Holly’s Cooking Challenge

Holly's Cooking Challenge

Welcome to Holly’s Cooking Challenge! Here I will be sharing one of my favorite recipes that we can create together every month. Throughout the month, as you cook the featured recipe, snap a picture, and email it in for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card! 

Let’s get cooking!

close up of plated Pot Roast Recipe

Cooking Challenge

February 2025 Cooking Challenge

Perfect Pot Roast

This homemade pot roast recipe is one of my favorite comfort food recipes! I love to slow-cook a roast in the oven with onions, carrots, and potatoes until they are melt-in-your-mouth tender. It makes for the perfect Sunday dinner, especially when served with a rich, savory gravy.

Made with staple ingredients, this recipe turns out tender every time!

View the Pot Roast Recipe

This Month’s Alternative Recipe:

  • Crock Pot Pork Roast: This is an easy meal with minimal prep and maximum flavor. It’s a comfort food classic, bursting with rich flavors from tender meat, hearty vegetables, and a savory broth.

Everyday Comfort Alternative Recipe:

Try a recipe from my cookbook, Everyday Comfort, for this month’s cooking challenge! If you don’t have one yet, grab a copy here and cook along with us.

  • Moms Best Ever Pork Roast with Gravy (p.185): This is my favorite meal of all time! The pork is so tender and buttery, it melts in your mouth, and the rich brown gravy is so good I could drink it.
image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text
3 images including an ipad with a recipe in it, polaroid photos of lasagna, and an email symbol on an envelope
  1. Make this month’s Cooking Challenge recipe (or one of the alternate recipes). Feel free to get creative and add your own spin to the recipe!
  2. Snap a photo of your creation.
  3. Email photos to cookingchallenge@spendwithpennies.com by the last day of the month at 11:59 PM PST for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card.

Have Fun!

If you’re looking for new ways to create in the kitchen, my Cooking Challenge is just what you need. The challenge is designed to inspire you in the kitchen and encourage you to try new things. Don’t be afraid to get creative and add your own twist to the recipes.

And don’t worry about making it look perfect – just take a quick picture with your phone so we can see your delicious creations. So let’s get cooking!

Join the Challenge

Challenge FAQ

What is Holly’s Cooking Challenge?

Holly’s Cooking Challenge is a fun way to try new recipes and a way for us to all share our love for cooking! On the first of every month, a new post will be published announcing the challenge recipe for the month. Make the recipe, snap a picture, and email it in for your chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card. I can’t wait to see your creations!

How do I see the new challenge of the month?

Sign up for Spend with Pennies’ emails and watch for the email on the first of every month.

How do I enter?

By emailing cookingchallenge@spendwithpennies.com, you are automatically entered into the draw. For a bonus entry, leave a review on the Cooking Challenge recipe of the month! Make sure to do this before 11:59 PM PST on the last day of the month!

Do I have to make the recipe exactly to be able to enter?

Nope! Any variation of the recipe will count as an entry. You can also make a variation of the alternate recipes to enter.

What is the prize?

The randomly selected winner of the month will receive a $100 Amazon gift card!

How do I know if I’ve won?

You will be emailed if you are the monthly winner.

Previous Challenges

Official Contest Rules