Cookin' Comfort

Le Creuset 9-Inch Springform Pan

My go-to for cheesecakes, the sides come off clean every time.

Used in: Gooey Pecan Pie Cheesecake

Le Creuset Stoneware Dish

Heavy, even baking for casseroles, holds up for years.

Used in: Southwest Cowboy Casserole

Corningware French White Bakeware

My other go-to for baked casseroles and oven meals.

Used in: Extra-Cheesy Baked Mac and Cheese

Umite Chef 8-Piece Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set

Nests down for storage, non-slip bottoms actually work, and the airtight lids mean I use these for fridge storage just as much as mixing.

Used in: Sweet and Smoky Adobo Rib Rub, Sweet and Smoky Chipotle Rib Rub, Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken, Sweet and Smoky Pork Rib Rub, Crispy Griddle-Seared French Toast

Nordic Ware Extra Large Oven Crisping Baking Tray

My go-to for oven bacon and crispy veggies. The rack lifts everything up so hot air gets underneath and you skip the flipping.

Used in: Crispy Oven-Roasted Baby Potatoes, Crispy Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Roasted Vegetables

Amazon Basics 12-Quart Stock Pot

Aluminum-clad for even heating, big enough for large-batch soups, stocks, and pasta nights.

Used in: Copycat Wendy’s Chili, Saucy Italian Sausage, Peppers and Onions, Creamy Zuppa Toscana (Paleo), Crispy Oven-Roasted Baby Potatoes

7 QT Blue Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven with Lid

Heavy enameled cast iron that holds and evens out heat for long, low-and-slow oven bakes like baked beans. Oven and stovetop safe.

Used in: Smoky Jalapeño Baked Beans, Restaurant-Quality Crockpot Beef Barbacoa

Tramontina Pro-Line 9-Quart Stainless Steel Dutch Oven

Big enough for a double batch of meat sauce, heavy bottom that doesn’t scorch on a long simmer.

Used in: The Best Homemade Lasagna

Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet, 12-Inch

Heavy, pre-seasoned, and goes from stovetop to oven without a second thought. My workhorse for searing and cornbread.

Used in: Easy Smoked Reverse-Seared Tri-Tip, One-Pan Hamburger Veggie Skillet

Tramontina Professional 14-Inch Nonstick Frying Pan

My go-to for big-batch dinners, plenty of room to sear meat without crowding the pan.

Used in: Copycat Wendy’s Chili, Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken, Saucy Italian Sausage, Peppers and Onions, Loaded Breakfast Burritos, Smoky Charred Honey-Chipotle Chicken Thighs, Southwest Cowboy Casserole, Crispy Griddle-Seared French Toast

Tramontina Professional Fusion 10-Inch Nonstick Frying Pan

My everyday skillet, the size I reach for most for weeknight cooking.

Tramontina Professional 8-Inch Nonstick Frying Pan

Perfect size for eggs or a quick single-serving meal, heats evenly and cleans up in seconds.

GoodCook Nonstick Loaf Pan, Set of 2

Two loaf pans in one go, great for banana bread, meatloaf, or baking two batches at once.

Elevated Sourdough Cooling Rack

Raised up off the counter so air gets underneath, keeps the bottom of bread and cookies from getting soggy while they cool.

Used in: Best-Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cooks Standard 11-Inch Nonstick Grill Pan

Ribbed surface gives real grill marks and lets fat drain off, my go-to for indoor steaks and veggies when it’s too cold to grill outside.

Nordic Ware Naturals Extra Large Half Sheet Pan, 2-Pack

Heavy-duty aluminum sheet pans that hold their shape in a hot oven, I use these for sheet-pan dinners and big batches of cookies alike.

Used in: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Best-Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies, Crispy Griddle-Seared French Toast, Crispy Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Roasted Vegetables, Extra Crispy Oven Baked Fries

Cuisinart Multiclad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set

Saucepans, a sauté pan, a stockpot, and skillets in one set, induction-safe and oven-safe to 500°F, a solid all-in-one start if you’re building out a kitchen.

Used in: Zesty Cilantro Lime Rice, Honey Chipotle BBQ Sauce, North Carolina Style BBQ Sauce

Spanglish Asadero Pollo Asado Seasoning

My current favorite for fajita-style chicken.

Used in: Easy Fajita Quesadillas

Spanglish Asadero All-Purpose Seasoning

Chili powder, citrus, garlic, and salt all in one bottle — my go-to shortcut for a quick marinade.

Used in: Easy Seared Shrimp Tacos

Sichuan Chili Flakes

Fragrant, medium-heat crushed red pepper with real depth, not just heat.

Used in: Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken

Cuisinart 3-in-1 Cook Central 6-Quart Multicooker

Get a real sear on meat right in the pot (up to 400°F), then switch straight to slow cook without dirtying a separate pan. My own crockpot is an older 7-quart version that Cuisinart has since discontinued; this is the current model with the same sear-then-slow-cook setup.

Used in: Chicago-Style Italian Beef Sandwiches, Restaurant-Quality Crockpot Beef Barbacoa

BLACK+DECKER 16-Cup Rice Cooker

Cheap and does exactly one job well, no extra gizmos or whatnot. Comes with a steaming basket if you want to multitask.

KitchenAid 7-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer

11 speeds plus a half-speed for folding, and the bowl-lift design handles big batches of dough without straining the motor.

Used in: Best-Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies, Gooey Pecan Pie Cheesecake

Ninja Detect Blender with Cups, BlendSense Tech, 72oz

Reads what’s in the pitcher and adjusts itself, comes with two to-go cups for smoothies on the run.

Used in: Zesty Copycat Chili’s Salsa, Jalapeño Cream Sauce, Salsa Roja (Roasted Red Salsa), Salsa Verde (Roasted Tomatillo Salsa)

KitchenAid 7-Cup Food Processor

Small enough for everyday prep, big enough for real batches of salsa or chopped veggies.

Used in: Zesty Copycat Chili’s Salsa, KFC Copycat Coleslaw

Gramercy 12-Setting Mandoline Slicer

Twelve thickness settings so I can go paper-thin for slaw or thick-cut for other stuff, stainless steel blade, and it comes with a guard and cut-resistant glove so fingers stay clear.

Used in: Cabbage Salsa (Curtido-Style Pickled Slaw), Crunchy Quick Refrigerator Pickles, Pesto Bruschetta Chicken Sandwiches

TempPro TempSpike Wireless Meat Thermometer (2 Probes)

Wire-free probes with a real 1000ft range, so I can check on a smoker or turkey from inside the house without lifting a lid. No app or sign-up required either.

Used in: Easy Smoked Reverse-Seared Tri-Tip, Texas-Crutch Style Smoked Brisket

DIY CREW Pink Peach Butcher Paper Roll

Food-grade, unwaxed, unbleached paper for wrapping smoked meats. This is what I use for the Texas crutch on brisket — lets the bark breathe better than foil while still holding in moisture.

Used in: Texas-Crutch Style Smoked Brisket

Nomsters Teak Wood End Grain Cutting Board (20″x15″)

Heavy enough to stay put, easy on knife edges, and it looks good enough to leave out on the counter. Non-slip feet keep it from sliding around mid-chop.

Instant Read Digital Meat Thermometer

Fast, accurate readout for checking meat doneness without guessing, handy for the grill, the oven, and candy-making too.

Used in: Pesto Bruschetta Chicken Sandwiches

Chicago Cutlery Knife Block Set with Built-In Sharpener

18-piece set with a sharpener built right into the block, so the knives actually stay sharp instead of dull in a drawer.

KitchenAid Fresh Prep Slicer/Shredder Attachment

Turns the stand mixer into a slicer and shredder, a real time-saver on slaw, shredded cheese, and sliced veggies.

KitchenAid Pasta Roller/Cutter Attachment Set

Rolls and cuts fresh pasta right off the stand mixer, no separate hand-crank machine to store.