Italian-American recipes, & more.
Welcome to A Simple Palate!
Here, you’ll find a variety of my favorite Italian and Italian-American recipes, with a little bit of everything else in between.
Every recipe on A Simple Palate is seasonal, flavorful, and best shared with the most important people in your life. We keep things simple around here. That means accessible ingredients, easy-to-follow instructions, and recipes tested to perfection.
I firmly believe that you can succeed in the kitchen no matter your cooking experience, and I’m here to help you do just that.
About Bethany
Nice to meet you. I’m Bethany Kramer, the recipe creator, food stylist, and photographer behind A Simple Palate. I started this blog in 2014 with a vision to share my love of good food with others. Fast-forward 10 years, 200+ recipes, and a cooking show on YouTube that my husband Drew and I created together— I’m having the most fun I’ve ever had on this journey.
How it started
My love for food and cooking stems from my family roots in North Jersey and Long Island, NY. Good food was a pivotal part of my life growing up, as my mom and many of my aunts were incredible cooks and big foodies! Rather than tuning into cartoons, I would watch cooking shows with the women in my family instead. I vividly remember starting to cook alongside my mom when I was eight, reading her handwritten recipes on envelopes and playing Frank Sinatra in the background. Italian cuisine was the first I learned to cook, and you’ll see that reflected here on my blog, with plenty of Italian recipes and then some. As I began to cook more and more, I realized at a young age that food was the central piece in bringing the people I loved most together in one room. Some of my most cherished memories with my family have been around a table with heartwarming recipes at the center. My hope is for these recipes to inspire similar moments for you and your family and friends!
My recipes have been featured in Buzzfeed, Shape, Country Living, Oprah Magazine, CNBC, Reader’s Digest, MSN, and other sites and publications.
Fun Facts
Drew is my husband and best friend. When he's not working as a full time Web Designer, he is A Simple Palate's official taste tester, web developer/designer, film crew for our youtube channel, and tech support. He wears many hats and I couldn't do any of this without him!
Drew and I have an English Springer Spaniel, Hudson (also known as "Huddy") whom we completely adore. If he’s not chasing birds outside, you can find his little snoot sniffing behind each recipe or YouTube video hoping a delicious ingredient falls to the floor (preferably cheese).
I've been cooking for as long as I can remember. From being my mom's helper in the kitchen, to cooking full meals for my family by the time I was 12.
I am a former competitive figure skater so cold ice rinks were where I spent most of my childhood. My dad played ice hockey when he was younger, so he was the one who first taught me how to skate. I skated competitively for most of my childhood then continued skating lessons in my 20's. You can still find me lacing up my skates and hitting the ice a few times a week to skate for fun or coach at my local ice rink. :)
My Most Popular Italian Recipes
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are you Italian?
No 🙂 A lot of people may assume I am, but I’m not. My mom was taught by Italian relatives how to cook, and she taught me those recipes while I was growing up. We also love Italian-American food because it’s a common cuisine in the NY/NJ area, where we are initially from. I never knew any different. Italian-American dishes were what I grew up knowing and loving.
Where can I find you on social media?
Do you take your own photos? What camera do you use?
Yes, that’s me behind the camera. I love photography and food styling, and I have learned so much over the years. You can find all of the info about my current camera setup on our Resources for Food Bloggers and Shop page.
Can I share your recipes on my own website or social media?
All of A Simple Palate content is exclusively mine – all pictures, recipes, texts, unless stated otherwise. You are welcome to share my photography with a link credited to the original post. Kindly, please do not copy or paste my recipes to your blog/site or any other platform. I reserve the right to ask you to remove anything of mine from your site/platform. If you have any questions on sharing my recipes, please ask. Thanks for spreading the word!
Who designed your website?
My husband, Drew – web developer/designer, and official taste tester for A Simple Palate! To find more details, head to our Resources for Food Bloggers page.
Hi Bethany,I made your cherry tomato pasta, and it turned out fantastic. Thank for the easy directions. I now want to make your Bolognese recipe. Bolognese is my favorite meat based Italian dish. I have printed out all your recipes and started a file. I love fresh basil, so I bought two giant potted basil bushes so I have plenty for your recipes. Wish me luck. Chio
So happy to hear it John! Thank you so much for sharing, would love to hear what you think of the bolognese as it’s my favorite:) And yay for fresh basil! It’s my favorite herb (as you can see it’s in everything I make haha). Best of luck with the recipes! Reach out if you need anything:)
I am just learning to cook. My favorite food is Italian. You probably had more experience at 12, than I do at 72 !
haha, thank you so much Gary!! I’m glad you’re learning to cook, I hope some of my recipes can help inspire you:)
Hi Bethany. I am devout foodie and I love to cook. My Mother was a full blooded Hungarian and my Dad was a full blooded German. I can cook both of there ethnic recipes but what I love to cook most is. Italian. I just came across you. videos and became an instant fan. Your prentations are fantastic,clear and easy to follow. I am now hooked. More to tell about the restaurant I owned and background. I am going to cook all your recipes and can’t wait.
John, thank you so much for the support and kind words! I really appreciate it. Let me know if you have any questions along the way of making any of my recipes 🙂 Enjoy!
Dear Bethany & Drew! Recently you came across my screen. I have been under the weather and had some extra time and found myself watching your YouTube videos. I’m a retired chef and had a restaurant for 29 years and I’m originally from New Jersey also! I just wanted to compliment you and Drew about your show. You’re both so genuine. I love all the little simple touches, the beautiful kitchen, your fun pup, you and your techniques and recipes seem amazing. In a world so filled with influencers, you (and Drew) are just being yourselves! I wish you every success. Coco
Eileen, your comment truly means so much. We are anything but influencers, lol just normal people. I hope you feel better, and really glad you were able to find our videos💛 Your words and support mean a lot!
I discovered you on YouTube, and now here on your site! Just watched the eggplant parm recipe video, looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it! I really like how you don’t rush through the recipes, it feels relaxed with a real family feel. Best of everything to you and Drew.
I really appreciate that, Paul! I want nothing more for everything to feel relaxed and have that family feel like you mentioned. The feedback and support means a lot!
Hello Bethany,
I really enjoy your videos and I want to see you succeed in your quest for greatness on YouTube. Just one criticism if I may. On future videos, have Drew keep the background music very low, or not at all. Between what gets edited the sound fluctuates on the viewer end. Not bad mind you, but people think background music is necessary and I disagree. I see it as a distraction especially if it gets louder and then softer.
You both are doing amazing work!
Best regards,
Jeff
Hey Jeff, thanks for the comment and for watching! Feedback noted, we are trying to find that sweet spot between fun and engaging while not distracting with the music. Cheers!
Living in Texas, Mexican food is my favorite. But Italian is a close second. My mom used to teach gourmet cooking and her lasagna was top notch. Your show is excellent. Love your explanations. Your voice is perfect for the show also. Going to try the bolognese lasagna. Always look forward to your videos.
Chris, this means so much! Thank you for the taking the time to share. It is so encouraging to me! I hope the lasagna can live up to your moms lasagna 🙂 You’ll have to let me know.
Phenomenal production (pappardelle Bolognese)! Astonishingly good recipe, first class videography. Instructions are spoken clearly and directly right to the point. Tip of the hat to Drew whose video work is well framed, clear and tightly focused, His work really tells your story in an interesting and supportive way. Spartan kitchen is a wonderful backdrop to your astonishing production.
Press on, you two. You have made it interesting, fun and easy to follow.
Thank you, Kevin
We appreciate the support and your words so much! Truly. Thank you, Kevin!
Your site is looking like what I have been seeking for a long time. I can’t wait to try out some of your recipes. Thank you.
Thanks so much, Laura! I hope you enjoy the recipes!
Congratulations You both, Bethany and hubby Drew, who work to show online FOOD that are prepared with love, indulgence, and balanced ingredients. I’ve been entertained and filled with courage to try something new at 85 years1
Thank you so much, Doris!! Such kind words. It means so much that we could inspire you to try something new:)
Hi Bethany,
I’m getting ready to make your naan pizzas tonight. Any suggestions if and when to add pineapple and mushrooms as the toppings? Thank you!
Hi Cid! You can saute mushrooms to cook them prior to layering on the pizza, or slice them thin and top them on the pizza before baking. Pineapple should work too! 🙂 I would bake it on the pizza. Hope you enjoy the recipe!
Do you have a separate Pinterest page for vegans? I’ve been very unwell and the antibiotics made me feel so sick, but my daughter-in-law made the cauliflower and leek soup and it literally saved me ….. especially as I’m vegan! Thanks so much. Regards. Li da
Hi Linda, I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been unwell. But what a wonderful thing to hear that soup was so healing for you. Check out my vegan category! Link – https://asimplepalate.com/blog/category/vegan/ It is full of a lot more soups and stews that can be very healing to the body as well. I hope and pray you feel better!