This week we celebrate Labor Day and say farewell to summer. If you need a quick weekday breakfast for back-to-school mornings, try this pumpkin spiced baked oatmeal—fast, comforting, and kid-friendly.
📅 Food Holidays
- September 5 — National Cheese Pizza Day: an easy homemade crust makes this a winner for the whole family.
- September 6 — Labor Day: a great time to make this easy, make-ahead strawberry punch bowl cake.
- September 7 — National Beer Lovers’ Day: pair your celebration with a rich tavern-style mac & cheese.
- Assemble Frito salad up to two days in advance—leave the Fritos out until just before serving to keep them crunchy.
- Make extra waffles and freeze them for quick breakfasts later in the week.
- Bake both pies at once; the chess pie will keep in the fridge for a couple of days.
- Prepare a batch of 30-minute baguettes to use for po’ boys and to serve with spaghetti.
🍹This week’s cocktail
Tom Collins
The classic Tom Collins is a refreshing and simple cocktail—perfect for warm late-summer evenings.
September 3
Taco Spaghetti
Taco spaghetti is an easy one-pan meal ready in under 30 minutes—creamy, cheesy comfort food with minimal cleanup. Serve it with a crisp side salad.
Cornmeal Popovers
Cornmeal popovers are light, crispy, and blend up quickly—an unexpected and delightful side for the spaghetti.
Pumpkin Cake
This simple pumpkin spice cake uses just three ingredients and gets topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting—warm and cozy for early fall.
September 4
French Onion Chicken
This easy French onion chicken bake tastes like a slow-cooked dinner but comes together quickly. Serve with crispy fried potatoes.
Cinnamon Spiced Apples
These spiced apples add bright fall flavor and pair beautifully with the chicken.
Chocolate Chip Gooey Butter Bars
Chocolate chip gooey butter bars are incredibly indulgent—rich, sweet, and perfect for sharing.
September 5
Chicken Cacciatore
This rich chicken cacciatore is comforting over pasta or rice. Make a large batch—leftovers freeze and reheat well.
Easy Drop Biscuits
No kneading, rolling, or cutting—these drop biscuits come out big and fluffy with minimal effort.
Chocolate Chess Pie
Chocolate chess pie is like eating brownie batter in a buttery crust—decadent and crowd-pleasing.
September 6
Slow Cooker Chicken & Stuffing
Just like Sunday dinner—this easy, all-in-one slow cooker chicken and stuffing gives comforting flavors with minimal hands-on time.
Frito Corn Salad
Corn, cheese, onions, and crispy corn chips combine in this unique Frito salad, a bright summer side—add the chips just before serving.
Dutch Apple Pie
Dutch apple pie is a Labor Day classic—serve it warm with a scoop of cinnamon gelato for extra comfort.
Bourbon Peach Tea
Make a big pitcher of bourbon peach tea and relax—it’s fruity, balanced, and perfect for gathering outdoors.
September 7
Italian Beef Sandwich
Slow cooker Italian beef is terrific piled on a crusty roll—top with provolone for melty goodness.
Cucumbers in Sour Cream
Simple and refreshing, this cucumber in sour cream salad makes a great side and can even be used as a sandwich filling from leftovers.
Brownies
Top warm brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic, irresistible dessert.
September 8
Smoked Sausage Shepherd’s Pie
Creamy and comforting, this smoked sausage shepherd’s pie is a hearty weeknight favorite that comes together quickly.
Baguette
A simple 30-minute baguette yields a crisp crust and tender crumb—best served warm from the oven.
Chocolate Pudding
Fudgy and smooth, this microwave chocolate pudding is quick to make and never scorches—perfect for a fast dessert.
September 9
Chicken & Waffles
These fluffy buttermilk waffles make an ideal base for chicken and waffles—add crispy tenders and maple syrup for a truly classic pairing.
Green Beans & Potatoes
Green beans and new potatoes are a comforting, simple side that pairs well with many of the week’s mains.
Lemon Meringue Pie
Old-fashioned lemon meringue pie is bright and tangy—an excellent finish to any meal and a delightful treat for the family.