Italian-American recipes, & more.
Welcome to A Simple Palate!
Here you’ll find some of my favorite Italian and Italian-American recipes, plus a little bit of everything else I love to cook. My hope is that these meals bring your family together the way they’ve always done for mine.
About Bethany
Hey, I’m Bethany 😊 I’m so glad you’re here.
A little bit about me personally…I am the youngest of four kids, born in Bergen County, New Jersey, before my family later moved to Pennsylvania. While most of my years were spent putting down new roots in PA, I was always drawn back to our original roots in Jersey and New York, especially through the food we cooked.
Food played a huge role in my life growing up. My mom and many of my aunts were incredible cooks, and they always brought our family together through the food they made. At a young age I often found myself sitting with the women in my family, watching cooking shows such as Ina Garten, Martha Stewart, and Giada (to name a few).
I started helping my mom in the kitchen around eight years old, reading her recipes written on envelopes or pieces of old mail, while Frank Sinatra played in the background. Even though I was the baby of the family, I was my mom’s helper, whether that meant helping her in the kitchen or preparing meals for my family when she couldn’t. That’s really where it all began for me.
Italian food was the first cuisine I learned to cook, and you’ll see plenty of that influence here on my blog, along with other favorites I’ve picked up along the way.
I realized early on that food isn’t just about eating-it’s about bringing people together. Some of my favorite memories are from being gathered around the table with my family, sharing these very recipes that were at the center of our time together.
My hope is that these recipes help spark those same kinds of moments with your own family and friends.
From my family, to yours. xo
About the Youtube Channel
After 10 years of blogging and sharing recipes, I finally stepped out from behind the camera and started our YouTube channel in April of 2024. What started as a leap of faith has turned into one of the greatest joys for Drew and me. We’ve been able to connect with so many wonderful people from all over the world through it.
Even though Drew works full-time, he still gives up his days off to help me film. It’s just the two of us, so we wear a lot of hats to make this all come together, but we truly love doing it.
From the beginning, it was important to me that our cooking videos felt approachable. Like something you could actually cook along with. Growing up, I loved watching the classic cooking shows with my mom and aunts, and the heart of that has been a big inspiration for how I wanted our videos to feel. In a fast-paced world, my hope is that these recipes give you a chance to slow down, enjoy the process, and share a meal with the people you love.
We’re always learning and trying to get better, but above all, I genuinely love making these videos. I look forward to each one, and I’m so thankful for your support along the way. 🙂
Fun Facts
I run A Simple Palate with my husband Drew. 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?
Who does your photography and videos for YouTube?
I handle all the photography and food styling for A Simple Palate, while Drew handles the filming for our YouTube videos. 🙂 Although the editing of our videos is my job!
Can I share your recipes on my own website or social media?
I am always happy when anyone wants to spread the word! However, I kindly request that you refrain from sharing my recipes on websites or other platforms. You are welcome to share my photography with a link credited to the original post! Please do not copy or paste my recipes to your blog, site, or any other platform.
Who designed your website?
My husband, Drew! To find more details, head to our Resources for Food Bloggers page.
Absolutely love your show Bethany. I cooked up your Scalloped Potatoes on Sunday night this past weekend and all I can say is WOW and thank you so very much for the recipe.
Kent and Hazel Lindholm
Arvada, CO.
Kent and Hazel, that means so much you are enjoying the show! Thank you so much for trying out the scalloped potatoes. I’m so glad you enjoyed those! They are my favorite side dish:) I just had my cousin move near me from Arvada, I love it there and Old Town Arvada!
Hi Bethany,
I’m Billie from Illinois. I got a little bored with the regular food Chanel’s, so I thought I would give YouTube a try. There was some hits and misses, but when I found your channel, it was a definite hit!!! I binged all of your episodes,I love Italian American food. You make your recipes so easy to follow. I made your rosemary garlic bread yesterday. It turned out great!!
My family loved it. I’m going to make another one today, with my granddaughter, you are doing a great job! Keep the recipes coming.
Thank you. I’ll be watching for new episodes.
Billie, this truly means the world to hear. I grew up watching cooking shows and it was something I missed watching, so I wanted to create something like those shows I think a lot of us miss. I’m so touched you enjoy it so much and are bingeing it lol. Thrilled you and your family loved the rosemary garlic bread! Thank you so much for sharing😊
Hi, Bethany.
I started building restaurant websites in 1996 in Dallas which explains my email address. I’m now 76 and retired but still enjoy looking at food related websites and food/recipe videos. I came across yours recently and have watched two of your videos so far. I’m subscribed.
Just wanted to let you know your website is very nicely done. I’ve built about 400 websites, mostly restaurant, so I might have learned a little bit along the way. But more importantly, your videos are excellent. It’s obvious you do serious video prep work. Most food video creators do not. Maybe you fully script every word but it doesn’t come across that way, you’re just smooth, at least in the two videos I’ve watched.
That’s all I wanted, just to compliment you on your website and videos. I look forward to following you.
Barry
Hi Barry, that’s so kind! I really appreciate it. Drew (my husband) has done all the website stuff and I’m really thankful for all his hard work. Also, my videos are not scripted. 🙂 I appreciate the kind words and support it really means so much!!
Hi Bethany,
I commented on your delicious meatballs that i made last Sunday, the best ever. I don’t know if you ever heard of a dish called a Joe’s Special, originally created in San Francisco’s North Beach ? It consist of hamburger, chopped spinach, eggs, mushrooms, red onion, my switch from yellow onion, & my secret ingredient, Sweet Italian sausage. I am a native of San Francisco. So, if interested, i would be happy to share this with you so that you can pass it on.
Thank You,
John
Hi John! I did see your comment, and I’m so glad you loved the meatballs! 🙂 I’ve never heard of this but would love to know more about it! Want to pass the recipe on to my email? [email protected] 🙂
great receipe site good job
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXbSRoYKTv0
Hi Bethany – I watched quite a few of your videos and I love your cooking. I was not sure by what you meant by Italian-Americsn recipes. I watched a few Italian cooking videos and I learned that it is a thing. I learned that when Italians came from Italy they could not find all the same ingredients for their cooking that they had in Italy, so they substituted ingredients that they could find, hence the term Italian – American cooking started. I am in Toronto Ontario, Canada. We have a lot of Italians here too. I wonder how Canadian -Italian cooking would compare with your dishes. I would think that they would be very similar. I love it when you add Maple Syrup or honey. The Canadian and Greek touches. I learned about the Italian -American concept by watching this channel. https://youtu.be/E8ci-tSGBko?si=Xlhl3Ft7E409irbC This is an Italian lady from Italy trying American – Italian food in the US. I learned a lot from her about what foods we think are Italian, but they are really American Italian. I learned for example that Garlic bread is not Italian.
I see that you have sweet desserts too. Do you have a Tiramisu recipe? I love coffee, but I never had tried Tiramisu. I tried it a couple of years ago from a nice Italian bakery here in Toronto and I loved it. My sister then got Tiramisu from Costco here in Toronto. It was night and day difference. The Costco one was okay, but the one from the Italian bakery was amazing. I would love to see some YouTube videos of your desserts too.
Take Care
Chris Katranis
Thank you so much for the support, Chris! Appreciate it 🙂 I’ve not made a Tiramisu, but potentially in the future! And Glad you’re enjoying the touches of maple syrup and honey. I prefer to use natural sweeteners over regular white sugar, which is why they’re often used in my baking recipes or salad dressings. Thanks again for the support! We’ll be focusing on dessert recipes as we head into the holidays 🙂
Hi Bethany – I watched quite a few of your videos and I love your cooking. I was not sure by what you meant by Italian-Americsn recipes. I watched a few Italian cooking videos and I learned that it is a thing. I learned that ehen Italians came from Italy. They could not find all the same ingredients for their cooking that they had in Italy, so they substituted ingredients that they could find, hence the term Italian – American cooking started. I am in Toronto Ontario, Canada. We have a lot of Italians here too. I wonder how Canadian -Italian cooking would compare with your dishes. I would think that they would be very similar. I love it when you add Maple Syrup or honey. The Canadian and Greek touches. I learned about the Italian -American concept by watching this channel. https://youtu.be/E8ci-tSGBko?si=Xlhl3Ft7E409irbC This is an Italian lady from Italy trying American – Italian food in the US. I learned a lot from her about what foods we think are Italian, but they are really American Italian. I learned for example that Garlic bread is not Italian.
I see that you have sweet desserts too. Do you have a Tiramisu recipe? I love coffee, but I never had tried Tiramisu. I tried it a couple of years ago from a nice Italian bakery here in Toronto and I loved it. My sister then got Tiramisu from Costco here in Toronto. It was night and day difference. The Costco one was okay, but the one from the Italian bakery was amazing. I would love to see some YouTube videos of your desserts too.
Take Care
Chris Katranis
Hi,
John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
Romans 5:6 “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”
God sent His only begotten Son, the holy perfect Jesus Christ many years ago. Christ had come to earth, born in man flesh, born of the virgin Mary and by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, God and Jesus Christ are one.
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Jesus Christ came to earth many years ago, who did many miracles and healings and came to bring restoration. Love, love was the reason why Christ Jesus came and He suffered and died on the cross and He had made the sacrifice to save. Receive Jesus Christ as Saviour and receive eternal life. Jesus Christ is the life. Jesus Christ came back to life and resurrected on the third day and then later on had ascended to Heaven, having victory over death. There is victory through believing and trusting in Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Quote by Jesus Christ found at John 5:24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
1 John 4:2 “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:”
You would LOVE- The Pasta Grammar – on Youtube
Here is today’s wonderful video – Italian Summer Veg. dishes (July 14)
youtube.com/watch?v=nNqlzBxGuaU
Dearest Bethany and Drew,
I am the chef in our family and have been cooking for over 40 years using a lot of my family’s recipes as well as my husbands. We too enjoy family tradition. My husband loves watching YouTube videos including cooking videos. He is now hooked on your recipes to the point after all these years actually cooking them himself. He has made your sauce many times and most recently we both made your chicken parmesan meatballs together. They were amazing! After 40 years of marriage we are finally cooking together. Thank you.
Pam, this means so much. What a joy to be able to cook together, and make those memories. To know that you’re using some of my recipes out of the sea of people you could choose from means the world. Thank you so much for sharing this! Thrilled you are enjoying the recipes so much💛
Loved the eggplant parmesan recipe you have online tried it yesterday with my wife’s help and eggplant I grew in my garden here in south Georgia. It was yummy and will use again!
I love to hear that, Lamar. Love that you could use your home grown eggplant – its so much better that way:) Thank you for sharing!