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Cozy Sunday Comfort Food Rotation: 4 Easy Family Classics to Love

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A collection of four comforting and easy-to-make family classic recipes perfect for relaxed Sunday dinners, featuring mac and cheese, beef stew, chicken pot pie, and baked ziti.

Ingredients

  • Mac and Cheese: 3 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked), 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded, 2 cups milk (whole or 2%), 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened, 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon d…
  • Classic Beef Stew: 2 pounds beef chuck cut into 1-inch cubes, 3 medium carrots peeled and chopped, 2 celery stalks chopped, 1 large yellow onion diced, 3 garlic cloves minced, 4 cups beef broth, 2 tab…
  • Chicken Pot Pie: 3 cups cooked chicken breast shredded, 1 ½ cups frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn), 4 tablespoons butter, ¼ cup all-purpose flour, 2 cups chicken broth, 1 cup milk or cream…
  • Baked Ziti: 1 pound ziti pasta (or penne), 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese, 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded, ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated, 3 cups marinara sauce, a handful fresh basil chopped (optional), sa…

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Mac and Cheese: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook 3 cups elbow macaroni according to package instructions (8-10 minutes) until al dente. Drain and set aside. In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tablespoons flour and cook for 2 minutes until bubbling (roux). Gradually whisk in 2 cups milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Once thickened (about 5 minutes), remove from heat and stir in 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar, 1 …
  2. Cook the Beef Stew: Toss 2 pounds beef chuck cubes with 2 tablespoons flour, salt, and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown beef in batches until all sides are seared (about 5 minutes per batch). Remove beef and set aside. In the same pot, add diced onion, chopped carrots, and celery; cook until softened (7 minutes). Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute more. Return beef to pot. Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste, then pour in 4 cups beef broth. Add fresh thy…
  3. Make the Chicken Pot Pie Filling: In a saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Whisk in ¼ cup flour and cook 2 minutes. Slowly add 2 cups chicken broth and 1 cup milk, whisking constantly until thickened (about 5 minutes). Stir in 3 cups shredded cooked chicken and 1 ½ cups frozen mixed vegetables. Season with salt, pepper, and dried thyme. Transfer filling to a baking dish. Cover with pie crust, trim edges, and cut slits for steam. Bake in preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 35-40 mi…
  4. Prepare the Baked Ziti: Cook 1 pound ziti pasta in salted boiling water until just al dente (about 8 minutes). Drain and mix with 3 cups marinara sauce, 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese, and 1 cup shredded mozzarella. Season with salt, pepper, and add chopped fresh basil if using. Transfer to a baking dish, top with remaining mozzarella and ½ cup Parmesan. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.

Notes

For gluten-free versions, substitute regular pasta with gluten-free pasta and use almond flour or cornstarch instead of all-purpose flour. For dairy-free options, use plant-based milk and cheese alternatives, and replace butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine. Avoid crowding the pan when browning beef to get a good crust. For pot pie, cover crust edges with foil if browning too fast. Do not overcook pasta before baking baked ziti to prevent mushiness. These recipes can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen (pot pie unbaked).

Nutrition

Keywords: comfort food, family recipes, mac and cheese, beef stew, chicken pot pie, baked ziti, easy dinner, Sunday dinner, classic recipes

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/cozy-sunday-comfort-food-rotation-4-easy-family-classics-to-love/