Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad is a simple summer classic: crisp cucumbers and crunchy onion tossed in a tangy sour cream dressing. This versatile cucumber salad is ready in about five minutes, needs no advance prep, and pairs well with everything from grilled meats to weeknight pasta. It’s an ideal everyday side, easy to adapt for … Read more

There’s something irresistible about mini versions of everyday things. Whether it’s tiny scissors, a miniature roll of tape, or bite-sized desserts, the small scale often makes items feel more playful and special. I don’t know exactly when this preference began, but given a choice I’ll always pick the mini option. This weekend I found myself … Read more

Welcome to Mama Likes to Cook Hello and thanks for stopping by Mama Likes to Cook. I’m Valerie, a single mom raising two kids in Southern California, and I started this food blog in 2008 as a way to document meals, experiments, and the little moments around our family table. What began as a hobby … Read more

A tender, flavorful Italian meatloaf the whole family will enjoy. This easy crockpot meatloaf takes just 15 minutes of prep and slow cooks to perfection. Save this Crockpot Meatloaf recipe to try later! I don’t care for meatloaf that’s simply drowned in ketchup. I prefer a meatloaf that’s packed with Italian-inspired flavors and finished with … Read more

Homemade Rustic Buttery Garlic Croutons transform an ordinary bowl of soup or a simple salad into something special. These croutons are easy to make, deeply flavorful, and crisp without being hard. Using torn pieces of bread creates irregular edges that brown beautifully and add extra crunch and texture. Day-old French bread is ideal because it … Read more

This creamy leftover roast chicken soup, made in a soup maker, is a smart and delicious way to use up roast dinner leftovers. It’s quick to prepare, comforting, and easy to adapt to whatever vegetables and seasonings you have on hand. This soup is forgiving and flexible: add more or less chicken, swap vegetables to … Read more

Peanut butter and jelly bars – that beloved sandwich combo, reimagined as a delightful bar. Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars: A Nostalgic, Irresistible Treat Do you remember those carefree days when the biggest lunchtime debate was how much peanut butter to smear on bread and whether Mom cut the sandwich into triangles or squares? There … Read more

This is not your average coleslaw! It is brightened up with fresh lemon juice and lots of herbs — dill, parsley, thyme, and chives — and it isn’t overly sweet like many recipes. It’s a favorite for BBQs and potlucks. Originally published May 2, 2017. Table of Contents This is truly the Best Coleslaw Recipe … Read more

Want to impress your guests with the best steak they’ve ever eaten and a dramatic bone that looks straight out of the Flintstones? Fire up the grill and learn how to cook perfect Tomahawk ribeyes. How to grill a ribeye – Video (Step by Step) There is a step-by-step grilling video available that demonstrates the … Read more

Recipe Inspiration Over the Christmas holidays I traveled to Denmark to visit my grandmother and extended family. While there I leafed through a few old cookbooks looking for ideas for new Skandibaking recipes. One recipe that caught my eye was called “hyggeboller” — small bread rolls filled with ham, cheese, and chives. They felt instantly … Read more