This Make-Ahead Spinach + Mushroom Gnocchi Casserole Is Perfection

Karen Cohen
Aug 07, 2016

All you busy ladies out there — we’ve got dinner covered this week with a delicious make-ahead casserole recipe you’ll love. Short on time? No worries; this dish doesn’t require a ton of effort and can be reheated and enjoyed all week long (it’s also freezer-friendly!) Not just another baked pasta recipe, this deliciously filling version is made with pillowy-soft gnocchi, savory mushrooms, a handful of fragrant herbs, hearty spinach and cheese… LOTS of cheese!

Ingredients:

Serves 4-6
— (1) 17.5-ounce package of gnocchi

— 2 Tablespoons olive oil

— 1 large shallot, finely chopped

— 3 garlic cloves, minced

— 8 ounces crimini mushrooms, sliced

— 2 Tablespoons fresh thyme leaves

— 1/4 cup parsley leaves, finely chopped

— 3 cups baby spinach, tightly packed

— 3/4 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese

— 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

— 1 teaspoon salt

— 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

— 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the gnocchi according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

2. Heat olive oil over a medium flame in a large pan. Add the chopped shallot and sauté until lightly golden (about 2-3 minutes). Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute. Add in the sliced mushrooms, tossing occasionally, and cook until soft and fragrant (about 3-5 minutes). Fold in the thyme leaves and chopped parsley and toss to coat. Add in the spinach leaves and mix until just wilted (about one minute). Then mix in the cooked gnocchi.

3. Add the ricotta, shredded mozzarella, salt and pepper to the pan, and mix until evenly incorporated.

4. Transfer the contents of the pan to an 8×8-inch casserole dish and sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the top. Bake in your preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the cheese is melty and deeply golden. Let the casserole cool slightly before serving and eating.

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the gnocchi according to package instructions. Drain gnocchi and set aside.

Heat olive oil over a medium flame in a large pan. Add the chopped shallot and sauté until lightly golden (about 2-3 minutes). Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute. Add in the sliced mushrooms, tossing occasionally, and cook until soft and fragrant (about 3-5 minutes). Fold in the thyme leaves and chopped parsley and toss to coat. Add in the spinach leaves and mix until just wilted (about one minute). Then mix in the cooked gnocchi.

Add the ricotta, shredded mozzarella, salt and pepper to the pan, and mix until evenly incorporated.

Transfer the contents of the pan to an 8×8-inch casserole dish and sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the top. Bake in your preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the cheese is gooey melty and deeply golden. Let the casserole cool slightly before serving and eating.

Cheesy perfection — comfort food at its finest.

Let it cool for a few minutes before serving and eating.

Raise your hand if you’re a gnocchi lover!

Love this recipe? Follow us on Pinterest and check out our camping foods recipe roundup for more inspo!

36 Make-Ahead Camping Recipes For Easy Meal Planning

If you want to rough it old-school while you explore the great outdoors, but don't exactly want to eat roasted beans out of a can, consider the convenience of make-ahead camping meals. Nothing's worse than sleeping outdoors without access to a shower than facing the wilderness on an empty stomach – it pays to be prepared.

You already have your camping essentials and your hydration must-haves ready – now, you just need to master these make-ahead camping meals and recipes that can easily be made ahead of time or prepped for easy cooking. Go, granola girl, go!

Tasty Pre-Made Camping Meals For Your Next Trip

Pressure Cooker Vegetarian Chili

Make a biiiig batch of this vegetarian chili, and freeze half of it for your next camping adventure. When your tent is set up and you're ready for dinner, simply reheat the chili over the campfire or grill, add your favorite toppings, and dig in. (via Brit + Co)

Cast Iron Pizza

If you thought homemade pizza was incompatible with campground cooking, this gooey pie will change your mind. All you need for this pizza is pre-made dough, a skillet, and the will to live cheesily. (via Brit + Co)

Campfire Peach Cobbler

Pack a can of peach filling and chilled biscuit dough in a cooler, and heat it to sweet bubbly excellence over the campfire. With this easy make-ahead recipe, fireside dessert is taken care of in a jiffy. (via Brit + Co)

Barbecue Black Bean Tacos

Vegetarians can still enjoy the meaty taste of barbecue with these well-seasoned black bean tacos, heated on a grill for *maximum* smokiness. (via Brit + Co)

Chicken Pepperoni Casserole

Camp squad can't agree on chicken v. pizza? Settle that heated debate with this make-ahead casserole, filled with chicken breast, tomato sauce, and three kinds of cheese – yes, three! 😋 (via Brit + Co)

Pineapple Pork Kebabs

These skewers actually benefit from being made in advance; they'll have extra time to soak up the savory-sweet marinade while you're on your way to camp. (via Brit + Co)

Summer Fruit Crisp

Satisfy those end-of-day dessert cravings with this resourceful crisp, made with an oatmeal-brown-sugar base. We're salivating over this make-ahead camping meal already. (via Brit + Co)

Lamb Burgers

There's a fair amount of advance prep for these burgers, but when you bite into the flavorful patties after a full day, the make-ahead camp meal planning will have been *well* worth it. Just make sure to pack the toppings separately and keep 'em cool. (via Brit + Co)

One-Pot Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili

Recap the day's adventures around the campfire with hearty bowls of chili. This meat-free version made with sweet potatoes and black beans is a *super* easy make-ahead camping meal – and it reheats in no time. (via Brit + Co)

Vegan Portuguese Kale Soup

Don't forget to bring lots of crusty bread to accompany this slightly spicy soup, which is swimming with potato pieces, lima beans, and vegan sausage. Traveling with a leakproof container will preserve this meal's freshness and flavor. (via Brit + Co)

Chickpea Salad Sandwich

If you're somewhat challenged when it comes to starting a campfire, have no fear. This budget-friendly vegetarian meal comes together in minutes, no heat necessary. (via Brit + Co)

Jackfruit Burrito Bowls

Pack your burrito bowl components in separate containers to avoid sogginess, then reheat the rice, beans, and jackfruit at camp before serving this delicious *and* nutritious make-ahead meal. (via Brit + Co)

Make-Ahead Spinach Mushroom Gnocchi Casserole

Thyme-flavored three-cheese pasta is so cozy, you'll be tempted to eat it while curled up in your sleeping bag. (via Brit + Co)

These Are The Tastiest Ideas For Camping Meal Prep

Fruit Skewers with Mason Jar Whipped Cream

Get your daily serving of fruit in the form of dessert with these cinnamon-sugary foil packets. While you fire up the skewers, put your friend on jar-shaking duty to make the whipped cream. (via Brit + Co)

Easy Buttermilk Cornbread Muffins

Whether you use it to sop up some chili, or slather it with honey butter for breakfast, slightly sweet cornbread is always a nice camping meal treat. Pre-portioned muffins mean you don't have to bother slicing cornbread at camp. (via Brit + Co)

Asparagus and Goat Cheese Frittata

Camping with a sophisticate? Show them you know about fine cheeses with this yummy frittata, which looks and tastes fancy, but really has just five ingredients and only requires that you don't burn it. (via Brit + Co)

S'mores Sweet Potato

Cook and stuff these sweet potatoes ahead of time, wrap them in foil, then let them become molten goodness over the campside stovetop. (via Brit + Co)

Campfire Cones

Omit the bananas, and these campfire cones become a decadent make-ahead dessert. Stuff small sugar cones with your favorite blend of chocolate candies and marshmallows, then wrap in foil. Place them over the campfire at the end of the night for a few minutes, until the candy inside is gooey and melted! (via Brit + Co)

Mason Jar Ramen

Instant noodles are a backpacking staple, but it gets better. Prep some mason jars of noodles, veggies, and seasonings at home, then fill with boiling water from your campfire kettle when you're ready to eat. (via Brit + Co)

Make-Ahead Breakfast Cookies

Spare yourself the trouble of stoking a fire in the morning by bringing a no-heat breakfast with you. A blend of oats, banana, pineapple, and mango breakfast cookies, dotted with white chocolate chips, will energize you for a busy day outdoors! (via Brit + Co)

Cheesy Swirl Bread with Cheddar and Fig

This particular homemade bread calls for weaving fig and cheddar into the dough, but you can go with whatever preserves and cheese you love together. Serve this with butter in the morning for breakfast, or as a side for supper. (via Brit + Co)

Campfire Veggie Sausage Packets

Marinate chopped peppers, onions, and potatoes in your favorite seasonings. Combine the mixture with sliced vegetarian sausages when you reach your campsite, then wrap in foil and cook until steamy and *a little* browned at the edges. (via Brit + Co)

Lemon Chicken and Potatoes in Foil

Individual chicken breasts are cooked atop mounds of Dijon-mustardy, lemony, herby red potatoes. Each camper gets their own chicken packet with this make-ahead camping meal, and there are no plates to wash. Score! (via Damn Delicious)

Southern Skillet Pimento Mac and Cheese

Make your camping meal an ode to the South with this cheesy mac that's studded with peppers and crispy bacon. (via Pizzazzerie)

Make-Ahead Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches

Eggs, cheese, and bacon (or sausage!) tucked into a warm English muffin is *just* the combination to fuel you for the day's adventures. Simply pre-assemble and reheat on site. (via The Cozy Cook)

Grilled Bratwurst Kebabs with Veggies

There's nothing quite like the smoky aroma of sausages wafting off a hot grill. Fold yours into a hot dog bun, or eat it right off the skewer. (via A Fork's Tale)

Ham and Cheese Hash Brown Foil Packets

Go the lazy-yet-tasty route with pre-made hash browns, salty ham, and a healthy handful of cheddar. Add a fried egg on top of each finished pouch for *extra* sustenance. (via Damn Delicious)

Carne Asada Skillet Nachos

Gather around the campfire with a skillet full of crispy tortilla chips, piled high with tender steak, rich queso, and chopped veggies that you brilliantly prepped ahead of time. (via What's Gaby Cooking)

Keep Scrolling For Some Genius Make-Ahead Meals For Camping

Migas Breakfast Casserole

Wake up your tent-mates in the tenderest way possible, with the aroma of gently reheating tortilla chips, jalapeños, and cheeeeese. (via Kitschen Cat)

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Leafy salads aren't... the best choice when camping. They just don't hold up well over time. Instead, make a salad full of crunchy veggies, herbs, and chickpeas that won't wilt in the cooler. (via My Food Story)

Make-Ahead Breakfast Burritos

Whip up a batch of breakfast burritos to take on your next excursion. Move them from freezer to cooler, then heat up in the morning over your fire or grill. (via Unsophisticook)

Smoky Chorizo and Butter Bean Hot Pot

Few things are more comforting than a hot pot on a campfire. You can make this bite *completely* ahead of time, or prep the ingredients and cook it at camp. (via Lavender & Lovage)

Backpacker's Blueberry Crisp

Dinner's just *not* complete without a little something sweet, so what better way to satisfy a dessert craving than this easy blueberry crisp made with granola, sugar packets, and dried blueberries? (via Fresh Off The Grid)

Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas

If you make the filling of these crispy 'dillas ahead of time, you only need to assemble and griddle them at the campsite. Bonus points to this recipe for being vegetarian! (via Tabitha Talks Food)

Fried Pizzas

If you thought pizza was incompatible with camp cooking, color you wrong. Prepare your dough and toppings at home, pack your trusty skillet, and give it a try. After the initial fry over the campfire, add your toppings and continue cooking until the pizza's nice and melty. (via Pinch Of Yum)

Kung Pao White Beans Skillet

This vegan-ized skillet packs plenty of pre-hike fuel with white beans in place of chicken, plus some crunchy peanuts. (via Full Of Plants)

Love these make ahead camping meals? There's more. Follow us on Pinterest for more easy recipes and hacks, join our newsletter, or sign up for our baking and cooking classes!

Additional reporting by Sally Jones and Justina Huddleston.

This post has been updated from a previous post from March 2019.

campingmake-ahead recipesrecipe roundupmealsdinner recipesrecipesrecipe ideasrecipe inspotravelCamping

Ryan Gosling Supports Eva Mendes "In All The Ways," And It Makes Us Love Him Even More

There are two things I know for sure: Ken loves Barbie, and Ryan Gosling loves Eva Mendes. The couple met on the movie set for The Place Beyond the Pines in 2011, and have created such a beautiful life together! Eva's just as excited for the Christmas remix of "I'm Just Ken" as we are, and Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes' constant support of one another is making us think back on all their cutest moments.

A Full Timeline Of Ryan Gosling And Eva Mendes' Relationship

Images via Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

August 2011 — Ryan Gosling And Eva Mendes Meet During The Place Beyond The Pines

Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes took a chance at romance after they played a couple in 2011's The Place Beyond The Pines. Once they were linked, they were seen walking around Disneyland "like a dating couple, [walking] very closely, holding hands and their arms touching side-by-side," according to a PEOPLE eyewitness.

Image via Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for SXSW

November + December 2011 — Ryan Gosling And Eva Mendes Spend The Holidays Together

During Thanksgiving in 2011, Eva Mendes was filming Holly Motors in Paris, so Ryan Gosling took a trip to the City of Lights so they could spend the holiday together. They also ended up going on Funny or Die's Drunk History Christmas the next month to reenact a 21+ version of The Night Before Christmas *and* spent New Year's together!

Image via Sonia Recchia/Getty Images

September 7, 2012 — Ryan Gosling And Eva Mendes Attend The Toronto International Film Festival Together

To promote The Place Beyond the Pines, Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes spent a lot of time together on the TIFF red carpet. Years later in 2019, when Kelly Clarkson pulled up the picture, Eva couldn't help but gush over Ryan — especially since they hadn't announced they were dating at the time. “Oh my God, that’s so old," she says of the photo. "That’s literally me going, ‘I’m not in love with him. What? I’m not in love.’ ‘Cause we were trying to be very professional."

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

May 2014 — Ryan Gosling And Eva Mendes Work Together On Lost River

Ryan and Eva reunited on a film set again for Lost River, which was both Ryan's directorial debut and served as a semi-autobiographical story for him. "For me, it was crucial to work in this intimate, low-budget, small way, with people I had worked with before, because I feel like in my experience that’s where everyone was at their best," Ryan tells Sunday Style (via Mangalorean). "They know what is at stake for you personally, and all the work that’s gone into getting there."

Eva also told her Instagram followers in a since-deleted postthat Lost River is the project she's most proud of. "There was one film I'm extra proud to be a part of," she said. "A dark fairy tale. A magical fantasy. To all the struggling single mothers, to all of us in cities that feel like they're burning down or flooding around us, to everyone fighting for the ones they love, this was a good one."

Image via Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

September 12, 2014 — Eva Mendes Gives Birth To Their First Child

Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes welcomed Esmerelda Amada Gosling into the world in September of 2014. Eva later said that she didn't even want kids until she got together with Ryan. "I was lucky enough to work my bum off for 20 years," she tells Nova 96.9's Fitzy & Wippa (via PEOPLE). "I never wanted babies before until I fell in love with Ryan, and it kind of worked out to where I was 40 and having my first baby. I think I was 42 for the second one, so it worked out in that way that I had a career and then I change my focus to my family."

Ryan also went on to tell GQ in 2023 that he was in a similar place before meeting Eva. "I wasn’t thinking about kids before I met her, but after I met Eva, I realized that I just didn’t want to have kids without her," he says. "And there were moments on The Place Beyond the Pines where we were pretending to be a family, and I didn’t really want it to be pretend anymore." I could cry!!

Image via Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

December 7, 2015 — Ryan Gosling Gives A Rare Interview About His Relationship

While Ryan and Eva have kept their relationship very private, he told Hello! that "I know that I'm with the person I'm supposed to be with" and that literally the only quality he looks for in a woman is "That she's Eva Mendes. There's nothing else I'm looking for." Swoon!

Image via Brad Barket/Getty Images

April 29, 2016 — Ryan Gosling And Eva Mendes Have Their Second Child

Eva Mendes gave birth to her and Ryan's second baby, a daughter named Amada Lee Gosling, in April 2016 — after keeping the pregnancy a secret until it was almost time to deliver! Amada is named after Eva's grandma.

Image via Paul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

January 8, 2017 — Ryan Gosling Dedicates His La La Land Golden Globe To Eva Mendes' Brother

While accepting his Golden Globe for Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Ryan Gosling made sure to let the world know just how much of a role Eva had played in the process. “I would like to try and thank one person properly, and say that while I was singing and dancing and playing piano,” he says in his speech, “my lady was raising our daughter, pregnant with our second and trying to help her brother with his battle with cancer.”

Eva's brother, Juan Carlos Mendes, had passed away the previous April and Ryan took the opportunity to dedicate the award to him.

Image via Dominique Charriau/Getty Images

February 12, 2020 — Eva Mendes Reveals Ryan Gosling Is A Great Cook

When an Instagram account asked what Eva and Ryan liked to cook, Eva revealed just how amazing Ryan is with food. "Ryan is an amazing chef AND baker," she says in her reply. "For reals. Incredible. No joke. I'm not sure that what I do is cooking. It's more like steaming veggies and juicing and making rice. He really cooks. I survive." Can I get Ryan Gosling to make me a meal sometime?

Image via Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

January 1, 2022 — Ryan Gosling Shares About Their Quarantine Life

“Time, in general, is something I think about a lot now. My kids are growing up so fast I need to keep an eye on the clock in a way I never used to,” Ryan Gosling tells GQ. “I feel like I need more time to process [how much the pandemic played into that]. But [Eva and I] have two kids, so we spend a lot of our time trying to keep them entertained.”

While they enjoyed their time together, Ryan's also candid about the effect of lockdown on their children: “Our kids were at a difficult age not to be able to see other kids and interact with people, even though Eva and I did our best.”

Image via Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros. Pictures.

June 2022 — Eva Mendes Embraces The Kenergy

When the world went crazy for every bit of Barbie news, so did Eva Mendes. "So. F. Funny," she says in an Instagram caption sharing the first look at Ryan Gosling's Ken. "So. F. Good. So F excited for you to see this…#Thatsmyken."

"It's a funny photo and he's trying to be funny, so it worked on all levels," she goes on to say on The Talk. "But when I saw it, when he sent it to me from work, I was like, 'Can I please have that underwear? Please, I never ask for anything'...So, anyway, I do have it. I'm wearing it right now."

Via Eva Mendes/Instagram

November 2022 — Eva Mendes Begins Dropping Hints She Married Ryan Gosling

When Eva showed off a new tattoo on her wrist in November of 2022 on Instagram, fans immediately began dissecting its meaning. The tattoo, which reads "de Gosling" (which is similar to Mrs. Gosling) could mean that Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes are actually married! She went on to tell Today in Australia (via DailyMail) that "Everyone is so welcoming here and my husband Ryan is here, and we are having the best time." 👀

Image via Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for SiriusXM

August 9, 2023 — Ryan Gosling And Eva Mendes Love Family Time

In the midst of crazy release schedules and commitments (not to mention the actors' strike), Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes always prioritize their family life. "When they are not working, they are all about their girls," a source tells People. "Ryan is such a fun dad. He is goofy and his girls love it." The source continues by saying the family loves to go to the beach or the desert (same TBH).

Image via Warner Bros Pictures.

December 18, 2023 — Eva Mendes Can't Wait For The "I'm Just Ken" Christmas Remix

If the original version of "I'm Just Ken" wasn't good enough, Ryan Gosling is blessing us with a Christmas remix — and Eva Mendes is just as excited as we are. "Ken not wait for this," she says in an Instagram caption.

Image via Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Warner Bros.

January 13, 2024 — Ryan Gosling Mentions His Family During His Acceptance Speech

At the 2024 Santa Barbra International Film Festival, Ryan Gosling won the Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film — and he totally deserves it! With a career that includes iconic films like La La Land and Barbie, as well as The Notebook, Blade Runner 2049, and Crazy Stupid Love, all kinds of film lovers have gotten to see Ryan's work onscreen. During his acceptance speech, Ryan got choked up talking about how acting allowed him to meet "the girl of [his] dreams."

"I dreamed of one day making movies and now movies have made my life a dream," he says in his speech. "So the way I see it, there's no way I have contributed half as much to cinema as cinema's contributed to me."

Image via Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros. Entertainment

January 24, 2024 — Eva Mendes Celebrates Ryan Gosling's Oscar Nomination

After the Oscar nominations were announced January 23, Eva Mendes took to Instagram to celebrate Ryan Gosling's nomination for Best Supporting Actor. "So proud of my man. So much hate when he took on this role," she says alongside screenshots of the first (very negative) reviews of his casting. "So many people trying to shame him for doing it. Despite all the #Notmyken ridicule and articles written about him, he created this completely original, hilarious, heartbreaking, now iconic character and took it all the way to Oscars. So beyond proud to be this Ken’s Barbie."

Image via Caroline McCredie/Getty Image

February 22, 2014 - Eva Mendes Announces Upcoming Children's Book

Yesterday Eva Mendes shared with People that she's penned a children's book named Desi, Mami, and the Never-Ending Worries that'll debut September 17. It's all about a little girl who's always worried that her scary brain is the real monster she's afraid of at night. Through gentle reminders, Desi's mom helps her understand that being afraid is normal and teaches her how not to let scary thoughts control her.

Eva Mendes told People the books is like "a love letter to my kids and yours" because "...Learning how to train our brain to work for us and not against us is easier said than done!" Since we know racing thoughts doesn't just affect adults, we love that Eva is finding a way to share some of her parenting tips with other parents.

Pre-Order Eva Mendes' Children's Book:

Desi, Mami, and the Never-Ending Worriesby Eva Mendes

Image via Eva Mendes/Instagram

March 10, 2024 — Eva Mendes Celebrates Ryan Gosling's Oscars Performance

Eva Mendes celebrated the Oscars on March 10 with a post highlighting Ryan Gosling's performance, and his entire run as Ken! "You took Ken all the way to the Oscar’s, RG," she says on Instagram. "Now come home, we need to put the kids to bed."

We love the way this couple can have fun with each other — and highlight how much teamwork parenthood requires!

Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images

March 13, 2024 — Ryan Gosling Details How Eva Mendes And Their Daughters Helped Him Prepare For His Oscars Performance

Leave it to Ryan Gosling not to take credit for his amazing Oscars performance. He gushed to People about how Eva Mendes and their daughters helped him make sure his Kenergy truly shined bright. "They are such a huge part of this for me...it was my girl's interest in Barbie and disinterest in Ken that got me into this in the first place. It was beautiful to have them there at the end," he said.

As we all saw, the unmistakable Kenergy was in full force and effect during the Oscars.

Image via Eva Mendes/Instagram

March 26, 2024 — Eva Mendes Says It Was A "No Brainer" To Stay Home With Her Kids

Deciding how to maintain a work-home balance when you have kids is something every parent thinks about, and it turns out that extends to celebs, too! After starring with Ryan Gosling in The Place Beyond The Pines, Eva Mendes decided it was a "no brainer" to stay home with their family since acting can take you all over the world, which the actress revealed in a recent episode of The Today Show. “It was almost just like a non-verbal agreement that it was like, ‘Ok, he’s going to work and I’m going to work, I’m just going to work here,'” she says. She also says she's “so lucky” to “have this time with [their] children.”

“I have never experienced anything like [working with Ryan Gosling]. The way he works, his commitment to his craft, how he wants to make everything as best as it can be, and that means making his co-stars as best as they can be,” she continues. “But unfortunately — or fortunately — there is only one Ryan!"

Image via Eva Mendes/Instagram

April 1, 2024 — Eva Mendes Says Her Daughters Make Everything Better

After losing her brother in 2016, Eva Mendes says she has a "complicated relationship" with the month of April — but that her daughters make it infinitely more bearable. "[April 2] would have been my brother’s birthday," she says on Instagram. "In a couple of weeks from now is the day we lost him…but then, the end of April we got the biggest blessing of all, my little girl was born 8 years ago. I hate you April. But I love you more."

Image via Will Heath/NBC

April 13, 2024 — Ryan Gosling Hosts SNL

During his latest stint hosting SNL, Ryan Gosling did a hilarious sketch about a man who picks up a Cuban accent after getting married to a Cuban woman. Eva Mendes was all over it! "Coño! My Cuban Papi made this Cuban Mami so happy with this!!" Eva wrote on Instagram. "Years of hanging out with my Dad paid off."

Image via Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

May 1, 2024 — Ryan Gosling Is The Ultimate Support System For Eva Mendes

Eva Mendes is not here for the mom-shamers. She told People (in honor of its 2024 Beautiful Issue) that staying home to focus on Ryan Gosling and her kids was the "easiest decision I've ever made" because she wanted to be there for their formative childhood years.

"When I was 40, it was a big deal for people when I was pregnant, and it wasn't for me," she says. "And then I was 42 and I was pregnant with my second one and people were like, 'Oh my God, you're going to be so tired. That's why people have kids in their 20s.' I was like, that's the most sorry, asinine thing I've ever heard."

"[Ryan supports me] in all the ways I need to be supported," she continues. "He's got me in all the ways."

Check back here for the latest news on Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes, and don't forget to read up on Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce's Relationship and Tom Holland and Zendaya. :)

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Lead image via Sonia Recchia/Getty Images.

This post has been updated.

relationshipscelebrity relationshipsryan goslingpop culturecelebrity

19 Make-Ahead Halloween Treats for a Stress-Free Party

Halloween is arguably one of the most fun holidays. There are no gifts to buy, there’s candy cornrecipes galore and you get to be someone you’re not for a night! That means you want to spend most of your time partaking in the party and *not* slaving away in the kitchen. The solutions to this are no-bake Halloween treats and a stockpile of make-ahead recipes that you can either prep early or cook way in advance so that you can relax once guests arrive. While you’re contemplating this year’s costume, get to pinning these 19 make-ahead recipes that will make your Halloween a breeze.

Bloody Good Cheesecake

Red velvet cheesecake serves as the bloody base for this massacre. The dripping blood is a frightening mixture of corn syrup, red food coloring and cornstarch… Or is it? Make sure you start the cheesecake a day in advance so it has plenty of time to chill. (via Sugar Dish)

Chocolate-Dipped Candy Corn Rice Krispie Treats

Enlist the help of a few kids and these candy corns will basically make themselves. When stored in an airtight container they’ll keep for several days… If you can keep everyone out of them. (via Pint-Sized Treasures)

Halloween Bundt Cake

Thanks to boxed cake mix, this cake isn’t nearly as difficult to make as it looks. The fun part is getting messy with icing and sprinkles to create your own Halloween masterpiece. (via Love Bakes Good Cakes)

Chocolate and Caramel Apples

Why would you spend a fortune on gourmet chocolate apples when you can easily make your own? Decorate each one with different toppings and prepare for people to fight over them. (via Hey Modest Marce)

Creepy Jello Cups

Jello is the ultimate make-ahead treat because it can last for ages in the fridge without changing. Pro tip: Definitely turn these into creepy Jello shots for an adults-only party. (via From Brazil to You)

Halloween Trail Mix

No good Halloween party is complete without a snack mix. Combine all of the components way before guests arrive and try your best not to pick out all of the good stuff. (via The House of Hendrix)

Pumpkin Slice and Bake Cookies

Slice and bake cookies are a must during any holiday. If you decide to make your own, you can freeze them and then slice off however many you need at a time. (via My Name is Yeh)

Halloween Candy Saltine Bark

Break into your Halloween candy early to top this sweet and salty bark. It’s quick, it’s delicious and you don’t have to wait until the last moment to fix it. (via The Blonde Buckeye)

Pretzel Pumpkins

Instead of handing out the same old candy every year, make these pretzel pumpkins to give to trick or treaters. Pre-package them in baggies and they’re ready to distribute on Halloween. (via Candy)

Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Dip

Halloween kicks off pumpkin pie season, so it’s only fitting that you represent at your party. Serve this cheesecake dip in a hollowed baking pumpkin alongside Biscoff cookies for the ultimate dunking experience. (via A Night Owl)

Cheesy Halloween Breadstick Bones

These scary and delicious bones can be made up to the baking point and then frozen. When you’re ready, just pop them in the oven and serve with your favorite blood — er, marinara. (via Just a Taste)

Shredded Chicken and Rice Stuffed Peppers

Even if you’re just having a chill Halloween at home, you have to celebrate a little bit. Turn your mundane dinner into a festive pumpkin by carving a jack-o’-lantern face in an orange bell pepper. (via Everyday Jenny)

Halloween Rice Krispie Treats

It's amazing what you can do with a few marshmallows and googly eye sprinkles. This no-bake recipe is perfect if you're the last-minute friend who doesn't care about putting a lot of energy into prep work. (via Amanda Wilens)

Homemade Black Sesame Pop-Tarts

Put a fun twist on pop-tarts with this homemade black sesame recipe. Pop-tarts are a quick and memorable breakfast treat but this mummified version makes them perfect for your Halloween party. (via Takes Two Eggs)

Black Cocoa Halloween Layer Cake

At first glance, a black cake may not look appetizing but it's more delicious than you could ever imagine. Since it's tedious to make, it qualifies as a make-ahead Halloween treat but the end result is *so* worth it. Just look at the cute little ghost frosting! (via Barley and Sage)

Halloween Snack Board

It's time to make a charcuterie board for Halloween! You can create a mix of popcorn, carrots, gummy worms, 'ghost' pretzels and more! (via Two Peas and Their Pod)

Halloween Witch Hat Cupcakes

How cute are these Halloween witch hat cupcakes? We love that they're only made with 5-ingredients!

(via Kathryn's Kitchen Blog)

Spooky Halloween Pretzels

If you're looking for another option to add to your Halloween snack board, try making these spooky Halloween pretzels. All you need is melted white chocolate, oreos, candy eyes, chocolate candy melts, black licorice and pretzels. If you want, add fall-colored M&Ms to create a nose for your spooky owl creation. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Loaded Halloween Cream Cheese Brownies

Ever thought about eating orange cream cheese? Well - thanks to this recipe - you won't be able to stop thinking about it once you make these loaded Halloween brownies! (via Averie Cooks)

Follow us on Pinterest for more easy + delicious Halloween recipe ideas.

This post has been updated.

Lead image via Two Peas and Their Pod.

Halloween RecipesMake-Ahead Recipesrecipe roundupHalloween

A "Verity" Movie Is Officially On Its Way

Thanks to Challengers and The Watchers, I can already tell 2024 is going to be a year of shocking movies (and shockingly good movies), and that trend is going to continue thanks to Verity & Colleen Hoover. While It Ends With Us might be the most popular Colleen Hoover book, Verity is arguably the craziest, and The Hollywood Reporter just confirmed that a movie is officially in development! While we wait for more news, browse the Colleen Hoover merch you can wear to opening night ;).

Is there a movie about the book Verity?

Image via Amazon

Yes, a movie based on Colleen Hoover's Verity is officially on the way! The movie's in development at Amazon MGM Studios (the studio behind Florence Pugh's A Good Person and Zendaya's Challengers). Hillary Seitz is currently writing the script for the film, and Eat the Cat's Nick Antosca and Alex Hedlund are producing.

What is Verity about?

Image via Vlada Karpovich/Pexels

In Verity by Colleen Hoover, Lowen Ashleigh is a writer struggling to make ends meet. That is, until she's offered the job of a lifetime by Jeremy, husband to the ultimate it-girl author, Verity Crawford. The thriller writer is no longer able to finish the remaining books in her series, and Jeremy wants Lowen to pick up where she left off. While Lowen is over the moon to step in (both into the job and their huge family estate), a secret manuscript and family secrets lead Lowen to realize Verity's hiding a lot more than she's letting on. B+C editor Haley Sprankle says this is one of the craziest books she's ever read, and I know this is definitely going to be one of the craziest movies we've seen!

Who's in the Verity cast?

Image via Mike Coppola/Jon Kopaloff/Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Since the movie is just now in development, we don't have an official Verity cast list yet. But considering It Ends With Us is starring beloved actors like Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and Jenny Slate, I'm confident the cast of Verity will feature some incredible names.

Popular fancasts for Verity include You's Victoria Pedretti or The White Lotus' Alexandra Diddario as Lowen, Rosamund Pike or Margot Robbie as Verity, and Shia LaBeouf or Theo James as Jeremy. Without a doubt, the cast of Verity needs to be warm and welcoming at first glance, but also have an unexpected edge that reveals itself as we move through the story.

One Reddit user points out that the characters need to offer "just toxicity but also feigned innocence," and each of these actors do exactly that, which makes them incredible picks for the movie. If Blake wasn't already in It Ends With Us, I know she'd do a great job because she proved her thriller acting chops in A Simple Favor!

When did Verity come out?

Image via Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for TIME

Colleen Hoover self-published Verity in 2018, and in 2021, the book was acquired by Grand Central Publishing. It sold more than one million copies in 2023, and has more than 340 thousand Amazon ratings and over two million Goodreads ratings. Talk about a hit!

What movie is similar to the book Verity?

Image via Lionsgate

If you love thriller books like Verity, then I'd recommend checking out other relationship-centric thrillers like Gone Girl, Rebecca, and A Simple Favor. For period drama fans, I cannot recommend Will Poulter and Lucy Boynton's Why Didn't They Ask Evans enough!

Follow us on TikTok and YouTube for the latest entertainment updates, and check back here for new info on Verity & Colleen Hoover's other books!

Lead image via Amazon.

pop cultureentertainmentmovies

Your Perfect Pair Of New Balance Sneakers, Based On Your Vibes

Personal style is personal for a reason. Whatever you wear is a complete reflection of who you are, and this is especially true for what shoes you slip into every day. Everyone’s got their go-to sandals, but sneakers are an entirely different game, I tell ya.

If your fave footwear brand is New Balance and you just so happen to be in the market for some squeaky-clean sneaks, I’ve basically done all the research for you to help you find your perfect pair. This list of the most popular New Balance sneakers details not only each style’s practicality, but their personality, too.

Ahead, find your perfect New Balance sneakers – based on your vibes!

New Balance 9060: The ‘Fit Flexer

If you just can’t resist dressing to the nines every single day, the New Balance 9060s will fit right into your fashionista flair.

These “proudly futuristic” New Balance sneakers deliver on Y2K aesthetics beyond compare. The wider base is reminiscent of Nike Shox – very tech-y and otherworldly. The upper part is made from mesh and suede, supplying a super elevated vibe.

The white and cream white coloration is so easy to pair with most every ‘fit. They’ll match with cargo pants, vintage jeans, or even mini skirts and denim shorts.

Reviewers of the New Balance 9060 are glad they invested in this $150 shoe because it's so versatile.

One reviewer toted the 9060’s for fitting into “all aspects” of their lifestyle. Another said that the arch supports “unreal,” so though they’re more fashion-forward than other New Balance kicks, they’re still uber-comfortable for a range of activities.

New Balance 990: The Thrift Shopper

The New Balance 990s are straight-up dad sneakers to the core, so if you gravitate towards the thrift store (or all things vintage-y), you’ll find that they go swimmingly with most outfits and will stand up to long thrift trips.

While they were originally manufactured for running (and they still are), the 990s scream streetwear to me. They appear more elevated than your average athletic running shoe, thanks to the smooth pigskin and fine mesh.

The inside is fitted with a bouncy FuelCell midsole cushioning, and the shoe is available in 4 different widths. The range!

The New Balance 990s are very similar to the New Balance 993s, which is less performance-based.

New Balance 574 Core: The Weekend Warrior

Whether you're hitting the club or the farmer’s market on the weekends, you want to be comfortable (I mean, who doesn't?). The New Balance 574 Cores are made for the weekend warriors.

New Balance describes this signature shoe as “uncomplicated, rugged, durable, and comfortable.”

Though the 574s are pretty basic, they’re earned themselves icon status. You’re sure to see at least one pair when you go out.

The outer layer is made from suede and mesh materials dotted with 100% recycled polyester details.

New Balance 550: The Sneakerhead

These New Balance sneakers aren’t just black and white. They’re “sea salt” with “gray matter” and “magnet.” So yeah, if you consider yourself overly particular about your sneakers, the New Balance 550s are the shoe for you.

These were revived from the late 80’s and early 90’s then re-released full-time in 2021, and they’ve been a modern fan-favorite ever since.

The flatter soles on these sneaks mean they’re not as practical for running or walking long distances, but since they have a history with basketball, you might be able to rock ‘em on the court. More than anything, they definitely give basketball vibes, which is perfect for any streetwear ensemble.

The mixed materials and chunky approach to the classic New Balance logo give these an unmistakable air.

According to New Balance, these best fit people with an average arch height. The thick sole and cushy ankle padding work the hardest to support your feet, rather than an arched insole.

New Balance 530: The Gym-Goer

The New Balance 530s are giving Erewhon baddie. They’re giving I drink smoothies for breakfast. They’re giving I live and breathe pilates.

The stark white colorway of these sneakers reminds me of the clean girl aesthetic, and they’re so pretty, you may have a hard time getting them dirty.

Though very stylish on the outside, it’s what’s on the inside that counts with the New Balance 530s. They’re fitted with an ample midsole section that cushions and compresses your step.

New Balance Fresh Foam: The 10K Steps A Day-er

For the more athletic among us (hello, hot girl walks!), the New Balance Fresh Foam sneakers are the way to go. They’re designed especially for walking and running, so you can count on them to be comfy.

They have an extra-soft cushioning for a cozy step, and every aspect of the footbed is intended to stabilize the foot.

This shoe especially supports walkers or runners with the tendency to step heel first, a bonus co-signed by the American Podiatric Medical Association – this pair received their Seal of Acceptance.

The upper part of the shoe is made of mesh, so it’s highly breathable, even on hot days. They’re great for high arches, too!

Subscribe to our newsletter for more fashion deep-dives!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Images via New Balance.
sneakersshoesfootwearshoppingstyle