Ultimate Comfort Food Cravings
This collection of recipes brings together classic comfort dishes, perfect for a cozy night in or a crowd-plepleasing meal. Enjoy a variety of flavors and textures, from cheesy pasta to spicy tacos and a rich chocolate dessert.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Large saucepan or Dutch oven
- Whisk
- 9x13 inch baking dish (optional)
- Small bowl
- Large skillet
- Oven
- Large oven-safe platter or baking sheet
- 6-ounce ramekins
- Heatproof bowl
- Saucepan
- Microwave (optional)
Ingredients
Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese
- 1 pound elbow macaroni or preferred pasta shape
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups whole milk warmed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg optional, but highly recommended
- 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese or another good melting cheese like Monterey Jack
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs for topping, optional
- 2 tablespoons melted butter for breadcrumbs
Spicy Chicken Tacos
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into 1/2-inch strips
- 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
- 12 small corn or flour tortillas
- Shredded lettuce For Topping
- Diced tomatoes For Topping
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt For Topping
- Salsa For Topping
- Shredded cheese For Topping
- Fresh cilantro chopped, For Topping
- Lime wedges For Topping
Creamy Tomato Pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- small onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for a kick
- 12 ounces pasta penne, spaghetti, or fettuccine work well
- Fresh basil for garnish
Loaded Nacho Platter
- 1 (10-12 ounce) bag tortilla chips
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey optional
- 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning if using meat
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans rinsed and drained
- 1 (15 ounce) can corn drained
- 2 cups shredded Colby Jack or Mexican blend cheese
- Sour cream For Topping
- Guacamole or diced avocado For Topping
- Pico de gallo or salsa For Topping
- Sliced jalapeños fresh or pickled, For Topping
- Chopped green onions For Topping
Decadent Chocolate Lava Cakes
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter plus more for greasing
- 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate chopped
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- salt Pinch of
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Raspberries or vanilla ice cream for serving
Instructions
Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese
- Cook macaroni in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Melt butter in a saucepan, then whisk in flour to create a roux, cooking for 1-2 minutes.
- Gradually whisk in warm milk until the sauce thickens and simmers, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Add cheddar and Gruyère cheeses, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
- Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce, ensuring even coating.
- For baking, transfer to a greased dish, top with panko breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Spicy Chicken Tacos
- Heat olive oil in a skillet, then cook chicken strips until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in taco seasoning and water, simmer for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens and chicken is cooked.
- Warm tortillas according to package directions using a microwave, skillet, or oven.
- Fill warm tortillas with chicken, then add desired toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, salsa, cheese, and cilantro; serve with lime wedges.
Creamy Tomato Pasta
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water, and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet, sauté chopped onion for 5 minutes until softened, then add minced garlic and red pepper flakes for another minute.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, salt, and pepper, then simmer for 10-15 minutes to meld flavors.
- Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, cooking for 2-3 minutes until heated and slightly thickened; add reserved pasta water if needed.
- Add drained pasta to the sauce, toss to coat, and garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan before serving.
Loaded Nacho Platter
- If using ground meat, cook it in a skillet until no longer pink, drain excess grease, and stir in taco seasoning.
- Spread half of the tortilla chips on an oven-safe platter or baking sheet.
- Layer half of the cooked meat (if using), black beans, corn, and cheese over the chips.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining chips, meat, beans, corn, and cheese.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and immediately top with sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, sliced jalapeños, and green onions; serve hot.
Decadent Chocolate Lava Cakes
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C), then grease and flour four 6-ounce ramekins and place them on a baking sheet.
- Melt butter and chopped bittersweet chocolate together over simmering water or in a microwave, stirring until smooth; cool slightly.
- In a separate bowl, whisk whole eggs, egg yolks, and granulated sugar until light and creamy (2-3 minutes).
- Gently fold the cooled chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, then fold in flour and salt until just combined.
- Evenly divide the batter among the prepared ramekins.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, until edges are set but the center still jiggles lightly and top is firm around the edges while soft in the middle.
- Carefully invert cakes onto dessert plates, dust with powdered sugar, and serve immediately with raspberries or vanilla ice cream.
Notes
For the ultimate comfort food experience, consider preparing these dishes for a gathering. The macaroni and cheese can be assembled ahead of time and baked just before serving. When making the lava cakes, be careful not to overbake them to ensure a molten center.