What to Cook When You don’t Feel Like Cooking

What to Cook is created by me, Caroline Chambers, a seasoned recipe developer and cookbook author. After becoming a mom to two kids, I found myself with less time on my hands, which pushed me to enhance my cooking skills. I focus on crafting recipes that minimize the number of dirty dishes, use fewer ingredients, and take less time to prepare, all while being delicious. On those evenings when I’m not in the mood to cook, here’s what I make.

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inside caro's head!

1 week ago | whattocook.substack.com | Caroline Chambers |Nicole Modic

Good morning from Coronado, the happiest little (peninsula) island in America! We lived in Coronado for two years when George was stationed here as a SEAL and man, life was so simple back then!! We had one car, and we hardly used it, favoring our beach cruisers for coffee and grocery runs — we even had surf racks on our bikes for our boards (yes, we used to surf!).
february faves

1 month ago | whattocook.substack.com | Layne Fargo |Hillary Kerr

Hi, everyone! Molly here — Caroline’s in Patagonia this week, so I’m stepping in!It’s the last Wednesday of February, which means it’s time to round up faves from the month. Rather than only sharing our team’s favorite things, I put the question out in the WTC chat and am so excited to share the feedback.
quality > quantity, plus time-saving flavor hacks

Jan 15, 2025 | whattocook.substack.com | Caroline Chambers

Hi! How are you? LA weighs heavy on my mind. I’m proud of us — via an Instagram fundraiser on my page we have raised close to $36,000 over the last few days for World Central Kitchen, who’s on the ground bringing water and food to first responders, volunteers, and families in need. In a time where the feelings of helplessness can feel suffocating, doing something small like contributing even $5 to a community fundraiser can help me breathe again.
a guide to meal prep

Jan 13, 2025 | whattocook.substack.com | Caroline Chambers

Let’s talk all things MEAL PREP!I think the idea of “meal prep” can really stress people out because it feels like you have to create and follow a big master plan and cook for hours on a Sunday.
market plate

Jan 11, 2025 | whattocook.substack.com | Caroline Chambers

When I lived in New York, one of my favorite affordable lunches or dinners out was at Westville — a straightforward veggie-driven restaurant with several locations all over the city. I think the only thing I’ve ever ordered there is the Lunch Market Plate, where for $13, you get to choose three veggies from the big chalkboard of daily veggie specials.
2025 ins + outs

Jan 8, 2025 | whattocook.substack.com | Caroline Chambers |Virginia Chamlee

Hi, how are you? I know that a lot of you are still in winter break mode thanks to snowstorms cancelling schools… and to my people in and near LA facing the wildfires: I’m sending so much love.
lemon-parm chicken, quinoa, & kale salad

Jan 4, 2025 | whattocook.substack.com | Caroline Chambers

Many of you are familiar with my viral Good Mood Food plans, which always have a resurgence in popularity this time of year, when resolutions are being set and especially nutritious fare is beckoning.
a really simple meal plan v.18

Jan 3, 2025 | whattocook.substack.com | Caroline Chambers

It’s the first week of January, which means we’ve had our fill of cookies and cocktails and are now all craving whole foods, lean proteins, and SO MANY VEGETABLES. This month’s really simple meal plan delivers. We’ve got delicious full-meal salads, a simple and amazing sheet-pan chicken dinner, both a soup and curry that pack a ton of veggies, and honey-gochujang salmon bowls to fill you up with omega-3 fatty acids, which do so much good for both mental and physical health.
2024 in review

Jan 1, 2025 | whattocook.substack.com | Caroline Chambers

Hi and happy new year!!!! We thought it would be fun to kick 2025 off with a round up of some of our favorite things that happened/we bought/we experienced in 2024. Mostly compiled by Caro and Molly (WTC’s editor), with some additions by George (my husband)! FAVE ROMANCE BOOKS:Caro: How do I even begin to answer this?! So many delightful romance and smutty books this year! 2024 was the year that I discovered… mob romance?
what to cook for new year's eve

Dec 30, 2024 | whattocook.substack.com | Caroline Chambers

On Saturday I shared good luck soup for you to cook on New Year’s Day (collards! black eyed peas! pork!) — today I’m back with some last-minute meal and menu ideas for NYE! Sometimes I’m in the mood to cook a fancy dinner for adults only complete with apps, a salad course, an impressive entrée, and dessert. If that’s not doable (as in, if my friends and I can’t find sitters), I’ll make it a casual, kid-friendly drop-in situation.