Pasta in a creamy sauce made with grated cauliflower, French onion dip, Cheddar, Colby Jack, and cayenne is baked until bubbly and topped with a crunchy layer of crushed potato chips. This clever comfort food sneaks a full serving of vegetables into every cheesy, indulgent bite without anyone being the wiser.

A bright and refreshing pasta salad tossing orzo with grape tomatoes, cucumber, radishes, and a lemon-herb vinaigrette. A perfect make-ahead side for casual entertaining.

Browned butter enriches a yeasted dough that rises twice, is shaped into 30 soft balls, packed into a 9x13 baking dish, and baked until golden, then finished with flaky sea salt. These pillowy, butter-rich rolls fill the house with the irresistible aroma of fresh-baked bread and elevate any dinner party table.

Cream cheese, spinach, and lump crabmeat are seasoned with Worcestershire, dry mustard, paprika, and cayenne, topped with panko breadcrumbs, and baked until golden and bubbling. This rich, savory dip is an irresistible crowd-pleaser that disappears fast at any dinner party or gathering.

Peach iced tea and fresh lemonade stirred together and topped off with a light lager beer for a fizzy, Southern-inspired shandy. An easy, refreshing tailgate sipper that keeps the whole crew cool through the fourth quarter.

A graham cracker crust is layered with peanut butter cream, chocolate ice cream, and torch-melted marshmallows, then drizzled with peanut butter and chocolate sauce. This over-the-top frozen dessert combines the nostalgia of campfire s'mores with the richness of peanut butter cup ice cream in every gooey slice.

Six pounds of red plums seasoned with almond extract and orange zest fill a food-processor butter crust topped with a woven diagonal lattice and turbinado sugar, baked until golden. This generous slab pie is a stunning way to celebrate peak stone fruit season and feeds a crowd with ease

A classic Italian appetizer featuring ripe heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, and kalamata olives piled high on grilled bread. This bruschetta is Valerie's go-to starter for entertaining close friends.

Corn cereal, peanuts, pretzels, chipotle crackers, lime tortilla chips, coconut, corn nuts, and pepitas are tossed in a butter-lime-chili-Parmesan seasoning and baked at 300 degrees until toasty. This addictive, boldly spiced party mix brings tangy, smoky, salty flavors together for effortless snacking.

Canned chickpeas dried thoroughly and deep-fried until irresistibly crisp, tossed with fried sage leaves and grated Parmesan. A crunchy, savory snack that pairs wonderfully with cocktails or a glass of wine on a long winter evening.