The Culinary Hill Cookbook: Modern Home Cooking with a Midwestern Heart

by Meggan Hill

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction

386 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 16, 2026

Reviews

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this cookbook! The recipes are easy to follow and there's a wide array of them. There are recipes for classic dishes but with a twist that make them taste even better. The photos throughout are also fantastic.  I'm excited to try the chicken parmesan, scalloped potatoes and the Banana bars. I would recommend this! Special Thank You to Meggan Hill, Greenleaf Book Group and NetGalley for allowing to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meggan Hill’s Culinary Hill Cookbook would make a terrific wedding or shower gift for someone just starting out in the kitchen. The recipes focus on approachable, everyday cooking, and nothing looked overly complicated or intimidating.

What impressed me most was how useful the book feels. Beyond weeknight dinners, it includes guidance for hosting a first Thanksgiving—from turkey brining and mashed potatoes to a handy roasted vegetable chart and even a no-bake pumpkin pie that won’t compete for precious oven space. There are also crowd-pleasing dips for game nights and Bunco parties, plus plenty of charcuterie tips for entertaining.

Not every cookbook needs to reinvent the wheel. Sometimes you just need one that helps you make a good dinner, host a holiday, and feed your friends without breaking a sweat—and this one does exactly that. I haven’t visited Meggan Hill’s cooking blog yet, but after enjoying this cookbook, I plan to soon.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic cookbook! I’m totally going to be preordering a copy of it because almost all of the recipes sounded delicious!

Since this a cookbook, I’m not going to be doing a standard review but here are some thoughts:


— I like that she gave shortcut examples (condensed soups) as alternates but most of the cookbook contains from scratch recipes
— my husband cannot eat mushrooms so I appreciated that she referenced what to do if the mushrooms are left out. My husband might have chicken cacciatore for the first time!
— all of the recipes were easy to follow and did not have a long list of complicated directions
— the pictures had my mouth watering!


I can’t wait to get this cookbook and GET COOKING. Highly recommend.



Thank you Greenleaf Book Group for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Brie · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a Midwesterner, this cookbook was so basic.
Not impressed, nothing new and disappointing. One recipe was literally cocktail wieners and sweet baby rays barbecue sauce… heat on stove.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute cookbook! I think it breaks recipe down easy and it has such a wide variety! I will be trying the cowboy cookies this weekend!

[Sadie E · Rating 2 out of 5]

If beige could be seasoned with a pinch of beige and served on a beige plate, it would be this cookbook.

If Live Laugh Love had a taste, it would be these recipes.

Before we get into the actual cookbook, let's talk about the digital copy, because what in the Microsoft Word mail merge hell happened?

The formatting’s atrocious. Words run together. Ingredients stop resembling ingredients and start resembling passwords.

For example: “1(15ouncae)ntomatsauce" are we summoning a demon?

And then there’s: “LasagnastheentreofchoicatGrandmolores'shousorChristmas,birthdaya,ndMothDay.Shalwayservextrasauceontheside,smyreciphasextrsaucforservintoo."

My eyes hurt and my soul's left my body.

But I’m not taking any stars off for the formatting fuckery. ARC formatting issues happen 🤷🏼‍♀️

Formatting issues aside, this is possibly the most boring cookbook ever.

And I don’t mean bad. I mean boring.

There’s absolutely nothing here that made me go, “Ooh, I have to make that!” Every recipe falls into one of two categories:

1. So standard and commonplace it’s already on regular rotation in most households.
2. Something I’ve seen done much better in another cookbook.

We’re talking pot roast. Chicken parmesan. Roast turkey. Meatloaf. Tuna casserole. Chicken noodle soup. Sloppy joes. Turkey meatballs. It’s basically the greatest hits of “Things You Already Know How to Cook.”

It’s in desperate need of a personality.

If you’re going to publish a cookbook built around very basic, very familiar, very white comfort food, then you need a hook. You need something that sets your food apart. Give me a reason why this biscuits and gravy deserves a place in my kitchen over the approximately 6 billion other biscuits and gravy recipes out there.

The subtitle promises a Midwestern heart, but I’m not convinced. Nothing here really screams “Midwest” so much as it screams “generic comfort food with a friendly font.”

The photography's well done. But there’s a distinct lack of colour in the photos. It’s clearly an aesthetic choice, but it just deepens the overall beige effect. Everything looks intentionally muted, like the book's committed to a cohesive tone of “pleasantly unremarkable” and refuses to deviate even once. Visually, it matches the recipes a little too well.

But sometimes basic's exactly what you want and need. Not every cookbook needs to reinvent dinner. However, if you are going to build an entire cookbook around the basics, those basics need something that makes them stand out. A fresh perspective. A clever twist. Anything.

Instead, I mostly found recipes that made me think, “Yes. That is indeed a pot roast.”

Thank you to Greenleaf Book Group for the ARC

[martyn benny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Culinary Hill Cookbook: Modern Home Cooking with a Midwestern Heart by Meggan Hill is a warm, inviting, and beautifully crafted cookbook that celebrates the joy of home cooking while honoring the comforting traditions of the American Midwest.

At its core, this book is about bringing people together through food. Meggan Hill successfully blends classic comfort food influences with modern techniques, approachable ingredients, and practical guidance, creating a collection that feels both timeless and refreshingly current. Whether preparing a weeknight dinner, a family gathering, or a special celebration, readers will find recipes designed to be both achievable and memorable.

One of the cookbook’s greatest strengths is its accessibility. The recipes are thoughtfully written, easy to follow, and suitable for cooks of varying experience levels. Rather than relying on overly complicated methods or hard to find ingredients, Hill focuses on creating delicious, reliable dishes that home cooks can confidently prepare again and again.

The Midwestern influence gives the cookbook a distinctive personality. There is a genuine sense of warmth, hospitality, and generosity throughout the collection, reflecting the values often associated with gathering around the family table. The recipes evoke nostalgia while remaining relevant to contemporary tastes and lifestyles.

Equally impressive is the balance between practicality and inspiration. Readers are not only given recipes but also the confidence to enjoy the cooking process itself. The book encourages a return to the pleasures of preparing meals from scratch, sharing food with loved ones, and creating meaningful memories around the table.

Beyond the recipes, The Culinary Hill Cookbook succeeds because it feels authentic. Hill’s passion for home cooking shines through every page, making readers feel as though they are receiving guidance from a trusted friend rather than simply following instructions from a cookbook.

Overall, this is an outstanding addition to any home cook’s collection. Filled with comforting recipes, practical wisdom, and heartfelt inspiration, The Culinary Hill Cookbook is a celebration of everyday cooking at its very best.

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Review: The Culinary Hill Cookbook: Modern Home Cooking with a Midwestern Heart by Meggan Hill

Rating: ★★★☆☆

I recently had the chance to dive into The Culinary Hill Cookbook by Meggan Hill, a charming tribute to Midwestern cooking inspired by her popular food blog. The book is packed with recipes that come straight from Meggan’s childhood and the people who shaped her culinary journey. Alongside the recipes, she sprinkles in personal stories, handy tutorials, and useful tips to help home cooks like me create memorable meals with their own loved ones.

First off, I have to say—this book has a really lovely cover that instantly drew me in. However, I did notice that the advanced reader copy I received had some pretty rough formatting issues. Hopefully, those will be cleaned up in the final version because they were a bit distracting. Beyond that, this cookbook is fairly straightforward and doesn’t break new ground in the culinary world. The recipes are approachable and designed for everyday cooking, so nothing felt too complicated or intimidating.

One thing I really appreciated was how easy the instructions were to follow. There are also bonus recipe variations and detailed step-by-step photos for some dishes, which is super helpful for someone like me who learns visually. Plus, every recipe is accompanied by a photo that makes the food look truly appetizing—a nice touch that encourages you to get cooking.

All in all, The Culinary Hill Cookbook would make a thoughtful gift for someone just beginning their home cooking adventure or anyone who loves simple, comforting Midwestern food. It might not revolutionize your kitchen routine, but it offers plenty of solid recipes and heartfelt inspiration to enjoy along the way.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

[Katie Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Culinary Hill Cookbook: Modern Home Cooking with a Midwestern Heart is a welcoming collection of approachable recipes that celebrates the joy of everyday cooking. Meggan Hill combines dependable techniques with comforting flavors, creating a cookbook that encourages readers to prepare satisfying meals with confidence, whether they are experienced home cooks or just beginning their culinary journey.

One of the cookbook's greatest strengths is its emphasis on practical, achievable recipes that fit naturally into busy daily life. Rather than relying on complicated methods or hard-to-find ingredients, the collection focuses on well-balanced dishes that are flavorful, accessible, and designed to bring people together around the table.

Beyond the recipes themselves, the cookbook reflects a genuine appreciation for home cooking as an expression of hospitality, tradition, and family connection. Meggan's approachable style makes the instructions easy to follow while inspiring readers to build confidence in the kitchen and enjoy the process of preparing meals from scratch.

Throughout the collection, themes of comfort food, family traditions, seasonal cooking, meal planning, entertaining, simplicity, and everyday hospitality are thoughtfully woven into recipes that celebrate both classic favorites and fresh modern ideas. The result is a cookbook that feels equally useful for weeknight dinners, weekend gatherings, and special occasions.

Written with warmth and practical expertise, The Culinary Hill Cookbook is an inviting resource for anyone who appreciates wholesome, approachable cooking. Meggan Hill delivers a collection that reminds readers that some of life's most meaningful moments begin around a shared table.

[Courtney Stearns · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Culinary Hill Cookbook: Modern Home Cooking with a Midwestern Heart by Meggan Hill
Rating: 5/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Summary & Vibe
This cookbook is a beautiful collection of comforting, approachable, and elevated Midwestern classics. It delivers foolproof recipes that bring a sense of warmth and home straight to your kitchen. While it is a must read for home cooks of all skill levels, it is particularly perfect for young adults who are just starting out. If you need a well-rounded, reliable cookbook to build your culinary foundation around, this is the one to grab.

What I Liked / What Worked

Easy to follow steps: Every recipe is clear and accompanied by gorgeous photography.

Incredibly well rounded: The book offers a massive variety of dishes, ensuring there is truly something for everyone.

Occasion menus: I particularly appreciated the section where the author breaks down perfect meal combinations from appetizers and mains to sides and desserts for specific occasions like holidays, barbecues, and bridal showers.

Exciting dessert options: I absolutely cannot wait to try making the banana bars.

Final Thoughts
This is more than just a recipe book; it is a kitchen staple that you will reach for time and time again. It perfectly balances modern tastes with traditional comfort. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to elevate their everyday cooking or build confidence in the kitchen.

Thanks to NetGalley for sending an ARC (advanced reader copy) in exchange for a fair and honest review

[Cora · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Culinary Hill Cookbook is aptly described as "A love letter to the Midwest." The recipes are familiar and comforting, barely deviating from what you would find in your grandmother's recipe box.

I loved the easy-to-follow instructions, bonus recipe variations, and more detailed step-by-step breakdowns with photos where applicable. I also appreciated that each recipe has a photo highlighting how delicious everything looks. When I showed my husband some of the recipes, he immediately suggested we buy a copy of the book.

I would have liked recipes for the convenience ingredients, like onion soup mix, so we could make our own if desired. I also would have liked to see suggestions for alternative ingredients for those of us with gluten or dairy intolerances, but I also understand that wasn't the aim of this cookbook and don't fault the author for not including them.

Overall, I enjoyed this book of cozy comfort food recipes, and I'm excited to make them to share with family and friends.

Thank you to Greenleaf Book Group, Culinary Hill Inc., and NetGalley for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Penmouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Culinary Hill Cookbook by Meggan Hill is a cozy cookbook filled with recipes that will remind you of home cooking. Some of the recipes you'll find in her cookbook include:

Sloppy Joes
Grilled Ribeye
Garlic Butter Roast Chicken
The How to Brine a Turkey (and the full turkey prep process) recipes gives clear directions and photos on how to do this which is a real plus for the novice cook.
Rigatoni with Sausage
Scalloped Potatoes
Perfect Roasted Veggies
Piggly Wiggly Salad
Soft Yeast Dinner Rolls
Taco Soup
Beef or Venison Chili
Veggie Pizza
Stuffed Mushrooms with Artichoke Hearts
Quiche Muffins
Morning Glory Muffins
Cowboy Cookies
Sugar Cookie Cheesecake Bars
Rolo Pretzel Candies
Frosty Chocolate Cheesecake
No-Bake Pumpkin Pie

Overall, The Culinary Hill Cookbook is a good choice if you are looking for homey, comfy recipes.

Review written after receiving a temporary electronic ARC through NetGalley.

[Sakura-Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful and diverse cookbook!!!

Disclaimer: I won a Kindle copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway and this is my honest review.

I love how every recipe in this book is accompanied by a image of what the final completed dish looks like!!! Each recipe is super easy to follow and is well organized!!! Overall, I love how this cookbook contains a variety of recipes and is diverse with ingredients. All the recipes are approachable and not intimidating! Some recipes require more ingredients and steps to create, but they don't need exotic or "hard to find" ingredients at the store. I'm extremely impressed and I can't wait to try out the: soups, stews, and dessert recipes the most!!! If you like cookbooks and are in the market for new recipes to try out, than this is for sure a cookbook to check out!!! It has recipes for: breakfast, lunch, dinner, appetizers, and desserts!!!

[Karalee Shotola · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Culinary Hill Cookbook includes recipes for supper, soups, sides, appetizers, breakfasts, and sweets. Each of the recipes includes an ingredient list, numbered directions, serving size, and prep, cook, and total times. The recipes are easy to follow, and they are simple comfort food recipes. Also, every recipe includes a photo, which I appreciate as it lets you see what the final dish looks like and helps you decide if you want to make it. That said, I did not personally find any recipes I wanted to make, as there were numerous recipes I grew up eating and already knew how to make, and I did not feel compelled to try the others. However, the cookbook could be great for those who are interested in Midwest cooking and simple comfort food.

Thank you NetGalley for sending this book for review.

[Grace (alatteofliterature) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Greenleaf Book Group | Culinary Hill Inc. for the copy of The Culinary Hill Cookbook by Meggan Hill through NetGalley, All opinions are my own.

I picked up this book because of its midwestern marketing, and it is exactly that: family recipes from the midwest, preserved in cookbook form exactly the way our grandmas made them. It barely diverges from the classics, sticking to well trodden meatloaf, potato salad, scotcharoos, and the like.

If I have any criticisms, it's just that I was expecting more unique twists to personalize the author's recipes. It rang so true to my own grandma's recipes, that I have nearly all of them in my collection already. But for the newly married woman in your life, a college grad moving into their first place, or as a housewarming gift, this is Midwestern Cooking 101.

[Andrew Bienka · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my house, we struggle regularly to come up with new ideas for meals for a lot of reasons. This cookbook provides some simple, classic recipes to try that are straight-forward and clear in instructions.

Nothing seemed overly complicated, which oftentimes with cookbooks I feel like "no way I can do that". This cookbook doesn't give me that feeling.

I want to give kudos also to the very nice pictures included. They're great!

Some highlight recipes I'm dying to try:
Chicken Gyros
Turkey Meatballs
Slow Cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork
Homemade Crescent Rolls
Chicken Noodle Soup
Biscuits and Gravy
LITERALLY ALL OF THE DESERTS!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Oli R · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who grew up in the midwest but moved west in adulthood, this cookbook was a trip down memory lane. I've collected versions of most of these recipes on my own over the years but it was really fun to see them all come together in this book.

The author was very no-nonsense about the quirks of midwest cooking including sugar in savory dishes and the simplicity of "cookies" that are simply store bought snacks covered in chocolate.

I love how visual this cookbook is with plenty of pictures of most of the recipes and one I am excited to add to my shelf at some point.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Dottie Lonero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Culinary Hill Cookbook

Thank you Goodreads for the giveaway cookbook. I especially loved this cookbook with homemade recipes. There are some recipes similar to mine with an added twist. I will incorporate some of those twists to mine for variety. There are many new recipes I will definitely try. The photos are a real bonus, so you can tell if you made it correctly. I loved the meal groupings at the end of the book and Methane messages at the end of some recipes. This book is a must have for new or experienced cooks. Thank you again for the cookbook. (On my way to my kitchen now to try a new recipe)

[Isabel Quiroz · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is great for a collection of all the classics, a trip down memory lane(for those who grew up with a mom that cooked like this), or someone just moving out from their parents and is now cooking for themselves. As other reviews mentioned, yes, a little bland, a little repetitive as many many other websites, cookbooks, generation to generation passing down recipes. But sometimes it’s nice to go back to the basics and there’s always small variations that could make the recipe absolutely different from one another. great book of classics over all

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recieved a copy of this cookbook on Kindle through goodreads.

I gave the book a 3 star review because it does have some good recipes In it. BUT, I would never have bought this book because these are all basic meals. The author stated this started as a complication of her family and friends recipes and she had it originally printed in a spiral book to give to her friends and family. All these recipes do in fact remind me of the old church cookbooks.

If you are someone that needs a recipe everytime or maybe just learning how to cook this would be a good one to start with.

[Charla Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real food for real people! That’s the best way to describe this cookbook. It’s one of those cookbooks that makes you hungry looking at the recipes. It also makes you want to get up and make each of the recipes. The ingredients used throughout are everyday ingredients, not things you have to chase down. A few of the recipes I look forward to making include, Stuffed Peppers,slow cooker hot turkey sandwiches, minestrone soup, Taco dip, spinach artichoke dip, biscuits and gravy, morning glory muffins, spice cake, lemon Bundt cake, and peach cobbler.

[Melanie Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very nice cookbook of basic recipes like your mom would make them. It has all of the basics like meatloaf and stuffed peppers. While I'm partial to making these types of comfort dishes the way my Jewish mother would make them, I loved seeing the differences between Midwestern cooking and my Jewish roots.

[Christine DeKeno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real Cooking for Real People

Recipes aren't overly complicated. Beautiful pictures. Recipes that I will actually make and have time for. Has suggestions for meal plans for gatherings, how to do things that require more skill, and memorable notes from the author/people who put effort into this cookbook. Definitely recommend!

[Bibliohiker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. The recipes were easy to follow and I liked that there weren’t a lot of ingredients in each one. The photos of each recipes was nice de as well. I’ll definitely be making several of these recipes. I also liked the bit of memories and nostalgia on many of the recipes.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read and will be a great reference book for my health. Im excited to try every one of the recipes provided. I enjoyed this cause it gave me information i didn't know and can apply to most of my health needs.
I recommend this book for not only the recipes but for the information inside to anyone eho wants to change how they eat.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Culinary Hill Cookbook: Modern Home Cooking with a Midwestern Heart is a nice, basic cookbook with gorgeous photos and easy to follow recipes. This would make a great gift for a new cook.

I received a free advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Netgalley ARC-Good solid food for commonsense home cooking. Much like her website, the recipes are tried and true with a Midwestern flair. Good photos of the food make your mouth water while reading. Good book for a new.home cook or beginners in the kitchen.

[Mary Homan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book extremely useful. Living in the Midwest, these are Recipies that I have made before, but did not have good Recipies for. It will be a staple in my kitchen, just like flour and olive oil.

[Kristen Barenthaler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to immediately eat everything in this cookbook! The instructions are so easy to follow. The images are mouthwateringly delicious. It's exactly what I want when I'm looking for a nice, home-cooked meal.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Culinary Hill Cookbook is a collection of recipes with a Midwestern heart. It has classic recipes including casseroles and all other types of recipes. it's a comprehensive collection of basic recipes.