About

My Culinary Journey

For the past 16 years, I've been on a mission to master the art of getting dinner on the table quickly without sacrificing flavor or nutrition. As a self-taught cook raising three children, I learned early on that complicated recipes and exotic ingredients weren't going to work for our family. Instead, I focused on building a foundation of reliable, delicious meals that could be prepared on even the busiest weeknights.

To expand my skills and confidence, I attended numerous community cooking classes here in the Naperville area, learning everything from knife skills to meal planning strategies. These classes connected me with other home cooks facing the same challenges I was, and together we traded tips, shortcuts, and recipes that actually worked in real life.

Before becoming a full-time food blogger, I worked as an accounting assistant—a role that taught me the value of organization, efficiency, and attention to detail. Those skills translate perfectly into the kitchen, where I approach meal planning and recipe development with the same systematic thinking that made me successful in my previous career.

Why I Started JulieMeals

I launched JulieMeals.com in 2017 because I was constantly being asked by friends and other parents to share my recipes and time-saving tricks. As someone cooking daily for a family of five, I had accumulated years of experience creating meals that were fast, affordable, and kid-approved. I realized there was a real need for ultra-practical recipes from someone who truly understood the chaos of feeding a busy household.

What started as a simple way to share family favorites has grown into a collection of over 700 recipes, all tested in my Naperville kitchen and designed with busy parents in mind.

What Makes JulieMeals Different

My Specialty: I focus on weeknight dinners, comfort food, and kid-friendly recipes that don't require specialty ingredients or advanced techniques. My recipes are the ones you'll return to week after week because they're reliable, satisfying, and won't leave you exhausted.

My Cooking Style: Simple, warm, and busy-parent friendly. I believe dinner shouldn't be stressful, and my approach reflects that. I prioritize recipes that use common pantry staples, come together quickly, and appeal to both adults and children. If it takes more than 45 minutes or requires a trip to a specialty store, it doesn't make it onto JulieMeals.

Who I Cook For: My recipes are designed for busy households—especially parents juggling work, school schedules, activities, and everything in between. Whether you're a beginner cook or just need reliable dinner ideas that won't fail you on a hectic Tuesday, these recipes are for you.

What You'll Find Here

• Quick weeknight dinners ready in 30-45 minutes
• Comfort food classics that feel like a warm hug
• Kid-friendly recipes that actually get eaten without complaints
• One-pot and sheet pan meals for minimal cleanup
• Budget-friendly dishes using everyday ingredients
• Make-ahead options for meal planning success
• Practical kitchen tips from years of feeding a busy family

Every recipe on JulieMeals has been prepared multiple times in my own kitchen and tested on my three children, who are my toughest critics. I'm all about real-world cooking—if it doesn't work on a busy school night when everyone's hungry and patience is thin, it doesn't make the cut.

Let's Connect

I love hearing from fellow busy parents and home cooks! Whether you've tried one of my recipes, have a question about meal planning, or just want to share your weeknight dinner wins, I'd love to hear from you.

Email: [email protected]
Pinterest: pinterest.com/juliemeals

Follow along on Pinterest for daily recipe inspiration, time-saving tips, and practical meal ideas from my Naperville kitchen.

Thank you for being part of the JulieMeals community. I'm so glad you're here.

— Julie Bennett
Creator & Recipe Developer
JulieMeals.com
Naperville, Illinois