Easy Does It: Relaxed Recipes for Every Meal

by Carissa Stanton

Quick, satisfying meals for juggling everyday life by the New York Times bestselling author of Seriously, So Good. Carissa Stanton a.k.a. BroccYourBody returns with her highly anticipated second cookbook, welcoming you back into her kitchen with the same stress-free approach that has earned her a loyal following of more than a million across platforms. Since her first book, Carissa’s life has shifted in beautiful ways—from marriage to becoming a mom—and this cookbook reflects that. Filled with more than a hundred approachable recipes, Easy Does It is meant to meet you exactly where you when you’re short on time, don’t have a plan, and want something convenient without sacrificing flavor. From on-the-go breakfasts and energizing lunches to quick weeknight dinners, one-pan meals, slow cooker recipes, and recipes that don’t even require a knife, you’ll find practical solutions for every craving and chaotic routine. Dishes like Sausage and Cheddar Breakfast “Biscuits,” Chicken Parmesan Tortellini Bake, Panko Salmon and Crispy Broccoli, and White Bean and Couscous Soup deliver the bold flavors Carissa is known for without spending hours in the kitchen. Throughout, you’ll find helpful “No-Stress Notes” and “Simple Swaps” to help you riff like a pro, swap ingredients confidently, and use what you already have in your pantry. Whether you’re cooking for one, feeding a family, hosting friends, juggling dinner with a baby on your hip, or squeezing in a meal between meetings at work, Easy Does It will be your life saver wherever the day takes you.

304 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 16, 2027

Reviews

[Amy Quarles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy Does It delivers a beautiful collection of recipes focused on flavor-forward, stress-free cooking. The book wonderfully highlights how this culinary style has evolved alongside major life milestones like marriage and parenthood. Visually, the book is absolutely stunning. The photography is vibrant and photo-forward, and the engaging, warm tone of the writing makes it feel like you are cooking alongside a friend.
The book features over 100 recipes structured around chaotic and busy routines, including creative chapters like "No Chopping Required". The concepts behind dishes like the Chicken Parmesan Tortellini Bake, Sausage and Cheddar Breakfast "Biscuits," and the White Bean and Couscous Soup are excellent. A major highlight is the helpful addition of "No-Stress Notes" and "Simple Swaps", which provide fantastic, practical ideas for upgrading pantry staples or subbing ingredients on the fly.
However, despite the book’s central promise of being "relaxed" and "easy", I felt there was a slight disconnect with a handful of the recipes. While nothing is overly technical, several dishes required a few more pans, prep steps, or specialized ingredients than what I typically expect from a weeknight meal meant to be thrown together quickly. For a cookbook marketed heavily toward minimal effort and maximum convenience, a few recipes felt closer to a standard weekend cooking project rather than a fast weeknight savior.
Ultimately, Easy Does It is a beautiful, solid cookbook with delicious flavors that fans of contemporary, casual cooking will enjoy adding to their collection. Everything I cooked tasted great, but because some dishes require a bit more effort and cleanup than advertised, it lands at a flat 3 stars for me.

[Md Al]

**★★★★★ Simple, Relaxed, and Full of Delicious Ideas**

*Easy Does It: Relaxed Recipes for Every Meal* is a wonderful cookbook for anyone who wants flavorful food without unnecessary complexity. The recipes have an inviting, approachable quality that makes cooking feel manageable and enjoyable, even on busy days.

I especially appreciate the focus on relaxed cooking. The collection offers plenty of inspiration for different meals and occasions while keeping the emphasis on practical recipes that fit naturally into everyday life. There is enough variety to keep meals interesting without making the process feel overwhelming.

This is the kind of cookbook that encourages you to spend more time enjoying food and less time worrying about complicated preparation. Whether you're looking for a simple meal during the week or something a little more special, the book provides plenty of ideas to explore.

Overall, *Easy Does It* is an appealing and useful addition to any home kitchen. Its straightforward spirit, versatile recipes, and emphasis on enjoyable cooking make it a book I can easily see returning to again and again.

**★★★★★ A refreshing cookbook that proves great everyday food doesn't have to be complicated.**

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy!

A solid cookbook entry from blogger Stanton, who also has a website BroccYourBody.

The recipes are mostly riffs on standards, but there are some fun twists, as in the Apple Cider Sticky Toffee Date Cake, which I'm looking forward to trying this weekend!

Lots of pictures (a must for me, with cookbooks) are included, and the recipes themselves are well-written and easy to follow. The recipes are grouped in chapters like One Pot Meals, Sheet Pan Dinners, Easy Desserts, etc. There are also healthy options like salads and bowls included.