret? 👉 Hand-grated cheese (always), a blend of cheddar, gouda, Colby Jack, muenster, and mozzarella, plus evaporated milk for that silky custard that bakes up into a golden, bubbly crust. No roux. No fuss. Just classic, old-school Southern baked mac and cheese the way it should be. Serve it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, cookouts, picnics, or any time you need a side that gets “OMG who made this?” comments. This version freezes beautifully, reheats perfectly, and never turns grainy or dry. Save this recipe for when you need a crowd-pleaser… or when you just need a spoonful of comfort. 💛 
👇 Want the full recipe? Comment MAC and I’ll send it to you! . . . #macandcheese #comfortfoodrecipes #thanksgivingsides #southernhomecooking #easyrecipes #cheesylove #holidaycooking #bakedmacandcheese
🥰 Thanksgiving becomes 10x easier when you stop 🥰 Thanksgiving becomes 10x easier when you stop trying to do everything on Thursday. Break it up: 🍎 Monday desserts 🔪 Tuesday chopping 🥔 Wednesday casseroles. And on the big day? 👯 Your best friends are a 200°F oven, slow cookers, and the cooler-keeps-food-hot trick. 👏 Yes, coolers are insulated… which means they keep heat just as well as cold. Just place your hot casseroles into a cooler, shut the lid, and let the “cooler” do its hot box magic! 🔥 Want my full prep schedule? Comment “LINK!” . . . #thanksgivingprep #hostesshacks #makeaheadmeals
Rolling into Sips & Dips season — aka my favorit Rolling into Sips & Dips season — aka my favorite excuse to host a last-minute get-together. 💅 The idea is simple: everyone brings a dip, you pop a few bottles, and suddenly it’s a December to remember. This is your sign to make the holidays fun again — no stress, no twelve-step recipes, just snacks and laughter. 💫 Hosting tips: 🍷 Pick 3 signature dips (one cheesy, one creamy, one spicy) 🥖 Stock the bar with your favorite sips 💃 Turn on the twinkle lights and cue the playlist Say SIP SIP in the comments and I’ll send you my hosting guide! #holidaypartyideas #sipsanddips #easyappetizers #sweetpealifestyle #cozygatherings LinkDM *087*
Every year, someone wakes up on Thanksgiving morni Every year, someone wakes up on Thanksgiving morning and whispers the dreaded phrase: “The turkey is still frozen.” 👉 Don’t be that household. A 12-pound turkey needs three full days in the fridge to thaw safely. That would be my household… Every year. Our turkey spends a solid 2 hours in the bathtub. (Don’t get weird on me… the turkey is wrapped in its plastic… We clean our tub before and after. CTFO, y’all.) Cold water thawing works in a pinch, but you’ll be babysitting it every 30 minutes. Moral of the story: start early, sleep well, and avoid emergency turkey CPR. . . . #thanksgivingturkey #hostingtips #holidaymealprep
Does this sound like you?? One person: a new host Does this sound like you?? One person: a new host who’s terrified her food won’t be “good enough.” One problem: she overcomplicates everything and ends up stressed. One solution: my Two Showstopper Rule — make two wow dishes and keep the rest super simple. ✨ Recipes >>> https://sweetpealifestyle.com/companys-coming/ Hosting isn’t about perfection; it’s about connection. And when you stop trying to prove you’re a good host, you start being one. 💫 Try this next time you host: 🍷 Pick two showstoppers — maybe a signature dip and a stunning entrée 🥗 Keep sides and apps simple 💃 Enjoy your guests instead of fussing in the kitchen Recipes >>> https://sweetpealifestyle.com/companys-coming/ #dinnerpartyideas #hostingconfidence #easyentertaining #sweetpealifestyle #cozycommunity
🥣 Cooking Thanksgiving with one oven should qua 🥣 Cooking Thanksgiving with one oven should qualify as a sport, but it’s absolutely doable when you plan it right. 🏁 Start with your turkey — that 45–60 minute rest isn’t optional, which means you get almost an hour of bonus oven time to bake every casserole you’ve prepped. 🥘 Use your stovetop for gravy and quick veggie sides, and keep anything finished at 200°F until serving. 💪 One oven, zero chaos, and a very proud future-you. 🍽️ What’s your one-oven struggle this year? ✨ May you remember that no one showed up for a perfect meal — they came for you. For your laughter, your stories, your home that feels like a hug. . . . #thanksgivingtips #oneovenchallenge #holidaycooking
It’s the little things that make people feel lov It’s the little things that make people feel loved. 🥰 These friendship bracelet wine charms are the perfect way to add a personal touch to your table — cute, simple, and full of heart. Every guest gets a charm, and suddenly the night feels a little more special. ✨ 💫 Why you’ll love this idea: 💖 Easy DIY you can make in minutes 🍷 Keeps glasses straight (and conversations going!) 🎀 Adds that Sweetpea sparkle to your next gathering Follow along for more simple, heartfelt hosting ideas that make entertaining feel magical again. #hostingtips #winecharms #holidaypartyideas #sweetpealifestyle #cozydetails
Every time I make this, it feels like I’m giving Every time I make this, it feels like I’m giving my friends a hug in food form. 💕 This Surf & Turf Dinner Tower is stacked with cozy indulgence — shrimp, steak, and buttery goodness layered like a love letter to your guests. It’s over-the-top in the best way, and easier than it looks (promise). It’s that “wow” moment at the table that makes everyone feel special. Because at Chez Sweetpea, extra is a love language. 🥂 💫 Perfect for: 🍾 Date nights in 🎉 Dinner parties that deserve a little drama 🕯️ Celebrations, big or small Say TOWER in the comments and I’ll send you all the details! #surfandturf #dinnerpartyideas #easyentertaining #sweetpealifestyle #cozyrecipes LinkDM *086*
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  • cooking
    • appetizers
    • basics
    • beverages
    • breakfast
    • low carb living
    • main dishes
    • meal prep
    • salads
    • sandwiches
    • soups
    • southern recipes
    • side dishes
    • something sweet
    • tiktok recipes
  • lifestyle
    • DIY
    • gift guides
    • goal setting
    • organization
    • time management
    • tips & tricks
  • celebrating
    • holidays
      • Thanksgiving
      • Christmas
      • New Years
      • Easter
      • Americana
      • Other Holidays
    • hosting
    • group dinners
    • parties
  • Meet Ashley!
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