Blake Shelton, the Oklahoma-born country music superstar, has always been a man of simple pleasures—good tunes, cold beer, and now, it seems, the culinary creations of his wife, Gwen Stefani. In a recent interview on Country Heat Weekly, Shelton couldn’t contain his enthusiasm, gushing about Stefani’s cooking with a fervor usually reserved for his chart-topping hits. “That’s one of those things it takes her all day… and I would eat that for the rest of my life,” he said, singling out her lasagna as the pinnacle of her kitchen prowess. From homemade pizzas that rival any Italian trattoria to wild Thanksgiving experiments like a Flamin’ Hot Cheetos-crusted turkey, Gwen’s kitchen magic has become a cornerstone of their blended family life. This isn’t just about food—it’s a love story told through flavors, a testament to Stefani’s creativity, and a source of endless delight for Shelton. Let’s dive into the delicious details of how this pop-rock icon turned into a culinary wizard, leaving the country star—and fans—hungry for more.
The Love Story Behind the Lasagna: A Taste of Commitment
Blake Shelton’s admiration for Gwen Stefani’s cooking didn’t emerge overnight. The couple, who tied the knot on July 3, 2021, at Shelton’s Oklahoma ranch, have built a relationship on shared experiences, from their The Voice days to navigating the complexities of blended families. Stefani, a mother of three sons—Kingston (19), Zuma (17), and Apollo (11)—from her previous marriage to Gavin Rossdale, brought her culinary skills into the mix, while Shelton, a self-proclaimed “meat-and-potatoes guy,” found himself enchanted by her efforts. Their love story, which began amid their 2015 divorces, has deepened through these home-cooked moments, with the kitchen becoming a sanctuary of their bond.
The lasagna that Shelton raves about is no ordinary dish. In his Country Heat Weekly interview, aired on August 20, 2025, he described it as a labor of love. “She starts early, layering those noodles, the ricotta, the sauce—it’s like a symphony by the time it’s done,” he said, his voice thick with appreciation. Stefani, known for her meticulous approach, spends up to eight hours crafting the dish, using a family recipe passed down from her Italian-American heritage, tweaked with fresh herbs from their ranch garden. Shelton, who admitted to once surviving on fast food during his bachelor days, calls it “the best thing I’ve ever tasted,” a sentiment that has fans curious about the secret behind its allure.
This culinary commitment mirrors their relationship’s resilience. After years of infertility struggles—culminating in the 2025 birth of their daughter Aretha—Stefani’s cooking has been a way to nurture their family, including her sons and Shelton’s stepfather role. The lasagna, served during Sunday dinners at their Oklahoma or Los Angeles homes, has become a ritual, with Kingston joking on Instagram, “Mom’s lasagna beats Dad’s takeout any day!”
From Pizza Nights to Thanksgiving Wildcards: Gwen’s Kitchen Magic
Stefani’s culinary talents extend far beyond lasagna. Shelton revealed that homemade pizza nights are a weekly staple, with the couple and her sons gathering to knead dough and top it with everything from classic pepperoni to experimental combos like prosciutto and arugula. “She’s got this wood-fired oven setup at the ranch, and it’s like we’re in Italy,” Shelton told Country Heat Weekly. Stefani, who learned the art from a Sicilian chef friend, insists on fresh mozzarella and basil, a nod to her California roots. The boys, especially Zuma, have taken to making their own creations, with Apollo’s “dessert pizza” (Nutella and strawberries) earning Shelton’s seal of approval.
But it’s the Thanksgiving experiments that have turned heads. In 2023, Stefani surprised Shelton with a Flamin’ Hot Cheetos-crusted turkey, a bold fusion of her pop-star flair and his love for spicy snacks. “I thought she was kidding, but then she pulled this bright orange bird out of the oven,” Shelton recounted, laughing. The dish, marinated in a spicy brine and coated with crushed Cheetos, was a hit with the family, though Shelton admitted it “cleared my sinuses for a week.” The 2024 Thanksgiving brought a tamer but equally inventive twist—a pumpkin-spiced cornbread stuffing that blended Stefani’s holiday traditions with Shelton’s Southern palate. These culinary adventures, documented on Stefani’s Instagram with hashtags like #GwenCooks and #RanchLife, have inspired fans to try their own bold recipes.
Stefani’s kitchen magic isn’t just about innovation; it’s about connection. During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, when the couple quarantined at the ranch, she turned cooking into a family project. “We’d bake cookies, make pasta from scratch—it kept us sane,” she told Vogue in 2021. Shelton, who once joked about burning toast, has become her sous-chef, proudly sharing a video of him rolling dough for ravioli in 2024.
The Interview That Sparked the Buzz: Blake’s Gushing Praise
Shelton’s Country Heat Weekly appearance was the catalyst for this culinary spotlight. Hosted by Storme Warren on August 20, 2025, the interview focused on Shelton’s latest album, For Recreational Use Only, but quickly veered into personal territory. When asked about his favorite home meal, Shelton’s eyes lit up. “Gwen’s lasagna—man, that’s one of those things it takes her all day, and I would eat that for the rest of my life,” he said, his drawl thickening with enthusiasm. He elaborated on the process, praising her patience with the layers and the “melt-in-your-mouth” result, a stark contrast to his own culinary misadventures.
The segment went viral, with clips racking up over 2 million views on YouTube within days. Fans latched onto Shelton’s sincerity, with comments like “Blake’s lasagna love is the cutest thing!” and “Gwen, share the recipe!” The interview also highlighted other dishes, like her chili (a spicy blend Shelton swears by during football season) and her banana bread, which he claims is “better than my mama’s.” Warren teased Shelton about gaining weight, prompting a laugh and a quip: “Worth every bite!”
This praise comes at a pivotal time for Shelton, who stepped back from The Voice in 2023 to focus on family and music. His admiration for Stefani’s cooking underscores a shift from his party-boy image to a domestic bliss narrative, resonating with fans who’ve followed his journey with Stefani and their daughter Aretha, born in December 2024.
Fan Reactions: A Hunger for Recipes and Stories
The internet erupted with excitement. #GwenCooksLasagna trended on X, with fans begging for the recipe. “I need Gwen’s lasagna in my life—Blake’s sold me!” one user posted, while another suggested, “Petition for a Shelton-Stefani cookbook!” TikTok saw a surge of fan-made lasagna tutorials, with creators adding their spins—some with country twists like adding bacon, inspired by Shelton’s taste.
Food blogs jumped in, analyzing Stefani’s style. A Taste of Home article speculated she uses San Marzano tomatoes and a béchamel layer, based on her Italian heritage. Fans also reminisced about her Thanksgiving experiments, with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos turkey inspiring a meme: “Gwen’s cooking is hotter than Blake’s love songs!” The couple’s blended family dynamic—Stefani’s sons and their new sister Aretha—added warmth, with Zuma sharing a pizza-making video that garnered 1 million likes.
The Culinary Influence: A Blend of Cultures
Stefani’s cooking reflects her diverse background. Raised in Fullerton, California, with Italian-American roots, she inherited a love for hearty, layered dishes like lasagna. Her pop career brought global influences—sushi nights and Thai curries have appeared on her Instagram—while Shelton’s Oklahoma upbringing favors comfort food like fried chicken and cornbread. Their kitchen is a fusion, with Stefani adapting recipes to suit Shelton’s palate. The Flamin’ Hot Cheetos turkey, for instance, merged her experimental streak with his love for bold flavors.
This blend mirrors their music collaborations, like “Nobody But You” (2019), where Stefani’s pop edge met Shelton’s country twang. Cooking has become a creative outlet, especially since Aretha’s birth, with Stefani using it to bond with her expanded family. Shelton’s ranch, with its garden and livestock, provides fresh ingredients—eggs for her quiches, herbs for her sauces—making their meals a true farm-to-table affair.
Behind the Scenes: The Effort and Joy
Stefani’s kitchen magic requires effort. Her lasagna involves hand-rolling pasta, simmering sauce for hours, and assembling layers with precision, a process she’s honed over years. “It’s therapy for me,” she told People in 2023. “Cooking for Blake and the kids gives me peace.” Shelton, though not a natural cook, chips in, often tasked with chopping or tending the wood-fired oven. “He’s gotten better—less chopping off fingers!” Stefani joked.
The Thanksgiving experiments, like the Cheetos turkey, involve trial runs. In 2022, a test run with a spicy glaze flopped, but Stefani’s persistence paid off. “She’s fearless,” Shelton said. “I’d never dream of putting Cheetos on a turkey, but she makes it work.” These moments, captured in family vlogs, show a playful dynamic, with Aretha’s giggles adding to the chaos.
Cultural Impact: Food as Family Glue
Stefani’s cooking has broader significance. In a celebrity world of personal chefs, her hands-on approach harks back to traditional values, aligning with country music’s roots. Shelton’s praise elevates her to a domestic icon, paralleling figures like Dolly Parton, known for her Southern recipes. The Flamin’ Hot Cheetos turkey, a viral hit, even inspired a limited-edition snack collaboration with Frito-Lay in 2024, raising funds for a music education charity.
For fans, it’s a relatable joy. Amid busy lives, Stefani’s dedication to family meals offers inspiration, especially for blended families like theirs. The lasagna, a symbol of love, ties into Shelton’s narrative of redemption—post-divorce, post-The Voice—making their story a cultural touchstone.
Looking Ahead: A Recipe for the Future
The buzz has sparked ideas. Fans suggest a cooking show, “Ranch Kitchen with Blake and Gwen,” blending their talents. Shelton’s hinted at a song inspired by the lasagna, while Stefani’s teased a recipe book, “Gwen’s Table,” featuring Aretha’s favorite dishes. With their daughter now 8 months old, family dinners will grow, perhaps with Aretha’s first taste of mashed potatoes on the horizon.
As Shelton raves and Stefani cooks, their kitchen tale continues to unfold. From lasagna love to Cheetos turkeys, it’s a flavor-filled journey that’s as much about family as it is about food—a country feast fans can’t get enough of.