About Me

No Plate Like Home

Learn about me and why I started this blog. It’s so much more than a food/lifestyle blog!

Hi, I’m Joanne and I’m the creator of No Plate Like Home. Welcome!! I’m glad you’re here. I have a PASSION for cooking and baking. I want to motivate and teach you how to cook for your family. I started this blog to share my recipes with the world and help women live the best lives possible.

I want to be your resource for:

delicious family meals
cooking tips and tools
hosting holiday dinners

But, that’s not all. I also want to help you:

save money/spend wisely
travel with your kids and remain sane
give you honest product reviews

AND (yes, there’s more!)

Help you with emotional problems such as-

anxiety
depression
pregnancy loss
breast cancer scares
loss of your mother
growing up without a dad
breaking up with an alcoholic after 8 yrs

…because that’s all part of MY STORY. I’m ready to share my life experiences with the world so, I can help support other women and lift them up to where they should be!

Read more about how and why I got started on my Facebook page.

I live in a Philadelphia suburb with my husband and our cute little boys. Here’s a little about me.

About Me -My Story

My first lessons for cooking came from beloved mother, who tragically passed away when I was just 18 yrs old. What made it even worse was that I grew up with no father too. My parents were Italian immigrants. My mom was a very independent, strong-minded woman and taught me to be the same. She was an excellent cook. I sure miss her home cooked meals she made for me with love.

I still managed to graduate college while working full time and earned an M.B.A. without taking out any student loans. My employers paid 100% for all three of my college degrees! It took me many years to accomplish this.

I tell you honestly what was my biggest accomplishment in life: Learning to fend for myself from age 18! This is NOT something you can learn in college. Through years of studying my emotions, I became stronger than ever. I now feel EMOTIONALLY AUTONOMOUS! It’s a great feeling and I wish every person in the world could feel this way but, getting here was a long journey of mistakes, depression, anxiety (which I still suffer from today) failures, triumphs, and even desperation.

I appreciate the family God gave me and my health now more than anything else. It’s all I’d ever wanted since being a little girl with no siblings.

Italian Food is the Best Cuisine!

I grew up eating from-scratch, gourmet level dishes. From Italian Rum Cake and homemade pasta to Authentic Italian meatballs and gravy(aka tomato sauce) and Homemade Wedding Soup, there was always something great to eat!

Homemade Italian Meatballs & Tomato Sauce

After her tragic passing, I developed a passion for cooking myself and want to share my creations not only with my own family but with yours too! The Italian Fried Eggplant below is something my husband and I could eat in one sitting. OMG, it’s that good!

Italian Fried Eggplant

What Kind of Recipes Will You Find Here?

Here’s what’s POPULAR:

Loaded Slow Cooker Chili with Corn + VIDEO

One Pot Ham and Bean Soup with Potatoes + VIDEO

One Pot Jambalaya with Shrimp & Andouille Sausage

Italian Sausage & Spinach with Ziti

Easy Creamy Lemon Cheesecake + VIDEO

Ham Noodle Casserole

Roasted Tilapia & Broccoli Sheet Pan Dinner

Authentic Homemade Italian Meatballs & Tomato Sauce

4-Ingredient Italian Fried Eggplant Recipe without Bread Crumbs

Best Green Bean Casserole from Scratch + VIDEO

Hungry yet?

Fool Proof Loaded Santa Fe Slow Cooker Chili

Loaded Slow Cooker Chili with Corn

What Else Will You Find On No Plate Like Home?

30 Min Meals

Air Fryer Recipes

Instant Pot Recipes

Authentic Italian Recipes

Less Stress Thanksgiving Planner

Less Stress Christmas Planner

Less Stress Easter Planner

10 Tips to Host a Stress-free Holiday Dinner

More About No Plate Like Home Recipes

I believe in good food! It’s cheaper and better than eating out. There’s no plate like home, there’s no plate like home!
I often cook with extra virgin olive oil and garlic. If you don’t like garlic, you’re probably in the wrong place sorry.
You’ll find my recipes are easy and wholesome meals.
I rarely use boxed mixes and never use canned soups, etc. It’s not a crime or anything, I just prefer to make my own. I can tell the taste difference between packet taco seasoning and my own.
I’ll use a Pillsbury crust for pies and quiche. It’s faster and makes less of a mess.
Cooking mostly from scratch not only tastes better and is higher quality but, it is better for your family. It’s not difficult to learn with practice and great recipes. I don’t go as far to churn my own butter, milk my own cows but, I will make homemade bread from time to time.
In this blog, you will find easy and delicious, from scratch meals, one pot and 30 min meals, yummy desserts, easy appetizers and tasty cocktails. Some of my recipes are authentic Italian and Italian inspired recipes.

I share my creations to help other busy moms provide homemade, great tasting, healthier meals to their families. It makes me warm inside to know that.

There’s no way to get a tasty One Pot, Ham and Bean Soup from a can! Nope, don’t even try.

I’m helping moms to prepare great-tasting meals for their families. When our boys are grown and gone, I want them coming back for big, fun family dinners and mom’s good home cooking…plus my hugs and kisses. It about cooking with love!

How Do You Subscribe to No Plate Like Home?

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