Mackenzie Benjamin

Mackenzie is a professional pastry chef and culinary teacher with over a decade of experience working in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her passion for everything food translates over into recipe development, food writing, and content creation. While her love of cooking, eating, and traveling means she can often be found exploring the world through her stomach.
The Secret to Cheesecake Factory Meatloaf at Home (Step-by-Step)
Copycat Recipes

The Secret to Cheesecake Factory Meatloaf at Home (Step-by-Step)

When you think of comfort food done right, one dish stands above the rest: the meatloaf at The Cheesecake Factory.…
Ranch Glazed Carrots (The Easy + Addictive 20-Minute Side)
Side Dishes

Ranch Glazed Carrots (The Easy + Addictive 20-Minute Side)

There's something almost addictive about the sweet and savory combination of rich buttery glaze and bold ranch seasoning that you…
Easy Cucumber Cream Cheese Dip (Low-Carb & Party-Ready)
Appetizers & Snacks

Easy Cucumber Cream Cheese Dip (Low-Carb & Party-Ready)

If you're looking for a dip that disappears faster than you can make it, this is it! You know the…
3-Ingredient Chipped Beef Dip (The Easiest Party Appetizer Ever)
Appetizers & Snacks

3-Ingredient Chipped Beef Dip (The Easiest Party Appetizer Ever)

When it comes to party food, there are two types of recipes: the ones that people politely try, and the…
Cheesy Chicken Pesto Roll-Ups
Lunch & Dinner

Cheesy Chicken Pesto Roll-Ups

These chicken pesto roll-ups are a low-carb dinner recipe that the whole family will love! Chicken is often the go-to…
Cajun Jambalaya Pasta Recipe (Cheesecake Factory Copycat)
Lunch & Dinner

Cajun Jambalaya Pasta Recipe (Cheesecake Factory Copycat)

What if you could recreate one of the most iconic Cheesecake Factory dishes without the wait or the bill? This…
Creamy Keto Mexican Chicken Soup (Instant Pot & Slow Cooker)
Keto

Creamy Keto Mexican Chicken Soup (Instant Pot & Slow Cooker)

This low-carb Mexican chicken soup is rich, creamy, a little spicy, and packed with bold Mexican-inspired flavors, yet it skips…
Chunky Monkey Cookies (Soft, Chewy & Gluten-Free)
Desserts

Chunky Monkey Cookies (Soft, Chewy & Gluten-Free)

These Chunky Monkey Cookies are loaded with banana chunks, peanut butter, dark chocolate chips, and walnuts. They're the best thing…
Spicy Sprouted Lentil Soup (Gut-Friendly Vegan Recipe)
Main Dishes

Spicy Sprouted Lentil Soup (Gut-Friendly Vegan Recipe)

When the weather can't seem to make up its mind, cold one day, warm the next, there's one thing that…
Creamy Scalloped Corn Casserole (Perfect Holiday Side Dish)
Side Dishes

Creamy Scalloped Corn Casserole (Perfect Holiday Side Dish)

There's a reason Scalloped Corn Casserole shows up at so many family tables; it's simple, comforting, and almost impossible to…
Frozen Kale Cubes: The Easy Hack You Need for Perfect Smoothies
Breakfast

Frozen Kale Cubes: The Easy Hack You Need for Perfect Smoothies

Kale is one of those ingredients we want to use more often, and with these frozen kale cubes, it becomes…
The BEST Fried Mushrooms Recipe (Perfectly Crispy Every Time)
Appetizers & Snacks

The BEST Fried Mushrooms Recipe (Perfectly Crispy Every Time)

Fried mushrooms are the kind of appetizer you order at restaurants thinking it's too complicated to ever recreate at home.…
Easy Broccoli Chickpea Fritters (Healthy Vegan Dinner Idea)
Appetizers & Snacks

Easy Broccoli Chickpea Fritters (Healthy Vegan Dinner Idea)

These broccoli chickpea fritters are here to turn your meatless meals into something everyone looks forward to. Plant-based eating sounds…
One-Bowl Sweet Potato Lentil Fritters (Crispy + Kid-Approved)
Appetizers & Snacks

One-Bowl Sweet Potato Lentil Fritters (Crispy + Kid-Approved)

These Sweet Potato Lentil Fritters are an incredibly satisfying meal that feels both nourishing and practical. If you've ever opened…
Oven Roasted Brown Sugar & Honey Glazed Carrots (So Addictive!)
Side Dishes

Oven Roasted Brown Sugar & Honey Glazed Carrots (So Addictive!)

These Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Carrots are the kind of side dish that makes people go back for seconds (and…
Buffalo Wild Wings Desert Heat Dry Rub (Copycat Recipe)
Appetizers & Snacks

Buffalo Wild Wings Desert Heat Dry Rub (Copycat Recipe)

Unlock the secret to Buffalo Wild Wings' dry rub recipe, which expertly blends spices to elevate chicken wings to an…
Mediterranean Tuna Salad (No Mayo, 10-Minute Healthy Recipe)
Lunch & Dinner

Mediterranean Tuna Salad (No Mayo, 10-Minute Healthy Recipe)

Tired of tuna that's drowning in mayo, heavy on calories, and somehow still bland? This Mediterranean Tuna Salad is a…
The Best Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe
Lunch & Dinner

The Best Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe

If the picture doesn't make you want to try this recipe, maybe the description will! This loaded mashed potato casserole…
Creamy, Cheesy Outback Steakhouse Mac and Cheese
Lunch & Dinner

Creamy, Cheesy Outback Steakhouse Mac and Cheese

There's something about that first bite of Outback Steakhouse Mac and Cheese that just hits differently. It's creamy, ultra-cheesy, and…
Quick & Easy Shrimp Scampi (Olive Garden Copycat)
Lunch & Dinner

Quick & Easy Shrimp Scampi (Olive Garden Copycat)

Dive into the flavors of Italy with this Shrimp Scampi Olive Garden copycat recipe. Because while dining out can always…
The Ultimate Easy Arepas Recipe (Venezuelan Style)
Lunch & Dinner

The Ultimate Easy Arepas Recipe (Venezuelan Style)

If you've never had an arepa before, you're in for something special. These golden corn cakes are a staple in…
Low-Carb Tex-Mex Spaghetti Squash Bowl (Vegan & Gluten-Free)
Main Dishes

Low-Carb Tex-Mex Spaghetti Squash Bowl (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

If you love bold Tex-Mex flavors without all the carbs from rice and tortillas, this Tex-Mex Spaghetti Squash Bowl recipe…
Authentic Irish Bangers + Mash and Homemade Onion Gravy
Lunch & Dinner

Authentic Irish Bangers + Mash and Homemade Onion Gravy

Irish bangers and mash is a total comfort food. If you've never made these at home, you might just assume…
Easy Crispy Salmon Cakes Recipe (Ready in 20 Minutes!)
Appetizers & Snacks

Easy Crispy Salmon Cakes Recipe (Ready in 20 Minutes!)

Looking for a quick, budget-friendly dinner that tastes like it came from your favorite seafood restaurant? These crispy salmon cakes…
Restaurant-Style Cheesecake Factory Chicken Marsala Recipe
Lunch & Dinner

Restaurant-Style Cheesecake Factory Chicken Marsala Recipe

The Cheesecake Factory Chicken Marsala is not just "chicken with mushrooms". It's tender and golden and coated in a flavorful,…
Panera Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese (Easy Copycat Recipe!)
Lunch & Dinner

Panera Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese (Easy Copycat Recipe!)

There's something almost unfair about how addictive Panera's Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese is. One forkful turns into another, and…
Best Flourless Dark Chocolate No-Bake Cookies
Desserts

Best Flourless Dark Chocolate No-Bake Cookies

These dark chocolate no-bake cookies are the perfect cross between a cookie and fudge. If you’re looking for a cookie…
Roasted Broccoli Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl for Meal Prep
Buddha Bowl

Roasted Broccoli Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl for Meal Prep

If you've ever stared into your fridge wondering how to turn a handful of vegetables into a meal that's actually…
How To Make The Best Olive Garden Italian Margarita At Home (Copycat Recipe)
Drinks

How To Make The Best Olive Garden Italian Margarita At Home (Copycat Recipe)

If you've ever sat down at Olive Garden, taken that first sip of their Italian Margarita, and thought "Why does…
Authentic Olive Garden Lasagna Classico At Home
Lunch & Dinner

Authentic Olive Garden Lasagna Classico At Home

Few things scream comfort food quite like the Olive Garden lasagna classico. With layers of tender pasta, rich meat sauce,…
Vegan Cinnamon Cucumber Muffins (Surprisingly Moist & Fluffy)
Breakfast

Vegan Cinnamon Cucumber Muffins (Surprisingly Moist & Fluffy)

These vegan cinnamon cucumber muffins are dairy-free, egg-free, and an easy and light breakfast option to enjoy year-round, but even…
Irresistible Spinach & Artichoke Crescent Rolls (Party Favorite!)
Appetizers & Snacks

Irresistible Spinach & Artichoke Crescent Rolls (Party Favorite!)

Imagine taking everything you love about that classic spinach artichoke dip and wrapping it up in a buttery, flaky crescent…
5-Ingredient No-Bake Peanut Butter Squares You’ll Make Again And Again
Desserts

5-Ingredient No-Bake Peanut Butter Squares You’ll Make Again And Again

These no-bake peanut butter bars are one of my favorite (and one of the easiest) desserts to make! A peanut…