NaTaya Hastings

NaTaya Hastings is a food and recipe writer for Beauty Eval. She’s an educator, boy mom, dog mom, and whatever-stray-enters-the-yard mom. As a result, she's constantly cooking for both humans and animals.

Luckily, she enjoys it!

Though born, raised, and still living in Alabama, her specialty is NOT down-home Southern cooking. Instead, she loves to experiment with Asian, Mexican, Italian, and other ethnic cuisines. She has two mottos when it comes to cooking. “The more spice, the better!” and “There’s no such thing as too much garlic!”

She’s also pretty good with desserts. Especially the easy, no-bake ones.

Her favorite things are cuddling with her four giant dogs, traveling, reading, writing, and hanging out in nature. She’s also pretty excellent at Dominoes.

A plate of red velvet white chocolate chip cookies, ready to be served.

Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip Cookies

The next time you want something sweet, chewy, and loaded with creamy chocolate, make a batch of these red velvet white chocolate chip cookies.

Overhead shot of lemon risotto with flecks of fresh herbs

Lemon Risotto

Creamy lemon risotto with freshly grated parmesan cheese is an easy dish I know you’ll love. It takes some time, but it’s more than worth it.

Monkey bread with biscuits in a plate drizzled with syrup.

Monkey Bread with Biscuits

Sticky, sweet, and oh-so-irresistible, this monkey bread with biscuits is a fun, pull-apart treat the whole family will love.

Canned biscuits donuts coated in cinnamon sugar.

Canned Biscuit Donuts

Canned biscuit donuts are the quick and easy breakfast treat you never knew you needed. Ready in a flash, they’re soft, sweet, and totally kid-approved.

Classic cherry hand pies with a rich, fruity filling.

Cherry Hand Pies

Thanks to the store-bought pie crust and a can of pie filling, these buttery, sweet cherry hand pies come together in just 30 minutes!

Garlic butter potatoes served in a white bowl.

Garlic Butter Potatoes

It doesn’t matter what main course you serve; these garlic butter potatoes will make it a feast! They’re an easy, delicious way to elevate any meal.

Gingerbread loaf covered with cream cheese and chopped pecans.

Gingerbread Loaf with Cream Cheese Frosting

This gingerbread loaf with cream cheese frosting is moist, flavorful, and perfectly spiced. Add a thick layer of luscious frosting, and it’s hard to beat.

Sweet homemade soft frosted sugar cookies with pink buttercream frosting and candy sprinkles.

Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies

Lofthouse-style soft frosted sugar cookies are fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth treats with the perfect mix of buttery goodness and sweet, creamy frosting.

Warm and freshly baked blueberry turnovers

Blueberry Turnovers

Between the buttery, flaky puff pastry and jammy, fruity filling, these easy homemade blueberry turnovers are almost too good to share!

Pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting arranged on a white marble surface.

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Just thinking about these pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting puts me in the mood for fall. And the taste? Be still, my flannel-loving heart!