Hi, I'm Ivy!
If you’ve ever stared into your fridge and thought, How am I supposed to turn this into dinner? You’re not alone. I created Cook With Ivy for women just like you: working with a tight budget, newly married, raising small kids, or simply trying to make real food work in real life.
I have been there.
I know what it’s like to stretch a pack of chicken thighs across three meals or find ways to use up that giant tub of spinach before it turns to sludge. That’s why every recipe I share is designed to make the most of what you already have-without the overwhelm, without the waste, and without relying on takeout when you’re just too tired to cook.
Before I worked full-time in food, I was a registered nurse for three years. That experience taught me the deep value of meals that are comforting, nourishing, and realistic for busy lives. And before that? I was one of nine kids, growing up in a home where my mom could turn one grocery haul into a week of home-cooked meals. I carry that same scrappy, practical mindset into everything I create.
One of my earliest memories is grating cheese for dinner while sitting cross-legged on the kitchen table. Food wasn’t fancy-it was functional, flavorful, and full of love. That’s the kind of food I want to help you make.
What you will find here:
Here, you will find smart, doable recipes that build on each other-so you can cook once, and use it twice (without anyone noticing). I’m not a fan of traditional leftovers, but I am a big fan of turning extra roasted sweet potatoes into breakfast hash, or transforming taco meat into a cozy pasta bake. I want you to feel confident, resourceful, and maybe even a little excited to cook dinner again.
And while I’m serious about saving you money and reducing food waste, I’m also a firm believer in freezer meals that don’t suck, and adding sprinkles to dessert when life feels a little too heavy.
When I’m not in the kitchen or behind the camera, you will probably find me sipping peach tea, re-reading Brandon Sanderson novels, or blasting Taylor Swift while dancing with my toddler (He’s got better moves than I do). If you’re looking for recipes that make your life easier-not more complicated-you’re in the right place. I’m so glad you’re here.