NaTaya Hastings

NaTaya Hastings is a food and recipe writer for Insanely Good Recipes. 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.

Garlic and Bread Soup with Bread

10 Traditional Spanish Soups

Get an authentic taste of Spain with these Spanish soups. From gazpacho to vegetable to chickpea stew, these hearty soups are tough to top!

Strawberry Mojito with Fresh Strawberries

30 Easy Summer Cocktail Recipes

These summer cocktail recipes are light, refreshing, and so much fun to enjoy. From mojitos to frose to a bikini martini, kick back and relax with one of these tempting summer drinks.

Bowl of Salty Snacks with Cereals and Pretzels

20 Best Camping Snacks

Make the most of your camping trip with these tasty camping snacks! From granola bars to cowboy cookies to banana boats, everyone will happily eat these bites!

Chicken Bowl Salad with Pecan Nuts, Pears and Cranberries

21 Best Autumn Salad Recipes

These autumn salad recipes will put you in the spirit of the season. From kale to crunchy pasta to fall harvest, these salads are as good as it gets!

A bowl of Christmas Snack Mix

40 Christmas Snacks and Festive Treats

These Christmas snacks are sure to keep you merry and bright all season! From savory apps to festive treats, you won’t go hungry this holiday season.

Spanish Salad with Vegetables, Red Beans and Bread

10 Traditional Spanish Salads

Try these traditional Spanish salads for a true taste of Spain! From mixed greens to potato to bean and red pepper, these salads are the perfect starters.

Homemade Holiday Snack Party Mix

25 Best Fall Snacks

These fall snacks are so full of flavor and spice! From snack mix to spiced pear chips to pretzel pumpkins, kick off the season with these savory bites.

Sweet Panna Cotta Dessert

10 Easy Gelatin Desserts

These gelatin desserts go way beyond Jell-O! From gummy bears to cheesecake to parfaits, you can make all sorts of treats with gelatin.

Homemade Braided Sweet Bread with Flaked Almonds

25 Best Sweet Bread Recipes

These sweet bread recipes are tasty, easy, and so nostalgic. From cinnamon sugar to banana to monkey bread, these recipes will not disappoint!

Persimmon Cake with Raisins and Hot Chocolate

10 Best Persimmon Recipes

These persimmon recipes are earthy, sweet, rich, and unique! From bread to cookies to risotto, you’ll love cooking with persimmons.