A hearty meat sauce of ground beef and sausage is layered with a rich ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan filling between no-boil noodles, then baked at 375°F until bubbly and golden. This deeply personal family recipe pays tribute to Nonnie's legacy, delivering the ultimate comfort-food centerpiece.

Val and Sophie make a fun, melty, cheese-y twist on the old-school ham and cheese sandwich.

A smoky grilled corn and bean salad packed with black beans, chickpeas, bell peppers, and cilantro. Tossed in a zesty lime-cumin dressing with a splash of hot sauce.

Pork shoulder slow-cooked for six hours with BBQ sauce, beer, and spices, then piled high with crispy flour-coated fried shallots and Fresno chiles. A tender, smoky showstopper that wins over every crowd at the table.

Shredded chicken marinated in a homemade roasted tomato-poblano sauce, rolled in tortillas with Monterey Jack cheese, and baked until bubbly before a final broil. A rich, saucy enchilada with deep roasted flavor that captures the heart of Southern California home cooking.

Val’s quick recipe tosses tender shrimp in a smoky, zesty chipotle mayo packed with crisp celery, bell pepper, and cucumber. Tucked into buttery lettuce leaves with creamy sliced avocado, this vibrant dish is the ultimate low-prep, flavor-packed meal for one.

A simple pasta tossed with crispy thick-cut bacon and roasted plum tomatoes. A cozy, romantic dinner that feels effortless yet indulgent.

In this Halloween special of Valerie’s Home Cooking, Val pairs up with Jordan from This Girl Walks Into a Bar to make a spooky, pitch-black Margarita Mocktail. Using an organic citrus mixer, sweet agave, a spicy-salty Tajín rim, and activated charcoal, this quick and easy non-alcoholic drink brings all the eerie vibes without the alcohol. Perfect for Halloween entertaining! This Girl Walks Into a Bar is giving Valerie's Place members 30% off their entire order. Head to thisgirlmixerssnacks.com and use code VALERIE at checkout.

Fresh corn and cauliflower florets sauteed in a homemade bourbon-infused butter. A unique side dish that bridges Italian and Southern cooking.

Thick slices of pound cake and ripe peaches grilled until caramelized, drizzled with a homemade cinnamon-vanilla simple syrup and dolloped with whipped cream. A warm, smoky dessert that's the perfect sweet sendoff to summer.